"You were correct, Mizukage-sama!" Yuki Hajime reported, a note of awe in his voice.
His face was pale, but his demeanor was one of pure deference as he addressed the black-haired man sitting with closed eyes. "The Kumogakure squad pursuing the Uzumaki survivors stepped right into the range of an unknown sealing technique. They've been completely wiped out."
Since the Third Mizukage had ascended to power, his methods had been unyieldingly brutal. Though he had yet to display the legendary might of his predecessor, the Second Mizukage Hōzuki Gengetsu, his brutal methods had already subdued every major ninja clan within Kirigakure.
The village now carried a subtle, chilling aura—the early whispers of its future as the infamous "Bloody Mist."
All of it was the doing of the man before him.
At the sound of Yuki Hajime's voice, the Third Mizukage's eyes opened halfway, a faint, smug smile playing on his lips.
He had orchestrated the first raid on Uzushiogakure himself. That operation had ended in a catastrophic failure. Not a single shinobi had returned, leaving him with no intelligence on what haqd truly transpired within the Land of Whirlpool.
That was why he had sought allies this time. Kumogakure and Sunagakure were to be his partners in the plunder, sharing the spoils and the risk.
Yet, even with two Great Villages at his back, the Third Mizukage had remained cautious. In his mind, Uzushiogakure's ability to annihilate his elite surprise-attack squad without a trace pointed to a hidden trump card.
That was why he had held back, letting others chase the fleeing remnants of the Uzumaki clan.
His caution was vindicated.
'Those Cloud fools, thinking only with their muscles, have paid the price. Now, it's our turn.'
The final division of resources between Mist, Cloud, and Sand was a matter of future contention, but on one point, their consensus was absolute: the Uzumaki clan could not be allowed a single survivor.
'Utter and complete Extermination.'
If even one Uzumaki reached Konoha, the Leaf would gain a living, breathing pretext to hold them accountable, to demand answers and reparations at any time.
Even if they ignored Konoha's protests, they could not ignore the political pressure from the Daimyo. If the Land of Fire's Daimyo took the matter to the Daimyos of Water, Wind, and Lightning… it would be a diplomatic migraine of the highest order.
Much simpler was to just let them all die here. No survivors, no evidence. A dead clan tells no tales.
The Third Mizukage closed his eyes once more, waving a dismissive hand.
"Pursue them," he said, his voice a silken command. "Ensure not a single one escapes."
"Yes, sir!"
——
"We've… we've crossed the border into the Land of Fire," Uzumaki Nusaku panted, trying to inject some hope into his voice for the sake of the haggard survivors around him. "Just a little further, and we'll be safe. We have to live! We must live well, to honor the sacrifices of the Clan Head, the Young Clan Head, and all the others! Keep moving! Live on, and carry their legacy forward!"
"Live on? How naïve."
The voice, cold and dripping with contempt, cut through the forest like a blade.
The air grew heavy, and a thick, concealing mist began to seep from the ground, swallowing the exhausted Uzumaki clansmen.
A figure materialized from the fog at their head. In his hands was a massive, deep-blue greatsword, its surface studded with vicious, scale-like barbs.
Uzumaki Nusaku's heart plummeted. He recognized that weapon.
'Kirigakure's Greatsword: Samehada.'
From the mist, five more bizarrely-shaped Kirigakure ninja emerged, each clutching a unique, menacing weapon.
To ensure the Uzumaki Clan's total annihilation, the Third Mizukage had dispatched the newly formed Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
It was a pity that Hozuki Satsuki, wielder of the executioner's blade, had perished in Uzushiogakure four years prior. With all seven present, the slaughter would have been a true spectacle.
Ōyama Kentarō, hefting Samehada, bared a mouthful of jagged, uneven teeth. Combined with his grotesque features, he looked less like a man and more like a demon of folklore.
'If it's just these six…' Nusaku thought, a desperate spark igniting. 'Even if they're all elite Mist Jonin, if we fight together, coordinate… there might still be a chance!'
That fragile hope shattered as several more figures silently appeared on the low-hanging branches of nearby trees. A quick count revealed at least twelve additional Mist shinobi.
Nusaku's heart sank into a pit of utter despair.
'Now we don't even have the numbers… Damn it! The Young Clan Head bought us time with his life, and still… is this it?'
'Konoha's reinforcements… Where are you?!'
Just as the crushing weight of defeat settled over him, a figure descended from the sky.
And with that figure came a screaming vortex of wind.
Sage Art: Wind Release: Rasenshuriken!
Yuta released the technique, a wave of relief washing over him as the Rasenshuriken screamed toward the Kirigakure forces.
To maintain his maximum sensory range and detect this ambush, he had pushed his Sage Mode to its limits, racing ahead of Tsunade, Orochimaru, and the others.
"Just in time."
This Rasenshuriken was a warning shot, meant to break the siege, so Yuta had deliberately aimed it slightly off-target.
It tore through several Mist ninja lurking in the treetops, but the core group, including the Swordsmen, remained largely unscathed.
As the dust and howling wind subsided, the Mist ninja's eyes locked onto the Konoha forehead protector glinting on Yuta's head. A collective frown passed through their ranks.
"Tch. Annoying. Konoha's dogs really did show up."
"Stop complaining. Kill the Uzumaki, fast. Ignore the Konoha brat."
"I thought you were going to say kill him too."
"Idiot! Anyone who throws a jutsu like that as an opening move isn't someone you 'just kill'! Even your ass should know that!"
Yuta tuned out their bickering, his focus narrowing on the distinctive weapons in their hands.
'The Executioner's Blade is missing… but there's the Raikiri, Samehada, the Shibuki, Hiramekarei, and the Nuibari. All six of the remaining legendary blades.'
He'd assumed the Seven Ninja Swordsmen rose to prominence during the Third Great Shinobi War. He hadn't expected them to be fully operational even before the Second War had officially been declared.
Or perhaps… considering he had killed Hozuki Satsuki four years ago, these seven were the true, original generation. To take the theory further, this assault on Uzushiogakure might have been their bloody debut.
'Tsk. Well then.'
'How should I put this?'
'My luck is something else. To Hit the jackpot on my very first major mission.'
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