While Yuto was talking with Ringo Ameyuri and Hoshigaki Kisame.
The six genin following behind Ringo Ameyuri and Hoshigaki Kisame each couldn't help but widen their eyes, their gazes flickering with curiosity and admiration as they looked at Yuto.
"Could this be the legendary Lord Yuto of our Kirigakure?"
"That's right! Didn't you hear both Jonin Ringo Ameyuri and Jonin Hoshigaki Kisame address him!"
"I never imagined this legendary figure would be so young."
"Yeah, yeah, he's so handsome!"
"You're so shallow, Risakura!"
"This is someone that even Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara from Konoha would have to join forces to take seriously."
Pairs of astonished and admiring gazes, along with hushed whispers, spread among this group of genin.
Although these genin deliberately kept their voices low, with the strength of those present, how could they possibly not hear?
"How spirited."
Yuto slightly lowered his head, looking at the group of Kirigakure genin, scratching his head with a warm smile on his face as he spoke softly.
Hearing Yuto's words, Ringo Ameyuri and Hoshigaki Kisame's expressions shifted slightly.
"Do you want to go back to the Ninja Academy and repeat your training?"
Ringo Ameyuri quickly turned his head, looking at the three genin following behind him, his tone cold and stern.
As Ringo Ameyuri's voice rang out, all three genin simultaneously revealed terrified expressions and quickly clamped their mouths shut.
They had finally managed to graduate, and even been assigned to a legendary Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist like Ringo Ameyuri as their instructor. They definitely didn't want to go back to school.
More importantly, in the eyes of these three genin, this was simply too embarrassing.
As for Hoshigaki Kisame beside them, he didn't threaten the three genin following him. Instead, a faint trace of killing intent subtly emanated from his body.
In an instant, the three genin following Hoshigaki Kisame not only shut their mouths but began trembling with fear.
Seeing this, Yuto couldn't help but laugh silently, gently shaking his head.
Yuto stepped forward a few paces, a warm smile on his face as he looked at the six genin, waving his hand as he spoke softly:
"No need to be so nervous. What are your names?"
Hearing Yuto's question, the genin all tensed up at once, glancing at each other, and suddenly fell silent.
However, before long, one of the more mature-looking genin stepped forward from the group:
"Hello, Lord Yuto. My name is Suikazan Ryusuke."
Suikazan Ryusuke gripped his fists slightly. Although he appeared calm on the surface, the tension and excitement in his voice were still audible.
Suikazan Ryusuke?
Hearing this name — or more precisely, this surname — a glint of interest flashed through Yuto's eyes.
If he hadn't been certain at first, then when he noticed Suikazan Ryusuke's gaze occasionally darting toward Hoshigaki Kisame's direction, Yuto was sure.
Suikazan Ryusuke's glances were subtle, but how could they possibly escape Yuto's observation?
A clansman of Suikazan Fuguki, the first wielder of Samehada?
Come to think of it, Hoshigaki Kisame had quite a history with Suikazan Fuguki.
Yuto smiled lightly and said nothing more. Suikazan Ryusuke was still too young. If even Yuto could notice this so easily, then Hoshigaki Kisame must have figured it out long ago.
It was just that Hoshigaki Kisame didn't care at all. A mere genin wasn't enough to attract his attention.
"Hello, Lord Yuto. My name is Isshiki Risakura."
A rather cute-looking girl spoke up excitedly.
"Hello, Lord Yuto. My name is Omura Shinoshi!"
A genin wearing large round-frame glasses said nervously.
"Hello, Lord Yuto. My name is..."
Following Suikazan Ryusuke's lead, the other genin also gathered their courage and introduced themselves one by one.
After hearing all their introductions, Yuto smiled and nodded, speaking earnestly to the six genin:
"Keep it up. You are the village's future!"
"Yes!" All six genin wore expressions of excitement, nodding vigorously.
Yuto gave a warm smile, straightened up, and looked at Ringo Ameyuri and Hoshigaki Kisame:
"I've kept you two. You must be in a hurry to go back and submit your mission reports, so I won't hold you up any longer."
Hoshigaki Kisame slightly parted his lips but didn't say anything. He simply nodded at Yuto and led his three genin forward.
Ringo Ameyuri's eyes lingered on Yuto, as if wanting to say something.
But under Yuto's slightly puzzled gaze, Ringo Ameyuri's face flushed slightly, and he quickly turned away to look at the three genin behind him:
"Let's go too."
With that, Ringo Ameyuri led the three genin away at almost a jog.
Yuto watched Ringo Ameyuri's rapidly retreating figure with some confusion, shrugged slightly, and continued toward where Utakata was.
Meanwhile, on the other side, after Yuto's figure completely vanished from Hoshigaki Kisame's perception.
Hoshigaki Kisame glanced back at the three genin following behind him, an inexplicable look suddenly surfacing in his eyes.
"Itachi-san, to say I'm beyond redemption... that's not entirely true..."
Hoshigaki Kisame gazed into the distance, thinking to himself.
With a faint sound of cutting through the air, a figure flashed past from behind and appeared at Hoshigaki Kisame's side.
It was Ringo Ameyuri, who had fallen behind slightly.
"Lord Hoshigaki Kisame, what were you thinking just now? That didn't seem like your usual self."
Ringo Ameyuri stared at Hoshigaki Kisame calmly, a hint of coldness in his voice.
Hoshigaki Kisame's expression remained unchanged. He didn't even move his head, only slightly parting his lips to reveal his hard teeth:
"Come to think of it, you've always seemed somewhat hostile toward me."
"Have I?"
Ringo Ameyuri, finding nothing to read from Hoshigaki Kisame's face, withdrew his gaze.
For a moment, the two fell silent, while the six genin following behind them cast curious glances at their respective instructors.
For some reason, the six genin suddenly realized that their jonin instructors didn't seem to have a very good relationship with each other.
Suddenly!
Ringo Ameyuri shot a sharp glare at Hoshigaki Kisame, his voice low:
"It's not just you. Momochi Zabuza, who once harmed his own village comrades — how could anyone easily let down their guard around people like that?"
Hearing Ringo Ameyuri's words, Hoshigaki Kisame's gaping mouth slowly closed, and he let out a low laugh.
"Do you truly understand yourself, Ringo Ameyuri?"
Hoshigaki Kisame's voice was deep and raspy.
"What?"
Ringo Ameyuri frowned slightly, clearly unable to comprehend what Hoshigaki Kisame was talking about at all.
Facing Ringo Ameyuri's somewhat sharp gaze, Hoshigaki Kisame paid it no mind. One might even say he ignored it completely.
Hoshigaki Kisame had no intention of explaining whatsoever. He simply strode past Ringo Ameyuri and walked onward.
[
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