Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 231: The Fall of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen

At that moment, the Third Mizukage finally revealed his true thoughts.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen had likely never heard these words before.

Standing beside the Third Mizukage, Tonari absentmindedly twirled the Hiramekarei in his hand, casting a curious glance at the man.

He couldn't help but admire his patience.

The Hozuki Clan's status within Kirigakure was well known throughout the entire shinobi world—not just because the Second Mizukage, Hozuki Gengetsu, came from this clan. Even during the Warring States Period, the Hozuki were a formidable force, comparable to the Senju, Uchiha, and Hyuga Clans.

Their Hydrification Technique gave them an unparalleled affinity for Water Release, and they excelled not only in water jutsu but also in swordsmanship.

With Hozuki Gengetsu serving as the Second Mizukage, their influence peaked, making them an untouchable force in Kirigakure.

The only ones who dared to challenge them were the Kaguya Clan, known for their reckless and suicidal battle tactics.

It was in this environment that the Third Mizukage took power.

The fact that he had endured for so long was a testament to his strong will.

If it had been Tonari in his place?

With his temperament, he would have clashed with the Hozuki Clan immediately upon taking office.

The Third Mizukage had one belief—the Mizukage must be the absolute authority in Kirigakure.

There should be no force greater than the Mizukage. Otherwise, Kirigakure would no longer be an independent entity; it would become a mere puppet of the Hozuki Clan.

In his struggle against the Hozuki, he had implemented the "Bloody Mist" policy to dilute their influence, recruiting talented shinobi from the civilian population.

He had even collaborated with Uchiha Madara, willing to pay any price to bring Kirigakure back on track and remind the Hozuki that their position existed because of the village—not the other way around.

He had waited for years, patiently eroding their power, until finally, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen underwent a generational shift.

His Blood Mist graduates had begun taking up the legendary swords, fulfilling his vision.

However, not all of them followed his will.

Some, like Momochi Zabuza and Raiga Kurosuki, had begun to oppose him in secret, gathering like-minded shinobi who detested the "Bloody Mist" policy.

Under attack from both internal opposition and the remnants of the Hozuki Clan, the Third Mizukage had decided to flip the table—to eliminate all opposition by force.

The Hozuki were no longer at their peak, and if he wiped out the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, their remaining influence would be permanently crippled.

At the mention of Madara's name, he had assumed this was the moment they had planned for.

To him, Tonari was nothing more than a mercenary dispatched by Madara to help cleanse Kirigakure.

And sure enough—Hozuki Chigen, the wielder of Hiramekarei, had been eliminated instantly.

He hadn't even drawn his sword before dying—his legendary blade now resting in Tonari's hands.

The Third Mizukage finished speaking, his face twisted with determination as he turned his gaze toward the four remaining swordsmen.

Their resolve remained unchanged.

Even after witnessing Chigen's death, they refused to submit.

"Such a pity..." The Third Mizukage sighed. "All of this is for Kirigakure. For the future of our village and its Mizukage. Don't blame me... Attack!"

At his command, all eight shinobi moved simultaneously.

The Third Mizukage engaged Jinpachi Munashi and Biwa Juzo—the wielders of Shibuki and Kubikiribocho.

Tonari faced off against Ameyuri Ringo, the wielder of Kabutowari.

Meanwhile, Kushimaru Kuriarare and Fuguki Suikazan ganged up on Raiga Kurosuki.

At first glance, the Mizukage's faction held the clear advantage.

Tonari was still adjusting to Hiramekarei, finding its weight and balance vastly different from his usual weapons.

Unlike his light and nimble Round Dance Blade, Hiramekarei required a different kind of finesse.

He was still getting used to its heft when Ameyuri Ringo lunged forward, bringing down her axe in a mighty overhead strike.

CLANG!

Tonari reacted just in time, blocking with Hiramekarei.

The Blunt Sword—Kabutowari was a unique weapon, consisting of a hammer and an axe. The user would strike with the axe first, then immediately use the hammer to drive the blade deeper, ensuring it cut through anything.

However—Tonari was prepared.

With a flick of his wrist, he activated Hiramekarei's chakra flow, unleashing a burst of compressed energy from its twin blades.

BOOM!

Ameyuri Ringo was blasted backward, sent skidding across the battlefield.

Tonari admired his weapon with newfound appreciation.

"Not bad. No wonder Chigen and Chojuro chose this blade."

Hiramekarei's true power lay in its ability to store and release chakra in bursts, allowing for devastating attacks.

Moreover, the blade's power could grow over time, absorbing chakra from fallen enemies to fuel stronger attacks.

This meant that, like Samehada, Hiramekarei only got stronger as the battle progressed.

Ameyuri Ringo steadied herself, eyes narrowing.

She had assumed Tonari was still unskilled with Hiramekarei—but his quick mastery of its abilities had caught her off guard.

"I need to end this quickly," she muttered.

She couldn't afford to drag this fight out—the longer it lasted, the more powerful Hiramekarei would become.

She lunged again, swinging Kabutowari in a wide arc.

Tonari smirked.

"Technique is meaningless when raw power is overwhelming."

In a flash, he channeled Lightning Release into his arms, employing a technique similar to the Lightning Release: Heavy Current Explosion.

His muscles surged with enhanced strength, veins glowing faintly with chakra-infused energy.

At the same time, he drew even more chakra from Hiramekarei, pouring it into his next attack.

"Let's see you handle this."

CLANG!

The moment their weapons clashed, a massive shockwave erupted.

The ground splintered beneath them, cracks radiating outward as debris flew into the air.

Ameyuri Ringo's arms trembled violently.

Her face contorted in shock—she was being overpowered!

Tonari's grip tightened.

With a final burst of strength, he drove her back, sending her crashing into a tree.

Before she could react, a silver flash sliced through the air.

"What—"

Blood sprayed.

Ameyuri Ringo's head fell to the ground.

Tonari didn't even glance back.

"That's two down."

Without hesitation, he turned his gaze toward Hozuki Chigen's corpse, where the Scroll of the Seven Swords was tucked away.

He needed to secure it—otherwise, the swords would eventually be recalled to Kirigakure.

Finding the scroll hidden in Chigen's robes, he smirked.

"I wonder if I can break this seal…"

Before he could act, the Third Mizukage's voice rang out.

"You won't be taking that scroll!"

Tonari looked up to see the Mizukage still battling.

The battle wasn't over yet.

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