Damn it, I should have realized it earlier.
How could it be such a coincidence?
Because he was overly concerned about Tsunade's safety, he lost his usual composure and even harbored a sliver of hope.
The fake Tsunade toyed with a kunai, teasing, "Guess..."
Tōshirō's face was like frost. "Don't speak to me with that face."
"Oh, you're quite spirited, aren't you? I should've just slit your throat earlier."
The fake Tsunade said that, but the motion of slitting a throat was too exaggerated. Even in an unguarded state, Tōshirō's reflexes would have allowed him to react instantly.
Being able to stab him in the back was already fortunate, and that was only because Tōshirō trusted Tsunade completely, leaving himself utterly defenseless.
As soon as she finished speaking, the Tōshirō in front of her had vanished. By the time she reacted, he had already closed in, delivering a direct punch to her face.
"Boom."
Her pupils contracted. The fake Tsunade was punched in the face, her teeth cracked, and she spun through the air, directly slamming into a rock wall, sending shattered stone and smoke flying before finally stopping.
"I told you not to speak to me with that face."
Tōshirō withdrew his gaze, not even bothering to look at what her original face looked like.
"Sizzle..."
White smoke rose from his back, and the wound began to heal at a visible rate.
The formidable regenerative power of a perfect Jinchuriki, combined with some medical ninjutsu he picked up during his long years with Tsunade, meant that as long as Tōshirō wasn't fatally wounded, he could instantly heal himself.
"Now it's your turn..."
Tōshirō's eyes narrowed, his cold, crimson gaze imbued with intense killing intent.
This killing intent was almost tangible, forming a surging wave. The fake Konoha Anbu members, meeting his gaze, timidly took a step back.
"Don't look into his eyes!"
Another fake Anbu member quickly shouted a warning, but it was too late.
The person had already fallen under the spell, in a dazed state. Seizing this opportunity, Tōshirō instantly appeared and impaled his chest with an ice sword, killing him instantly.
As if to deliberately flatter Tōshirō, a ninja on the cliff edge clapped his hands and laughed, "As expected of the one who came from behind, possessing the title of 'God's Incarnation,' on par with Hanzo the Half-God."
Tōshirō said nothing, his gaze fixed.
The ninja raised his hand and gave a signal. Two ninja behind him understood and pushed a blonde girl forward.
The figure reflected in Tōshirō's wide, crimson eyes was none other than his beloved, Tsunade, who had been constantly on his mind.
Even if there were a thousand regrets in his heart, it was already too late.
Tsunade's tear-filled eyes reflected Tōshirō's thin figure, and she cried out, "Tōshirō, don't mind me, run—!"
Facing the enemy's despicable threat, Tōshirō gritted his teeth in fury, his masseter muscles bulging slightly. His indescribable rage was evident on his face.
During this time, dense black figures leaped and landed in front and behind Tōshirō, forming a pincer attack.
Tōshirō withdrew his gaze, closing his eyes for a moment to focus on the present. The murderous ninja stood in a V-formation.
Looking around, there were over a hundred people, each holding a weapon. From the aura they exuded, even the weakest possessed Chunin-level strength.
"None of you make a move. I'll handle this guy myself."
The first to speak was a burly giant wrapped in bandages—Tokyo One-Blade, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
He casually carried his namesake Kubikiribōchō, which was 250cm long and weighed 60kg, on his shoulder.
"Heh heh, my great sword has long been thirsting for blood."
After One-Blade's bloodthirsty opening remarks, another man, standing beside him and also bearing the title of one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, spoke, "Don't underestimate him."
"His reputation is not for nothing. This guy, at such a young age, possesses a title comparable to Hanzo. He cannot be treated as a simple brat."
"What's there to be afraid of? He's just one person now..."
One-Blade was reckless, but that didn't mean he was foolish.
They had overwhelming numbers on their side. Even if the opponent in front of them was exceptionally strong, two fists couldn't defeat a multitude of hands, and besides, the opponent wasn't even at full strength.
From their unified and distinctive attire, it was clear that these were Konoha ninja.
Tōshirō hadn't fought the seven leaders before, but he recognized them, especially their weapons.
Kubikiribōchō - Tokyo One-Blade. Samehada - Kisame Dōji. Hiramekarei - Hōzuki Mangetsu.
