"Your chakra is very unusual."
The White Snake Sage exhaled a plume of smoke and looked at Kaede. "To the senses, your chakra is no different from that of an ordinary human ninja. But the amount… far exceeds normal levels. So tell me, are you truly human, or some other being disguised in human form?"
Kaede smiled faintly. "I'm definitely human."
"I see…"
The White Snake Sage stared at him for a few seconds, then blew out another puff of smoke. "In that case, you must be one of those rare human ninjas whose origins even I cannot discern. It's been a long time since I've encountered someone like you. You're here to learn the Ryūchi Cave Sage Technique, right? Follow me."
With that, the White Snake Sage, still clutching his pipe, slipped off his bed and leisurely swam deeper into the temple.
Kaede calmly followed.
Though the White Snake Sage couldn't tell Kaede's true origins, he already knew Kaede was Orochimaru's student. Soon, he began to explain the Ryūchi Cave Sage Technique in detail.
But the entire process was merely an explanation.
After finishing, he pointed Kaede toward the most suitable training area, then leisurely swam back to his bed to resume puffing on his pipe.
"This is the Sage Mode of the Ryūchi Cave…"
Kaede pondered, organizing the information he had received.
The Ryūchi Cave Sage Technique was distinctly different from the Sage Technique he was most familiar with, the one from Mt. Myoboku. The Ryūchi Cave technique emphasized concealment and transformation.
In contrast, the Myoboku Sage Technique focused more on raw power. In comparison, the Ryūchi Cave style was softer and more flexible, while Myoboku's was more rigid and forceful.
As for the final Sage Technique from the Shikkotsu Forest, he guessed it probably centered on healing and splitting.
"I'll train here for a while. Rin, your chakra still isn't enough to train in Sage Mode, so keep working on your Tailed Beast Mode here."
Kaede gave a brief instruction to Rin, who had followed him, then found a place to sit down.
He didn't plan to fully master the Ryūchi Cave Sage Technique yet, but he wanted to complete the initial basics and clarify the foundation.
Rin nodded and also settled down, starting her own training.
…
Ten days later.
In the mountains north of the Ryūchi Cave.
Seven figures moved swiftly through the forest, each carrying a different ninja sword, each blade famed throughout the ninja world.
They were the strongest elite of Kirigakure, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist!
"This should be close by," said Suigetsu Hozuki, carrying his massive sword Samehada, pausing to scan the surrounding woods.
Jūzō Biwa, wielding his decapitating blade, shook his head. "Still no sign of the Three-Tails' chakra, but we can't be far."
Their plan was to use the Three-Tails to wreck Konoha, then strike at Konoha Village with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, dealing massive damage in one fell swoop.
They were confident it would succeed.
But unexpectedly, the Silver Flash had appeared after two years of disappearance!
Not only was their plan ruined, but the Three-Tails ended up in Konoha's hands.
This was unacceptable.
The Three-Tails was Kirigakure's powerful weapon, they couldn't just let it fall into Konoha's grasp. But with Lin staying in Konoha, no matter how confident they were, they didn't dare risk a direct confrontation there.
Recently, however, they received intel that the Three-Tails' jinchuriki had left Konoha. That was the opening they needed. Without hesitation, they mobilized.
Since the Three-Tails was under Kirigakure's control, they had special methods to lock onto its location, even if sealed inside a jinchuriki.
But…
There was one complication.
The intel said that the Three-Tails jinchuriki, Nohara Rin, hadn't left Konoha alone, she was traveling with the Silver Flash, which made things tricky.
Still, the Third Mizukage had given the order: under no circumstances could the Three-Tails fall into Konoha's hands. After deliberation, they decided to strike.
They were the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist!
Alone, any one of them knew they couldn't match Kaede.
But together, their combined power rivaled that of the entire Kirigakure.
In fact, their strength made up half of Kirigakure's total.
If all seven fought against the Third Raikage, they were confident they could defeat him. Likewise, they believed they could crush Amegakure and storm Sunagakure.
With Kaede and the Three-Tails jinchuriki in Konoha, they dared not act.
Konoha was protected by the Legendary Sannin, the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, and the formidable Yellow Flash Namikaze Minato; they weren't arrogant enough to challenge such a Konoha yet.
But if only the Silver Flash was there, that was their chance!
Previously,
Namikaze Minato had killed two of them.
But that was when the Seven were split into pairs, and those two pairs met Minato and were killed.
For the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, two versus seven was a world apart. If they had all united, that battle would have had a very different outcome.
Now,
The Seven were back to full strength, with new additions Mangetsu Hozuki and Ringo Yurii. Though young, both were geniuses of Kirigakure, and worthy bearers of the ninja swords.
"Let me confirm again, Silver Flash is a Lightning Release ninja, extremely fast, but he doesn't have the Space-Time ninjutsu like The Yellow Flash. If we trap him in a barrier, his speed becomes useless. Do you all remember the tactics we prepared?"
Suigetsu spoke solemnly to the other six.
Silver Flash was not an ordinary opponent, his danger level spoke for itself. So even though they were confident, they needed to prepare thoroughly.
"Don't worry."
"Heh heh heh… No matter how fast he is, he won't escape. Daring to leave Konoha alone with the Three-Tails jinchuriki is pure overconfidence."
"As long as we take out the Silver Flash, the name of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist will strike fear across the entire ninja world! Hahaha!"
The others spoke one after another, their voices full of confidence.
Seven united!
They had gathered extensive intel on the Silver Flash and devised multiple battle plans in advance.
With such meticulous preparation, no mistakes would be allowed.
For the Silver Flash of Konoha to continue his dominance in the ninja world…
It was time for him to go down to hell!
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