In the end, Araki did not accept the "important mission" Karatachi Yagura had mentioned. He did not even let Yagura explain what the mission actually entailed.
After circling around Araki for a while, Karatachi Yagura changed his initial plan. Before leaving, he gave Araki a long, meaningful look and said:
"You're a smart child. I can tell that you've been deeply wary of the mission I mentioned. That's fine. In Kirigakure, only the careful and cautious can live longer. But."
Yagura turned away, hiding his expression. Only his firm voice remained.
"I also hope you can believe that the goal I—and the people behind me—are striving for is to ensure that the village's companions no longer have to live so cautiously."
Click!
The door lock sounded, and Yagura left for good.
"Letting the people of Kirigakure stop living so cautiously? What a grand goal!"
Araki stretched, picked up his longsword, and thought to himself as he prepared to head out:
But setting aside whether I even agree with your methods, with my current strength, I have no desire to get involved in the power games of you higher-ups so early! Come find me after I've unlocked a few demigod swordsmen!
By the sea, it was the same familiar place.
Holding his sword in one hand, Araki recalled Himura Kenshin's previous technique.
"The core of Dragon Cry Flash is using the blade's ringing to resonate with the fragile semicircular canals in a person's ears, causing the enemy to lose their balance and expose an opening. Put simply, it is the use of sound waves. The sword blade and scabbard are merely tools for producing the sound, not necessities."
He flicked the blade with a bent finger.
Ting!
A faint sword chime rang out.
"Tch, this move really isn't easy to master! Even though my control over my body is already strong enough to precisely regulate the force I use each time I flick the sword and make minute adjustments, still..."
Araki scratched his head.
"By all rights, this move should affect friend and foe alike, shouldn't it? What if I cripple myself while practicing it..."
"I wonder how advanced Kirigakure's medical care is. Can it treat such subtle injuries?"
"Forget it. This move is too dangerous. I need to experience it a few more times through Himura Kenshin and see whether he has any protective movements. I'll practice other techniques first."
Araki held the blade at his waist, bent his knees into a half-crouch, assumed the stance for Draw-Cut, and slowly adjusted his breathing.
He pushed off with his legs!
He twisted his waist!
He swung his arm!
He slashed!
Whoosh~
The sword cleaved through the air, producing a faint sonic boom and leaving a fresh mark on the rock ahead.
"Hoo~"
Araki exhaled and carefully felt out his state from moments ago.
"My exertion is still not smooth enough, and my speed isn't fast enough either! For Draw-Cut, if the speed of the strike cannot overwhelm the enemy, then it has no meaning at all!"
He resumed the same stance and repeatedly practiced drawing his sword, leaving one sword mark after another on the rock.
As he continued training, subtle changes appeared in Araki's stance, while the sonic booms from his swings gradually grew quieter.
This was a good thing. It meant he was gradually finding methods and movements better suited to his own exertion of force. He was also consciously reducing air resistance as he swung the blade, making his sword faster.
Training was always dull and tedious, but it was something one had to endure to become strong.
Compared to those who worked hard their entire lives yet still could not see the path ahead, he already possessed a bright future visible to the naked eye. What was there to complain about?
He only needed to keep moving forward along the right path!
The sun set in the west.
Araki dragged his exhausted body back to the ninja academy dormitory, only to find Zabuza leaning against his door. Zabuza's expression shifted uncertainly, as though he had something to say.
"Something wrong?"
Araki kept it brief. He was truly tired today.
"There's something I think you need to know."
Zabuza gestured for them to go inside before talking.
I don't care what you think. What matters is what I think!
Araki rolled his eyes. "Fine, then come in!"
After entering, Araki poured himself a cup of water, drained it in one gulp, then sat on the bed and looked at Zabuza.
"Go on. What is it?"
Zabuza was not as familiar and informal as Karatachi Yagura. He did not sit on the bed beside Araki, but stood before it and said quietly:
"This afternoon, a jonin who claimed to be Karatachi Yagura came to see me..."
The moment Zabuza began speaking, Araki immediately knew what he wanted to discuss.
Sure enough, after receiving a soft rejection from Araki, Yagura had still gone to find Zabuza according to the original course of events.
And, just as expected, Zabuza had been persuaded by him.
Araki patiently listened as Zabuza finished recounting the entire matter, then asked:
"And? Why did you come to me?"
Araki's calmness surprised Zabuza. Zabuza lowered his head, looked into Araki's eyes, and repeated himself:
"I said I'm going to kill everyone in our class during the graduation exam!"
"Yes, I heard you. For Kirigakure's future, you want the higher-ups to feel pain, so you're going to kill all your classmates."
Araki's tone was somewhat impatient. "So? What does any of that have to do with me?"
"Heh heh. Sure enough, Araki, you're the coldest one of all!"
Zabuza forced out an ugly smile, recalling his earlier conversation with Karatachi Yagura.
"Kill every student in your class? Use blood to awaken those numb and indifferent higher-ups?"
The young Zabuza's face was full of shock.
"Yes. So, what do you think? Are you willing to accept this mission?"
Karatachi Yagura wore a grave expression. He thought Zabuza had been frightened by the bloody nature of the task.
But there was no other way. The pressure to reform the ninja academy system was simply too great. If they did not cause some earth-shattering incident, no one would pay attention.
Moreover, he had carefully investigated the ninja academy students of the preceding and following classes. Only Zabuza's class had the poorest average standard and fewer students. Apart from the two geniuses, Araki and Zabuza, the others had no noteworthy qualities at all. The cost of sacrifice would be the lowest.
That was why they had chosen to act this year.
It's a pity that Araki is overly cautious. If Zabuza is unwilling too...
Karatachi Yagura was considering the worst-case scenario when Zabuza said:
"I am willing, but are you sure you want to kill everyone in my class? There's one person I might not be able to beat."
Zabuza looked troubled.
"Someone even you can't defeat? Oh, you mean Araki? He isn't included. As long as he does not interfere with your actions, you do not need to concern yourself with him."
Yagura waved his hand, signaling that Zabuza need not think too much about Araki.
"If he insists on interfering, someone will stop him when the time comes. You needn't worry."
"Of course I'm not worried that Araki will stop me. He's the coldest person I've ever met. No one else—not even his classmates—can leave the slightest reflection in his eyes. The only thing he has ever cared about is his own strength."
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