Chapter 19

Before long, the group, having tidied themselves up, sat by the lakeside around the campfire.

Terumi Mei and Mizunuki Mitsuhiko both had pale faces; this was because of the excessive chakra consumption just now.

The two looked in unison at the young man on the side who looked no more than a few years older than them, dazed and wondering what he was thinking.

And Takeda Yoichi, sitting on the other side, was currently wiping the cold sweat that kept dripping from his forehead.

After all, for a ninja like Takeda Yoichi, everything that just happened could be called a "battle of gods."

Not to mention the exaggerated power of the Water Formation Pillar, even the battle between Terumi Mei and Mizunuki Mitsuhiko made him feel ashamed.

The combat power displayed by the two made Takeda Yoichi feel a lingering fear.

If these two found out that it was his intentional calculation just now, then the consequences...

Thinking of this, Takeda Yoichi shivered and immediately fixed his gaze on Mizunuki Ryosuke, hoping to get the protection of a true big shot.

Mizunuki Ryosuke was naturally very clear about Takeda Yoichi's thoughts.

So he just nodded secretly toward Takeda Yoichi, signaling him not to take it to heart.

It must be said that Takeda Yoichi had indeed done well just now.

Using a small matter, he triggered the weaknesses in the two's personalities, incited their battle, and achieved the goal of gathering information.

Mizunuki Ryosuke, who had been watching from the sidelines for a long time, also took the opportunity to understand their abilities and weaknesses, making it easier to give commands and arrangements in the future.

Mizunuki Ryosuke was still satisfied with the strength of the two.

Especially Mizunuki Mitsuhiko; even as the second son of the great elder, he would not possess such abilities without painstaking effort.

Mizunuki Ryosuke was very satisfied with this; a few burdens and a few subordinates who could be ordered around were two completely opposite concepts.

And for Terumi Mei and Mizunuki Mitsuhiko, their thoughts were completely different.

Looking at Ryosuke's handsome yet young face, Terumi Mei's eyes were uncertain.

In Terumi Mei's view, the other party's age was at most no more than eighteen, yet he already possessed such terrifying strength!

One can see the whole from a single spot.

Based on this Water Release alone, Terumi Mei clearly realized the gap between herself and him.

In addition, the other party was a ninja bearing the name "Mizunuki," so how terrifying would his Ice Release be?

Having a ninja with such powerful strength as a captain was indeed good news for Terumi Mei.

And Mizunuki Mitsuhiko, at this moment, was a bit unable to understand how the other party blocked his Ice Release with Water Release?

You have to know, Ice Release naturally counters Water Release.

Plus, being of the same Mizunuki clan, Mitsuhiko had heard of this Captain Ryosuke.

It was always rumored that he was just an ordinary ninja without a Kekkei Genkai, but he didn't expect him to have such strength.

But soon, as if thinking of another man, the look in Mizunuki Mitsuhiko's eyes toward Ryosuke recovered from awe.

"Compared to that man, it's nothing."

Thinking of this, Mizunuki Mitsuhiko raised his head again.

"My name is Mizunuki Ryosuke."

"You seem not to have heard this name, but that is not important."

"What is important is that I am about to serve as captain and lead you all to carry out missions."

"If you have any objections, it is best to bring them up now."

"However, I think none of you would be deserters, right?"

As he spoke, Mizunuki Ryosuke smiled gently and looked toward Mitsuhiko and Terumi Mei opposite him.

Regarding Ryosuke's words, neither of them had any objections.

Only Mizunuki Mitsuhiko curled his lips, seemingly still disdainful.

"Hahaha, since everyone has no objections."

"Then I will say the ugly words first."

"If anyone disobeys orders on the battlefield, it will be very miserable."

Although Mizunuki Ryosuke's tone remained gentle, Takeda Yoichi on the side seemed to have thought of something, his body shivering involuntarily, and the look in his eyes toward Mizunuki Ryosuke carried a bit of fear.

"I have no problem, Captain."

Terumi Mei was the first to express her stance, her exposed left eye carrying an extremely firm look.

"I have no problem either."

Seeing Terumi Mei agree, Mizunuki Mitsuhiko also hurriedly responded.

It seemed that falling behind Terumi Mei was a disgrace.

Having experienced the battle just now, although Mizunuki Mitsuhiko didn't say it, he had long since acknowledged Terumi Mei's strength.

"Hehe."

Takeda Yoichi just scratched his head and gave a silly laugh when he saw this.

Mizunuki Ryosuke naturally would not doubt Takeda Yoichi's loyalty.

Seeing this, he nodded with satisfaction.

"Then to celebrate our meeting, today I will treat everyone to drink until we're drunk!"

"Oh, right!"

"Minors are not allowed to drink, but there is plenty of barbecue!"

Mizunuki Ryosuke said with a smile, his tone carrying a bit of teasing.

"Barbecue!"

Hearing Mizunuki Ryosuke's words, light suddenly ignited in Terumi Mei's eyes, and she instantly gained a bit of the vitality that an ordinary young girl should have.

"Hmph!"

Mitsuhiko still just turned his head and snorted coldly, but he did not express refusal.

Takeda Yoichi went without saying.

If Mizunuki Ryosuke told him to go east, he wouldn't dare go west; if he told him to beat a dog, he definitely wouldn't dare chase a chicken.

"Alright then, let's set off!"

Amidst laughter and joy, the newly formed ninja squad walked toward the Hidden Mist Village.

At the same time, a thin man with a hedgehog hairstyle lowered his footsteps and arrived at a mountain hollow.

He raised his head to look at the trees on both sides, and after some identification, walked toward one of the extremely thick trees.

After confirming there was no mistake, he formed several hand seals in succession, and finally slammed a palm onto the ground.

The next moment, his figure disappeared from the ground and instead arrived at an underground space.

This was actually a gathering place for Rock ninjas!

The suddenly appearing hedgehog-haired man was quickly discovered by the people in the underground space.

"Lord Kari!"

A Rock ninja made an extremely surprised sound.

"Where is Tatsuo? Let him come see me."

The hedgehog-haired man responded in a cold voice.

But who would have thought that upon hearing his words, an ugly expression appeared on the man's face.

"Tatsuo he..."

"Tatsuo he..."

The man hesitated, his face carrying a bit of difficulty.

"What exactly is going on!"

The hedgehog-haired man's expression suddenly became extremely ugly, his hideous face full of killing intent.

"Tatsuo is dead."

The man wiped the cold sweat from his face and said gloomily.

In an instant, a terrifying aura emerged from the hedgehog-haired man's entire body.

"I want you to tell me, word for word, how Tatsuo... died!"

The hedgehog-haired man said through gritted teeth; when he said the last few words, it was as if they were squeezed out from between his teeth.

"Yes..."

Hearing this, the man naturally did not dare to refuse.