Naruto: Becoming Mizukage

After the Third Mizukage, Mizuki Taki, left Mizuki Ryosuke's hospital room, Ryosuke's mind was filled with uncertainty. The timing of the visit seemed far too coincidental. 

Earlier in the day, members of Anbu had come to investigate him, and now, the Mizukage himself had made a personal visit. Ryosuke found it hard to believe that these two events weren't connected.

The explanation Mizuki Taki had given—that he was merely there for a health checkup and to offer his support—didn't sit well with Ryosuke. 

The Mizukage had never shown such personal interest in him before, even though they were blood relatives. More significantly, the Mizukage had hinted that Ryosuke might soon take on greater responsibilities within the village and the Mizuki clan. 

The only logical explanation was that this newfound attention was related to the information Ryosuke had disclosed during the Anbu interrogation: the awakening of his Bloodline ability, Ice Release.

Ryosuke chuckled to himself, thinking of his close friend, Mizuki Yumi. "Sister Yumi, you've put me in quite a situation," he muttered under his breath, knowing that his newfound powers had now placed him under greater scrutiny.

His original plan of staying under the radar and quietly building his strength was no longer viable. He would have to adjust his strategy.

---

A week later, Ryosuke's injuries had mostly healed, and he was discharged from the hospital. As he walked through the familiar streets of Kirigakure, a sense of melancholy settled over him. 

The village, once bustling with activity, now seemed quiet and subdued. Kirigakure, the Mist Village, was one of the five great ninja villages, but its current state reflected a deeper, underlying weakness.

Even though Ryosuke had the foreknowledge of a transmigrator, knowing what was to come didn't make the future any less daunting. A storm was brewing, one that would plunge the Mist Village into chaos. Soon, it would earn its infamous title: 

"The Village Hidden in the Blood Mist."

Returning to the Mizuki clan compound, Ryosuke felt a mix of familiarity and isolation. As a member of the clan, he lived in the family's large estate, though his parents had died during the war, leaving him to live alone. 

The compound was filled with the homes of other Mizuki clan members, but Ryosuke's house was one of the quietest—until today.

As soon as he opened the door, a delicious smell wafted through the air. A soft, feminine voice greeted him with a mixture of surprise and delight.

"Ryosuke, you're back!"

Before he could even respond, a familiar figure rushed toward him. Mizuki Yumi, the clan's beloved "princess," wrapped her arms around him in a warm embrace. Yumi's soft, fragrant presence made Ryosuke's heart soften, and for a moment, he allowed himself to relax in her arms.

Yumi stepped back slightly and studied his face, as if checking to make sure he was truly alright. Her long, silky black hair brushed against his neck, sending a shiver down his spine.

"You had me so worried, Ryosuke," Yumi said, her eyes filled with genuine concern. "How could you end up in such a dangerous situation?"

Ryosuke smiled gently, trying to ease her worries. "I'm fine now, Sister Yumi. There's no need to worry anymore."

Mizuki Yumi was more than just a childhood friend to Ryosuke. She was the daughter of Mizuki Taki, the Third Mizukage, making her both a princess of the Mizuki clan and the village. 

Despite the three-year age gap between them, Yumi and Ryosuke had grown up together, and their relationship had developed into one of deep mutual affection, almost like siblings.

After Ryosuke's parents died in the war, Yumi took it upon herself to care for him. Her kindness and compassion had made her Ryosuke's closest companion, but their closeness was not without controversy. Many within the Mizuki clan, especially those close to Yumi, disapproved of their relationship.

The strongest opposition came from Yumi's father, Mizuki Taki. On the surface, Ryosuke seemed like an average ninja with no notable talents or future prospects. He hadn't yet awakened the clan's Bloodline, and many saw him as just another ninja destined to fade into obscurity. 

Mizuki Taki had made it clear that he had higher aspirations for his daughter. He wanted her to marry someone who could offer her stability and prominence, not someone who might become cannon fodder in the next war.

But everything changed when Ryosuke awakened his Bloodline, the powerful Ice Release, and even more so when he managed to defeat a Jōnin from Iwagakure (the Village Hidden in the Rocks). 

In a village where only a few select members of the Mizuki clan had awakened their Bloodline abilities, Ryosuke's newfound powers marked him as someone with great potential. 

Suddenly, Ryosuke was no longer seen as just an average ninja. He was now a young man with endless possibilities. His tragic past—being orphaned and left to fend for himself—was no longer viewed as a disadvantage, but rather as a clean slate. 

There were no political entanglements or family obligations to complicate things. He was free from the web of clan alliances and expectations that often restricted others.

This change in perception was likely why Mizuki Taki had visited Ryosuke in the hospital. The Third Mizukage, who had once dismissed him as unworthy, now saw value in Ryosuke. 

With his Bloodline awakened and his abilities growing, Ryosuke could now be viewed as an asset to the Mizuki clan, someone who could be groomed for greater things. In a clan driven by power and legacy, Ryosuke's potential could no longer be ignored.

As Mizuki Yumi fussed over him, Ryosuke couldn't help but reflect on the shift in his circumstances. He understood now why Mizuki Taki had looked at him with such intensity before leaving the hospital. 

It wasn't just a look of approval—it was also a look of assessment as if the Mizukage was evaluating Ryosuke's worth as a potential son-in-law. Mizuki Taki's change of heart wasn't just about Ryosuke's abilities; it was about the future of the Mizuki clan.

"Sister Yumi," Ryosuke said softly, placing a hand on her shoulder, "everything is going to be fine."

Yumi looked up at him, her eyes filled with both relief and lingering worry. "You always say that," she replied, her voice tinged with affection.

"And I always mean it," Ryosuke reassured her, his tone light. But in his heart, he knew that the path ahead was far more complicated than it had ever been. The awakening of his Bloodline had changed everything. Now, he would have to navigate the treacherous waters of clan politics, village intrigue, and personal expectations—all while preparing for the storm that was sure to come to Kirigakure.

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