Promoting the Konoha threat theory, and talking about the Hidden Mist Belt!

"That's the daimyo he was utterly loyal to, the one he was willing to sacrifice his life for! How can Lord Huan Yue allow someone less loyal than him to take his place in protecting the daimyo?"

6.

The ministers present were filled with awe. To witness such a brilliant display of distorting the truth and calling a deer a horse in their lifetime was something they could say they had no regrets.

"As the saying goes, 'If a great name is always in one's heart, there is nowhere in the world that one cannot reach.' If he were truly loyal to the daimyo, how could he have failed in the competition for the position of Mizukage? His failure can only prove one thing: the purity of his loyalty is not as high as that of Lord Gengetsu!"

On the other side, Hozuki Shingetsu continued firing without stopping.

All the ministers looked at Hozuki Shingetsu with alarmed expressions, hoping he would quickly stop using his powers—this was not something to be said!

If they can't complete a task assigned by the daimyo in the future, and someone says, "Aren't you loyal enough to the daimyo? Otherwise, how could you not even complete this kind of mission?", how are they supposed to explain themselves?

"Something's wrong, something very wrong."

Meanwhile, Shui Du Fu was dizzy from Hozuki Shingetsu's series of small combos. He knew there was something wrong, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

"But Hozuki Gengetsu ultimately usurped power!"

So, with no other choice, he could only cling to his core problem and use it as a defensive base to launch continuous attacks on Hozuki Shingetsu.

But he soon realized that it was all in vain.

So he died!

Hozuki Shingetsu said without blushing or panting, "His loyalty to the daimyo and the pain of going against the daimyo's will made him feel ashamed, so he died on the battlefield of the Land of Earth with the mindset of serving the daimyo to the death."

"This is the embodiment of our Hozuki clan's loyalty to the Daimyo!"

Hozuki Gengetsu: Fine, fine, so you're bullying the dead like this, huh?

Chapter 76 Giving birth to a child should be like a ghost lantern and a new moon!

"you you……"

Shui Dufu pointed at Gui Deng Xin Yue with trembling fingers. He never imagined that there could be such a shameless person in the world who would not even spare the dead. What in the world would he not dare to do?

However, he couldn't refute it, since Hozuki Gengetsu had indeed died in battle in a foreign land. To the Land of Water, Hozuki Gengetsu was truly a hero. This was an undeniable objective fact.

The ministers also secretly wrote down the key points of the art of licking in their notebooks. This kind of high-level licking technique, which could be used at will and even the way the dead were killed, really opened their eyes. They secretly exclaimed that if they could hear the Tao in the morning, they could die content in the evening!

Yagura and Yukinagi, standing to the side, kept their heads bowed low, their faces turning bright red with intense shame, as if afraid that others would think that everyone from Kirigakure was as shameless as Shingetsu Hozuki.

After speaking, Hozuki Shingetsu raised his eyes high and looked down at everyone present with confidence.

In terms of loyalty, can you compare to my Hozuki clan?

My ancestors were willing to risk their lives, do you?

The ministers replied: "That's really not the case."

After all, they were mostly of noble birth, and their current status was entirely due to the virtues of their ancestors from countless generations ago. Where could they find an ancestor who died fighting for their current daimyo?

Mizuki Keita was also stunned by Hozuki Shingetsu's words. Although they sounded a bit nonsensical at first glance, he found them quite pleasing to the ear!

Listen!

Listen to what they're saying!

"That's the daimyo he was utterly loyal to, the one he was willing to sacrifice his life for! How can Lord Huan Yue allow someone less loyal than him to take his place in protecting the daimyo?"

How many years has it been since he ascended to the position of daimyo? How many years has it been since he heard such refreshing and unconventional words?

These words were so pleasant to hear, like a cool summer breeze that suddenly blew into his mind, making him shiver involuntarily.

There's also this statement: "If he were loyal enough to the Daimyo, how could he have failed in the competition for the Mizukage position? His failure only proves one thing: the purity of his loyalty is not as high as Lord Gengetsu's!"

Listen to their awareness!

"With a great name always in one's heart, where in the world can't one find a way?" That's a great saying!

As for its authenticity... who cares!

Does it sound good? If it sounds good, then it's true!

"it is good!"

"As expected of my son!"

"Having a child should be like a ghost lantern or a new moon!"

Sui Keita slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly, looking at Hozuki Shingetsu with excitement. By acknowledging Hozuki Shingetsu as his adopted son, he also brought the argument to a complete end.

These Ghost Lantern Phantom Moon people have been dead for over a decade, so why bother distinguishing between loyalty and treachery?

However, the existence of this statement must solidify Hozuki Gengetsu's reputation as a loyal subject.

"Godfather, please accept my bow!"

So Hozuki Shingetsu bowed down like a mountain of gold and a jade pillar collapsing, and formally acknowledged his relationship with Mizuki Keita in front of many ministers.

However, the overjoyed Mizuki Keita failed to notice the cold glint that flashed in Hozuki Shingetsu's eyes as he lowered his head.

"In this way, the legal basis for this usurpation is already in my grasp!"

This adopted son status, witnessed by everyone, will also be the basis for his legitimacy to ascend to the top after the political upheaval in the Land of Water and the dissipation of the royal bloodline!

He could already imagine himself pointing at this film one day and saying to the court officials, "This is the intangible cultural heritage left to me by my godfather!"

First be a grandson, then a grandfather—this is an eternal truth!

To show his satisfaction with his adopted son, Shui Jingtai quickly went forward to help him up, demonstrating his excitement.

For a time, the father was kind and the son was filial, which was the envy of many.

