The Mizukage Is Strong But Overly Cautious

Mist Shinobi, ANBU Headquarters

In the pitch-black chamber, where even his own fingers were barely visible, Yagura Karatachi sat in deep contemplation, his voice barely a whisper as he addressed the hooded figure before him. The oppressive darkness was not merely an aesthetic choice—it was a necessary precaution. Around them, an intricate barrier of Fuinjutsu silenced all sounds, ensuring that not even the most skilled sensor ninja or ANBU operative could eavesdrop.

"How are your preparations progressing?" Yagura's voice, though quiet, carried an unshakable authority.

"The time is nearly upon us," the hooded figure responded. "Opportunities like this are fleeting."

"You must act swiftly."

Yagura's voice remained as cold as the mist that blanketed Kirigakure, devoid of any emotion. His expression, illuminated faintly by a dim lantern in the corner, was as unreadable as ever.

"Do not worry," the man reassured him. "Kari-sama has already arrived from Iwagakure."

"Everything is set. As long as your end holds up, we can move at any moment."

The hooded figure finally lifted his head slightly, revealing the gleam of a forehead protector in the dim light. Even in the shadows, the unmistakable insignia of Iwagakure—the twin rectangular stone symbols of the Hidden Stone—stood out.

"The infamous Iwa Demolition Corps…" Yagura murmured. His lips curled into an eerie smirk, a chilling contrast to his youthful, almost cherubic face.

"But—"

The Iwa-nin hesitated, a flicker of unease breaking through his composed demeanor.

"But what?"

Yagura's smirk vanished instantly, his expression darkening. A heavy silence filled the room, suffocating in its intensity. The sudden shift in his mood made the air feel thick, heavy, as if the very walls of the chamber trembled in response to his growing displeasure.

The Iwa-nin swallowed before finally speaking.

"Master Hunter has another… request."

Yagura narrowed his eyes.

"I hope you will grant it," the man continued cautiously.

"Speak."

This time, Yagura's voice was as frigid as the ice jutsu that claimed the lives of countless rebels in the Bloody Mist. A subtle, almost imperceptible killing intent seeped from his small frame, but it was potent enough to send a shiver down the spine of the hardened Iwa operative.

"Master Hunter wants the man responsible for the death of 'Stone Duff.'"

"We promise that if we receive this individual, no further demands will be made."

Yagura's gaze remained impassive, but the flickering light cast a shadow over his youthful features, giving him a more sinister appearance.

"Stone Duff? Just a Jōnin. Why would Hunter go to such lengths to avenge him?"

The Iwa-nin hesitated again, but he knew stalling would only provoke Yagura further.

"Because Duffta… was Lord Hunter's younger brother."

Silence.

Then, at last, Yagura exhaled, the tension in the room momentarily loosening.

"Fine."

"But mark my words—do not fail me."

"The famed Demolition Corps of Iwagakure… I expect results."

With those final words, an unholy alliance was sealed.

Deep Underground, Beneath the ANBU Headquarters

A slow, amused chuckle echoed in the pitch-black subterranean passage.

"Ehhhh~ Little Yagura is as ruthless as ever. Maybe even more ruthless than you."

The speaker's voice was taunting, carrying an almost theatrical smugness.

"Jie jie… When it comes to darkness, I am unparalleled."

A second voice responded, raspy and devoid of warmth.

"After all, just look at my name."

The first voice giggled in agreement.

"That's true."

"But—"

"We should go inform him, shouldn't we?"

The second voice didn't hesitate.

"Yes. Soon, Yagura will be fully under our control."

From the darkness emerged an eerie figure. Or was it two?

A monstrous entity stepped forward, its form neither fully human nor entirely inhuman. A peculiar, pitcher-plant-like structure enveloped its shoulders, one side black as the abyss, the other ghostly white. It was as if two completely distinct beings had been fused into one grotesque existence.

Without another word, the creature—Zetsu—sank effortlessly into the earth, vanishing from sight.

Kirigakure Outskirts, Half a Month Later

Mizuki Ryosuke's squad had resumed their operations over two weeks ago.

In that time, their elite status had been made evident through their missions. Unlike Team 7 in Konoha, who were tasked with mundane errands like finding lost cats or assisting elderly villagers, Mizuki Ryosuke ensured his team was put to actual use.

Under his leadership, they had successfully completed a C-rank mission to eliminate a bandit faction, as well as a B-rank escort mission, during which they repelled rogue Taki-nin defectors. The shared experience had fostered camaraderie among the squad members, strengthening their trust in one another.

In particular, Terumi Mei and Mizuki Mitsuhiko had started to view Mizuki Ryosuke as a dependable and level-headed leader—one who always put their safety above all else.

But today, something felt different.

A new mission had been assigned. A strange one.

Mizuki Ryosuke had been summoned to the Mizukage's office, and upon receiving his orders, the team had set out immediately.

Their objective was unlike anything they had done before.

They were to hunt down a traitor.

On the Road

"Captain, why was our team assigned to a mission like this?"

Terumi Mei's voice was laced with suspicion, her single exposed eye studying Mizuki Ryosuke carefully.

It wasn't an unreasonable question.

Tracking and eliminating rogue ninja was typically a job reserved for ANBU. Such assignments were often delicate matters, sometimes involving highly classified intelligence. It was unheard of for regular shinobi teams—no matter how skilled—to be entrusted with this kind of work.

Even Mizuki Mitsuhiko, usually indifferent, seemed uncharacteristically focused, though he tried to hide his curiosity. His head remained tilted back in a dismissive posture, but his ears were undeniably pricked, listening intently.

Only Takeda Yoichi remained unfazed, his usual carefree grin plastered on his face.

"A mission is a mission," Mizuki Ryosuke stated flatly. "Our duty is to complete the task assigned."

He turned his head slightly, his sharp gaze meeting Mei's questioning one.

"Ninja Rule #6: Follow the mission's requirements. Nothing more, nothing less."

Mei exhaled, visibly dissatisfied, but ultimately relented.

"Fine…"

As a response, Mizuki Ryosuke reached out and ruffled her hair, causing her to huff and roll her eyes in mock annoyance.

It was better this way.

They didn't need to know the real reasons behind this mission.

Because if they did…

They would realize just how deep the darkness in Kirigakure truly ran.

Mizuki Ryosuke's mind drifted back to his meeting with the Mizukage, where the truth behind their mission had been revealed.

And it was anything but simple.