Persuasion

On the first day of the new year, Kanna got up early, tidied her clothes, checked her ninja tools, and then set off for the examination hall.

Though this Chunin Exam held unusual significance within Kirigakure, it wasn't a world-class event. It couldn't compare to the joint exams Naruto and the others had taken, so the Mizukage had invited only a few representatives to observe. There weren't many people.

The exam was being held at the same venue as the one two years earlier. Half an hour later, Kanna arrived.

After entering, Kanna glanced around. Amayuri and the others were already in place. The Third Mizukage and several department heads were seated on the platform. Of them, Kanna knew only Ao and Long, the proctors for the first two tests. There was also a ninja who looked like a boy: Yagura.

There was another familiar face among the representatives: Hozuki Mangetsu. When Kanna noticed him, he even nodded in greeting.

A little while later, the Third Mizukage checked the time and stood up.

"Almost everyone is here. Now, will the four candidates please come forward?"

Kanna and the others stepped out and lined up in the middle of the room.

Looking at the four young faces below, the Third Mizukage nodded approvingly and said slowly, "The Chunin Exam is an important test of a ninja's overall abilities. It will also be the last formal examination of your ninja careers, so please cherish this opportunity."

"Yes!" the four answered loudly.

The Third Mizukage smiled. "Although the examination system has changed from previous years, the specific rules remain the same. You'll draw lots and fight in pairs, with the winners advancing to the final match. Your ability to become Chunin will be judged by the various skills you display in battle. Victory or defeat is only one factor to consider. I'll leave you to reflect on the rest."

A stern-looking middle-aged ninja carried a box of slips over to the four and gestured for them to draw. The Mizukage continued, "The slips contain your examination numbers. Number one will face number two, and number three will face number four. The first two matches will be held this afternoon, and the final match will take place three days from now, giving the winners enough time to rest."

While the Mizukage spoke, Kanna had already drawn a slip: number three.

The middle-aged ninja checked the four slips, leaped onto the platform, and nodded to the Mizukage.

"Very well. Your proctor will now explain the rules." The Mizukage stepped aside and returned to his seat.

"I'm your proctor, Kuga Enji."

Kuga Enji was an unremarkable-looking middle-aged ninja, but his words rang out with force. His voice sounded as if blades were scraping in his throat, inspiring awe as soon as he spoke.

"In this examination, number one, Fuyuki Sanzenryo, will face number two, Linqin Yu Yuli. Number three, Kanna, will face number four, Momochi Zabuza. The rules are as follows: One, you may not attack an opponent who is unable to fight back. Two, surrendering means an immediate loss and ends the match. Three, you may not use the Seven Ninja Swords. Four, if a special situation arises—for instance, if a candidate loses consciousness—the proctor will make a judgment, and the candidate must obey the proctor's orders. If the proctor signals a halt, you must stop and retreat immediately. Failure to do so means a loss. That's all. Any questions?"

This was the second time Kanna had heard the rule "You may not use the Seven Ninja Swords." Honestly, he felt like laughing.

But the rule was indeed fair. Take Kanna, for example. If he were ruthless enough, he could use his father's name to ask the Seven Ninja Swordsmen to lend him a weapon. It wasn't impossible, especially with so many people overseeing the exam. There'd be no risk of the weapon disappearing.

Of the Seven Ninja Swords, the Executioner's Blade could regenerate after being broken, but had no other special abilities. The Longsword: Needle was an unusual needle-shaped weapon that most people wouldn't know how to use. Those two might not make much difference in the Chunin Exam, but the others were another matter. Some could absorb chakra, others could bypass defenses; some came with Lightning Release, others with Explosion Release. In short, wielding one would make your combat strength shoot up.

Kanna thought that in a few years, once Kirigakure's Jinchuriki had grown stronger, they should add another rule: "Jinchuriki may not transform into Tailed Beast forms." Only then would it be fair.

Naturally, no one had any objections to the rules. The proctor offered a few brief words of encouragement, then Kanna and the others returned to the waiting room the organizers had prepared for them, where they would wait for the staff to finish their final inspection of the venue.

