Chapter 142: The Number One Confidant and The Number One Confidant
A light suddenly flickered in Ryosuke's eyes as he grasped everything.
For the past two years, he had painstakingly developed Kirigakure, all in anticipation of this moment.
The history of his previous world had taught him that when a nation reached a certain level of prosperity, war became an inevitable hurdle.
Of course, war was a double-edged sword.
If wielded correctly, it could propel a nation to the pinnacle of global power in a single stroke.
If misused, it could spell utter destruction.
But the experience of the great powers in his past life had shown Ryosuke that with a prime geographical position like the Land of Water, profiting from war was not just possible—it was inevitable.
He had been preparing for this day for what felt like an eternity.
"Yuta, come in."
Mizuki Ryosuke's voice was calm, and soon after, the door was pushed open by a towering figure.
This man was none other than the captain of the Mizukage Guard, Ryosuke's "number one" confidant in Kirigakure—Kaguya Yuta.
Compared to two years ago, Kaguya Yuta had grown even more imposing. When he entered Mizuki Ryosuke's office, he had to lower his head just to fit through the doorway.
Not only that, but simply standing there, Kaguya Yuta radiated an overwhelming, suffocating killing intent—akin to the Shikotsumyaku-wielding Kaguya clan warriors of old. His presence alone was enough to make an ordinary ninja tremble.
No one but Ryosuke knew just how far Kaguya Yuta's strength had grown.
As the captain of the Mizukage Guard, Kaguya Yuta rarely needed to fight, and those who had witnessed his true power firsthand… were long dead.
"Mizukage-sama, you called for me."
Ever since the downfall of the Kaguya clan, Kaguya Yuta had adopted a ruthless demeanor.
Even in Ryosuke's presence, he remained mostly silent. However, his unwavering respect and absolute loyalty were evident in his eyes.
If Ryosuke were to order him to die right now, Kaguya Yuta would not hesitate.
"Yuta, bring me Kisame."
Ryosuke gave the order with a smile.
Yet, upon hearing it, Kaguya Yuta's brow furrowed slightly.
"Mizukage-sama, if you need something done, please allow me to handle it personally."
"There is no need to trouble Minister Hoshigaki. Even if it costs me my life, I will see it through."
Kaguya Yuta immediately dropped to one knee, his tone resolute.
"Hahaha!"
"Yuta, this mission requires leaving the village. It's not convenient for you to handle it personally."
"I would rather have you stay by my side."
Seeing his reaction, Ryosuke chuckled and reassured him with a few words.
"Yes!"
Hearing this, Kaguya Yuta relaxed, a rare flicker of joy appearing in his usually stoic eyes before he left to carry out Ryosuke's order.
As Kaguya Yuta departed, a knowing smile formed on Ryosuke's lips.
The way of leadership was all about balance.
By fostering healthy competition among subordinates, a ruler could keep them sharp and motivated.
This was a lesson Ryosuke had learned from the capitalists of his previous life.
Even a "number one confidant" was no exception to this rule.
Unlike Yagura, who had been manipulated into turning his own village into a blood-soaked purgatory, Ryosuke was fully aware of the immense potential within Kirigakure.
And speaking of lost potential in the original timeline, there was one name that stood out—Hoshigaki Kisame.
There was no need to elaborate on Kisame's strength.
In the original story, he was feared as the "Tailless Tailed Beast," possessing monstrous chakra reserves and the ability to battle Killer Bee single-handedly.
Had it not been for the intervention of Might Guy, Kisame's fate would have been entirely different.
Loyal, intelligent, and pragmatic, Kisame was a rare warrior who understood the value of teamwork.
A man like him was far too valuable to let slip away.
Thus, after taking office, Ryosuke exercised his authority as Mizukage to summon the younger Hoshigaki Kisame for a private meeting.
At that time, Kisame was still a relatively unknown ninja, just another faceless soldier within Kirigakure's ranks.
Being summoned by the newly appointed Fourth Mizukage was a great honor, and the young Kisame had trembled with excitement.
With Ryosuke's eloquence—no, with his grand vision for the future—Kisame quickly pledged himself with the reverence of a true confidant.
It was only natural.
For a shinobi like Kisame, being personally recognized by the Mizukage was an unparalleled privilege. There was no reason for him to refuse.
Under Ryosuke's guidance and unrestricted training resources, Kisame's terrifying potential was unleashed.
And when the Samehada, which had been left masterless since the death of Kurigara Kushimaru, was finally placed in Kisame's hands, the final piece of his evolution was complete.
With this extraordinary treatment, Kisame had long since come to see Ryosuke as a god-like figure in his life.
And just like that, Kisame became Ryosuke's "number one" confidant in Kirigakure.
—
As for which of the two "number one confidants" was truly the number one, only Ryosuke knew.
After all, where there were people, there was competition.
And anyone who understood this understood everything.
—
Soon, a tall, lanky ninja with gill-like scars on his face entered the Mizukage's office, led by Kaguya Yuta.
"Mizukage-sama!"
Hoshigaki Kisame immediately knelt, bowing deeply before Ryosuke.
The loyalty and devotion in his eyes were no less intense than Kaguya Yuta's.
Observing this, Kaguya Yuta's gaze darkened slightly.
Hoshigaki Kisame, however, paid him no mind.
Perhaps sensing Kaguya Yuta's hostility, Kisame met his gaze for the briefest moment.
And in that instant, both men understood each other perfectly.
Their thoughts mirrored one another:
"I am the No. 1 confidant that Mizukage-sama personally recognized. Who do you think you are?"
Pretending not to notice their silent rivalry, Ryosuke shifted the conversation to the real matter at hand.
Seeing this, Kaguya Yuta, ever perceptive, immediately stepped outside and closed the door, embodying the professionalism of a perfect bodyguard.
He knew better than to overstep his boundaries.
And with that, Kisame smirked inwardly.
"Hah, at least you know your place."
But before he could bask in his satisfaction, Ryosuke's voice pulled him back to reality.
"Kisame, I have an assignment for you."
Hearing this, Kisame immediately tensed, his focus sharpening.
For Ryosuke's orders, he would stake his life without hesitation.
"Deploy the entire 'White Shark' unit to the Land of Rain."
"I want a complete intelligence report on everything happening there—on my desk, as soon as possible."
Without missing a beat, Kisame gave a firm nod.
Seeing his enthusiasm, Ryosuke smiled softly.
"Also, be careful."
"If you run into trouble, prioritize your own survival first."
"I can't afford to lose one of my best men over a minor assignment."
Ryosuke's eyes gleamed with genuine concern.
Kisame, moved beyond words, bowed even lower.
"Yes, Mizukage-sama!"
Without delay, he set off to fulfill Ryosuke's command.
Watching Kisame leave, Ryosuke exhaled slowly.
With the White Shark unit fully operational, his grasp over Kirigakure—and the world—was steadily tightening.
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