The Mizukage Is Strong But Overly Cautious

After leaving Teru Yoruichiro and half of the Anbu behind to maintain the barrier, Yagura led the remaining forces—along with Loquat Jūzō and Kuriarare Kushimaru—toward the island at the heart of the Lake of Mist.

Moving swiftly over the water, the Anbu leaped forward in synchronized strides, their presence barely disturbing the lake's surface. It wasn't long before they reached the island.

The landmass was small, spanning less than a thousand square meters. At its center stood a lone, aged hut.

Within that humble structure, the Three-Tails Jinchūriki transfer ritual was currently underway.

Surrounding the hut, nearly a hundred shinobi from the Mizukage's personal guard stood vigilant. Among them, two towering figures with unmistakable weapons took the lead.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist—

Suikazan Fuguki, wielder of Samehada.

*Kuho Black Hoe, wielder of Kiba (Thunder Swords).

Everything was proceeding just as Yagura had predicted. The Third Mizukage's strongest available reinforcements were only these two Ninja Swordsmen—shinobi who had remained loyal to Mizuki Taki.

It was a tragic irony.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen, once an elite force formed under the Second Mizukage, had long since fractured.

After Gengetsu Hōzuki's death, the swordsmen had abandoned their unity. No longer operating as a single force, they had divided into factions—each wielding their legendary blades in pursuit of their own agendas.

Samehada and Kiba remained close to the Mizukage, while Kubikiribōchō and Nuibari sided with Yagura and Anbu.

The remaining three—Hiramekarei, Shibuki, and Kabutowari—were neutral, answering to neither Mizukage nor Anbu.

And now, this once-proud brotherhood of swordsmen would be torn apart.

A rift that had simmered for years would finally explode into open conflict.

Locking eyes with Suikazan Fuguki, Yagura smirked.

The massive shinobi was grotesquely large—his hulking frame resembling a bloated sea beast rather than a warrior.

At Yagura's pointed gaze, Fuguki's expression darkened. He understood the unspoken meaning behind it.

"Go!"

Yagura's sharp command cut through the tension. His violet pupils gleamed with an ominous light.

As expected, the Three-Tails' unsealing was at its most delicate stage—Mizuki Taki wouldn't be able to intervene.

And with only a handful of Mizukage Guard shinobi protecting him, victory was inevitable.

"Attack!"

Nearly a hundred Anbu sprang into action, their hands weaving in perfect unison. Their combined chakra rippled across the lake.

"Water Release: Raging Torrent!"

In flawless synchronization, the Anbu pressed their hands to the water.

The lake roared in response.

A massive tidal surge—like a living beast—rose and rushed toward the island, its towering height eclipsing the trees.

This battlefield belonged to the shinobi of the Hidden Mist—a domain where Water Release was at its peak.

A joint technique of this scale was utterly devastating.

Yet the Mizukage's Guard did not waver.

"Raise the barrier!"

At the command of their captain, a violet energy dome snapped into place over the island—an inverted chakra shield encasing their position like an indestructible shell.

The colossal wave slammed into the barrier.

"BOOM!!!"

The impact sent a deafening shockwave through the air.

Cracks splintered across the purple dome. A heartbeat later, the entire barrier shattered into fragments of dissipating chakra.

Yagura remained unfazed.

He had anticipated this countermeasure—after all, he had been the Third Mizukage's top enforcer for years.

"Advance!"

With a sweeping motion, Yagura signaled the charge.

The Anbu surged forward like a tidal wave of death, sprinting toward the island.

Yet amidst the chaos, something went unnoticed.

Some of Yagura's own Anbu were slipping away into the shadows—quietly retreating from the battlefield…

The Seven Clash

"Let's go, Kushimaru."

Kuriarare Kushimaru gave only a small nod before darting toward Black Hoe Kuho.

Meanwhile, Loquat Jūzō let out a feral grin, gripping his Kubikiribōchō tighter as he lunged toward Suikazan Fuguki.

A clash between two monstrous Swordsmen of the Mist was inevitable.

For Jūzō, the chance to test his raw strength against Fuguki had been a long-awaited thrill.

On the other side, Kushimaru engaged Kuho Black Hoe, the wielder of the twin Thunder Swords.

"Let's end this, Black Hoe."

Fuguki, however, barely glanced at the scene. Instead, he spoke to Black Hoe Kuho, his voice oddly calm.

"Let's go, Kuho."

But before Black Hoe Kuho could respond—

"SHKKK!!!"

A wet, sickening sound filled the air.

Blood splattered across the battlefield.

Black Hoe Kuho staggered forward, eyes wide in shock.

He glanced down at his chest—where half of a massive, jagged blade now jutted out.

The sword twitched. Its serrated edges squirmed, like a living thing devouring his flesh.

"This blade… it's alive…"

That was his last coherent thought before he turned, trembling, to face his attacker.

It was Suikazan Fuguki.

The very ally who had stood at his side just moments ago.

"You… traitor!"

Fury twisted Black Hoe Kuho's face as blood dripped from his lips.

Summoning his final strength, he slammed his twin swords into the earth.

"Lightning Release: Thunderstorm Fangs!"

Electricity erupted from his body in a dazzling explosion of blue light, arcing violently toward Fuguki.

Had the wielder of Samehada been any slower, he would have been incinerated.

But Fuguki had already withdrawn, his massive frame moving with unnatural speed as he pulled his blade free.

The unexpected betrayal left the battlefield in stunned silence.

Even Jūzō—who had been prepared to fight Fuguki—paused in irritation.

He glared at the Samehada wielder, his grip on Kubikiribōchō tightening.

Was he angry at Fuguki's treachery?

Or was he simply annoyed that his opponent had robbed him of a worthy fight?

Perhaps… both.

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