They're promoting the "Konoha threat" theory, and spouting nonsense about the Hidden

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 would 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 to this!

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 Gengetsu 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 line: "If he were truly loyal 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 wasn't 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 go?" That's a great saying!

As for its authenticity... who cares!

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

"good!"

"He truly is my son!"

"Having a child is like a ghostly 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 now firmly 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 entire court, "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, have to receive such an honor?

...Wait, a ninja?

As if struck by a sudden thought, Mizuto Fumi quickly summoned Yanagisawa Jonin, who had previously guided Hozuki Shingetsu and the others, and whispered, "You're 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 fame 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 Tomio finally revealed his true intentions: "I've grown up in the inner palace and have never seen a ninja with such a prestigious reputation. I wonder if Jonin Hozuki could demonstrate his skills for me 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 advantage of this moment to show his face, when would he?

Moreover, what's more, a ninja like Hozuki Shingetsu, who became famous at a young age, has a big reputation but weak strength. Is there a better stepping stone than this?

"Am I being used as a stepping stone?"

Upon seeing this, Hozuki Shingetsu immediately understood the situation.

Since the pretense had already been broken, Hozuki Shingetsu stopped pretending. In front of the many ministers and Mizuki Keita, she leisurely 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've won."

(End of this chapter)