Chapter 145

Tian Yuanshi responded to each of them in turn.

"Ryosuke, how did you rest last night?"

Tian Yuanshi did not speak to anyone else, but instead greeted Mizunuki Ryosuke alone.

To this, Ryosuke remained indifferent in expression, responding only with a faint reply.

"I rested very well, Squad Leader Tian."

Hearing Ryosuke's answer, Tian Yuanshi revealed a somewhat stiff smile.

Although this smile looked extremely rigid and strange, to those familiar with this Jonin Squad Leader, it was nothing short of a miracle.

One must know, this Jonin Squad Leader had always been known for being pedantic and stern; no one had ever seen him take the initiative to smile at anyone.

During the meeting, some ninjas looked at one another, a flash of realization passing through their eyes.

After greeting Ryosuke, Tian Yuanshi's expression returned to its usual stern and pedantic state.

"I won't waste time with small talk. I have gathered everyone here today not only to explain the current situation,"

"but also for a major matter."

"I believe everyone is clear on this matter in their hearts: the Third has passed away, and the village is currently leaderless."

"Therefore, we must establish the candidate for the Fourth as soon as possible."

Hearing Tian Yuanshi say this, Mizunuki Ryosuke was suddenly startled.

As the saying goes, those involved are often confused; Mizunuki Ryosuke had failed to react for a moment, but now, hearing the words "Mizukage" and thinking it over, he instantly understood every connection.

"Now, I will first speak about the village's current situation."

"So that everyone may be informed."

Subsequently, Tian Yuanshi formally disclosed Hozuki Yagura's conspiracy before everyone, as well as the process by which the Third Mizukage had fought wits and courage with Hozuki Yagura throughout the entire operation.

Finally, he spoke of the village's losses after the battle ended.

During this time, Mizunuki Ryosuke had absolutely no intention of listening.

Instead, he was immersed in his own thoughts.

No wonder, just after entering the room, Kuroshima Morita had said those random things to him.

No wonder, Mizunuki Eiro and the other clansmen were not fond of him.

No wonder, the attitudes of Tian Yuanshi and Hozuki Mangetsu toward him had undergone such a massive shift.

Because at this very moment, Mizunuki Ryosuke had shockingly become one of the candidates most likely to become the Mizukage in the entire village!

Thinking of this, Mizunuki Ryosuke could not help but freeze in place.

Subconsciously, Mizunuki Ryosuke still defaulted to viewing himself as the obscure little character he was before.

But in the eyes of others, Ryosuke's identity and status had long since undergone a heaven-and-earth transformation.

Especially after the death of the Third Mizukage.

Who should inherit the position of the Fourth Mizukage next?

If not for Mizunuki Ryosuke, Mizunuki Eiro, the son of the Great Elder and a gifted talent within the clan in recent years, would certainly have inherited the Third's legacy and competed with Hozuki Mangetsu for the position of Mizukage.

But now, with the strength and character Mizunuki Ryosuke had displayed, everything was completely different.

Although, based on Mizunuki Ryosuke's usual status and position within the Mizunuki clan, his foundation was far inferior to Mizunuki Eiro's.

But do not forget, Ryosuke himself bore the name Mizunuki.

Most importantly, Ryosuke was also the "son-in-law" handpicked by the Third Mizukage and his wife!

With this layer of connection, at first glance, Mizunuki Ryosuke actually seemed more qualified than Mizunuki Eiro to inherit the Third's "legacy."

The legacy here, of course, did not refer to the property left behind by the Third Mizukage.

It referred to the connections and political influence the Third Mizukage had left behind in the village.

Within Kirigakure, the Third Mizukage's original power was roughly divided into three aspects.

First, naturally, was the power derived from the Mizunuki clan; as the Third was the head of the Mizunuki clan, there was nothing to say about that.

Second was the Mizukage Guard, which the Third had built single-handedly; this was a force directly under the Third, composed of elite ninjas under his command.

Finally, there were the ninjas the Third had cultivated in the village; these ninjas were also loyal to the Third and had received his favor, but they had neither joined the Mizukage Guard nor were they ninjas of the Mizunuki clan.

They could be considered "non-clan ninjas."

Kuroshima Morita was undoubtedly a representative figure among them.

Now, the Third was dead.

These ninjas naturally had to place their bets in advance, searching for new objects of support.

In order to obtain corresponding rewards after the other party took office.

Within the Mizunuki clan, Mizunuki Eiro was already deeply rooted; even before Mizunuki Ryosuke had begun to shine, Mizunuki Eiro had been cultivated by the Mizunuki clan as the next clan head.

At this moment, even if Ryosuke had emerged as a dark horse, he still could not shake Eiro's foundation within the clan.

Originally, if not for Mizunuki Ryosuke, the members of the Mizukage Guard and the non-clan ninjas would certainly have thrown their lot in with Mizunuki Eiro, supporting his succession as Mizukage.

But now, the appearance of Mizunuki Ryosuke had given these non-clan ninjas and members of the Mizukage Guard a new choice.

Especially these non-clan ninjas—knowing that Mizunuki Eiro's foundation was primarily the Mizunuki clan, why would they still defect to Mizunuki Eiro?

They understood in their hearts that even if they stood with Mizunuki Eiro now, once he took office, they would never be able to compete with the ninjas of the Mizunuki clan.

Since that was the case, why not choose to support Mizunuki Ryosuke?

Combining this with Kuroshima Morita's words, it was not difficult for Mizunuki Ryosuke to see.

The power left behind by the Third Mizukage had now split into two sides.

One side supported him, while the other supported Mizunuki Eiro.

The ninjas of the Mizunuki clan stood on Mizunuki Eiro's side, while the non-clan ninjas in the village stood on his side.

The elite ninjas of the Mizukage Guard were betting on both sides, with personnel supporting each side split roughly in half. ===== CHAPTER 147 =====