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The List of The "ANBU" Member:
-Lord_Clamiral
-Cain
-Shahzaam
-Goha21
-Jacob Mooe
-Varun Madhu
-Sombra Rey
-Ruzzzy
-Notraa
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-heavenascendance
-sean collins
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"Since no one has any objections, I'll share my thoughts as well." Yagura crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. "I haven't been the Mizukage for long, but as a 'veteran' among Kirigakure's shinobi, I'm well aware of the village's flaws... If we want Kirigakure to progress further, we can't ignore these issues. For instance, the cultivation of talent—especially those with Kekkei Genkai—is crucial. These shinobi are rare treasures for our village."
"However, Kekkei Genkai can also destabilize the village in some ways," Ōgaki Yū interjected, staring at the tea leaves floating in his cup. "If they were to band together and cause trouble, we'd have a serious problem on our hands. Hunting down rogue Kekkei Genkai users is always a headache. If it were up to me, I'd expel all of them. After all, our village is remote—we don't need overly powerful shinobi. Stability is far more important."
The ANBU commander's stance stood in direct opposition to Yagura's.
"Did you hold this same opinion during the Third Mizukage's reign?" Yagura asked quietly, eyeing the sixty-year-old commander.
"Yes. However, the Third Mizukage believed the matter shouldn't be rushed," Ōgaki replied solemnly.
"I see. Still," Yagura said dismissively, "the issue of Kekkei Genkai is complex and can't be resolved in a day or two. Moreover, some Kekkei Genkai users hold high-ranking positions in Kirigakure. Wouldn't they oppose such measures?"
"They shouldn't," Ōgaki countered. "I've reviewed the shinobi registry—there are only about sixty Kekkei Genkai users left."
Yagura's brow twitched slightly. "So few remain? But this affects more than just them. Let's focus on selecting the 'Seven Swordsmen' first, then revisit this issue afterward."
"Very well," Ōgaki nodded. "However... I hope no Kekkei Genkai users are chosen for the Seven Swordsmen. Otherwise, dealing with them later will become... problematic."
"What are you implying? Since when does ANBU have a say in who joins the Seven Swordsmen?" A green-haired shinobi slammed his fist on the table, glaring at Ōgaki.
"Raiga Kurosuki, do you think I fear you?" Ōgaki sneered.
Raiga chuckled and stood up. "I don't need a dead man to fear me. After this meeting, Ōgaki, let's have a... proper discussion."
"I—I have other matters to attend to," Ōgaki stammered, his face paling. "I barely made time for this meeting as it is..."
"If you're so busy, why call a meeting at all? ANBU could've just sent a representative," Raiga scoffed, picking at his ear.
Ōgaki slammed the table again. "Don't push your luck! If I weren't pressed for time, you wouldn't dare act so arrogantly!"
Raiga whistled mockingly.
"Enough," Yagura coughed, cutting off the escalating tension.
He genuinely feared Raiga might impulsively run Ōgaki through.
It wasn't that Ōgaki was weak—he was simply too old.
"Raiga didn't mean anything by it. He's just saying the selection shouldn't have preconditions. As for Kekkei Genkai... it's not an urgent matter. Look at Konoha—their strength is partly due to Kekkei Genkai. Even the Uchiha, who once feuded with the Senju, now contribute to Konoha's power. If Konoha can tolerate the Uchiha, then Kekkei Genkai's threat can't be as severe as we imagine."
Yagura paused before continuing, "I'm not saying the 'Kekkei Genkai issue' shouldn't be addressed—only that the Seven Swordsmen selection shouldn't have restrictions. My proposal is to choose from the younger generation, with the requirement being at least one successfully completed S-rank mission. A single success might be luck, but two or more prove true capability. After reviewing the records, I found exactly one hundred eligible candidates. The list has already been prepared. Ao—"
Ao, who had been standing by the door, quickly stepped forward.
"Bring the selection list," Yagura ordered.
Ao nodded and left. Within minutes, he returned with a stack of papers, distributing them to everyone present.
Igawa Bu was like a startled bird, terrified of saying anything else that might offend the Mizukage. After accepting the list from Ao, he vowed to remain silent.
The document listed a hundred names, each accompanied by mission records and team details.
He skimmed through it quickly, then prepared to listen quietly to the others.
Surely staying silent won't offend the Mizukage...?
His eyes barely registered the names at first, focusing only on the numbers—how many S-rank missions, how many A-rank missions—until his mind began to wander.
Then, a single name jolted him back to attention: Akizuki (Igawa Tai).
Tai?
His spirits lifted momentarily—until he saw the "Team Members" section.
His excitement deflated instantly.
Right... Tai is dead. How could he be part of this selection?
With a heavy sigh, his gaze drifted upward, landing on another name: Mei Terumī.
Mei Terumī...
Igawa clenched his fists.
If Kekkei Genkai users weren't so difficult to handle, he would've dealt with her long ago. And now, he hadn't even managed to kill Midorima...
Midorima Asachi?
Wait—
A sudden realization struck him. Frantically, he scanned the list again, checking each name one by one, his movements so abrupt that the others turned to stare.
But he paid no heed, muttering under his breath:
Midorima Asachi... Midorima Asachi...
Finally, near the middle of the list, he found it.
"W-Wait a minute—"
Igawa's head spun.
"What is it?" Yagura asked.
"Midorima Asachi?!" Igawa pointed at the name, disregarding any risk of offending Yagura. "Mizukage-sama, why is his name here? He's a medical ninja! How can he qualify?"
"Ah, the requirement was merely proof of capability. As for his role as a medic... If so many shinobi can't defeat a single medical ninja, who should be ashamed?" Yagura chuckled. "Again—no preconditions. Princess Tsunade is a medical ninja too. Could you defeat her?"
How is that even comparable?
Tsunade was one of the legendary Sannin, personally acknowledged by Hanzo of the Salamander. What was Midorima Asachi in comparison?
Gritting his teeth, Igawa seethed in silence.
"Ahem, since we're on the topic," Ōgaki cut in, "not all contributions in an S-rank mission are equal. Some may have merely tagged along without making any real difference."