In less than ten minutes, two of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen had been killed, reducing their numbers to five. They no longer had the will to fight and attempted to escape by creating a thick mist.
But no matter how dense the fog was, it couldn't block out the hundreds of shadow clones.
The moment they dashed out of the mist, they found themselves surrounded by countless clones.
Sweat began to bead on the foreheads of the remaining five swordsmen.
"Damn it, how can anyone see through this many shadow clones?"
"And each clone is this powerful?"
"When did Konoha produce such a terrifying young ninja?"
Pipa Jusan couldn't hold back and asked, "Konoha ninja, what's your name?"
"If you're captured, you'll find out soon enough!"
As he spoke, Takayama Haru had already taken action.
Faced with the endless shadow clones, the five remaining swordsmen trembled all over.
"Fight back!"
"Water Style: Water Bomb!"
"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
"Water Escape: Aqua Breakthrough!"
...
But before they could unleash any techniques, they were surrounded by a surge of tree roots and vines.
In an instant, they were strangled!
"Ah!"
One by one, they were bound and the battle was over.
When Takayama Haru returned carrying five human-sized wrappings, everyone stared in stunned silence.
Especially Uchiha Mikoto, whose gaze wandered nervously over Haru as her heart pounded faster.
The moment Haru had unleashed the Flower Tree Realm, he had looked incredibly cool.
"Do you know how to interrogate?" he asked.
Uchiha Mikoto shook her head, but Haruno said, "Uh, I can give it a try."
Haru nodded. "Good, ask them what their goal was in coming here. Also, if they know I don't know where Terumi is, tell them they might survive if they talk. If not, then they won't get another chance."
Haruno Shou nodded. "Yes, sir!"
Now, Haruno Shou fully believed in Haru.
He was just too strong.
Strength was power. In the face of overwhelming strength, everything else was secondary.
However, before Haruno Shou could even reach the five captives, one of the larger bundles immediately cried out, "Sir, I'll talk! We were here to capture a beautiful woman!"
"Oh, it's Hoshigaki Fuguki."
Haru immediately released him and stared at him with interest.
Someone else roared, "Fuguki, you traitor to the Mist! You deserve to die!"
"Silence."
Haru snorted coldly, and the one who spoke suddenly tensed up.
"Ah!"
A scream followed. The man inside the wrappings had stopped breathing.
Fuguki shuddered, looked at Haru, and didn't dare resist. He hurriedly said, "We did find a rough trace of Terumi's whereabouts, but not her exact location."
"Really? Who knows the exact location?"
"We can't pinpoint it, but we have the general area. If you search, you'll definitely find her."
Haru nodded. "Good. Then you two take us to her. Do that, and I'll let you live."
"Really? You're not lying to us?"
"Why would I lie to you?"
As soon as Haru said that, two others quickly added, "We can guide you too!"
"Same here!"
Haru shook his head. "Too late. Your resolve isn't strong enough."
With those words, two of the captives tensed, and soon after, the life left their bodies.
Guy and the other young ninjas looked at Haru with a mix of awe and fear. As fresh academy graduates, they hadn't been asked to kill like Kakashi and Obito had. This was the first time they had seen someone die right before them.
Their faces turned pale and they turned away to vomit.
Mikoto frowned as well, feeling Haru's killing intent was too intense.
Haruno Shou stepped in to explain. "The Seven Ninja Swordsmen earned their names through bloodshed. In Kirigakure, kids don't dare cry at night. Their hands are stained with the lives of Konoha shinobi—perhaps even your family and friends."
"Don't use your kindness to treat the cruelty of enemies. That's a foolish way to live."
Pipa Jusan and Hoshigaki Fuguki, now free, shivered at his words.
Haru said calmly, "Of course, you two will be spared. If you help us find Terumi, I will keep my promise."
"Understood. I trust the word of a Konoha ninja."
Haru smiled. "You still think you have a choice?"
Just then, a voice called out near the crater, "Sensei, where are you?"
It was Kakashi and Obito, finally arriving after their battle.
"Over here."
When Obito saw the edge of the crater was tens of meters high, he stumbled back in shock, afraid to look down.
Kakashi frowned. How were they supposed to get down?
"Wait, we'll bring you up."
With that, Haru used Wood Release to bring everyone up.
As for himself, he climbed up easily.
Pipa Jusan and Hoshigaki Fuguki also climbed up without help.
Seeing the massive Fuguki, Kakashi and Obito were stunned, especially because they were Mist-nin.
Haru explained, "They're our guides."
Pipa Jusan and Fuguki were full of resentment. Guide your whole family!
All seven of us were once legendary. Now look at us.
They couldn't help but feel sorrow.
From seven swordsmen, they were down to two.
Were two still enough to call a group?
Suddenly, a flash of golden light appeared.
"Ah? Am I late?"
Haru nodded. "Yeah, Minato. You're late. You said you'd intercept the elite from the Hidden No-Mark Village, but the Seven Swordsmen showed up instead."
"Sorry, we were tricked..."
"Alright. Hurry and take Master Dai back to Konoha for treatment."
"Me? Carry him back?"
Although Minato didn't look down on Summer shinobi, carrying one back at this moment seemed overly taxing.
Looking closer, today was Mother's Day. This person might be special.
Minato glanced at Pipa Jusan and Fuguki. "And them?"
"They're helping us find Terumi."
"They know where she is?"
Minato nodded, then whispered in Haru's ear, "Something's gone wrong in the No-Mark Village. Find her quickly and return."
"Got it."
"Then I'm off!" Minato picked up Might Dai and vanished in a flash.
...
Roughly a kilometer away, Kisame Hoshigaki's lower body was completely shattered. He had lost consciousness and was crawling back toward the No-Mark Village, drenched in sweat.
"I can't die...!"
Haru had never imagined Kisame would have such a tenacious life force. Even after taking a hit from the Eight Gates, he wasn't dead and managed to crawl away.
...
Kirigakure, Mizukage's Office.
The Third Mizukage, whose name was never known in history, had long black hair, wore ornaments, and often kept his eyes closed.
After the Second Mizukage's death, he had been swayed by Jirei and implemented the Blood Mist policy.
Many believed the Fourth Mizukage Yagura initiated the Blood Mist policy, but in truth, it had already begun during the Third's reign, long before Obito was saved by Madara.
Upon hearing the report from the Kirigakure Black Ops, the Third Mizukage looked shocked.
"What did you say? All of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were wiped out?"
"Yes, Lord Mizukage."
"Was it Konoha's main force? Or the White Fang?"
"Neither, sir. It was a young ninja, seemingly unranked, but capable of using the original Hokage's Wood Release."
"...You may leave."
"Yes, Lord Mizukage."
Once the jonin left, the office was empty.
Suddenly, a black-and-white figure appeared from the ground.
"Third Mizukage, have you thought it over?"
"If you agree to act, not only will you gain the friendship of our great Uchiha Madara, but also the support of Isofune Mio."
"And we'll assist you too."
The Third Mizukage said coldly, "Just you?"
Zetsu smiled. "Not just me... Thousands more."
As he spoke, countless white figures emerged from the walls and floor.
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