"Elder Anzō, has Elder Genji gone down already?"
Inside the Mizukage's office,
Yagura Karatachi stood before a full-length mirror, checking every detail of his attire.
"Yes. Genji has already arrived at the arena below. Gonbee and Terumī Mei are at his side, while Mitsuhiro and the others are following in secret," answered Oniyuzu Anzō, standing before the desk and addressing the Mizukage's back.
"And what about our participants? Are they all in position?"
"All twenty-six have arrived."
"Kyoichi included?"
"Yes. Koeda Kyoichi is among them."
"...I thought he wouldn't care about the Seven Ninja Swordsmen at all. Didn't expect him to take the initiative and sign up... At this rate, the new generation of the Seven Swordsmen might end up far stronger than the last."
Yagura couldn't help but sigh.
He glanced back at Anzō and asked,
"Besides Kyoichi, who else do you think will win?"
"Hōzuki Mangetsu should take one of the spots."
Anzō replied.
"Yes, Mangetsu has the ability. The fact that only he and Suikazan Fuguki survived that mission is proof enough—'child prodigy' isn't an empty title... Who else?"
"From here, it's harder to say—Bishottōya Teshima, Mizukari, Ushio-tsubo, Rairin, Momochi Zabuza... all are standouts among the jōnin. Each has excellent records. It's hard to say who will be the last ones standing."
Anzō listed the names —
every single one an undeniable powerhouse,
and his most favored contenders in this selection.
"If I remember correctly, aside from Kyoichi, another member of the Koeda Clan applied?"
"Koeda Yūsuke, fourteen. Kyoichi's cousin... But unlike Kyoichi, during the clan's relocation he hasn't shown any exceptional performance worth mentioning... Mizukage-sama, is there some confidential intel on this Koeda Yūsuke that I do not know?"
"That's not it."
Yagura shook his head. He picked up the Mizukage's ceremonial hat from the desk and placed it atop his head.
"I simply recall Jūzō mentioning that this Koeda Yūsuke has mastered his clan's unique sound-based genjutsu. He may just catch his opponents off guard!!"
"...Although the Koeda Clan's information isn't public knowledge, most jōnin should know they specialize in auditory genjutsu. They should be prepared, right?"
"Prepared? Perhaps. But whether their preparations are enough—well, that's another question."
Yagura adjusted his hat, then turned to look at Anzō.
"Elder Anzō, you've never fought someone who uses sound-based genjutsu, have you?"
Before Anzō could answer, he continued on his own:
"On one of my past missions, I encountered such an enemy. Nearly cost us the operation. Auditory genjutsu... is drastically different from the visual kind. If you try to force the same countermeasures—
you'll suffer for it."
"Is it really that dangerous?"
Anzō sounded skeptical.
He did not doubt the Mizukage's strength —
but surely not every practitioner of sound genjutsu is that monstrous? Not everyone can be a prodigy like the one Yagura encountered.
He had read Jūzō's report:
Koeda Yūsuke once used that same clan technique against Orochimaru and achieved nothing.
"You'll see soon enough. Come, we should head down. We can't keep Elder Genji waiting."
Once fully dressed,
Yagura strode out of the office with Anzō following closely behind as they headed toward the training arena beneath the Mizukage Building.
Just a short walk later,
they arrived below.
"Mizukage-sama!!"
"Elder Anzō!!"
Voices rose one after another as the waiting jōnin greeted them. Of course, not everyone liked joining the crowd — a few reclusive types lurked in the corners, coldly observing.
A Mizukage the size of a bean sprout!
Clearly,
the newly appointed Fourth still hadn't fully won the hearts of the village.
There were definitely a few who didn't acknowledge him.
"Elder Genji, apologies for the delay."
Yagura stood before the elder, expressing genuine remorse for keeping him waiting.
"Fourth, tardiness is a privilege of the Mizukage. Don't worry about an old man like me. Go do what you ought to do. I'm just here to accompany this girl and enjoy the show."
Genji waved him off with a flick of the cane.
"Gonbee, Mei — take good care of Elder Genji."
Yagura spoke the obligatory formal words.
"All right, Fourth — go on!"
Before Gonbee or Terumī Mei could respond, Genji was already shooing them away with his cane.
"Elder Genji, I'll come speak with you later then."
Yagura smiled,
then turned toward the assembled jōnin.
"I know many of you must be getting impatient, so I'll spare you the speech. Let me state directly — the rules for this Seven Ninja Swordsmen selection!"
He swept his gaze across these top-tier elites.
"First — the current Seven still include Suikazan Fuguki and Jūzō of the Executioner's Blade. Neither will participate in this selection. Your targets are only the five remaining swords: the Twin Blades: Hiramekarei, the Thunder Blade: Kiba, the Blasting Blade: Shibuki, the Stitching Blade: Nuibari, and the Butcher Blade: Kabutowari."
Silence.
Only Yagura's voice echoed through the massive arena.
"As for the format—very simple. Arena defense. If you believe you have what it takes to claim a sword, raise your hand and declare it. You become the initial defender. All others who desire that sword may challenge you — but one at a time. Should the defender fall, the victor becomes the new defender, until no challengers remain..."
"The one who stands at the end — earns that blade."
His gaze swept across them.
"Everything clear... right?"
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