The Mizukage Is Strong But Overly Cautious

Only complete destruction can pave the way for true rebirth.

This was the philosophy of Teru Yoruichiro, a principle deeply rooted in the brutal reality of the Naruto world—where the old must fall for the new to rise. His sacrifice was not just a loss but a calculated gamble, akin to how the Uchiha clan had once sought change in Konoha through rebellion. By offering himself as a pawn, he forced Yagura into a precarious position, diverting attention and creating an opening for the next generation—Kaguya Yuta and the others—to establish a new identity, free from the burdens of the past.

Bloodlines defined power in the shinobi world. The Kaguya clan's Shikotsumyaku, the Dead Bone Pulse, had once been revered as a force of destruction akin to the legendary kekkei genkai of the Uchiha or Hyūga. If they could shed the stigma of their ancestors' reckless warmongering, the village would inevitably see their worth and reintegrate them as a valuable asset rather than a liability.

However, betrayal was a dangerous game. If word of Kaguya Yuta's defection had reached Yagura prematurely, the coup would have collapsed before it even began. The Third Mizukage, prepared and waiting, would have had all the leverage, trapping Yagura like a turtle in a pot. Yet, all would be revealed in tomorrow's confrontation—until then, Mizuki Ryosuke had only one task: determining how to handle Kaguya Yuta's surrender.

Originally, Mizuki Ryosuke had accepted Kaguya Yuta's plea purely out of curiosity, playing the role of the Third Mizukage's proxy. But now, the situation had spiraled beyond the authority given to him. The unpredictability of the situation left him without a clear path forward—unable to consult the Mizukage, he was forced to act on his own.

What now?

Then, a bold thought surfaced. At this moment, no one else knew of Kaguya Yuta's allegiance. If handled correctly, Mizuki Ryosuke could take advantage of the situation and claim the Kaguya under his own influence.

The Kaguya were not insignificant. Their lineage traced directly to Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, making them distant relatives of the Uchiha, Senju, and Hyūga clans. Their raw combat potential was undeniable—Kimimaro alone had proven how terrifying their Shikotsumyaku could be, challenging even the elite of Konoha's forces. Whether or not they were given positions of importance, simply having them as enforcers or bodyguards could be invaluable.

The thought of gaining such an asset was tempting, but Mizuki Ryosuke's disciplined mind caught the flicker of greed within himself. He immediately recalled his personal philosophy—moderation—and forced himself to reconsider.

After careful thought, he exhaled deeply and made his decision.

"I accept your request."

Those simple words caused Kaguya Yuta's tense shoulders to relax.

This was it. This was the acknowledgment that his sacrifice had not been in vain.

"You will remain hidden until tomorrow's events have unfolded," Mizuki Ryosuke continued, his tone carrying a weight of finality. "Do not reveal yourself to anyone. Once everything is settled, I will send further instructions."

"Yes, my lord."

Kaguya Yuta bowed, fully expecting this restriction. With no further words exchanged, Mizuki Ryosuke left.

As soon as he was certain no one had followed him, Mizuki Ryosuke stepped into a secluded alley and dissolved into water—his Mizu Bunshin no Jutsu dispelled.

Instantly, all the memories of his clone's interactions with Kaguya Yuta flooded into his consciousness. Processing everything, Mizuki Ryosuke swiftly made his way back to the Mizukage Mansion, where he reverted to his disguise as Mizuki Taki and awaited the real Mizukage's return.

As he reflected on the events that had just transpired, he couldn't suppress a quiet sigh.

This move had been risky.

No matter how thoroughly he calculated the risks, integrating the Kaguya was still only 95% within his control. Normally, Mizuki Ryosuke refused to act unless the odds were at least 98% in his favor.

"Too unstable… This isn't good," he muttered under his breath. Even a 3% margin of error was unacceptable when dealing with power struggles of this scale.

Soon, the faint sound of footsteps interrupted his thoughts. The door creaked open, revealing a weary figure—his posture slightly slouched, his expression lined with exhaustion.

The real Third Mizukage had returned.

In the dimly lit Mizukage Mansion, the scene felt almost surreal—two identical figures facing each other.

"Mizukage-sama," Mizuki Ryosuke greeted as he dispelled his Henge no Jutsu, returning to his own form.

Mizuki Taki's gaze swept across the empty room, his first concern evident in his voice.

"Ryosuke, how are things here? Where are Lian and Liuhua?"

Mizuki Ryosuke immediately responded, "Nothing major occurred in your absence. Sister Lian and Lady Liuhua have been secured in a safe location under my supervision. There is no need for concern."

For a fleeting moment, Mizuki Taki's expression softened, reassured that his wife and daughter were unharmed.

"Good."

However, he quickly shifted gears. The moment of relief was short-lived, replaced by the sharp focus of a man preparing for war.

"Ghost Lantern has agreed to lend their support tomorrow," Mizuki Taki revealed. "And I have begun spreading word to Anbu operatives who are not loyal to Yagura."

Then, he paused, his gaze lingering on Mizuki Ryosuke with newfound consideration.

"What do you think our next move should be?"

It was a simple question, but it carried weight.

For the first time, Mizuki Taki wasn't just issuing orders—he was seeking advice.

Mizuki Ryosuke had proven his cunning before. Now, it seemed the Third Mizukage was ready to test just how valuable that intelligence truly was.

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