Staring carefully into the Mangekyō Sharingan reflected in her eyes, new information suddenly surfaced in Kuugetsu's mind.
It was the names and abilities of her eyes.
Her left eye's ability was called Higan (The Other Shore). Its effect allowed her to move freely within a 30-meter range, similar to her sensei's space–time ninjutsu.
Her right eye's ability was called Kagutsuchi. It allowed her to control and enhance Fire Release. Under her command, her flames would not completely dissipate after use—like what had just happened. Instead, she could call them back, and not only reclaim them, but reshape and transform them in any way she imagined.
Aside from those, there was also one special ability. But using it required a terrifying price. Even she dared not invoke it lightly.
After absorbing this information, Kuugetsu lifted her head. Instead of looking at the remaining six of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, she turned to Might Duy and said:
"Duy-senpai, forgive me if this sounds rude—but please, don't intervene in the coming battle. These wretches…I must personally finish them myself. As for you, please protect Guy and the others."
Might Duy hesitated. It wasn't that he felt insulted—he simply worried for her. Even though he could sense the earth-shaking change in her, these were still the infamous Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
But Kuugetsu had no intention of leaving him time to reconsider. Her figure flashed, and she instantly darted in front of Chijin Hōzuki and Jinpachi Munashi.
The flames around her body surged violently, even igniting the blade of the Sword of Kusanagi: Chokutō itself.
"Sunwheel Dance!"
In that instant, Kuugetsu's form transformed into a blazing arrow of flame, the force of it so overwhelming that even Duy, in his Sixth Gate state, took two steps back.
Seeing the searing inferno coil around him, Duy gave a bitter smile. He could already feel Kuugetsu's determination. Since she insisted this strongly, he would let her do it. He wasn't that strong himself, but in the Sixth Gate state, he could at least guard the perimeter.
As Duy quietly retreated, Hōzuki Chijin and Jinpachi Munashi's expressions twisted into madness. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen were sociopaths to begin with—lawless killers to the core.
Hearing Kuugetsu's arrogant claim that she would defeat them all did not frighten them. On the contrary, it only fueled their bloodlust.
Jinpachi Munashi let out a hideous shriek, his already grotesque face contorting even further:
"Take us all down? Such arrogance! Let's see you blown to pieces—Explosion Blade Ninpō: Explosive-Release Heavy Death!!"
As he roared, Jinpachi spun wildly, swinging his Explosive Blade: Shibuki. With every turn, the explosive tags on its edge glowed crimson. He meant to smash through Kuugetsu's Sunwheel Dance with sheer explosive force.
BOOM!
A deafening blast rocked the battlefield. Smoke engulfed the area in a choking wave. In an instant, everyone lost sight of the clash—no one knew whether Jinpachi's explosive blade or Kuugetsu had prevailed.
Even Hōzuki Chijin, who had been about to unleash Hiramekarei, lowered the weapon quietly. Until the smoke cleared, he could only wait.
But while he held back to avoid striking his ally by mistake, the survivor within the smoke didn't share that concern.
The next second, a crimson light flared within the haze—then shot forth at blinding speed, streaking straight toward Hōzuki Chijin.
Startled, Chijin shouted in alarm:
"Hiramekarei: Release!"
The twin blades in his hands erupted with pale blue chakra light. Without even bothering to pinpoint the attacker's exact location, he spun like a spinning top, swinging Hiramekarei with all his might to intercept the oncoming strike.
Spinning wildly, Hōzuki Chijin thought he heard a dull thud. That sound eased his heart a little—whoever was struck by Hiramekarei Release couldn't possibly still be alive.
As he spun, the waves of chakra from Hiramekarei scattered the smoke that had shrouded the battlefield, finally clearing everyone's vision.
But before Chijin could breathe a sigh of relief, a furious shout rang out from Raiga Kurosuki:
"Chijin! You bastard, what are you doing?!"
Startled, Hōzuki Chijin slowed his spin and turned around—only to see Jinpachi Munashi glaring at him in disbelief.
A massive portion of Jinpachi's chest had caved in. That kind of injury could only have been caused by Hiramekarei's devastating blow. There was no surviving it.
Hōzuki Chijin had just killed one of his own comrades, another of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, with his own hands.
"This… this is impossible!"
Staring at the glowing blade of Hiramekarei, his face twisted in shock. He had clearly seen a crimson figure charging at him through the smoke—it had to be that ugly woman, Kuugetsu.
So how was Jinpachi the one lying on the ground instead?
Before he could process it, agony lanced through his chest. His vision fractured, as if the world itself was shattering into pieces. The illusion crumbled, revealing reality:
He saw his comrades—Jūzō Biwa and the others—shouting his name from afar. He saw Jinpachi Munashi, cut clean in half at the waist. And right before his eyes, staring coldly into him, was that pair of emotionless Mangekyō Sharingan.
So… everything just now had been an illusion?
As Kuugetsu drew her Sword of Kusanagi: Chokutō back, Hōzuki Chijin collapsed helplessly to the ground, disbelief still etched on his face. Even as life left him, he couldn't tell what had been real, and what had been false.
From afar, Jūzō Biwa and the others were dumbfounded. Kuugetsu's movements were simply too fast.
First, she killed Kurisame Kushimaru.
Then, she cut down Jinpachi Munashi, even while he unleashed Explosive-Release Heavy Death.
And now, she had ensnared Chijin in genjutsu and executed him in a single strike.
In just the blink of an eye, three of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were dead.
Now, it was their turn.
The thought made Fuguki Suikazan's knees tremble.
This woman, she is a monster! I absolutely cannot die here. I must survive!
Meanwhile, Raiga, Jinin Akebino, and Jūzō Biwa forced their fear down and hardened their resolve.
Jūzō turned back to the other three and barked:
"Don't be afraid. This woman is only relying on tricks. The four of us together can definitely handle her."
Jinin Akebino swallowed nervously and added, forcing courage into his voice:
"That's right. Everyone attack together. We can definitely get rid of this ugly woman."
As he spoke, Jūzō quickly performed hand seals: "Ninja Art: Hiding in Mist Technique!"