Kimimaro still followed silently behind Yuto, though the emptiness in his eyes had faded a little compared to before.
Hozuki Suigetsu watched Yuto's back with curiosity. He had heard the conversation between Yuto and Kimimaro earlier.
The Kaguya Clan had long been wiped out—Suigetsu knew that well.
If Yuto had truly been a friend of the clan, then maybe his words weren't lies.
"Who exactly are you?" Suigetsu couldn't help but whisper.
"You'll know soon enough. Also, the summoning scroll for the Seven Ninja Blades—you have it on you, don't you?"
Yuto glanced at him as he spoke.
Suigetsu folded his arms behind his head, pride flashing in his eyes.
"Of course. That scroll has been passed down in the Hozuki Clan for generations. We've always been the ones who managed the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, guarding the scroll."
"But right now, it only holds three blades: the Longsword: Nuibari (Sewing Needle), the Blunt Sword: Kabutowari (Helmet Splitter), and the Explosive Blade: Shibuki (Splash). The rest already have wielders, so they aren't recorded."
He shrugged, as if it wasn't any secret.
Yuto nodded slightly. If Ringo Ameyuri had succeeded, and adding these three, Kirigakure would now have five of the blades.
Only Samehada (Shark Skin) and the Decapitating Blade: Kubikiribōchō remained outside.
The Kubikiribōchō was with Momochi Zabuza—of little concern. The real problem was Samehada's wielder, Hoshigaki Kisame.
"Akatsuki, huh…" Yuto thought, his eyes flashing.
"You didn't come for me just for those three swords, did you?" Suigetsu asked suspiciously.
"Not entirely. You're also a candidate for the new Seven Ninja Swordsmen."
Yuto answered calmly without turning.
New Seven Ninja Swordsmen?!
Suigetsu froze, then his face lit up with joy.
"You mean… Kiri is bringing back the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?!"
Yuto gave him a small nod.
Suigetsu's excitement could no longer be contained.
He had left Kiri because the Seven were gone—dead or defected. A boy dreaming of reviving their name couldn't stand that.
And with the village unwilling to rebuild them, he had left on his own.
If not for his clan's status and the fact he caused no real harm, he would have been branded a missing-nin.
"Ha! Finally, my time to shine! I'll make the Seven Ninja Swordsmen's name echo through the world!"
Suigetsu laughed wildly.
"Confidence is fine. But which sword do you want?" Yuto asked, giving him a flat, almost mocking look.
"The Hozuki are skilled with all seven. And I'm a genius—any blade in my hands…" Suigetsu boasted proudly, but stopped cold at Yuto's indifferent gaze.
Shivering, he forced a smile, showing his sharp teeth.
"I… I prefer the idea of 'cutting.' The Kubikiribōchō suits me. Though Kabutowari, with its power to crush any defense, is also nice…"
"If you can defeat Zabuza, the Kubikiribōchō will be yours. And you'll have that chance soon."
Yuto's voice was calm.
Suigetsu's eyes gleamed. "Zabuza-senpai, huh…"
He respected Zabuza, but respect or not, when it came to the blades, he wouldn't back down.
…
In a ruined battlefield—
Bolts of lightning danced through the air, tearing apart what little remained standing.
Two figures clashed at high speed, the sound of blades ringing again and again.
Utakata cast a quick glance at Ringo Ameyuri, who fought Kurosuki Raiga. Seeing she still held her ground, he relaxed slightly.
This fight was almost over.
"What a troublesome kekkei genkai. Without intel beforehand, this would've been difficult."
He glanced at a giant bubble floating beside him. Inside lay a small boy, eyes open, watching the battle.
This child was Ranmaru, Raiga's companion.
At first, neither Utakata nor Ameyuri had paid him much attention. But they had nearly fallen into Raiga's traps thanks to him.
Ranmaru's kekkei genkai, the Red Eye, let him see through objects and sense danger.
Because of that, Raiga had almost won.
Utakata had separated them, sealing Ranmaru inside a bubble.
Not because he was injured, but because his frail body couldn't even walk on its own. For safety, Utakata carried him this way.
"Will Raiga-sama die?" Ranmaru asked softly.
"Yes."
Utakata's answer came after a pause, quiet but certain.
"Then why don't you kill me too? Where are you taking me?"
Ranmaru's voice was small.
"To Kirigakure, one of the Five Great Villages. There's someone there who wants to meet you."
Utakata answered flatly, eyes still fixed on the fight.
Boom!
A dull explosion ended the clash. The battlefield fell silent.
"Cough…"
Ameyuri stepped forward, covered in cuts and bruises, but grinning fiercely. She held the Thunder Swords: Kiba firmly in her hands.
"I won!" she declared, smiling at Utakata.
He checked her wounds quickly—none fatal. He let out a small breath of relief.
"If I had stepped in, it would've ended faster," Utakata said without expression.
Ameyuri pouted at him but said nothing.
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