Hidden Leaf Village, Hidden Mist Temporary Outpost.
The Fourth Mizukage, with a stern face, read through the intelligence sent from his village.
Terumī Mei, one of his escorts, cautiously asked, "Lord Mizukage, have we locked onto the traitor?"
Shaking his head, the Fourth Mizukage tucked away the intelligence scroll. "Not yet."
Kisame Hoshigaki, another escort, smirked. "Tch, they're hiding pretty well!"
The Fourth Mizukage asked, "What are your thoughts on this Chūnin Exam?"
Mei expressed concern. "An opportunity to flex our strength like this? The other four villages won't let it pass. Especially the Hidden Leaf, with its academy brimming with geniuses. If we lose too badly, it'll hurt our morale, so we must carefully select our participants!"
The Fourth Mizukage nodded, then asked, "Have we obtained the list of Hidden Leaf participants for this Chūnin Exam?"
Mei promptly handed over a document, saying softly, "This is the list of Hidden Leaf participants. It's likely not the final one."
Glancing at it, the Fourth Mizukage sighed. "Kurama Yakumo, Uchiha Sasuke, and the Hidden Leaf's Nine-Tails jinchūriki… tough opponents!"
Kisame's brow furrowed. "No sign of the guy who took down Kurosuki Raiga?"
The Fourth Mizukage followed up, "I recall the top student at the Hidden Leaf's ninja academy is Uchiha Shinji, who defeated Kurosuki Raiga. Why isn't he participating?"
Mei shook her head. "The specific reason isn't even known to him."
The "him" she referred to was undoubtedly Haku, their spy in the Hidden Leaf's ninja academy. The Fourth Mizukage understood and didn't press further, instead saying, "The village has sent a list of recommended participants. Help me review it."
Mei and Kisame leaned in to examine the list from the Hidden Mist.
The list contained thirty names, all standout members of the Hidden Mist's new generation. However, when compared to the shinobi world's new generation, only Chōjūrō, Suigetsu, and Ringo Ameyuri stood out.
After some deliberation, Mei said, "Numbers don't mean much in the Chūnin Exams. I suggest cutting some participants and keeping only the core members."
Kisame agreed. "I support Mei's view. This Chūnin Exam is different from the past—fewer people have their advantages."
Undoubtedly, both escorts had little faith in most of the listed candidates, fearing a large-scale defeat would damage the Hidden Mist's reputation in the shinobi world. They recommended reducing the number of participants.
The Fourth Mizukage nodded slightly. "I was thinking the same. Fifteen participants should be just right."
Mei added, "Indeed, the only ones on the list who can truly compete with other villages' geniuses are Chōjūrō, Suigetsu, and Ringo Ameyuri. We can arrange the other twelve to support them during the exam."
The Fourth Mizukage smiled. "I've already entrusted the Twin Blades Hiramekarei to Chōjūrō and the Thunder Blade Kiba to Ringo Ameyuri. This Chūnin Exam depends on them."
Mei frowned. "Can Ringo Ameyuri's body hold up?"
At this, the Fourth Mizukage's smile faded.
Ringo Ameyuri was a rare Lightning Release prodigy in the Hidden Mist, highly compatible with the Thunder Blade Kiba. Despite her young age, her mastery of the ninja blade gave her jōnin-level strength, earning the Mizukage's high expectations.
But no one expected such a genius to suddenly fall gravely ill, with her condition even affecting her strength, much to the Mizukage's distress.
Seeing his expression, Mei said, "Since we're in the Hidden Leaf, we can ask Tsunade-hime to take a look at her illness."
"Mm!" Nodding, the Fourth Mizukage said, "I plan to have that person lead the team to bring the participants to the Hidden Leaf. If he's the traitor, he'll surely slip up here, and we can take him down openly!"
Mei's face lit up.
Kisame grinned. "Finally making a move!"
…
Hidden Mist Village.
"What's the deal? Everything was fine in the village—why do we have to go to the Hidden Leaf for some pointless Chūnin Exam?"
Suigetsu grumbled discontentedly.
Chōjūrō, shedding his usual shyness, said, "This is a direct order from Lord Mizukage!"
Glancing at the Twin Blades Hiramekarei strapped to Chōjūrō's back, Suigetsu teased, "You just got a ninja blade from the village, so of course you want to show off! Hmph, if there were a blade suited for me, there's no way you'd have beaten me to becoming one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen!"
Chōjūrō's face reddened, clearly caught off guard by Suigetsu's jab.
Cough, cough.
At that moment, a series of urgent coughs came from nearby.
Suigetsu and Chōjūrō looked over to see Ringo Ameyuri, the genius girl recently granted a ninja blade by the village.
Chōjūrō approached her. "Is your condition improving?"
Ringo's gaze flicked to the Hiramekarei on Chōjūrō's back, and she said coldly, "To think I'd become one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen alongside someone like you—what a disgrace!"
"Uh…"
Chōjūrō's expression froze.
Suigetsu stifled a laugh.
Among the three, Ringo Ameyuri, skilled in Lightning Release, was undoubtedly the strongest. Since Lightning Release countered Water Release, even Suigetsu had to tread carefully around her.
Soon, the other participants gathered at the meeting point.
Once everyone was present, a tall figure emerged slowly from the morning mist.
The fifteen participants looked over, their faces showing awe, even the cold Ringo Ameyuri was no exception.
Moments later, the figure reached them and declared, "I'll personally lead this team. Let's move out!"
This figure was none other than the current leader of the Hidden Mist's Seven Ninja Swordsmen, wielder of the Great Blade Samehada, Fuguki Suikazan!
As the only member of the previous Seven Ninja Swordsmen to neither die nor defect, his status as a veteran of the Third Great Shinobi War made him second only to the Fourth Mizukage in the Hidden Mist's hierarchy.
"Yes!"
Meeting Fuguki Suikazan's gaze, the Hidden Mist shinobi nodded in unison.
Suigetsu whispered, "I didn't expect him to lead the team!"
Chōjūrō, puzzled, said, "Three of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen mobilized at once? This Chūnin Exam really isn't simple!"
Suigetsu's face fell. "Tch!"
Ringo Ameyuri declared, "No matter who stands in my way, I'll tear them apart without hesitation!"
With that, baring her sharp teeth, she joined the group.