Chapter 169: , Squad Assembled, Hikohiko

On the way back, Ryosuke continued to ponder.

Cooperating with Uchiha Madara was no different from seeking skin from a tiger.

The reason Ryosuke had plunged deep underground to meet Madara again immediately after settling the internal turmoil in Kirigakure was out of fear that he might reveal a flaw.

Joining Uchiha Madara's camp on the surface had, to a certain extent, reversed the perilous situation in Kirigakure and allowed him to infiltrate the enemy's interior, entering the "safest" of places.

But at the same time, Mizunuki Ryosuke knew deep down that dealing with an old fox like Uchiha Madara meant that one wrong step could lead to total destruction.

This was a high-risk, high-reward maneuver.

If executed well, by leveraging this relationship, Mizunuki Ryosuke could complete countless arrangements and contingencies, perhaps even stifling the future crises of the Ninja World in the cradle.

But equally, if not executed well, Mizunuki Ryosuke could be plotted against by Uchiha Madara at any moment and fall into open hostility with him.

Fortunately, thanks to his previous planning, Mizunuki Ryosuke had managed to gain a firm foothold within the enemy's ranks.

Mizunuki Ryosuke was well aware of this himself.

The best-case scenario he had envisioned—taking the place of Uchiha Obito—had not come to pass.

Clearly, for some reason, his various performances had not met the standard of an "heir" in Uchiha Madara's mind.

Whether it was the "gift" given by Uchiha Madara or Madara's description of the "Eye of the Moon" plan, everything remained at a fairly superficial level.

The Eye of the Moon plan that Uchiha Madara described to Mizunuki Ryosuke was still limited to the level of "Infinite Tsukuyomi" creating eternal peace.

As for the fundamental God Tree plan and the resurrection plan, Madara had not mentioned a single word to Ryosuke.

At best, Mizunuki Ryosuke's role in Uchiha Madara's mind currently stopped at the level of Uzumaki Nagato.

However, Mizunuki Ryosuke was already satisfied with this.

Madara would die sooner or later; as long as he could outlast Madara, the Ninja World would be his to manipulate as he pleased.

For the current stage, "stability" remained the priority.

After the team assembled, a fierce look flashed in Mizunuki Yinglang's eyes.

At the same time, Mizunuki Ryosuke had already brought his squad to the gate of Kirigakure, asking the team members if they were ready for the mission.

"Captain"

"S-level mission, are we"

Takeda Yoichi looked like he wanted to say something but stopped, without a hint of confidence in his eyes.

Clearly, he knew very well in his heart that with his strength, completing an S-level mission was somewhat too reluctant.

On the other side, Terumi Mei's face also carried some hesitation, but compared to Takeda Yoichi, it was much better.

Only Mizunuki Guangyan, at this moment, his eyes were completely submerged by excitement.

Seeing Takeda Yoichi "spoiling the fun" at this critical moment, Mizunuki Guangyan said with dissatisfaction.

"Hey! Takeda!"

"If you're afraid of death, why be a ninja?"

"This is an S-level mission! How many ninjas are qualified to execute an S-level mission!"

"This is a rare experience!"

Under the brainwashing elite education of the clan, Mizunuki Guangyan longed for the honor of completing an S-level mission.

This also fit Guangyan's own competitive personality.

And according to what Ryosuke knew, Mizunuki Guangyan hadn't executed many missions due to his background, and he didn't know the cruelty of missions at all.

In other words, he simply hadn't been "beaten by society."

Thinking of this, the smile in Mizunuki Ryosuke's eyes became more and more obvious.

"I wanted exactly this simple look of yours, just right to fan the flames in it."

Mizunuki Ryosuke said to himself secretly in his heart.

Unlike Mizunuki Guangyan, Terumi Mei and Takeda Yoichi, who were born as civilians, valued the danger of S-level missions more.

Especially Terumi Mei, after the previous A-level mission led to the annihilation of the entire squad, she naturally knew the danger of high-level missions well.

"What? Afraid after just a little setback?"

Mizunuki Ryosuke said with a smile, his eyes sweeping toward Terumi Mei, with a hint of deep meaning.

Facing Mizunuki Ryosuke's provocation, and coupled with not wanting to be compared by Mizunuki Guangyan.

Terumi Mei gritted her teeth and said.

"It's just an S-level mission! I won't be afraid!"

After speaking, Terumi Mei folded her arms and turned her head, looking like she was acting spoiled.

Seeing that the other two had already agreed 2.2, Takeda Yoichi revealed a smile that was uglier than crying, and could only tremble and respond.

"Okay, okay"

Mizunuki Ryosuke's squad, assembly complete.

Compared to the luxurious configuration of the Ghost Lamp Full Moon and Mizunuki Yinglang's squad.

The strength of Ryosuke's squad members, who were all Chunin on average, could simply be described as miserable to look at.

Afterwards, the four-person squad left Kirigakure.

At the same time, Mizunuki Ryosuke split into two water clones, informing Huiye Yilang and Heidao Morita about the Mizukage assessment respectively.

After leaving the order of "don't act rashly," Mizunuki Ryosuke didn't say much more and headed toward the mission target.

Clearly, Mizunuki Ryosuke was not unaware of the "team-up loophole" in the mission scroll.

And it was not that he had no one to use, after all, with the support of the Huiye clan and Heidao Morita, Mizunuki Ryosuke could still mobilize several elite Jonin.

But clearly, Ryosuke's approach had other deep meanings.