The instant Jinpachi Munashi retreated, a golden blade of light flashed across the spot where his neck had just been–
and a figure landed heavily behind him.
"Tch—missed!"
The golden figure steadied himself. It was Wen Lan.
"You bastard…" Jinpachi's pupils contracted, his grip on Shibuki tightening.
If he'd reacted even a fraction slower just now, his head would already be flying.
"Wen Lan?!"
Everyone cried out in shock.
Wen Lan swept his gaze across the battlefield, his voice low and heavy:
"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist…"
Almost at the same time, three figures rushed in from afar—Uchiha Shisui and two Uchiha chūnin.
Shisui flickered to Wen Lan's side and glanced at him.
"Looks like your lightning's even faster than my Body Flicker."
"Just lightning chakra stimulating the leg cells," Wen Lan replied calmly, gripping his blade as he stared at Jinpachi.
"It's the Uchiha! Don't look into their eyes!"
Kushimaru Kuriarare's voice rang out from beneath his mask.
"And who told you that not looking is enough?"
Shisui drew his blade and charged straight at Kushimaru—
but a massive, bandage-wrapped blade suddenly slashed across his attack path!
Shisui instantly retreated, but his expression changed midair.
He flipped backward, landed, and pressed a hand to his chest, then stared at the sword in Kisame Hoshigaki's hands.
Strange… I wasn't hit, but my chakra just vanished?!
Wen Lan frowned slightly and spoke up:
"That sword is called Samehada. It devours chakra.
As long as it touches chakra, it eats it."
Kisame's expression stiffened.
He hadn't expected Wen Lan to know Samehada's secret—this was classified information even within Kirigakure.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen were famous, but their true capabilities were known to very few, especially Samehada's nature.
After all, they were the first generation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
The ANBU had recognized them earlier only because of the seven people and those grotesque weapons.
Kisame snorted, killing intent flashing in his eyes.
"Since you know so much, then I can't let you live."
Samehada trembled slightly in his hands, as if responding to its master's bloodlust.
"Oh, right," Wen Lan added calmly, glancing at Shisui,
"I forgot to mention—it's alive."
"…Alive?" Shisui stared at him in disbelief.
"Literally. That thing isn't really a sword. It's a living organism."
That was the final straw.
If Wen Lan kept talking, Samehada's secrets would be completely exposed.
Kisame immediately charged toward Wen Lan, raising Samehada high.
Shisui intercepted at once, forming seals and unleashing genjutsu.
Meanwhile—
Two ANBU engaged Hiramekarei's wielder and Raiga Kurosuki.
One Uchiha chūnin fought Jinin Akebino.
Another chūnin took on Jinpachi Munashi.
Might Guy, Yūhi Kurenai, Sarutobi Asuma, Genma Shiranui, and Ebisu surrounded Zabuza Momochi.
Wen Lan turned toward Kushimaru Kuriarare.
Kushimaru's Nuibari could hardly be called a sword—it was more like an enormous needle, its tail connected to a thin metallic wire swaying in the air.
"Then let me have some fun with you," Kushimaru said coldly.
The moment his words fell, the needle shot forward, the metal wire carving a silver arc through the air.
"Leaf Whirlwind!"
A blur flashed past.
Might Duy appeared like a storm, kicking the needle away with one clean strike.
"These are Konoha's precious youths," Duy laughed brightly.
"I won't let you kill them so casually!"
He surged forward, his body spinning like a cyclone, legs cracking through the air with terrifying force.
Kushimaru retreated rapidly, the needle snapping back under the wire's pull, its tip glinting coldly.
With a sneer, his hands moved in complex patterns—the wire wove into a lethal web in midair, sealing Duy's movements.
Duy didn't dodge.
He crossed his arms in front of his body, taking several slashes head-on. Blood burst from his skin, yet not a single step back.
He grinned widely.
"Pain like this can't extinguish the flames of youth!"
The next instant, he leapt skyward, both legs crashing down like hammers toward Kushimaru's face.
Kushimaru's eyes widened slightly—he hadn't expected such reckless force.
He rolled backward, barely avoiding the blow, but the needle and wire continued to hunt, slicing toward Duy's back.
Without hesitation, Wen Lan appeared behind Duy, his blade snapping out to strike the wire's midpoint.
Sparks exploded as metal met steel.
"…It didn't cut?!"
Wen Lan's eyes widened in disbelief.
His gaze hardened instantly.
He roared low in his throat, gripping the blade with both hands as flames erupted violently, heat distorting the air itself.
The screech of metal rang out—
Yet the wire still did not melt.
Wen Lan's heart sank.
The material of that wire was absurdly durable—even his flames couldn't damage it.
Kushimaru smirked. With a flick of his wrist, the wire recoiled, the needle shooting straight for Wen Lan's throat.
Wen Lan's eyes sharpened. He forcefully withdrew his blade and leapt back, narrowly dodging the killing strike.
Even so, the wire grazed past his shoulder, tearing flesh and drawing blood.
"Hngh—!"
He stomped down and retreated, pulling away instantly.
"Back off, kid!"
Might Duy roared, muscles bulging like iron as his fists clenched with cracking sounds.
"He's an elite jōnin—you're not his opponent!"
Shinobi were ranked as:
Genin → Chūnin → Tokubetsu Jōnin → Jōnin → Elite Jōnin → Kage-level → Super Kage → Six Paths-level.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen were elite jōnin pushing into Kage-level.
Duy crossed his fists before his face, staring at Kushimaru through the gap, his voice turning deadly serious:
"I won't let you hurt my precious juniors again—
especially the only junior who ever acknowledged me as his senior!"
He inhaled sharply.
"Eight Gates Technique!
First Gate — Gate of Opening, open!
Second Gate — Gate of Healing, open!
Third Gate — Gate of Life, open!"
Duy's muscles began to violently convulse.
His body flushed red as blood surged, and an overwhelming power flooded through him.
Green chakra burst forth like blazing flames, shaking the air itself as pressure rolled outward in waves.
The battlefield fell silent—
Everyone could feel it.
The moment Might Duy stepped beyond human limits.
—------------------------------
Pat reon Advance Chapters: patreon.com/YonkoSlayer