Deep within the underground control room, a shadowy figure concealed beneath a black robe intently observed the crystal screen before him. His keen eyes flickered with excitement as the members of Ryosuke's team appeared on one of the displays.
"They've arrived. Initiate Plan A!"
A twisted grin formed beneath the hood as he raised one clawed hand high.
"Yes!"
The other cloaked figures promptly responded, swiftly getting to work. The robed figure then gripped the activation lever tightly, his anticipation palpable.
Meanwhile, inside the cavern, Ryosuke's team carefully navigated its winding passages. After the previous encounter, Mizuki Ryosuke remained vigilant, his senses attuned to the slightest fluctuation in chakra. His Sharingan—though rarely activated—was not necessary for him to perceive subtle disturbances in the air. His mastery of Water Style made him especially attuned to moisture shifts, a trait honed by years of training in Kirigakure's demanding environment.
Suddenly, a familiar silhouette emerged ahead. With his exceptional vision, Ryosuke immediately recognized the unconscious figure lying slumped against the damp cave wall—it was Takeda Yoichi.
Terumi Mei and Mitsuhiko also noticed, both immediately rushing forward, but Ryosuke extended an arm to stop them.
"Too easy," Ryosuke murmured to himself.
In the control room, the robed figure eagerly gripped the lever, watching intently as Terumi Mei and Mitsuhiko hesitated.
But then—
"Wait," Ryosuke ordered.
He shook his head, a quiet sigh escaping his lips.
"Young shinobi these days… always so impulsive."
Without another word, he performed a one-handed seal, and in an instant, a Water Clone materialized beside him.
Ryosuke exchanged a glance with the clone before it cautiously approached Takeda Yoichi's unconscious form.
The robed figure in the control room scowled.
"You think you can ruin my plan with a mere clone?" he sneered.
On the screen, Ryosuke's water clone carefully examined Takeda Yoichi, but upon sensing no immediate threat, hoisted him onto its back and began returning to the group.
Then—
Takeda Yoichi's clothing suddenly ignited!
A powerful explosion erupted, engulfing the clone in flames. In an instant, the water clone was reduced to a puddle, evaporating under the intense heat.
A deadly chain reaction followed—the moment Yoichi's body hit the ground again, seals carved into his skin activated. Fiery kanji markings spread out in a circular pattern, forming a rapidly expanding inferno. If left unchecked, Takeda Yoichi would be burned alive within seconds.
The black-robed figure cackled.
"Let's see how you handle this, brat!"
Terumi Mei instinctively prepared a Water Release technique, but Ryosuke once again stopped her.
Instead, with a calm expression, he pressed one hand against the ground.
A poof of mist erupted.
In the next moment—Takeda Yoichi's burning form vanished from the flames and reappeared safely in Ryosuke's grasp!
The control room fell silent.
The black-robed figure's jaw dropped.
"That's… Summoning Jutsu?"
Unbeknownst to his enemies, Ryosuke had secretly marked Yoichi's body with a summoning array through his water clone earlier, using an intricate water-based formula similar to the Summoning: Rashomon technique. By preemptively preparing an escape route, he had completely nullified the trap.
Terumi Mei and Mitsuhiko exchanged glances.
"He's… too careful," Terumi Mei muttered in disbelief.
Ryosuke, unfazed, kneeled and began a more thorough examination of Takeda Yoichi. However, as he gently brushed aside some of the unconscious boy's hair, something changed—
In a blur, Yoichi's entire body transformed into a wild boar!
For a brief moment, an untrained civilian might believe the animal had just miraculously turned into a shinobi. But Ryosuke and the others, trained in deception, immediately recognized the trick—
An extremely advanced Transformation Jutsu.
"This technique… It's almost indistinguishable from reality," Ryosuke noted, his sharp eyes narrowing.
It was an application of Yin-Yang Release, subtly infused into the Transformation Jutsu to enhance its believability, making it nearly impossible to detect through conventional means. Even with Ryosuke's training, the deception had been momentarily successful.
Back in the control room, several veins bulged on the black-robed figure's forehead.
He slammed his clawed hand against the controls in frustration—accidentally yanking the wrong lever.
A deafening rumble echoed through the cave.
Back at Ryosuke's position, the very ground where the boar had been moments ago suddenly collapsed!
A gaping chasm—at least 30 meters across—split the cavern floor, revealing a dark abyss below. The deep sound of rushing water echoed from below, indicating an underground river. If one were to fall, they'd be swept away into an unknown fate.
Terumi Mei and Mitsuhiko paled at the sight.
If they had rushed forward recklessly, as they initially intended, they would have plummeted straight into the void.
"Another trap," Ryosuke muttered.
His voice was calm, his expression composed.
"It's fine. Let's keep going."
In the control room, the black-robed figure screamed in frustration.
"This brat!!"
He had never seen anyone so methodical. Every single trap had been anticipated and neutralized before activation.
"Who even acts this cautiously?! Does he have a Byakugan hidden somewhere?!"
All around him, the other cloaked figures had collapsed, exhausted from their failed efforts.
At this point, there was only one thought in their minds—
This kid is too damn careful!
No matter how intricate the traps, Ryosuke tested them multiple times, set up numerous contingencies, and always had a failsafe ready. Who the hell operates like this?!
Only the lead black-robed figure still clung to a flicker of determination.
"No!" he seethed, his sharp teeth bared.
His furious eyes burned with a manic glint as he stood up.
"Boss, what are you doing?" one of the others asked warily.
The leader's fingers curled into fists beneath his robe.
"We're initiating Plan Z."
Silence filled the room.
"Boss… Plan Z still has some critical flaws. If something goes wrong—"
"It doesn't matter," the leader interrupted, his voice eerily calm.
"This time, I'll handle it personally."
The room trembled with excitement.
For the first time, the true mastermind would step onto the stage.
And this time—he vowed—Ryosuke would not escape.
JOIN MY PATREON TO READ ADVANCE 70+ CHAPTERS
Patreon.com/Kora_1