The terrifying power of lightning exploded at the center of the training ground!
However, with the Thunder Blade as the anchor, the lightning did not spread outward, but instead concentrated entirely at the center.
The surrounding shinobi watching had their expressions change. Just that one move alone was something most of them present would not be able to withstand.
"Looks like the new generation of the Mist's Seven Swordsmen has appeared."
A jonin from the Hozuki Clan looked at Ringo Ameyuri and spoke softly.
"Hiramekarei · Release · Consecutive Slash!!"
A low roar came from the storming lightning's center.
Immediately after, several beams of light cut through the lightning, and Chojuro's somewhat battered figure burst forth.
Seeing this, Ringo Ameyuri's face showed surprise.
As expected of a former member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, his strength was far beyond what she had imagined.
Ringo Ameyuri quickly pulled the Thunder Blade from the ground, just about to make a move, when she saw Chojuro raise his hand.
"No need to fight anymore. You've already passed."
Chojuro hurriedly spoke.
Hearing his words, Ringo Ameyuri showed a disappointed expression, putting the Thunder Blade back down.
Chojuro exhaled in relief, slinging Hiramekarei back onto his back, then walked over to her and patted his own head.
"Your move just now was really strong. You won."
"I didn't win. Chojuro-senpai didn't even use Hiramekarei's kenjutsu. At best, it's a draw."
Ringo Ameyuri widened her eyes, looking at him expectantly.
Chojuro's gaze showed helplessness. Why did it feel like every generation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, except himself, were battle maniacs?
"By the way, you've never trained in Thunder Blade techniques, so how did you use them?"
Remembering those two strikes, curiosity filled his expression.
If he had known she could use the Thunder Blade style, he never would have let himself fall into such a disadvantageous position.
"When I fought Kurosuki Raiga, I saw him use it a few times, so I learned it."
Ringo Ameyuri bared her sharp teeth with a playful grin.
Chojuro froze, suddenly recalling the village's evaluation of her—"The lightning release prodigy!"
Indeed, she was the most suitable wielder for the Thunder Blade.
Chojuro nodded at the nearby Hozuki jonin, then led her to the row of five chairs placed ahead.
"Now, one of these belongs to you."
Chojuro scratched his head and spoke to her.
"From this moment, Ringo Ameyuri becomes the wielder of Thunder Blade · Fang, one of the Mist's Seven Ninja Swordsmen."
The Hozuki jonin's face turned solemn as he announced this to everyone.
A wave of noise rose from the crowd, but no one voiced any opposition.
"See, Ranmaru! Isn't my onee-san amazing!"
Haruna's little face flushed red with excitement, clapping her hands furiously.
Ranmaru nodded vigorously, eyes shining. "Becoming one of the Seven Swordsmen… can that really help Yuto-dono?"
"Of course! The Mist's Seven Swordsmen are the strongest, they can help anyone!"
Haruna glared at him, thinking he didn't understand the greatness of the Seven Swordsmen, and spoke seriously.
Meanwhile.
As soon as the Hozuki jonin finished speaking, a shinobi came over carrying a scroll, handed it to Chojuro, then left quickly.
"This scroll contains detailed training methods for the Thunder Blade, as well as notes recorded by previous wielders. Of course, it also has the complete Thunder Blade techniques you used just now."
Chojuro chuckled and handed the scroll to Ringo Ameyuri.
"Thank you, Chojuro-senpai!"
Looking at the scroll in her hands, her eyes burned with desire. She had long yearned for the Thunder Blade · Fang's unique kenjutsu.
"No need to thank me. Every new Swordsman gets a scroll for their blade. But you can't take it out of the village, and once you're done, you must return it."
Chojuro shrugged lightly as he spoke.
On the training field, the selection continued. But after Ringo Ameyuri's success, not a single other candidate emerged.
The Hozuki jonin frowned. He hadn't expected all four swords to find wielders, but he hadn't expected that so far only one had.
Also—what was Hozuki Suigetsu doing? Why hadn't he shown up yet?
This time, their clan had several candidates for the Seven Swordsmen, but in the end the clan leader had chosen Suigetsu as the next member.
So why wasn't he appearing now? The jonin's gaze grew unpleasant.
As for Suigetsu, he was lying lazily on a thick branch outside the training ground, looking bored.
The blade he wanted was the Executioner's Blade. Naturally, he wouldn't join the selection. After all, once a sword was chosen, it couldn't be changed.
Among the onlookers.
Ranmaru's eyes flashed with determination. He lifted his foot and began walking toward the training ground.
Seeing this, Haruna blinked in confusion. "What are you doing?"
"I'm going to become one of the Seven too!" Ranmaru's face showed embarrassment, but his voice carried firm resolve.
"You idiot, how could a kid like you become one of the Seven Swordsmen?"
Haruna puffed her cheeks, looking at him like he was a fool.
Ranmaru shook his head, said nothing more, and strode toward the training field.
With his movements, more and more eyes turned toward him.
At first, people thought he was just some child brought by a shinobi. But as he walked closer to the center, they realized.
"What's with this kid?"
"Is this a joke?"
"Hahaha, now that's amusing."
"..."
Teasing voices rose from the crowd.
The Hozuki jonin also turned his gaze toward him. Seeing Ranmaru, his brows furrowed slightly.
With a shy look, Ranmaru walked into the arena. Looking at the three remaining swords, he thought briefly before walking to the largest one.
The Explosive Blade · Droplets!
"Kid, this isn't a place to play ninja games."
A Hozuki chunin jumped down, trying to stop him.
"I'm not here to play games."
Ranmaru stretched out his small hand, gripping the hilt, muttering softly as he pulled.
His face turned red, but he couldn't lift it.
"Hahahaha!!"
"This is killing me!"
"..."
The crowd erupted into mocking laughter.
Ranmaru ignored them, whispering: "Cursed Seal—First Stage!"
BOOM!
A terrifying chakra suddenly erupted from him.
In the next instant, his small body swelled rapidly, muscles bulging gray-black like a bodybuilder's physique.
In the blink of an eye, a figure over two meters tall, all muscle and might, stood before everyone.
The only thing unchanged was Ranmaru's little head perched atop the monstrous body.
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