After receiving the appointment, Asuka did not refuse. Feeling the intense gazes of the surrounding jōnin, he smiled slightly.
He spoke clearly.
"The Mizukage is truly far-sighted. I accept the mission."
"However, I have one request."
Ao placed the scroll in his hand on the table and replied calmly.
"Please speak, Jōnin Asuka. The Third Mizukage instructed us to satisfy your requests as much as possible."
Asuka wasn't surprised by that. Since the Mizukage was entrusting him with such a dangerous mission, granting him a certain level of autonomy was only natural.
"I want to personally select the members of this team."
This request did not surprise A, and he agreed immediately.
With A's approval, Asuka began selecting candidates on the spot.
He chose several skilled jōnin, then gathered the members of the Fourth Squad and also called Mei Terumī to join.
Soon, an elite team of more than twenty ninja was assembled.
One-third of the group consisted of jōnin, while the remaining members were chūnin or special jōnin with specialized abilities.
---
After forming the squad, Asuka took a walk around the camp.
This mission was extremely dangerous.
Their team would operate deep within the Fire–Earth border, completely isolated without reinforcements.
For this reason, A had already ordered the logistics unit to urgently prepare customized equipment for everyone.
Once the preparations were finished, they would depart immediately.
---
As Asuka walked through the camp, a familiar figure suddenly entered his field of vision.
A tall, burly man was wrapping bandages around a wound.
He had blue skin and a mouth full of sharp teeth, resembling a humanoid shark.
Asuka narrowed his eyes.
"Kisame?"
Seeing Kisame Hoshigaki here surprised him slightly.
Asuka knew that during his time in the Hidden Mist Village, Kisame had once served under Suikazan Fuguki. But when Asuka had previously encountered Fuguki, he hadn't noticed Kisame nearby.
He had assumed Kisame hadn't yet begun serving under Fuguki.
Now that he had unexpectedly found him here, Asuka had no intention of letting him slip away.
After all, a Kisame who wielded Samehada would later become one of the most powerful shinobi in the world—someone capable of standing among Kage-level fighters.
Even though the current Kisame had not yet obtained Samehada, his strength already far exceeded that of an ordinary jōnin.
He had even touched the threshold of Kage-level power.
Known as the "Tailless Tailed Beast," Kisame possessed enormous chakra reserves and exceptional mastery of Water Release.
For an infiltration and assault mission like this, he was the perfect candidate.
---
Asuka walked up to him.
"What's your name?"
Kisame looked up in surprise.
Of course he recognized Asuka—on the current battlefield, there wasn't a single ninja who didn't know his face.
Still, Kisame answered respectfully.
"Reporting to Lord Asuka. My name is Kisame, a subordinate of Lord Suikazan Fuguki."
"Suikazan's subordinate?" Asuka asked casually. "Why haven't I seen you before?"
"I only recently arrived on the front line," Kisame explained. "Before this, I was assigned to other missions."
That explanation cleared up Asuka's doubts.
He nodded, then said calmly,
"Regardless of whose subordinate you are, you've been reassigned."
"From now on, you report directly to me."
"A capable ninja like you is wasted under Suikazan."
Another reason Asuka chose Kisame was simple.
He knew Kisame was loyal to the Hidden Mist Village itself.
If Kisame hadn't later discovered Suikazan Fuguki's betrayal, he would never have defected.
Backed by the authority of the Third Mizukage, Asuka had full freedom to select members for this operation.
Even if Fuguki objected, it wouldn't matter.
Just as Kisame was about to speak, Asuka continued.
"This order comes directly from the Mizukage."
"Even your superior, Jōnin Suikazan, has no authority to refuse."
"Rest well. We'll be departing soon."
Hearing that, Kisame's last concerns disappeared.
He immediately accepted the order and joined Asuka's squad.
---
After several days of preparation, the team finally set out.
Asuka led the group from the Hidden Mist-occupied territory along the Land of Fire border, moving in a wide detour toward the Fire–Earth border.
Walking behind him, Hōzuki Mangetsu spoke up.
"Boss Asuka, how long is this mission supposed to last?"
Without turning around, Asuka replied,
"That depends on the situation."
"But our goal is simple—create the biggest conflict possible in the shortest time."
He paused briefly before asking,
"More importantly, how's your progress with the Twin Swords: Hiramekarei?"
After several twists of fate, the legendary blade had ultimately ended up in Mangetsu's hands.
When Asuka first obtained the sword, he had kept it temporarily before later giving it to Mangetsu.
As it turned out, Mangetsu had a natural affinity with it.
In his previous life, as a prodigy of the Hidden Mist, Mangetsu had mastered all Seven Ninja Swords.
But his favorite had always been Hiramekarei.
After receiving the weapon, he had completely mastered it within just a few days.
Hearing Asuka's question, Mangetsu grinned proudly.
"Do you even need to ask?"
"Look at who you're talking to."
"For a genius like me, mastering a ninja sword is easy."
No one bothered to argue with him.
After all, they had personally witnessed Mangetsu mastering one of the legendary swords in just a few days.
Even the other jōnin could only admire his talent.
---
Moving at full speed, the squad quickly bypassed most of the Land of Fire's border.
Soon, they arrived near the Fire–Earth border region.
Seeing their destination ahead, Asuka ordered the team to halt.
They would rest first before launching the operation.
---
During the rest period, A scanned the surrounding area before addressing everyone.
"A reminder."
"Try not to use Hidden Mist-style ninjutsu whenever possible."
"If you absolutely must use them, remember one rule."
"Leave no survivors."
His words were sharp and cold, making everyone understand the severity of this mission.
The squad responded in unison.
---
While Asuka was carefully reviewing the operation plan in his mind, a tall figure suddenly blocked the moonlight in front of him.
It was Kisame.
He sat down beside Asuka.
"Lord Asuka, there's something I want to ask."
"What is it?"
"Why did you choose me for this mission?"
Kisame looked directly at him.
"I'm Suikazan Fuguki's subordinate."
"Considering the relationship between you and him… aren't you worried that I might be a spy?"
Asuka couldn't help laughing.
"A spy? For who?"
"We're all ninja of the Hidden Mist Village."
"My relationship with Suikazan isn't great, but this mission was personally ordered by the Mizukage."
"If anyone sabotaged it, the entire village would suffer."
"I don't think Suikazan is foolish enough to do something that short-sighted."
He then looked directly at Kisame.
"And besides…"
"The real reason I chose you is because you stood out."
"I can clearly sense the enormous chakra inside your body."
"A ninja with that much chakra can't possibly be ordinary."
Those words completely cleared the doubts in Kisame's heart.
At the same time, they strengthened his resolve.
From that moment on, Kisame decided to follow Asuka without hesitation.
-----
Soon i will start posting 2 chapters per day