3:00 p.m.
that same day.
Kirigakure’s senior leadership meeting.
The purpose of this meeting had originally been to discuss the appropriate time for Kirigakure to intervene in the war, as well as how to respond to the sudden change in the Land of Water daimyō’s ambiguous attitude toward participating in the conflict.
No one had expected to learn first that something had gone terribly wrong during the Ninja Academy’s graduation examination.
The atmosphere in the conference room was somewhat heavy.
The Third Mizukage sat expressionlessly behind his desk, while Yagura Karatachi stood obediently beside him, his brows tightly furrowed.
Naturally, someone had immediately reported the incident at the Ninja Academy to the Third Mizukage.
After Elder Genji briefly explained what had happened, Yukikaze, the head of the Yuki Clan, spoke up with a grim expression.
“We must severely punish Zabuza Momochi.” “At such a critical moment, he has reduced the village’s combat strength.
I believe Zabuza Momochi may very well be a spy from another village.
He should be interrogated immediately,” Yukikaze said coldly.
As a representative of the shinobi clans, Yukikaze naturally viewed the situation from the perspective of clan interests.
With Kirigakure on the verge of entering the war, a reduction in the number of shinobi from civilian backgrounds meant that the clans might have to send more of their own young members to the battlefield.
That would clearly inflict enormous damage on the clans’ interests.
Furthermore, if Zabuza Momochi had been capable of killing every other examinee by himself at such a young age, then he was clearly an exceptionally talented boy.
It would be better for such a genius from a civilian background to die.
Yagura was just about to speak up in Zabuza’s defense when a rough laugh suddenly rang out.
“Ha!
Yukikaze, what’s the big deal?
We’re the shinobi of the Bloody Mist.
The weak are supposed to be eliminated.
I actually think the kid’s pretty good.” Kaguya Ryūya said that he thought highly of Zabuza, but judging by his impatient expression, it was obvious that he didn’t take the matter particularly seriously.
“The Ninja Academy exists to train shinobi for the village.
Anyone who disrupts the graduation examination must be severely punished!” Seeing this idiot Kaguya Ryūya contradict him at a time like this, Clan Head Yukikaze felt his veins practically bulging from his forehead.
He simply stopped paying attention to Ryūya and instead turned toward the Third Mizukage, who remained seated as though none of this concerned him.
Seeing that the moment seemed appropriate, Yagura, who was standing beside the Third Mizukage, immediately spoke.
“Zabuza Momochi’s actions were certainly extreme, but the examination itself required the students to kill other examinees.
Strictly speaking, he didn’t violate the examination rules.” Yagura glanced at the Third Mizukage.
Seeing that he still hadn’t spoken, Yagura continued.
“I believe the important issue isn’t whether we should punish him.
We should consider whether the graduation examination rules at the Ninja Academy need to be changed.” The Third Mizukage looked at Yagura with a faintly amused expression.
“Jōnin Yagura, are you questioning the rules I established?” For some reason, although this wasn’t the first time Yagura had proposed this suggestion, he suddenly felt cold sweat forming on his back.
“Of course not, Mizukage-sama.
It’s just that the great war is about to begin.
I believe that rather than allowing future students to die at the hands of their own comrades, the battlefield would be a better place to temper them.” As he spoke, determination gradually filled Yagura’s eyes.
He raised his head and directly met the Third Mizukage’s gaze.
“Furthermore, if these rules aren’t changed, something similar may happen again in the future.” The Third Mizukage’s somewhat aged face suddenly became sharp and severe.
“Is that so?” “It will happen again?” The atmosphere in the room instantly changed.
The other senior officials of Kirigakure had vaguely sensed that there was more to this matter than met the eye.
One after another, they wisely remained silent.
Just as Yagura was beginning to feel that he could no longer withstand the pressure emanating from the Third Mizukage, the latter slowly rose to his feet.
He swept his gaze across everyone present and spoke calmly.
“The proctors of this examination were guilty of serious dereliction of duty.
Transfer them to the Intelligence Department immediately and send them to the Land of Fire to gather intelligence.
Fuguki Suikazan, you will be responsible for making the arrangements.” “Yes.” Fuguki Suikazan immediately stepped forward and acknowledged the order.
