Kirigumo Masakazu swept his gaze over Kyoichi and Yūsuke. He understood well enough that their eagerness to volunteer came from the Koeda Clan's status as newcomers—but the reason didn't matter. What mattered was that Koeda Kyoichi was strong, a genuine trump card.
With such a trump card,
the rescue mission now had a solid safeguard.
"I'm going too."
This time it was Biwa Jūzō who spoke loudly.
It was expected.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen were a band of cold-blooded, battle-hungry lunatics—even the so-called "normal one" among them, Biwa Jūzō, was no exception. Danger would never make him back down; on the contrary, he was like a piranha catching the scent of blood, seizing the chance to throw himself in.
"Jūzō, Kyoichi, and Yūsuke—that makes three jōnin. Another two or three should be enough."
Masakazu's eyes swept over the remaining jōnin.
In his mind,
two ships, backed by five or six jōnin, would suffice. Counting the Koeda Clan's shinobi, himself, and Mei, there were thirteen jōnin in total. Sending out five or six wouldn't leave his side undermanned.
But just as he was picking out the rest,
another volunteered.
And this one… gave Masakazu a bit of a headache.
"Grandfather, I'm going too."
It was Terumī Mei.
"Mei, don't be reckless."
"How am I being reckless? Grandfather, are you still treating me like a child? I'm already a jōnin!!"
Once again, the girl stressed her status.
On both sides of the table, the others kept their eyes down, staring at noses or the grain of the wood like statues. If stuffing their ears with plugs wouldn't look so conspicuous, they'd have done it—they had no interest in overhearing family quarrels that could only cause trouble.
"You've barely been a jōnin for a year. This mission is too much for you."
"The length of time since promotion is just one standard. Aside from you and Kyoichi, Grandfather, I don't think I'd lose to anyone else in this room. If they can go, then I can too. There's no reason I should be treated differently just because I'm your granddaughter."
"Mei, you—"
"Grandfather, privileges only lead to weakness, not growth. I'm a shinobi. For shinobi, strength is everything. Background and status mean nothing unless paired with true ability. Please don't take this rare chance for training away from me."
The girl tilted her chin up, emerald eyes wide, unwavering as she locked stares with the old man.
The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
"...Hah!"
Masakazu finally exhaled a long, heavy sigh. He tore his gaze away, turning toward the Kiri shinobi on his right.
"This mission will likely have many injured needing treatment. Suiren, you're a medical ninja. You'll go as well."
"Yes, Masakazu-sama."
The one called was a young woman with light-blue hair tied in a bun, her gentle demeanor matched by her soft-spoken voice.
"Jūzō, Kyoichi, Mei, Yūsuke, and Suiren… five in total. The rescue operation will be in your hands. Do you feel you'll need additional support? If so, I can assign one or two more."
He read off their names, then asked for their opinion.
"No need," Jūzō declared firmly. "This setup is plenty. After all, we're rescuing people."
Cold-blooded and battle-hungry didn't mean brainless.
He had the mind and judgment expected of a jōnin, along with rich experience. He knew that outside of infiltration, most missions benefitted from more manpower—but he also knew manpower was always limited. A shinobi had to learn to complete orders with the resources on hand, not endlessly demand more.
"I agree," Kyoichi chimed in.
The Koeda Clan had already committed two members. Asking for more could risk pressure to send even more of their own. Safer not to.
Besides,
this lineup was more than enough.
Yūsuke remained silent—Kyoichi's stance was his stance. It wasn't only about clan unity. He and Kyoichi were cousins who had grown up together; he was long used to following his lead.
Mei and Suiren also voiced no objections.
Mei brimmed with confidence. With herself, Kyoichi, and Jūzō in the team, unless they faced a massive Konoha force, there'd be no issue—and if they did… another one or two jōnin wouldn't change the outcome.
As for Suiren, she was straightforward, focused only on fulfilling her own duties. Thinking about command wasn't her place.
"Then it's settled."
Masakazu decided swiftly, then continued:
"Jūzō, you'll be captain. Kyoichi, you'll serve as his second."
"Yes, Masakazu-sama," they answered in unison.
Neither saw reason to object.
Kyoichi, though confident he could defeat Jūzō without much effort, knew his clan had just arrived here. This kind of mission wasn't his to lead. To be named vice-captain was already a significant favor from Masakazu.
"If there are no further issues, gather your things. Once Bi has cleared the ships, you'll depart at once.
The rest of you—dismissed."
Masakazu ended the meeting.
Jūzō was the first to stride out, the others rising quickly to follow.
But then—
"Mei, stay a moment."
Masakazu stopped his granddaughter.
The rest, sensing what was coming, hastened their steps, leaving the hall for the two of them alone.