It was already evening the next day when Asuka returned to the Land of Water. After exchanging a few brief words with Terumi Kenshi, he immediately headed to the Fourth Squad's resting area.
Seeing the squad members covered in wounds, Asuka personally checked on each of them and offered a few words of encouragement before calling Hozuki Mangetsu and Minazuki Murasaki outside.
The three of them sat around a bonfire just beyond the tent.
"Boss, why'd you call us out?" Mangetsu complained. "Last night nearly killed me. I haven't even had a proper rest yet."
"Captain, you should rest first," Murasaki added. "You rushed back from the Land of Fire. You must be exhausted."
"It's fine," Asuka replied calmly. "I called you out to ask about the intelligence you gathered."
"Captain, I'll report," Murasaki said, handing over a scroll. "Konoha is indeed increasing supplies at the border—more food and weapons. Their patrol frequency and range have also expanded. We've detailed everything in this scroll."
Asuka opened it and carefully reviewed the contents. The quantities of supplies and the patrol routes were clearly marked.
After rolling it back up, he nodded. "Very thorough. I'll have Kenta send this information back to the Village. The two of you take a few days off. No patrol duties for now."
"Yoho! Long live the boss!" Mangetsu cheered.
…
In the following days, the Fourth Squad entered a rare period of calm.
Once their injuries healed, they resumed patrol duties. Though their numbers had been drastically reduced, the squad had long grown used to such losses. The grief faded quickly, replaced by renewed determination as they threw themselves back into their missions.
The situation at the border, however, proved more severe than expected. Enemy spies were infiltrating more frequently, and every few days they would encounter a hostile squad.
Fortunately, with Asuka leading them, the Fourth Squad suffered no further casualties.
One afternoon, after finishing patrol, Asuka sat inside the command tent speaking with Terumi Kenshi.
"Asuka-kun, I truly must thank you. Since your squad arrived, the pressure on our border forces has eased significantly."
"Kenshi-kun, you're too modest. We're all serving the Village. If anything, you're the one who works the hardest—handling both daily spy threats and the overall administration of the border forces."
"Haha, you flatter me," Kenshi replied. "The Mizukage-sama entrusted me with this responsibility. It's only right that I shoulder it."
Just then, a ninja rushed into the tent.
Seeing Kenshi's displeased expression, the ninja quickly bowed. "Kenshi-sama, a confidential report from the Village."
Only then did Kenshi restrain himself. He accepted the sealed report and dismissed the messenger.
Tactfully, Asuka turned his gaze aside.
Kenshi formed several hand signs, and the seal on the report box released automatically. He read the contents carefully.
A loud bang followed.
Asuka turned back to see Kenshi slam the report onto the table, his face dark with anger.
"What's wrong, Kenshi-kun? What news could anger you so much?"
"See for yourself."
Asuka picked up the report and skimmed it rapidly.
"The Mizukage-sama intends to cut funding for the ninja clans?"
"Yes," Kenshi replied bitterly. "Not only that—he also plans to limit the number of graduates from the Ninja Academy. He claims it's to reduce expenses and pursue an 'elite-only' strategy."
"The Mizukage-sama may have his considerations," Asuka said mildly.
"Considerations?" Kenshi's voice rose. "With a major war looming, instead of increasing manpower, he wants fewer ninja? How are we supposed to fight the other nations if our numbers decline?"
Seeing Kenshi's fury, Asuka chose not to press further. After offering a few calming words, he excused himself.
Outside, he gazed up at the drifting white clouds.
"So… the Bloody Mist Policy is beginning to take shape."
Under that policy, the Hidden Mist Village would descend into brutality. The great Bloodline Limit clans would be suppressed, fractured, even exterminated.
"This is my opportunity."
He needed prestige—battlefield prestige. Only then could he unite the clans, overthrow the Third Mizukage, and ascend as the Fourth Mizukage. That would mark the completion of the first stage of his plan.
And how should he achieve it?
A perfect example already existed.
In the neighboring Land of Fire, during the Third Great Ninja War, Minato Namikaze had risen to prominence. Through overwhelming strength and unmatched charisma, he became the Fourth Hokage.
With his Flying Thunder God Technique, Minato forced enemy nations to issue standing orders allowing retreat upon encountering Konoha's "Yellow Flash." On the battlefield he was as merciless as winter, yet among comrades he was warm as spring.
It was that combination—power and personal magnetism—that allowed him to surpass even Orochimaru and claim the title of Fourth Hokage.
Asuka intended to follow a similar path.
By rising swiftly during the Third Great Ninja War and proving himself indispensable, he would position himself to become the Fourth Mizukage. Only as Mizukage could he gain access to higher-quality chakra sources and further advance his long-term ambitions.
…
Pushing aside his thoughts, Asuka returned to the Fourth Squad's camp.
"Captain!"
"You're back, Captain! Haven't eaten yet? Take mine."
"Captain, come warm yourself by the fire!"
Greetings rang out one after another.
This loyalty was not accidental. Asuka always charged into danger first. He never hoarded credit, instead sharing achievements with his squad and fighting for their benefits. His reputation within the Hidden Mist Anbu was exceptional. Despite the Fourth Squad's high casualty rate, there was never a shortage of volunteers eager to join.
Politely declining their offers, Asuka returned to his bedroll and lay down.
"The Bloody Mist Policy is taking form… which means the Third Great Ninja War isn't far off. I must prepare."
He sank his consciousness into the mutant gene bank and infused chakra into a newly unlocked genetic segment.
Moments later, a new ability awakened.
This genome originated from the mutant known as Thunderbird—Stryfe—granting superhuman strength, endurance, and overall physical enhancement. In simple terms, it dramatically amplified his physical attributes.
Feeling the surge of power coursing through his body, Asuka was certain that, combined with the Shikotsumyaku bloodline, his raw strength would rival Tsunade's monstrous force. A single punch could easily shatter the earth.
With this new mutation layered atop his already formidable physique, he would become a true killing machine on the battlefield—his stamina and destructive power greatly increased.
After familiarizing himself with the enhancement, Asuka closed his eyes.
That night, he slept soundly, full of anticipation for the coming storm.