Fuguki and Raiga both noticed the change in Ao's expression and quickly looked over.
"Thick eyebrows, spiky hair, green tights..."
As Ao described, the expressions of Fuguki and Raiga both darkened.
For the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, there was always an obstacle they could never overcome.
For the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, despite being seven elite Jonin, when faced with just one Konoha Genin, a seven-against-one scenario should have had no suspense in terms of victory.
However, not only did the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist lose, but they also lost disastrously.
Four of them were killed on the spot.
The remaining three barely escaped with their lives.
In an instant, they became a laughingstock in the ninja world.
Fallen from the peak to the depths of the valley, and even trampled on a few times.
At that time, Juzo fell into a state of despair.
Coincidentally, Soma needed a bodyguard, so the Third Mizukage arranged for Juzo to take the position.
Initially, Juzo didn't think much of it.
It was only later that he realized it was an opportunity to change his fate.
Looking at the current situation, Fuguki and Raiga both obtained Zanpakuto and became members of the Shinigami Squad.
However, there is still a difference compared to Juzo.
If there were rankings within the Shinigami Squad, Juzo would undoubtedly hold a much higher position.
Fuguki, being relatively friendly, continued working as a ninja.
However, in his heart, Fuguki remained concerned about Might Duy, almost like an obsession.
As for Raiga, he spent his days drinking heavily and wasting away.
If it weren't for obtaining the Lightning Blade, Raiga believed he would have been completely ruined by now.
It wasn't just other ninja villages; even within Hidden Mist Village, no one from his own clan would have respected him.
And all of this was thanks to Might Duy.
Might Duy is someone the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist would never forget.
After obtaining the Zanpakuto, Fuguki and the others saw a significant increase in their strength.
They tried many times to find Might Duy, to defeat him, regain their pride, and remove the shadow in their hearts.
It was a shadow that could only be removed by personally defeating Might Duy.
No matter how strong they became, Might Duy seemed to have disappeared.
Whether it was battlefields against Mist ninja or other ninja villages, he was nowhere to be found.
But now, he had finally reappeared.
"Might Duy!"
Raiga impatiently asked,
"Ao, where is that guy?"
Ao pointed forward.
Three figures emerged: Sarutobi Hiruzen, Might Duy, and Sarutobi Sasuke.
Following behind them was the Konoha ninja army.
Fuguki squinted slightly.
"Sarutobi Hiruzen actually came to the frontlines personally. Might Duy... but who is the third one? He looks somewhat like Sarutobi Hiruzen. Could he be an elder of the Sarutobi Clan? But, something feels off..."
"Sarutobi Hiruzen is showing this person a great deal of respect."
"No elder would receive such respect from Sarutobi Hiruzen."
"There's something strange about the aura coming from him."
As the leader of the Mist forces, Fuguki had to remain vigilant and analyze the enemy more carefully.
But Raiga was different.
The moment Might Duy appeared, Raiga's gaze locked onto him with intensity.
Might Duy noticed Raiga's stare and returned it with an equally sharp look.
It was as if they were destined mortal enemies.
"Hiruzen, Hidden Mist Village doesn't seem to have the intention of continuing to attack us as you said. What should we do next? You make the arrangements," said Sarutobi Sasuke as he looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Father..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen observed the situation in front of him and quickly began thinking.
Given the current situation, it would be normal for the Mist forces to attack Konoha.
The fact that they haven't attacked could be due to two possibilities.
One is that they plan to let Hidden Cloud Village and Hidden Rock Village test the waters first.
The second is that they have somehow learned about the Impure World Reincarnation technique.
But that's impossible.
"Hidden Mist Village might be waiting for information from Hidden Cloud and Hidden Rock Villages. If they don't initiate the attack, there's no need for us to attack first. Maintaining the current situation is fine."
Sarutobi Hiruzen then lowered his voice.
"With our current situation, if we really engage with the Mist forces, the chances of gaining an advantage are slim."
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't look down on his father.
Rather, Senju Tobirama had the Flying Thunder God Jutsu and the Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags Jutsu.
