The Mizukage Is Strong But Overly Cautious

After the Third Mizukage left, Mizuki Ryosuke's mind was in turmoil.

The Anbu had come to investigate just that morning.

Then, the Mizukage himself visited in the afternoon.

If there was no connection between the two, he wouldn't believe it—even if someone killed him to convince him otherwise.

The reason Mizukage-sama gave for visiting might not have been a complete lie, but—

This was the same man who had ignored him for years.

Why had his attitude shifted so dramatically?

Why had he personally visited a relatively unknown Chūnin?

And before leaving, the Mizukage had even hinted that greater burdens would soon fall on him.

There could be only one answer.

It had to be connected to what he had revealed to the Anbu earlier that day.

And there was only one key piece of information he had exposed—

His awakening of Ice Release (Hyōton).

At that moment, Mizuki Ryosuke understood everything.

"Sister Lian, Sister Lian… you've put me in a tough spot."

He let out a wry chuckle.

But now, with things already at this point, there was no easy escape.

The only option left was to adjust his strategy.

The plan to hide his strength and bide his time needed a serious recalculation.

A Return to the Village

One week later—

Mizuki Ryosuke's injuries had mostly healed.

He was finally able to leave the hospital and return home.

As he walked through the familiar streets of Kirigakure, a quiet sigh escaped him.

The once-lively roads felt sparse and eerily subdued.

The Hidden Mist Village (Kirigakure no Sato)—the sole shinobi village of the Land of Water—was one of the Five Great Hidden Villages.

Yet—

Only those who lived here truly understood its decline.

The Mist was sinking into an unprecedented era of weakness.

Even with his knowledge as a transmigrator, Mizuki Ryosuke knew—

A storm was coming.

A blood-soaked purge that would forever brand Kirigakure with a new title:

The Village of the Bloody Mist (Chigiri no Sato).

He clenched his fists.

The gears of fate had already begun to turn.

Homecoming

Before long, Mizuki Ryosuke arrived at the Mizuki Clan's district.

As a member of the Mizuki family, he naturally lived within the clan's territory.

But—

With both his parents having died in the war, Mizuki Ryosuke had long lived alone in a large, empty house.

Or at least—

That's how it was supposed to be.

The moment he opened the door, a rich aroma of food filled his nostrils.

Then—

A gentle, surprised voice called out to him.

"Ryosuke, you're back!"

There she was.

No matter how many times he saw her—

She still took his breath away.

She stood there, dressed in a snow-white kimono, her fair skin smooth as fresh snow.

A pure, ethereal beauty.

Her delicate face was gentle yet captivating—an elegance that seemed almost unreal.

And before he could react—

She had already rushed forward, embracing him.

A soft, warm fragrance enveloped him.

For a moment—

Mizuki Ryosuke's heart softened.

"…I'm back."

"Sister Lian."

He replied softly.

Mizuki Lian tilted her head up, her gaze carefully studying his face—

As if checking to make sure he was truly unharmed.

Her soft black hair brushed against his neck, sending a strange warmth through him.

After confirming he was intact, she finally spoke—her voice laced with worry.

"Ryosuke, how could you get caught up in something so dangerous?"

"You really scared me."

Her concern was genuine.

Seeing this, Mizuki Ryosuke smiled gently.

"I'm fine now, Sister Lian."

He reassured her.

Mizuki Lian: The Mizukage's Daughter

Mizuki Lian.

The "Princess" of the Mizuki Clan.

The cherished daughter of its patriarch—Mizukage Mizuki Taki.

His visit earlier that week was undoubtedly connected to her.

Lian and Ryosuke had grown up together—childhood friends despite her being three years older.

Their bond had long since evolved into something closer than mere friendship.

And when Ryosuke lost his parents, it was Lian who took him in, caring for him personally.

Their relationship was so close that—

To outsiders, it was obvious.

The two were inseparable.

A Relationship Under Scrutiny

Of course—

Not everyone approved.

The elders of the Mizuki Clan, particularly those close to Mizuki Taki, had long opposed their bond.

Especially Lian's father—the Third Mizukage.

From his perspective, Mizuki Ryosuke was unworthy.

He was just another ninja—with no special talent, no bloodline awakening, and no bright future.

A mere Chūnin with no clan influence—just another expendable soldier for Kirigakure.

And in a world as ruthless as this, he could offer no stable future for Lian.

So—

Mizuki Taki refused to acknowledge him.

But then—

Everything changed.

The Shift in Perspective

Not long ago—

Mizuki Ryosuke awakened his bloodline.

Not only that—

He defeated a Jōnin from Iwagakure.

In the Mizuki Clan, not every member could awaken their Kekkei Genkai.

Even among their entire bloodline, only twenty or so individuals possessed the ability to use Hyōton (Ice Release).

And while Mizuki Ryosuke still seemed average in talent—

He was young.

He had potential.

And—

He had no family ties.

In a clan divided by internal factions, an orphaned ninja with no parental allegiances was an ideal investment.

A blank slate.

A clean chess piece.

This was why—

Mizuki Taki's attitude had changed.

This was why—

The Mizukage had personally visited.

A Father-in-Law's Gaze

Now—

Mizuki Ryosuke finally understood.

That final look Mizuki Taki had given him before leaving the hospital…

It wasn't just an encouraging glance.

It was a careful assessment.

The scrutinizing gaze of a father-in-law appraising his son-in-law.