In less than ten minutes—
Two of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were dead.
Seven became five.
They had completely lost the will to fight.
Their only thought—
Escape.
Thick mist rolled out again, trying to cover their retreat.
But no fog could hide them from hundreds of shadow clones.
The moment they burst out of the mist—
They froze.
In front of them—
An ocean of Kazuki's clones.
Sweat rolled down their foreheads.
"How can someone create this many shadow clones?!"
"And every single one is this strong?!"
"When did Konoha produce a monster like this?!"
Zabuza Momochi gritted his teeth.
"Konoha ninja… what's your name?"
Kazuki smiled faintly.
"You'll know if you survive."
He moved.
The clones surged forward.
The five remaining Swordsmen trembled.
"Fight!"
"Water Release: Water Bullet!"
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
"Water Release: Water Break!"
—
They never finished.
Roots and vines swallowed them whole.
Strangled.
Compressed.
"AGH!"
In seconds, they were wrapped tight like dumplings.
The battle was over.
When Kazuki returned carrying five tightly bound captives—
Everyone stared in stunned silence.
Especially Mikoto.
Her gaze lingered on him.
Her heartbeat sped up slightly.
When he had used Deep Forest Bloom earlier—
He'd looked overwhelming.
"Anyone here good at interrogation?" Kazuki asked calmly.
Mikoto shook her head.
Haruno Akira raised his hand nervously.
"I can try…"
Kazuki nodded.
"Ask them why they came."
"And if they know Terumi's location."
"If they cooperate, they might live."
"If they don't…"
"They won't die comfortably."
Haruno swallowed.
"Yes, sir!"
At this point, he was completely convinced.
Strength spoke louder than anything.
But before Haruno even stepped forward—
The largest bundle shouted,
"I'll talk! I'll talk! We came for Terumi!"
Kazuki glanced over.
"Fuguki Suikazan."
He loosened Fuguki's bindings slightly.
Another prisoner roared,
"Fuguki! You traitor to Kirigakure!"
Kazuki snorted.
"Noisy."
The vines tightened instantly.
Crack.
A muffled scream.
Silence.
Dead.
Fuguki trembled.
"We located her approximate area!"
"But not the exact spot!"
Kazuki's eyes sharpened.
"Who can pinpoint it?"
"No one exactly—but we narrowed it down. Search carefully and you'll find her."
Kazuki nodded.
"Good."
"You two."
"You'll guide us."
"If we find her, you live."
"Really?!"
"Do I need to lie to you?"
The remaining two captives shouted desperately.
"I can guide too!"
"Me too!"
Kazuki shook his head.
"Too late."
The vines tightened.
Two more bodies went limp.
The younger genin nearby turned pale.
They'd never seen death this close before.
They rushed aside and vomited.
Mikoto frowned slightly.
He's ruthless…
Haruno quietly explained,
"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen earned their names on piles of corpses."
"In Kirigakure, children stop crying when they hear their names."
"They've killed Konoha shinobi too."
"Don't mistake mercy for morality in war."
Fuguki and Zabuza shivered.
Kazuki spoke evenly.
"As long as you cooperate, I'll keep my word."
They nodded rapidly.
What choice did they have?
"Sensei! Where are you?!"
Kakashi and Obito finally arrived.
Late.
As usual.
"Down here."
Obito peeked over the edge of the massive basin—
And immediately stepped back in horror.
"That's too high!"
Kakashi frowned.
"How do we get down there?"
"Wait."
Kazuki used Wood Release to elevate everyone back up.
The two captured Swordsmen climbed up themselves.
Obito and Kakashi stared at the massive Fuguki in disbelief.
Mist ninja.
Alive.
Kazuki waved casually.
"They're tour guides."
Fuguki and Zabuza nearly coughed blood.
Tour guides?!
We were legendary Swordsmen!
Now reduced to escorts?!
Suddenly—
A golden flash appeared.
Minato Namikaze landed lightly.
"Am I late?"
Kazuki glanced at him.
"Yes."
"You said you'd intercept the Mist elites."
"And yet the Seven Ninja Swordsmen showed up."
Minato scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"We were misled…"
Kazuki waved it off.
"Take Might Duy back to Konoha."
"He needs treatment."
"Me?"
Minato blinked.
Sending a genin back?
But when he looked closer—
It was Duy.
He nodded.
Then glanced at the two captives.
"And you?"
"We're heading to find Terumi."
"They know the area."
Minato leaned in quietly.
"There's unrest in Kirigakure."
"Move fast."
"Understood."
In a golden flash—
Minato vanished with Duy.
About a kilometer away—
Kisame lay shattered.
Lower body crushed.
Bones destroyed.
Yet—
He crawled.
Dragging himself through dirt and blood.
"I can't die…"
Even after taking an Eight Gates kick—
He survived.
Barely.
Kirigakure.
Mizukage Office.
The Third Mizukage sat quietly.
Long black hair.
Eyes usually closed.
It was he—
Not Yagura—
Who had truly implemented the Bloody Mist policy.
A Mist ANBU knelt.
"Lord Mizukage… the Seven Ninja Swordsmen have suffered heavy losses."
The Mizukage's eyes opened slightly.
"All of them?"
"Two confirmed dead. Others captured or missing."
"Konoha's Sannin?"
"No."
"White Fang?"
"No."
"A young shinobi. Unknown identity."
"He uses Wood Release."
Silence filled the room.
"Leave."
"Yes, Lord Mizukage."
When the ANBU disappeared—
A half-black, half-white figure emerged from the floor.
Zetsu.
"Third Mizukage… have you made your decision?"
"If you cooperate with us—"
"You gain the friendship of Madara Uchiha."
"And the Three-Tails, Isobu."
"And our support."
The Mizukage's gaze was cold.
"Just you?"
Zetsu smiled.
"Not just me."
The walls rippled.
The ground bulged.
Thousands of White Zetsu emerged—
Filling the room.
Like an army born from the earth.
And far away—
Kazuki unknowingly moved closer—
To a war far bigger than Terumi.