Dan Kato possessed the Spirit Transformation Jutsu.
Both of them, even without being in their prime, could still kill people in droves.
But Sarutobi Sasuke was just an "ordinary" ninja proficient in the five elements of Ninjutsu.
Given Sarutobi Sasuke's current state, his strength is not even comparable to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Sarutobi Hiruzen may be old, but Sarutobi Sasuke's Impure World Reincarnation isn't perfect.
The same goes for Might Duy beside him.
As soon as Might Duy was reincarnated, Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately questioned him.
Might Duy didn't hesitate and tried right away.
Eight Inner Gates, open.
Soon, the result came out.
He could open the gates, though his body was that of an Impure World Reincarnation. After all, this Ninjutsu still relied on living people as vessels to perform.
It wasn't just about possessing a soul's power.
Various Kekkei Genkai and blood-activated summoning jutsu can still be used. When Impure World Itachi used Amaterasu, his eyes even bled, proving that the Impure World Reincarnation body doesn't rely solely on soul power.
It also retains vitality.
It's just that, due to its unique nature, many injuries don't cause bleeding, making it appear as if it's not a living being.
Since it has vitality and chakra, the Eight Inner Gates Jutsu can naturally be used.
However, there are many issues.
The main problem is the strain on the body.
Might Duy's body under the incomplete Impure World Reincarnation isn't nearly as strong as it was when he was alive.
The sixth gate is already his limit, and even that can't be maintained for long.
Additionally, the vitality of the Impure World Reincarnation body is significantly less compared to that of a real living person.
"Fuguki, I can't hold back any longer," Raiga said, gripping the Lightning Blade tightly and looking at Fuguki.
"I want to try, just by myself, it won't interfere with the village's plan."
Fuguki hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"Go ahead."
The two armies facing each other, doing nothing, felt strange.
Since no information had yet come back from Hidden Cloud Village or Hidden Rock Village, Fuguki didn't want to act rashly. However, letting Raiga go up alone might reveal some useful information.
Raiga stepped forward, gripping the shaft of the Lightning Blade and pointing it in the direction of the Konoha forces.
"Might Duy, come out!"
Might Duy instinctively looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen.
After Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, he stood up and began walking step by step toward Raiga.
Two armies, with their generals stepping out first.
However, this scene didn't quite fit the usual tone of war in the ninja world.
In the world of ninjas, it's all about deception—killing by any means necessary.
Ambushes, traps, surrounding the enemy...
But due to various factors and conditions, this unusual situation had taken shape.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on Raiga and Might Duy.
"Hiruzen, is the ninjato in that guy's hand a Zanpakuto?" Sarutobi Sasuke asked while observing Raiga.
"Yes, Father," Sarutobi Hiruzen explained.
"That person is Kurosaki Raiga, formerly a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Hidden Mist, wielding the Thunder Swords—one of the Seven Ninja Swords of the Mist. He was defeated by Duy."
"And it was a seven-against-one, a crushing defeat."
Sarutobi Sasuke frowned.
"To suffer such a defeat in a seven-on-one, and he was using a ninjato before as well. Now, even after facing Duy, he dares to step forward alone. Is that Zanpakuto really so incredible that it gives him this much confidence?"
"Compared to the Seven Ninja Swords of the Mist, Zanpakuto are indeed much stronger," Sarutobi Hiruzen replied. "That Raiga, wielding the Lightning Blade, once defeated Danzo in a single strike."
"Danzo's strength isn't weak."
"Among Konoha's Elders, he's second only to me."
Sarutobi Sasuke's expression grew serious.
He naturally knew about Danzo.
When Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo became disciples of Senju Tobirama, Sarutobi Sasuke was still alive.
"And because of Impure World Reincarnation, his strength isn't what it was in life."
...
"Eight Inner Gates!"
In an instant, a green light flashed.
Might Duy appeared right in front of Raiga.
"So fast!"
Raiga's pupils contracted as he instinctively raised the Lightning Blade to block in front of him.
"Bang!"
A tremendous force struck Raiga.
In the next moment, Raiga was sent flying backward.