In Room 0, Kanna sat quietly for a while. After confirming that his jutsu and ninja tools were all in order, he began to feel restless and decided to visit Amayuri in the next room.

As he opened the door, Fuyuki happened to hurry past in the corridor, looking a little grim. When they met eyes, Fuyuki managed a smile, nodded, and continued on his way.

"What's going on?" Kanna couldn't make heads or tails of it.

Fuyuki Sanzenryo had struck him as a gentleman who strictly followed his own ninja way: he wouldn't bother others unless they bothered him first. Why would such a nice guy suddenly lose his temper for no reason?

"Haha, I must be so strong that he's feeling the pressure." Kanna joked with himself. Just as he was about to step outside, the corner of his eye caught several ninjas coming around the bend in the corridor.

At their head was a young ninja in casual clothes. He strode up to Amayuri's door and knocked.

Fuyuki stopped and looked back at the young man, his expression complicated.

The young ninja seemed to sense the look. He turned around and smiled politely.

Kanna furrowed his brow, quietly closed the door, and used the Mayfly Technique to slip into the partition between Rooms 2 and 3. He peered out through the ceiling of Amayuri's room, wanting to see what was going on.

Next door, Amayuri had already ushered the ninjas inside. The two sides began talking.

"Who are you?" Amayuri asked coolly.

"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Hayashinaka Jubei," the young ninja said calmly.

"Hayashinaka Clan?" Amayuri's eyebrows shot up. She stared at Jubei and said coldly, "Are you here to cause trouble?"

Hayashinaka Jubei sat down without waiting to be invited. The other ninjas spread out around the room.

"I had a younger brother," Jubei said to himself, his eyes vacant and his voice distant. "His name was Hayashinaka Shigure. Everyone said he was a good kid..."

Amayuri didn't interrupt. She merely sneered and said nothing.

"Unfortunately, my good little brother was killed by you." Jubei let out a long sigh, then changed the subject, saying something neither Amayuri nor Kanna had expected.

"Our Hayashinaka Clan had intended to hold you responsible, but what happened between you and Shigure was a personal matter. So, in my capacity as a representative of the Hayashinaka Clan, I'm here to tell you that our personal dispute can be set aside for now. How we resolve it later is a matter for the future."

Amayuri spoke up, her voice indifferent. "What does that have to do with me? Do whatever you want."

Jubei wasn't offended. He continued slowly, "I came to speak with you about something more important. You probably know that the Third Mizukage favors an electoral system like Konoha's. What do you think of that?"

Amayuri repeated herself. "What does that have to do with me?"

"Of course it has something to do with you!" Jubei said emphatically, his expression turning serious. "How could one method possibly solve every problem in different villages? The Mizukage may have his own views, but as members of Kirigakure, there are times when we have to make our voices heard!"

Amayuri's lips moved, but she said nothing.

"Perhaps you think all our clans are selfish, that whenever one of our members is attacked, we retaliate at any cost." Jubei smiled wryly, his voice full of regret. "But when it comes to matters that affect the village's fate, we're not so foolish as to ignore everything else and fixate on personal grudges. In our view, a village led by one person may be efficient, but it will inevitably be limited by that person's perspective. Just as you see the Hayashinaka Clan differently from everyone else, people make choices based on their own preferences, ideas of right and wrong, and values. They'll always make the choices that benefit them."

"Kirigakure may not be as powerful as Konoha, but it's still one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, an organization at the peak of the Shinobi World. No one person can completely control a village like this. That's why the village established an elders' council and the Mizukage selects advisors. Now, the Third Mizukage is completely disregarding our opinions and forcing through a new system. What do you think about that?"

"If you're here to talk to me about whether the Mizukage is right or wrong, I'm afraid I can't help you." Amayuri pointed to the door. "Don't let me keep you."

Jubei fell silent for a moment, then stood up.

"Because you and Kanna slaughtered candidates during the exam, the Third Mizukage is planning to cancel your applications for promotion to Chunin. Did you know? The two of you are going to become a symbol for the village. Everyone is watching to see whether the old system will continue or the new one will break through the status quo. They want to see what the Mizukage will do with you."

