Chapter 248

All the ninjas looked at Mizunuki Ryosuke, who was standing on the ring with a silent smile, as if nothing had happened.

Looking at Mizunuki Ryosuke's figure, at this moment they felt as if they saw a bottomless abyss.

No one could imagine what else was hidden inside this abyss?

Regardless, Ryosuke finally passed the assessment perfectly.

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

This three-on-two challenge had become a two-on-one due to Elder Lynx's serious injury.

Next, Hozuki Mangetsu and Mizunuki Eiro could only challenge the Cat Boss.

"What to do?!"

Mizunuki Eiro kept asking himself in his heart; having lost Elder Lynx, he probably wouldn't be able to avoid revealing his true colors in the next battle.

Unlike Ryosuke, who had the combat power to fight Tailed Beasts head-on and easily handle Elder Lynx.

In terms of personal strength alone, Mizunuki Eiro was definitely the weakest among the three candidates.

Even if Hozuki Mangetsu's strength was still a line away from the "Kage" level at this moment, by comparison, he was probably much stronger than Mizunuki Eiro.

After all, in the previous battle, although Hozuki Mangetsu was not a match for Hozuki Suigetsu, he had fought fiercely with this Anbu member who had Kage-level strength for a long time.

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

Looking at Mizunuki Eiro, although he also faced Kaguya Ichiro, who had Kage-level strength, in the previous battle in Kirigakure.

But for one thing, Kaguya Ichiro had a death wish and no belief in fighting to the end, and even had reservations at the last moment.

For another, Mizunuki Eiro was able to win because of the Great Elder's desperate sacrifice.

In general, in terms of combat power, Mizunuki Eiro was truly at the bottom.

And the opponent they needed to face next was the Cat Boss who could physically resist Terumi Mei's composite Fire Release!

Facing such terrifying strength of the opponent, without cheating, Mizunuki Eiro had no confidence at all that he could last half an hour in the hands of the Cat Boss.

The situation was already extremely clear.

Next, whoever went out third would undoubtedly have all the advantages.

Hozuki Mangetsu naturally had no reason to give away such an advantage.

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

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

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

Upon hearing this, Mizunuki Eiro's face, which was already so gloomy that it seemed like it could drip water, became even uglier.

Before he could answer, Hozuki Mangetsu said again.

"Oh, I almost forgot."

"Like you, a coward, even if I give you such an opportunity, you wouldn't dare."

"With your level, you probably used some unspeakable means to get here!"

As he spoke, Hozuki Mangetsu put on an extremely disdainful look, and his eyes looking at Mizunuki Eiro were full of contempt.

Hozuki Mangetsu's words could be considered to have completely touched Mizunuki Eiro's scar.

Just as Hozuki Mangetsu said, Mizunuki Eiro was able to get here really by unspeakable means.

"You—"

For a time, Mizunuki Eiro's face turned red, but he couldn't say a word.

Obviously, Hozuki Mangetsu's words touched Mizunuki Eiro's pain point, and Mizunuki Eiro, who was a bit guilty for a time, didn't know what words to use to refute.

In addition, Mizunuki Eiro was already panicking because of Elder Lynx's defeat and the abortion of the plan, and after being suddenly provoked by Hozuki Mangetsu, his heart was even more chaotic.

Panic, fear, anger, hatred—

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

The most fatal point was that these words happened to come from Hozuki Mangetsu's mouth.

Hozuki Mangetsu and Mizunuki Eiro.

The two were not only similar in age, but actually the first ninja clan children to respond after the Second Mizukage founded the Ninja Academy.

And later, facts had proven everything.

Mizunuki Eiro was just the "Mizunuki First Genius."

And Hozuki Mangetsu was the recognized "Kirigakure First Genius."

Such a gap was naturally self-evident.

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

No matter what it was, Hozuki Mangetsu was always the first in the Ninja Academy, while Mizunuki Eiro, who was in the same class, could only always be second.

If in Mizunuki Hikari's heart, his brother Mizunuki Eiro was a mountain difficult to climb over.

Then in Mizunuki Eiro's heart, Hozuki Mangetsu was the same.

If one were to talk about the person Mizunuki Eiro hated most, it was undoubtedly Ryosuke.

But if one were to talk about the person Mizunuki Eiro wanted to surpass most, it was definitely Hozuki Mangetsu!

At this moment, both were Mizukage candidates.

This was the best chance in Mizunuki Eiro's life to defeat Hozuki Mangetsu!

Mizunuki Eiro absolutely could not bear to lose to Hozuki Mangetsu again and be second.

Perhaps it was the fear of the matter being exposed, or perhaps it was the inner pride that made Mizunuki Eiro unable to bear such sarcasm, he gritted his teeth and actually agreed to fight first.

"Good!"

"Hozuki Mangetsu!"

"I accept this battle!"

"Let's just wait and see!"

Mizunuki Eiro said through gritted teeth, his expression like a beast forced into a desperate situation.

Beside Mizunuki Eiro, several Mizunuki Jonin wanted to speak but stopped, all frowning.

The authorities are confused, the bystanders are clear.

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

But what was unexpected was that Mizunuki Eiro actually fell for it so foolishly.

This scene also made Mizunuki Ryosuke on the side shake his head.

This Mizunuki Eiro, calling him ambitious but incompetent and headstrong, was not an exaggeration at all.

Of course, Ryosuke also understood that perhaps Hozuki Mangetsu's accidental words directly touched Mizunuki Eiro's pain point, making him lose his footing directly.

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

But even so, Hozuki Mangetsu, without any ironclad evidence, made Mizunuki Eiro break his defense with just two or three accusations; such quality, calling him ambitious but incompetent was not an exaggeration at all.

Since he chose the path of conspiracy, he should be prepared to bear the darkness.

The cowardice Mizunuki Eiro displayed at this moment was ultimately difficult to achieve great things, making Ryosuke conclude that he would also fall here.