NOVEL NEXT Chapter 23: CHAPTER 23
In pursuit of stability, Mizuki Ryosuke led his team to the designated "village house" mentioned in the mission scroll to verify its authenticity.
The village was a small, unassuming settlement, much like those scattered throughout the Land of Water. Dozens of families resided there, living off subsistence farming.
In the modest home where Koji Nakajima had reportedly stayed, a seemingly kind and honest farmer provided Ryosuke with everything he knew.
The villagers' responses were flawless—consistent with the details in the mission scroll. Even nearby residents corroborated their statements.
For ordinary civilians, deceiving trained shinobi was nearly impossible, especially with Takeda Yoichi, an expert in deception detection, present.
Upon leaving, Takeda nodded toward Ryosuke, signaling that nothing was amiss.
Thus, the team proceeded forward based on the mission's intelligence.
After another day and night of travel, they reached a dense forest where all leads converged.
Before long, they discovered faint traces of movement.
Takeda crouched, scooping up a handful of soil, bringing it to his nose before stating with certainty:
"Captain, there's a faint scent of blood in the earth."
"It's likely from a small animal—perhaps a rabbit or a squirrel."
"Someone must have hunted recently."
Yet, no bones or remains were found—only blood-stained soil.
This suggested that a human, one careful enough to avoid detection, was responsible for the kill.
Takeda's assessment made Mizuki Mitsuhiko and Terumi Mei reconsider their initial thoughts.
His keen investigative ability surpassed their own.
Observing this, Mizuki Ryosuke nodded in satisfaction.
Following the mission's trail, it was now highly probable that Koji Nakajima was the predator.
The team was invigorated by the discovery.
Signs of human activity became increasingly evident as they ventured deeper.
Their objective was close.
Beneath the forest's depths…
A squad of elite Iwagakure shinobi lay in wait.
One Elite Jōnin. Three Jōnin. Nine Chūnin.
A force formidable enough to rival a mid-sized combat unit.
More importantly, these were Rock shinobi—masters of coordinated warfare.
At their helm stood a man with spiky, ferocious hair—Kagura, a prominent member of Iwagakure's Explosive Corps.
Like the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, the Explosive Corps were an elite force, feared across nations.
Kagura, an Elite Jōnin, wielded the feared Bakuton (Explosion Release) Kekkei Genkai—his power was immeasurable.
Even Kage-level shinobi would hesitate to face such a force head-on.
Their presence in the Land of Water was part of a classified S-rank operation.
However, before they could execute their mission, Kagura's younger brother, a fellow Bakuton user, had been slain by a Mist shinobi.
Kagura was furious. He had raised his brother since childhood. Their bond was unbreakable.
Suppressing his wrath was not an option.
Fueled by vengeance, he orchestrated an intricate death trap deep within the forest—far from Kirigakure's reach.
His network of detection seals, subtly placed at the forest's borders, had already been triggered.
Iwagakure's ambush squad knew their targets had arrived.
Kagura rose to his feet, eyes burning with primal rage.
"The enemy is here."
"No need for words—this blood debt will be repaid in blood."
"Lend me your strength."
His voice dripped with murderous intent.
The Rock shinobi exchanged brief glances before nodding in agreement.
Even if Kagura was acting outside the mission's parameters, his rank and status afforded him such freedom.
Those selected for this mission were among his most trusted subordinates.
Refusing him was out of the question.
Besides, the opponents were a mere Mist genin squad—hardly a threat.
Thus, the Rock shinobi concealed themselves, waiting for their prey to step into the jaws of death.
Elsewhere…
As Mizuki Mitsuhiko prepared to advance, Ryosuke abruptly pulled him back.
"What's wrong?"
Mitsuhiko's confusion was evident.
Terumi Mei, however, sighed knowingly.
"Here we go again…"
She had participated in previous missions under Ryosuke's leadership and knew his nature well—he was excessively cautious.
Almost to a fault.
Ryosuke didn't explain. Instead, his voice was calm yet firm:
"From this moment on, battle positions. Follow my every command."
His grave tone silenced any protest.
Without question, the three nodded in unison.
Ryosuke whispered instructions into their ears.
Moments later, each took a scroll and dashed in different directions.
Ryosuke then strode into the forest's depths alone.
Unbeknownst to him, an unseen "eye" hidden in the shadows monitored his every move—transmitting the intel to the Rock shinobi underground.
"What should we do, Lord Kagura?" a Jōnin inquired.
"It's simple—kill the Jōnin first. The rest of those brats aren't worth our time."
Kagura's gaze locked onto the white-clad young man.
His expression twisted with pure hatred.
He recognized him.
This was the Mist shinobi who had slain his brother, Daifu.