Naruto: Becoming Mizukage

As dusk approached, Ryosuke lay in his hospital bed, reflecting on the events of the day. Since Anbu's review earlier, no one had visited him, a situation he welcomed as it gave him time to think about his next steps.

Suddenly, the sound of coughing echoed from the hallway outside his room, growing louder as it approached. Ryosuke frowned, feeling a mix of irritation and curiosity. The cough sounded worse than his own injuries. Before he could dwell on it further, a soft knock interrupted his thoughts.

"Come in," Ryosuke called, intrigued by who might be visiting him at this hour. He briefly imagined someone close to him but quickly dismissed the idea. No one would reveal his situation to her, not yet.

The door opened, revealing a visitor who took him completely by surprise. Ryosuke's heart raced as he struggled to comprehend what he was seeing.

"Mizukage-sama!" he exclaimed, wide-eyed. The Third Mizukage, Mizuki Taki, had come to see him. 

For a moment, Ryosuke tried to compose himself, pretending to be both surprised and awestruck by the unexpected visit. He made an attempt to rise from his bed out of respect but quickly feigned weakness, allowing himself to collapse back onto the mattress.

Ryosuke knew that life in the ninja world was often like a stage, and everyone was always performing. This surprise visit by the Mizukage was an unexpected test of Ryosuke's own acting skills. Why would the leader of Kirigakure, the ruler of thousands, visit a mere Chūnin like him?

"Ryosuke, don't push yourself," Mizuki Taki said, his voice kind and his expression soft, as though he were concerned about Ryosuke's well-being. 

"Just lie down and rest."

Mizuki Taki's warmth was almost paternal, but Ryosuke knew better than to take it at face value. There had to be more to this visit than a simple show of concern. 

Though they were blood relatives, with Mizuki Taki serving as the head of the Mizuki clan, their relationship was far from close. In fact, the Mizukage had never gone out of his way to show Ryosuke any special attention before. 

The sudden visit made Ryosuke suspicious. Why now?

Ryosuke's mind raced. There was no such thing as a visit without reason, especially not from someone of such high standing. Mizuki Taki wasn't the type of person to show familial affection without motive. What was he after? 

"You did well, Ryosuke," Mizuki Taki said, breaking the silence. He coughed intermittently as he spoke, his frail health apparent in the way his voice trembled. 

"Are you feeling alright?"

Though Ryosuke was wary, he maintained his façade of youthful enthusiasm. He knew he had to play his part convincingly.

"Thank you, Mizukage-sama. I'm recovering well, but you should take care of yourself too," he replied, keeping his voice steady despite his inner turmoil.

Mizuki Taki stood before him, his long, pale blue hair streaked with gray, and his complexion unnaturally pale. He looked tired, frail even, as if illness had taken a significant toll on his body. 

Despite his amiable demeanour, Ryosuke knew that this man held immense power. However, his appearance now was that of someone nearing the end of his strength, almost as if he were suffering from a terminal illness. 

Ryosuke kept his expression respectful but couldn't help but think about the fragility of his clan leader. Mizuki Taki, despite his apparent weakness, remained one of the most powerful figures in the village. But power alone couldn't ward off the ravages of time and sickness.

"You did a great service for the village, Ryosuke," Mizuki Taki continued, offering a weak smile. 

"Both the clan and the village will reward you for your efforts. But please, call me 'patriarch' when we're not in formal settings."

Ryosuke nodded obediently, hiding the growing sense of unease that gnawed at him. "Thank you, Patriarch. It was my honour to serve the village," he replied, adding a note of pride to his voice as though eager to please.

"Good, good," Mizuki Taki said, his voice filled with approval. "It's always heartening to see young people like you stepping up." His eyes held a gentle, almost fatherly warmth, but Ryosuke knew better than to trust such appearances.

"Patriarch, how is your health? You seem unwell," Ryosuke asked cautiously, trying to probe for more information without overstepping his boundaries.

Mizuki Taki gave a soft laugh, though it was interrupted by another coughing fit. 

"Yes, I've been feeling under the weather lately. I came to the hospital to tend to my health, just as you have. But don't worry, it's nothing serious," he said with a wave of his hand, trying to dismiss the gravity of his condition.

However, Ryosuke could see through the Mizukage's words. The leader's health was clearly in decline, and it was only a matter of time before it would become a pressing issue for both the village and the Mizuki clan.

Despite his relaxed tone, Ryosuke knew the Mizukage was hiding his true concerns.

"You've always been sharp, Ryosuke," Mizuki Taki continued after a moment of silence. 

"I can tell you're thinking ahead. That's good. The clan will need strong people like you in the future."

Ryosuke's heart skipped a beat. Was Mizuki Taki hinting at something more? Was he subtly grooming him for a larger role within the clan? The thought made Ryosuke uneasy. 

He had spent his life avoiding the spotlight, knowing full well that power in the ninja world came with a heavy price.

"I'm just doing my best, Patriarch," Ryosuke said humbly. "I still have much to learn."

The Mizukage gave a soft chuckle as if he were amused by Ryosuke's modesty. "That may be true, but the future of our clan rests on the shoulders of the next generation. You must be prepared to take on more responsibilities when the time comes."

Before Ryosuke could respond, Mizuki Taki stood up slowly, his movements deliberate and careful. "Rest well, Ryosuke," he said as he prepared to leave. 

"Take care of your body, and be ready for what's to come."

As Mizuki Taki left the room, Ryosuke's gaze followed him until he was out of sight. Even after the Mizukage was gone, Ryosuke could sense the presence of several strong chakra signatures fading away. It was clear that Mizuki Taki hadn't come alone—Anbu guards had been stationed around the room, ensuring his safety.

Alone once more, Ryosuke let out a slow breath. The Mizukage's visit had left him with more questions than answers. There was no doubt that his uncle's health was failing, and with it, the stability of the Mizuki clan and Kirigakure might be at risk. 

The future was uncertain, and Ryosuke knew that his low-profile approach to life might soon be challenged.

For now, however, Ryosuke would bide his time. He had no desire to be drawn into the complex web of power struggles that defined Kirigakure's political landscape. But one thing was clear—his time in the shadows might soon come to an end, whether he wanted it to or not.