Before Raiga could steady himself, Might Duy had already moved to the position where Raiga would land, preparing for a second attack.
Fuguki watched this scene, and unfavorable memories resurfaced in his mind.
That day, Might Duy did exactly this.
His ultimate speed made it impossible for the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist to catch him.
Every attack from Might Duy struck the members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen heavily.
"But that was in the past!"
"Not anymore!"
Raiga gripped the Lightning Blade tightly.
"Sing, Lightning Blade!"
"Lightning Field!"
A massive amount of chakra was infused into the Lightning Blade by Raiga, causing intense lightning to flicker and electricity to overflow around him, forming thread-like shapes.
These threads swirled around Raiga.
As soon as Might Duy entered this area, the lightning was immediately triggered.
"Crackle!"
The lightning struck, causing Might Duy's movements to become somewhat rigid.
Raiga grinned.
"Might Duy, do you still think I'm the old Raiga?"
"I've gotten a lot stronger!"
"How are you going to win against me now?"
Raiga steadied himself and thrust the Lightning Blade towards Might Duy.
"Thud!"
He pierced through Might Duy's form.
But soon, Raiga's expression froze.
He saw that even though he had struck Might Duy in a vital spot, Might Duy simply looked down at the wound and then suddenly pushed off, retreating swiftly.
Raiga's eyes flickered uncertainly.
Fuguki frowned deeply.
All the Mist Ninjas showed expressions of disbelief.
"What's going on with that guy?"
"Is he not human?"
The Konoha Ninjas were equally perplexed.
In fact, they had been confused since seeing Sarutobi Sasuke and Might Duy appear.
At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen cleared his throat and explained to the Konoha Ninjas.
"This is Heroic Spirit Jutsu."
After pondering over the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu, Sarutobi Hiruzen thought it too easy for people to associate it with negative connotations, which is why he suggested changing its name.
Changing it to Heroic Spirit Jutsu.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression became solemn.
"My father and Duy, has already passed away, as you all know."
"But the situation in Konoha is too dire."
"We're on the brink of village destruction."
"At this time, we have to pray to the Konoha spirits who have already departed."
"They may have sensed the village's plight and responded to us."
"They forcibly broke the slumber of their souls and returned to the village."
"To fight to protect us in Konoha."
Within Konoha, there isn't much understanding of the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu; it's mostly the Elders of the village or senior elite Ninjas who are aware.
Even if they know that Sarutobi Hiruzen changed the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu to Heroic Spirit Jutsu, they wouldn't expose it.
Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu sounds like an evil Ninjutsu.
Heroic Spirit Jutsu, on the other hand, sounds bright and just.
"Sasuke-san and Duy-san are truly great!"
"Already deceased, their souls are in slumber, yet upon sensing the village's situation, they are still willing to protect us in this way—it's a reflection of our own inadequacy."
Some Konoha Ninjas felt self-blame and guilt.
Some Konoha Ninjas were filled with anger and grief.
Some Konoha Ninjas were overwhelmed with gratitude.
…
Might Duy, who had distanced himself, looked at Raiga with a surprised expression.
He knew that he could not exert the same strength he had in life.
However, the level displayed by Raiga was entirely different from what he had experienced before; they were not on the same level.
"Especially the intensity of this Lightning Release!"
At this moment, the area around Raiga seemed to transform into a domain.
The power of the lightning within became incredibly thick, almost to the point of being viscous.
Once he entered it, he would undoubtedly be affected, with his speed drastically reduced.
Moreover, within this area, Raiga's sensing abilities were greatly enhanced.
Might Duy took a deep breath.
"I can only use that!"
In the next moment.
"Eight Inner Gates, Sixth Gate, Gate of Joy, open!"
An astonishing aura erupted from Might Duy.
Fuguki and Raiga's expressions grew even more serious.
"It's coming!"
Raiga looked at Fuguki.
"Is this the technique he used to defeat you last time?"
Fuguki nodded.
"That's right. After using this Ninjutsu, his power and speed increase significantly."
"He can completely evade our attacks."
"None of us can avoid his strikes."
"And even a casual hit can be fatal."
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