Naruto: Becoming Mizukage

The venue of the sparring match between Mizuki Ryosuke and Kaguya Yuta was large enough for the two shinobi to battle at full strength without limitations. The grounds were a special training ground reinforced by secret techniques. As the two stood on opposite sides of the field, they stared each other down, ready for the fight.

"Are you ready?"

Maeda Yuanshi, the referee, stood between them, asking if they were ready. With both nodding in agreement, Maeda officially began the match. The rules were simple: anything was allowed except actions that could result in death. The battle would end when one opponent either lost consciousness or admitted defeat. 

The atmosphere in the room was tense, with many Jōnin eagerly watching. Some were so excited that they had even brought snacks, ready to enjoy the spectacle. 

The match wasn't just a contest between two ninjas—it was a battle between the prestigious clans of Mizuki and Kaguya. The clash between Mizuki's Ice Release and Kaguya's Dead Bone Pulse made this contest even more thrilling.

As the match began, the Third Mizukage, sat in the main seat, observing with a conflicted expression. Despite facing criticism for his leadership over the years, Taki had managed to hold onto his position for a decade. He wasn't someone who would make careless decisions, especially at such a critical moment.

The Jōnin promotion, which Ryosuke was participating in, was about more than just a promotion. It was wrapped up in political intrigue, clan rivalries, and the Mizukage's own struggles to maintain control over Kirigakure. 

Taki had anticipated challenges during the final stage of the exam, and to ensure Ryosuke's success, he had secretly arranged for a more manageable opponent through Maeda Yuanshi. 

However, Maeda had betrayed Taki, arranging for Ryosuke to face Kaguya Yuta instead—a much more dangerous match-up than anticipated.

'Damn him!' The Mizukage bitterly thought. But there was not much he could do than let this slide since what he currently needed was numbers to keep his prestige and numbers in the village. For him, Ryosuke's potential defeat was concerning, but not catastrophic. 

However, a crushing defeat would humiliate both Ryosuke and the Mizuki clan, giving Mizukage's rivals ammunition to question his leadership. If rumours of cronyism and favouritism spread, it could further destabilize his already shaky position.

As Ryosuke glanced around the room, his gaze fell on Teru Yoruichi, the patriarch of the Kaguya clan, and then shifted to Maeda Yuanshi, who had a smug expression on his face. 

Ryosuke knew that while Maeda had manipulated the situation, he wasn't the mastermind behind the scheme. His eyes finally rested on Yagura, who sat to the side with a faint smile. Ryosuke realized that Yagura was the one pulling the strings behind the scenes, manipulating events for his own benefit.

Yagura's smile revealed his satisfaction with the situation. He viewed Mizuki Taki's actions as foolish and short-sighted, believing that the current events would further weaken the Mizukage's standing, paving the way for his own plans. The Kaguya clan was nothing more than a pawn in Yagura's larger game.

'Why is he even doing this? Is it just because I come from the Mizuki clan? Is Obito already controlling him? Anyway, this is exactly why I need to continue keeping my low profile.' Ryosuke Thought.

He then faced Kaguya Yuta with a calm, analytical mindset. Ryosuke adhered to a philosophy of moderation, always careful not to underestimate his opponents. 

Despite the overwhelming pressure of facing a powerful opponent like Yuta, Ryosuke prepared himself for the fight.

After a brief moment of silent confrontation, Ryosuke decided to make the first move. With incredible speed, he formed forty-four hand seals in just three seconds, performing the complex Water Dragon Bullet Technique.

"Boom!"

With a roar, a huge amount of water suddenly appeared on the training ground. In the next instant, a ferocious water dragon rose up and rushed towards Kaguya Yuta!

The sudden appearance of a massive water dragon caught the attention of everyone in the room. Even the observing Jōnin were a bit shocked by Ryosuke's speed and the level of skill required to execute such advanced ninjutsu.

The Water Dragon Bullet Technique was no ordinary move. Despite being commonly seen in the original anime, in reality, it was a high-level technique that even some Jōnin struggled to master. 

To use it at the start of the battle was an unusual choice, as such a technique consumed a large amount of chakra and was typically reserved for finishing blows. 

The spectators were confused, wondering why Ryosuke would use such a powerful technique so early in the fight. Even Mizuki Taki was surprised by Ryosuke's hand speed and the ferocity of the attack. 

Taki, who had been worried about Ryosuke's performance, felt a moment of relief as he watched the water dragon surge toward Kaguya Yuta.

'It seems that killing that Iwa Shinobi wasn't just luck,' Taki thought to himself, feeling slightly more optimistic about Ryosuke's chances.

On the other side, Kaguya Yuta watched the approaching water dragon with gritted teeth. His pride as a member of the Kaguya clan wouldn't allow him to back down, and a fierce determination burned in his eyes. 

"Boom!!!!"

As the water dragon crashed into Yuta, the ground shook, and the training field trembled from the impact. For a moment, the entire room fell silent, with everyone holding their breath to see what had happened. 

"What...?"

When the dust settled, the scene left the spectators in shock. A member of the Kaguya clan stammered in disbelief, while Teru Yoruichi's face turned red with anger and embarrassment.

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