Yagura Karatachi narrowed his eyes slightly.
Though he looked young, he was anything but a child.
"There are still ten days before the Hokage arrives at the border for negotiations," Yagura said coldly.
"Send the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist to infiltrate the Land of Fire.
The Byakugan will never be returned, but this is our opportunity.
Konoha is already at the end of its rope. If the Seven Ninja Swordsmen slip into Konoha and create chaos during the talks, it will force Konoha into a passive position.
That way, we'll have far more leverage at the negotiating table."
"Yes, Mizukage-sir," Ao replied respectfully.
After Ao left, Yagura sat alone in the tent, brows tightly furrowed.
He had to admit—he had missed the timing. He should have coordinated with Kumogakure from the very beginning.
Unfortunately, Kumogakure and Sunagakure had already withdrawn into defensive postures. The only village still openly opposing Konoha was Iwagakure.
But Kirigakure and Iwagakure were separated by Konoha—cooperation was impossible.
Which meant that now… all he could do was squeeze Konoha hard.
Zabuza Momochi — Executioner's Blade: Kubikiribōchō
Samehada's wielder, Kisame Hoshigaki — Great Blade: Samehada
Kushimaru Kuriarare — Longsword: Nuibari
Jinin Akebino — Blunt Blade: Kabutowari
Jinpachi Munashi — Blast Sword: Shibuki
Raiga Kurosuki — Lightning Blade: Kiba
Unnamed wielder — Twin Blades: Hiramekarei
These seven were the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
At this moment, they moved along the coastline, deliberately bypassing the Uchiha encampment. Entering from the Land of Bear, they slipped ashore and crossed into the Land of Fire.
Their speed was astonishing as they raced through dense forest.
Suddenly, a figure flashed down from the treetops.
Raiga Kurosuki, holding the Lightning Blade Kiba, swept his sharp gaze across the surroundings and said in a low voice,
"Someone's coming."
The group stopped instantly, hiding within the shadows of the trees.
Moments later, chakra fluctuations approached from the southeast—eight people in total.
They were Sarutobi Asuma, Yūhi Kurenai, Might Guy, Might Duy, Genma Shiranui, Ebisu, and two ANBU operatives.
They had been dispatched under Sarutobi Hiruzen's orders to reinforce the front lines and patrol the Fire Country border for enemy infiltrators.
Officially, that was the reason.
In reality, it was to delay Asuma's arrival at the battlefield.
To ensure his son's safety, Hiruzen had specifically assigned two ANBU and Might Duy as protection.
Others didn't know how terrifying Might Duy truly was—but Hiruzen did.
Because the Eight Gates Technique was recorded in the Scroll of Seals.
Once the Gate of Death was opened, even Hiruzen himself would stand no chance.
To guarantee Duy would fight at full strength, Hiruzen had even ordered Might Guy to accompany him under the guise of a mission.
As for Kurenai's presence—it was Asuma's own request.
He wanted to show off in front of the woman he liked.
Suddenly, the two ANBU at the front halted and raised a hand, signaling stop.
"We're being watched," one of them whispered cautiously.
"?!"
Everyone tensed instantly, forming a tight defensive circle back-to-back, eyes scanning all directions.
"So this is all Konoha has?"
A cold, mocking voice echoed from the depths of the forest.
"Two jōnin dragging along six pieces of dead weight."
Before the words fully faded, a figure stepped out from the shadows—
Zabuza Momochi, wielding the Executioner's Blade.
As Zabuza emerged, the remaining six surrounded the group from all sides.
"This is… the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist!"
One of the ANBU's pupils shrank sharply.
Though he had never seen them before, the number and the grotesque weapons left no doubt.
Without hesitation, the ANBU fired a signal flare into the sky.
A red beam of light shot straight upward.
Kisame frowned slightly and looked toward Raiga.
"Why didn't you stop him?"
"Heh…" Raiga sneered, disdain flashing in his eyes.
"I don't need you questioning me. A signal flare changes nothing— we'll kill them right here."
Raiga smashed his twin Lightning Blades together.
Blue lightning exploded outward, branching like spiderwebs. Trees were scorched black, and the stench of burning wood filled the air.
Zabuza swung the Executioner's Blade with a grim smile, the massive sword howling as it cut through the air.
"I'll start," said the wielder of Hiramekarei.
The twin blades released blue chakra, forming a dense chakra sphere.
With a violent strike, the chakra sphere launched forward at terrifying speed.
The compressed chakra tore through the air, distorting it from heat.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
An ANBU slammed his hands into the ground.
A stone wall rose instantly—only to explode on impact with the chakra sphere.
The wall shattered.
"Leaf Whirlwind!"
Might Duy leapt into the air, spinning violently as he kicked the flying debris to dust.
Zabuza swept his blade horizontally toward Asuma.
Asuma froze.
Under Hiruzen's protection, he had grown like a flower in a greenhouse— he never imagined his first mission outside the village would turn into this.
Might Guy reacted instantly, grabbing Asuma by the collar and yanking him backward.
Asuma fell onto his back, barely dodging the attack.
"You okay?" Guy asked in a low voice, eyes locked on Zabuza.
Asuma gritted his teeth, forcing down the fear, and scrambled to his feet.
His chakra blades ignited as his expression hardened.
"I'm fine. I won't make that mistake again!"
"Oh? Then you'd better take this properly!"
Jinpachi Munashi appeared in front of Asuma like a ghost, swinging Shibuki down with full force!
Asuma's pupils shrank. He instinctively raised his chakra blades to block.
"Don't block it—!"
An ANBU screamed, his voice cracking in terror.
Asuma finally saw it—
The blade was covered in explosive tags.
The ANBU hurled a shuriken, desperately trying to disrupt the swing.
Too late.
"Genjutsu: Flower Petal Escape!"
Kurenai formed seals at lightning speed and unleashed her illusion.
Jinpachi's feral grin froze. His eyes lost focus.
But not even a second passed before he violently shook his head, snorting coldly as he broke free of the genjutsu.
"Looking for death!"
Roaring, Jinpachi accelerated his swing—but his target shifted.
Kurenai.
Kurenai's eyes sharpened. She stamped the ground and retreated in a blur, her body flickering backward.
But Shibuki's explosive blade tore through the air, closing in instantly.
At that critical moment—
A golden bolt of lightning flashed behind Jinpachi.
A chill exploded across his entire body.
Jinpachi abandoned his attack instantly and leapt backward, retreating at full speed.
—------------------------------
Author's Note:
I know the MC's name is Chinese, but if you've come this far and are enjoying the story, please ignore that and focus on the fanfic itself. I'm giving all my time and effort to reduce typos and deliver the best content possible.
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