Chapter 50 - The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist
Previously....
Deep within the grand hall of a hidden bandit stronghold, seven imposing figures sat in the dimly lit space, their presence exuding an unshakable aura of menace.
Each of them bore a legendary blade, a signature weapon that marked them as one of the deadliest groups in the ninja world—the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
Juzo Biwa, the wielder of the Executioner's Blade, leaned back against a wooden pillar, lazily twirling a kunai in his fingers. His lips curled into a sneer as he spoke.
"Heh… Yagura Karatachi is truly arrogant. The little Mizukage actually expects us to launch a direct attack on Konoha's supply lines?"
Sitting nearby, Kuriarare Kushimaru, the wielder of the Nuibari, adjusted his white water demon mask before replying in a soft yet chilling voice.
"Yagura may be a fool, but this plan is sound. By disrupting Konoha's supply lines, we can cripple their war effort. Orochimaru and Jiraiya's forces won't last without provisions. If we strike at the right moment, Konoha's forces will collapse from within."
Fuguki Suikazan, the hulking brute wielding the Samehada, chuckled darkly.
"So we execute the mission, let Konoha bleed a little… then we eliminate Yagura and take over Kirigakure ourselves?"
The casual suggestion of assassinating their own Mizukage didn't even faze the others.
Jinpachi Munashi, the sadistic wielder of the Shibuki, laughed as he swung his explosive blade through the air.
"Why not? That kid's been playing dictator for long enough. And let's be honest—Kirigakure needs real warriors leading it. Not some brat who hides behind 'rules'."
Raiga Kurosuki, gripping the Kiba blades, scoffed in agreement.
"I've been sick of his orders for a while now. The day we gut him will be a day of celebration."
It was clear—loyalty meant nothing among them.
Power was the only thing that mattered.
Only Kuriarare Kushimaru, ever the strategic mind, raised a hand to silence them.
"Enough. We'll deal with Yagura after we finish this mission. If we fail, there won't be a Kirigakure left to rule. Prioritize the war first."
Juzo Biwa snorted but relented.
"Hmph, fine. Let the brat live a little longer. But when this is over, we're taking everything."
The tension in the room lingered, the scent of bloodlust thick in the air.
Then—
Kushimaru suddenly stiffened, his masked face snapping toward the entrance.
"Someone's coming. I hear voices."
The others immediately quieted.
A new game had just begun.
"I'll go check it out."
Juzo stood up, gripping his Executioner's Blade.
"I'll join you."
Raiga cracked his knuckles, eager for action.
Noticing a group of Ninja's, Juzo Biwa's lips curled into a sneer as he stepped out from the shadows, his massive Executioner's Blade resting lazily on his shoulder. His eyes glinted with amusement as he took in the scene before him.
A Konoha jōnin, standing at the forefront, clad in a standard flak jacket. Behind him, three fresh-faced genin, their postures stiff with inexperience. And then there was the last member of the group—a man in a tight green jumpsuit, whose appearance alone made him look like a walking casualty.
Perfect.
Juzo had been wondering how to locate Konoha's supply routes in this unfamiliar terrain. But fate, it seemed, had delivered him a guide.
All he needed to do was capture the jōnin, and the rest would fall into place. Interrogation wouldn't be an issue—not with his Executioner's Blade and a lifetime of perfected torture techniques at his disposal.
A sinister grin stretched across his face.
"Looks like we've caught a big fish," he murmured.
Without a second thought, Juzo gripped the hilt of his massive blade, spinning it effortlessly before launching it like a deadly boomerang toward the unsuspecting Konoha shinobi.
"Sensei! Behind you!"
The sharp warning rang out through the trees.
Hatano reacted instantly. His years of battlefield experience told him everything he needed to know—he didn't even have to turn around to know something deadly was coming.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
His hands blurred through a rapid sequence of hand seals, and the ground before him trembled before a thick wall of stone rose in defense.
Boom!
The Executioner's Blade crashed into the wall with terrifying force, embedding itself deep into the stone, its edge stopping just inches from Hatano's face.
For a second, he exhaled in relief.
But then—
The massive blade suddenly shifted.
"What—?"
Before Hatano could react, the weapon sliced downward, splitting through the wall like paper.
Hatano barely had time to leap back, dust and debris flying in all directions as the stone shattered beneath the force of the strike.
And from behind the crumbling wall, Juzo Biwa emerged, his Executioner's Blade now resting effortlessly on his shoulder once again, a sadistic grin stretched across his face.
"Konoha's Hatano, huh?"
Hatano's heart pounded. He knew exactly who stood before him.
"Juzo Biwa… The Executioner of the Mist."
His voice was grim. One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist—deep inside the Land of Fire? How had they infiltrated so far without Danzo's Root forces detecting them?
Hatano's sharp gaze flickered to the surrounding trees. If Juzo was here…
There had to be others.
"Juzo Biwa…" Hatano's tone was sharp as he maneuvered himself into a defensive stance. "Are you trying to declare war on Konoha?"
Juzo chuckled, shifting his stance.
"War?" His voice dripped with amusement. "War has probably already begun. And don't bother trying to run…"
A second presence stepped out from the shadows.
A crackle of electricity filled the air.
Hatano turned, and his stomach sank.
Raiga Kurosuki.
The wielder of the Kiba Blades, shrouded in a faint aura of dancing lightning, stood at Juzo's side. His eyes gleamed with anticipation, eager for bloodshed.
Hatano felt the weight of the situation settle on his shoulders.
Two of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
Hatano clenched his fists. He knew the odds. He knew exactly what would happen if he stayed.
But more importantly—Konoha needed to know.
He cast a quick glance behind him, where Might Duy stood protectively in front of the three young genin.
Duy immediately understood.
Hatano turned back to the enemy.
He wouldn't survive this battle.
But that wasn't important.
Buying time was.
Taking a deep breath, Hatano hardened his resolve.
"Might Duy," he said, voice low but commanding. "Take them. Run back to Konoha. Now."
Duy stiffened, his usually carefree expression turning serious.
Hatano didn't have time for debate.
"That's an order!"
Duy's jaw clenched.
"Understood."
Without hesitation, he grabbed Ebisu, motioning for Genma and Guy to follow.
They ran.
"Not so fast."
Raiga raised his Thunder Swords, the crackling lightning intensifying—preparing to cut them down mid-escape.
However, Hatano moved instantly.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
A massive fireball roared toward Raiga, forcing him to dodge.
Hatano positioned himself firmly between the retreating team and the approaching swordsmen.
He tightened his grip on his kunai.
"As long as I stand, none of you are getting past me."
Juzo scoffed.
"You're asking for death."
Then—
With a single movement, he charged, Executioner's Blade swinging in a deadly arc.