CHAPTER 64

Frozen. Absolute Zero!

Mizuki Ryosuke's most powerful defensive ninjutsu had fully activated, its icy barrier rivaling the legendary Water Encampment Wall of Senju Tobirama in sheer resilience.

The Tailed Beast Bomb had detonated violently upon impact, sending an explosive shockwave across the battlefield. The immense energy burst forced massive torrents of lake water into the air, where they evaporated into thick steam due to the extreme heat.

Moments later, the water that had been blasted skyward plummeted back down in a torrential downpour, drenching the battlefield in sheets of rain.

Then, a shocking sight unfolded—the massive ice wall, though slightly damaged, still stood firm after absorbing the full brunt of the Tailed Beast Bomb. Behind its crystalline barrier, Mizuki Ryosuke and Mizuki Taki remained completely unscathed.

By now, Mizuki Ryosuke had already moved the Third Mizukage to a safer distance.

"Ryosuke, you arrived just in time!" Mizuki Taki exhaled in relief. There was no time to check on the other injured forces—his priority was now survival.

Before the battle, Mizuki Ryosuke had taken the initiative to inform Mizuki Taki of his plans. He intended to exploit Yagura's aggressive assault as an opportunity to infiltrate Kirigakure's Anbu and investigate the deeper mechanisms behind Yagura's coup.

With Ryosuke's sharp strategic mind and history of maneuvering in the shadows, Mizuki Taki had not stopped him. He knew that whatever Ryosuke was planning had far-reaching implications.

What he had not expected, however, was that Mizuki Ryosuke would return at such a pivotal moment.

"I'm late, Mizukage-sama," Ryosuke said, nodding respectfully to Mizuki Taki.

"With the Tailed Beast fully unleashed, leaving ordinary shinobi on the lake will only lead to unnecessary casualties. I ask that you order a full retreat for all non-essential forces."

Mizuki Taki considered this and nodded.

Against a rampaging Tailed Beast, standard shinobi techniques were virtually useless.

On the other side of the battlefield, Yagura observed the situation unfold with cold calculation. He too realized that Three Tails had gone completely berserk, rendering additional Anbu support futile. With a flick of his fingers, he signaled a full retreat for his men.

A wave of movement spread across the battlefield as numerous shinobi hurriedly retreated from the lake's surface. Those who failed to escape in time were torn apart by the Three Tails' violent thrashing, their bodies reduced to crimson mist in the chaos.

Now, only a few elite warriors remained on the battlefield:

—Ghost Lantern Mangetsu.

—The remaining Seven Ninja Swordsmen.

—A mysterious Anbu operative clad in a featureless mask.

—Mizuki Ryosuke and Mizuki Taki, the Third Mizukage.

The situation had shifted dramatically. Yagura, who had been on the verge of defeat, now found himself given an unexpected second chance thanks to the Three Tails' uncontrollable rampage.

To his delight, the beast seemed to harbor a singular fixation—Mizuki Taki.

If Three Tails continued to prioritize attacking the Third Mizukage, then Yagura's faction might still turn the tide of battle.

The monstrous creature roared, sending massive waves rippling across the lake as it charged toward Mizuki Ryosuke and Mizuki Taki.

Seeing Yagura watching intently from a distance, Mizuki Taki clenched his teeth.

"Ryosuke, I'll handle Three Tails. You take care of Yagura first!"

"I'll join you after I'm done here."

There was a firm resolve in Mizuki Taki's expression—his years of experience as Mizukage guiding his decision.

To him, Three Tails was still in a weakened state, having just broken free of its containment. Taking advantage of its momentary instability, he believed he could suppress the beast with his remaining strength.

Once Three Tails was neutralized, he could return and assist Ryosuke in finishing off Yagura.

What Mizuki Taki didn't realize, however, was that Three Tails was not weakened at all.

Despite Uchiha Madara's flawed artificial control over it, the beast had already returned to full strength.

"Understood."

Ryosuke nodded solemnly.

"Uncle Taki… please be careful."

For the first time, Mizuki Ryosuke addressed the Third Mizukage not by his title, but by something more personal.

Mizuki Taki froze for a brief moment, then smiled in quiet acceptance.

"…Cough… Cough…"

Blood trickled from his lips as he instinctively covered his mouth with his palm.

"Don't worry… I'll be fine."

"…If anything happens to me… I entrust Lian and Liuhua to you, Ryosuke."

With those parting words, Mizuki Taki turned away, his back straight as he faced the raging Three Tails.

From where Ryosuke stood, he could faintly make out the crimson droplets staining the Third Mizukage's hand.

He understood immediately—this would be Mizuki Taki's final battle.

The Third Mizukage had suffered chronic health issues for years. To stabilize the situation earlier, he had likely used a forbidden technique that placed further strain on his body.

After enduring prolonged combat, he had reached his absolute limit.

Now, facing Three Tails was the last act of defiance he could muster before his body inevitably gave out.

Ryosuke no longer hesitated.

In a flash, he appeared before Yagura.

The war was reaching its conclusion.

It was time to end this once and for all.

As murderous intent radiated from him like a cold winter wind, Ryosuke made a conscious decision.

He had already entered Uchiha Madara's scope of observation. While he had to conceal his true power, he could afford to reveal just enough to make his Kage-level strength plausible.

Mizuki Ryosuke had planned for this scenario.

If he displayed too much strength, it would raise questions—how had an "unremarkable" Special Jōnin suddenly reached terrifying heights?

Instead, he chose a more moderate approach.

Rather than expose his true limits, he would mask his abilities just enough to be considered an ordinary Kage-level powerhouse.

The transition from "deep camouflage" to "moderate camouflage" had begun.

There was nothing wrong with being a "mediocre" Kage-level shinobi.

While Ryosuke was calculating his next move, Yagura's excitement was palpable.

His grin stretched unnaturally wide, his sharp teeth bared in elation.

Seeing the Third Mizukage locked in battle with Three Tails, he now only had to deal with… a nobody.

Yagura's gaze fell on Ryosuke with amused contempt.

This was the same "insignificant" shinobi who once fought a young Kaguya Clan member?

Pathetic.

At Yagura's level, he could end this fight in three moves.

The gap between Kage-level and ordinary shinobi was immense.

For instance, Uchiha Madara—during his Impure World Reincarnation—had released a simple B-rank Fire Style technique that required twenty Elite Jōnin to counter with Water Release.

This was the difference in "quality."

It was why Yagura was so confident.

"Heh… Come on, kid! I won't even use my full strength."

His voice was dripping with arrogance.

Ryosuke said nothing—he had no time for pointless chatter.

As he prepared to strike, a sudden shadow emerged beneath the water.

A glint of steel shot upward—a hidden blade lunging directly at Ryosuke!

Just as he moved to block—

CLANG!

A scythe intercepted the ambush with impeccable timing.

A new figure rose from the lake's depths.

"Oi… your opponent is me."

It was Ghost Lantern Mangetsu.

The mysterious masked Anbu operative, Yagura's right hand, had attempted a sneak attack on Ryosuke.

Mangetsu had stopped it.

Without missing a beat, the two disappeared into the mist, clashing fiercely in a separate battle.

Now, it was just Mizuki Ryosuke and Yagura.

The final confrontation had begun.

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