Escorting a diplomatic team to Konoha…
For the newly assembled Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, this was indeed a fitting assignment. They were "newcomers," but each one of them was a jōnin; giving them something too simple would be a waste of manpower. At the same time, as a new team, they needed time to mesh.
A guard mission like this was just right.
They might encounter danger, but not anything they couldn't handle.
And the mission's duration was long enough. The round trip from Kirigakure to Konoha was no short journey—plenty of time for Kyoichi and the others to build rapport. They didn't need to become best friends, but at the very least, when a battle came, they should be fighting side-by-side, not each doing their own thing…
"Are all Seven Swordsmen going?"
Kyoichi looked around and asked, "Counting Jūzō-senpai, there are only six of us."
"Samehada's wielder, Fuguki Suikazan, won't be joining."
Yagura shook his head. "He still hasn't fully recovered from his injuries. And… after this, Fuguki will be transferring to the Anbu. Unless something unusual happens, he won't be participating in the Seven Swordsmen's missions anymore."
At that, Yagura couldn't help feeling a bit frustrated.
Fuguki's situation was complicated.
Although the Seven Swordsmen were a combat force directly under the Mizukage, that didn't mean every member naturally offered unwavering loyalty. As for the previous generation—those who died didn't matter, but the ones still alive were only two: Fuguki and Jūzō.
Jūzō was straightforward, hot-blooded, and easy to win over.
But the older Fuguki was not obedient at all. After returning from the battlefield, the man seemed utterly shaken, insisting on joining the Anbu no matter what—clearly intending to never leave the Land of Water again.
And Yagura had no effective way to handle him.
He could order Fuguki into missions by force, but he couldn't prevent Fuguki from intentionally performing poorly. As for punishing him… that man's seniority and contributions were too significant. Unless he committed a major offense, harsh measures were impossible.
Honestly, if Fuguki were fragile like Konoha's White Fang, then a few rumors might break him. But unfortunately, Fuguki had a hide thicker than armor. Forcing him to self-terminate was completely impossible.
"…So if Fuguki doesn't participate anymore, wouldn't that make us the Six Swordsmen of the Mist?"
Kyoichi let out a helpless laugh.
"Don't worry about Fuguki."
Yagura cut off the topic. "In the coming week, your focus is to familiarize yourselves with your swords. Don't go onto a battlefield and end up killing yourselves. It's happened before—in the Second Mizukage's era, one wielder of Shibuki blew himself up along with the enemy."
"Huh? It's that dangerous?"
Mizushiro shivered. His Shibuki was still leaning against the table.
Ignoring him, Yagura continued, "And prepare for the escort mission. The diplomatic team leaves in a week. Until then… don't give me strange excuses to slack off. Spend this week resting up and preparing properly!"
He looked around at the silent group, eyebrows rising. His baby-faced expression sharpened with the Mizukage's authority.
"Did you all hear me? Speak!"
"Understood!"
The responses came unevenly, but at least they answered.
"That's more like it."
Yagura nodded. "Any questions? Ask now and I'll answer what I can. If not… we're done here."
Kyoichi thought for a moment and shook his head.
"Nothing for now."
The others also shook their heads.
"Then that's that. Dismissed."
Yagura wasn't the type to drag the group off for a hotpot to build camaraderie. He didn't have that kind of free time. Seeing no further questions, he dismissed them on the spot and left, with Anjō Oniyuzu following.
But even if the Mizukage had no time to host a gathering—
There were certainly others who did.
"Kyoichi, come drink with me," Jūzō said.
"Jūzō-senpai, I'm not even 20 yet."
"Kid, cut the crap. Going or not?"
"…Going."
"That's better."
Jūzō nodded in satisfaction, then turned. "Mangetsu, you coming? And you too, Ringo, Zabuza—come sit with us." As the senior-most of the Seven Swordsmen, he felt responsible for helping the newcomers bond.
"Jūzō, do I even have the option to refuse?"
Mangetsu joked.
"If I said yes, would you actually not come?" Jūzō shot back.
"…Fine, fine! I'll go."
"...If he's willing to spar with me, I'll go."
After two seconds of silence, Ringo Ameyuri suddenly pointed at Kyoichi.
"A spar?"
Kyoichi raised a brow, genuinely curious. "Why do you want to spar with me?"
"Because you're probably the strongest among us. I want to see the gap between us."
Ringo's answer was earnest.
"Kyoichi?" Jūzō looked over, seeking his stance.
"Sure."
Kyoichi accepted readily. "When do you want to spar? Right now?"
"No. Give me two days. Once I've mastered the Kiba, I'll come find you."
"As long as I'm free then."
Kyoichi smiled, then looked at Zabuza. "Zabuza, you want a spar too?"
"Hmph. I'm not looking to suffer."
Zabuza shook his head decisively. His Nuiburi couldn't break through Kyoichi's Earth-Style Hardening that could even counter Lightning Release. Challenging him would just be asking for pain.
At that moment—
Feeling utterly forgotten, Mizushiro suddenly yelled:
"Jūzō! Are you seriously going drinking without inviting me?"
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