In Naruto with the Flame-Flame Fruit

"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist have been deployed. All of them are elite, highly skilled with their blades. The situation is becoming tense," Mitokado Homura said as he studied the intelligence reports.

The intel Hyūga and the others had brought back had already been processed—the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist had made their appearance. These renowned warriors from Kirigakure, each a master of their unique sword, were anything but easy to deal with.

Beside him, Koharu Utatane opened her eyes slightly and said,

"Then send Orochimaru's disciple. His body is immune to physical attacks. As long as he doesn't face Water Release techniques, he's a natural counter to sword users."

Homura fell into thought before replying,

"No. His chakra and overall strength are still lacking. There's no way he can take on seven enemies alone. He needs support."

"Shibi Aburame from the Aburame Clan has decent ability. Pair him with Torifu—they should be able to ensure the boy makes it back in one piece. Sending Asakawa Kiyosuke also gives us a chance to gauge the current generation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen."

The title "Seven Ninja Swordsmen" was a hereditary designation in Kirigakure. Each of the seven was a top-tier shinobi, equipped with a blade that complemented their fighting style. According to legend, the group could overrun an entire small nation in a single night. Their overwhelming power had become a major headache for Konoha in this war.

"Alright. Summon them."

...

Soon after, Kiyosuke arrived along with Shibi Aburame and Akimichi Torifu—the current clan head of the Akimichi Clan.

"Homura, Koharu," Torifu greeted them.

Just like Hiruzen Sarutobi, Homura, Koharu, Danzō, and Kagami Uchiha, Torifu had been a student of the Second Hokage. They were all very familiar with one another. The only difference was that Torifu had declined the role of Hokage advisor back then—not because he lacked qualifications, but because he simply didn't want the position.

Seeing Torifu greet them, Homura and Koharu nodded in return.

"Torifu, we have a mission for you," Homura said.

"No problem, lay it on me." Torifu thumped his chest and laughed heartily. "Didn't think I'd be needed again at my age. Let's hear it."

The Akimichi were known for their hearty, easygoing nature—so long as you didn't mention their weight, they were usually very agreeable.

"I'd like you to lead Shibi and this boy, Kiyosuke, against the Seven Ninja Swordsmen."

…You've got to be kidding—are they trying to get me killed?!

Kiyosuke glanced at Homura and Koharu, both wearing neutral expressions. Whatever goodwill he'd had toward them instantly plummeted. If he ever got the chance, he was definitely going to repay this favor.

Shibi didn't seem to react at all, but Torifu frowned and looked at Kiyosuke.

"No way. I'm not doing it. He's still just a kid. If it were just Shibi and me, fine—but bringing a child into battle? I can't do that."

"Uh…"

Kiyosuke considered saying, I'm not that young, but wisely decided to keep his mouth shut.

Homura explained, "I understand how you feel. But let me put it this way—right now, you three are the best option we've got to counter the Seven Ninja Swordsmen."

"Don't tell me Konoha's that short-staffed? We're not at the point where we have to send kids to fight the enemy's strongest forces, are we?!" Torifu refused to back down.

Kiyosuke was starting to understand why the Third Hokage had offered advisory roles to Danzō and the others, but not Torifu.

He was simply too kindhearted.

As a village leader, kindness wasn't enough. You needed a heart that could make cold, ruthless decisions for the greater good. Torifu knew that, too—that's likely why he'd turned down the advisor position. Otherwise, he'd be butting heads with them constantly.

Koharu tried to calm him.

"Torifu, hear us out. This boy is Orochimaru's new disciple—Asakawa Kiyosuke. He has a unique body constitution that makes him immune to physical attacks. That's exactly why we want you to take him and Shibi to confront the Seven Ninja Swordsmen."

Torifu still frowned as he looked at Kiyosuke.

"Bringing someone this young onto the battlefield, I just…"

"But that's war," Homura interrupted. "Back in Tobirama-sama's day, things were even worse, and he still pulled through."

"The First Hokage founded Konoha to give children a peaceful childhood—one unlike what he and Tobirama-sama endured. Have you all forgotten that?"

"I haven't," Homura said quietly. "But we have no other choice. With you there, I trust that even if you can't defeat them, you'll be able to withdraw safely. What we need is for you to eliminate as many of the Seven as possible. They're too dangerous to leave unchecked."

"No other options?" Torifu asked, though he already knew the answer. If there had been, he wouldn't be standing here now.

"We wish we did," Koharu said with a bitter smile. "Right now, Konoha's surrounded by enemies. Orochimaru and Jiraiya are still fighting on the fronts in the Land of Wind and the Land of Lightning. Most of our forces are there. Danzō's been stationed at the border of the Land of Rain to guard against Amegakure and Iwagakure. He took the entire Root and ANBU forces with him. You've seen what we're left with here—fresh graduates, most of them barely out of the Academy."

Kirigakure had weakened in recent years due to their own internal purges. Otherwise, even experienced ninja like Torifu and Shibi wouldn't stand much chance leading a team of rookies against them.

"I understand. But if things get bad, I'm pulling the kids out."

"Up to you. You already have all the intel on the swordsmen, and with Shibi's sensory abilities, you won't lack for detection. You're the captain of this temporary squad. We're counting on you, Torifu."

"Got it. Let's move."

...

Torifu led the two out, collected supplies and intel from logistics, and then departed from the base.

On the road, he asked, "Kiyosuke, right?"

"That's me."

"Honestly, sending kids like you to war… It's our failure. We're out of options. The fact that rookies like you are being sent into battle just shows how desperate things have become."

"It's alright, Captain," Kiyosuke said. "This is war. I'm scared of dying, so I'll make sure I don't."

Torifu glanced at him and chuckled.

"Looks like I was overthinking things. Let's go. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen aren't going to be easy."

"Shibi, you're up."

The future father of Shino Aburame—one of the Twelve Konoha Guardians—Shibi Aburame was another one of those low-profile but powerful ninja.

A swarm of insects flew out from the gourd on his back and began to scout ahead.

In the Land of Waves, they had to move with extreme caution. Kirigakure's shinobi were among the most skilled assassins of the Five Great Nations.

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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