Ninja Art Selection (Seeking Collection~ Seeking Votes~)

Snake-Ram-Horse-Rabbit-Ram-Horse-Rabbit!

Facing the incoming cold glints, Kisame Hoshigaki quickly formed hand seals and spat a stream of water from his mouth.

"Water Style: Water Prison Technique!"

After the blue water was spat out, it immediately split into two streams that curved backward, forming a spherical water orb that encased Kisame's body.

Pfft, pfft, pfft, pfft!

Araki's longsword slashed against the water prison, splashing droplets of water, but it could never break through that layer of defense. Seeing this, he had no choice but to retract his strike and retreat.

Good grief, you actually managed to use a C-rank Water Prison Technique with the effect of a B-rank Water Formation Wall!

He clicked his tongue inwardly. Is having a massive amount of chakra all it takes to do whatever you want?

Though I don't have a Sharingan to see clearly, that whole "swish-swish-swish" string of seals certainly didn't look like just two or three. I recall the Second Mizukage's Water Formation Wall only requiring one or two seals.

Could it be that you were the one who taught Zabuza that 44-seal Water Dragon Technique?

After Araki retreated, the water swirling around Kisame gradually dissipated. He nodded with a hint of approval:

"Your technique is quite good, it's just that your power is a bit lacking."

Damn, why does that sound so familiar? It sounds exactly like how I used to show off to others!

Araki reviewed the sword techniques he currently possessed. His consecutive slash techniques were useless due to the absolute gap in strength between him and Kisame, and a simple draw-strike lacked the power to break through Kisame's Water Style defense.

As for Dragon Cry Flash, it caused irreversible damage, and he had no idea if the medical ninjas in Kirigakure could treat it, so he couldn't use that move on his own people for now.

After running through his options, he realized he truly had no way to deal with Kisame.

At this moment, Zabuza also arrived. He had recognized his own limits earlier than Araki; Kisame hadn't even needed to use ninjutsu when facing him.

"Alright, looking at your expressions, you've both realized your limits. I have a rough understanding of your strength now, so let's end the battle here."

Kisame called a halt to the sparring.

"You haven't chosen your ninjutsu yet, have you? Do you need some advice from me?"

"Of course we do, Captain!"

The two nodded hurriedly.

"Very well."

Kisame dispersed the lake beneath his feet and pulled two small slips of paper from his robes, handing them over.

"This is chakra paper. It can test the chakra nature within your bodies. Just channel your chakra into it; go ahead and test it."

Taking the slips of paper, which were only half the size of a palm, the two injected their respective chakra.

The paper in Araki's hand underwent three different changes: one part became damp, one part wrinkled, and then the entire slip was sliced down the middle.

"Hmm? Your chakra talent is quite impressive. You actually have Water, Wind, and Lightning affinities!"

Kisame, watching from the side, spoke up in praise.

"Then, Captain, how should I choose my ninjutsu based on my fighting style?" Araki asked, looking up.

"I see that your speed is high and your sword skills are proficient. While your strength isn't bad, it's not exactly overwhelming, so you must be following a speed-based sword style, right?"

After receiving Araki's nod of confirmation, Kisame suggested:

"In that case, among D-rank ninjutsu, you can choose the Body Flicker Technique to enhance your speed advantage. Then, a C-rank ninjutsu like Gale Palm or Wind Cutter can strengthen your offensive power. Add a D-rank Water Replacement Technique for self-defense, and that should be about enough."

"If you want to diversify your tactics, you could also choose the C-rank Water Clone, though there aren't any D-rank ninjutsu that directly boost your attack power."

Araki asked with some confusion after listening: "Is the Body Flicker Technique a D-rank ninjutsu?"

Why did it feel like such a high-level technique to him?

"Of course. The simplest Body Flicker Technique is just a taijutsu skill that controls chakra to burst in a specific direction under your feet; it's not that hard to learn. What you likely find difficult are the advanced versions like the Water Body Flicker or Lightning Body Flicker," Kisame explained patiently.

It had to be said that as a captain, Kisame was quite competent; he explained everything that needed to be taught and advised with great clarity.

"What about me, Captain?"

Zabuza held up his chakra paper, which had become completely soaked, and asked.

"Hmm, you only have a Water affinity. In that case, I suggest you choose the C-rank Water Clone to enrich your tactical repertoire."

"Unlike Araki, your strength, speed, and technique aren't enough to give you a massive advantage in close-quarters combat immediately. Therefore, using more flexible tactics to find an enemy's opening is what you should focus on strengthening. Based on this direction, you could also choose the D-rank Hidden Mist Technique; it has a very wide range of tactical applications."

"For your final D-rank ninjutsu, you could also choose the Body Flicker Technique to increase your agility."

Kisame recalled Zabuza's performance earlier and offered his recommendations.

Zabuza nodded. Although Kisame's words bluntly pointed out that he was inferior to Araki, he wasn't discouraged. He knew he could still obtain a high-level ninjutsu from Karatachi Yagura, an advantage Araki did not possess.

"Then, if I also want to strengthen my attack power, are there any C-rank or B-rank ninjutsu that are particularly effective?" Zabuza pressed.

Kisame glanced at him with some surprise, seemingly not expecting him to have the connections to acquire higher-level ninjutsu. However, Kisame was never one to meddle in others' affairs. Besides, the stronger his subordinates were, the safer the squad would be when executing missions.

"There aren't many Water Style ninjutsu with high destructive power. The only one that meets your requirements is likely the B-rank Water Dragon Technique. Other high-power Water Style techniques are basically A-rank or have specific requirements regarding one's constitution," Kisame thought for a moment and advised.

Speaking of which, Kirigakure's situation is quite pathetic. Even though ninety percent of the village's ninjas possess the Water affinity and should logically be the most proficient in Water Release ninjutsu, the person who wields the strongest Water Release in the world does not hail from here, but is instead the Second Hokage of the Land of Fire. It is simply absurd.

Furthermore, many high-powered Water Release techniques were developed by the Second Hokage himself, which the ninjas of Kirigakure do not even know how to perform, leaving Zabuza with very few options.

"A B-rank Water Dragon Bullet? Thank you, Captain."

With a goal in mind, Zabuza's entire demeanor became much more spirited.

"There is no need for thanks; let's call it a day here!"

Kisame waved his hand. "Go and exchange for these ninjutsu scrolls now. Afterward, I will lead you through a few simple missions within the village to help you familiarize yourselves with those techniques. In one month, we will begin taking missions outside the village. Meet at the Mission Assignment Desk tomorrow morning!"

"Yes, Captain!" *2

Araki and Zabuza responded with great vigor.

"Alright, dismissed."