"Regardless of what you think of us clan members, you must have felt it by now, haven't you? When one person has complete authority, terrible things can happen. Are you willing to see the fairness of the exam sacrificed for a system whose benefits and harms remain uncertain?"

Amayuri closed her eyes, unmoved.

Jubei put a hand on the doorknob and said one last thing. "I hope that regardless of whether you or Fuyuki Sanzenryo wins, you'll lose to Kanna in the final match. After that, all the clans will call an Upper Ninja meeting and vote for you and Kanna, so you can become Chunin."

When Amayuri gave no response, Jubei shook his head helplessly and left with his subordinates.

Meanwhile, once Kanna saw that the conversation was over, he withdrew his jutsu and sat on the sofa, lost in thought.

Had the conflict between the Mizukage and the clans grown this serious? Were the clans really daring to interfere with the Chunin Exam, trying to force him and Amayuri—two candidates already marked for disqualification—into becoming Chunin?

Jubei had made his point very clearly. Perhaps the clans lacked the foresight to know whether the new system would lead to a better future. But could the Third Mizukage really be certain that his judgment was sound?

That was hard to argue against. Jubei had made points on both sides. What was Kanna supposed to say?

His father was a loyal supporter of the Mizukage, so Kanna should also belong to the reformists represented by the Mizukage. And Jubei and the others, who wanted to preserve the old system, were naturally his enemies. In his experience, weren't enemies usually insane people who believed they were right and would stop at nothing?

But Jubei had just said it himself: Sure, they might be wrong, but the Third Mizukage could be wrong too. Why wouldn't he listen to their opinions? And if things went wrong, who would be held responsible?

Would the Mizukage take responsibility? How? Step down? Even if he did, and someone else became Mizukage, the damage to the village would already be done. How could that be undone?

Kanna was troubled. Jubei's next target might be him. If the man came at him with the same argument, how was he supposed to respond?

If the pressure from the clans forced the Third Mizukage to promote him and Amayuri to Chunin, then he wouldn't be the bold Mizukage who dared to create a new system. Kanna had no doubt about that. But the problem was that he really thought Jubei made a lot of sense.

Kanna also remembered what the Juvenile Correction Center's warden, Gotō Shinnosuke, had once told him. He'd warned Kanna never to look at things only from his own perspective, but to seek common ground while respecting differences. Even his father, Tokiomi, didn't want him getting involved in the village's conflicts too soon, because Tokiomi knew that there was a right and a wrong side to everything, no matter who was involved or what it was about. How could a ninja who hadn't fully understood himself make a choice so lightly?

"Neither coming nor going, neither death nor life. Only at the center. Only those who truly see through their own hearts and touch the 'God of the Center' can declare what path they want to take."

What did Kanna want? Honestly, he didn't know. For now, he was happy just living freely and studying ninjutsu in peace. But he still hadn't figured out what he truly wanted, or what ninja way he truly wished to pursue.

Time passed, but Jubei never came to see him. Kanna was puzzled, but also relieved. Jubei was far too skilled at talking people around, and Kanna wasn't sure he could withstand it. Maybe it was better that he didn't come. Kanna would just deal with things as they came.

Meanwhile, Zabuza and Fuyuki Sanzenryo had also run into people who could bring them to heel.

Inside Room 4, Zabuza stood to one side. In front of him was a tall, heavily built man with orange hair tied up in a topknot and a massive bandage-wrapped sword on his back.

"It's only an exam. Just withdraw when the time comes," the big man said calmly.

Zabuza replied coldly, "If I'm strong enough, why should I give up? Are you trying to undermine the fairness of the Chunin Exam, Lord Fuguki?"

Suikazan Fuguki was one of the top ninjas among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, wielding Samehada, and one of the heads of the Intelligence Department. He held considerable power in Kirigakure. Even though Zabuza resented him, he didn't dare show it. Fuguki was in a completely different league.

"This exam was never fair to begin with," Fuguki said coolly. "What's the second rule in the first chapter of the Ninja Code? Say it!"

