The Mizukage Is Strong But Overly Cautious

As the evening sun dipped below the misty horizon, Mizuki Ryosuke arrived at the Mizukage's residence, where he was invited to join Mizuki Lian for a dinner hosted by Mizuki Taki.

The significance of this meal was far from ordinary. In many ways, it contradicted Ryosuke's strategy of maintaining a low profile amidst the political turbulence in Kirigakure. But in the end, he chose to attend—for Lian's sake.

This was also the first time Mizuki Ryosuke met Lian's mother, Mizuki Rokka, a woman of striking beauty who, despite her age, still retained an air of elegance and quiet authority.

Throughout dinner, Mizuki Taki and Mizuki Rokka treated Ryosuke with an unexpected degree of politeness. It felt less like a formal gathering of high-ranking shinobi and more like a traditional family introduction—one where the prospective son-in-law was being quietly evaluated.

Curiously, Mizuki Taki avoided discussing village politics or Ryosuke's recent promotion to special Jōnin. Instead, he focused on mundane topics, asking about Ryosuke's training regimen and daily life.

Ryosuke remained composed, responding with careful politeness, neither too formal nor too familiar. His measured demeanor did not go unnoticed. For the briefest moment, Mizuki Taki's sharp eyes gleamed with something akin to approval.

After dinner, Mizuki Ryosuke excused himself. Mizuki Taki made no effort to keep him longer.

As the Mizukage and patriarch of the Mizuki clan, maintaining a sense of detachment was necessary. Even with Lian as their common link, there was an unspoken understanding that such relationships could not be rushed.

...

Standing in the dimly lit courtyard, Mizuki Taki watched Ryosuke's retreating figure, his expression unreadable.

A Kage—a true shadow—was never merely a leader of a village. He was the linchpin of an entire nation.

Mizuki Taki had seen enough during the Jōnin promotion exam to know that Mizuki Ryosuke was more than he appeared to be.

The level of control Ryosuke demonstrated, the seemingly casual display of talent—it was too refined, too deliberate.

A true prodigy.

Mizuki Taki tapped his fingers lightly against the wooden railing. No one awakened a Kekkei Genkai like Ice Release and mastered it within a matter of days. It was as absurd as a child learning fuinjutsu and single-handedly recreating the Four Red Yang Formation.

The truth was obvious. Ryosuke had been hiding his abilities for far longer than he let on.

And now, his actions painted a clearer picture.

He was playing the long game, maneuvering through Kirigakure's dangerous waters with the kind of patience only a seasoned strategist possessed.

Mizuki Taki smirked. This was not a young man blindly chasing recognition—he was someone who understood that power in Kirigakure was a dangerous thing to flaunt.

He had seen the writing on the wall. The village was fractured. Mizuki Taki's own control was slipping, with rival factions growing bolder.

Yagura, with his growing influence and the silent backing of Anbu, had become a formidable challenger for the Mizukage seat. His strength alone suggested a Kage-level shinobi, and if the rumors were true, there was something far more sinister behind his rise.

Was he already under Genjutsu? Had Madara Uchiha—or rather, the enigmatic figure pulling the strings—already ensnared him?

If so, Kirigakure's future was on the brink of disaster.

There was also Maeda Yuanshi, the long-standing Jōnin squad leader. While publicly neutral, his recent behavior at the Jōnin exam suggested a quiet alignment with Yagura.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen remained an enigma. They were supposed to serve the Mizukage, but Mizuki Taki knew better than to blindly trust their loyalty. The Ghost Lantern Clan, once Kirigakure's backbone, had faded into the shadows after the death of Second Mizukage, yet they still held influence within the village's infrastructure.

Kirigakure was a battlefield of shifting allegiances.

If Mizuki Ryosuke had deduced this much, then his decision to remain in the shadows was the correct one.

A slow cough racked Mizuki Taki's body. He covered his mouth with his hand, then glanced down at the crimson smear against his palm.

His time was running out.

Turning back to his desk, he dipped his brush into the ink and wrote down two names on a sheet of parchment:

Ryosuke. Hidero.

Which of them would be the one to carry the Mizuki clan forward?

Whichever it was, Mizuki Taki would make sure the foundation was in place before his time was up.

......

Back at his home, Mizuki Ryosuke sat in quiet contemplation, analyzing the latest developments.

The Mizuki clan was at the peak of its power, but it had also amassed countless enemies.

Mizuki Taki's grip on Kirigakure was loosening. The village had fractured into multiple factions:

The Mizukage faction, led by Mizuki Taki, which included the Mizuki clan and their closest allies.

Yagura's faction, composed of those who supported his bid for power, with growing influence within the Anbu.

The Jōnin faction, a loosely affiliated group of high-ranking ninja, with figures like Maeda Yuanshi quietly aligning with Yagura.

The Ghost Lantern Clan, descendants of the Second Mizukage, who had faded into the background but still retained key positions.

And finally, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, Kirigakure's elite force, whose true loyalties were uncertain.

Despite being promoted to special Jōnin, Mizuki Ryosuke knew he could not afford to reveal his full strength.

If he drew too much attention, he would either be eliminated or dragged into a war he wasn't ready for.

His best course of action?

Stay in the middle. Stay neutral. Stay hidden.

He picked up a kunai and idly twirled it between his fingers.

The second rule of his philosophy remained unchanged:

"Never reveal your trump card until absolutely necessary."