Chapter 300: The Battle for the Executioner's Blade
Karin seemed very familiar with Kushina, quietly asking her for information about Kimimaro and Haku from the side, the expression on her face changing constantly.
"A boy?!" After a loud shout, Karin stared intently at Haku's small face, which was prettier than hers, momentarily doubting her life.
A moment later, she came back to her senses, and her gaze towards Haku became even more wary... A boy was very likely to become an 'invincible opponent'.
"Ahem!" Masahiko helplessly coughed twice, drawing their attention over.
Kushina smiled and brought Karin in front of Masahiko.
"Great-Grandpa, this is the girl."
"Great, Great, Great-Grandpa?"
Masahiko smiled. "You can call me Great Ancestor, or you can call me Great Elder."
Karin finally understood Masahiko's identity and spoke with slight nervousness, "Hello, Great Elder."
"Adding Karin, who 'dual cultivates' sensing and healing, between Kimimaro and Haku makes for an excellent squad composition. No, it's simply as good as it gets." Masahiko rejoiced inwardly and turned to Kushina. "You have a good eye for choosing disciples. Adding Karin between the two of them is just right. I will guide them for two months first, and after the New Year, I can hand the entire squad over to you."
Masahiko needed to first examine what was going on with the Kaguya clan's Kekkei Genkai disease, teach Haku some Ice Release secret techniques, and instruct Karin on the Mind's Eye of the Kagura sensing and 'how to be bitten correctly'...
Kushina, however, was a bit reluctant. She originally only wanted to take Karin as her sole disciple, even aiming for a 'daughter-in-law'. Now having to lead three people... she still had to educate Naruto.
"Auntie Kushina," Karin whispered, asking for help upon seeing this. Meeting Masahiko for the first time, she appeared somewhat reserved.
Masahiko was very gratified. This was the correct attitude when facing a 'legendary figure'. Girl, you have a bright future.
"Naruto will be starting school soon after the New Year, so you won't need to keep an eye on him every day," Masahiko added.
After repeated persuasion, Kushina finally agreed.
"It's settled then. Go process Karin's withdrawal from the academy, and I'll take her away."
Kushina rolled her eyes. "Great-Grandpa, shouldn't this require her parents' consent?"
"Oh... so troublesome," Masahiko paused. "Kushina, I leave it to you!"
...
Pushing all the messy affairs onto Kushina, telling her to bring Karin to find him after handling them, Masahiko led the two little boys back.
With nothing else to do, he was going to examine Kimimaro's body...
"Kimimaro, Haku, do you remember Auntie Kushina from just now? After the New Year, she will be the one guiding you."
Kimimaro's face tightened. "God!"
Masahiko shook his head. "You can't be with me all the time. You need companions. Haku, and that little girl Karin from just now, will all become your companions."
"Don't worry, even with Kushina guiding you, it's not like you won't be able to see me. If you miss me, just come find me," Masahiko comforted helplessly.
Kimimaro was still somewhat unwilling, but seeing Haku not saying a word, he felt embarrassed to speak up again.
"And you, Haku. Train hard. Once you become a Jonin, you can follow Zabuza if you want; I won't stop you anymore. Following him now will only delay your own talent."
Haku's tense little face finally showed some color. "Mm!"
Masahiko shook his head helplessly, muttering, "One by one, they are all problem children."
A burst of clamor suddenly came from not far away. Masahiko focused his gaze and saw a building similar to a stadium in Konoha.
Sensing for a moment, Masahiko revealed a smile.
Looking at the two children, "Let's go, I'll take you to see a spectacle. Haku, Zabuza is there too."
This was a venue built specifically for the Chunin Exams in the Land of Whirlpools, but the ones fighting inside right now weren't Genin, but Jonin.
The reason for the battle was naturally to select three Ninja Swordsmen... No, not three, but four.
Currently fighting in the arena were an elite Jonin from the Land of Whirlpools and Zabuza. Masahiko didn't even need to sense it; just looking at the mist enveloping the entire barrier was enough to tell.
"Mr. Zabuza," Haku murmured softly, his small face full of tension.
"It's fine, Zabuza won't die," Masahiko 'consoled' heartlessly.
In a match of this level, only Minato or he himself acting as the referee could rescue the defeated party at the first moment to prevent any casualties.
Masahiko could sense Minato's chakra in the center of the arena, which meant that whether Zabuza won or lost, he wouldn't die...
On the other side, Nagato noticed Masahiko's arrival and walked over.
With his steps, the venue gradually quieted down... Previously, the audience had been cheering for the Uzumaki clansman in the battle.
"Teacher." Nagato looked guilty, not even saying 'Yo' anymore.
"What's going on?"
"The clansmen have some... objections regarding you directly assigning the Executioner's Blade to a Mist Village ninja, and they want to challenge the ownership of the great sword."
Masahiko shook his head with a smile. "What about shark-faced bro?"
"Kisame Hoshigaki's Samehada originally belonged to him anyway, so..."
"I understand."
Masahiko sighed and looked at Haku. "The Executioner's Blade is actually Zabuza's reward for letting this 'little girl' join our Land of Whirlpools. But since the clansmen have some objections, a challenge it is then."
Nagato breathed a sigh of relief, and Masahiko added, "However, the number of challengers is limited to three, conducted over three days, and tag-team battles are not allowed. A ninja who fails to challenge for this Executioner's Blade is not allowed to continue selecting from the other three ninja swords."
"Understood!"...
Clang!
A loud sound of weapons clashing rang out, and the mist in the center of the arena gradually dispersed. Zabuza's long sword was blocked by Minato's kunai, and behind Minato stood a dejected-looking ninja from the Land of Whirlpools.
"In this match, Zabuza Momochi is the winner!" Minato announced loudly, and the audience revealed expressions of regret.
Zabuza was also at the end of his rope, tottering, but upon catching sight of Masahiko in his peripheral vision, he immediately used his long sword to support his body, and his gaze sharpened.
It was unknown whether it was to prevent Masahiko from looking down on him, or to avoid losing face in front of Haku.
Haku's small face flushed red. His introverted personality kept his cheers at the edge of his lips, unable to be shouted out no matter what. It was incredibly cute... Masahiko smiled and rubbed his head.
"Zabuza might not necessarily be able to protect this Executioner's Blade. If it were Kisame, aside from the four of us including Minato, there truly isn't anyone in the Land of Whirlpools who could defeat him. But Zabuza... there are probably seven or eight ninjas in the Land of Whirlpools with strength comparable to his."
"If he can't protect it, will he start a history of struggle like 'don't bully the young and poor'... His eyebrows are already completely gone; if he struggles until his hair is gone too, he might become invincible." Masahiko's train of thought started to wander again.
"Teacher?" Nagato spoke softly.
Masahiko snapped back to reality. "It's nothing, you continue hosting the match. We'll leave after watching for a bit."
"Mm!"
Masahiko looked back at the two little guys. "Letting you witness the core strength of the Land of Whirlpools. Your first goal... is to surpass them!"
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