Seven figures emerged from the mist, each radiating a suffocating aura of bloodlust. At a glance, one could tell they were ferocious killers. Their appearances varied, their weapons bizarre and unique. They were none other than the infamous Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, feared across the shinobi world.
"Well, well… isn't this our village's so‑called genius, Mei Terumī? Why do you look so battered?" sneered Kurosuki Raiga, the wielder of Thunder Swords: Kiba. He eyed Mei, who had just arrived, her face weary from battle, and mocked without mercy.
"I heard you led three squads out, only to be beaten back by some no‑name brat from Konoha. Even Kaguya Masaru, that walking pile of bones, died there? Truly disgraceful—you've shamed the Mist."
Mei had already been in a foul mood to begin with. Hearing this, a cold flash flickered within her beautiful jade-green eyes.
"That boy called Kiyohara is not an ordinary Konoha shinobi."
"Hmph. Just excuses."
Raiga snorted dismissively and turned his head away, clearly unimpressed.
"Being a commoner doesn't mean being weak," someone else said.
The speaker was Fuguki Suikazan, carrying the massive sword Samehada upon his shoulder.
"Isn't Namikaze Minato from the Leaf the best example? Before he made a name for himself, who would've believed that some kid with no clan background could grow into the famous 'Yellow Flash'?"
The moment Minato's name was uttered, the atmosphere among the Seven Swordsmen noticeably froze.
Even Raiga, the most arrogant among them, lowered his voice.
That man's speed was a nightmare hovering over the hearts of every enemy shinobi.
The title Fastest in the World was not empty praise.
"Since Mei and her squads were discovered, Konoha's vigilance must have already increased," Fuguki continued, his deep voice resonating.
"But they definitely won't expect us to launch a full-force assault immediately. My opinion is this: we rest two days. At dawn the day after tomorrow, when the sea mist is at its thickest, we strike from the east coast where their defenses are weakest—then cut straight into Orochimaru's main camp!"
"Agreed."
"Fine by me."
"Dawn the day after tomorrow."
Kushimaru Kuriarare, Munashi Jinpachi, and the others each gave their approval.
"Then it's settled," said Jūzō Biwa, making the final decision.
…
Land of Fire Coastline
Kiyohara could smell the salty tang in the air. He didn't particularly like this scent.
At this moment, he was quietly making his way forward, cautious with every step.
Taking a boat from the ruins of Uzushiogakure to this area took only several dozen minutes.
Once he landed, Kiyohara immediately began scouting the surroundings.
He thought it would take considerable searching.
But before he even sent Magnet Release Kiyohara out to explore, he already detected the faint sounds of battle ahead.
Before long, he reached the edge of a forest near the coastline.
Peering through the gaps in the bushes, he saw a heated close-quarters fight taking place in the clearing ahead.
On one side were two shinobi wearing the animal masks belonging to the Sunagakure's Anbu, dressed in standard black Anbu uniforms. Behind them were four regular Sand shinobi.
They were clearly struggling—one of the Anbu was already injured, his movements sluggish.
Their opponents were two Konoha Anbu wearing the signature fox masks.
Konoha's and Suna's minimum entry level for Anbu is… Chūnin,
Kiyohara calmly analyzed the battlefield.
The difference in strength among Anbu could vary dramatically—some possessed the power of elite jōnin, while others were merely slightly stronger than regular chūnin.
Itachi and Sai, for example—both served in Anbu, yet their official rank was chūnin.
"Looks like the shinobi from our side are at a disadvantage."
Kiyohara muttered internally.
The enemy had not only two Anbu, but also four additional shinobi.
Just then, the flow of battle shifted dramatically!
Uzuki Yugao, the slender Leaf ANBU, faltered. A Sand ANBU lunged, kunai aimed at her ribs.
"Yugao!!"
Nearby, Gekkō Hayate cried, his eyes wide with desperation. His coughs punctuated his struggle as he tried to break free, but the Sand ANBU and another shinobi held him fast. He could only watch helplessly as his comrade faced death.
The urgency and despair nearly tore his heart from his chest.
At that moment, Kiyohara moved.
He leapt from his hiding spot, brushing his hand across his tools pouch.
A massive Fūma Shuriken spun through the air, flying straight at the Sand Anbu about to kill Yugao!
"Watch out!"
The other Sand Anbu shouted.
The attacker reacted quickly, immediately abandoning his strike and leaping backward to block.
Clang!
With a crisp sound, the Fūma Shuriken was knocked aside by his short blade.
But Kiyohara's attack wasn't over!
The instant the giant shuriken was deflected, his fingers tugged—
The nearly invisible copper wire attached to the shuriken snapped tight, pulling it back in an arcing path!
The returning shuriken sliced toward the Sand Anbu's back!
"What—?!"
Caught off guard, the Sand Anbu barely managed to dodge awkwardly.
Kiyohara seized the opening, surging into the fray like an arrow loosed from a bow. His target was clear: secure a kill, fulfill the will
"Lightning Release: Lightning Current Technique!"
Kiyohara quickly formed seals, lightning crawling along his blade.
A flash of steel!
The Sand shinobi he targeted hadn't even finished his hand seal before he felt a chill slash across his throat.
His vision went dim, and he collapsed with a thud.
It all happened in the blink of an eye. From the moment Kiyohara threw the shuriken to the instant he cut down his foe, scarcely two seconds had passed.
The will was fulfilled.
With one kill secured, Kiyohara did not press further. He stood still, waiting to inherit the Magnet Release Kiyohara's legacy.
Both Sand and Leaf ANBU froze, stunned by the sudden intrusion and Kiyohara's ruthless efficiency. The battlefield fell silent, broken only by wind and waves.
The Sand shinobi reevaluated Kiyohara.
Yugao and Gekkō also stared, wondering who this mysterious young man was.
But Kiyohara had no time for their thoughts. Remaining vigilant, he prepared to receive the inheritance.
Those Anbu earlier were among the weakest tier of Anbu.
Killing one was easy for him.
After all, he already possessed jōnin-level strength.
Stacking several versions of his alternate self meant that even if he did not receive their full power, he was far beyond what anyone here could challenge.
Otherwise, wouldn't all that stacking be pointless?
"I should be done… right?"
Kiyohara asked internally.
Magnet Release Kiyohara nodded lightly—this kill eased some of his longstanding irritation toward the Suna.
In the next moment, a glowing orb emerged from his chest.
It sank gently into Kiyohara's body, and he immediately felt a new wave of change.
He could clearly sense his spiritual energy surging, becoming significantly stronger.
At the same time, a profound understanding and a deep affinity for Earth and Wind chakra blossomed within him.
If he were to use Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole again, Kiyohara was certain he would no longer feel that earlier clumsiness.
But even that wasn't the most important part.
He experimentally tried mixing the two chakra natures within his body.
This time—it was as if some invisible barrier had been shattered.
A brand-new chakra nature began to form.
Magnet Release.
It was Magnet Release!
He had finally inherited this bloodline limit.
With this, even Kiyohara's children in the future would have a chance to awaken this powerful kekkei genkai!
(End of Chapter)