The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist encountered Might Duy.
They were reduced to nothing more than a tragic spectacle.
Now, only two remained.
With Yagura's prior warning, Jinin Akebino did not participate in the battle and managed to escape.
Another survivor, Hoshigaki Fuguki, was gravely injured but still alive. He was taken back to Kirigakure by Jinin Akebino.
The swords of the five fallen members were sealed into scrolls and returned to the Mizukage.
Yagura accepted them. "Good work, Jinin-sensei."
Jinin Akebino gazed deeply at Yagura, who sat in the Mizukage's seat.
"You've grown ruthless, kid."
"Hmm."
Yagura, without looking up, was focused on Konoha's diplomatic reply.
"Where is Might Duy's corpse?"
Such a drastic change.
Jinin Akebino silently mused.
Who would have thought that the same boy who once seemed harmless could so easily discard the lives of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen as if they were nothing?
Still feeling a lingering unease, Jinin Akebino pulled out a space-sealed scroll.
"Here. His body is nearly reduced to ash, with only the last remnants of chakra left. That technique is terrifying."
A corpse of someone capable of using the Eight Gates Release Formation...
It could still hold value—perhaps as a future bargaining chip.
"Mm. Hand it over for preservation."
"Understood!"
Jinin Akebino left.
Yagura lowered his head, continuing to examine Konoha's official response.
Konoha expressed gratitude for Kirigakure's firm stance regarding the Third Kazekage's disappearance and hoped for an everlasting friendship between the two villages.
They agreed to sign the Kiri-Konoha Secret Pact, which stipulated:
A mutual non-aggression agreement.
Konoha would sell Kirigakure essential goods—grain, livestock, medicinal herbs, timber—at local market prices in exchange for cash, gold, or equivalent materials like iron ore and ninja tools.
In exchange, Kirigakure provided intelligence on the Seven Ninja Swordsmen's movements and abilities, much like how Sunagakure had handed over Pakura to Kirigakure—essentially delivering the swordsmen's lives to Konoha.
At first glance, Kirigakure appeared to have suffered a loss while Konoha gained.
However, by having Konoha eliminate them, Kirigakure secured the first term of the pact—non-aggression. Kirigakure would not join the war, and Konoha would not force them to.
Hiruzen Sarutobi saw through Yagura's scheme—using Konoha as an executioner. The old Hokage couldn't help but marvel at the young Mizukage's ruthless cunning, yet he gladly accepted the offer.
To wipe out the entire Seven Ninja Swordsmen, the mission required someone with Kage-level strength.
In his private correspondence with Sarutobi, Yagura casually mentioned Might Guy's name, prompting Sarutobi to connect the dots to Might Duy.
A seemingly unremarkable Genin who had mastered the forbidden technique of the Eight Gates Release Formation.
Sacrificing a disposable pawn to ensure Kirigakure's neutrality—Hiruzen Sarutobi had no qualms about making that exchange.
Might Duy died avenging his personal grudge, completely unaware that he was actually aiding his enemies.
For the sake of the village.
Hiruzen Sarutobi made the call.
...
After confirming that the pact had been finalized, Yagura exhaled deeply.
He glanced at his exhausted subordinates and offered them a rare, relaxed smile.
Sunagakure and Konoha—the two main players in this war—had both been dealt with.
They had succeeded.
As the tension in his mind eased, exhaustion overtook him. His eyelids grew heavy, and he immediately fell asleep at his desk.
The dull thud of his head hitting the surface drew everyone's attention.
Elder Genshi, Yuki Murasaki, and Ao exchanged glances. In their tired eyes, they saw the same mix of fatigue and relief.
Ao stepped forward. "I'll take the Mizukage home."
Yuki Murasaki shot him a sharp look. "That's supposed to be my job."
She hesitated, then sighed. "Fine. I'll leave it to you."
"Understood!"
Ao bent down, hoisting the small, sleeping Mizukage onto his back. Feeling Yagura's steady breaths against his shoulder, his body tensed for a moment before stiffly walking to the door.
"Elder, I'll be taking my leave."
Elder Genshi chuckled warmly. "Go on. You've done well."
Ao nodded. "You too, Elder."
...
Stepping out of the Mizukage Tower, Ao looked up at the setting sun veiled by the mist.
The exhaustion of the past few days weighed on him, yet a sense of triumph lingered beneath it.
The young leader on his back was the hope of Kirigakure's future.
His decisiveness and ability to navigate complex situations brought undeniable benefits to the village.
Ao couldn't help but respect him.
His mind drifted to their recent initiatives—
The Village of Blades, formed by craftsmen and blacksmiths from the Land of Smithing, was yet to prove its worth.
The Kiri-Suna Non-Aggression Pact resolved diplomatic tensions with Sunagakure. Selling surplus war supplies to Suna provided a welcome influx of funds—Elder Genshi had grinned ear to ear while drafting the sales contract.
They had encouraged Sunagakure to engage in war while ensuring Kirigakure's neutrality.
The assassination of Pakura quelled internal rumors and secured public support for Yagura.
Many Kirigakure shinobi had perished at Pakura's hands. Seeing their leader personally avenge them fostered trust in the young Mizukage.
Common shinobi rarely witnessed high-level diplomatic maneuvers.
This was the first time Yagura had done something visible to them.
It was a strong beginning.
...
Today's events weren't over yet.
News of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen's demise had spread throughout the village.
As Ao walked through the streets, he overheard the murmurs of the villagers.
Yet, rather than cursing Konoha for killing their swordsmen, they seemed more concerned about their own security.
With both the former Mizukage and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen gone, who would protect Kirigakure?
Seven elite Jōnin—five dead, one gravely wounded, and only one unharmed due to not engaging in battle.
What did this mean?
For Kirigakure, where the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were second only to the Mizukage in military might, it was equivalent to Konoha losing Kakashi Hatake, Asuma Sarutobi, Might Guy, and the Ino-Shika-Cho trio all at once.
The Kage of the Wind, Earth, and Lightning Countries were overjoyed at the news.
But they also wondered—
With both a Mizukage and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen gone in such a short time, did Kirigakure have any strength left to participate in the coming war?
...
Meanwhile, Hozuki Chiren's remains were returned to the Hozuki Clan.
"Chiren..."
Mangetsu Hozuki quietly donned his mourning robes.
The clan leader reinstated Chiren's name in the family records and buried him in the ancestral tomb.
As the ceremony ended, he looked at his son.
He approached, placing a hand on Mangetsu's head.
"Not long ago, you wanted to fight him. Now you look like you're about to cry."
"I'm not crying!"
Mangetsu retorted sharply, then murmured, "It's just... different."
His father sighed, ruffling his son's hair.
How could he tell Mangetsu that their small Mizukage had personally sent Chiren to the afterlife?
Some things were better left unsaid.
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