Mizukage's Pokémon Ninja Scroll

Chapter 19 Squad Assemble

I looked at the calendar when I got up early this morning.

Jianchuan Tachibana suddenly realized that the day before yesterday was actually the day of the Ninja Academy graduation exam.

However, I've been living a very regular life lately, so I haven't been paying much attention to the dates. Also, it's been more than three months since I left the ninja academy, so I haven't been focusing on graduation exams.

This date was marked when Jianchuan Ju first transmigrated. Back then, we were really counting down the days, just like the countdown to the college entrance exam.

Thinking of this, Tachibana Kanakawa couldn't help but smile.

"But now that the graduation exams are over, Zabuza should have officially debuted, right?"

A jumble of thoughts swirled in her mind as Jianchuan Ju ate breakfast, wondering whether she should go to the ninja registration office later to inquire about her squad's assignment.

"Blue, do you think I'll be assigned to a team with Zabuza, or will it just so happen that a team will be formed with clan ninjas who have become genin?"

"o.ogua~"

Some of the sleepy little frogs didn't even hear what their owners said, and just replied instinctively.

However, Tachibana Kenkawa only casually started a conversation during the meal and didn't really expect any answers.

After lunch, Kenkawa Tachibana, who had just started working at the hospital, was called to Saigyouji Keiko's office.

"Little Orange, the village has made arrangements for you. I heard that the Jonin captain will be leading the team."

As soon as I entered, I heard some good news.

Normally, there are too many genin graduating each year, so ordinary squads are led by chunin. It seems I have to thank Zabuza a lot.

However, judging from Saigyouji Keiko's expression, it didn't seem like she was delivering good news; instead, she looked worried.

Upon seeing this, Jianchuan Ju immediately had a guess in his mind.

As expected, Saigyouji Keiko briefly recounted what happened during yesterday's graduation exam.

"That Zabuza Momochi will be in your team, so be careful."

"Don't worry, Aunt Huizi."

Tachibana Kanagawa gave Keiko Saigyouji a reassuring look.

"I believe in you. Get ready this morning and report to Training Ground No. 9 this afternoon."

In the morning, I first said goodbye to Kisame Hoshigaki, who was still hospitalized. At noon, I had lunch with Keiko Saigyouji. Only then did Tachibana Kenkawa nervously arrive at Training Ground No. 9.

Unlike the No. 11 training ground I used to frequent, the No. 9 training ground, although not large, has more complete facilities, including lakes, woods, and artificial hills.

As soon as Jianchuan Ju entered the training ground, she found that three people, one adult and two children, had been waiting for her there for who knows how long.

What's even more interesting is that all three of them were actually acquaintances.

"Sorry, Captain, I'm late."

Jianchuan Ju expressed her apology to Qing, whose eyes were still intact and had not yet been transplanted with white eyes.

Mei Terumi, seeing Tachibana Kenkawa arrive, wasn't at all reserved. Instead, she made a face at him and gestured for him to look to the left.

Zabuza on the left also didn't show much expression.

Well, or rather, you can't see his expression. Because the lower half of his face is wrapped in bandages, all you can see now is the indifference in his eyes.

At this moment, Zabuza Momochi is already very close to his future appearance.

His headband was worn askew, with the strap hanging loosely from the right side. White bandages covered his neck and lower face. He was dressed in the same sleeveless top as in the future, but instead of the guillotine, he carried a rather ordinary short sword on his back, which was just right for Zabuza's current height.

When Qing heard Jianchuan Ju greet him, he didn't show any displeasure, but spoke gently.

"You're not late. This morning, Mei Terumi and I took Zabuza Momochi to register as a ninja, so we came together."

"Alright, now that everyone's here and we'll be working together on missions, let's introduce ourselves first." Qing clapped her hands, signaling the three to focus their attention.

Seeing that all three were looking at him, Qing decided to take the initiative and introduce himself.

