"Gather at the Kirigakure village gates at five in the afternoon."
"Your assigned Jonin captain will be waiting for you there."
After delivering these instructions, the Third Mizukage waved his hand, dismissing the three to return home and prepare for their journey.
...
"Mizukage."
Once the three had left the Mizukage's office, Elder Genshi tapped his cane lightly against the floor.
"The third candidate... I must say, I did not expect that choice."
The Third Mizukage understood exactly what the elder was referring to. He closed his eyes briefly before responding,
"Because I chose a child from the Kumozen clan?"
Genshi nodded.
This selection was not made on a whim.
Given the Mizukage's usual policies, this was a rare opportunity for a young ninja to make a name for themselves across the entire shinobi world. In past decisions, such a position would never have gone to someone from a bloodline clan.
Yet, the Mizukage had chosen Mukumo—a member of a family he had always been most opposed to.
Was the Mizukage now sending a signal of peace to Kirigakure's noble clans?
Elder Genshi wanted to understand. He wanted to know what his old friend was thinking.
Leaning back into his chair, the Mizukage tapped his fingers against the armrest. "Genshi. The Karatachi, the Kumozen clan, the Terumi... They were never my mortal enemies—just forced to pick sides. This is an opening move."
"But the Hozuki, the Yuki, the Kaguya... The dynamic between the Mizukage and those clans must not persist into the Fourth generation."
"...Understood."
Hearing this, Elder Genshi sighed in relief, his lips curling into a knowing smile.
Old friend, if you've realized this, then that's for the best.
Could that child have shown you the way forward?
After years of working together, there was no need for excess words between them. A single glance, a slight gesture—it was enough to understand each other's thoughts.
The Mizukage looked away, offering no response.
Elder Genshi simply chuckled to himself.
Old men, after all, had their pride. They could act, but they wouldn't admit to it.
...
"Hurry up! If you're leaving, then get out already!"
With a swift kick, Yagura was sent flying out the door. His grandfather, arms crossed, stood guard at the entrance.
Yagura landed smoothly, catching himself with one hand before standing up. Grinding his teeth, he muttered,
"Are you really that eager to get rid of your own grandson?"
His grandfather chuckled with a falsely benevolent smile. "Do you want the truth, or do you want to embarrass yourself?"
"..."
Yagura thought carefully about where this conversation was headed. No matter which option he picked, he wouldn't like the outcome.
Probably best to drop it.
Seeing Yagura give up, his grandfather snorted.
"If you die in Konoha, make sure your teammates don't bring your body back. The Karatachi clan has no room for a disgrace like you."
Throwing his backpack over his shoulders, Yagura pounded his fist against his chest.
"Don't worry! I'm not that easy to kill!"
"Big words."
His grandfather remained unimpressed, arching an eyebrow and nodding toward the figures behind Yagura.
Smack! Yagura caught Zabuza's incoming punch.
"Do we really have to greet each other like this?" Yagura sighed, glancing at Zabuza, Mangetsu, and Onime Kaede. "You guys sure got the news fast."
"I won't lose to you," Zabuza said firmly, withdrawing his fist. "I submitted my application for early graduation. The Genin exam is next week. If I pass, I'll be eligible for the final graduation test in two weeks."
"Got it. When I get back from Konoha, I'll celebrate with you."
"At the very least, I won't be far behind you," Mangetsu added, his expression calm but serious. "Kaede and I had our applications rejected. We have to wait another year. There's nothing we can do about it."
"Why is it that none of you ever learn the right lessons?" Yagura sighed, crossing his arms and glancing at them. "So, whose idea was it? Mangetsu or Zabuza?"
Mangetsu smirked, wordlessly signaling for Yagura to guess.
Kaede, however, answered bluntly, "It was you."
"..."
Ah. That did sound about right.
Honest people really had a way of ruining the moment.
"Oh?" Yagura flashed a grin, trying to play it off. Adjusting the straps of his backpack, he said, "It's getting late. I should head out."
"Alright."
"Take care."
"Be careful."
"Will do."
Giving a final wave to his grandfather and friends, Yagura performed a hand seal and vanished in a burst of lightning.
...
Moving swiftly, Yagura made his way to the village gates.
Ringo Ameyuri had already arrived—impatient as always. Mukumo arrived shortly after Yagura.
As Yagura focused his chakra, he noticed something unusual—a cloud forming and gradually taking on a humanoid shape.
It had a head, a face with features, arms, and legs, but they were stubby and lacked distinct fingers or toes.
Yagura studied it for a moment, then clapped his hands together.
For the first time, outside of the battle against the Three-Tails, he was seeing a Cloud Release technique up close. He circled Mukumo with interest.
"Wow. That's actually pretty cool."
"Thank you."
A faint blush spread across the white cloud.
Gradually, the cloud transformed into a human form, starting from a pair of sleek legs beneath khaki ninja shorts, up to a hunched posture, and finally to the pale-skinned boy's face—his name suiting him well, as white as the clouds themselves.
"My Cloud Body Flicker technique is still immature. The transition back to human form is slow."
With Yagura's unwavering stare, Mukumo's blush deepened. He averted his gaze. "Sorry."
Damn, he's cute. That means he's definitely a guy.
Yagura coughed and looked away. "Uh... It's good. Really."
Ringo Ameyuri scanned the area, frowning. "Our Jonin leader isn't here yet."
"Let's wait a little longer, Ameyuri-san," Mukumo suggested. "A Jonin might be busy."
Ringo Ameyuri clicked her tongue, then grinned. "Just call me Ameyuri. The 'san' makes it sound weird."
"Understood!" Mukumo immediately adjusted, startled by the correction.
Yagura, watching Mukumo's nervous reaction, narrowed his eyes. Is he always this uptight?
Ringo Ameyuri sighed, unsure how to respond.
"One, two, three. Looks like we're all here!"
A loud, boisterous voice rang out.
Yagura knew that voice all too well.
"Good! You didn't make me wait, or I'd have cut you down right here!"
The three of them looked up in unison toward the voice's source.
Yagura's eyes widened.
Oh, you've got to be kidding me. Their Jonin captain was him?
Gulp.
Taking a deep swig from a sake bottle, the man wiped his chin. Then, leaping down from the village gate's arch, he scanned the three of them.
His gaze lingered on Yagura for a moment but didn't give him a chance to speak.
"I don't waste words. Keep up. We're moving out!"
With that, he turned and started walking.
Yagura and the others exchanged glances before quickly following.
Their figures disappeared into the distance.
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
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