The Mizukage Is Strong But Overly Cautious

Ice Release: Frozen Domain

This was the result of the three remaining squad members following Mizuki Ryosuke's long-established contingency plan after being separated from him.

From the very beginning, Ryosuke had anticipated such an outcome and had given them special instructions before they entered the battlefield.

Flashback: Before the Separation

"Listen closely. The three of you will immediately hide and wait in the designated position within the forest," Ryosuke instructed. "I will enter first and engage using Water Release. If anything unexpected happens, you are to move immediately to the pre-determined ambush point."

He paused for emphasis before handing them three scrolls.

"These contain my secret techniques. When the time comes, open them and channel your chakra into them."

The three nodded and departed to execute their orders.

Just as Ryosuke predicted, an explosion erupted in the distance, signaling the start of the battle. Without hesitation, the three activated the scrolls the moment Ryosuke and the Rock Shinobi, led by Kari, entered the combat zone.

The scrolls absorbed vast amounts of chakra from the trio, activating three barriers of ice that stretched and interlocked, forming an enclosed triangular battlefield. However, the price was steep—their chakra reserves were completely depleted, leaving them unable to fight any further.

A Battlefield of Ice

Kari smirked as he examined the thick ice walls surrounding them. "So, this is the grave you've chosen for yourself?" His voice carried a mocking edge.

Ryosuke remained silent, shaking his head. He knew better than to waste time talking—the longer the fight dragged on, the greater the risks.

With swift, precise hand seals, he unleashed a high-level jutsu.

"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"

A torrential wave surged from Ryosuke's mouth, rapidly flooding the battlefield.

Kari and his fellow Jonin reacted instantly, raising defensive Earth Release barriers.

"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"

Massive rock fortifications emerged from the ground, diverting and splitting the incoming floodwaters. Rock Shinobi held a natural advantage over Mist Shinobi due to their Earth Release techniques countering Water Release.

However, Ryosuke remained unfazed as the battlefield transformed into a temporary reservoir, enclosed by the towering ice barriers.

Without pause, his hands flashed through another sequence of seals.

Hunter, sensing danger, widened his eyes in alarm.

"Not good!" he shouted.

He slammed his hands onto the frozen ground. The earth trembled as a stone pillar, nearly six meters thick, erupted beneath him, lifting him and his squad into the air.

At that very moment, Ryosuke finished his technique.

"Ice Release: Absolute Zero Formation!"

The entire battlefield froze over in an instant. The once-liquid terrain became an unyielding sheet of ice, effectively transforming the area into Ryosuke's domain.

Hunter's quick thinking saved himself and his squad from immediate entrapment, but the other Rock Shinobi found themselves at a severe disadvantage.

The shock was evident on their faces—this was an unexpected turn of events.

Ryosuke wasted no time pressing his advantage.

"Ice Release: Permafrost Spears!"

The frozen ground trembled as jagged ice spears shot up like deadly spikes, converging toward the enemy. At the same time, Ryosuke submerged into the ice, vanishing from sight.

The stone pillar that held the Rock Shinobi aloft was shattered instantly. The ninjas plummeted toward the deadly ice spikes below.

Hunter reacted immediately.

"Explosion Release: Mine Strike!"

He focused his chakra into his fists and detonated the incoming ice spears with a series of explosive punches.

But it wasn't over. More ice spears erupted from below, forcing Hunter to continuously counter with explosive force.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Violent detonations shattered incoming spikes into icy dust.

Meanwhile, another Jonin activated a defensive Earth Release jutsu.

"Earth Release: Rock Armor!"

His arms transformed into hardened rock, allowing him to smash through the ice and carve out a safe footing.

A second Jonin attempted to break through the ice from below using "Earth Release: Underground Breakthrough", but the frozen layer was too thick.

With their strongest techniques neutralized by the ice, the Rock Shinobi found themselves trapped within Ryosuke's domain.

Hunter gritted his teeth, realizing their disadvantage.

With another explosive punch, he shattered part of the ice at his feet, but it was not enough to fully break through to solid ground.

Worse still, another massive ice spike emerged from the opening, forcing him to retreat.

"We need to get out of here!" Hunter ordered, his tone urgent.

He knew that if they stayed in this frozen battlefield, they would be picked off one by one.

Meanwhile, the weaker Chūnin in their squad had already fallen to the relentless ice spears, their bodies impaled.

Time was running out.

Hunter clenched his fists and made a decision.

"Buy me time!" he commanded.

The two Jonin immediately flanked him, raising their defenses against the ever-expanding ice assault, allowing Hunter to prepare his final gamble.

The Ice Domain Closes In

Ryosuke, still hidden within the ice, smirked.

This battlefield belonged to him. The Rock Shinobi were merely guests in his frozen domain, and their time was running out.