"I didn't expect to see you again so soon, Kisame-senpai!"
Momochi Zabuza appeared on the roof of the Ninja Academy, looking at Hoshigaki Kisame, who was already waiting there.
Kisame looked at Zabuza and spoke slowly in his unique drawl, "You received the order to come here too? We really are fated, aren't we?"
Just then, a crisp voice rang out. "Are you two Hoshigaki Kisame and Momochi Zabuza? You arrived quite early."
Minazuki Ao walked onto the roof, eyeing Kisame and Zabuza with curiosity.
"Who are you?"
Kisame and Zabuza turned their gazes to Minazuki Ao simultaneously; neither of them recognized her.
The Ninja Academy was an institution for training ninjas, but it wasn't the only one. Minazuki Ao had never attended the academy.
Large ninja clans like the Minazuki had their own internal training methods. Ao had undergone clan training.
Compared to clan training, the academy's training was obviously inferior. In terms of specialized instruction and the quality of teachers, there was simply no comparison.
"Minazuki Ao!"
"Like you, I was selected by Lord Yagyu to be his disciple!"
Ao stated proudly.
"Lord Yagyu?"
"The Principal of the Ninja Academy?"
"That Lord Yagyu who's been making a name for himself recently?"
"Come to think of it, our early graduation seems to be his idea."
Kisame and Zabuza were both surprised, excitement showing on their faces.
At that moment, a brilliant golden light burst forth in mid-air, as if a second sun had appeared.
Then the light converged, and Yagyu's figure appeared on the rooftop terrace.
"Ooh~ Everyone's here quite early!"
Yagyu stood before the three of them, greeting them lazily.
"Lord Yagyu!"
Ao greeted him respectfully, while Kisame and Zabuza also bowed their heads obediently.
"No need for formalities!"
"As per the old rules, introduce yourselves first!"
"Name, hobbies, dreams, and things you dislike—that sort of thing."
Yagyu waved his hand and spoke casually.
"I'll go first!"
"My name is Momochi Zabuza. My dream is to become the Mizukage."
"I don't have any particular likes, and I hate troublesome things."
"Although you two are my teammates, I hope you won't be burdens."
"Otherwise, I might just kill you."
Zabuza stood up first and spoke with a cold expression.
"To become Mizukage? An ambitious fellow."
"Killing comrades? A cold-blooded fellow."
"Momochi Zabuza, your thoughts are dangerous, you know!"
Yagyu pondered for a moment before giving his assessment in a rhythmic tone.
In the original story, Zabuza was full of ambition. Even after failing to assassinate the Mizukage and becoming a rogue ninja, he still plotted to stir up trouble.
Furthermore, without Yagyu's intervention, Zabuza would likely have slaughtered all the students during the graduation exam, just as recorded in the original timeline.
"Uh..."
Hearing Yagyu's glib tone, Zabuza suddenly felt the urge to punch someone.
"Forget it!"
"I'll correct your thinking slowly."
"Next is the second one. Who's up?"
Yagyu stood loosely in place, tilting his head to look at Minazuki Ao and Hoshigaki Kisame.
"I'll go!"
"My name is Minazuki Ao. My dream is to become the Mizukage and revitalize my clan."
"I like sweet things and hate bitter things."
Ao thought for a moment, hesitating briefly before stating her likes and dislikes.
"Likes and dislikes aren't limited to food."
"But, whatever!"
Yagyu looked at Ao and waved his hand lazily.
Yagyu turned his gaze to Kisame and said, "Young Hoshigaki Kisame, your turn!"
Kisame spoke quietly. "My name is Hoshigaki Kisame. My dream is to become a great ninja."
"I don't have any particular likes, nor do I have any particular dislikes."
Yagyu was stunned. "That's it?"
Kisame nodded. "That's it!"
Yagyu clicked his tongue. "Have you even abandoned your own likes and dislikes?"
Kisame said in a deep voice, "Those things could very well become a burden during a mission."
Yagyu shook his head, swaying back and forth. "What a dedicated ninja! Killing off your own likes and dislikes at such a young age... how terrifying!"
Kisame: "..."
Hoshigaki Kisame was a true ninja!
To complete a mission, he wouldn't hesitate to kill his comrades or even sacrifice himself. His will was terrifyingly strong.
In the Akatsuki organization, where traitors appeared in droves, Kisame was one of the few with unwavering conviction.
Not only that, but his talent was also exceptional.
He possessed a massive amount of chakra and could wield Samehada, a ninja sword that was notoriously difficult to control.
"Not bad, not bad!"
"Follow me. I'll familiarize you with the mission acceptance process."
"Starting today, you guys will start with rookie missions!"
Yagyu put his hands in his pockets and walked downstairs with a loose, sloppy gait.
Half an hour later.
In a river outside Kirigakure.
Kisame and the others were catching fish.
Kisame and Zabuza were casting nets by the riverbank, while Ao used the water walking technique to cast nets in the middle of the river.
In terms of efficiency, Ao was clearly superior.
"I've already taught you the method for walking on water. Give it your best shot!"
Yagyu set up a sun umbrella by the riverbank, then took out a lounge chair and a table, lying there while speaking slowly.
"Teacher Yagyu, this isn't fair!"
"I don't believe she learned the water walking skill from you. She must have mastered it beforehand."
Zabuza shouted, looking displeased.
"That's right!"
"Her clan elders taught her. What's the problem?"
"Regardless of who she learned it from, once she learns it, it's hers."
"On the battlefield, are you going to ask your enemies to be fair to you?"
Yagyu spoke casually as he took out some tea from a storage scroll.
Zabuza: "..."
Yagyu glanced at him and said lazily, "You're still dissatisfied? The one who should really be dissatisfied is Minazuki Ao."
"You guys are learning new skills, while she's the only one doing something boring—reviewing a skill she already mastered."
Zabuza paused, then silently lowered his head to catch fish, saying no more.
Yagyu was right; he couldn't refute it.