Konoha's ANBU seemed to have copied the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of Kirigakure.
That said, the Second Mizukage appeared to be an admirer of Konoha's Second Hokage.
The seven swordsmen of the Mist were indeed quite fascinating. Each of their swords possessed unique abilities.
Of course, other than the sentient Samehada, the rest were essentially subpar in comparison.
Samehada wasn't just a sword—it was a living entity. It had a long history with the Three-Tails, often attaching itself to the tailed beast and absorbing large quantities of its chakra over time.
Because of that, Samehada gradually took on characteristics similar to a tailed beast.
Its primary ability was chakra absorption.
It could replenish the user's chakra reserves mid-battle.
In that sense, it functioned like a chakra charger—a priceless treasure for any shinobi.
It also removed the need to rely on soldier pills.
And since it was alive, it could coordinate with its wielder during combat, aiding in ninjutsu and other techniques.
That's why it was considered the most valuable of the seven blades.
Kitahara Hitoshi noticed they were discussing the Seven Ninja Swords, so he added more insight.
The two Mist Chūnin seemed ignorant on the subject.
"Oh…"
"So that's how it is…"
"But…" one of the Mist Chūnin asked, "why do you know so much?"
"…" Kitahara Hitoshi paused.
"On the second floor of the Konoha Library, the fourth book in the third row of the shelf starting with J, under human history."
"Kirigakure Humanities."
"It's written in that book," Kitahara Hitoshi explained.
"Is that the book…" Sasuke tried to recall. He had visited that section of the library and caught a glimpse of it once.
"Nani nani?"
Naruto, lacking any academic exposure, had never been to the library, let alone borrowed a book.
"…" Kakashi remained silent.
Kakashi adjusted the forehead protector covering his left eye.
A sudden realization hit him.
Kitahara Hitoshi's broad knowledge wasn't just from intelligence. He was genuinely well-read.
Maybe…
While the Hokage believed that a ninja had bitten Kitahara Hitoshi and that this somehow led to him awakening the Sharingan and even the Rinnegan...
Perhaps from another perspective, his bloodline had reawakened.
Reverted to the era of the Sage of Six Paths.
But...
Was it possible…
That even if no ninja had bitten him, Kitahara Hitoshi still possessed the potential to break through bloodline limits and return to the original source?
Maybe...
That's why the ninja who bit him had reacted in such shock.
"Haha—"
As Kakashi thought about it, he felt deeply intrigued.
Could such a thing really exist?
…
Meanwhile…
Back in Konoha.
Inside a single apartment.
Near the window of Kitahara Hitoshi's apartment, a ninja rabbit sat.
Its entire body was pure white—even its eyes—but its feet and claws were red. It stared at the sky, unmoving.
Its eyes focused upward—toward the moon.
Though it was daytime, the moon still faintly lingered in the sky.
The rabbit seemed lost in thought.
It also wanted to ask—
Could such a phenomenon truly exist?
Even though it had merely bitten Kitahara Hitoshi, the result was the awakening of the Rinnegan.
By contrast, the Hyuga girls only split and manifested more gifted alternate personalities when exposed to similar circumstances.
So why did Kitahara Hitoshi's result lead straight back to the Sage of Six Paths' bloodline?
It couldn't comprehend it.
…
Land of Waves.
Riding a motorboat, Kitahara Hitoshi and his team were just 20 minutes from their final destination.
As Mr. Tazuna had said, the Land of Waves had been economically and militarily blockaded by Gato.
Historically, the country lacked bridges and relied heavily on maritime trade routes with other shinobi villages.
But once Gato arrived, he blockaded the coast, bought seafood from the villagers at exploitative prices, and sold basic necessities back to them at exorbitant costs.
The result was a grim reality—villagers would starve if they didn't work, but couldn't save money even if they did.
Tazuna's dream was to build a bridge during this desperate time.
To reconnect the Land of Waves with the outside world.
Naturally, Gato tried to stop him. He had many people arrested and even had Tazuna's son-in-law executed.
Tazuna himself was now on Gato's kill list.
"So that's how it is…"
"This Gato is too much!"
Naruto, ever the righteous one, became visibly outraged.
"…"
Sasuke glanced around.
"By the way, are those two Chūnin even reliable?"
"Aren't they under Zabuza? That means they're betraying him if they act on their own…"
"What if Zabuza turns on them?" Sasuke asked.
"If they betray Zabuza, then he'll kill them himself," Kitahara Hitoshi replied.
"…" Sasuke blinked.
"As expected of you…"
Sasuke was impressed.
"Still, the outcome might not be what we expect," Kitahara Hitoshi added, turning his gaze in a specific direction.
"Huh?" Sasuke tensed, quickly becoming alert.
"Everyone, stay sharp!"
Kakashi, who had been silently listening, followed Kitahara Hitoshi's gaze.
With his years of mission experience, he sensed something.
He leapt to the bow of the boat, pulling a kunai from his gear.
Suddenly, a gust of wind and the sound of rushing water filled the air.
Metal clashed.
"Boom!"
Sparks flew as weapons met.
Then a burst of purple chakra erupted from Kakashi's hand.
Only now did Sasuke and the others realize Kakashi had jumped off the boat and stood firmly on the water's surface.
The kunai had already fallen away. In his hand now was a condensed arc of crackling chakra.
"Chidori!" Kakashi roared.
The lightning shot toward the incoming beheading sword.
"Boom!"
The blade snapped in half.
…
Grandchildren's Shinobi Chat Group
Senju Tobirama: Mizukage, is this really the Beheading Sword of your Kirigakure?
Mizukage Candidate – Terumi Mei: Uh… yes…
Namikaze Minato: As my Minato said, it breaks too easily.
Mizukage Candidate – Terumi Mei: ...
The Mizukage candidate could only feel... utterly humiliated.