Kirigakure, Mizukage Building
As Takeda Yoichi's defeat was confirmed, the assembled Jōnin sighed inwardly. "As expected," they muttered, exchanging glances.
From the evaluations conducted by Maeda Yuanshi, the three-tailed ninja cat, Sanhua Mao, was ranked at A−, while Takeda Yoichi only held a B− rating. The gap between them was not just one or two ranks—it was an insurmountable chasm in strength.
By shinobi standards, Takeda Yoichi was merely at the Chūnin level, while his opponent wielded the strength of a Tokubetsu Jōnin.
Despite this expected outcome, what surprised the Jōnin most was Mizuki Ryosuke's strategic decision.
They had all anticipated that the safest route to victory for Ryosuke's team would be to counterbalance strengths, avoiding a direct clash of high- and low-tier opponents. Yet, against the odds, Ryosuke had seemingly predicted the enemy's deployment with one-third odds in his favor.
Was this sheer coincidence, or did Ryosuke perceive something they had missed?
Before the Jōnin could delve further into their thoughts, the third round of the Ryosuke team's match commenced.
This time, it was Ryosuke's team that had to select a fighter first.
When Mizuki Ryosuke sent Mizuki Mitsuhiko onto the battlefield, the tension in the Jōnin stands soared.
For those secretly supporting Ryosuke, this moment would decide everything.
The opponent's next choice could determine the final outcome of the entire match.
On the opposite side, Maeda Yuanshi watched the water screen intently, his gaze sharp.
Only the high-ranking officials on both sides knew the true strength evaluations of each participant. The four Ninja Cats from the opposing team were still unaware of the Ryosuke team's internal strength distribution.
Maeda Yuanshi's expression remained unreadable, but inwardly, he analyzed the situation.
• If the enemy team sent their mid-tier fighter—the Yang Release cat—Ryosuke's team would secure victory.
• If they sent their weaker fighter—the Yin Release cat—the match would likely end in a draw, eliminating Ryosuke's team from advancement.
Maeda Yuanshi took a slow breath.
"Luck is also a form of strength at times."
"However, those who stand at the peak of a village must not rely on luck alone. They must have the trump cards and resolve to fight against fate itself."
"Mizuki Ryosuke, don't let me down…"
He voiced none of these thoughts aloud, keeping his gaze locked on the water screen.
A moment later, the decision appeared.
At the Jōnin seating area, Kuroshima Morita abruptly stood up, his face dark with displeasure.
The opponent had sent their weakest fighter—the Yin Release cat.
This meant that another "upper horse vs. lower horse" battle had been arranged.
The Third Battle
Mizuki Mitsuhiko's sharp gaze locked onto his adversary—a black-furred ninja cat that radiated an eerie, menacing aura.
The moment his opponent stepped into the ring, Mizuki Mitsuhiko's focus reached its peak.
Although his overall strength had not increased drastically since joining Ryosuke's team, his mentality had undergone an immense transformation.
The arrogance and pride he once carried as a Mizuki clan elite had long been tempered into humility and caution under Ryosuke's subtle yet firm guidance.
His experiences—from the Iwagakure skirmish to the mist anomaly incident—had thoroughly taught him one thing:
The ninja world is vast. And he is still too weak.
Underestimating an opponent meant disregarding one's own life.
The battle began.
Mizuki Mitsuhiko wasted no time—he immediately threw several kunai laced with a thin layer of ice, strategically limiting his enemy's movement. At the same time, he used Water Clone Jutsu to create distance.
"Shhhhhh—!"
In a rapid series of hand seals, Mitsuhiko unleashed his signature jutsu:
Water Style: Thousand Killing Water Needles!
A torrent of high-pressure water needles shot from his mouth, pelting the black-furred cat with deadly precision.
The enemy had no room for error.
Panicked, the black cat's fur suddenly bristled and expanded, forming a dense, porcupine-like armor of razor-sharp hardened hairs.
This defensive jutsu successfully blocked Mitsuhiko's Thousand Killing Water Needles—but it also forced the black cat into a stationary defensive stance.
And in that moment of hesitation—
"Swish—!"
A ring of twenty-four ice mirrors materialized, trapping the black cat at the center.
Secret Art: Ice Mirror Twenty-Four Shots!
From within each mirror, Mizuki Mitsuhiko's reflection emerged.
Twenty-four identical figures moved simultaneously, raining kunai and ice-shrouded weapons toward their immobilized target.
The black cat hesitated for a split second, trying to identify the real enemy. In desperation, it lashed out wildly, destroying two reflections—
But the real Mitsuhiko was already at its throat.
A kunai, laced with a freezing aura, hovered just below the black cat's neck.
"You lose."
Three cold, absolute words sealed the battle's outcome.
The black-furred cat never even had a chance to unleash its Yin Release techniques.
Victory was swift and decisive.
From the stands, Mizuki Ryosuke nodded in satisfaction.
The Ryosuke team had secured two wins and one loss.
Now, everything rested on the final battle.
The Final Match
The last fight would pit two mid-tier fighters against each other—
The Yang Release cat, rated B+, vs. Terumi Mei, rated B.
On paper, the opposing team had the advantage.
However, Ryosuke's expression remained calm.
He had anticipated this possibility even before Mitsuhiko's match.
A true strategist does not leave things to chance.
There was no longer a need to debate who would fight—the final battle was inevitable.
Before Terumi Mei stepped forward, Mizuki Ryosuke approached her.
"Mei, this last battle is in your hands."
"Go on, I trust you."
His tone was soft, carrying neither pressure nor doubt—only quiet confidence.
Terumi Mei clenched her fists, her emerald-green eyes flashing with determination.
"Captain Ryosuke, don't worry."
"I will bet everything I have to bring back victory!"
Hearing her words, Ryosuke smiled and reached out, patting her head gently.
"Don't push yourself too hard."
For a brief moment, Terumi Mei's face flushed red, but she quickly recovered.
Ryosuke then pulled an ice-carved amulet from his pocket and carefully placed it around Terumi Mei's neck.
"Take this. It's a charm for good luck."
Terumi Mei's fingers brushed the cool surface of the charm as she nodded firmly.
"I'll do my best!"
With steady steps, she ascended onto the battlefield.
As she faced her opponent, an unshakable resolve surged within her.
She recalled the feeling of helplessness in the Iwagakure incident—
The fear when trapped in the mist—
The warmth of Ryosuke's trust.
"This time, I won't falter."
She clutched the ice amulet against her chest, feeling its weight.
It was Ryosuke's belief in her.
And she would not disappoint him.
The final battle had begun.
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