"Masakazu, stop doting on your precious granddaughter for a moment and introduce me to this young prodigy beside you!"
Standing nearby, Anjō Oniyuzu finally spoke after observing for a while. His gaze drifted back and forth between Koeda Kyoichi and Terumī Mei several times before he interrupted the conversation between Masakazu and his granddaughter.
"You old geezer, your patience is as short as ever."
Masakazu chuckled at his old friend's impatience but still turned toward Kyoichi, gesturing to Oniyuzu.
"Kyoichi, let me introduce you—this is our village's senior advisor, Elder Anjō Oniyuzu, and the man beside him is Ao. The three of us came here to welcome you all—though, truth be told, you're the one we were most eager to see."
His words made their purpose perfectly clear.
The others each reacted differently. Biwa Jūzō and Suiren remained calm—neither seemed particularly affected. The former didn't care much for such trivial formalities, and the latter was fully aware that such high-ranking figures weren't here because of her.
As for Hōzuki Mangetsu and Kirigumo Ryūsei, the two brothers remained composed as well. Mangetsu, though secretly vowing to one day catch up to Kyoichi, showed no resentment. Ryūsei, however, cast a somewhat sour look toward his grandfather—his real grandson stood right here, yet the old man only seemed to have eyes for his granddaughter Mei…
Still, he couldn't bring himself to feel jealous of his cousin; all he could do was sigh inwardly.
Yūsuke, on the other hand, looked at Kyoichi's back with unrestrained pride—his eyes shone with admiration and respect.
After all, this was the man who had once taken the Yellow Flash's disciple hostage, forcing Konoha's hero himself to cooperate in rescuing their clansmen trapped in Iwagakure. Later, in the Land of Rain, he crushed Iwa's pursuit forces, personally slaying the famed Hanzō of the Salamander. And most recently, he had fought off Orochimaru, one of Konoha's Legendary Sannin, rescuing over a hundred Kirigakure shinobi…
One feat after another, each more astonishing than the last—
To Yūsuke, who already respected him deeply, Kyoichi had become an object of absolute loyalty.
If Kyoichi were to command him to strike down the current Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, and seize that lofty seat, Yūsuke would follow him without hesitation, sword in hand.
"Elder Anjō, Ao-senpai."
Kyoichi greeted them politely.
"Kyoichi… that's how you prefer to be addressed, yes?" Oniyuzu asked kindly.
That kind expression, however, made Biwa Jūzō and Suiren twitch involuntarily.
For Elder Oniyuzu—known throughout the village as a cold, unyielding man—such warmth was a rare sight indeed. He was infamous for his strict impartiality: even members of his own Anjō clan found no leniency under his judgment. People privately called him 'the Demon Elder.'
To see him this affable… was almost unsettling.
"Please, call me however you wish."
Kyoichi replied with composed courtesy.
"Good."
Oniyuzu cleared his throat. "Since Masakazu has already filled you in, I'll be direct. Your triumph over Orochimaru and your rescue of more than a hundred of our comrades has reached the Mizukage's ears. The Mizukage is greatly impressed and wishes to see you as soon as possible upon your return. To make sure that meeting happens without delay, he sent me to wait here personally."
"Are we leaving right now?"
Kyoichi asked calmly, as though he hadn't noticed the implicit attempt at recruiting him—and made no eager response to it.
"…If you've no other business to attend to, then yes, we can go immediately," Oniyuzu said after a pause, smiling with practiced kindness.
"Then I'll trouble you, Elder Oniyuzu."
Kyoichi answered with respectful composure.
"Masakazu, Ao—anything else you wish to say to Kyoichi? If not, I'll be taking him to see the Mizukage."
Oniyuzu turned to his two companions.
"I've nothing urgent. There'll be plenty of time later," Masakazu said casually. As one of the key figures responsible for bringing the Koeda clan to Kirigakure, he and their family were already closely tied; he wasn't worried about Kyoichi being swayed by anyone else.
And even if Kyoichi were to be drawn in by the Mizukage or Elder Genji, what would it matter?
As long as they themselves didn't stray, the internal struggle for power wouldn't touch them.
The shinobi clans were the pillars of Kirigakure.
Whether power was shared between the Mizukage and Genji, or the Mizukage ruled alone, their support remained indispensable. There was no need to take sides too deeply.
In fact, Kyoichi's attitude just now had been perfect—
He neither leapt at the Mizukage's olive branch nor rejected it outright. A perfect balance of restraint and poise.
"Genji said that if the Mizukage calls for him, naturally he should go first."
Ao's deep voice left no room for dispute—his words were perfectly measured.
"Then, Kyoichi, come with me."
Oniyuzu nodded, satisfied, and began walking forward—but after two steps, he stopped and looked back.
"Oh, right—Jūzō, you're coming too. The Mizukage has matters to discuss with you as well."
As for Terumī Mei, Hōzuki Mangetsu, Yūsuke, and the others, they would be handled by Masakazu, Ao, and the remaining attendants. Oniyuzu's mission was clear—his purpose was Kyoichi. Calling along one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, Biwa Jūzō, was merely incidental.
"Kyoichi, let's go."
Jūzō caught up to him in a few quick steps.
"Jūzō-senpai, I'll be counting on your guidance when we meet the Mizukage."
Kyoichi smiled lightly.
"Don't worry, I'll handle it."
Jūzō answered confidently. Oniyuzu said nothing—after all, the Seven Swordsmen were the Mizukage's direct strike force, elite blades used for the most difficult missions. Their closeness to the Mizukage was only natural; Jūzō had every right to speak so boldly.
Not that it mattered.
Oniyuzu knew full well that no real test awaited Kyoichi.
After Kirigakure's loss against Konoha, the Mizukage desperately needed good news to dispel the gloom of defeat.
And Kyoichi's victory over Orochimaru was the perfect story for that.
As long as Kyoichi didn't deliberately cause trouble—
the Mizukage would make sure nothing troubled him.