Third Mizukage

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Third Mizukage (三代目水影); personal name not provided
Gender	Male 62
Affiliation	Kirigakure; Hozuki Clan 25
Occupation/Role	Third Mizukage; teacher of Ito Rei and Hozuki Rimuru. Introduced as the Hozuki Clan head, although Kaguya Tsuki is identified as its current head later 25 59
Status	Alive; abdicates in favor of Rimuru and remains active in combat afterward 587 626 628
First Appearance	Chapter 25, “The Third Mizukage” 25

Background / History

Connection to the Second Mizukage

The Third Mizukage is a disciple of Hozuki Gengetsu, the Second Mizukage. His attachment to the Hozuki name is strong enough for Genshi to notice changes in his normally detached behavior when a promising young clan member appears. He remembers Gengetsu as a teacher who delighted in seeing younger generations grow 25 27 29.

He also teaches Ito Rei, an abandoned infant from the Land of Earth whom Gengetsu adopted. Despite her talent for assassination, he recognizes her softheartedness and accepts her choice to work as his assistant 27 64.

Accepting Rimuru

Ito Rei brings Jiang Rui, using the identity of Hozuki Rimuru, to his office. The child claims that a Konoha ninja killed his parents and demonstrates the Water Transformation Technique. The Mizukage recognizes unusually advanced mastery of the technique, but cannot verify the child's family of origin 25.

He permits Rimuru to pursue admission to Kirigakure through an assessment and a teacher's recommendation, then takes him as his own disciple. His decision is influenced by Rimuru's talent, the Hozuki Clan's decline, and his memories of Gengetsu 25 26.

Initially, he agrees with Ito Rei that Rimuru's powerful, open fighting style is better suited to the front lines than assassination. Nevertheless, he gives Rimuru another chance after the child's refusal to kill a mission target's child, eventually accepting him into the ANBU 27 31 32 33 36.

War and Succession Planning

When the Seven Ninja Swordsmen lose contact, the Mizukage faces reluctance from Kirigakure's major families to commit forces. He insists that the Daimyo's will makes war unavoidable, then authorizes Rimuru to investigate Konoha and Kumogakure and rescue the missing teams 35 36.

After Rimuru's attacks on Cloud ninja attract international attention, he protects his disciple by ordering him to deny involvement. He subsequently orders a full-scale invasion of the Land of Fire 49 50.

He personally travels to rescue Rimuru from the Third Raikage, leaving clones behind to preserve village administration. Rimuru's survival against the Raikage convinces him to begin preparing his disciple for succession: he assigns missions that can establish public achievements and gathers influential supporters around him 58 59 62.

During the campaign against Konoha, he leads eight thousand ninja toward the southwestern canyon. His aggressive advance, combined with Rimuru's actions and Sunagakure's cooperation, forces Konoha's troops into retreat 68 75.

Abdication

Rimuru returns after 279 days away and confronts his teacher over Ito Rei's death and the failure to retrieve her body. The Mizukage explains that he could not pursue revenge while Kirigakure depended on him. With an heir now available, he considers dying in battle to secure Rimuru's succession while limiting the consequences for the Land of Water 583 585.

Rimuru instead challenges him directly for the position. The Third Mizukage's water attacks and speed prove insufficient against his disciple's new abilities. He surrenders under Rimuru's water-dragon cannon barrage and announces that he will submit an abdication application to the Daimyo 586 587.

After stepping down, he continues protecting Kirigakure and supporting Rimuru. He orders the evacuation of the Three-Tails' sealing area, attacks the Tsuchikage after the confrontation over Ito Rei's killing, and later wounds Manda with high-pressure water blades 589 621 626.

Appearance

• Demeanor: Described as a man with an aloof, cold aura 62.
• Expression: Frequently maintains an unreadable face, including during negotiations with the Third Raikage 29 62.
• Headwear: Wears a Mizukage hat, which he removes while observing Rimuru's training 29.

Personality

The Third Mizukage is outwardly detached but deeply invested in his students. He casually delegates paperwork to Ito Rei and quietly evaluates Rimuru's potential, yet becomes protective when either disciple is endangered. During the Raikage confrontation, he physically steps in front of Rimuru 25 27 62.

His affection does not eliminate his caution. He questions Rimuru's unverifiable origins, recognizes the political resistance within the Hozuki Clan, and later asks trusted Kirigakure figures to support Rimuru rather than relying entirely on powerful outsiders 27 29 587.

His sense of duty places the village above personal revenge. His willingness to sacrifice himself for succession earns respect from Rimuru's companions, but he remains emotionally affected by Ito Rei's fate: after promising not to intervene, he attacks the Tsuchikage when the confrontation establishes her killers' responsibility 585 621.

Abilities & Skills

Water Release

• Water Gun Technique: Uses projectile attacks against Rimuru; Rimuru redirects them through superior water control 586.
• Water Mirror Technique: Possesses the high-level technique capable of copying an opponent's attack 62.
• Great Waterfall Technique: Launches it directly at the Tsuchikage during the invasion of Iwagakure 621.
• Hard Vortex Water Blade: Releases high-pressure water blades across a highland, leaving Manda covered in wounds 626.
• Water clones: Uses a clone in his duel with Rimuru; the clone dissolves into water after being struck 586.

Wind Release

• Wind Cutter Wave: Dance of Chaos: Uses this powerful wind technique during Rimuru's succession challenge; Rimuru counters it with Earth Style 586.

Speed and Physical Ability

• Moves faster than sound when fully exerting his Kage-level speed 587.
• Initially evades Rimuru's cannon barrage, forcing his disciple to expand the attack's coverage 587.
• Cannot overcome Rimuru's improved speed and control of the surrounding water during their duel 586 587.

Command and Intelligence

• Leaves three clones in Kirigakure while traveling to Rimuru's rescue: one conceals his departure, while two support information exchange and major decisions 58.
• Coordinates with Genshi's clones, using the information returned upon their dispelling to communicate between the village and traveling forces 58.
• Builds Rimuru's political support through mission assignments and a carefully selected circle of allies 59 64.

Relationships

• Hozuki Gengetsu — Teacher and lasting influence; his enthusiasm for nurturing younger clan members shapes the Third Mizukage's interest in Rimuru 25 27.
• Hozuki Rimuru / Jiang Rui — Disciple and chosen successor. Their relationship develops from cautious evaluation to personal protection, succession planning, and eventual abdication 25 59 62 587.
• Ito Rei — Disciple and assistant. He understands her compassionate temperament, and her death becomes a source of grief and conflict with Rimuru 27 585 621.
• Genshi — Trusted elder and adviser; the only other figure described as possessing both substantial authority and the Mizukage's trust for intelligence coordination 29 58.
• Kaguya Tsuki — Hozuki Clan leader whose support helps secure Rimuru's succession. After abdicating, the Third Mizukage asks him to become one of Rimuru's trusted aides 59 587.
• Third Raikage — Wartime opponent. The Mizukage confronts him to protect Rimuru, offering either a peaceful withdrawal or battle 62.

Notable Quotes

“I didn't seek revenge because Kirigakure cannot be without a Mizukage.” 585

“If you wish to leave, we will naturally not stop you. If you wish to fight, that is also an option.” 62

“Strength is the most convincing. Now that you have proven your strength, I will submit an application for abdication to the Daimyo.” 587