starter for @sinners-inc [ doyoung jangnim ]
The flat of Samehada’s wrapped bulk thudded against Kisame’s shoulder as he slung her over it, despite her taxing weight. Across from him, Nuibari flashed in Hōzuki Mangetsu's hand with a strike that split the mist itself, slicing through it like a blanket of smoke. They stood ankle-deep in the shallows at the edge of the training grounds. The air smelled like brine and wet iron.
Mangetsu was a masterclass. Nuibari was the fourth sword he had taken to perfecting use over. Even Samehada let him wield her, a rarity.
"Your grip is too tight," Kisame interrupted Mangetsu's focus. "You'll blister your palms if you keep stranglin' it like that."
Mangetsu's lip quirked, exhibiting a canine. "It's so light. I keep feelin' like I'm gonna drop it." Yet, Mangetsu adjusted without complaint, loosening his hold. He had always been quick to listen and correct himself. It was one of the reasons Kisame liked him. Well, liked him better than his brother. Oof, Suigetsu was... spirited.
A few slashes later, Mangetsu paused in thought as he fixed his grip again. "Ya hear Zabuza took on a student?"
Kisame blinked, the nacturing membrane swiping over his eyes. "Did he?" Mangetsu nodded once, and Kisame sighed through his nose. "Mr. I-Solve-My-Problems-By-Cuttin'-'Em-In-Half?" Mangetsu's lips twitched, trying not to smile or laugh.
Kisame shifted Samehada's weight with a shrug. "Maybe it's for the best. Ain't many of us left." All thanks to Fuguki, the traitorous, old parrotfish bastard. Because of him, the title of Seven Swordsmen was more like a memory.
"It's a woman, too," Now that caught Kisame's attention.
He had nothing against women. In fact, in a lot of ningyo clans, women were larger and stronger than their male members. However, in all the long, brutal history of the Seven Swordsmen, there had never been a female member. Why? He didn't know. Best he could reckon was no woman was dumb enough to join.
He jabbed Samehada into the wet sand as he leaned against her. "Welp. That's new," He'd try not to pass judgment until he met her. But he was questioning her sanity to join a dying group of swordsmen. Nonetheless letting Zabuza teach her. "What's her name?"
Mangetsu stopped again to think. "Uhhh... I don't know. Jangnim. Surname is Jangnim. I think they got wiped."
"What clan doesn't get wiped in Kiri?" If she had survived clan execution, then Zabuza must've seen something in her. Welp, all they could do was wait and see.
