April 3rd.
The news of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen's rout had not spread. Everyone still had great confidence in the village, feeling that it wouldn't take long to secure victory in this war.
Unfortunately.
The idea is beautiful, but reality is skinny.
"Kicked over the Ninja Swords, love to overcome the high from below. The Mizukage's pupils can't reflect the moonlight, the Blood Mist has descended~"
Casually humming the Kirigakure version of Lonely Warrior, Karatachi Makoto walked unhurriedly out of the clan grounds, heading towards the Police Force.
After returning, he had paid special attention to the situation on the front lines. Sure enough, news had spread from Konoha that Kirigakure had a powerful Swift Release ninja, and they were facing a formidable enemy.
Kirigakure, on the other hand, didn't have much reaction.
Fake news!
Kirigakure has quite a few Kekkei Genkai, but no one has ever heard of a Swift Release Kekkei Genkai.
But regardless of whether it was true or false, as long as it messed with Konoha, it was a good thing!
Seeing that the news didn't cause much of a stir, Karatachi Makoto couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. He returned to his slacking state and became leisurely again.
Well, he was going to be stationed on Aqua Blue Island next, so he had to hand over his duties at the Police Force first.
Although he was just a figurehead slacking off in the Police Force, he still had to go through the procedures. Incidentally, he would go see the Hōzuki Clan to see what kind of stuff that great genius who died young really was.
The era of the Third Great Ninja War could actually be considered an era where geniuses in the Ninja World appeared in a blowout fashion.
Extremely dazzling guys appeared in all five major ninja villages. It could be called a time when heroes shone. Even Kirigakure, with its sparse population, had extremely outstanding guys emerging one after another.
And Hōzuki Mangetsu was undoubtedly a particularly dazzling star among these geniuses.
Unfortunately, he encountered the rise of the 'Second Sage' (Obito) and the descent of the Blood Mist.
Just as he returned to his Police Force captain's office, which he had barely used, he saw a figure already waiting there.
It was a boy who looked only twelve or thirteen years old, with white eyes and white hair, possessing sharp teeth like a shark. Seeing Karatachi Makoto's signature purple eyes, a look of curiosity immediately appeared on his face as he looked him up and down.
"You are Captain Karatachi Makoto?"
"That's right, it's me."
Karatachi Makoto raised his eyebrows, walked carelessly to his seat, sat down, and propped his legs up on the table.
"You are Hōzuki Dalang, Hōzuki Mangetsu?"
"...It's me."
The strange address made Hōzuki Mangetsu pause for a moment, but he still nodded.
Not long ago, his younger brother had just been born, so calling him "Dalang" (Eldest Son) wasn't wrong.
Karatachi Makoto acknowledged with a sound, casually picked up an apple from the table that had been there for who knows how long, and took a bite: "Dalang, I heard you are quite amazing, especially in swordsmanship. You are hailed as a genius rarely seen in a century, and you can even use the Ninja Swords."
A trace of pride flashed across Hōzuki Mangetsu's face.
"I know a thing or two. Thanks to the favor of the elders in the clan, I had the opportunity to study the Ninja Swords."
"Tsk, the treatment of a genius is just different."
Karatachi Makoto chewed the apple and spoke indistinctly, his eyes sweeping over Hōzuki Mangetsu.
How could ordinary people be qualified to touch the Ninja Swords? Those are the lifeblood of the Swordsmen. Only these children of great clans could have the opportunity to get them and play around.
But Mangetsu indeed lived up to the name of a genius.
It was said that within a few days of getting his hands on the Ninja Swords, he wielded them with great vigor, and he could play with every single one of them!
One must know that the Seven Ninja Swords are all different. Each one has unique attributes and usage methods. Even if the Swordsmen used other Ninja Swords, it would be difficult for them to utilize them effectively.
Mangetsu was only eleven or twelve years old, yet he could achieve this. He truly lived up to the name of the [Prodigy Loved by the Ninja Swords].
"Captain Makoto, when do we set off for Aqua Blue Island?"
Hōzuki Mangetsu was eager to try.
He had just graduated not long ago, and it coincided with wartime. Naturally, he was eager to make contributions and prove himself.
"You really want to go to Aqua Blue Island with me?"
Karatachi Makoto tossed the apple core casually, throwing it accurately into the trash can in the corner, and looked at Hōzuki Mangetsu with interest.
"Although that place is a bit far from the main battlefield, it's not exactly a safe zone. Pirates, rogue ninjas, and even spies from other countries are plentiful... What is that look in your eyes!"
"Of course I want to go!"
Hōzuki Mangetsu's eyes lit up: "As a Kirigakure ninja, guarding the frontier is my duty! Moreover, I heard that the sea area near Aqua Blue Island is complex; it's exactly a good place to hone actual combat skills!"
Oh boy.
You just purely want to cut people up, don't you!
Looking at Hōzuki Mangetsu gearing up, looking like he wished he could immediately cut down a few people to prove himself, Karatachi Makoto felt a headache.
He seriously suspected that the old fox, the Third Mizukage, did it on purpose!
Knowing full well that he, Karatachi Makoto, just wanted to find a remote place to continue slacking off, he just had to shove a genius boy onto him, and a sword genius with a vigorous desire for battle at that.
Is this assigning him a subordinate? This is clearly installing a humanoid trouble magnet on him!
"Tsk, young people really have drive."
Karatachi Makoto smacked his lips and stood up lazily from the chair. "Alright then, since Dalang is so active, we'll set off as soon as I finish the paperwork."
Saying he was handling paperwork, it was actually just going to say hello to the Police Force Captain.
The Captain had obviously received the notification long ago. With a wave of his hand, he approved it directly. In his heart, he wished this kid would get lost quickly and stop affecting the morale in the Police Force by slacking off all day.
The procedures were completed quickly, and the two went back to pack their luggage simply.
Going to Aqua Blue Island required taking a boat. Kirigakure had its own port and ships. For a material transit station like Aqua Blue Island, there were basically fixed routes and ships every day.
Arranged for Karatachi Makoto was a medium-sized supply ship. In addition to transporting them and some supplies, it also carried several other rotational garrison ninjas.
The voyage would take about a day.
At first, Hōzuki Mangetsu maintained his excitement and observation of Karatachi Makoto.
But soon he discovered that after boarding the ship, this Captain Makoto did nothing but eat, lie on the simple deck chair he brought himself to sunbathe, or sip a drink while facing the sea, humming out-of-tune songs, looking completely like he was on vacation.
"Captain Makoto, shouldn't we formulate a defense strategy and patrol plan for after we arrive at Aqua Blue Island?"
"Formulate a plan?"
Karatachi Makoto put on sunglasses he had fished out from somewhere: "No rush, you'll know naturally when we get there. Thinking so much now easily causes headaches. Here, try this dried small fish; it goes perfectly with wine."
Hōzuki Mangetsu looked at the oil paper packet handed to him, speechless for a moment.
He took the dried fish and tasted it; the flavor was indeed not bad.
Wait, is this the point?!
"Captain, I heard there are pirates and rogue ninjas appearing near Aqua Blue Island..."
"So?"
"So we should prepare in advance even more!"
"Mm, makes sense."
Karatachi Makoto nodded, then fished out a small booklet from his chest and threw it to Hōzuki Mangetsu.
"Here, this is the island topographic map and patrol records left by the previous garrison captain, as well as a simple chart of the surrounding sea area."
"Since you have so much drive, study it well. Once on the island, the patrol and suppression missions will be handed over to you. I believe in your strength, Dalang. Dealing with some petty thieves will definitely be a piece of cake."