Chapter 53: Chapter 53: The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist

Under the night sky, Tsunade and the others waited not far from the Uzumaki clan compound.

The Land of Whirlpools was large. Kumogakure and Kirigakure could approach from any direction.

Fortunately, the enemy had already been exposed—moved from darkness into light. As long as arrangements were made properly, they could anticipate the attack direction in advance.

"My lords, Kumogakure and Kirigakure are approaching the southeast of the Land of Whirlpools. Expected landing in five minutes."

A figure suddenly appeared—the Hyuga ninja responsible for reconnaissance.

"As expected."

Uzumaki Keisuke said immediately. "The southeast is a cliff. Defense there is usually weakest."

"Clan Head Keisuke, we’ll leave the compound to you. We’ll intercept the Kumogakure and Kirigakure forces."

Tsunade nodded.

Although a barrier had been established around the compound, without powerhouses holding the position, a barrier alone was far from sufficient.

"I leave it to you all!"

Keisuke bowed slightly.

Tsunade didn’t say more. She led the group toward the southeast.

Worth noting—besides Konoha ninjas, many Uzumaki clan ninjas accompanied them.

Although the Uzumaki clan excelled in sealing jutsu, to have survived in the ninja world for so many years, they couldn’t possibly know only sealing techniques.

Soon, the group arrived at their position.

"Get ready."

Tsunade raised her hand. "When they trigger the traps, we strike during the confusion."

Everyone nodded silently and found their hiding spots.

Natsuki climbed a tree and glanced at the moonless sky.

He couldn’t help but sigh. Truly a dark and windy night—perfect for killing.

Especially since his Shadow Assassin thrived in such conditions.

A moment later, fog suddenly appeared in the distance.

It spread rapidly, soon enveloping everyone and advancing toward the Uzumaki compound.

Without needing to guess, they knew this was Kirigakure’s Water Release: Hiding in Mist Technique.

Tsunade and the others didn’t panic.

After a while, deafening explosions rang out.

Flames shot skyward, illuminating half the night and dispersing much of the fog.

Natsuki looked up and saw Kumogakure and Kirigakure ninjas screaming amid the traps.

The preparations made by Konoha and the Uzumaki clan had played a significant role.

"Damn it!"

An angry voice rang out. "Our intel has leaked! Everyone, retreat!"

Natsuki instinctively looked toward the speaker.

He was extremely fat—resembling an Akimichi clan ninja.

But his most striking feature was his long orange hair, nearly touching the ground.

Suikazan Fuguki—one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist?

Natsuki’s thoughts stirred. He examined the peculiar sword in the man’s hand—covered in spikes.

The Greatsword Samehada.

Besides the Third Mizukage, the strongest ninjas in Kirigakure were the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.

It was natural for them to oversee a major operation like annihilating a clan.

Then what about Kumogakure?

Natsuki scanned the area but didn’t spot the Third or Fourth Raikage.

The characteristics of successive Raikage were obvious—all burly, muscular men.

But he had no time to identify individuals. The battle had already begun.

Konoha and the Uzumaki clan had laid an inescapable net. They naturally wouldn’t let the enemy retreat.

Tsunade leaped into the air and plummeted down.

Heavenly Foot of Pain!

With her as the center, the ground cracked open. Countless pieces of rubble flew in all directions.

In an instant, blood splattered everywhere.

"Bastard!"

Seeing this, Suikazan Fuguki gripped Samehada and hacked at her like an axe.

But the moment he swung, he sensed danger.

Orochimaru appeared at his side.

He opened his mouth. The Kusanagi Sword flew out like a kunai, aiming at Fuguki’s head.

Fuguki had to pull back to defend.

Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!

Jiraiya formed hand seals. A wildly dancing fire dragon charged into the crowd.

Many Kumogakure ninjas were instantly reduced to ash.

The sound of tearing air rang out!

A slender Kirigakure ANBU ninja appeared behind Jiraiya.

He held a special blade resembling an elongated senbon.

Kushimaru Kuriarare—another of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. His weapon was the Longsword Nuibari.

Shadow Assassin!

While the others fought fiercely, Natsuki vanished from his spot.

He headed straight for his chosen target—a Kirigakure Tokubetsu Jonin using Water Release.

The Tokubetsu Jonin was engaged with a Konoha ninja.

Natsuki’s shadow slipped behind him.

He seized the moment, dispelled Shadow Assassin, drew the Sword of the Thunder God, and delivered a slash.

One-Sword Style: Horse Demon!

The blade cut from his back down to his lower body.

The sudden, intense pain made him scream.

The Konoha ninja froze momentarily—but reacted quickly, spitting out a wind blade that struck the enemy’s heart.

Natsuki twisted his wrist, raised the Sword of the Thunder God, and thrust it in again—completely ending the man’s life.

After the kill, he activated Shadow Assassin once more.

"A-As expected of Lord Orochimaru’s student!"

After recovering, the Konoha ninja couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

When he had first seen Natsuki participating in this mission, he assumed the boy was just padding his resume. He hadn’t expected such strangely formidable strength.

[Congratulations, Host. You have unlocked Kamado Tanjiro Template Ability 3: Water Breathing — Fourth Form, Fifth Form, Sixth Form.]

Excellent.

The requirement of defeating three Chunin or Tokubetsu Jonin who excelled in Water Release or kenjutsu had been completed.

Natsuki nodded in satisfaction.

His next goal was capturing a Water Release Tokubetsu Jonin alive—to unlock Ability 4 of the Smoker template.

On this chaotic battlefield, accomplishing that wouldn’t be difficult.

He planned to do it when the battle neared its end.

He glanced around and quickly selected his next opponent.

Because he spotted an acquaintance—Inuzuka Gaku.

Currently locked in a bitter struggle.

In the original story, he had been Namikaze Minato’s teammate. But he was older—looking around seventeen or eighteen now.

Natsuki’s shadow arrived behind the Kirigakure Tokubetsu Jonin fighting him.

Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!

The Kirigakure Tokubetsu Jonin formed hand seals. A water dragon surged toward Inuzuka Gaku.

This is bad.

Gaku thought to himself.

Was he going to die here today?

Suddenly, his vision went dark.

A giant pot blocked his front.

The water dragon crashed into it, instantly sending it flying backward.

Although the pot didn’t do much, it bought him time. He used the Body Flicker Technique without hesitation.

The Kirigakure Tokubetsu Jonin instinctively looked toward the pot’s origin—and spotted Natsuki.

The pot had been created using Projection Magecraft.

He couldn’t help but pause.

In a battle filled with Tokubetsu Jonin and Jonin, the sudden appearance of a child naturally seemed strange.

But just as the thought arose, he fell into a daze.

Fox Magic!

After casting the genjutsu, Natsuki immediately gripped the Sword of the Thunder God.

Water Breathing: Sixth Form — Whirlpool!

His body spun suddenly. A stream of water formed a whirlpool around him along with the blade.

Just as the Kirigakure Tokubetsu Jonin broke free from the genjutsu, he felt himself flying.

Within the whirlpool, his body was severed at the waist—split in half.

Watching the entire sequence, Inuzuka Gaku felt completely dumbfounded.

Genjutsu? Kenjutsu? Water Release?

An eight-year-old child had actually used so many techniques in an instant?

Gaku felt as if he were dreaming.

<><><><><><>

Read Advanced Chapters on : patreon.com/Kaizo247

~ Every 150 PS = Bonus Chapter!

~ Push the Story forward with your [Power Stones]