Chapter 77: , Today is Different from the Past!

Heaven and earth can testify, Mizunuki Ryosuke came back yesterday, and after dealing with Lian and Aunt Liuhua's affairs, he fell asleep.

When he woke up, it was already bright.

He didn't have time to study, just grabbed a few mouthfuls of breakfast made by Lian, and hurried to participate in the Jonin meeting.

Mizunuki Ryosuke knew that important things would happen at the meeting held today, but he didn't know the specific details at all.

Just when Mizunuki Ryosuke was still confused, the Jonin Commander, Tian Tian Yuanshi, who presided over the meeting, walked out from the back.

Tian Tian Yuanshi, who walked all the way, was originally prepared to sit in his seat, but saw that his seat had been occupied by Mizunuki Eiro.

So he frowned slightly, which was invisible.

Looking around, Tian Tian Yuanshi saw that there was an empty seat beside Mizunuki Ryosuke.

He didn't say a word, and sat directly in the empty seat beside Mizunuki Ryosuke, without any intention of occupying the main seat.

In this way, Tian Tian Yuanshi's attitude can be said to be clearly revealed.

Although there were rumors that the Jonin Commander, Tian Tian Yuanshi, had no intention of the position of Mizukage, he did not expect his actions to be so direct and crisp.

At the same time, Tian Tian Yuanshi's actions also made Mizunuki Eiro's face look a little ugly.

He originally thought that Tian Tian Yuanshi would sit directly in the main seat, and in order to reflect his attitude toward the position of Mizukage, Mizunuki Eiro occupied the position on the left hand side of the main seat.

Unexpectedly, Tian Tian Yuanshi's actions were like a heavy slap on his face.

In this way, it made him, who occupied the left side, look a bit ignorant.

"Commander Tian."

A group of ninjas felt flattered and greeted Tian Tian Yuanshi one after another.

Tian Tian Yuanshi responded to each of them in turn.

"Ryosuke, how did you rest last night?"

Tian Tian Yuanshi did not speak to the others, but instead greeted Mizunuki Ryosuke alone.

To this, Ryosuke’s expression remained indifferent, and he only gave a faint reply.

"I rested very well, Squad Leader Tian."

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

Although this smile looked extremely stiff and strange, to those familiar with this Jonin squad leader, it was practically a miracle.

One must know that this Jonin squad leader had always been known for being rigid and humorless; 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 Tian Yuanshi’s expression returned to his usual rigid, humorless state.

"I won't waste time with small talk. I’ve gathered everyone here today not just to explain the current situation."

"There is also a major matter."

"I believe everyone here is aware of this major matter: the Third has passed away, and the village is currently without a leader."

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

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

As the saying goes, those involved are often blinded; Mizunuki Ryosuke hadn't reacted in time before, but now, hearing the words "Water Shadow" and thinking it over, he instantly understood all the connections.

"Now, I will first state the current situation of the village."

"So that everyone can be informed."

Subsequently, Tian Tian Yuanshi formally disclosed the conspiracy of Gouju Yagura to everyone, as well as the process by which the Third Water Shadow had pitted his wits against Gouju Yagura throughout the entire operation.

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

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

Instead, he was immersed in his own thoughts.

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

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

No wonder the attitudes of Tian Tian Yuanshi and Hozuki Mangetsu toward him had shifted so drastically.

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

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

Subconsciously, Mizunuki Ryosuke still defaulted to seeing himself as the obscure little character he had been before.

But in the eyes of others, Ryosuke’s status and position had already undergone a heaven-and-earth transformation.

Especially after the death of the Third Water Shadow.

Who should inherit the position of the Fourth Water Shadow?

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 Water Shadow.

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

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

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

Most importantly, Ryosuke was also the "son-in-law" designated by the Third Water Shadow Mizunuki Taki and his wife!

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

The legacy here, of course, does not refer to the property left behind by the Third Water Shadow.

It refers to the connections and political influence the Third Water Shadow left behind in the village.

In the Mist Village, the Third Water Shadow’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 is nothing to be said about that.

Second was the Water Shadow 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 Water Shadow Guard nor were they ninjas of the Mizunuki clan.

They could be counted as "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 early and find 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 made a name for himself, Mizunuki Eiro had been groomed by the Mizunuki clan as the next clan head.

At this moment, even if Ryosuke had suddenly 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 Water Shadow Guard and the non-clan ninjas would certainly have thrown themselves under Mizunuki Eiro’s banner to support his succession as Water Shadow.

But now, the appearance of Mizunuki Ryosuke gave these non-clan ninjas and members of the Water Shadow Guard a new choice.

Especially these non-clan ninjas—knowing full well that Mizunuki Eiro’s foundation was primarily the Mizunuki clan, why would they still throw their lot in with Mizunuki Eiro?

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

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 Water Shadow 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 Water Shadow Guard were betting on both sides, with the personnel supporting each side being roughly equal.