“The graduation examination rules of the Ninja Academy contain serious flaws.
Their implementation will be suspended for the time being.” “Sada Hebi, you will be responsible for drafting a new examination plan.
Once completed, submit it to Elder Genji for review.” The person addressed by the Third Mizukage was Sada Hebi, the current vice principal of the Ninja Academy.
Because the Third Mizukage was essentially only the Academy’s nominal principal, Sada Hebi handled almost all of its affairs.
“Y-Yes…” Hearing that he was being tasked with handling such a troublesome matter, Sada Hebi—who had not gone on a mission for years and had gradually transitioned into an administrative position—was extremely nervous.
However, he did not dare question the Mizukage’s orders.
He could only shakily acknowledge the command before stepping back.
“Finally, as for that boy called Zabuza Momochi…” The Third Mizukage glanced almost imperceptibly at the increasingly tense Yagura before continuing.
“Elder Genji, if I remember correctly, Ao reported this morning that he wanted to recruit two members from this year’s graduating class, didn’t he?” “Indeed.
Two members of Ao’s squad were seriously injured during a mission and are no longer capable of continuing as shinobi.” Elder Genji slowly nodded and answered the Third Mizukage’s question.
“Then assign Zabuza to Ao’s squad.
As for the remaining member…” The Third Mizukage turned his attention toward the current head of the Hōzuki Clan, who had remained silent throughout the meeting.
“Hōzuki Eizuki.” “I’ve heard that the Hōzuki Clan has produced a young genius.” At that moment, countless figurative curses raced through Eizuki’s mind.
Ever since the previous head of the Hōzuki Clan—the Second Mizukage, Gengetsu Hōzuki—had died in battle and the Third Mizukage had taken power, the Hōzuki Clan’s standing had steadily declined.
Their control over the Seven Ninja Swords of the Mist had now become little more than nominal.
As for Eizuki himself, he had always behaved with extreme caution during senior leadership meetings and rarely spoke.
Who could have imagined that the matter would suddenly land on his head?
His clan’s prodigy, Mangetsu Hōzuki, was only five years old.
Although Eizuki firmly believed that Mangetsu possessed strength that would rival any genin, how could he possibly arrange for a five-year-old to be placed in such a bizarre squad?
“Mizukage-sama, that must be a rumor.
Our clan hasn’t produced a particularly talented youngster in quite some time.” Eizuki answered carefully.
At the same time, he thought to himself: Very few people know about Mangetsu’s training.
When I get back, I’ll definitely find out which blabbermouth let the information slip.
He absolutely did not want the clan’s genius exposed to outsiders at such a young age.
“Is that so?” The Third Mizukage seemed to have merely mentioned it in passing and didn’t press the matter any further.
“Mizukage-sama, Ao mentioned something else in his report.” Elder Genji seemed to share some inexplicable understanding with the Third Mizukage.
Only now did he bring up another candidate.
“There is a graduate from this year’s class who became a genin after participating in the Medical Ninja selection process before the graduation examination.” “His name seems to be Tachibana Kenji.
Ao hopes that, if the boy has no other arrangements, he can join his squad.” “That is one lucky kid.” The Third Mizukage clearly didn’t want to spend any more time discussing a few genin.
“Then let it be him.” And so, the matter was settled.
Throughout the entire discussion, Yagura had repeatedly wanted to say something, but in the end, he said nothing.
The four chūnin who had served as proctors were his subordinates, and they had ultimately all been transferred to the front lines.
Zabuza Momochi, an exceptionally talented boy, had also failed to end up under his direct command.
Yet his objective had already been achieved.
It had been achieved in a manner that even he himself found difficult to understand.
Yagura’s expression became complicated as he glanced at the Third Mizukage’s aged face.
“All right.
Let’s continue discussing when Kirigakure should intervene in the war.” The Third Mizukage acted as though nothing had happened.
He simply returned the conversation to the meeting’s original subject.
Meanwhile, at Kirigakure Hospital, Tachibana Kenji was completely unaware that his squad assignment had just been decided amid the probing and maneuvering of several powerful figures.
He was still sitting there, chatting and bragging with Kisame Hoshigaki.