Mizuki had little experience in battles between colossal beasts.
Aside from occasionally using such tactics against Tailed Beasts and Susanoo, he had virtually no opportunities for practical experience.
Even when forced into close-quarters brawling with massive opponents, Mizuki would do everything he could to capitalize on the advantages of ninjutsu and elemental attributes, relying on his overall strength to fight the enemy.
It was not just Mizuki. In truth, all shinobi had this problem.
Shinobi rarely fought in this sort of wrestling-style combat. Even taijutsu generally followed established techniques and tactics, such as Might Guy's Strong Fist or the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist. Other than throwing ninja tools, it came down to combat experience and basic attributes like speed and strength.
Since they were both amateurs at this, Mizuki naturally had no reason to fear the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, who had already lost his mind.
In this situation, the berserk opponent's strength was absurdly overwhelming. If Mizuki had not also been using Lava Release infused with Yin-Yang Release to offset Ape Rock's advantage, he definitely would not have been so reckless as to wrestle him head-on.
Fortunately, Yukimura's Susanoo was helping him. The purifying power of Izunome, the unique ocular technique of the Mangekyō Sharingan, was immensely powerful. Every contact weakened the enemy, and as time passed, their disadvantage would gradually turn into an advantage.
The outcome had been decided from the start. Reaching it was only a matter of time.
But Mizuki could not afford a battle of attrition.
Both Hope and Kaguya Otsutsuki's original consciousness had temporarily fallen dormant due to their severe injuries.
Ape Rock was acting purely on instinct, which did make him easier to handle. But if either master of that body woke up, it would undoubtedly become another hard fight.
Mizuki was not afraid of