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There were not many people qualified to attend the high-level meeting—fewer than ten in total.

After Kaguya Steel Bone raised his arm to support Karatachi Yagura, Yagura's side had secured four votes. In other words, if they won just one more vote, they would hold the majority and could pass their proposal.

The Third Mizukage could no longer sit still. A difference of one vote was far too unreliable. What if someone suddenly lost their mind and switched sides?

The Third Mizukage's aura surged forth as his aged, clouded yet still sharp gaze swept over the remaining people who had yet to make their choice.

Blood Fang, commander of the Kirigakure Assassination Squad. He was the Third Mizukage's trusted right-hand man, personally promoted by him. As the sharpest blade in his hand, he commanded the most feared department in Kirigakure: the Anbu.

At that moment, Blood Fang was glaring fiercely at Karatachi Yagura and the other two, seemingly considering how to carve up their bodies.

The Third Mizukage nodded in satisfaction at the sight. It seemed Blood Fang was still trustworthy.

He then turned his attention to the next person, Aogiri, the principal of the Ninja Academy.

The Ninja Academy held a rather special position within a shinobi village.

On the grand scale, nearly every registered elite shinobi had come from the Ninja Academy, and it wielded enormous influence over shinobi.

But then again, the Ninja Academy did not actually possess much real authority. It was not even comparable to the Logistics Department, which controlled the two lifelines of supplies and mission assignments.

Thus, it was an honorary position of high standing but little practical significance, more suited for retirement than for wielding power.

Aogiri was precisely such an old man, one who had once made outstanding contributions to Kirigakure. That was why the Third Mizukage had placed him in the position of Ninja Academy principal.

Yet Aogiri's expression at that moment made the Third Mizukage pause slightly.

Aogiri had been born before Kirigakure was founded. He had even lived through the brief era of the First Mizukage's rule—though he had only been a little brat back then.

He had grown through the First Shinobi World War and retired halfway through the Second Shinobi World War. In the Third Mizukage's memory, Aogiri had always looked lazy and slack after becoming principal.

But at this very moment, the light gleaming in his eyes felt unfamiliar to the Third Mizukage, as though they had returned to the days when they fought in the First Shinobi World War under Hozuki Gengetsu's leadership.

Before the Third Mizukage, who was beginning to sense something was wrong, could speak, Aogiri raised his arm high with all his strength, answering the four straight arms on the other side.

The fifth vote!

Karatachi Yagura's faction had taken the upper hand!

The Third Mizukage stared wide-eyed at Aogiri, furious at his betrayal yet unable to understand it.

At Aogiri's age and position, what could Karatachi Yagura possibly have promised him to win him over?

Unfortunately, disasters never came alone. Just as the Third Mizukage was raging over Aogiri's betrayal, Suifeng, the head of the Logistics Department, also raised his arm and cast his vote for Karatachi Yagura.

"You... you all!"

The Third Mizukage clutched his chest and coughed heavily twice. He pointed at the two traitors from his own side, so enraged that he could not speak for a long while.

However, by this point in the meeting, the Third Mizukage's opinion was no longer important to some extent. Having received six votes of support, Karatachi Yagura's proposal passed without dispute.

Elder Genji delivered the final verdict. "I hereby announce that, by decision of the high-level meeting's vote, the current Ninja Academy graduation examination is to be abolished immediately!"

Araki knew nothing of the open and hidden struggle within the Mizukage Building. Though he could guess some of it, he had no desire to meddle too much.

Those in a position should attend to its duties. The proper thing was to focus more on matters directly relevant to oneself.

For example, after defeating Himura Kenshin, he immediately noticed the changes in his body.

"My body feels stronger. My constitution and strength have both clearly improved. Is this the change brought about by absorbing Himura Kenshin? Why didn't I feel such a major difference when I absorbed Asuna?"

Araki felt his strengthened body, somewhat puzzled.

"Could it be because Asuna was merely a virtual character from a game and did not actually have much physical strength? Himura Kenshin, on the other hand, was a true swordsman. His body must have been tempered through countless trials."

After thinking it over, he barely managed to identify the physical difference between Himura Kenshin and Asuna.

"If that's the case, I remember drawing great swordsmen from Pirate King later on. The humans over there have far stronger constitutions than people in the Naruto World. Wouldn't I soar when the time came? Physical ability directly affects chakra reserves. I wonder whether I have the strength of one card now?"

Excitement and anticipation gleamed in Araki's eyes, but he soon felt a little regretful.

"When it comes to physique, the strongest human constitution should belong to Super Pallet Town people! Sadly, none of them practiced swordsmanship. Otherwise, I might be able to withstand all ninjutsu and taijutsu without a scratch, right?"

After indulging in a reasonable fantasy for a while, Araki opened the title page of the [Book of Sword Masters], intending to check his current status panel.

[Name]: Araki (Yachiru)

[Realm]: Sword Heart Initial Clarity

[Sword Skills]: Combo Technique (Stardust Splash), Charge Technique (Flash Thrust), Iaijutsu (Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu), Dragon Cry Flash

[Other]: Chakra Refinement Technique, Clone Technique, Substitution Technique, Transformation Technique

"Mm, Sword Heart Initial Clarity?"

Araki nodded, satisfied with the advancement of his realm.

"Have all skills aside from [Dragon Cry Flash] been integrated into Iaijutsu? That does make things more convenient."

There was nothing particularly novel on the status panel on the title page. After all, it was merely a concrete display of Araki's current strength.

"What should I do next? Now that I've become a genin, I should be assigned to a squad and sent out on missions, right? But only Zabuza and I graduated this year. We can't even make up a three-man team. I wonder how we'll be assigned!"

Araki stretched, picked up the sword at his side, and prepared to go to his usual spot to continue honing his swordsmanship.

"I wonder what level my current strength has reached? Ordinary genin definitely can't compare to me. After all, even Zabuza, known as the Demon, was only so-so. Then what about chunin? Jonin?"

As he let his thoughts wander, he got dressed and prepared to leave.

Just then, a knock sounded at the dormitory door.

"Genin Araki, report to the classroom immediately!"

"Huh?"

Araki pulled open the door and saw a shinobi in a gray vest standing outside. He looked vaguely familiar.

"You are...?"

"I'm a teacher at the academy. The assignment plan for you and Zabuza Momochi has been decided. Hurry to the classroom and collect your forehead protectors. Your team leader should be arriving soon as well."

The man's tone was quite friendly.

"Alright, thank you!"

Araki nodded, carrying a hint of anticipation as he hugged his sword and walked out of the room.