As the Konoha shinobi advanced, the Kirigakure unit behind Shigure immediately stepped forward, kunai drawn.
Kuji was the first to meet the attack — his foot snapped forward in a brutal kick, sending the front-most ANBU flying like a ragdoll, slamming into the shinobi behind him and knocking several off their feet in a chain collision.
Kakashi's eyes narrowed.
"That strength…!"
Then Kuji raised both arms — bone spikes erupted from his wrists.
Kakashi froze.
As a former ANBU Captain, he recognized this ability instantly.
"Shikotsumyaku…?"
"A member of the Kaguya Clan? That clan should've been wiped out!"
But those bones could not be faked.
This was a genuine inherited Kekkei Genkai — and a fully trained user at that.
An Elite Jōnin at minimum…
Before Kakashi could process that revelation, five Mist shinobi simultaneously completed a set of hand seals.
"Ice Release: Ice Rock Dome of Magnificent Nothingness!"
A massive barrier of ice surged upward, shielding Shigure and Sasuke while walls of frost rose before each Mist ninja — fortifying their formation.
Immediately after—
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!!"
Twin water dragons burst forth from behind the ice walls — no water source required — crashing into the Konoha ranks with overwhelming force. Shinobi were swept off their feet before they could even counter.
Kakashi's expression stiffened again.
They can cast large-scale Water Release even without water present… Their chakra reserves must be monstrous!
But then—
A chill worse than winter itself swept through the battlefield.
"Ice Release: Freeze!"
Two Yuki Clan ninja leapt into the air, freezing the rampaging water dragons in an instant — and with them, the Konoha shinobi trapped inside, now sealed in glittering tombs of ice.
The remaining five Yuki Clan members formed senbon of hardened frost, launching volleys in all directions — driving the rest of the Leaf forces back.
Meanwhile, Kuji and four other Kaguya Clan members surged ahead — bone blades cutting down any who tried to flank or approach.
Three shinobi of the Boil Release-wielding Yūmujō Clan slammed their fists into the ground — steam hissing violently around them. The earth cracked, tearing open a jagged trench and halting further Konoha advancement.
But a squad of Leaf shinobi vaulted high, trying to bypass the chaos and strike Shigure and Sasuke from behind—
SHLICK
Blood arced into the air.
They fell dead before hitting the ground.
Two cloaked figures appeared where the bodies dropped, revealing themselves as Mist assassination specialists who had been completely invisible a moment ago.
Jiraiya's face hardened in shock.
When did Kirigakure cultivate so many terrifying shinobi…?
Every single one of these twenty—
Not just Jōnin level…Elite.
Five Yuki Clan elites.
Five Kaguya Clan bone warriors.
Three Boil Release monsters.
Two masters of stealth and silent killing.
And five others whose chakra alone was terrifying.
All of them… devoted solely to protecting Shigure.
"Dammit! These people are insane!"
"No wonder just twenty of them dared to march straight into Konoha!"
"Not a single one of them is below elite strength!"
Voices trembled across the Leaf ranks.
To Sasuke, however, this scene was expected.
From the very moment these Mist shinobi arrived, he had sensed individual powers far beyond the norm.
Now, seeing their strength unleashed openly—
Even he couldn't help feeling shocked.
What shocked Sasuke the most was that every strike, every blade movement from the Mist shinobi…carried Shigure's shadow.
Their sword forms, their footwork — unmistakably trained by him.
They didn't just protect him.
They carried his legacy.
"No matter how strong you are, you won't escape Konoha!"
"Stand down now! The matter of killing Danzo will be handled diplomatically between the Mizukage and Hokage! Whether he deserved death or not — Konoha demands an explanation!"
A stern Konoha Jōnin stepped forward with a voice full of forced authority.
He wasn't wrong — Konoha would demand compensation.
And if Shigure allowed himself to be detained, Kirigakure would negotiate his release.
But Shigure was no longer someone who could be used as a bargaining chip.
He was the future Mizukage.
And the Mizukage does not kneel.
Shigure's eyes wandered — up the Hokage Building — until they locked onto a certain figure.
A slow smile curled across his lips.
Found him.
In the next heartbeat—
Shigure vanished in a burst of speed — a streak of lightning tearing into the crowd.
Leaf shinobi blinked in confusion.
Escape?
Alone?
Before they could process a thought—
"Gentle Fist—!"
Crack!
A Hyūga clansman lunged, but Shigure's kick sent him tumbling.
In one smooth motion, Shigure swept his arm around Hinata, lifting her off her feet as he vaulted backward—
Landing at the forefront of his Mist forces.
Holding the Hyūga heiress securely in his arms.
"I'm taking you with me."
Hinata froze.
Her cheeks rapidly flushed crimson.
Th-This is what he meant? In front of all of Konoha…?
She buried her face into his chest, overwhelmed.
Hiashi Hyūga immediately appeared beside Tsunade.
"Lady Tsunade!"
Then his eyes locked onto Shigure — sharp and furious.
"Release my daughter at once!"
Shigure simply smiled.
"Given the current situation… does Hiashi-sama truly believe I will let her go?"
Hiashi stiffened — because he understood perfectly.
Shigure wasn't kidnapping Hinata out of malice.
He was establishing leverage.
The Hyūga princess in Mist hands meant Konoha could not strike recklessly.
Neither village would lose face.
Shigure would walk free.
A clean escape.
Hiashi let out a quiet sigh — then quickly turned away from Shigure and dramatically bowed to Tsunade.
"Please, Lady Tsunade — save my daughter!"
His exaggerated theatrics made Tsunade pinch the bridge of her nose.
Still, she raised her hand and issued the order:
"Everyone stand down! Do not harm Hyūga Hinata!"
At once, Leaf shinobi retreated — weapons lowered.
The battlefield stilled.
Sasuke stepped to Shigure's side, eyebrow raised.
"You planned this from the start?"
Shigure nodded casually.
"Of course."
"But she's going to get in huge trouble when she goes home…" Sasuke muttered.
Shigure's smirk deepened.
"No."
Sasuke blinked.
"Don't tell me you're planning to—"
Shigure grinned.
"Exactly."
Hinata's blush somehow deepened further.
...
TN:
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