The Mizukage Is Strong But Overly Cautious

After a brief pause, Mizuki Ryosuke wrote down two names: "Ryosuke" and "Lotus."

Nothing was more important than his and Lian's survival.

"Call…"

Mizuki Ryosuke exhaled heavily, his breath forming a thin mist in the cool air.

He knew the path history had taken in the original timeline. The Mizuki, Kaguya, and Ghost Lantern clans—once among Kirigakure's strongest bloodline clans—were all destined to fall apart, leaving behind only a handful of scattered descendants.

Ice Release, Shikotsumyaku, Hydrification Technique…

These once-feared kekkei genkai would eventually fade into obscurity, lost in the relentless tide of time.

Kirigakure itself would undergo a brutal transformation—becoming the feared "Village of the Bloody Mist."

And behind it all, pulling the strings from the shadows, was none other than Uchiha Madara.

The man who had once fought Hashirama Senju for control of the shinobi world.

The man who had manipulated the creation of Akatsuki.

The man who had nearly succeeded in his plan for the Infinite Tsukuyomi.

Madara's influence was undeniable. His sheer mastery of the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, his access to the Gedo Statue, and his ability to single-handedly defeat Kage-level shinobi were terrifying reminders of his power.

Even if Madara was now old, even if he was a shadow of his former self—he was still a legend.

But Mizuki Ryosuke was not without options.

His current strength was enough to ensure both his and Lian's survival during the coming chaos. In the worst-case scenario, he had confidence that he could escape—even from someone like Madara.

But changing history outright? That was another matter.

No matter how much power he gained, no matter how many moves he calculated, there were too many unpredictable elements.

If possible, he preferred to remain in the background, waiting for the right moment to act.

After all, if stability was an option, who would choose a life of secrecy and exile?

Everything had to be planned carefully.

And as for reckless decisions?

That was out of the question.

Recklessness was never an option—and it never would be.

A Few Days Later

For the first time in a while, Mizuki Ryosuke was granted a rare period of leave from active duty.

There were two reasons for this:

First, nearly half of his former team had been wiped out during their last mission, and the squad was currently undergoing reorganization.

Second, as a newly promoted special Jōnin, Ryosuke was being given time to review his mission assignments and decide on his next steps.

During this period, something unexpected happened.

Mizuki Taki's attitude shifted.

The Mizuki clan's secret techniques, scrolls, and resources—which had once been locked behind strict hierarchy—were suddenly opened to him.

If Mizuki Ryosuke wanted to study the Mizuki clan's hidden jutsu, now was the time.

And he was not one to refuse such an opportunity.

He absorbed everything he could. Even if his combat style was already formidable, mastering more of the clan's jutsu would only add to his arsenal.

A Critical Decision

At this moment, Mizuki Ryosuke faced two clear paths:

1. Join the Anbu and become an elite operative.

This was an option available to all newly promoted Jōnin. Anbu operatives received higher salaries, classified missions, and better resources—but the dangers they faced were on an entirely different level.

2. Reorganize into a standard ninja squad and continue missions as a team.

In this case, Mizukage himself would assign the squad members, but the team leader would have some influence on the selection.

For Mizuki Ryosuke, the choice was obvious.

Joining Anbu would be akin to walking into the jaws of death.

After all, Anbu's commander was none other than Yagura Karatachi—the man most likely being manipulated by Madara himself.

Mizuki Ryosuke wasn't naive enough to step into enemy territory just to "prove himself."

Instead, forming a new team was the safest and most strategic choice.

A Familiar Face

One afternoon, while practicing at home, Mizuki Ryosuke received an unexpected visitor.

Kuroshima Morita, a seasoned Jōnin and one of Mizukage's closest confidants, had arrived at his door.

More importantly, Morita was Ryosuke's former captain when he was still a Genin.

He was also the first ninja to arrive and reinforce Ryosuke when he had been ambushed by Iwagakure shinobi in the past.

"Ryosuke, you've grown, brat!"

Morita grinned, his scarred face creasing as he clapped Ryosuke's shoulder with a rough hand.

Ryosuke chuckled. "Captain Morita, thank you for your help last time."

"Bah! No need for thanks!" Morita waved it off, then suddenly remembered something.

"Right—I almost forgot. Mizukage sent me."

He handed over a sealed package—inside was a Jōnin's standard uniform, an identification scroll, and an official Kirigakure headband.

"From now on, you'll need to wear this on formal occasions," Morita said.

Then, he took out another document.

"This is for you as well."

Ryosuke unsealed the document and scanned its contents carefully.

It was a list of available ninja candidates, complete with their names, ranks, abilities, and mission records.

"Your request to rebuild your squad has been approved," Morita explained.

"Most of these are fresh Genin from the academy, but there are a few Chūnin available as well. You get to pick your own team."

This was a privilege not normally given to special Jōnin.

Usually, teams were assigned directly by the Mizukage without much input from the squad leader.

But Ryosuke's rising status had granted him this rare exception.

As he flipped through the names, his eyes suddenly locked onto one.

"It's her…"

He made his decision immediately.

"I've chosen. Mizuki Mitsuhiko and… Terumi Mei. These are the teammates I need."

Morita raised an eyebrow, then grinned approvingly.

Candidate Profiles

Terumi Mei

• Gender: Female

• Rank: Chūnin

• Abilities: Proficient in Water Style, Fire Style, and Wind Style

• Mission Record: 22 D-rank, 8 C-rank, 2 B-rank, 1 A-rank

• Background: A commoner orphan raised by the village after losing her parents in the war. A natural prodigy with three elemental affinities.

Mizuki Mitsuhiko

• Gender: Male

• Rank: Genin

• Abilities: Water Style, Wind Style, Ice Release (Kekkei Genkai)

• Mission Record: Unknown

• Background: A direct member of the Mizuki clan.

Morita smirked. "You've got a good eye, kid."

Ryosuke simply smiled.

This was both a tactical and political move.

• Terumi Mei was destined to become the Fifth Mizukage—an invaluable ally if Kirigakure's power struggle turned into war.

• Mizuki Mitsuhiko was the second son of a Mizuki elder. Including him in the team was a strategic favor to keep the clan's leadership appeased.

With Takeda Yoichi, the sensor-type ninja from his previous squad, now promoted to Chūnin, the team was finally complete.

Mizuki Ryosuke exhaled.

A new team. A new chapter.

And an uncertain future ahead.