The Shikotsumyaku did not merely grant these Kaguya clan members the power to manipulate bones; it also vastly enhanced their speed and physical control.
Furthermore, based on their own physiques and the abilities of the Shikotsumyaku, they had created Taijutsu forms such as the Dance of the Willow, the Dance of the Camellia, the Dance of the Larch, and the Dance of the Clematis. Ordinary shinobi were simply no match for them.
Naturally, everything had two sides.
The majority of the Kaguya clan members spent all their time refining their Kekkei Genkai, leaving them deficient in their mastery of ninjutsu.
The Mist shinobi, well aware of this vulnerability, naturally resorted to ninjutsu attacks right from the very beginning.
"Water Style: Giant Waterfall Jutsu!"
The Water Style ninjutsu released by dozens of shinobi simultaneously instantly coalesced into a violently surging wave. It swept out from the woods, churning up all the bones in the vicinity!
Seeing this scene, the hundred or so Kaguya clan members showed no signs of worry or fear. Stamping on the ground in unison, their agile figures leaped into midair, continuing their forward charge by treading upon the raging currents.
A portion of them raised their hands, releasing a massive number of bone spikes from within their bodies and hurling them from midair, blanketing the Mist shinobi like a rain of arrows.
Left with no choice, some Mist shinobi could only execute the Water Wall, raising a barrier of water to block these attacks.
However, the speed of the Kaguya clan was fast beyond imagination.
While the enemy resisted the airborne bone spikes, another group of Kaguya clan members utilized their terrifying speed to sprint right up to the water barrier.
Sharp bone spikes, accompanied by incomparably horrific power, penetrated the water wall.
The dense array of bone lances pierced through the water barrier, causing it to collapse and disperse.
Dozens of Kaguya clan members launching the assault broke through the defensive line instantly, entering hand-to-hand combat.
"Dance of the Willow!"
The braids of a Kaguya clan member swayed continuously in the air. Sharp bone spikes emerged from his palms, elbows, shoulders, and knees. His entire body swayed and danced through the crowd like a willow branch, every movement harboring killing intent!
Even if you blocked the bone spike in his palm, you might inadvertently be pierced by his elbow, shoulder, or knee!
The other Kaguya clan members who closed in likewise executed the Dance of the Willow, instantly inflicting massive casualties upon the Mist shinobi!
Nevertheless, the Mist forces had already anticipated this.
"You lunatics, you're looking for death!"
A wild, arrogant smile surfaced on Fuguki Suikazan's face. He hoisted Samehada, his bandage-wrapped greatsword, and slashed forward.
The Kaguya clan member hastily used his bone spikes to block.
However, Fuguki Suikazan's strength clearly exceeded his imagination. The bone spikes used for defense could not withstand Samehada's swing. The moment contact was made, dense fractures surfaced, and they subsequently shattered apart.
With a frantic laugh, Fuguki Suikazan sliced the opponent in half with his greatsword!
Blood flowed freely, and Samehada, beneath its bandages, instantly trembled with delight.
"It seems you really like the blood and chakra of the Kaguya clan."
Fuguki Suikazan patted Samehada, dragging his mountain-like physique as he walked step by step toward the battlefield.
Meanwhile, the Mist's other primary combat asset, Ameyuri Ringo, held her dual swords, weaving through the battlefield like lightning.
The bladed weapons in her hands were also one of the seven ninja swords treasured by the Mist, known as Kiba. It was a ninja sword capable of utilizing Lightning Style chakra. In appearance, it differed little from ordinary short swords, except for a fork at the tip.
Ameyuri Ringo herself was a master at using Lightning Style, otherwise she would not have gained the recognition of Kiba.
Consequently, after obtaining this ninja sword, she was practically like a tiger with wings, her strength skyrocketing.
Being a speed-type shinobi proficient in Lightning Style, she was perfectly suited for dealing with the Kaguya clan, who also excelled in speed.
Strangely, Ameyuri Ringo seemed somewhat reluctant to strike. Every time she attacked, she merely wounded the enemies or used Lightning Style to paralyze them, choosing not to kill them directly.
Such behavior naturally drew the dissatisfaction of Fuguki Suikazan, the commander.
After all, the command given to him by the Mizukage was to completely exterminate the Kaguya clan!
"Ameyuri Ringo, do you intend to resist Lord Mizukage's command?"
"Could it be that you want to rebel just like these guys?"
Without a second thought, Fuguki Suikazan had already pinned a label on her.
Although they were both wielders of the ninja swords, there was no affection to speak of between them.
Ameyuri Ringo casually used a Lightning Style ninjutsu to knock a Kaguya clan member unconscious, then said coldly: "Fuguki Suikazan, I don't need you to teach me how to do things!"
