The Mizukage Is Strong But Overly Cautious

Who is the most hated enemy of Kirigakure in the Land of Water?

It's strange to say, but it is neither Konohagakure, the Village Hidden in the Leaves, which once defeated the Mist Shinobi, nor Kumogakure, the Hidden Cloud Village, known for its aggressive expansionist policies.

Instead, the village most despised by Kirigakure is Iwagakure, the Hidden Stone Village, despite being located thousands of miles away in the Land of Earth.

The origins of this deep-seated hatred trace back to the First Great Ninja War, more than a decade ago.

The war itself erupted following the death of Senju Hashirama, the legendary God of Shinobi. With his passing, the influence of his successor, Second Hokage Senju Tobirama, was insufficient to deter the growing ambitions of the other great nations.

For years, the Five Great Shinobi Nations had envied the abundant natural resources and prime geographical position of the Land of Fire. When Hashirama's stabilizing presence vanished, the four other villages saw their chance. Without formally declaring war, they launched coordinated offensives against Konoha, igniting the First Great Ninja War.

However, they underestimated Konoha's resilience.

Not only was Tobirama an extraordinary tactician, but the younger generation he had nurtured—future elites like Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzō, Uchiha Kagami, and Utatane Koharu—had begun to rise to prominence.

With these formidable shinobi at its disposal, Konoha swiftly turned the tide, repelling the invading forces. The war then entered its second phase, with the major villages suffering heavy losses.

While Konoha was fending off its enemies, Iwagakure and Kirigakure—who had initially gained some advantages—found themselves embroiled in an internal conflict.

The dispute arose over the division of conquered territory and spoils. Neither side was willing to compromise. The tensions escalated into full-scale war, culminating in a catastrophic battle that claimed the lives of both the Second Tsuchikage, Mū, and the Second Mizukage, Gengetsu Hōzuki.

Both villages suffered devastating losses, forever cementing their mutual enmity.

Around the same time, the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, was betrayed and ambushed by the infamous Gold and Silver Brothers—Kinkaku and Ginkaku—during what was supposed to be a diplomatic peace talk with the Second Raikage.

Tobirama, recognizing the inevitability of his demise, chose to sacrifice himself to ensure his students' survival, appointing Hiruzen Sarutobi as his successor. The conflict with Kumogakure intensified, eventually leading to the deaths of the Gold and Silver Brothers at the hands of the newly instated Third Raikage.

Thus, the First Great Ninja War drew to a close, and the ninja world entered a temporary era of peace.

The War Ended, but Hatred Never Dies

For Kirigakure, the loss of Second Mizukage Gengetsu Hōzuki remained an unbearable scar.

Gengetsu had been the architect of Kirigakure's modern military strength. Under his leadership, crucial institutions such as the Anbu Black Ops, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, and the Ninja Academy were established. His efforts had transformed Kirigakure into a formidable power among the Five Great Nations.

Without his reforms, the village might have remained the weakest of the five, trailing even Sunagakure, the Village Hidden in the Sand.

Given the significance of his contributions, the Mist Shinobi viewed Iwagakure's role in his death as an unforgivable crime.

To this day, anyone who collaborates with Iwagakure is deemed a traitor of the highest order in Kirigakure.

Upon hearing the revelations from the captured Rock Shinobi, Mizuki Ryosuke's team fell into heavy silence.

They all understood the gravity of the situation—this was no mere border skirmish. Kirigakure was under attack not only from external enemies but also from within.

A hidden faction within the village had conspired with Iwagakure, treating foreign forces as pawns in their power struggle.

"Captain…"

Mizuki Mitsuhiko was the first to break the silence, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

"What should we do?"

He was visibly unsettled. The revelation that high-ranking officials within Kirigakure had collaborated with Rock Shinobi—especially in a plot to assassinate the Third Mizukage—was nothing short of treason. Worse still, the Mizukage in question was none other than the leader of the Mizuki clan itself.

Mizuki Ryosuke remained composed, speaking in a calm yet firm tone.

"Stay calm. We need to think this through."

Piecing Together the Puzzle

Mizuki Ryosuke closed his eyes, analyzing the situation.

If the captured Rock Shinobi's testimony was accurate, then the supposed defector, Nakajima Koji, had been nothing more than bait. He had been silenced immediately upon arrival—his existence was merely a fabricated excuse to lure Mizuki Ryosuke into an ambush.

That meant the true target had always been him.

This realization confirmed Mizuki Ryosuke's worst fears: his own death was likely a bargaining chip in a deal between Iwagakure and Kirigakure's internal conspirators.

But the enemy had gravely miscalculated.

They had assumed Mizuki Ryosuke was an ordinary operative, not expecting him to be capable of slaughtering their entire ambush squad.

More alarmingly, the enemy's broader objective had been exposed—an assassination attempt on the Third Mizukage.

The most likely mastermind?

Yagura Karatachi.

The ambitious ANBU commander had long been a contender for the title of Mizukage. It stood to reason that he would benefit the most from the current Mizukage's death.

Furthermore, only someone with Yagura's authority could manipulate intelligence to misdirect the Mizukage's forces and coordinate with Iwagakure.

However, despite this revelation, a lingering doubt gnawed at Mizuki Ryosuke.

Was this merely Yagura's personal ambition? Or was there another force lurking in the shadows?

The possibility of an external influence—perhaps even Uchiha Madara—loomed over him like a storm cloud.

If Madara was truly involved, standing against Yagura now would be equivalent to challenging one of the most legendary shinobi in history.

Mizuki Ryosuke's mind raced as he weighed his options.

Running was an option. Disappearing into the shadows, severing all ties with Kirigakure, and living a quiet life elsewhere.

But then he thought of her.

Lian.

The gentle smile that had always reassured him. The reason he had endured the bloodshed and chaos of the shinobi world.

The moment he pictured her, any thought of abandoning the fight disappeared.

A determined glint shone in Mizuki Ryosuke's eyes.

He wouldn't run—not yet.

If there was even the slightest chance to change fate, he had to take it.

Uchiha Madara might be a god among men, but even gods had weaknesses.

And Mizuki Ryosuke intended to find them.