Chapter 18: , could it be just a bluff?

The sparring venue was set inside the Mizukage Building, a special training ground reinforced with secret techniques.

The venue was very spacious, enough for two Jonin to exert their full strength.

In the field, Mizunuki Ryosuke and Kaguya Yuta, who were about to fight, were already standing on opposite sides of the training ground, staring at each other without giving an inch.

"Are you both ready?"

Tian Yuanshi, acting as the referee, stood between the two and asked in a flat tone.

Seeing both of them nod, Tian Yuanshi announced the start of the trial.

The rules were simple.

Except for not being allowed to kill, everything else was unrestricted.

As long as one side lost consciousness or admitted defeat midway, the trial would be considered over.

Regarding this fated clash between the new generation of the Mizunuki and Kaguya, a crowd of Jonin waited and watched; some had even taken out melon seeds from their robes.

Not to mention that the two were now the first and second largest ninja clans in Kirigakure, the battle of bloodlines between Shikotsumyaku and Ice Release was already full of highlights.

It must be said that Mizunuki Ryosuke's handsome features, combined with his exceptionally young appearance, led the Jonin to conclude that he was also a character belonging to the "genius" category.

"Shocking! New Generation Mizunuki Challenges Kaguya Yuta! The Fated Duel Between Old and New Geniuses!"

Some even drafted titles and used secret techniques to contact other Jonin who would be attending later to come and watch the drama.

"Hello? Hello?"

"Hurry to the Mizukage Building, Kaguya and Mizunuki are fighting!"

"Yes!"

"Hurry and come watch!"

""

This highly anticipated duel kicked off amidst the expectations of the crowd.

"Cough, cough."

Mizunuki Taki, sitting in the main seat, coughed twice and looked at Mizunuki Ryosuke and Kaguya Yuta confronting each other below, a flicker of uncertainty flashing in his eyes.

Although Mizunuki Taki's ability had always been criticized by the ninjas in the village, how could Mizunuki Taki be a simple character to be able to sit in this position, and for ten years at that?

Of course, he wouldn't push Mizunuki Ryosuke to Jonin without preparation and make such a bad move.

Especially at such a critical moment, without certainty, how could Mizunuki Taki be so urgent?

The scene before him made Mizunuki Taki's expression extremely ugly.

Everything looked like just a simple Jonin exam, but the things hidden beneath the surface were by no means that simple.

Regarding Mizunuki Ryosuke's strength, Mizunuki Taki still had "some understanding."

If it didn't go through "backroom operations," wanting to ascend to Jonin was simply difficult upon difficult.

But there is a saying, "If you don't use your authority, it will expire."

As Mizukage, it wasn't difficult to make a "passable" clansman become a Jonin.

In fact, Mizunuki Taki had long anticipated that there would be problems with the practical examination in the third round of the Jonin exam, so he had secretly sent people to communicate with Tian Yuanshi, who was responsible for the drawing of lots.

But who would have thought that Tian Yuanshi agreed wholeheartedly at the time to arrange a "suitable opponent" for Mizunuki Ryosuke, but was now stabbing Mizunuki Taki in the back.

So no one would think that a mere "lottery" would be fair and just, right?

Ryosuke's defeat was a small matter; the loss of the Mizukage's and the Mizunuki's honor was a big one.

If Mizunuki Ryosuke lost too ugly, I fear someone would inevitably take the opportunity to stir up trouble.

Rumors that "the Mizukage practices nepotism and is incompetent" would immediately appear in the village.

This would be another serious blow to the Mizukage's already crumbling prestige.

Mizunuki Ryosuke looked to his side without changing his expression, his gaze first sweeping over Kaguya Ichiro's rugged cheeks.

He knew that with Kaguya's brain, it was impossible to think of such a scheme.

Then he looked at Tian Yuanshi on his left, whose expression remained full of majesty.

Although this old guy had pitted Mizunuki Taki, he definitely wasn't the mastermind.

There was only one person who truly played tricks.

Subsequently, Mizunuki Ryosuke clenched his fists and looked with cold eyes at Hozuki Mangetsu, who was sitting casually on a chair on his right with a faint smile on his face.

But now that the matter had happened, Mizunuki Taki could only swallow the "bitter fruit" himself.

He knew that the "probability" of Mizunuki Ryosuke winning against Kaguya Yuta was "too small."

Now he could only pray that Mizunuki Ryosuke wouldn't lose too ugly; otherwise, the matter would be completely impossible to clean up.

Unlike the Third Mizukage Mizunuki Taki's gloomy expression, the smile of the Mist Anbu leader Hozuki Mangetsu was undisguised.

"This old guy Mizunuki Taki has completely lost his mind."

"To actually make such a foolish move."

"This is also good; further striking the Mizukage's prestige is beneficial to the next plan."

Hozuki Mangetsu's smile became increasingly brilliant.

Everything happening right now was just a matter of convenience for Hozuki Mangetsu.

As for the Kaguya clan? They were just pawns in Hozuki Mangetsu's hands.

Feeling the pressure from the opponent's "strength," Mizunuki Taki became secretly vigilant in his heart.

"Rule of the Golden Mean, Article 1: Never underestimate your opponent, even if it is a child who just graduated from the ninja academy. Even Uchiha Madara would capsize in a gutter; only those who survive can continue to practice the 'Golden Mean'."

After a period of confrontation, Mizunuki Ryosuke decided to launch a probing attack first.

Ox-Monkey-Rabbit-Rat-Boar-Rooster-Ox-Horse-Rooster

Mizunuki Ryosuke performed forty-four hand seals in three seconds with extremely fast technique!

(Old Naruto fans know what this is without me saying.)

"Boom!"

With a roar, a massive amount of water suddenly appeared on the training ground.

The next instant, a ferocious water dragon rose up and lunged straight at Kaguya Yuta!

"What! It's actually the Water Dragon Bullet Technique right from the start!"

On the sidelines, a Jonin exclaimed directly.

You know, don't look at the original anime where it seems like everyone can use the Water Dragon Bullet; in reality, the Water Dragon Bullet is indeed a high-level ninjutsu.

Even some Jonin have not mastered it proficiently.

Using the Water Dragon Bullet to probe right from the start, what kind of fighting style is this?

Shouldn't such a ninjutsu that consumes a large amount of chakra be used for the finishing move? ===== CHAPTER 20 =====