'One strike... and it did all that?'
Kiyohara stood in the aftermath of the battlefield, watching the remnants of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen strewn across the area.
Might Duy had turned them into the so-called "Auspicious Three Treasures"—an utterly overwhelming display of power.
At the same time, Kiyohara noticed fragments of one of the massive swords had been blasted into the undergrowth, their final resting place unknown.
"Duy-Senpai… do you have any final words?"
He was the first to approach.
He understood that the remaining three swordsmen had fled for good—
and that Duy's condition, having opened the Gate of Death, was beyond any saving.
Unless Naruto arrived with Yin-Yang Release…
No, even then, it was too late.
Duy turned his head stiffly.
Once the final gate was opened, it could not be reversed.
It would burn every last drop of chakra, blood, and life force—
Until there was nothing left but ash.
"Last words… A will, huh? This moment right here—
is the youth I've always dreamed of."
The crimson steam rising from Might Duy's body slowly faded,
and his form began to crumble, bit by bit.
Just then, Guy, Ebisu, and another comrade burst through the forest.
They'd sensed the overwhelming chakra and come running.
"Dad…!"
Guy's voice cracked the moment he laid eyes on his father.
He instantly knew what had happened—
The final gate.
There was no turning back.
"Don't cry, Guy.
Death isn't the end… it's the climax of youth!"
Might Duy smiled through the pain,
his body burning out from within.
Guy clenched his jaw, holding back tears.
He knew it was an insult to weep here—
Not before his father, not now.
"Each generation has its role.
This is where mine ends… and yours begins."
Duy's eyes, full of love and pride, locked with his son's.
The flame of youth… was being passed on.
"I understand… Father."
Guy's face was streaked with grief, but it was also resolute.
"Kiyohara. Kakashi.
They're good friends—
Don't let them down. Burn bright… together."
His voice grew fainter.
And then, with one final smile,
Duy raised his thumb, flashing that signature grin—his teeth gleaming white.
His skin cracked open with molten lines,
then dimmed…
And finally—
He crumbled into ash, drifting silently into the wind.
A man's ultimate bloom.
A final, radiant blaze.
—
Kiyohara fell silent.
This world was cruel.
Some spent decades in training just to burn out in a single moment.
Others were born with everything handed to them.
Most shinobi?
They died forgotten, having never left a mark.
But Duy's will would live on in Guy.
Even in death…
he lived.
—
"Collect the ninja tools."
Team leader Akiyama Shōma stepped forward.
Four of the Seven Swords had been left behind—
Blunt Blade: Kabutowari,
Twin Swords: Kiba,
Longsword: Nuibari,
and
Explosive Blade: Shibuki.
"Let's move. We don't have time to search for more fragments."
He waved his squad forward.
They were on a mission: to escort the Hyūga main family.
The risk of enemy reinforcements was too high.
"Yes, Captain Shōma."
A chūnin under his command began gathering the swords.
—
Kakashi gave Guy a silent nod and patted his shoulder.
Guy, solemn, picked up what was left of his father's clothing.
The team moved quickly.
Byakugan scouts scanned for danger, rerouting the group to avoid ambushes.
—
Kiyohara, meanwhile, eyed the collected swords with a bit of longing.
But he knew the rules—
These were war trophies.
They'd be turned over to the Hokage's office for safekeeping…
and likely returned to Kirigakure in future peace talks.
"Future me…"
Kiyohara knocked on the urn.
Magnet Kiyohara appeared once more.
Kiyohara quickly explained the situation—
that any weapon fragment might increase his odds of defeating Pakura.
"I see."
The spectral version of Kiyohara crossed his arms.
He understood—this wasn't just about Pakura.
Kiyohara wanted power. Now.
He partially possessed Kiyohara's right arm, converting chakra into magnetic force.
And from the distance—
A fragment of the Executioner's Blade shot into Kiyohara's hand.
"I made sure no Hyūga were looking."
Magnet Kiyohara faded again.
"Thanks."
Kiyohara's eyes lit up.
This was a huge gain.
It wasn't the Lightning Blade: Kiba fragment he wanted most…
But the Executioner's Blade was nothing to scoff at.
Each of the Seven Swords had special properties.
This one?
It could absorb iron from the opponent's blood to repair itself,
and it even restored the user's stamina when drenched in blood.
A sword that never broke.
If he could melt this fragment down and coat his own blade…
He'd never have to waste money on sword maintenance again!
"Just a thin coating would do. Light and effective."
He weighed the chunk and quietly tucked it into his ninja tool pouch.
The Executioner's Blade was the largest of the seven,
so even this "fragment" was sizable.
Now the only question was how to fuse it with his own weapon…
—
The group marched in silence.
Everyone had been scarred by the sight of Might Duy's self-sacrifice.
It was tragic.
It was glorious.
Some felt pride.
Some felt hollow.
The line between mourning and reverence blurred.
Captain Akiyama led the group through dense forest,
pushing until they reached a hidden valley dozens of miles away from the battlefield.
There, he finally gave the order to rest.
—
They weren't safe yet.
Whirlpool Country was still vast.
At ninja speeds, it would take another two hours to reach the coast.
And that's if they weren't attacked again.
With no fires allowed,
only the quiet rustling of rations could be heard.
Guy sat alone, head bowed.
Ebisu and another comrade kept quiet watch beside him.
Kakashi leaned against a rock wall, lost in thought.
Kurenai helped Rin tend to injured Hyūga clansmen.
The silence of the valley wrapped around them like a shroud.
No one dared speak of what they'd just witnessed—
A man who turned his very soul into a final blow.