However, Kisame Hoshigaki hadn't yet escaped and was instantly surrounded by countless tree roots and vines.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Kisame slashed through the roots in front of him, but more shot up from behind.
Obito shouted, "Go to hell, shark freak!"
At the same time, Obito and Kakashi threw kunai straight at him.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Yoruichi's shadow clone darted forward and delivered a heavy kick toward Kisame.
Kisame's reaction was quick. He twisted his body, dodging most attacks, but several kunai still grazed his face.
"Damn brat, just you wait!" Kisame growled. With a kunai stuck in his headband, he turned and ran.
Yet more roots burst from the ground, tangling him once more.
Obito laughed. "Hah! Shark freak, let's see you act tough now!"
Kakashi glanced at him, unimpressed. "Focus, Obito."
Nearby, Rin watched silently. Her gaze fixed on Yoruichi's back, admiration sparkling in her eyes. Despite her initial doubts about his methods, Yoruichi had changed things. Even Obito seemed to be growing.
"Argh!" Kisame roared as he shattered the vines binding him.
Bang!
The roots exploded outward as Kisame escaped deeper into the forest.
"Tch, so he really is like a tailless Tailed Beast," Yoruichi muttered, eyes narrowing. "We need to keep up!" Without wasting a second, he took off after Kisame.
Rin called out, "Yoruichi-sensei, wait!"
Seeing her struggling to keep up, Yoruichi didn't hesitate. He scooped her up with one arm. Rin's face turned crimson, but she didn't protest.
"Sensei, the mission is to find that missing girl, right? Why are we chasing Mist-nin?" Rin asked hesitantly.
"They're here for the same reason we are. They might have clues," Yoruichi replied casually, though his smirk betrayed his real reason: he was itching for a fight.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Yoruichi formed a clone, leaving it behind to assist Obito and Kakashi, who were falling behind. He continued his pursuit with Rin in his arms.
Kisame glanced over his shoulder. His face twisted in disbelief. "What kind of freak is this guy?! He's carrying a girl and still keeping up?!"
"This is bad," Kisame thought. "I need backup. Only the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist can handle this monster."
Determined, Kisame raced toward the rest of his group. Despite his fatigue, he pushed on, using water-style chakra to boost his speed whenever he passed a stream or pond.
Yoruichi noticed this. "So that's how he keeps going," he muttered. "Interesting…"
As they moved deeper into the forest, Kisame suddenly heard laughter echoing ahead. The sound sent a chill down his spine but also filled him with relief. His comrades—the Seven Ninja Swordsmen—were nearby.
Kisame's panic turned into a grin. "Keep chasing me, you fool. You're walking right into your death!"
He laughed to himself, imagining Yoruichi's legs being fed to sharks. But deep down, a seed of fear remained. Yoruichi's relentless pursuit was like a predator stalking its prey. The hunter wasn't slowing down.
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In the dense forest ahead, Mikoto Uchiha carried an unconscious student on her back. Beside her, Kizashi Haruno held two students. All three were from the academy's lowest-ranked class. They were being pursued.
Following closely were Might Guy, Ebisu, and another young ninja. The group sprinted through the woods at full speed.
Suddenly, they all halted.
Before them stood seven imposing figures, each wielding a terrifying blade. Their appearances were menacing, their weapons drenched in battle scars. These were the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
Behind the group, the Mist ninja in pursuit landed and shouted, "Seven Swordsmen! These are Konoha ninja. They appear to be searching for something."
One of the swordsmen sneered, "Konoha shinobi, huh? Let's capture them. A few pretty ones in the mix—what a bonus!"
Another laughed, "I get first pick this time, don't I?"
"Like hell you do! You took the last one!"
Kizashi's expression darkened. "The Seven Ninja Swordsmen?!" His voice trembled. "They're all elite jonin from the Hidden Mist… Watermelon Mountain Fugu, Juzo Biwa, Raiga Kurosuki, Ameyuri Ringo, Jinpachi Munashi, Fuguki Suikazan, and Kisame Hoshigaki. Their blades are infamous, and their kills countless!"
Mikoto Uchiha's face paled. The aura of these seven warriors bore down like death itself.
"How? Weren't they supposed to be away on another mission?" Kizashi muttered in panic.
"Something must've gone wrong," Mikoto replied, fear evident in her voice.
Kizashi clenched his fists. "Wrong? This isn't just wrong—we're going to die here!"
Mikoto instinctively clutched an amulet Yoruichi had given her before the mission. Her grip tightened. She whispered under her breath, "Yoruichi… where are you?"
The young ninja behind her, including Guy, trembled. "We're surrounded," one of them muttered. "There's no escape."
The leader of the Swordsmen smirked. "Oh? Even the kids know who we are. How flattering."
With a voice dripping with malice, another swordsman spoke, "Your blood may be thin, but my blade hasn't tasted fresh iron in a while."
Mikoto stood protectively in front of the students, steeling herself despite her fear. "What do we do? We can't fight them. Yoruichi… hurry…"
Suddenly, a figure emerged.
"Ah! Finally caught up!"
Everyone turned to see a man in green tights with a ridiculous bowl cut. His energy radiated wildly, and his entire body exuded confidence.
"Kai!" one of the students behind Mikoto gasped. "That's your dad! What's he doing here?"
The man in green, Might Duy, stepped forward, his face serious. "You all need to run. I'll hold them off."
Guy froze. "Dad! They're jonin—there's no way you can fight them alone!"
Duy smiled. "Don't worry about me, son. I've got something special up my sleeve. Go. Now."
"No!" Guy protested. "If you use *that*, you'll—"
Duy raised a thumb and grinned. "This is the time to protect what matters most. That's my self-rule as a shinobi."
The swordsmen laughed mockingly. "Protect? A clown like you? You're barely worth a swing of our blades!"
"Hey, bowl cut," Raiga Kurosuki taunted. "Why don't you try punching me? Let's see what you've got."
Duy's expression hardened. "If I punch you, you'll die."
The group burst into laughter. "Kill me? That's rich!"
Duy turned back to the group and waved them away. "Go. Now."
As he faced forward again, the air shifted. A light mist began to fall, but it wasn't rain. Steam emanated from Duy's body as his skin turned crimson.
"Eight Gates Release Formation!" he roared, his voice shaking the forest. "Gate of Death—open!"
The ground cracked beneath him as raw chakra burst from his body, creating a fiery aura.
The swordsmen hesitated for the first time.
"Retreat!" Fuguki shouted, but it was too late.
Duy's figure vanished in an instant, appearing before Raiga. His fist connected with a sickening crunch.
Raiga didn't even have time to scream. His body exploded into fragments, blood splattering everywhere.
The forest fell silent.
The remaining six swordsmen stared in disbelief. A mere genin had just annihilated one of their own.
Duy turned his burning gaze toward the others. "Who's next?" he growled.
From the shadows, Kisame Hoshigaki emerged, only to be sent flying into the trees with a single kick.
In the distance, Yoruichi and Rin arrived just in time to witness the spectacle.
Yoruichi's eyes widened. "Might Duy… this man… he's rewriting history."
As Duy unleashed his full power, Yoruichi watched silently, knowing this moment would alter the course of the future forever.
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[Original, CN author Note for you guys;]
This big chapter highlights the iconic moment where Might Duy uses the Eight Gates to protect his comrades, showcasing the spirit of self-sacrifice. If you enjoyed this nostalgic twist on a legendary Naruto scene, consider leaving a review, or even a reward! Your support keeps this story alive—thank you!
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