Chapter 130

The standard for the assessment is to sustain combat for half an hour.

But at this moment, less than half an hour had passed, and Elder Lynx had been thoroughly defeated.

Boss Cat hurried to Elder Lynx’s side, checked the elder’s condition, and upon discovering that a breath of life remained, he let out a sigh of relief and immediately began rescue efforts.

Relying on Boss Cat’s masterful Yang Release, he managed to stabilize Elder Lynx’s condition.

Elder Lynx looked absolutely miserable at this moment; under the scorching of the flames, he looked at first glance like a charred roast duck.

Facing Elder Lynx’s swift and decisive defeat, the entire arena fell into dead silence.

Below the stage, Mizunuki Ryosuke’s expression had turned ugly to the extreme.

He looked at Ryosuke on the arena, his eyes filled with hidden resentment, heaviness, and nervousness.

Unlike these ninja cats, Mizunuki Ryosuke was even more aware of Ryosuke’s terror.

One must know that throughout the entire process of exchanging blows with Elder Lynx, Ryosuke had not even used his signature Ice Release.

And almost all ninjas from the Mist Village knew that Ryosuke’s greatest strength was that unfathomable and powerful Ice Release.

Too terrifying!

All the ninjas gazed at Mizunuki Ryosuke, who stood on the arena with a silent smile, as if nothing had happened.

Looking at Mizunuki Ryosuke’s figure, they felt as if they were staring into a bottomless, profound abyss.

No one could imagine what was hidden within this abyss.

Regardless, Ryosuke had ultimately passed the assessment perfectly.

Next, it was the turn of Mizunuki Ryosuke and Hozuki Mangetsu.

This three-on-two challenge had turned into a two-on-one due to Elder Lynx’s severe injuries.

Now, Hozuki Mangetsu and Mizunuki Ryosuke could only challenge Boss Cat.

"What should I do?!"

Mizunuki Ryosuke kept asking himself in his heart; having lost Elder Lynx, he feared he would be exposed for what he really was in the upcoming battle.

Unlike Ryosuke, who had the combat power to go head-to-head with a Tailed Beast and easily handle Elder Lynx.

In terms of individual strength alone, Mizunuki Ryosuke was definitely the weakest among the three candidates.

Even if Hozuki Mangetsu’s strength was still a step away from the "Kage" level, he was likely much stronger than Mizunuki Ryosuke by comparison.

After all, in the previous battle, although Hozuki Mangetsu was no match for Hozuki Suigetsu, he had fought fiercely with that Kage-level Mist Anbu leader for quite some time.

Relying on his own strength, it was actually not difficult for Hozuki Mangetsu to last half an hour against Boss Cat.

Conversely, although Mizunuki Ryosuke had also faced the Kage-level Kaguya Ichiro in the previous battle for the Mist.

But firstly, Kaguya Ichiro had been resigned to death and lacked the conviction to fight to the end, even holding back at the final moment.

Secondly, the reason Mizunuki Ryosuke was able to win was because of the Great Elder’s desperate sacrifice.

Overall, in terms of combat power, Mizunuki Ryosuke was truly at the bottom.

And the opponent they had to face next was Boss Cat, who could physically withstand Terumi Mei’s composite Fire Release!

Facing such terrifying strength, without cheating, Mizunuki Ryosuke had no confidence he could last half an hour against Boss Cat.

The situation was now extremely clear.

Whoever went third would undoubtedly have the advantage.

Hozuki Mangetsu naturally had no reason to hand such an advantage over to anyone else.

Thinking of this, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

"Mizunuki Ryosuke, do you need me to give you the chance to go first?"

Suddenly, Hozuki Mangetsu said with a smile to Mizunuki Ryosuke on the other side.

Upon hearing this, Mizunuki Ryosuke’s already gloomy face, which looked like it could drip water, became even uglier.

Before he could answer, Hozuki Mangetsu spoke again.

"Oh, I almost forgot."

"A coward like you wouldn't dare take such an opportunity even if it were offered."

