Fuguki Suikazan had no idea that the rumors he had spread in the village about Yagura had already been completely exposed.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were reassigned the next day, sent out of Kirigakure on a mission to Konohagakure in the Land of Fire.
To the swordsmen, this was nothing more than an act of guilt.
"Hah! That little brat who still hasn't grown all his hair thinks he can go against us? What a joke!"
Seven figures darted swiftly through the dense forest.
Their mission took them to the southwestern region of the Land of Fire, though no matter the location, forests were abundant.
Despite being collectively known as the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, their relationships were far from close-knit—some wouldn't even consider each other comrades.
"Don't take things too far," murmured Munashi Jinpachi, though a wicked grin spread across his face the next moment. "Once we return, that brat will have already been ousted from the Mizukage's seat! Hahaha!"
At the end of the day, they were merely colleagues. But gossiping about a superior they all disliked? That was always a joy.
Especially when the superior in question was someone they all found unbearable.
Fuguki Suikazan turned to a silent companion among them and laughed boisterously.
"Hey, Jinin, I know you had some history with that brat. You aren't upset about this, are you?"
Jinin Akebino's voice remained calm. "No. Do as you please."
"History? And yet you still got sent away like the rest of us?" Biwa Jūzō sneered. "Old man Jinin, don't say I didn't warn you. If you keep holding onto that kid, you won't even realize when you get yourself killed."
Jinin raised an eyebrow. "And what do you all think?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Jūzō's gaze remained forward, a flicker of intent flashing through his eyes. "When the time is right, we make our move and get out."
"We need to secure the summoning scroll for the Seven Swords first! Those blades belong to us!" Kuriarei Kushimaru called out as he leaped over the treetops. "Don't forget, we were all under the Third Mizukage! Once that brat solidifies his power, he'll definitely replace us! Chiren, your little full-moon brat will take your spot for sure!"
Hozuki Chiren remained silent, trailing at the back of the group.
"Still the quiet type, huh? One of these days, your twin blades are gonna be taken." Raiga Kurosuki smirked. "What's the plan? Just sit around and wait for that brat to have us assassinated? That'd be a pretty pathetic way to go."
Jinin said nothing, his cold gaze sweeping over his former comrades.
He had spent enough time around Yagura to know that the boy wasn't the kind of person they assumed.
Perhaps the Seven Ninja Swordsmen would be replaced in time, but Yagura would do so fairly. If that day came, it would only mean that the younger generation had surpassed them.
Even then, their lives wouldn't be at risk.
Unlike now.
Jinin smirked inwardly. "You're not worried this mission might be a trap?"
Jūzō scoffed. "All seven of us are together! What could possibly happen?"
They were confident in their combined strength.
Even if their opponent was a Kage, so what?
A trap? An assassination? Ridiculous.
"It's all because of that damn Third Mizukage," Fuguki Suikazan growled, resentment burning in his eyes. The face of the former Mizukage flashed in his mind.
Once, he had seen him as a benefactor. Now, he resented him from the depths of his heart.
"Died without a word, using an excuse to send us all away. We weren't even allowed back into the village for an entire month before his death. We had no time to prepare."
His Anbu had been tight-lipped, preventing them from gathering any information about the Third's illness.
Had they known earlier, had they returned in time, they wouldn't be in such a passive position now.
"Hey, looks like we've got company up ahead—three Konoha brats."
Kushimaru's sharp eyes gleamed with malice. He had been looking for an outlet for his pent-up frustration.
"How about we have some fun?"
"Fine by me," Fuguki grinned, gripping his blade. "My sword is thirsting for blood."
Raiga smirked. "A Konoha-Kiri alliance? No war? That brat is too soft—he doesn't deserve to be a shinobi."
...
Six figures moved swiftly, encircling their targets in the clearing.
Jinin did not move.
His cold eyes swept over his six former comrades before settling on the three Konoha ninja: Shiranui Genma, Might Guy, and Ebisu.
"Damn. We're surrounded," Genma muttered, scanning the seven enemies around them. "No way out."
Might Guy paled. "Wait... aren't they the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist?!"
The look in their eyes was anything but friendly.
"We're screwed! I don't want to die!" Ebisu trembled, raising his kunai defensively. "We don't stand a chance! I still have... things... hidden under my bed, in my closet, stashed at a friend's place—I need to destroy them before I die!"
"So even Konoha's brats know our name," Jūzō smirked, raising the Executioner's Blade.
"Oh? A little nick on the blade... Guess I'll need some fresh blood to fix that."
"Lucky you," Raiga chuckled darkly. "I'll make sure your funeral is glorious."
Casual skirmishes like this never escalated to full-scale war. Even if these brats died, Konoha wouldn't retaliate against Kirigakure.
Especially not in the current state of affairs.
Genma clenched the senbon between his teeth, cold sweat dripping down his back.
"What do we do...?!"
...
A burst of green steam descended from above, landing between the two sides.
"Yosh! Just in time!"
The three Konoha ninja stared in shock at the figure clad in the unmistakable green bodysuit.
"Uncle?!"
It was none other than Might Duy—Might Guy's father!
Duy turned to them, flashing a thumbs-up.
"The Hokage sent me to handle this! You three, run!"
Seeing the green suit, run.
Jinin recalled Yagura's warning.
Once during the Chunin Exams.
Once again in a private briefing before their departure.
That kid always had a way of knowing things.
Reaching into his pouch, Jinin grasped the item Yagura had given him—a sealing tag designed to suppress chakra, usually used on corpses.
That brat had truly hardened his heart.
"Heh... Third Mizukage, this is exactly what you wanted, isn't it?"
Without a word, Jinin silently retreated into the shadows of the forest.
"But Uncle, they're elite Jōnin—the Seven Ninja Swordsmen! You can't take them alone!"
"No problem!" Duy beamed, pressing a fist to his chest. "I have the Eighth Gate of Death!"
Determination burned in his eyes as he stared down the six swordsmen.
"Guy, your father will now burn with the flames of youth!"
"Eighth Gate—Gate of Death—Open!"
A crimson aura erupted.
The air trembled with a chakra shockwave.
Genma and the others had already fled.
His death would nourish the next generation.
The ground beneath him cracked as Duy roared, "Now is the moment! The beast of Konoha, Might Duy, shall bloom in the flames of youth!"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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