The standard for the assessment was to last in battle for half an hour.
Yet, not even close to the thirty-minute mark, Elder Lynx had been completely defeated.
Boss Cat hurriedly rushed to Elder Lynx's side, swiftly assessing his condition. Finding that he still had a breath left, Boss Cat sighed in relief and immediately began administering first aid.
With his mastery of Yang Release, Boss Cat stabilized Elder Lynx's battered state.
At this moment, the elder looked utterly wretched—his fur was charred black, his body trembling involuntarily, and his limbs curled inward as though he had suffered severe burns. At a glance, he resembled a scorched roast duck, fresh out of the flames.
The arena was silent.
Offstage, Mizuki Eiro's expression darkened, an ugly grimace spreading across his face.
He cast an intense gaze at Ryosuke, a mix of wariness and unease flashing in his eyes.
Unlike the surrounding ninja cats, Mizuki Eiro understood the true horror of Ryosuke's strength.
Because from the beginning to the end of his battle against Elder Lynx, Ryosuke had not even used his Ice Release, the ability that had made him feared throughout Kirigakure.
And everyone in the Land of Water knew—Ryosuke's greatest weapon was his Ice Release.
Terrifying.
The gathered ninja cats and shinobi swallowed hard as they gazed at Mizuki Ryosuke, who still stood in the arena, his posture relaxed, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Looking at him now, it was as though they were staring into an abyss—bottomless, unfathomable.
What else could be lurking within that abyss?
Regardless, Ryosuke had undeniably passed the assessment with overwhelming dominance.
Now, it was time for Mizuki Eiro and Hōzuki Mangetsu to take their turn.
This so-called three-on-two challenge had now shifted to a two-on-one, with Elder Lynx incapacitated.
That meant Mizuki Eiro and Hōzuki Mangetsu were left to face Boss Cat alone.
"What should I do?!"
Mizuki Eiro clenched his fists, a storm raging in his mind.
Losing Elder Lynx completely disrupted his plans.
Unlike Ryosuke—who could stand toe-to-toe with a Tailed Beast and obliterate an opponent like Elder Lynx with ease—Mizuki Eiro knew his own limits.
Among the three candidates, he was undoubtedly the weakest.
Even though Hōzuki Mangetsu had yet to reach the true Kage level, his combat ability was far beyond Mizuki Eiro's.
After all, in his previous battle, Mangetsu had fought against Fourth Mizukage Yagura himself, an elite Jinchūriki, and held his own.
Mizuki Eiro, by comparison, had only defeated Ikura Yoruichiro, a Kage-level shinobi who had already lost the will to fight.
Moreover, Mizuki Eiro's victory had come at the cost of the Great Elder's sacrifice.
Even among Jōnin-level combatants, Mizuki Eiro's ranking was at the bottom of the barrel.
And their next opponent?
Boss Cat.
A warrior capable of withstanding Terumi Mei's Fire Release combined with Wind Release, an entity possessing physical endurance rivaling the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
Mizuki Eiro knew that, without trickery, he wouldn't last half an hour against Boss Cat.
And the situation had already shifted unfavorably.
Now, whoever fought first would be at a clear disadvantage.
And there was no way that Hōzuki Mangetsu—one of the most ruthless prodigies in Kirigakure—would simply hand that disadvantage over to someone else.
"Eiro Mizuki, why don't you go first?"
A mocking voice cut through Mizuki Eiro's thoughts.
Hōzuki Mangetsu turned to him with a grin, his shark-like teeth glinting as he spoke.
Mizuki Eiro's expression immediately soured.
Before he could formulate a response, Mangetsu continued, his tone dripping with amusement.
"Oh, I almost forgot.
"A coward like you probably doesn't have the guts."
"You must have used some shady tricks to get this far, right?"
His words hit like a dagger to the heart.
The surrounding shinobi cast knowing glances at Mizuki Eiro.
Because Mangetsu was right.
Mizuki Eiro had used underhanded means to reach this stage.
His face flushed a deep shade of red, his lips parting as though to protest, but—nothing came out.
He had no words.
Because Mangetsu's taunts had struck a deep-seated wound in his pride.
It wasn't just about this examination.
This rivalry between Mizuki Eiro and Hōzuki Mangetsu had begun long ago.
The "First Genius" of the Mizuki Clan vs. The "First Genius" of Kirigakure.
Both had entered the same generation of Kirigakure's shinobi school.
Both had competed for first place.
But time and time again, Mangetsu had crushed him.
Every ranking, every assessment—Mangetsu always came out on top, while Mizuki Eiro was left in second place.
For Mizuki Eiro, Ryosuke was his greatest enemy.
But Mangetsu?
Mangetsu was the one he most wanted to surpass.
And now, in this critical Mizukage selection challenge, this was his moment to finally defeat Mangetsu and break free from his shadow.
But if he backed down now…
Then wouldn't it mean he was still that same helpless "second-place loser"?
Mizuki Eiro gritted his teeth, his knuckles turning white.
Even if this was a trap, even if Mangetsu was deliberately provoking him—
He could not retreat!
"Fine!"
Mizuki Eiro's eyes burned with unrestrained anger.
"Hōzuki Mangetsu!
"I accept this fight!
"Let's see who the real victor is!"
His voice roared across the arena, filled with reckless determination.
But watching from the sidelines, several Mizuki Clan Jōnin frowned.
"Like father, like son…"
They exchanged hesitant glances.
Everyone could see what just happened.
Mangetsu had played him perfectly.
And yet, Mizuki Eiro had walked straight into the trap.
Observing from a distance, Ryosuke shook his head.
"Mizuki Eiro… you're too emotional."
Of course, Ryosuke could understand.
Perhaps Mangetsu's words had simply hit too close to home.
Perhaps Eiro's own pride had refused to let him stay silent.
Perhaps it was a simple miscalculation.
But even so—
Hōzuki Mangetsu had effortlessly manipulated him with just a few words, breaking his composure.
And if Mizuki Eiro couldn't even handle that…
Then he had already lost.
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