Karatachi Yagura was an only child. His father was a Jonin of Kirigakure, and his mother a Chunin. Over the years, both of them had been frequently away on missions, leaving the house mostly empty.
As a result, only Yagura and his grandfather lived at home.
His grandfather had also been a Jonin in the past but had retired once he reached an advanced age.
One thing the Third Mizukage had done well was allowing shinobi to apply for retirement after turning fifty—though whether or not their application would be approved was another matter. That said, the Mizukage himself was still working despite being well past seventy or eighty.
That kind of dedication was commendable. Truly, a workaholic of the shinobi world.
...
At the dinner table, Yagura did his best to fool around and make his grandfather laugh, but the atmosphere remained heavy.
Halfway through the meal, his grandfather set down his chopsticks and said,
"Tomorrow, you're starting at the Ninja Academy."
"Yeah," Yagura replied nonchalantly. He knew about it already and continued eating without a care in the world.
His grandfather's face darkened. "Aren't you the least bit concerned? Do you even know the rules of the Academy?"
"Of course I do."
Yagura thought to himself, I know them better than anyone.
But...
"Grandpa, you know what I'm capable of," Yagura said with a grin. "I can use both Water Release and Lightning Release, and my taijutsu is solid. I just don't have much talent for genjutsu, so I'll need you to find me a teacher for that. If I can't use it, I at least don't want to fall for it."
The underlying message was clear: I'm strong enough, so don't worry. The kids at the Academy won't be able to touch me.
If he had to face a rampaging Uchiha Obito right now, that would be a death wish. But against a bunch of Academy freshmen? Yagura had nothing to fear.
The students in Kirigakure's Academy might be stronger than the ones in Konoha during its peacetime years, but there was no way they were that much stronger.
Not to brag, but if a Sunagakure Chunin were standing in front of him right now, Yagura was confident he could take them down.
Why specify a Sunagakure Chunin?
Because Sunagakure shinobi were universally acknowledged as weak.
They lost to Konoha, then to Iwagakure, then to Amegakure. Next, they'd probably lose to the shinobi of Kusagakure and Takigakure too.
Seriously, Sunagakure had absolutely no shame.
...
Bonk!
Seeing Yagura looking so smug—like he was about to sprout wings and fly—his grandfather couldn't hold back his frustration any longer!
He slammed his chopsticks down and flicked Yagura on the forehead with a sharp snap.
"Ow!"
Seriously, do all shinobi in this world have a habit of flicking foreheads?!
Yagura clutched his reddened forehead, looking up in confusion at his grandfather, who was glaring at him.
"You little brat! Just because you've learned a couple of tricks, you think you can take on the world? If you die at the Academy tomorrow, I won't be surprised in the slightest! I'll just call your parents back and have them make another kid!"
"..."
With his grandfather's saliva practically spraying in his face, Yagura silently used Water Release chakra to wash his face clean, then bowed his head.
Usually, it was fine to mess around, but this time, he could tell his grandfather was truly angry.
His words were harsh, but it was only because he didn't want Yagura to get himself killed due to his arrogance.
Over the years, Yagura had been able to live so freely because his grandfather had been working tirelessly behind the scenes, covering for him and making sure his name didn't end up on the radar of Kirigakure's more dangerous figures.
"I originally planned to tell you this tomorrow after you started school, but seeing you like this, I can't help but worry."
His grandfather sighed, then sat back down. "Even though I'm retired, I still have a few friends in certain places."
Certain places?
The Mizukage's office?
His grandfather didn't elaborate, simply resting his hand on his empty teacup.
Yagura immediately understood. He sat up and quickly poured his grandfather a fresh cup of tea before sitting back down and looking at him attentively, waiting for him to continue.
Would something special happen at the Academy tomorrow? Had the Third Mizukage taken notice of him? Did that old man have a crystal ball for spying, like the Third Hokage?
Yagura was half-curious, half-apprehensive.
Seeing the thoughtful look in Yagura's eyes, his grandfather was a little surprised.
He had thought this brat was so full of himself that he had stopped thinking entirely.
Apparently, his brain still worked—he just didn't use it often.
"You know how the Academy works. Every new student is placed into a three-man squad. That team will remain together for the six years of Academy training—until one person graduates."
Why one person?
Because in Kirigakure's Academy, one of the requirements to graduate was to kill your two teammates.
Only by proving they could kill those they had spent six years alongside could a shinobi be deemed a true, heartless killer.
"Yeah, I know."
Yagura nodded, quickly catching on to what his grandfather was implying.
"My teammates are impressive, huh?"
His grandfather's lips twitched, but he didn't bother correcting Yagura's coarse language. It was crude, but accurate.
He cleared his throat and said seriously, "Your teammates are Hozuki Mangetsu, heir to the Hozuki Clan, and Onime Kaede, heir to the Onime Clan."
...
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Kirigakure.
Deep within an ancient estate, a voice echoed.
"My teammate? Karatachi Yagura from the Karatachi Clan?"
Hozuki Mangetsu surfaced from the vast pool in the estate's backyard. Only his head remained visible above the water, his body dissolving into a gelatinous, amorphous form.
This was the Hozuki Clan's secret technique—the Hydrification Technique.
It allowed the user's body to transform into water, rendering them immune to physical attacks. However, it had one fatal weakness—it was vulnerable to Lightning Release.
"Yes, Karatachi Yagura."
The Hozuki Clan leader, Hozuki Sougetsu, sat at the poolside with a fishing rod in hand, looking utterly relaxed. "And Onime Kaede—you've known him for years. The two of them are your squadmates."
"Heh. Kaede, huh? A sensor-type..."
Sensor-types meant weak in direct combat. Just get close and cut them down.
Mangetsu chuckled, his expression unreadable. "Hope he doesn't start crying when he sees his 'good teammate.'"
Leisurely swimming to the edge of the pool, he climbed out, not bothering to cover himself as he slowly got dressed.
"Father, who is this Karatachi Yagura?"
"Someone from the Karatachi Clan."
"Obviously. I meant, what's his strength like? Chakra levels? Weapon usage? Specialties? Chakra nature? Any Lightning Release? I need intel if I'm going to cut him down."
Sougetsu remained unfazed, still fishing. After a long pause, he handed Mangetsu a dossier.
Mangetsu tore it open, glancing at the sparse information inside.
"Tch. That's it?"
"The Karatachi Clan is keeping a tight lid on his details. This was all I could get."
Sougetsu finally opened his eyes slightly. "But if they're hiding this much, he's got something worth hiding."
Mangetsu smirked, cracking his knuckles. "Guess I'll have to dig out his secrets myself."
"Don't go overboard."
Sougetsu didn't deny it—only warned him.
Mangetsu's grin widened. "Got it~."