However, seeing this scene from afar, Mizuto Fumi was filled with rage. It could be said that Hozuki Shingetsu was able to win over Mizu Keita's favor to a large extent because he had stepped over him to get ahead. How could the narrow-minded Mizuto Fumi not harbor deep resentment towards Hozuki Shingetsu?

Moreover, the harmonious scene between Hozuki Shingetsu and Sui Keita was something he used to be the only one to enjoy. Especially the phrase, "A son should be like Hozuki Shingetsu"—even he had never received such praise! What merit did this ninja, who appeared out of nowhere, possess to deserve such an honor?

...Wait, a ninja?

As if he had just thought of something, Mizuto Fu quickly called over Yanagisawa Jonin, who had previously led the way for Hozuki Shingetsu and the others, and asked in a low voice, "You are all Jonin, so if you were to fight him, could you win?"

Yanagi Sōnin was taken aback, wondering what the little prince was up to. However, as a daimyo's bodyguard, he would never admit that he was no match for a twelve-year-old child, neither in terms of status nor age.

Moreover, he genuinely believed he wouldn't lose. As for Hozuki Shingetsu's immense reputation in the ninja world? That was merely because his Yanagisawa clan was bound by their duty as guards of the daimyo, preventing them from taking action in the ninja world!

As the saying goes, when there are no heroes, even a nobody can become famous, and that's certainly what he was thinking.

Even among Jonin, there are differences!

Shui Du Fu nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this assertive response.

Great, that's the kind of confidence I'm looking for!

So Mizuto Tomio quickly stepped forward, interrupting the harmonious scene of Mizu Keita and Hozuki Shingetsu, a picture of lord and subject in perfect harmony, father and son.

"Father, congratulations on taking in such a formidable general! This Jonin Hozuki is currently enjoying unparalleled prominence in the ninja world. Even he is grateful for Father's kindness and has taken the initiative to come and serve us, which shows how great Father's reputation is!" Mizuto emphasized the word "formidable general," clearly hoping to downplay Hozuki Shingetsu's status as an "adopted son."

However, he had obviously gone to unnecessary lengths. Now that their relationship was settled, Hozuki Shingetsu would be more than happy if Sui Keita had forgotten about him!

Meanwhile, Mizuto Fu finally revealed his true intentions: "I have grown up in the inner palace and have never seen a ninja with such a reputation. I wonder if Jonin Hozuki could show me his skills and let me witness the prestige of the Hozuki clan?"

Mizuto Tomioka was afraid that Hozuki Shingetsu would refuse, so he brought up the prestige of the Hozuki clan, trying to block Hozuki Shingetsu's path with words.

Mizuto's tricks were far too naive; not only Hozuki Shingetsu, but even Mizu Keita could see through his true intentions. However, Mizu Keita genuinely wanted to see Hozuki Shingetsu's abilities, so he nodded in agreement.

"In that case, how about I become Hozuki Jonin's opponent? I've long admired the renowned Hozuki Jonin of the ninja world!"

Upon seeing this, the Jonin Yanagisawa immediately understood Mizuto Tomioka's intentions and quickly stepped forward to volunteer.

After all, as a member of the daimyo's guard family, he knew all too well how much his daimyo doted on this little prince. If he didn't take this opportunity to show his face, when would he?

Moreover, what better stepping stone could there be for a ninja like Hozuki Shingetsu who became famous at a young age, with a big reputation but weak strength?

"Am I being used as a stepping stone?"

Upon seeing this, Hozuki Shingetsu immediately understood the situation.

Since they had already broken off all pretense, Hozuki Shingetsu stopped pretending. In front of all the ministers and Mizuki Keita, she calmly returned to her seat, looked at the Yanagisawa ninja, and chuckled, "Still the same? Then I'll give you some pointers. Putting everything else aside, if you can force me to leave this seat, then you'll win."

Chapter 77 Hozuki Warm Wine Defeats Yanagisawa

Upon hearing this, everyone present was immediately stunned, and then looked at Hozuki Shingetsu with strange expressions.

This is simply treating Jonin Yanagisawa like he's not even human!

Could it be that after receiving praise from the daimyo and becoming his adopted son, he thought that Jonin Yanagisawa wouldn't actually attack him?

Can't you see that Shui Dufu over there is so angry his face has turned green?

Indeed, at this moment, Mizuto Fumi was glaring angrily at Hozuki Shingetsu, thinking that this was an attempt to humiliate him through Yanagisawa Jonin. So he suddenly flicked his sleeve and said coldly, "Yanagisawa Jonin, it seems you've been underestimated! Don't worry, since Hozuki Jonin is so confident, then you don't need to hold back anymore. Use whatever tricks you have up your sleeve!"

The Jonin Yanagisawa standing to the side also turned cold. It's likely that no one could remain calm after being insulted like this, let alone a ninja like Yanagisawa who had been by the side of the Daimyo for many years and had long become a "spiritual aristocrat".

"Since that's the case, then I won't stand on ceremony!"

A cold glint flashed in Yanagisawa's eyes, and a kunai appeared out of nowhere in his hand. In a flash, he appeared next to Hozuki Shingetsu and thrust the kunai straight at Hozuki Shingetsu's head!

He definitely wouldn't stab him, after all, he was the daimyo's newly adopted son, and Yanagisawa's move was just to make Hozuki Shingetsu dodge.

However, to his surprise, Hozuki Shingetsu was so arrogant that he was still chatting and laughing with his companions in the face of such a threat, as if he didn't take him seriously at all!

A flash of anger crossed Liu Ze's eyes. Although he couldn't kill him in front of the daimyo, he could still shave Hozuki Shingetsu's head and make him pay for his arrogance.