"Zabuza Momochi?"
"Two members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist?"
"Madara, you must really think highly of our Sharp Blade Squad!"
In the cave, a sudden burst of Bloody Mist!
The blood mist that filled the narrow cave not only completely separated Koshino and Fierce from Kakashi and Shisui Uchiha but also rendered the Fourth Hokage's secret wind sensory technique ineffective. Koshino couldn't pinpoint the location of Kakashi or Shisui, making an already dire situation even worse!
Moreover, the Mist's lineup far outclassed that of the Sharp Blade Squad.
Previously, Koshino thought that having Shisui, Kakashi with his Sharingan, and the son of the Third Hokage in the squad already made it an elite team.
But when compared to the terrifying reputation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, it seemed that only Fierce's renown could match theirs.
Koshino initially believed that if someone like Kisame Hoshigaki, the current wielder of the Samehada, was sent to target the Sharp Blade Squad, it would already be a significant gesture from the Mist.
But who could have imagined that not only Kisame but even Zabuza Momochi had come as well?
Some might wonder, who is Zabuza Momochi?
Need to familiarize yourself with the name?
But surely people know about the Kubikiribocho, the massive "Executioner's Blade" that can absorb blood to repair itself?
That's right!
Before the infamous "Demon" Zabuza Momochi took possession of the Kubikiribocho, it was wielded by Zabuza's predecessor, Juzo Biwa!
And if Koshino, a seasoned Naruto fan, were to give an opinion,he would say that the current Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, including Juzo Biwa and Kisame Hoshigaki, were truly the most fearsome in history!
At this moment, it wasn't just Kisame, the wielder of the Samehada, who appeared before Koshino and the others.
Juzo Biwa, the master of the Executioner's Blade, had also personally come. Koshino felt as if a mountain had suddenly pressed down on his chest, making it difficult even to breathe!
Especially since with Juzo Biwa and Kisame led the squad, there were bound to be other members of the Mist team as well. Koshino's heart sank, and any hope of survival seemed to be slipping away.
But pointless fear would only make their chances of breaking through even slimmer.
Knowing that Juzo Biwa and Kisame led the Mist squad, Koshino gritted his teeth, supporting Fierce's weight on his back.he quickly formed hand seals, first using the Shadow Clone Technique and then the most suitable technique for this situation—
"Shadow Communication Technique!"
Buzz!
Buzz!
As soon as the technique was activated, Koshino's shadow extended toward Shisui Uchiha and Kakashi's last known positions.
Even thoughhe couldn't sense their exact locations, if the Shadow Communication Technique could establish a connection, the Sharp Blade Squad's communication under the bloody mist would be restored.
Koshino had memorized the approximate positions of Shisui and Kakashi before the mist enveloped them, so there was no reason for the technique to fail. Even Koshino didn't realize just how timely his use of the technique was. Moments earlier, Shisui and Kakashi had become anxious after seeing Koshino carrying the injured Fierce, and they had lost contact under the cover of the bloody mist.
But now, thanks to Koshino's Shadow Communication Technique as a bridge, the members of the Sharp Blade Squad were finally able to regroup in communication.
However, when Shisui and Kakashi saw Fierce's condition and realized that not only had he lost all his chakra, but he had also suffered physical injuries when struck by the Samehada, Shisui's face turned grim. Through mental communication, he apologized:
"Sorry, Shadow! If it weren't for my oversight, Fierce might not have been hurt!"
"Shunshin, pull yourself together! We're up against the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. This is no time to lose heart!"
"Shadow's right, Shunshin. We need to find a way to break through quickly! Under the pressure of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, the comrades we were supposed to meet up with might…"
Kakashi trailed off into silence.
But even without him saying it, Koshino and Shisui could guess the grim fate of the Konoha team they were supposed to rendezvous with.
As Koshino had said earlier, the Sharp Blade Squad couldn't hesitate under the overwhelming power of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. They had to focus on breaking through. However, what Koshino hadn't anticipated was that the current members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were not only exceptionally skilled in combat but also had outstanding leadership abilities.
Was Juzo Biwa's Bloody Mist Technique just meant to divide the Sharp Blade Squad?
Absolutely not!
The Bloody Mist Technique was essentially sealing off any chance of escape for Koshino and the others!
In a situation where they couldn't sense or perceive their surroundings, every step Koshino and his team took toward breaking through was fraught with danger.
Moreover, as Shisui was developing a plan for their escape, Juzo Biwa ordered the Mist ninjas under his command to unleash a Water Release jutsu aimed at the cave where Koshino and the others were hiding!
"Water Release: Wild Water Wave!"
Rumble!
Rumble!
One Mist ninja using Water Release: Wild Water Wave would have been a minor inconvenience for the Sharp Blade Squad.
But under Juzo Biwa's command, three Mist jonin used the Wild Water Wave simultaneously, flooding the cave where Koshino and his team were sheltering. Unable to avoid the surging waters, Koshino and the others were swept deeper into the cave. And just as Koshino and his team were being battered by the combined Water Release jutsu, Kisame Hoshigaki, the man who had rendered Fierce powerless, suddenly appeared beside them under the cover of the Bloody Mist!
Wielding the Samehada, he casually swung it.
Bang!
With a thunderous crash, the Samehada in Kisame's hands became the deadliest weapon!
With just a light brush of the Samehada's edge against Kakashi's shoulder—
Following Fierce, Kakashi became the second squad member to lose his ability to fight!
And yet, Kisame, the man showcasing the terrifying power of the Samehada, sneered disdainfully at Koshino and the remaining members of the Sharp Blade Squad:
"The Sharp Blade Squad? Pathetic!"
"A bunch of kids thinking they could disrupt the Mist's plans?"
"Has the Fourth Hokage lost his mind, or are all of you just brainless?"
"Hahahahaha!"