"Not only that."
"In the final battle, Mizuki Ryosuke also personally beheaded Yagura Karatachi, the tyrant who had plunged Kirigakure into chaos."
"Single-handedly sealed the rampaging Three-Tails, preventing it from wreaking further havoc."
"In this war, Mizuki Ryosuke's contributions were nothing short of monumental."
"He made great sacrifices for the village, shouldering burdens that few could bear!"
"It would not be an exaggeration to say that we are only able to hold this meeting today because of him."
"I would call him a true miracle shinobi!"
After Maeda Genshi finished recounting Mizuki Ryosuke's exploits, the entire room fell into a heavy silence.
Even though Mizuki Eiro and Hōzuki Mangetsu had performed brilliantly in the war, their achievements paled in comparison to Mizuki Ryosuke's.
Sealing a rampaging Tailed Beast.
Slaying Yagura, the fearsome Fourth Mizukage.
These two feats alone spoke louder than any words.
In that instant, the gazes directed at Mizuki Ryosuke changed.
Only now did they understand why Maeda Genshi had bowed to him before making his announcement.
For achievements of this magnitude, such respect was well deserved.
Then—
Clap. Clap…
A crisp applause broke the silence, and as if jolted awake, everyone in the Jōnin conference room reacted.
A storm of thunderous applause erupted.
The one who led the applause was none other than Hōzuki Mangetsu.
Kirigakure's foremost genius, known for his arrogance, revealed nothing but admiration for Mizuki Ryosuke at this moment.
As for Mizuki Ryosuke himself, he remained outwardly calm. But in his heart, he couldn't help but curse.
Damn it, Maeda Genshi! You sly old fox!
He had never expected that Maeda Genshi—who had always appeared to be a straightforward and principled man—would suddenly corner him like this!
Mizuki Ryosuke's expression grew slightly complicated.
He had to admit… on an occasion like this, being showered with admiration and respect felt good.
Flowers and applause.
Honor and prestige.
Who wouldn't be tempted by these things?
Yet, as those thoughts crept into his mind, Mizuki Ryosuke felt an odd sense of detachment—wasn't this the very thing he had tried to avoid?
Wasn't this the opposite of his philosophy of moderation?
At that moment, Maeda Genshi's voice rang out again.
"For these three outstanding contributors—Mizuki Eiro, Hōzuki Mangetsu, and Mizuki Ryosuke—the village will grant appropriate rewards."
"But for Mizuki Ryosuke, who played the greatest role in this war, the village has decided to grant a special reward."
"One that he alone can determine."
"Ryosuke, as long as you name your request, the village will do everything in its power to fulfill it."
As soon as those words fell, the entire room held its breath.
All eyes turned to Mizuki Ryosuke, filled with astonishment.
A reward where the village would do everything in its power to meet his demand?
Wealth, status, forbidden jutsu—
At this moment, everything seemed to be within Mizuki Ryosuke's grasp.
Would he strike while the iron was hot and claim the position of Mizukage for himself?
Mizuki Eiro, sitting across from him, tensed. His breathing grew slightly ragged.
Even Mizuki Ryosuke himself was taken aback.
He had not expected this.
A request…?
What should he even ask for?
Money?
He had no need for wealth. He lived alone, and the rewards from his past missions were more than enough to cover his expenses. Asking for more money would be meaningless.
Power?
If he had desired authority, he would have sought it long ago.
Forbidden jutsu?
Mist Shinobi held some powerful techniques, but there was nothing they could offer that he truly needed.
For the first time, Mizuki Ryosuke found himself at a loss.
Then, suddenly—
A thought surfaced.
"Have you decided?"
"It's fine if you need more time," Maeda Genshi reassured him. "You can come to me later once you've made up your mind."
The elder was confident that no one could resist such an opportunity for long.
But to everyone's surprise, Mizuki Ryosuke did not answer.
Instead, he spoke slowly.
"I have something to say… but I'm not sure if I should say it."
Maeda Genshi's brows lifted slightly. "Go ahead."
At that moment, Mizuki Ryosuke's expression turned solemn, his demeanor perplexing the crowd.
"I do not dare to claim the greatest credit for this battle."
His tone was calm—devoid of arrogance, devoid of false humility.
The entire room stiffened.
No one had expected him to say that.
Was he refusing the honor?
But Mizuki Ryosuke remained unmoved by their reactions. He continued.
"You only see me sitting here, receiving your praise and enjoying the rewards of victory."
"But I will never forget… what truly happened at the Lake of Mist."
"The Third Mizukage—Mizuki Taki—slit open his own arteries, draining every last drop of his blood to perform a forbidden technique, sealing the rampaging Three-Tails at the cost of his life."
"He deliberately used himself as bait, luring Yagura into a trap that had been meticulously planned in advance."
As his words echoed through the room, silence fell once more.
It was undeniable—there were some who dismissed Mizuki Ryosuke's words as mere posturing.
But for most of the Jōnin present…
A heavy silence weighed upon their hearts.
No matter what one thought of Mizuki Taki's reign—no matter how flawed his rule had been—
In the end, he had died for Kirigakure.
That single act had erased all past sins.
Even now, though Mizuki Taki was gone, Mizuki Ryosuke believed that the true victory of this war belonged to him.
"The greatest credit in this battle," Mizuki Ryosuke declared, "does not belong to me."
"It belongs to the Third Mizukage."
"I cannot accept this honor in his place."
"If the village insists on rewarding me…"
He took a deep breath.
"Before the war, a faction of the Kaguya Clan chose to surrender under the Third Mizukage's authority."
"In his final decree, Mizuki Taki promised that they would be granted a place to live once the battle was over."
"So if I must make a request—"
"I ask that the village uphold the Third Mizukage's promise."
"Return the Terumi district to the surviving members of the Kaguya."
"And absolve them of any future sins associated with their clan's past."
His words stunned the entire assembly.
No one spoke.
To many in Kirigakure, the Kaguya were a clan of reckless warmongers, their bloodline synonymous with violence and destruction.
But in this moment—
Mizuki Ryosuke's figure seemed bathed in sunlight, a brilliance that illuminated the hall.
Even members of the Mizuki Clan, many of whom had once stood against the Third Mizukage, wavered.
Some were pleased. Others were uneasy.
Mizuki Eiro clenched his fists, his face rigid with frustration.
Why hadn't he thought of this first?
He convinced himself that this was merely Mizuki Ryosuke's way of buying loyalty.
But the truth was far simpler—
Mizuki Ryosuke simply…
Didn't want anything for himself.
And if this would grant even a shred of comfort to Mizuki Lian and Mizuki Ryoka…
Then so be it.
From across the room, Hōzuki Mangetsu observed quietly.
His respect for Mizuki Ryosuke grew.
"A miracle shinobi indeed."
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