Naruto: Becoming Mizukage

Yagura felt frustrated by the way events had unfolded. Initially, he had planned to directly challenge Mizukage Mizuki Taki, but the incompetence of the Kaguya clan thwarted his plan. Left with no other choice, he resorted to a less direct approach to irritate Mizukage Taki.

As Yagura raised his objection regarding the outcome of the fight, claiming that Mizuki Ryosuke had shown leniency by holding back, the crowd was taken aback.

His suggestion that Ryosuke be disqualified seemed outrageous. No one could imagine the Kaguya clan, notorious for their fierce and brutal fighting style, giving anyone special treatment, let alone holding back.

Despite the absurdity of Yagura's claim, it managed to raise some questions among the onlookers. Could it be possible that Yagura was right, in some twisted way?

To defuse the tension, Maeda Yuanshi, the referee, intervened. "Why don't we find a middle ground? Since there's a disagreement, let's promote Mizuki Ryosuke to the rank of Special Jōnin."

This suggestion struck a balance. A Special Jōnin was a rank given to a ninja who possessed some Jōnin-level skills but had not yet fully proven themselves capable of holding the responsibilities of a full Jōnin. It seemed like a fitting compromise.

Both Yagura and Mizuki Taki remained silent for a moment. Mizuki Taki, eyes closed in thought, finally opened them and agreed. "Alright."

Yagura, seeing that his plan to unsettle Mizuki Taki had succeeded to some degree, was satisfied and decided to let the matter rest.

Thus, the promotion exams concluded with two ninjas being officially promoted to Jōnin, and Ryosuke being awarded the Special Jōnin rank. Word quickly spread throughout the village of the strange conclusion to the battle, where Kaguya Yuta had humiliated himself, and the rivalry between Mizukage and the Anbu had been left unresolved.

Though everything seemed calm for now, it was clear to all involved that this was only the calm before the storm.

---

At the Mizuki clan compound, Ryosuke was carried back home as if he were a hero returning from battle. Though he had been pretending to be unconscious, the villagers still saw his victory—or rather, his draw—as a commendable feat.

At Ryosuke's house, Yumi anxiously awaited his return. She had been worried ever since hearing about the exam. When she saw him being brought home, seemingly unconscious, her heart leapt into her throat.

She rushed over, desperate to know what had happened. A Jōnin who had accompanied Ryosuke smiled and reassured her. "Don't worry, Miss Yumi. Ryosuke just overexerted himself. He'll be fine after some rest."

Yumi breathed a sigh of relief, but her concern didn't fully dissipate. Ryosuke had been in several difficult battles recently, and each time, she feared more for his well-being.

Carefully, she moved him onto her lap, gently adjusting his position so he could rest comfortably. She then picked up a fan and began to wave it softly over his face, trying to ease his recovery.

Watching this tender scene, the other Jōnin present couldn't help but feel a pang of envy. Few among them had someone like Yumi to take care of them with such devotion.

Just as things began to settle, one of the Jōnin whispered urgently, "The patriarch is here."

A tall, thin middle-aged man with gray hair stepped into the courtyard, moving with a quiet authority. It was none other than Mizuki Taki, the Third Mizukage himself.

Yumi froze, panic rising in her chest. She knew how strongly Taki had opposed her relationship with Ryosuke, and his sudden appearance filled her with dread. Not knowing what to do, she hesitated before bowing her head in greeting.

"Father..."

Mizuki Taki's eyes briefly flicked to Ryosuke, who still lay "unconscious" on Yumi's lap. There was a strange look in his eyes, but it was hard to tell what he was thinking.

"Yumi, take good care of Ryosuke," Taki said in a calm voice. "And when he's better, bring him to the house for dinner."

With that, the Mizukage turned and left without another word, leaving Lian standing there, stunned.

For a moment, Yumi thought she had misheard him. Her father had always been firmly opposed to her relationship with Ryosuke, yet his words today seemed to suggest the opposite. His abrupt change in attitude left her feeling both confused and hopeful.

As Taki and his entourage departed, Yumi remained in the courtyard with Ryosuke. The conflicting emotions inside her—joy at her father's apparent acceptance and worry for Ryosuke—overwhelmed her, and tears welled up in her eyes.

A single tear fell onto Ryosuke's cheek, startling him out of his fake slumber.

Opening his eyes, Ryosuke found himself looking up at Yumi, who was wiping her eyes. Her tear-streaked face was still beautiful, and he felt a wave of tenderness toward her.

He had heard everything that had transpired, and he understood just how much pressure Yumi had been under due to their relationship.

Seeing her like this, Ryosuke silently vowed that he wouldn't let her suffer because of him anymore. He couldn't keep pretending to be unconscious or risking his life without considering how much it hurt her.

"Yumi..." Ryosuke's voice was soft as he reached up to gently touch her cheek.

"Ryosuke!" Yumi gasped, surprised but overjoyed to see him awake. She quickly wiped away her remaining tears and smiled down at him.

Ryosuke smiled weakly, feeling guilty for making her worry so much. "I won't do this again. No more pretending or putting myself at risk unnecessarily."

Yumi nodded, her smile growing brighter. "Father said we should come to dinner together. Will you come with me?"

"Of course," Ryosuke replied. His heart warmed at the thought of spending time with Lian and, surprisingly, the Mizukage himself.

For the first time in a while, things seemed to be going well. Ryosuke and Yumi enjoyed a brief, peaceful moment together in the courtyard, cherishing their time alone before heading back into the complicated world of shinobi life.

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