Bishamon

Streets of the Bloody Mist, as people like to call it, greeted him with their usual coldness this morning. Many people believe that its the worst place on Earth you can be born in. But Yato did not agree with them. Not just because he called this place home. During his tenure as a jonin of Kirigakure, he had been to quite a lot of places. And with great confidence, he can say, most of them were a lot worse.

He had seen countless villages where people sold their children and relatives into slavery just for a loaf of bread, and countries where you can be killed in the light of day just because of the color of your skin.

Contrary to popular sentiments, Yato loved his home and the people who lived here. Well, most of them.

Today his morning routine was the same as usual. He woke up at 4 a.m., did his morning exercises, had a cold shower, and had a hearty breakfast. Then he checked his schedule and hurried on his way to work. Today is a special day – the Graduation Trial of fresh ninja wannabes. He was appointed by lord Mizukage as one of the examinators this year, so he could not afford to be late on this important occasion.

He left home exactly at 7 a.m. and decided to opt for a casual walk instead of the rooftop ways that he usually used. The exam will start at eight and he still had plenty of time left. Walking his way towards Academy a strong sense of deja vu captured his mind. He was reminiscent of his graduation exam and the good old days as a child in one of the huge auditoriums of the Academy. Lost in memories he did not notice how he came and entered the special staff room at the exam venue.

Whilst entering the room he quickly scanned people that were already inside. He came early and only a few people got there before him. He noticed that one of his comrades from the frontlines of the 2nd Great War was already there.

– Hey, Isobu, how are you doing?

– Oh, Yato! Long time no see! Didn know that you were also chosen to oversee the exams today.

– You will not believe how shocked I was to hear about it myself. You know it, after all, I come from a civilian family.

– Don downplay yourself, you are a great jonin, it was a matter of time until your prowess would have been noticed.

– Maybe you are right, by the way, what are your duties today?

– Glad that you have asked, I will be the main supervisor on the ground. From the looks of it, you will be assessing everything from the gallery, am I right?

– Yeah, you are as observant as always, old friend.

– Well, make yourself comfortable, the exam should start soon and I still have to check a few things beforehand, see you later. – with these words, Isobu left the room and went toward the arena.

Yato stayed there and decided to check on the list of names of the kids who will be fighting their hearts out this morning. Two hundred and twenty-seven, this class is probably the biggest one in recent history. He instantly noted a few notable clan names from the list and already felt that he will be enjoying quite a spectacle today. His face did not show any emotions until he noted a surname that he never imagined encountering. His eyes went wide instantly, communicating to everyone present his shock.

– Hey, you there, Yato right?

– Yee…yeah.

– Hozuki Gengetsu, just like the second, nice to meet you. Whats wrong? Have you seen a tailed beast there?

– N-No, its just the name, Byakko Kawahime. I thought that the old monster is the only living member of that clan.

– Ah, so you are talking about lord Shokuins grandchild. To be honest I was dumbfounded too when I learned that the old geezer has an offspring left. You know, this kid didn even go to the academy, Mizukage himself registered the name for the exam. I don even know if its a boy or a girl.

– After seeing a few members of Hoshigaki, Karatachi, and Suikazan clans participating, especially o