Chapter 37: Elite Squad (1/2)
The principal of the Ninja Academy is essentially a shadow leader of the village.
The Third Mizukage handing over the position to Zenkichi was a clear sign—he was appointing him as the next Mizukage.
There was no avoiding this.
Zenkichi was powerful and had shown open interest in the Mizukage title.
If he wasn't granted it, could Kirigakure survive the storm he'd bring?
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Ninja Academy – Principal's Office
A young woman in her mid-twenties, exuding charm and maturity, walked into the office and placed a stack of documents on Zenkichi's desk with a smile.
"Principal, these are the records of all current students at the academy."
Zenkichi glanced at her with a complicated expression before giving a light nod.
Her name was Mizunashi Yukie, the vice principal of the Ninja Academy.
She handled most of the day-to-day affairs.
"You're dismissed for now," Zenkichi said, waving her off.
The Mizunashi clan had excellent genes—even the men were handsome. The women? Stunning.
If she stayed any longer, Zenkichi was worried he might lose his composure.
"Actually…"
"Principal, there's one more… personal matter I wanted to speak to you about."
Yukie hesitated, eyes flickering.
"Personal matter?"
Zenkichi looked intrigued. "Go on."
Could it be that Mizunashi Yukie was… interested in him?
She hesitated again.
"Our clan head would like to invite you to a banquet," she said finally.
"The Mizunashi clan considers you an honored guest. There's something important they wish to discuss."
Zenkichi's expression shifted, but he remained relaxed.
"When?"
"Would tonight be alright?" Yukie asked, looking hopeful.
"Tonight's fine," Zenkichi replied casually.
He could already guess what the Mizunashi clan wanted.
They were preparing for the day he officially took over as Mizukage.
---
Zenkichi turned his attention back to the student files.
"Hoshigaki Kisame… Momochi Zabuza..."
Upon seeing the names of these two exceptional students, Zenkichi smiled. Kirigakure still had talent.
"Make arrangements to evaluate them early," he said.
"From what I can see, they already meet genin-level standards."
"Keeping them in school any longer is just a waste of time. Let them graduate."
Zenkichi stepped out of the office and handed the files of Zabuza and Kisame for processing.
He had plans—he intended to form his own elite squad.
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That Evening – The Mizunashi Clan Compound
Zenkichi arrived at the Mizunashi compound as scheduled.
The status of the Mizunashi clan in Kirigakure was comparable to the Hyuga clan in Konoha.
The Kaguya, Oniden, and Mizunashi clans were the backbone of Kirigakure—just as the Senju, Uchiha, and Hyuga had been in Konoha.
They were founding clans with deep influence.
"Zenkichi-kun, welcome!"
The Mizunashi clan leader, Mizunashi Yanagi, greeted him warmly.
Despite his middle-aged appearance, the man had a youthful, handsome face.
Zenkichi couldn't help but admire the Mizunashi clan's genetics.
Yanagi hosted Zenkichi graciously, making it clear the clan wished to support his rise to power.
Zenkichi didn't comment. He knew their real reason—
They wanted to ensure that, once he was in power, he wouldn't target them.
Especially now, with tensions rising between bloodline clans and civilian shinobi.
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"There are two very talented civilian students at the academy," Zenkichi said casually.
"I'm planning to make them my disciples."
"But a shinobi team needs at least three members. I'm still short one."
"If there's a promising talent within the Mizunashi clan, that would be ideal."
Yanagi hesitated briefly, then nodded with resolve.
"My daughter, Mizunashi Yukine. She's very gifted."
Zenkichi raised an eyebrow. Yanagi's conflicted expression hinted that Yukine wasn't just anyone.
"May I meet her?" Zenkichi asked.
Yanagi waved to his attendants, and soon a young girl with a refined and beautiful face was brought in.
She looked about twelve or thirteen.
Zenkichi studied her quietly.
Was Yanagi hesitating because he feared Zenkichi would harm her?
No, that didn't seem right.
I mean, I'm handsome enough—am I not worthy of his daughter?
Then again, from a bloodline clan's perspective, handing over a child with a Kekkei Genkai was no small decision.
Take the Kaguya clan, for example.
In the original timeline, the entire clan was nearly wiped out. Only Kimimaro, the last known possessor of the Shikotsumyaku, survived.
Even now, the Kaguya clan had only three members with awakened kekkei genkai out of hundreds.
Unlike the Senju, Hyuga, or Uchiha, most bloodline clans couldn't mass-produce inheritors.
So Yanagi's hesitation wasn't surprising.
Zenkichi turned to Yukine.
"Have you awakened your Ice Release?"
The girl nodded quietly.
"Excellent. You'll be my disciple from today onward," Zenkichi said, clearly pleased.
Yanagi still looked hesitant—but after thinking it through, he smiled. The deal was worth it.
---
With his three disciples identified, Zenkichi requested command of an ANBU team from the Third Mizukage.
He was granted leadership and assigned Terumi Mei, Ao, and Yagura to his squad.
Additionally, the Oniden clan's rising prodigy—Oniden Mangetsu—was transferred to Zenkichi's ANBU unit as well.
Just like that, he had gathered the brightest young talents of Kirigakure under his command.
His squad was a strategic mix of civilians and bloodline shinobi.
This careful balance would ease tensions on both sides.
It was a classic political move—just like when the Second Hokage took Uchiha Kagami as his student.
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The Second Hokage had been a genius at governance.
He created the Ninja Academy to break the clan monopoly on shinobi power, centralizing control under the village.
ANBU was the next evolution—like a university for elite shinobi.
It served as both a training ground and a tool to divide the clans and consolidate authority.
His ideas were so effective that every major village adopted them.
Ninja Academies, ANBU divisions, Kage leadership structures—they all became standard features across the shinobi world.
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