"With your level of skill, you probably used some shameful methods to get here!"

As he spoke, Hozuki Mangetsu put on an extremely disdainful look, his eyes filled with contempt as he looked at Mizunuki Ryosuke.

Hozuki Mangetsu’s words had completely touched upon Mizunuki Ryosuke’s sore spot.

Just as Hozuki Mangetsu said, Mizunuki Ryosuke really had relied on shameful methods to get here.

"You..."

For a moment, Mizunuki Ryosuke’s face turned beet red, but he couldn't say a single word.

Clearly, Hozuki Mangetsu’s words had hit Mizunuki Ryosuke’s pain point, and feeling guilty, Mizunuki Ryosuke didn't know how to retort.

Furthermore, Mizunuki Ryosuke was already panicked due to Elder Lynx’s defeat and his failed plans; being provoked by Hozuki Mangetsu so suddenly left his mind in complete chaos.

Panic, fear, anger, hatred...

Under the accumulation of countless negative emotions, Mizunuki Ryosuke’s eyes turned red almost instantly.

The most fatal point was that these words came precisely from the mouth of Hozuki Mangetsu.

Hozuki Mangetsu and Mizunuki Ryosuke.

Not only were they of similar age, but they were also the first children of ninja clans to respond after the Second Mizukage founded the Ninja Academy.

And later, facts had proven everything.

Mizunuki Ryosuke was only the "First Genius of the Mizunuki."

While Hozuki Mangetsu was the recognized "First Genius of the Mist."

Such a gap was self-evident.

In the Ninja Academy, Mizunuki Ryosuke had been left behind by Hozuki Mangetsu countless times.

No matter what it was, Hozuki Mangetsu was always number one in the academy, while Mizunuki Ryosuke, in the same class, could only ever settle for second.

If, in the heart of Mizunuki Hikohiko, his brother Mizunuki Ryosuke was a mountain difficult to climb over.

Then in the heart of Mizunuki Ryosuke, Hozuki Mangetsu was the same.

If one were to ask who Mizunuki Ryosuke hated the most, it was undoubtedly Ryosuke.

But if one were to ask who Mizunuki Ryosuke wanted to surpass the most, it was definitely Hozuki Mangetsu!

At this moment, both were Mizukage candidates.

This was the best opportunity in Mizunuki Ryosuke’s life to defeat Hozuki Mangetsu!

Mizunuki Ryosuke absolutely could not bear to lose to Hozuki Mangetsu again and settle for second place.

Perhaps out of fear that his secrets would be exposed, or perhaps because his inner pride could not withstand such mockery, he gritted his teeth and agreed to go first.

"Fine!"

"Hozuki Mangetsu!"

"I accept this battle!"

"We'll see!"

Mizunuki Ryosuke said through gritted teeth, his expression like a beast driven to a dead end.

Beside Mizunuki Ryosuke, several Mizunuki Jonin wanted to say something but stopped, all frowning.

Those involved are confused, while bystanders see clearly.

Everyone could see that this was Hozuki Mangetsu’s provocation.

But what they never expected was that Mizunuki Ryosuke would fall for it so foolishly.

This scene also made Mizunuki Ryosuke, watching from the side, shake his head.

To say this Mizunuki Ryosuke was ambitious but incompetent and stubborn would not be an exaggeration at all.

Of course, Ryosuke also understood that perhaps Hozuki Mangetsu’s accidental words had directly touched Mizunuki Ryosuke’s sore spot, causing him to lose his composure.

Whether it was Hozuki Mangetsu’s guess or an accidental hit.

Even so, for Hozuki Mangetsu to break Mizunuki Ryosuke’s defense with just a few accusations without any hard evidence—such a lack of composure makes the label "ambitious but incompetent" well-deserved.

Since he chose the path of conspiracy, he should have been prepared to carry the darkness.

The cowardice Mizunuki Ryosuke showed at this moment made it hard for him to achieve greatness, leading Ryosuke to conclude that he would also fall here.