Chapter 79: , not knowing if it was appropriate to say

"Not only that."

"In the subsequent operations, Mizunuki Ryosuke also executed the arch-criminal Gouju Yagura."

"He completed the sealing of the rampaging Six-Tails with his own strength."

"In this battle, Mizunuki Ryosuke’s contribution was immense."

"He made great sacrifices and contributions to the village!"

"One could even say that the fact that everyone here can still hold this meeting is largely due to Mizunuki Ryosuke."

"I would like to call him the 'Miracle' Ninja!"

After Tian Tian Yuanshi finished speaking about Mizunuki Ryosuke’s achievements, everyone present was silent.

Even though the performances of Mizunuki Eiro and Hozuki Mangetsu had been outstanding enough, compared to Mizunuki Ryosuke, they were still lacking.

Sealing a Tailed Beast alone, executing the arch-criminal.

Such achievements were enough to explain everything.

At this moment, the eyes of everyone looking at Mizunuki Ryosuke changed.

Now, they finally understood why Tian Tian Yuanshi had suddenly bowed to Mizunuki Ryosuke before speaking.

Because such achievements were worthy of it!

"Clap, clap."

Suddenly, a clear sound of applause rang out, and everyone seemed to react only then.

For a time, thunderous applause erupted in the Jonin meeting room.

The first to applaud was none other than Hozuki Mangetsu on the side.

This number one genius of the Mist Village, who had always been aloof, felt nothing but admiration for Mizunuki Ryosuke.

To this, although Mizunuki Ryosuke remained calm on the surface, he was secretly cursing in his heart.

He never expected that the seemingly honest and straightforward Tian Tian Yuanshi would suddenly backstab him!

Thinking of this, Mizunuki Ryosuke’s eyes were somewhat complex.

He had to admit that in such an occasion, the feeling of being complimented by everyone was indeed very good.

Flowers and applause, honor and cheers.

Who would hate these things?

Thinking of this, Mizunuki Ryosuke became increasingly complex; he seemed to be drifting further and further away on the path of "moderation."

"For the three meritorious individuals with outstanding achievements."

"The village will provide rewards."

"And for the top contributor, Mizunuki Ryosuke, the village has decided to provide a special reward."

"That is to grant one request of Mizunuki Ryosuke."

"Ryosuke, as long as it is a request you make, the village will do its best to satisfy it."

Saying this, Tian Tian Yuanshi turned to look at Mizunuki Ryosuke beside him.

For a moment, everyone held their breath, staring at Mizunuki Ryosuke in a daze.

A request that the village would do its best to satisfy—what a tempting reward!

Money, status, secret ninjutsu...

It was equivalent to all these things being within reach.

Especially...

At this critical juncture, would Mizunuki Ryosuke strike while the iron was hot and directly propose that he wanted to succeed as Water Shadow?

On the other side, Mizunuki Eiro stared fixedly at Mizunuki Ryosuke, his breathing suddenly becoming somewhat rapid.

In fact, even Mizunuki Ryosuke himself was a bit stunned for a moment.

He never expected the village to offer such a reward—one request?

What request should he make?

Money?

Ryosuke was not short of money; as someone who was alone, his past mission income was completely enough for his expenses, and he had no use for so much money.

Status?

If Ryosuke needed these things, he wouldn't have hidden his talents until today.

Some kind of secret ninjutsu?

Ryosuke didn't need that either; the techniques he wanted, the Mist couldn't provide, and what the Mist could provide, he didn't need.

For a moment, Ryosuke actually fell into a state of having no desires.

Suddenly, he seemed to think of something.

"Have you thought it over?"

"It doesn't matter if you haven't; you can come find me later when you have."

Tian Tian Yuanshi said slowly, his tone unhurried.

Tian Tian Yuanshi also believed that with such loose conditions, no one would be unmoved.

"I have something to say; I don't know if it's appropriate."

But who would have thought that Mizunuki Ryosuke did not answer Tian Tian Yuanshi directly, but instead asked slowly.

"Of course you can."

Tian Tian Yuanshi was somewhat surprised; he also wanted to hear what Mizunuki Ryosuke intended to say.

At this moment, Mizunuki Ryosuke did not look high-spirited, but rather very solemn; this expression of his also left everyone somewhat confused.

"I dare not claim the top merit for this battle."

Mizunuki Ryosuke said slowly, his tone without joy or sorrow, only endless solemnity.

This first sentence made everyone show expressions of shock, not understanding why Mizunuki Ryosuke would say this.

Wasn't this pushing a duck that was already in his hands out the door?

To this, Mizunuki Ryosuke did not care at all, but continued to speak.

"You all only see that I am sitting here at this moment."

"Enjoying your praise, enjoying the reward that belongs to the victor."

"But I can never forget that in the center of the Lake of Mist."

"The Third cut his own artery and drained all his blood to use a forbidden technique to seal the rampaging Three-Tails."

"It was also the Third who meticulously planned and used himself as bait to lure Gouju Yagura into the trap."

Speaking of this, the eyes of everyone looking at Mizunuki Ryosuke had changed.

It cannot be denied that there were some people with dark minds who scoffed at Mizunuki Ryosuke’s words.

But most of the Jonin had all fallen silent.

Yes, no matter how bad Mizunuki Taki was, he was still the Water Shadow of the Mist Village.

And he had sacrificed his own life for the village.

For this alone, it was enough to overlook all the past faults of the Third.

"Even though the Third is dead now."

"I still believe that the top merit for this battle."

"Belongs to none other than the Third Water Shadow."

"Therefore, I dare not claim this credit."

"If the village insists on rewarding me."

"Before this battle, there was a group of Kaguya clansmen who surrendered to the Third."

"The Third had promised the other party that he would properly settle them after the war."

"I hope the village can return the Kaguya clan’s ancestral land to these Kaguya clansmen, and in the future, let bygones be bygones regarding the sins committed by the Kaguya."

"This can also be considered as executing the last political decree of the Third before his death."

Once these words were spoken, no one else made a sound.

In the eyes of all the Mist ninjas, Mizunuki Ryosuke’s image had completely changed.

At this moment, it was as if rays of sunlight were blooming from Mizunuki Ryosuke, making him look so towering.

Especially some of the Mizunuki clansmen who had deep feelings for the Third; looking at Mizunuki Ryosuke at this moment, their eyes were actually somewhat hesitant.

Where there is joy, there is naturally worry.

Mizunuki Eiro was gnashing his teeth as he looked at Mizunuki Ryosuke, secretly cursing himself for not thinking of this move just now.

Mizunuki Eiro only regarded all this as Mizunuki Ryosuke’s means of buying people’s hearts.

Little did he know, Mizunuki Ryosuke just really had nothing he wanted.

He only remembered the crying faces of Mizunuki Rikka and Mizunuki Ren, and then thought of vindicating the Third.

It could also be considered as making Mizunuki Rikka and Mizunuki Ren feel a little better, and at the same time, he handled the previous matter of the Kaguya clan.

He used the Third’s name to arrange everything smoothly.

Unlike Mizunuki Eiro, Ryosuke’s other "competitor," Hozuki Mangetsu, felt that this should be Mizunuki Ryosuke’s true words.

At the same time, he also respected Ryosuke’s character even more in his heart.

Because in Hozuki Mangetsu’s view, how could someone who dared to give up a bright future to become a Jinchuriki tell a lie at this time?

"'Miracle' Ninja, well-deserved."

Thinking this, Hozuki Mangetsu sighed in his heart.

— Author's Notes —

... Seeking flowers ...