Zabuza Prepares to Resist the Rice

In the end, Araki did not accept the "important mission" mentioned by Karatachi Yagura, nor did he even listen to the specific details of the task.

Because, after beating around the bush with Araki, Karatachi Yagura changed his initial plan. Before leaving, he took a deep look at Araki and said meaningfully:

"You are a clever child; I can tell that you seem to have been very wary of the mission I mentioned. That is fine. In Kirigakure, only those who are cautious can live longer. However."

Yagura turned away, hiding his expression, leaving only a firm voice echoing behind him.

"Please also believe that the goal I and those behind me are striving for is to ensure that our comrades in the village no longer have to live so cautiously."

Clack!

The sound of the door latch echoed, and Yagura was gone.

"Letting the people of Kirigakure live without being so cautious? What a grand goal!"

Araki stretched, picked up his long sword, and muttered to himself while preparing to head out:

"But setting aside whether or not I agree with your methods, I have no intention of getting involved in the power struggles of you high-ranking officials with my current strength! If you want me, wait until I've unlocked a few more demigod swordsmen before coming back!"

By the seaside, it was the same familiar spot.

Araki held his sword in one hand, recalling the techniques of Himura Kenshin.

"The main trick of Dragon Cry Flash is to trigger a resonance in the delicate semicircular canals of the human ear through the sound of the blade, causing the enemy to lose their balance and reveal an opening. To put it plainly, it's just the application of sound waves; the blade and the scabbard are merely tools for producing sound, not necessities."

He flicked his finger against the blade.

Ding!

A faint ringing sound echoed.

"Tch, this move is really not easy to master! Even though my control over my own body is already quite strong, allowing me to precisely manage the force of every flick and make fine adjustments, but..."

Araki scratched his head.

"Logically speaking, this move doesn't distinguish between friend and foe, right? What if I end up wrecking myself during practice..."

"I wonder how the medical standards in Kirigakure are, and if they can treat such subtle injuries."

"Forget it, this move is too dangerous. I should observe Himura Kenshin a few more times, pay attention to whether he has any self-protection maneuvers, and practice other moves first."

Araki placed the sword at his waist, crouched slightly, assumed the stance for a draw-strike, and slowly adjusted his breathing.

Kick off!

Twist the waist!

Swing the arm!

Strike!

Whoosh!

The blade sliced through the air, creating a faint sonic boom and leaving a fresh mark on the stone in front of him.

"Hoo~"

Araki exhaled, carefully feeling the state he had just achieved.

"The force is still not smooth enough, and the speed isn't fast enough! For a draw-strike, if the speed of the attack cannot crush the enemy, then it is meaningless!"

He reset his stance, repeating the drawing motion over and over, leaving one sword mark after another on the stone.

As he practiced, Araki's posture underwent subtle changes, and the sonic boom from his swings began to gradually diminish.

This was a good sign; it meant he was gradually finding a way to exert force and a movement style better suited to himself, and he was also consciously reducing air friction while swinging the blade to increase its speed.

Training time is always dull and tedious, but it is something one must experience to become strong.

Compared to those who struggle for half a lifetime without seeing a future, he already possessed a bright future visible to the naked eye, so what was there to complain about?

As long as he kept moving forward along the right path, that was enough!

The sun set.

Araki dragged his exhausted body back to the ninja academy dormitory, only to find Zabuza leaning against his door, his expression uncertain, as if he had something to say.

"Something up?"

Araki was concise; he was truly exhausted today.

"There is something I think you need to know."

Zabuza gestured for them to go inside.

[I don't care what you think, I only care what I think!]

Araki rolled his eyes: "Fine, come in then!"

Once inside, Araki poured a glass of water, drank it in one gulp, and sat on the bed, looking at Zabuza.

"Speak, what is it?"

Zabuza was not as familiar as Karatachi Yagura; he did not sit on the bed with Araki but stood in front of it, saying in a low voice:

"This afternoon, a jonin claiming to be Karatachi Yagura came to find me..."

The moment Zabuza spoke, Araki immediately knew what he wanted to talk about.

Sure enough, after hitting a wall with him, Karatachi Yagura still followed the original trajectory and went to find Zabuza.

And as expected, that kid Zabuza was swayed by him.

Araki patiently listened to Zabuza finish recounting the whole affair, then asked:

"And then? Why are you coming to me?"

Araki's calmness took Zabuza by surprise. He lowered his head, looked into Araki's eyes, and repeated himself:

"I said, I am going to kill everyone in my graduating class during the final exam!"

"Yes, I heard you. For the sake of the future of Kirigakure, you want to make the higher-ups feel pain, so you are going to kill all your classmates."

Araki's tone grew somewhat impatient: "So, what does any of this have to do with me?"

"Heh, as expected, you really are the most cold-blooded person, Araki!"

Zabuza pulled a hideous smile, recalling his earlier conversation with Karatachi Yagura.

"Kill all the students in the same year? Use blood to wake up those numb and heartless higher-ups?"

Young Zabuza's face was full of shock.

"That's right. Well? Are you willing to accept this mission?"

Karatachi Yagura's face was grave; he assumed Zabuza was intimidated by the sheer bloodiness of the task.

But there was no other way. The pressure to reform the Ninja Academy system was simply too great; unless they caused an earth-shattering incident, no one would pay any attention.

Moreover, he had carefully investigated the students of the preceding and succeeding years, and only Zabuza's class had the lowest average level and the fewest people. Aside from the two geniuses, Araki and Zabuza, there were no highlights to be found in the others, making the cost of sacrifice the smallest.

That was why they had chosen to act this year.

[It's a pity that Araki is too cautious. If Zabuza is also unwilling...]

Karatachi Yagura was just contemplating the worst-case scenario when he heard Zabuza say:

"I am willing, but are you sure you want to kill everyone in the same year? There is one person I might not be able to beat."

Zabuza's expression was somewhat troubled.

"Someone even you can't beat? Oh, you mean Araki? He doesn't count. As long as he doesn't interfere with your actions, you don't need to pay him any mind."

Yagura waved his hand, signaling that Zabuza didn't need to worry about Araki.

"If he insists on intervening, someone will stop him then. You don't need to worry."

"I certainly don't worry that Araki will stop me; he is the most cold-blooded person I have ever met. Other people, even his own classmates, cannot leave a single reflection in his eyes. The only thing he has ever cared about is his own strength."