Uchiha Sogetsu stood alone on the tranquil sea, his right hand's five fingers tightly gripping Jinpachi's neck.
Not long ago, Jinpachi, once filled with arrogance and pride, now hung limp like a lifeless fish.
"I remember. Mizukage-sama mentioned it once," Jinpachi struggled to speak amidst the suffocating pressure, his face contorted with bulging veins from lack of oxygen.
Nearly breathless, his eyes verging on white, he managed to utter through clenched teeth, "Is this the Mangekyo Sharingan of the Uchiha clan?"
As death loomed and the Yellow Springs seemed to beckon, memories flashed through Jinpachi's mind like flickering lights.
Yes, he remembered now. The Third Mizukage had spoken of it—the Sharingan of the Uchiha clan, above the three tomoe, harboring a power even greater than that, the eyes of the legendary Uchiha Madara, the awakened Mangekyo Sharingan.
"Congratulations, you've guessed correctly," Uchiha Sogetsu looked down at him, a smile playing on his lips. "Consider yourself fortunate; you're the first to witness it."
"Don't get too cocky," Jinpachi's face twisted with determination. Despite blood trickling from his mouth, his gaze remained resolute. "We're in Kirigakure. Even in death, we must leave our mark!"
With a resolve bordering on martyrdom, as one of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, he knew he had to relay the information back.
Jinpachi swiftly tore open a scroll, its contents unleashing a ninjutsu that transformed into a swordfish, darting into the churning sea.
In an instant, it vanished beneath the waves, leaving only ripples in its wake.
"Uchiha Sogetsu, mark my words. You'll be hunted by all of Kirigakure until your dying breath!" Jinpachi's smile bore a cruel edge, unyielding to fear.
With a decisive click, Uchiha Sogetsu effortlessly crushed his windpipe with five fingers.
Jinpachi's eyes dimmed, his life extinguished, and his body was callously cast into the sea like a piece of refuse.
"Sogetsu-sama, I fail to comprehend why you've employed Susanoo to kill such a trivial opponent?" emerged White Zetsu from the water, wearing a perplexed expression.
"While it's true that the First Hokage's cells can mitigate the side effects of the Mangekyō, won't this action risk revealing your location?"
"Since when did I mention hiding my whereabouts?" Uchiha Sogetsu retorted.
"Well, it seems you haven't mentioned it~" White Zetsu quipped, answering his own query with a playful demeanor. "But Lord Sogetsu, do you truly not require me to intercept that information? Its contents may unveil the awakening of the Mangekyō."
"White Zetsu, are you referring to this information?"
At that moment, Uchiha Sogetsu grinned mischievously, producing the same scroll in his possession.
Observing this turn of events, White Zetsu suddenly comprehended. "So that's the case. You've already replaced his scroll long ago. No wonder you didn't intervene. Hehehe, Lord Sogetsu's illusions are truly formidable."
"It's time to depart, White Zetsu."
Stepping atop the sea, Uchiha Sogetsu shielded his eyes from the sun's glare with his palms and gazed into the distance. "I recall the ship from earlier heading in this direction, correct?"
It was all Jinpachi's fault. If only he hadn't disrupted our pursuit by commandeering that merchant ship.
"Sogetsu-sama, this is your spoils!" White Zetsu, displaying loyalty akin to a devoted hound, retrieved the Shibuki submerged in the sea and flattered, "This is one of the seven legendary ninja swords of Kirigakure Village, an esteemed legacy you almost overlooked."
"You may dispose of it; it holds no significance," Uchiha Sogetsu replied indolently.
"Eh? But this is an Explosive Sword, Lord Sogetsu!" White Zetsu blinked, appearing somewhat reluctant to part with it. "Its destructive potential is quite substantial."
"If you desire it, then it's yours. Here," Sogetsu handed it over.
Uchiha Sogetsu casually waved his hand, dismissing the item before him with a disdainful remark, "This trash, I don't want it."
If it were Samehada or Hiramekarei, perhaps there would be some interest, worthy of collection. But Shibuki? Pure rubbish.
To employ such a thing for cutting people? The bulky and cumbersome blade not only hinders movement but lacks efficiency.
Its sole purpose lies in summoning Explosive Tags, then using the broad blade to mitigate the ensuing blast damage. The most formidable technique of the Shibuki is, ironically, the slashing motion.
However, since this sword persisted throughout the entirety of the anime without being destroyed, its true power remains a mystery.
In essence, it's akin to unsheathing a sword just to swat a fly; one might as well use the Explosive Tags.
"I appreciate it, Lord Sogetsu!"
White Zetsu shrugged off any concerns. The side effects of the Shibuki were negligible to him.
Thus, he wore a delighted expression, clutching the weapon like a cherished toy. With gleeful anticipation, he remarked, "Hehehe, other White Zetsu will surely envy me when they see this."
"By the way, Lord Sogetsu, I have another question."
White Zetsu, now holding the explosive sword, regarded him with curiosity, "Aren't you tasked with covertly infiltrating Kirigakure to uncover the truth behind the joint ninja village war? Wouldn't such a conspicuous act raise their suspicions?"
"You've misunderstood, White Zetsu."
At this, Uchiha Sogetsu paused, gazing into the distance where the thick fog concealed the land.
He adjusted his glasses with his index finger, his eyes glinting subtly as a smile tugged at his lips. His tone softened, exuding warmth, "Hokage-sama's directive is for me to create a spectacle!"
As if in sync with his intent, faint subtitles materialized.
[Side Mission: Stir up a commotion!]
[A qualified performer influences the tide of history. It's your moment. Follow your script, sow chaos, and shape the course of the war as you desire.]
[Reward: The brain of a mature mind dragon. *1. 500ml of Adult Mind Dragon Blood]
Amidst the tumultuous sea, several figures suddenly materialized.
"Jinpachi's last breath is here," one of them declared, squatting down. His voice, sharp as cutting through glass, carried across the scene. His sharp eyes scanned the distance.
"The one who took him down was likely a Jonin. The remaining chakra concentration is exceptionally high. They must be here for about ten minutes before departing."
"Where's Shibuki?" inquired the man with a ponytail.
"Hehehe, no need to ask. It's probably been snatched," sneered the man with yellow hair resembling withered grass and a thin, bamboo-like frame.
Another man, overweight, frowned disdainfully. "We should've known better than to let him join us. What a waste. He was killed so easily."
"After all, Jinpachi was just a temporary member. That's all," remarked another, with a tone of indifference.
The man with bandages spoke sadly, "Regardless, we must retrieve the Shibuki before it falls into the wrong hands."
"I smell prey!" exclaimed the youngest-looking among them, a man with blue hair that stood up like a mandrill. "We must show that guy the might of our seven from Kirigakure!"
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