Hearing this, Fuguki Suikazan's expression turned instantly gloomy.
As the commander of this mission, being publicly resisted by a subordinate made Fuguki Suikazan feel highly uncomfortable.
However, he did not strike rashly. Instead, he searched the battlefield for Zabuza's figure.
According to Lord Mizukage's command, if Ameyuri Ringo failed to obey orders, Zabuza was supposed to join forces with him to eliminate her.
Regrettably, no matter how hard Fuguki Suikazan searched, he still could not find Zabuza. Instead, he discovered a young Kaguya clan member charging toward him.
Unlike the others, this Kaguya child, who looked only five or six years old, did not have black hair. Instead, it was completely ash-white.
His speed was considerably fast, and the sharp bone spikes were an extension of his body. The terrible speed caused his body to stretch into a white afterimage. Wherever he went, a splash of bright red bound to erupt!
"A genius of the Kaguya clan? Too bad, you will be strangled by my own hands today!"
Fuguki Suikazan narrowed his eyes and formed hand signs with both hands. His orange-red hair instantly erupted like a lion's mane.
"Needle Senbon!"
Countless strands of hair reinforced by chakra acted like senbon, densely blanketing the white-haired youth.
Seeing the massive array of senbon striking head-on, the white-haired youth had no intention of slowing down. Instead, he accelerated his pace.
While continuously closing the distance to the enemy, he drew a sharp bone blade from his arm, subsequently beginning to dance using his incomparably flexible body.
"Shikotsumyaku: Dance of the Camellia."
The bone blade in his hand danced into an airtight curtain of steel. Accompanied by dense clashing sounds, all the incoming senbon were deflected one by one!
Such terrifying speed gave even Fuguki Suikazan a fright.
However, he was an experienced veteran shinobi after all, and naturally would not fear a child because of this.
"Take this!"
The moment the white-haired youth arrived in front of him, he raised Samehada high into the air, bringing it down with unstoppable power.
Having just escaped the hair senbon attack, the white-haired youth temporarily lacked the room to dodge. He could only try his best to swing the bone blade in his hand to block.
"Screeech!!!"
The bone blade and Samehada collided in midair. Enormous power transmitted through the trembling bone blade into the white-haired youth's body, which in turn shattered the ground beneath his feet, ultimately ending in a deadlock.
Yet as the deadlock continued, the white-haired youth quickly noticed something amiss.
The chakra in his body was disappearing at an irrational rate!
Perceiving the anomaly on the opponent's face, a crafty smile surfaced on Fuguki Suikazan's face.
"Finally realized it, brat? My Samehada can easily absorb the chakra from your body!"
Hearing this, the white-haired youth quickly pulled back to retreat.
However, because a large amount of chakra had been absorbed, his speed also dropped.
Fuguki Suikazan naturally would not miss this opportunity.
The moment the white-haired youth retreated, he stomped the ground into further pieces, taking a heavy step forward. A mighty, heavy slash violently sent the enemy flying!
Even though the white-haired youth used the Shikotsumyaku at the final moment to condense a large amount of bone for protection, he still broke several ribs upon impacting the ground, blood spilling from his mouth.
The terrifying strength possessed by Fuguki Suikazan was no joke.
He walked step by step toward the white-haired youth. Just as he prepared to use Samehada to finish him off, Ameyuri Ringo's voice rang out.
"Wait, Suikazan!"
She blocked the path between Fuguki Suikazan and the white-haired youth, strands of electricity flickering across her body.
A dangerous aura emanated from Fuguki Suikazan as he bared his sharp teeth and said, "What is the meaning of this, Ringo? Have you forgotten Lord Mizukage's command?"
Withstanding the immense pressure, Ameyuri Ringo pleaded, "The Kaguya clan are our comrades after all, having achieved great exploits for the Mist. There's no need to completely exterminate them, right?"
"Furthermore, is there really no issue with the Blood Mist policy implemented by Lord Mizukage? If the village hadn't kept targeting these shinobi with Kekkei Genkai, there wouldn't be so many..."
"Shut up!"
Fuguki Suikazan barked, and Samehada smashed down violently.
Fortunately, Ameyuri Ringo was prepared. She pulled up the white-haired youth behind her at the first opportunity, using the Body Flicker Jutsu to dodge to the side.
"If you insist on protecting the Kaguya clan, then I will eliminate you along with them!"
Fuguki Suikazan stared at Ameyuri Ringo, who had dodged aside, speaking venomously.
"Damn it..."
Ameyuri Ringo similarly glared back at him.
To be honest, although they were both members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, she did not possess enough confidence to defeat him.
