The council chamber was plunged into a tense silence as the ANBU with a mask vaguely resembling a fish completed its report. The dim light from the lanterns created dancing shadows on the faces of those present, partially hiding their reactions.
"How did a single genin defeat four of the seven swordsmen?" asked the Mizukage, his voice betraying a mixture of disbelief and concern.
"Mizukage-sama," replied the ANBU, bowing his head slightly, "this genin possessed formidable Taijutsu. He increased his strength greatly with a forbidden technique from Konoha, to the point of losing his life himself."
Silence fell in the hall as the Mizukage assimilated the information. After moments of overthinking, his voice rang out firm and decisive: "This is too dangerous a technique. Make sure that no other ninja in Konoha can use it."
"So," the Mizukage resumed, his voice tired but firm, "four of the Seven Swordsmen have fallen. Against a single genin of Konoha."An uneasy murmur ran through the council chamber. Losing four of the legendary Seven Swordsmen was a huge blow to Kirigakure's prestige.
"We must intensify our war efforts!" thundered one of the councilors, slamming his fist on the table. "We cannot allow Konoha to humiliate us like this!"
"And waste more lives?" retorted another. "We have already lost too much in this war. Our resources are depleting, troop morale is at its lowest..."
The Third Mizukage watched the debate with tired eyes. The years of war had left its mark on his weathered face.
It was at that moment that Akito, one of the senior advisors, stepped forward. His voice was low but piercing.
"Perhaps-perhaps there is a way to turn the tide of this war, Mizukage-sama." He paused, waiting for a nod of assent before continuing. "The Sanbi. With his power, we could deliver a blow from which Konoha would not easily recover."
The Mizukage leaned forward, suddenly interested. "Continue."
For the next hour, Akito laid out his plan. The councilors listened in silence, their faces growing increasingly somber as they understood the scope of what he was proposing.
As the councilors animatedly discussed the implications of the plan, in a room hidden in the shadows, Uchiha Madara, his body now scarred by years, smiled.
"Finally," he whispered to himself, "My successor is almost ready."
The scene changed dramatically. Morning light filtered through the windows of the academy, where Fujimoto-sensei was explaining the twelve basic hand seals.
"Ne, Ushi, Tora..." he listed, demonstrating each seal with precise movements. "The correct sequence is as crucial as the speed of execution."
Ren took notes diligently, his mind returning to his father's teachings on seals. 'It's like my father showed me, but with more detailed information and practical use.'
"Hey, Ren," whispered Jun'ko from the next desk, "did you see that? Shinji is sleeping again!"
Indeed, Karatachi Shinji had his head resting on the counter, seemingly lost in dreamland. Aoi was shaking his head disapprovingly as he consulted his anatomy textbook.
"Karatachi!" Fujimoto-sensei's voice made Shinji jerk. "If hand seals bore you so much, perhaps you would prefer a practical demonstration?"
"Excuse me, sensei," Shinji stammered, straightening up suddenly. Small coral crystals unconsciously formed around his fingers out of embarrassment.
'Karatachi...' thought Ren, his brow furrowed. ' I hadn't noticed but I feel like I have this name already, but where?
"As I was saying," Fujimoto continued, "each seal affects the chakra flow in a specific way. For example, the Tora seal is commonly used in offensive techniques because..."
But Ren was still lost in thought. There was something about the name Karatachi that eluded him, like an echo of memories he could not fully grasp.
"Earth to Ren," Jun'ko prodded him. "You're so focused you almost look like you're in a trance!"
"Yeah," Aoi added, adjusting his glasses. "Technically, considering your usual attention patterns, this level of distraction is highly unusual for you."
"Aoi, you're worse than Big Brother," Ren said, noticing too late that he had said something out of context.
"Big brother? And who is he? I want to meet him!" not wasting a moment Aoi, his scientific curiosity immediately ignited. His eyes shone behind the lenses of his glasses as he leaned forward, ready to storm Ren with questions.
'Shit! And now what do I say?' Panic crossed Ren's mind as he frantically searched for a plausible explanation.
Fortunately, he was saved by Fujimoto-sensei's intervention. "Kaito! If you have so much energy to ask personal questions, perhaps you would like to explain to the class the complete sequence of seals for Suiton: Mizurappa?"
As Aoi straightened awkwardly in his chair, Ren released a sigh of relief.