"Ice Release?!"
Suikazan Fuguki's eyes were wide open as he exclaimed, "Could that be a rogue Ninja from the Minazuki Clan?"
Kisame Hoshigaki shook his head and said, "No, the Minazuki Clan's Ice Release isn't this powerful."
Suikazan Fuguki nodded in agreement, saying, "That's true."
The members of the Minazuki Clan in the Kirigakure Unit felt somewhat speechless.
They wanted to retort, but suddenly realized that their clan's Ice Release truly lacked this level of destructive power.
Kisame Hoshigaki stared at Sode no Shirayuki, which was emitting cold air in Rukia's hand, and whispered, "A ninja sword that can release Ice Release? Is this even logical??"
The others clearly noticed the blade, which was beautiful yet chillingly cold.
Almost simultaneously, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist involuntarily glanced at the ninja swords in their own hands.
This... are they the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, or is this group in front of them the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist!
A ninja sword capable of releasing Ice Release—this really opened their eyes.
On the other side, Sakumo Hatake also witnessed this astonishing sight.
A ninja sword, another ninja sword!
And an Ice Release Ninja Sword!
Although the previous ninja swords capable of releasing Wind Release and Lightning Release were also outrageous.
But having Kurotsuchi Raiga's ninja sword as a baseline, Sakumo Hatake wasn't overly surprised.
But this Ice Release Ninja Sword truly shocked him.
Bloodline Limits are famous precisely because they are powerful, unique, and rare.
Yet, right before his eyes appeared a ninja sword that inherently possessed a Bloodline Limit!
While Sakumo Hatake was surprised, he was also worried.
Since there was a first, would there be a second ninja sword possessing Bloodline Limit-like abilities?
He already had the answer in his heart.
That is, there definitely would be!
After all, the abilities of this new faction emerging in the Uzushigakure, aside from the Unmarked Ninjutsu he couldn't understand.
Were these ninja swords with special capabilities.
Where there is one, there will be two!
And four of these ninja swords had already appeared before Sakumo Hatake!!
As long as they possessed these ninja swords, the organization in the Uzushigakure would be able to mass-produce Ninja similar to those with Bloodline Limits!
If such a force were allowed to take root in the Uzushigakure, it would not be good news for Konoha.
Sakumo Hatake could only hope that this force did not possess too many ninja swords with special abilities.
Incidentally, he touched the White Fang on his back and couldn't help but think, "They're all ninja swords, but why is there such a difference in status?"
At the same time, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist also understood the value of the blade before them.
However, they didn't think as deeply as Sakumo Hatake; they were merely staring greedily at Sode no Shirayuki, hoping to claim this ninja sword that could release Ice Release for themselves.
If they obtained this sword, it would be equivalent to gaining a Bloodline Limit!
No one minded becoming stronger!
Now that this opportunity was before them, no one wanted to give it up.
The few of them exchanged glances, revealing the intent to rely on their own capabilities.
On the shore, the surviving Shinigami breathed a sigh of relief, and upon seeing Rukia's figure, immediately shouted: "It's Lieutenant Rukia of the Thirteenth Division!"
Thirteenth Division!
Sakumo Hatake captured this crucial piece of information.
Which means... this force has at least thirteen Divisions?
So, there are thirteen more people with the same strength as this girl before him??
In Sakumo Hatake's observation, he had already labeled the girl before him as having Quasi-Kage level strength.
At least among the Elite Jonin of the Minazuki Clan in the Hidden Mist Village, he had never encountered anyone who could use Ice Release this powerfully.
Although she lacked Chakra, making it difficult to assess her strength, using the Minazuki Clan as a benchmark...
This girl's performance was definitely above the Elite Jonin of the Minazuki Clan.
Thus, he assessed her as being at the Quasi-Kage level.
Now, having learned that she is the so-called Lieutenant of the Thirteenth Division, does that mean this organization has twelve more people with Quasi-Kage strength?
And this assumes the Thirteenth Division is the last Division.
Thirteen Quasi-Kage... How could a force with this kind of strength have remained completely unheard of?
Even Konoha's Intelligence Department has no record of it whatsoever.