"My name is Ao, and I will be your team leader Jonin. I am skilled in Water Release, Wind Release, and sensory ninjutsu, and I dislike people who don't follow the rules."

After saying that, Qing looked at the three of them, who all seemed indifferent and didn't want to speak first. Qing already had a premonition that this team would be a bit difficult to manage in the future.

At this moment, the still young Ao couldn't stand the awkward silence, so he could only frequently wink at Mei Terumi.

However, Mei Terumi's gaze was completely focused on Tachibana Kenkawa and Zabuza Momochi, and she didn't notice her captain's embarrassment at all.

Seeing Ao's expression of rolling her eyes in advance, Tachibana Kenkawa, who had been waiting for Mei Terumi, Ao's old subordinate, to speak first, decisively spoke up to end the awkward atmosphere.

"My name is Tachibana Kanagawa. I am skilled in Water Release and Medical Ninjutsu. I enjoy the feeling of increasing my strength, hate all danger, and dream of living a happy life until I die."

"What?! I just can't accept this kind of dream no matter how many times I hear it!"

Mei Terumi, who hadn't spoken up about the awkward silence from Ao before, couldn't help but start complaining now.

After criticizing Tachibana Kenkawa, Mei Terumi began introducing herself, seemingly to prove her point.

"My name is Mei Terumi. I'm a year older than you two, and I've been a genin for a year now."

At this point, Mei Terumi paused briefly.

However, seeing that neither Tachibana nor Zabuza reacted, he had no choice but to continue.

"I'm skilled in Water Release and Earth Release. I don't want to tell you what I like, but my dream is to become the Mizukage!"

Seeing Mei Terumi looking up at him with her little neck tilted back, Tachibana Kenkawa gave her a thumbs up in agreement.

Finally, facing the combined gazes of the other three, Zabuza could no longer maintain his composure and spoke.

Zabuza Momochi is skilled in taijutsu, swordsmanship, and water jutsu.

However, Zabuza's statement seemed somewhat forced, as he was unsure whether his ability to use the Water Dragon Bullet, a B-rank ninjutsu, counted as proficiency in Water Release.

"Wow, a four-person squad entirely composed of Water Release ninjas. So, apart from Konoha, where the protagonist lives, all the other villages only have one elemental attribute?"

Jianchuan Ju silently complained to herself.

"However, Mei Terumi said she's skilled in Water Release and Earth Release. Does that mean she hasn't developed her own bloodline limit yet? To become the first person to possess a bloodline limit, and a dual one at that, she truly deserves to be called a genius."

Seeing that Zabuza had only said so much and then fallen silent, Ao had no choice but to ask, "What about your dream?"

"Let's change this village with our dream."

Zabuza's eyes seemed somewhat lost when he said this.

Everyone present noticed this, but no one said anything more about it.

Qing, as the team leader, thought for a moment and then said...

"Although everyone has already introduced themselves verbally, the main purpose of gathering at the training ground today is to let everyone get to know their future teammates better through actual combat."

"Mei, you, Zabuza, and Tachibana will be the attackers. Develop your tactics in three minutes. I'll be the defender."

Before the three children could ask any more questions, Qing instantly teleported away, heading straight into the woods in the training ground without looking back.

Looking at Qing's agile back, the three people, who hadn't fully reacted yet, exchanged exasperated glances.

Tachibana Kanagawa looked at Mei Terumi speechlessly and asked.

"Captain Qing, is this always your efficient leadership style?"

Although Zabuza's face remained expressionless beneath the bandages, his eyes held a hint of doubt as he looked at Mei Terumi.

Mei Terumi raised her hand to her forehead, feeling somewhat embarrassed, but still changed the subject.

"Follow orders. First, formulate a plan. Although Captain Qing has rarely been involved in missions over the past year, I still have some intelligence to share."

Comments are welcome; I'm asking for real feedback. As long as you don't use abusive language, feel free to give your opinions.

(End of this chapter)