With Chojuro's announcement, Ranmaru, wielder of the Explosive Blade · Droplets, officially became one of the new Mist Seven Swordsmen.
And just like that, he returned to his harmless childlike form.
A bright smile spread across his face as he clutched the blade's hilt with both hands, dragging it awkwardly toward the row of five chairs.
The scene was almost comical, but no one watching laughed as they had earlier.
Strength, wherever it appeared, always earned respect.
A Hozuki chunin hurried over, his face respectful as he addressed Ranmaru:
"Ranmaru-dono, this is a sealing scroll. You can store the Explosive Blade · Droplets inside, and summon it again when needed in battle."
Ranmaru-dono?!
Hearing this, his face flushed red instantly, his whole body stiff with nervousness. Never in his life had anyone called him "dono."
Sensing his unease, the chunin said no more. The title wasn't wrong—once Ranmaru inherited the name of "Mist Seven Swordsmen," his status had already changed.
The title carried not only proof of strength, but also proof of standing in the village.
The chunin demonstrated three hand seals slowly, then repeated them, ensuring the boy remembered. He placed the scroll into Ranmaru's hands and stepped back.
Ranmaru followed the motions carefully, pressing the scroll to the sword.
POOF!
The Explosive Blade vanished, a large kanji for "sword" now marked the scroll.
Ranmaru's eyes lit up in delight. He hugged the scroll tight to his chest, terrified someone might take it.
Watching, Chojuro felt cold sweat slide down his forehead. Clearly, this boy lacked even the most basic shinobi knowledge. Someone would have to fix that soon.
"Kid, I didn't think you had that kind of strength. Really unexpected."
Ringo Ameyuri appeared at his side, eyes shining with excitement.
Ranmaru shuffled a little closer to Chojuro, uneasy around the older sister who had slain Kurosuki Raiga.
The selection continued, but beyond Ameyuri and Ranmaru, no one else passed.
As for Hozuki Suigetsu, he was eventually found, but he refused to settle for anything but the Executioner's Blade. Unless defeated by Zabuza, he would never accept the Blunt Blade · Kabutowari.
The Hozuki jonin could only sigh. Still, seeing that the Thunder Blade and Explosive Blade were already chosen, his clan wasn't troubled. Those elements didn't match their bloodline anyway.
Long Blade · Stitch and Blunt Blade · Kabutowari remained, but for the Hozuki, that wasn't critical. Their clan must always claim at least one seat among the Seven. If not for Yuto personally bringing Suigetsu back, and the clan head naming him as their candidate, they might already have moved to claim another blade.
...
Mizukage's Office.
As the Seven Swordsmen selection neared its end, Yuto and Mei Terumi's discussions also wrapped up.
A Kinoshita Clan elder slowly rose, bowing deeply.
"Since everything is settled, Yuto-dono, Mizukage-sama, I will take my leave."
With a sigh, he turned and departed.
Once he was gone, Mei clapped her hands lightly.
Two ANBU entered, dragging in Kinoshita Jiro.
The man's face was ashen. Mei looked at him coldly.
"You must have heard our conversation. You should have no objections."
Kinoshita Jiro nodded blankly. From the moment of his defeat, he knew death was certain. Only how and when remained.
"You have two paths: refuse, or accept. Both end in death—but the outcomes are very different. You understand."
Her tone stayed flat.
Yuto sat nearby, curious, watching Jiro closely.
One path meant dying as a missing-nin, a disgrace.
The other, perhaps, dying as a hero—but only perhaps. Fail, and he would still be executed as a missing-nin.
It would all come down to the Kinoshita leader's skill.
Jiro was silent for a long moment. Dying as a missing-nin would stain his clan, but not destroy it.
The other choice carried the chance of complete ruin—or the chance to raise the Kinoshita Clan higher than ever before.
His gaze flicked toward Yuto. If successful, their clan could rise as the greatest in the Mist.
Finally, his eyes hardened, the light of a true clan head returning.
"I have no choice, do I?"
A small laugh left his lips as he met Mei's gaze.
"Worthy of a clan leader."
She tossed him a scroll.
"This contains the details. Read it, then destroy it. You have ten minutes to prepare."
Jiro scanned the scroll, eyes flashing briefly in surprise, though his face stayed neutral.
Minutes later, he sealed the scroll shut, and in front of them both, destroyed it.
"Land of Waves, is it…"
He muttered, then leapt out the window, vanishing.
Ten minutes later.
CLAP! CLAP!
Mei's hands struck together, face stern.
SHOOSH!
Ten ANBU materialized in the room.
"Announce to the shinobi world: the Kinoshita Clan head has gone missing. Any who provide information on Kinoshita Jiro will be rewarded with the bounty of an S-class missing-nin."
Her voice rang cold across the Mizukage's office.
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