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Midorima wasn't a professional chef, but having lived alone for so long, he had learned to cook decently.
"Just a simple meal—hope you don't mind," Midorima said with a smile.
"Got it," Hōzuki Suigetsu replied, narrowing his eyes as he picked up his chopsticks.
"By the way, where's your brother?" Midorima hadn't forgotten the main reason for his visit.
"You don't know?" Suigetsu blinked.
"If I knew, would I be asking you?" Midorima was tempted to flick Suigetsu's forehead.
"He went to a meeting," Suigetsu said, taking a bite of fish. His eyes narrowed as he spat out the bones through tightly pursed lips.
Huh… That skill of spitting out bones without opening his mouth—wonder if it had anything to do with his jagged teeth.
"What meeting?" Midorima asked.
He remembered running into Kisame on his way back.
Could it be a gathering of the Seven Swordsmen?
"Probably something related to the 'Seven Swordsmen,'" Suigetsu muttered, chewing on his chopsticks as he recalled. "But my brother didn't give me any details. I thought you'd know?"
So, it must be about the selection of new Seven Swordsmen.
Midorima felt a twinge of nervousness. After all, this was an important matter.
The "Bloody Mist Village" was terrifying, but for Midorima, the immediate priority was dealing with the threat from Igawa Bu. In this situation, the status of being one of the Seven Swordsmen was crucial.
"Uh…" Midorima lowered his head and shoveled rice into his mouth. "I think if it involves the Seven Swordsmen, it must be something serious… Hey, don't eat it all! Leave some for me!!"
While Midorima was pondering the Seven Swordsmen's affairs, Suigetsu had already devoured most of the fish on the table. Left with no choice, Midorima poured the remaining broth over his rice and ate it like a soup.
Seeing this, Suigetsu imitated him, drizzling the sauces from the other two dishes into his own bowl. After taking a bite, he gave Midorima a thumbs-up.
Midorima stared at the empty plates and rubbed his forehead. Now he understood why Suigetsu had come over—he was a glutton, too.
How come you eat so much, yet it's never shown in the manga?
As Midorima fretted over food, nearly all the mid-to-high-ranking officials of Kirigakure had gathered in the Mizukage's office for a meeting.
"Now that everyone is here, let's begin," Yagura said, glancing at the attendees. Four of the Seven Swordsmen were present, along with the ANBU commander and vice-commander.
These were the people closest to Yagura.
Hōzuki Mangetsu was the youngest and least experienced among them. Ordinarily, he should have been cautious, but by nature, he was never one to suppress his personality for anyone.
Besides, this meeting had only been called because the Mizukage had accepted his proposal. It was only right that he take the lead.
Hearing Yagura's words, Mangetsu spoke up first.
"It's been three years since our war with Konoha ended, and the village is recovering well. But I still think it's not enough—especially compared to Konoha. During that war three years ago, Konoha fought against three major villages simultaneously, not only holding their ground but also growing stronger. Meanwhile, Kirigakure hasn't even finalized the selection for the Seven Swordsmen. That's far too slow."
"The Seven Swordsmen are the Mizukage's right-hand men, holding a pivotal position in Kirigakure. Every candidate must be chosen with the utmost care," Igawa Bu interjected, unable to hold back.
Mangetsu had spent too much time with Midorima, making him someone to be wary of.
The moment Mangetsu brought up the vacancies in the Seven Swordsmen, Igawa sensed an undercurrent that made him uneasy.
"Your point is very valid, Vice-Commander Igawa," Mangetsu said, narrowing his eyes. "I, too, believe that every candidate must be carefully selected. We can't just let any random person who's completed a few missions with others think they're qualified to join the Seven Swordsmen. That would be unacceptable."
Igawa was taken aback. This… wasn't what he had expected.
"Ahem… You're absolutely right," Igawa conceded, finding no flaw in Mangetsu's words.
"Moreover, I believe that since the position of the Seven Swordsmen is so important, we should set an age limit. Those over forty shouldn't even be considered. The three vacant spots should be contested by the younger generation, to maximize the vitality of our village. After all, in Konoha, there are prodigies who become jōnin at just twelve years old. Kirigakure shouldn't lag behind. Take Zabuza, for example—keeping him in ANBU is a waste. He deserves a bigger stage!"
"What are you implying?!" Igawa slammed the table and stood up. "Are you trying to poach my men?"
"Hah, you should remember—the Seven Swordsmen carry out the highest-level missions for Kirigakure, answering directly to the Mizukage. Are you suggesting that Kirigakure is poaching from you, or that the Mizukage is stealing your subordinates? Igawa Bu, know your place! You are a shinobi of Kirigakure. Without this village, you are nothing!"
Mangetsu had completely torn off the facade.
He had never forgotten how Igawa had targeted his brother, Suigetsu, half a year ago.
"You—!" Igawa pointed angrily at Mangetsu, but as he gradually sensed the shift in the atmosphere, his finger curled inward, finally forming a clenched fist.
Damn it… I've been played.
Igawa gritted his teeth, stealing a glance at Yagura. The newly appointed Mizukage still wore a faint smile, seemingly unaffected by the conflict.
But that very indifference was the most dangerous sign.
The clash between Igawa and Mangetsu didn't disrupt the Mizukage's plans.
Plans?
Wait…
Could it be that the Mizukage had already made up his mind? That he had let Mangetsu raise this topic, while he himself was the one truly pushing for its progress?
Perhaps he was even using this discussion to gauge who among them was untrustworthy.
That was possible…
No—it was highly likely!
If so, then his earlier outburst had only… dug his own grave?
Igawa quickly scanned the room. Everyone, including ANBU Commander Ōgaki Yū, remained silent.
This is bad…
Cold sweat broke out on Igawa's forehead.
He had been too reckless, forgetting to consider the attitudes of those around him.
Of course. The vacancies in the Seven Swordsmen had to be filled—there were seven swords, so there must be seven wielders.
The only reason the positions were still empty was that suitable candidates hadn't been found yet.
The others present didn't care whether the vacancies were filled. What they cared about was who would fill them.
Would it be their enemies? Their allies? Or even their subordinates? Would their own influence grow or diminish?
Exactly!
They weren't here to oppose the selection of new Seven Swordsmen—they didn't even care how the selection was conducted. What mattered was the final lineup.
Realizing this, Igawa wiped the sweat from his brow and forced a smile.
"You're right. I also believe we should select capable young shinobi to join the Seven Swordsmen."
Even though he knew this was Mangetsu's trap, Igawa had no choice but to lower his head and agree.