"I can't believe I've started worrying about whether liking young boys is legal or not… That's not good, not good at all."
Akio ended his "wild thoughts," muttering under his breath.
He stopped staring at Yagura, who was walking toward the edge of the arena, and continued watching the entrance.
Unfortunately, after half an hour, Akio still didn't see any familiar faces from the original storyline. He had hoped to catch a glimpse of what Terumi Mei looked like as a child, but no luck. Maybe it was because she also possessed a kekkei genkai and didn't dare show herself?
"Forget Terumi Mei, there aren't even many kunoichi in Kirigakure," Akio muttered, scanning the surroundings. Under the Bloody Mist policy, few female ninjas survived long enough to grow strong.
"Of course, tomboys are an exception," he added softly, glancing at the only female among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Ringo Ameyuri.
She looked quite pretty at first glance, but the moment she opened her mouth, those jagged teeth and fierce expression could probably make a child cry.
Across from her stood another member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, holding the double swords Hiramekarei, a man with a triangular-shaped head.
Forgive Akio, he honestly couldn't remember the guy's name. He just called him "Triangle Head" because his head was shaped like a pyramid.
The two had entered the arena ten minutes earlier and were now awkwardly taunting each other. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen might have shared a title, but privately, they were anything but united.
When it looked like the two were about to settle things with words instead of blades, the wealthy spectators began to lose patience.
Even though they were rich, one million ryō per person wasn't a small fee. Spending that much only to watch two people argue? Unacceptable. Murmurs like "Are they fighting or not?" began spreading through the crowd.
Akio watched with a smile as the chatter caught the attention of the two swordsmen. Ringo Ameyuri sneered, raising her Thunder Sword.
"Lightning Release: Thunder Fang!"
Lightning chakra surged into her twin blades, and a bolt of lightning split the air, straight toward Akio.
Akio's smile froze. "What the hell? I wasn't even the one talking why are you aiming at me?"
Thankfully, Suikazan Fuguki turned out to be "decent enough," blocking the attack with Samehada.
Ringo Ameyuri snorted disdainfully, assuming Akio had been scared stiff. She turned away, losing interest. Akio sighed inwardly. Great, another name to add to my little black book. I'll deal with you after this show's over.
After blocking the strike, Suikazan Fuguki glanced toward Kisame. Kisame immediately walked over to Akio's group and began explaining the "rules for watching."
"Don't rush. The match won't start until the referee arrives," Kisame added at the end.
"There's even a referee?" Akio was stunned.
This wasn't some Chūnin Exam. The two about to fight were at least S-rank ninja, who could possibly act as a referee between them?
"Hey, shark-faced kid," Akio asked casually, "who's the referee? One of the village elders?"
Kisame didn't even turn his head. He just walked away.
Akio twitched his lips and shook the fat cat in his arms. "Wake up, you stupid cat. Time to eat shark."
Kisame: "…"
A few minutes later, someone finally appeared at the entrance. Akio squinted and murmured, "Almost forgot why I came."
The newcomer was the Kirigakure ninja who had taken a Byakugan during the previous war. Because of it, his right eye was covered with a black eyepatch, and charms dangled from both ears. From a distance, Akio could tell those charms were sensory enhancers.
"So the Mist Village has some tricks I don't know. What was this guy's name again?" Akio thought to himself. After living more than a hundred years, some memories had blurred.
"You're late, Ao," Ringo Ameyuri's voice answered his question.
"Sorry I'm late, my lords." Ao walked to the center of the arena, glancing at both sides. "Then, let the match, begin!"
With that, he vanished, and the two swordsmen's blades clashed violently.
"This guy's barely in his twenties and already qualified to referee a match like this? Impressive."
Akio didn't watch the fight at first. His eyes were fixed on Ao.
A vein bulged near Ao's right temple, his Byakugan was active. That confirmed Akio's suspicion.
So, it was probably this Byakugan that discovered the Third Mizukage was being controlled.
He wasn't wrong. Ao had once been a sensory-type ninja and the Third Mizukage's personal guard. After taking a Byakugan from a fallen Hyūga during the war, he later used it to discover the Mizukage's manipulation.
Akio was still pondering this when gasps and cheers suddenly erupted around him.
The rich spectators had never witnessed a clash between such powerful shinobi before.
"You look pretty calm," Kisame's voice came from beside him.
Akio smiled. Kisame was probably starting to suspect him.
"Not calm at all my heart's racing. They're amazing!" he replied with mock sincerity.
By now, the taijutsu exchanges in the arena had ended, replaced by ninjutsu combat.
"Triangle Head," having lost the upper hand in close combat, backed off and began weaving hand signs.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
A massive water dragon rose behind him, twisting and roaring as it lunged at Ringo Ameyuri.
The jutsu was powerful enough, but its accuracy was terrible. Not only did it miss its target, but the splash nearly drenched the audience.
Akio stepped forward with a grin, standing behind the big fat man, Suikazan Fuguki while everyone else got soaked.
"This protection's pretty good."
Fuguki frowned and looked back, only for Akio to speak quickly:
"Wow, half a water dragon this time!"
Samehada spun, blocking the attack.
"Oh, a Great Waterfall now!"
Samehada held firm, deflecting it again.
"Lightning Aaronl, huh?"
Samehada opened its "mouth" and swallowed it whole.
"Totally worth the money," Akio chuckled.
…
Suikazan Fuguki was speechless. He felt utterly targeted today.
No matter how the two swordsmen fought, random ninjutsu blasts kept veering in his direction especially with that annoying guy behind him shouting "Nice one!" every time.
Of course, it was all Akio's doing. Seeing Fuguki earn in one day what most would need four S-rank missions for, he decided to "keep him busy." Half the stray attacks were deliberately redirected toward them.
"Another half water dragon, huh…"
"Shut up!" Fuguki roared, tearing the water dragon apart and turning back furiously.
"Lord Fuguki, watch out!" Kisame shouted.
"Oh, a Great Waterfall again…" Akio whispered...
just as a torrent crashed over Fuguki's head.
---
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