Zabuza furrowed his brow and replied, "Obey your superiors without question."

"Exactly. Obey your superiors." Fuguki walked past Zabuza and headed for the door. "I've temporarily transferred your file to the Intelligence Department. From now on, you're my subordinate. Once the Chunin Exam is over, the Anbu will come pick you up. So follow my orders and withdraw. Understand?"

Zabuza's face stiffened. He clenched his fists and bowed his head.

Just how chaotic had things gotten inside Kirigakure? He was supposed to be one of the Mizukage's men, yet Suikazan Fuguki could forcibly transfer his file?

It was true that Anbu were often reassigned to other departments after a while, but how long had Zabuza even been in the Anbu?

Those few words were enough for Zabuza to realize there was more to this than met the eye—much more. At the very least, it was beyond his reach.

With no choice, Zabuza answered, stifling his resentment. "Yes."

Fuguki nodded and left the room without another word.

Inside Room 1, Fuyuki Sanzenryo stared at Yagura in disbelief and blurted out, "Why? Lord Yagura, why would you too..."

Yagura smiled faintly and said softly, "Authority in Kirigakure belongs to the community as a whole. So when the community disagrees on an issue, it should be set aside for the time being and discussed properly, until everyone is satisfied with the result."

Fuyuki said glumly, "But I don't think the Third Mizukage's new policies are wrong."

"The Third Mizukage is old," Yagura said calmly. "Old men are always stubborn. We're not trying to oppose him. We just hope he'll listen to everyone's opinions a little more."

Fuyuki still seemed uncertain. "Does everyone think the Third Mizukage is wrong this time?"

Yagura didn't answer. Instead, he said, "The Third Mizukage once accompanied the First Mizukage to the First Five Kage Summit, so Hashirama, the First, had a great influence on him. He's always hoped to develop Kirigakure into a village like Konoha."

Fuyuki murmured, "Wouldn't that be a good thing? I've heard that in Konoha, everyone..."

"It's different!"

Yagura suddenly turned serious and interrupted him. "It's different! Geography, customs, and all kinds of other differences mean that people have different ideas. That's why different villages follow different ninja ways! How can different ninja ways possibly follow the same policies?"

Fuyuki's expression shifted. In the end, he sighed.

Yagura had taught him ninjutsu and been his mentor. Fuyuki was only a Genin; of course Yagura had a better understanding of things. So he decided to follow Yagura's orders.

"I... I understand. I'll withdraw."

Inside the examination hall, on the platform...

An Anbu ninja came to Tokiomi and whispered something in his ear.

Tokiomi's expression shifted slightly. He gestured for the Anbu to leave, then said quietly to the Third Mizukage, "They're trying to manipulate the exam."

"I know," the Third Mizukage replied expressionlessly.

"Aren't you going to do something?" Tokiomi drew a deep breath and said hoarsely, "If my guess is right, they want Amayuri and Kanna to become Chunin. I can persuade him to withdraw."

The Third Mizukage smiled silently and shook his head.

"There's no need. No matter how much you restrict someone's freedom or control their actions, you can't change their heart."

"If some people oppose me, then others are bound to support me. If my opponents give me one unit of resistance, my supporters will give me a hundred units of help. Every reform comes with growing pains. This small obstacle won't defeat me, so don't worry."

"Kanna is a good kid. Don't let him get involved in this. We're all old. The new generation will be the pillars of the village's future. I hope they'll understand why I'm taking away their chance to become Chunin..."

"I hope so." Tokiomi sighed in sympathy. "Whoever becomes Chunin in this exam will be dragged into the village's struggle. Asking them to choose a side now really is asking too much of them."

"Ninjas from the same village shouldn't be so openly divided. The people in this village have been fighting among themselves for far too long. I'd hoped I could be like Hashirama, the First, and persuade everyone through my own character, rather than force. I wanted them to let go of their grievances. I suppose you could call it the last wish of an old man in the final stretch of his life."

The Mizukage voiced what was in his heart, with a sense of calm acceptance.

Clang! The bell rang. All the staff left the arena, and the exam was about to begin.