Moreover, the other Mist shinobi executing this mission were basically the trusted aides of the Mizukage and Fuguki Suikazan—meaning they were shinobi of the Blood Mist Faction. Once a conflict truly erupted, they would bound to stand on Fuguki Suikazan's side.
Her chances of winning were bleak, and she might even be branded a rogue ninja.
And all of this just for a Kaguya clan destined for destruction... was it truly worth it?
While Ameyuri Ringo hesitated, another voice echoed.
"To think I'd actually witness infighting among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist here. This trip was truly not in vain."
Zabuza's figure emerged from the woods, his wild, rebellious gaze shifting between the two of them.
"Zabuza Momochi?"
Ameyuri Ringo's expression instantly turned grave.
Because this fellow known as the "Demon" was also part of the Blood Mist Faction, and just like Fuguki Suikazan, he was a core pillar of it!
Thus, his purpose in coming here this time was exceptionally clear.
Fuguki Suikazan instantly grinned, saying to Zabuza, "Zabuza, you came at the perfect time. Ameyuri Ringo has violated Lord Mizukage's command. You can join me right now to take her down."
"Violating Lord Mizukage's command? What a massive amount of courage."
The aura on Zabuza's body instantly turned solemn.
Ameyuri Ringo wanted to argue, but Zabuza's figure had already appeared in front of her.
A lightning-fast kick accurately struck the ninja sword she raised defensively. The immense force sent her flying into the woods.
"Do it, what are you waiting for?"
Zabuza glanced at Fuguki Suikazan, drawing the ninja sword at his waist as he gave chase.
Although Fuguki Suikazan was highly dissatisfied with Zabuza's attitude, the two of them were currently in a cooperative state, so it was hard to turn hostile. He could only suppress his annoyance and follow.
"Zabuza, are you truly willing to watch the Hidden Mist Village remain shrouded in the Blood Mist, perishing in infighting?!"
Things having reached this point, Ameyuri Ringo could no longer care about anything else, questioning Zabuza directly.
However, Zabuza did not answer her question, merely holding his ninja sword and watching her with a dangerous gaze.
"Heh, Ringo, stop struggling. You can absolutely never escape our palms."
Fuguki Suikazan held victory in his grasp, hoisting Samehada as he charged forward to kill.
Ameyuri Ringo would not sit waiting for death either; a massive amount of electricity erupted from her body.
"Lightning Style: Thunder Gate!"
In an instant, a large amount of lightning was drawn down by the Kiba in her hand, forming a rain of thunder that fell and blanketed the entire area in front of her!
Yet Fuguki Suikazan did not care in the slightest, black spikes emerging from the white bandages.
He raised Samehada, blocking all the lightning guided by Kiba.
Not only that, Samehada was frantically absorbing the chakra contained within it.
Furthermore, Fuguki Suikazan could replenish his own chakra through the chakra absorbed by Samehada.
This was the most terrifying aspect of Samehada!
Seeing her attack rendered ineffective, Ameyuri Ringo hastily pulled back to retreat, avoiding Fuguki Suikazan's full-force strike.
Samehada missed its target, snapping a large tree directly at the trunk. Subsequently, Suikazan launched a frantic offensive against Ameyuri Ringo once more.
"Curse it, ninjutsu attacks have absolutely no effect on him!"
Ameyuri Ringo thought of a countermeasure while dodging.
Suddenly, an even more dazzling lightning flash erupted from her body.
Just as Fuguki Suikazan prepared to continue using Samehada to absorb the chakra, he discovered that the lightning flash this time was excessively bright.
The overly blinding light forced him to close his eyes involuntarily.
Since Lightning Style could not cause damage to you, she would utilize the lightning flash to cause temporary blindness, then seize the opportunity to finish you off!
This was the chance Ameyuri Ringo had been searching for!
The moment the lightning flashed brilliantly, she arrived at Fuguki Suikazan's flank at her top speed. The sharp Kiba instantly pierced toward the opponent's throat!
Just when Ameyuri Ringo thought she had succeeded, the metallic texture transmitted from the blade's tip caused her expression to change drastically.
"I already anticipated this strike of yours."
A mocking expression surfaced on Fuguki Suikazan's face. The moment the lightning flashed and he was forced to close his eyes, he had injected chakra into his hair strands, forming a layer of protection around his neck!
And because Ameyuri Ringo's previous Lightning Style attacks had consistently failed to yield results, this strike had not been imbued with chakra to enhance the piercing power, allowing Fuguki Suikazan to block it successfully.
"You're dead!"
Looking at Ameyuri Ringo's panicked eyes, Fuguki Suikazan's expression turned smug. He swung Samehada, bringing it down heavily!