"What… what just happened!?"
Naruto spun around in confusion. All he'd felt was a violent gust of wind — and now a massive decapitating sword was strapped to Ayato's back.
"Don't tell me…"
Naruto's face drained of color.
Was that terrifying blade what flew over their heads just now?
If they hadn't followed Ayato's instructions and gotten down…
Squad Seven would've been wiped out.
A chill crawled up Naruto's spine. His fingers brushed his neck, trembling slightly.
Everyone in Squad Seven felt it — the brush with death.
In their hearts, they silently vowed:
From now on, whatever Ayato-sensei says… we listen.
"Naruto, Sasuke!"
Sakura snapped out of her shock, drew a kunai, and shielded Tazuna. Her pale face showed only fear.
Naruto and Sasuke also drew their kunai, forming a cross formation around the old man.
"Where is the enemy?"
Sasuke's voice was grave. His Sharingan spun, scanning the fog — but he still couldn't see anything.
Ayato-sensei must know.
He had to.
Even Sasuke hadn't noticed the incoming blade. Without Ayato, he'd already be dead.
Damn it… how humiliating.
He was a Uchiha genius — and yet…
Tazuna blinked drunkenly. "What's going on?"
A cold voice echoed through the fog.
"I didn't expect to meet the infamous madman… A ninja like you being a squad instructor."
A tall silhouette approached, wrapped in bandages. The mist parted to reveal—
Momochi Zabuza.
A-rank rogue ninja of Kirigakure.
The Demon of the Hidden Mist.
Squad Seven tensed instantly.
"You managed to block that attack. It seems you really do have some strength."
Zabuza ignored the three genin and stared directly at Ayato, his murderous aura surging.
Blood-soaked killing intent filled the fog.
The pressure alone made the genin's chests tighten.
"H–He's so scary…"
Sakura trembled violently, her grip on the kunai shaking.
This killing intent…
It was like that day during the training test — the day Ayato had nearly scared them to death.
"This man is dangerous."
Even Sasuke's voice shook. His legs trembled under the suffocating aura.
This was an enemy Squad Seven could never defeat alone.
"Is he our enemy? He's… really strong…"
Naruto's teeth clenched as fear spiked inside him again. His newly forged determination buckled under Zabuza's overwhelming presence.
This man wrapped in bandages — was he even human?
This was their first encounter with a true monster.
Ayato took another bite of his dango and widened his eyes in fake surprise.
"Oh, that earlier thing? That was an attack? My bad — I thought you were giving me a gift."
Zabuza's face darkened.
Ayato twirled the dango stick lazily. "If you infuse chakra nature change, everything becomes tougher. Convenient, right?"
"Who asked you?"
Zabuza's gaze flicked to the massive blade on Ayato's back.
"The sword. Give it back. That's my weapon."
Honestly, he hadn't expected such shamelessness. He had simply thrown the sword to make a grand entrance — and Ayato stole it mid-show.
Unbelievable.
No warrior's honor. No etiquette at all.
"A gift is a gift. Asking for it back is rude, you know?"
Ayato spun the Executioner's Blade on one finger as if it were a toy.
Want to make a stylish entrance?
Not happening.
No sword means no dramatic pose.
"…"
Squad Seven collectively thought:
He dropped his wallet once and Ayato-sensei kept it.
And this guy expects to take back a sword he personally threw at him?
Dream on.
"This is indeed a fine weapon. Should fetch a good price. I'm short on cash — the hot ladies at the tavern are waiting for me to spend big tonight."
Ayato slung the sword back over his shoulder like a shopping bag.
Selling it to Kirigakure would bring in a small fortune.
"You fool… The Executioner's Blade is a symbol of strength — one of the Seven Legendary Swords!"
For the first time, a crack of emotion appeared on Zabuza's icy face. No one had ever treated the blade like a pawnshop item.
Sell it?
He dared say that?
This blade was priceless — one of the Seven Ninja Swords, symbol of the Ninja Swordsmen!
"You're really pissing me off. After I kill you, the blade naturally returns to me!"
Zabuza's hands flashed through seals as fog thickened.
"Hidden Mist Jutsu!"
The white haze grew denser, the killing intent heavier. Squad Seven felt their legs weaken as they prepared for the worst.
Ayato didn't move.
He calmly ate another piece of dango.
"No need to rush. Go ahead and finish your seals."
"Arrogant brat. I'll start with the kids!"
Zabuza vanished.
He appeared behind Squad Seven.
"So fast!"
The trio froze — too terrified to react.
A cold whisper grazed their ears:
"Arm, leg, waist, heart.
Where should I cut first?"
Zabuza's kunai swung toward Tazuna's throat — cut the client first to secure victory.
In less than a blink—
Ayato turned into blue lightning.
He reappeared behind Zabuza, voice low and teasing:
"Your mouth? Your ass?
Which should I start with?"
Zabuza's eyes widened.
"So fast—! Even inside the mist?"
He hadn't sensed Ayato's presence at all until the man spoke.
That wasn't Body Flicker.
That light-blue current—
Lightning armor?
Before Zabuza could think further—
SLAP!
A crisp sound cracked through the fog as Zabuza was sent flying, tumbling through the air.
He smashed through two large trees and hit the ground hard.
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