Everyone here clearly understood. Not one of these jōnin was an idiot, and the format of this selection test wasn't complicated to begin with. Added to that, the Mizukage's explanation had been detailed enough — if someone still couldn't follow… then one really had to question how they ever became a jōnin in the first place.
However—
After understanding it,
A portion of them began to knit their brows.
Because—
"How does this selection format sound even a little fair?" Mei TerumĪ, standing at Genji's side, voiced her doubt in a quiet whisper. "Based on the Mizukage's explanation, the first to step up as the defender will almost certainly face a nonstop gauntlet battle, while those who come later gain more and more advantage. If the first few fight each other until both sides are wounded or exhausted, the ones at the back may just pick up the bargain."
"Mei, you'll understand soon enough."
Genji did not answer the girl directly.
Because within the group participating, someone else raised the exact same question.
"Mizukage-sama, wouldn't this format… mean that the later someone goes, the more advantage they have?" The speaker was a pale-skinned, somewhat frivolous-looking man with short grassy-green hair. He raised his hand and presented his view to the Mizukage.
"Mizukage nodded calmly. "Mizushiro — you are correct. Theoretically, the later you go, the better the advantage."
"Huh?"
That jōnin named Mizushiro was stunned.
What?
Why admit that so easily??
Before the others could question further, Yagura continued:
"Perhaps many of you think there's a problem with this format. That it's unfair. But let me remind you: what is the purpose of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen? If one does not have the ability to fight outnumbered and still emerge victorious — then what difference does it make even if they do join the Seven? Before long, I would just have to select new members again."
"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen I want are the kind who can complete missions under harsh environments and disadvantageous circumstances — and return alive. Not weaklings who can only barely win when everything is fair and square… You are jōnin, not academy students. You should know better than anyone that fairness does not exist out there in real missions. So… stop saying foolish things that make me laugh."
"M-Mizukage-sama… come on now… show some mercy with your words!"
Mizushiro scratched his head, revealing a very awkward expression.
Meanwhile, Mei TerumĪ did not appear embarrassed at all — instead, her face showed thoughtful realization.
"So? You understand now?"
Genji turned and asked the girl.
"Yes… I oversimplified things. This isn't a performance chosen for entertainment. As Mizukage-sama said, he wants those who can win even in unfair conditions… And honestly, the Mizukage observing personally is already the greatest form of fairness — strength reveals itself clearly in real battle."
"Correct."
Genji nodded with satisfaction. "Especially that last point — good. Very good."
If the original reason he accepted her as his disciple was because of her dual Kekkei Genkai — even if she could not become Mizukage as her clans hoped, she would still grow into a top-class powerhouse for the village.
But now—
He felt that this child indeed possessed the qualification to become a Mizukage. Whether she would have the fortune for it in the future… that remained to be seen.
"For the Fourth Mizukage, of course he wants all Seven to be powerful elites. But he also does not fear someone getting in through luck. Luck is also a form of strength… After a few high-difficulty missions, the weak will naturally be weeded out. Then another selection will replenish fresh blood. After repeating this a few times, there will be no dead weight left among the Seven."
Genji's voice was soft — only the girl and Gonbei could hear it.
Gonbee stood like a stone statue, uninterested in the discussion. His attention remained constantly on surveillance of their surroundings.
"This sounds like he's… forging blades…"
Mei murmured.
"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen are the sharpest blades in the Mizukage's hand to begin with."
Genji chuckled.
…
While Genji and Mei conversed,
Over in the spectator area—
"Mizukage-sama, how long until the selection starts?"
Kyoichi raised his hand, finding the wait tedious.
"We can start right now."
Yagura glanced at Kyoichi, and a smile immediately surfaced on his face.
The strong—
Always received special treatment.
Especially a strong one prepared to join him — such a person must absolutely be handled with care.
Regardless of Kyoichi's motivations for entering this selection for the Seven Ninja Swordsmen — once he joined, he would be under the Mizukage's direct command. This was, without doubt, excellent news for Yagura.
Not to mention the prestige bonus Kyoichi would bring — having such a powerhouse available for deployment would create a multitude of advantages.
"So which blade is being contested first?"
The follow-up question came from that same jōnin, Mizushiro.
"There is no set order. You may contest whichever blade you wish first." Yagura turned toward Anzō Oniyuzu. "Elder Anzō, bring out the swords. Hang them on the wall so everyone can see."
"Yes, Mizukage-sama."
Oniyuzu retrieved a sealing scroll and released: Twin Blades: Hiramekarei, Thunder Blade: Kiba, Blastsword: Shibuki, Longsword: Nuibari, and Blunt Sword: Kabutowari — all of them brought back by Hōzuki Mangetsu from the battlefield.
Truth be told—
If not for Mangetsu, these blades might have ended up in Konoha's hands.
Under everyone's watchful gaze,
Oniyuzu, with Biwa Jūzō's assistance, hung each blade along the side wall. The moment the swords appeared — the atmosphere ignited.
In every eye flickered blazing resolve and fierce ambition!
Their presence here meant one thing:
None of them were willing to remain ordinary.
The selection wasn't mandatory — they came by choice. Otherwise, Mei TerumĪ wouldn't be in the stands, and she'd be down there with Kyoichi like the others.
"Mizukage-sama, I'll be the first defender for the Twin Blades: Hiramekarei!"
Hōzuki Mangetsu stepped forward through the crowd —
And fired the first shot of the selection battles!