Chapter 35 Rebuilding the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist
Hearing Yuto's words, a trace of admiration flashed through Terumi Mei's eyes. She couldn't help but think to herself—worthy of being Lord Yuto. With just a sliver of intelligence, he could deduce so much.
Yuto continued scanning the report before him, and suddenly his gaze sharpened. The intelligence noted that Kurosuki Raiga was often seen carrying a child on his back.
If the story hadn't changed, that child should be Ranmaru, possessor of the Red Eye bloodline limit.
This ability could counter the Byakugan and was even stronger at perceiving chakra.
A faint smile appeared on Yuto's lips. He lifted his head toward Terumi Mei and said calmly, "The child Raiga carries is intriguing."
Terumi Mei nodded in agreement. A shinobi like Kurosuki Raiga would never burden himself with useless baggage.
This meant the child carried by Raiga possessed talent worthy of his protection.
"With the village stabilized, it is time to rebuild the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."
Her expression grew serious as she spoke softly.
Since taking full control of Elder Genji's faction, the problems long hidden beneath the surface had come to light.
The condition of Kirigakure was worse than she had imagined.
Yuto chuckled lightly. Her thinking aligned with his. Kirigakure did not lack high-level power—so long as he was present, they could surpass all other villages in top-tier strength.
But in middle and lower ranks, they lagged far behind the other four villages.
Thus, the reformation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen was a necessity.
"As for dealing with Kurosuki Raiga, who should be assigned to this mission?"
Terumi Mei's tone was thoughtful, her eyes flashing with caution.
Raiga was already a seasoned jonin, and the matter involved one of the Seven Ninja Swords—the Thunder Blade Fang. Naturally, she had to be careful.
"I have two suitable candidates in mind."
Yuto smiled faintly at her contemplative look. He quickly formed several hand seals.
Mist gathered around his hands, condensing into two water-blue butterflies.
With a gentle push, the butterflies slipped out the window and flew off.
This ninjutsu was neither advanced nor secretive.
Even a genin could master it after some practice.
But few bothered to learn it, for it had no offensive power. Its sole purpose was communication—delivering a signal to summon someone to the Mizukage's office.
Naturally, no one wasted effort on such a technique.
—
In a modest courtyard.
A small figure struggled through a series of hand seals.
But clearly, her mind was elsewhere; the sequence was completely disordered.
"Haruna! If you keep daydreaming like that, you can forget about lunch!"
Yuri's dissatisfied voice came from behind, followed by a quick smack of a wooden stick on Haruna's head.
"Ow! Sister, I've been training for so long already, can't I rest for a bit?"
Haruna rubbed her head, speaking plaintively as though bargaining.
"Rest? You've only been training for ten minutes!"
Yuri's face darkened as she clenched her teeth, barely restraining herself from striking again.
"I never said I wanted to be a ninja…" Haruna muttered softly, still rubbing her head.
Yuri's eyes narrowed as she replied evenly, "Oh? Then perhaps you don't want dinner either?"
"No! I'll definitely become a ninja as strong as you, sister!"
Haruna straightened up, speaking with sudden seriousness.
Hearing Haruna's words, Yuri's face finally showed satisfaction.
Whoosh!
A water-blue butterfly fluttered in from the distance.
It circled once in front of Yuri before dissolving into a mist and disappearing.
Yuri froze for a moment, then turned to Haruna. "Train properly and don't slack off. You know what will happen otherwise."
She raised her fist as a warning, stomped on the ground, and leapt swiftly onto the rooftop, heading toward the Mizukage's office.
Within a few bounds, she had already vanished from Haruna's sight.
Haruna pouted at Yuri's departing figure, then dashed off in another direction.
Training? What was that? Could you eat it?
—
On the eastern edge of Kirigakure.
Compared to the bustling heart of the village, filled with crowds and noise, this place was nearly deserted.
Naturally, it was much quieter here.
Leaning against a thick tree trunk, Utakata half-lay on a broad branch. His expression was one of leisure, though a faint sadness lingered between his brows.
Although Terumi Mei had told him he could move freely through the village, he had little interest.
The villagers had always regarded him with hatred. He would not trouble himself further. Besides, his personality favored solitude, and the lively village center did not suit him.
A trace of gloom flickered in his eyes. At first, he had hated his master deeply.
But now, the greater his hatred had once been, the deeper his guilt was now.
This place was where he had once trained with his master. Perhaps out of remembrance, or for other reasons, Utakata had chosen to stay here.
It was quiet, no surveillance, no disturbance.
For someone like him, this was the best place to be.
If bored, he could blow bubbles or chat with Saiken within his body.
Thinking of the young man who had defeated him so easily, his calm face shifted slightly.
Through conversations with Saiken, Utakata naturally learned of Yuto's identity—the legendary figure of Kirigakure.
"What a terrifying man," Utakata murmured to himself.
Huh!
His half-closed eyes slowly opened as he noticed a water-blue butterfly fluttering before him. A trace of surprise flashed in his eyes.
He knew exactly what this butterfly represented.
A mission?!
As a jinchuriki, he had never been allowed to leave the village. Missions were never given to him.
In fact, though a jonin, the number of missions he had actually carried out could be ignored.
"The Mizukage's office, huh? If that's the case, I should go. But first, I'll have to find out where it is…"
He glanced at the butterfly's dissipating mist, then rose from the tree and began walking toward the distance.
(End of Chapter)
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