Nuibari...
Kabutowari...
Shibuki...
Kiba...
Without exception, these seven individuals were definitely among the elite Jonin of Kirigakure.
To face all the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist at once, let alone in his current state, even Tōshirō at full strength wouldn't easily engage them.
Setting aside Kubikiribōchō, which was relatively useless and didn't require much attention, the other six swords needed to be watched, especially Samehada.
That sword could absorb chakra. According to the known intelligence, if it absorbed his chakra, it would be extremely troublesome. This was the opponent he least wanted to face at this stage.
However, this was not the worst outcome; the worst was yet to come.
Tōshirō glanced over his shoulder, looking at the ninja behind him.
Unlike the blue-striped vests worn by the Kirigakure ninja, these individuals wore burgundy attire. From their appearance, these were men from Iwagakure.
The leader of these men, unlike the seven from Kirigakure, was only one person, but the pressure he exerted was in no way inferior to that of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
The Four-Tails Jinchuriki, skilled in the highly offensive Lava ReleaseKekkei Genkai.
Ordinarily, facing such a large number of enemies, Tōshirō would immediately choose to flee. With his speed, which was among the best in the ninja world, if he truly intended to escape, it wouldn't be impossible.
However, in his current situation, he simply couldn't choose to abandon Tsunade and escape alone.
Tōshirō looked at Tsunade, whose face was filled with self-reproach, and silently swore to rescue her.
There was only one chance, and he had to seize it firmly.
On the other side, One-Blade, already impatient, dragged his sword and charged forward. As he closed the distance with Tōshirō, he suddenly leaped and brought his sword down with immense power.
The unexpected attack came swiftly. Tōshirō stepped back and dodged sideways.
The attack missed. The heavy Kubikiribōchō in One-Blade's hand moved as if an extension of his arm, swinging freely, intercepting horizontally, vowing to cut the target in half.
Tōshirō twisted his waist with the momentum, lifting his legs off the ground. He executed a beautiful mid-air roll and side spin, dodging the horizontal slash.
The moment he landed, boiling steam erupted from his feet. He raised his knee.
Seeing this charged movement, One-Blade hastily pulled his arm back, holding his sword horizontally to block.
Tōshirō, relying on the astonishing insight of his Sharingan, predicted his opponent's prediction. He suddenly exerted force, delivering a side kick that passed through the Kubikiribōchō's semicircular groove, driving straight in, and striking One-Blade, sending him flying and causing the Kubikiribōchō to fall to the ground.
"That idiot, he just charged in directly."
Kisame Dōji, also one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, cursed. He swung Samehada towards Tōshirō.
Tōshirō raised his knee, used the back of his foot to flick Kubikiribōchō up, grabbed it by the hilt, and used the sword to block Samehada's attack.
Any light touch from Samehada would result in chakra absorption. The long and massive Kubikiribōchō was undoubtedly an excellent choice.
Tōshirō's choice was perfectly correct; Kisame Dōji had no way to use Samehada to shave him.
He cursed inwardly, thinking One-Blade was an idiot. Not only was he embarrassing, but he also lost his equipment and caused trouble.
"Sizzle..."
The sound of electricity crackled in the air. Tōshirō pinpointed the sound, retreated his body, and dodged the rush of electricity.
The ninja wielding Kiba, seeing that the attack missed, clicked his tongue, looking displeased. But never mind...
Tōshirō retreated. The moment he landed, a thin, long needle flew towards him, fast as lightning.
He hastily dodged sideways, and his cheek was cut, blood oozing out.
At the same time, from above, left, and right, three different directions, three ninja, wielding Kabutowari, Shibuki, and Hiramekarei respectively, attacked, vowing to blast him into oblivion.
These three weapons were the most destructive of the seven swords. Being hit by all three simultaneously was no joke.
Just as Tōshirō was about to dodge, he suddenly felt a tightening sensation. He realized that at some unknown point, his body had been intricately wrapped in steel wires, immobilizing him.
The two ends of the steel wires were connected to the user of Nuibari and One-Blade.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist had incredible coordination. Tōshirō's face darkened.
At this moment, the attacks arrived, unavoidable.
(End of Chapter)
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