In less than 10 minutes, two members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were already dead. The group had become the Five Ninja Swordsmen, and fear was visible in their eyes.
They didn't want to fight anymore. Instead, they tried to escape by creating a dense fog.
But no matter how thick the fog, it couldn't hide them from hundreds of shadow clones.
As they ran out of the fog, they were greeted by countless shadow clones waiting for them. Sweat dripped from their foreheads.
"Damn it! Who can summon this many shadow clones?"
"And they're all so strong!"
"When did Konoha produce such a powerful ninja?"
Juzo Biwa, gripping his sword tightly, shouted, "Konoha ninja! What's your name?"
Yoruichi stood calmly among his clones and smirked. "If you surrender, you might live to find out."
Without waiting for a response, Yoruichi attacked.
The Five Ninja Swordsmen had no choice.
"Fight!"
"Water Style: Water Bullet Jutsu!"
"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
"Water Style: Water Severing Wave!"
Before their jutsus could even take form, massive roots and vines erupted from the ground, wrapping around them tightly.
"Argh!"
Their screams echoed as the vines strangled them, one by one.
When the battle ended, Yoruichi returned, dragging five bound figures like rice dumplings. The sight left everyone stunned, especially Mikoto Uchiha. Her heart raced as she looked at Yoruichi, recalling how effortlessly he had used the Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence.
He was breathtakingly powerful.
Yoruichi glanced at Mikoto. "Do you know how to interrogate?"
She shook her head and just as she was about to refuse to know interrogation, Haruno Akira stepped forward. "I can try."
Yoruichi nodded. "Fine. Ask them why they came here. And find out if they know Terumi Mei's location. If they cooperate, they might live. If not, they'll wish they hadn't."
Haruno Akira nodded eagerly. "Yes, sir!"
As Haruno approached the prisoners, one of them—the Juzo biwa—spoke first, his voice trembling. "I'll talk! We came here for Terumi Mei!"
"Oh? And what do you know about her?" Yoruichi asked, his eyes narrowing.
The man stammered. "We've located her general area but not her exact location. If you let me go, I can guide you there."
Before Yoruichi could respond, another prisoner shouted, "Traitor! You disgrace the Mist! You deserve to die!"
"Shut up," Yoruichi said coldly. With a flick of his wrist, the vines around the loudmouth tightened until there was only silence.
The remaining prisoners shuddered.
"Now," Yoruichi said, looking at the Juzo Biwa, "you will guide us to Terumi Mei. Prove your worth, and I'll keep my word."
"Yes! I'll help! Just don't kill me!"
Two other prisoners also tried to plead. "We can help too!"
Yoruichi shook his head. "Too late."
The vines around them tightened, ending their lives instantly.
The younger ninjas in the group watched in shock. They had never seen death so close before and vomited at the gruesome sight.
Mikoto frowned. "Isn't this too much?"
Haruno Akira stepped in. "The Seven Ninja Swordsmen are killers, ruthless even to their own people. They've taken countless lives, including those of Konoha ninjas. Kindness to such enemies is foolishness."
One of the seven swordsmen and Juzo Biwa flinched, realizing their precarious position.
"Remember," Yoruichi said, "this is a deal. Lead us to Terumi Mei, and you'll live."
They nodded quickly. "We understand!"
At that moment, a voice echoed from above. "Teacher! Where are you?"
It was Kakashi and Obito, arriving late to the scene.
"We're here," Yoruichi called back.
Kakashi peered over the edge of the steep basin, his face tense. "How are we supposed to get there though!?"
"Wait." Yoruichi used Wood Style to lift everyone up.
When Kakashi and Obito saw the massive figures of Juzo Biwa and another prisoner, their faces turned slightly pale.
"They're... Two of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen!?"
"They're our tour guides for now," Yoruichi said with a smirk.
The two Mist ninjas glared at him, their pride wounded.
Suddenly, a golden flash appeared. Minato Namikaze arrived, looking slightly out of breath.
"Am I late?" he asked.
"Yes, you are," Yoruichi replied dryly. "You were supposed to stop the elite Mist ninjas, but the Seven Ninja Swordsmen showed up instead."
Minato scratched the back of his head. "Sorry. We got tricked."
"Fine. Take Might Duy back to Konoha for treatment."
Minato hesitated. "Me? Shouldn't someone else—"
"Do it," Yoruichi interrupted.
Minato sighed, picked up Duy, and disappeared in a flash.
Meanwhile, 1,000 meters away, Kisame Hoshigaki dragged his broken body back toward the Mist Village, his lower half completely destroyed.
"I... I won't die here!" he muttered, his willpower keeping him alive.
---
In the Mist Village, the Third Mizukage sat in his office, listening to reports.
"What did you say? The Seven Ninja Swordsmen were defeated?"
"Yes, Mizukage-sama," the shinobi replied.
"By Konoha's Sannin? Or White Fang?"
"No, sir. It was a young ninja we have no records of. He uses Wood Style."
The Mizukage's eyes narrowed. "Leave me."
As the room emptied, a figure emerged from the shadows, half black and half white.
"So, Mizukage," Zetsu said, his voice sly, "have you considered our offer?"
"And if I refuse?"
Zetsu smirked as countless White Zetsu clones emerged from the walls and floor.
"Then you'll miss your chance to claim the Three-Tails and Uchiha Madara's favor."
###
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