Following Chōjūrō's announcement, Ranmaru, the wielder of the Exploding Blade: Burst, undoubtedly became one of the new Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
Ranmaru reverted back to his harmless child-like appearance.
With a happy smile on his face, Ranmaru tightly gripped the hilt of the Exploding Blade: Burst with both hands, struggling to drag the Exploding Blade towards the five chairs.
Watching this amusing scene, the onlookers showed no sign of the mocking smiles they had at the beginning.
The strong, no matter where they are, will receive corresponding respect.
Beside him, a Chunin from the Hozuki Clan quickly walked over, a respectful expression on his face, and said to Ranmaru:
"Ranmaru-sama, this is a sealing scroll. You can temporarily put the Exploding Blade: Burst into the sealing scroll and take it out when you need to fight."
Ranmaru-sama?!
Hearing the Chunin's words, Ranmaru's face instantly turned bright red, and he couldn't help but become nervous. Growing up, this was the first time he had heard someone call him 'sama'.
Seemingly sensing Ranmaru's nervousness, the Chunin said nothing more. As for the address, there was nothing wrong with it.
The moment Ranmaru inherited the title of "Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist", Ranmaru's identity had already changed.
"Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist" represents the entire Mist Ninja Village. This title is not only proof of strength but also proof of status.
The Chunin personally formed three hand signs. As if afraid Ranmaru wouldn't remember, he formed them twice more. After finishing, the Chunin placed the scroll in Ranmaru's hand and slowly retreated.
After receiving the scroll, Ranmaru nodded with a somewhat understanding look, placed the scroll on the Exploding Blade: Burst, and then, following the Chunin's method, formed three hand signs.
Bang!
With a soft sound, the Exploding Blade: Burst disappeared directly, and a large character "knife" (sword) appeared in the center of the scroll.
Ranmaru's face showed a look of surprise and delight. He quickly put the scroll away, hugging it tightly as if afraid someone would snatch it.
Chōjūrō, standing nearby, saw this scene and a drop of cold sweat trickled down his forehead.
He couldn't help but mutter to himself: It seems Ranmaru knows nothing about some basic common sense. I need to find time to teach him.
"Kid, I didn't expect you to have such strength. It's really surprising."
Ameyuri Ringo, at some point, had appeared not far from Ranmaru, and spoke with an excited expression on her face.
Ranmaru couldn't help but take a few steps, moving slightly towards Chōjūrō's position. Ranmaru was still a little afraid of Ameyuri Ringo, the older sister who had defeated Raiga Kurosuki.
The selection of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist continued, but unfortunately, besides Ameyuri Ringo and Ranmaru, no one else was able to pass.
As for Suigetsu Hozuki, he was naturally found by the Hozuki Clan. However, Suigetsu Hozuki insisted on wanting the Kubikiri Bōchō (Executioner's Blade). Unless he was defeated by Zabuza, he would absolutely not choose the Kabutowari (Blunt Sword).
The Jonin from the Hozuki Clan was slightly helpless, but looking at the remaining two Ninja Swords on the stage, a hint of relief flashed in his eyes.
Neither the Thunder Blade with its lightning attribute nor the Exploding Blade with its explosive ability were compatible with the Hozuki Clan's attributes, so the Hozuki Clan didn't care if these two swords were chosen.
As for the remaining Longsword: Stitch Needle and Kabutowari (Blunt Sword), they had no impact on the people of the Hozuki Clan.
Regardless, the Hozuki Clan had to occupy a seat among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. If it weren't for the fact that Suigetsu Hozuki was brought back personally by Yūto-sama.
And the clan head had specifically named Suigetsu Hozuki, there would now only be one Ninja Sword left.
...
Mizukage Office
As the selection of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist was nearing its end, Yūto and Mei Terumī were also basically finished with their matters.
An Elder from the Kinoshita Clan slowly rose from his seat and bowed to Mei Terumī and Yūto, saying:
"Since the matter has been decided, then, Yūto-sama, Mizukage, I shall take my leave first."
After speaking, this Elder from the Kinoshita Clan let out a soft sigh and turned to walk out the door.
It wasn't until the Elder from the Kinoshita Clan had walked far away that Mei Terumī lightly clapped her hands.
The next moment, two Anbu Ninja, holding Kinoshita Yoshiro by his arms, walked in from outside the door.
Seeing Kinoshita Yoshiro's ashen face, Mei Terumī spoke indifferently:
"You must have heard the conversation we just had. I don't think you have any objections."
Kinoshita Yoshiro nodded blankly. From the moment he failed, he knew he would die sooner or later, it was just a matter of when and how he would die.
"You only have two paths to take now. One is to refuse, and the other is to agree. Although both lead to death, I believe you understand the results these two paths represent."
Mei Terumī's expression remained unchanged as she spoke to Kinoshita Yoshiro indifferently.
Yūto, sitting beside her, also watched Kinoshita Yoshiro with curiosity. He really wanted to see the choice of the former head of the Kinoshita Clan.
One path was to end his life as a rogue Ninja.
The other path was to potentially end his life as a hero. Of course, this was only a possibility; if he failed, Kinoshita Yoshiro would still be executed as a rogue Ninja!
As for whether he could succeed, that would depend on the ability of this head of the Kinoshita Clan.
Kinoshita Yoshiro was slightly silent. Dying as a rogue Ninja or a hero – these two obvious choices, a normal person probably wouldn't hesitate.
However, if he chose the first path, he would simply die as an ordinary rogue Ninja, which might have some impact on the Kinoshita Clan, but not too much.
But if he chose the second path, and something went wrong in the process, the Kinoshita Clan might lose all hope of rising again.
Of course, if he succeeded!
Thinking of this, Kinoshita Yoshiro glanced at Yūto-sama out of the corner of his eye. If he succeeded, the Kinoshita Clan would become the foremost noble clan in the Mist Ninja Village!
After a long silence, Kinoshita Yoshiro slowly raised his head, his eyes flashing with determination and brilliance. The aura of a clan head seemed to have returned.
"I have no choice, do I?"
Kinoshita Yoshiro looked at Mei Terumī and suddenly smiled, speaking with a light chuckle.
"As expected of the former clan head."
Mei Terumī let out a small sigh of admiration, reached out, took out a scroll, and threw it into Kinoshita Yoshiro's hand, speaking again:
"There is some information in here that you can look at. Destroy it immediately after reading. Also, you now have ten minutes to prepare."
Kinoshita Yoshiro immediately took the scroll. When he saw the contents of the scroll, a look of surprise flashed in his eyes, but his face remained expressionless.
Two minutes later, Kinoshita Yoshiro closed the scroll again and, in front of Mei Terumī and Yūto, directly destroyed it.
"Wave Country, huh..."
Kinoshita Yoshiro murmured. The next moment, he jumped out of the window and quickly disappeared from Yūto and Mei Terumī's sight.
Ten minutes later.
Clap! Clap!
Mei Terumī's face showed a serious expression as she clapped her hands heavily twice.
Swish! Swish!