Wait!
Sakumo Hatake, suddenly realizing something, opened his eyes wide, no longer able to maintain the composure on his face.
Thirteenth Division, Lieutenant??
Hiss—Sakumo Hatake immediately sucked in a cold breath, even doubting if he had heard correctly.
Lieutenant??
Does that mean there is a Captain above her??
If the Lieutenant already possesses this strength, what about the Captain?
Surely, they aren't Kage-level, are they?
Sakumo Hatake's heart suddenly trembled.
He then quickly shook his head, casting aside that terrifying thought.
That shouldn't be possible.
If this force possessed such strength, how could it have remained silent and unknown?
And why would they still be confined to a small place like the Uzushigakure?
After thinking it through, Sakumo Hatake breathed a sigh of relief.
Only then did he realize that his back was soaked with cold sweat.
Yet, a voice kept whispering in his heart: What if?
"Thirteenth Division? Lieutenant?"
Suikazan Fuguki hoisted Samehada onto his shoulder and sneered, "So you're saying there are twelve more people with your level of strength? Bah! Just posturing!"
Anyone with eyes could see Rukia's strength.
Especially Suikazan Fuguki, the user of the Great Waterfall Technique, who could clearly grasp the terrifying strength of Rukia, who had frozen his own Ninjutsu.
Yet, she was telling him there were twelve more people like her, and even thirteen Captain-level individuals who were stronger than Rukia?
A force with this much strength would be enough to found a nation; how could they have remained unheard of all this time?
Therefore, he was certain that this group was bluffing.
Suikazan Fuguki arrogantly challenged, "If you have the guts, call them all out! I'll beat them up one by one!"
As soon as his voice fell, five figures suddenly appeared beside Rukia.
"It's Lieutenant Matsumoto Rangiku of the Tenth Division!"
"And Lieutenant Abarai Renji of the Sixth Division, Lieutenant Hinamori Momo of the Fifth Division, and Lieutenant Kira Iziru of the Third Division!!"
"Oh, right, and Lieutenant Omaeda Kichiyo of the Second Division."
Omaeda Kichiyo's face darkened. Why did he sound like he was just making up the numbers?
Suikazan Fuguki froze for a moment and exclaimed, "They really exist?!"
Sakumo Hatake, who was observing secretly, couldn't help but pause upon seeing this.
Since the other Lieutenants had appeared, then the Captains must also truly exist!
Sakumo Hatake's expression grew increasingly solemn.
Rukia glanced at the Kirigakure Ninja's formation and said, "Find your opponents and finish the fight quickly."
With that, Rukia raised the snowy white Sode no Shirayuki, pointed it at Suikazan Fuguki, and stated calmly, "I'll take care of this Pufferfish."
Suikazan Fuguki: "...Puf! Fer! Fish?"
...Please give flowers! Please give rating votes! Chapter 13: Growl, Haineko!
Suikazan Fuguki was furious!
Rukia, however, acted as if she hadn't seen his anger, and even performed a noble bow, saying:
"Uzushigakure, Gotei 13, Lieutenant of the Thirteenth Division, Rukia. Please guide me."
Sakumo Hatake, eavesdropping from afar like a War Correspondent, took note of the information Rukia revealed.
Gotei 13.
Which means there are only thirteen Divisions.
But what does 'Gotei' mean?
And why place the Uzushigakure at the beginning?
What is the relationship between this force and the Uzushigakure?
Sakumo Hatake was full of questions.
Suikazan Fuguki didn't care about these prefixes, nor did he adhere to any so-called noble etiquette.
Gripping the great sword Samehada tightly with both hands, he heavily chopped down toward Rukia!
"Take this strike from me first!"
Bang! A dull sound rang out.
Rukia parried Suikazan Fuguki's heavy blow with Sode no Shirayuki, her body sinking slightly, her brow furrowed.
What immense strength.
The great sword Samehada continued to press down, but Rukia didn't want to continue playing a game of strength with him.
Compared to Swordsmanship, she was most proficient in Kido.
"Hadō No. 4: Byakurai!"
Crackle! Lightning burst forth from Rukia's fingertips, discharging electricity right in his face!