The Mizukage Is Strong But Overly Cautious

Maeda Genshi understood the gravity of the moment. Mizuki Taki was at death's door, and whatever he had to say would be of utmost importance. Without hesitation, he leaned in, listening intently.

Mizuki Taki's lips moved weakly, forming inaudible words. His voice, barely above a whisper, was too faint for even Mizuki Ryosuke and Mangetsu Hōzuki, who stood right beside him, to hear. Only Maeda Genshi, with his ear pressed close, could catch the dying Mizukage's final message.

"Third Mizukage-sama, rest assured," Maeda Genshi said solemnly. "I will carry out your will."

He didn't fully grasp the weight of the words Taki had just spoken, but as the ever-dutiful Jōnin squad leader, known for his unwavering reliability, he knew one thing—whatever the Third Mizukage entrusted to him would be fulfilled.

A flicker of peace passed over Mizuki Taki's weary eyes. As his final breath left him, his gaze lifted toward the sky. For a brief moment, he seemed to see the previous Mizukages—First and Second—standing at the end of the path, waiting for him.

"Ryosuke, you will take Mist Shinobi further than I ever could…"

With that final thought, Mizuki Taki, the Third Mizukage, passed away with a faint smile on his lips.

"Mizukage-sama!"

"Uncle Taki!"

The cries of Mizuki Ryosuke and Mangetsu Hōzuki rang through the silent battlefield. But no matter how desperately they tried, there was no reviving him. The Third Mizukage had given his all for the village.

At last, they both stood and bowed deeply, paying their final respects.

No matter what conflicts had raged before, at the critical moment, Mizuki Taki had fulfilled his duty as a Kage. He had fought to his last breath, stopping the rampaging Three Tails and preventing Kirigakure from falling into deeper chaos.

Meanwhile, deep in the underground shelter of the Mizuki estate, Mizuki Lian and Mizuki Rokka suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of loss.

A chill ran through their spines—a subconscious awareness that someone precious to them had departed.

Holding each other tightly, the two women could do nothing but wait, hoping and praying for the safety of those fighting outside.

"Ryosuke… please come back safely."

Little did they know, another man deeply tied to their fates had already left this world.

With the Third Mizukage dead, Kirigakure was left in shambles. The war had taken a devastating toll—countless shinobi dead or wounded, and the village leadership in disarray. The Anbu, many of whom had sided with the rebellion, were now leaderless. For the first time in its history, Kirigakure was without a Mizukage or an Anbu Commander.

However, those issues weren't even the most urgent. The most pressing concern was the two Bijū left in their frozen states.

"The situation is dire. This is no time for mourning," Maeda Genshi declared firmly. "We'll hold a proper funeral once the village is stabilized. Right now, we must decide what to do with the tailed beasts."

Both Mizuki Ryosuke and Mangetsu Hōzuki tensed at the mention of the Bijū.

Yet, while Mangetsu's reaction was purely anxiety, Mizuki Ryosuke's eyes gleamed with something else—an opportunity.

Several hours earlier, deep within the Anbu headquarters in a hidden chamber controlled by Uchiha Madara, Mizuki Ryosuke had agreed to become a Jinchūriki.

However, he had set one condition—he alone would decide when to undergo the transformation.

Madara, being the mastermind he was, immediately understood what Ryosuke intended. He saw through the young shinobi's plan to exploit the current political upheaval in Kirigakure. But it made no difference to him. As long as Ryosuke took on the burden of Jinchūriki, the details were irrelevant.

With their deal struck, Mizuki Ryosuke had left the underground chamber and returned to the battlefield, waiting for his moment.

That moment had now arrived.

With the village needing a new host for Three Tails, Mizuki Ryosuke saw his chance to claim the Bijū through official channels. This way, there would be no suspicions about how he had come into possession of the tailed beast.

Back in the present, Kirigakure faced a dilemma.

The previous Three Tails Jinchūriki, Okubo Genichiro, had been killed in battle. Before the coup, the Third Mizukage had already chosen a new host—a young boy who had been prepared as a vessel. But now, with the unexpected death of another Jinchūriki, the village suddenly required an additional host for the newly freed tailed beast.

Choosing a Jinchūriki was not a simple matter.

First, the candidate needed a compatible chakra to minimize the risk of immediate rejection. Extensive testing was usually required to ensure this.

Second, the chosen individual had to have a spotless background—no questionable allegiances, no potential for betrayal.

And most importantly, Jinchūriki rarely lived long.

In all of history, only three shinobi had ever achieved full control over their tailed beasts: Yagura (the original Jinchūriki of Three Tails), Killer B, and Naruto Uzumaki.

Even Yagura's case was uncertain—was his control truly his own, or was he under the influence of Madara or Obito?

The truth was, over the years, there had been countless failed Jinchūriki—shinobi who lost their lives because their bodies or minds couldn't withstand the burden of a tailed beast.

The vast majority of Jinchūriki didn't survive long. Some were consumed by their Bijū. Others were killed before they could even master their powers.

Even Okubo Genichiro, despite his decade-long tenure as Three Tails' host, was considered fortunate compared to most.

At this point in history, Killer B was still years away from making his mark, and no one had yet perfected the method to truly control a tailed beast.

For most, becoming a Jinchūriki was a death sentence.

So who, in their right mind, would willingly take on such a cursed fate?

Originally, Mizuki Ryosuke had planned to maneuver himself into position, waiting for the right moment to volunteer as the new Three Tails Jinchūriki.

But now, fate had gifted him with the perfect opportunity.

As Maeda Genshi and Mangetsu Hōzuki debated their next move, Mizuki Ryosuke suddenly stepped forward, his expression resolute.

"The Third Mizukage had already chosen a 'container' for one of the tailed beasts," he said firmly.

"Now, only one vessel remains to be selected. I volunteer to become that vessel—to serve the village as a Jinchūriki."

His words struck like thunder.

Mangetsu Hōzuki gasped, his eyes widening in disbelief.

"What?!"

Maeda Genshi's stern face grew even graver. "Mizuki Ryosuke… you must think carefully. This is no small decision."

Beside them, Mangetsu remained frozen, struggling to process what he had just heard.

Becoming a Jinchūriki was practically a death sentence.

This wasn't a choice—it was a sacrifice.

And yet, Mizuki Ryosuke had stepped forward without hesitation.

Mangetsu narrowed his eyes. He knew Ryosuke was ambitious, but was he truly willing to throw his life away for the sake of Kirigakure?

Or… was there something more to his decision?

A complex storm of emotions swirled in Mangetsu's mind as he stared at the man who had just volunteered to bear the burden of a Bijū.

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