Chapter 138: Kirigakure's Successor
As Elvis stated, the final assessment required obtaining "one thing" from his hands. But what exactly was this "thing"? Was it truly the Mizukage Scroll mentioned in the mission?
Ryosuke picked up on an important detail—Elvis had never directly referred to the item as the Mizukage Scroll, nor had he confirmed possessing such a thing. Instead, everyone had simply assumed that the object in question was the Mizukage Secret Scroll due to preconceived notions. But was it really that simple?
As Mizuki Ryosuke carefully reviewed all the details of the mission, searching for clues, it was the exchange between Ghost Lantern Mangetsu and Elvis that provided the final missing piece of the puzzle.
If the Mizukage Secret Scroll truly existed, as Mangetsu believed, and if it was indeed a document containing the secret techniques of the First Mizukage, as described in the mission brief, then why was Elvis so indifferent to Mangetsu's offers? The Cat Country had no practical use for such an item, yet Elvis refused even to entertain negotiations.
Most telling of all was Elvis's unyielding rejection—it was immediate, absolute, and entirely devoid of hesitation. This indicated that Elvis had no interest in the deal, nor had he even considered it a possibility.
So what exactly was Elvis's real agenda? And did the Mizukage Scroll truly exist?
As these thoughts clicked together, Mizuki Ryosuke suddenly realized the core of the issue.
From what he had gathered, this mission was clearly designed to determine the next Mizukage. But what did this entire process mean for Elvis and the Land of Cats?
Throughout this assessment, the Cat Clan had expended significant time, energy, and resources. Would they really go through all of this simply because of an old favor owed to the First Mizukage, Byakuren?
That explanation didn't hold up. There had to be another reason—one that involved the interests of the Cat Country itself.
It made sense. The upper echelons of Kirigakure must have been aware of this arrangement, and since they had gone along with it, their interests must have aligned with those of the Cat Country.
This led Ryosuke back to the present situation.
Elvis had stated that the assessment required them to impress him in order to obtain "one thing." But the key to succeeding in this test was understanding Elvis's true interests.
Only by doing so could they truly negotiate and obtain whatever was in his possession.
However, there was no way to deduce those interests out of thin air. Only Elvis himself held that answer.
Earlier, when Ghost Lantern Mangetsu attempted to negotiate, Elvis had brushed him off with a simple, dismissive question: "What price can you offer?"
On the surface, it had seemed like arrogance—a king's indifference.
But beneath that, it revealed something deeper: Elvis could not and would not be the first to state his demands.
As the saying goes, "No rabbit, no eagle."
So, how could Elvis be made to reveal his true desires?
Mangetsu had already demonstrated that simply being a Mizukage candidate was not enough to prompt Elvis to state his conditions. That meant Ryosuke's own identity as a candidate would not be sufficient either.
So what did Ryosuke have that Mangetsu did not?
Ryosuke already knew the answer.
He possessed two crucial advantages over Mangetsu.
The first was personal leverage.
The second was strength.
Without hesitation, Ryosuke utilized both.
By exerting his chakra and placing pressure on Elvis, he demonstrated that he represented Kirigakure on equal footing, worthy of hearing Elvis's demands.
The second step was proving that he had the power to negotiate.
And yet, even with that, Elvis still asked, "Why?"
At first glance, it seemed like he was merely testing Ryosuke.
But the deeper meaning was clear—Ryosuke had not yet provided enough reason for Elvis to fully commit.
That was when Ryosuke revealed his trump card—his personal favor, a debt owed to him by the Cat Country itself.
This favor came from Ryosuke's sealing of the Extreme Yin Spring, an action that had saved the Cat Country from a hidden disaster.
From the moment Elvis first met Ryosuke, he had acknowledged this debt. In fact, he had even offered to let Ryosuke sign a contract with the Cat Boss, making the powerful feline his Summoning Beast.
Ryosuke had declined at the time—not because he wanted to appear selfless, but because he had been saving this leverage for the right moment.
And there was no moment more critical than now.
With power, rank, and personal debt stacked together, was it enough to make Elvis finally reveal the truth?
The answer was clear—it was more than enough.
Elvis had no choice but to acknowledge him.
At last, the Cat King grinned, his sharp fangs visible beneath his thick whiskers.
Then, in an instant, the entire dynamic shifted—Elvis, the one who had been toying with them, suddenly found himself cornered.
Some might wonder: Why hadn't Ryosuke simply mentioned the debt from the beginning?
But it wasn't that simple.
"Personal favors" could be trivial or monumental.
The appeal that Elvis had in mind involved both Kirigakure and the entire Cat Country—it was far too significant for him to simply yield over a small favor.
Just as strength, status, and influence were necessary, so too was timing. Everything had to come together.
Now that Mizuki Ryosuke had laid it all out, Ghost Lantern Mangetsu was utterly speechless.
He had lost, and he knew it.
But more than that, he hadn't even realized how deep the layers of this mission ran.
Even Elvis himself, sitting atop his throne, listened with amusement, thoroughly entertained by Ryosuke's deductions.
Then, the Cat King let out a deep, rumbling chuckle.
"Marvelous! Simply marvelous!"
"To think that Kirigakure has a successor like you… In the coming era, your village will surely stand at the forefront of the ninja world."
Hearing these words, Mizuki Ryosuke simply smiled, remaining silent.
Meanwhile, back in Kirigakure, every Jōnin watching the events unfold through the water curtain was left speechless.
As they absorbed everything Ryosuke had just revealed, their expressions shifted from shock to deep admiration.
Even the ever-stoic Maeda Yuanshi, known for his emotionless, rigid demeanor, had been wearing a faint smile throughout the entire exchange.
His approval was evident.
Then, Elvis leaned forward, his sharp feline eyes gleaming.
"You haven't forgotten one last thing, have you?"
"As you've already deduced… the thing in my possession is not the Mizukage Scroll."
"So tell me, can you guess what it actually is?"
A curious glint shone in his eyes. No cat could resist curiosity—not even the Cat King himself.
At that moment, everyone—Ghost Lantern Mangetsu, the Mist Shinobi Jōnin, even the highest-ranking officers of Kirigakure watching through the water curtain—felt their curiosity reach its peak.
They needed to know.
What was the Mizukage Secret Scroll truly?
And what was the real purpose behind this entire trial?
But Ryosuke merely chuckled.
"Your Majesty Elvis, there's no need to ask," he said with a knowing look.
"Since I dared to negotiate with you, I've already figured it out."
Elvis's eyes widened before he suddenly burst into roaring laughter.
"Hahahaha!!!"
"Splendid! Simply splendid!!!"
As his massive frame shook with mirth, the fat on his body rippled in waves, shaking the throne beneath him.
The truth was about to be revealed.
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