Mei Terumi knew this all too well. She had already replied to Tsunade, confirming that she would attend the upcoming meeting in Konoha to discuss together the threat posed by the Akatsuki organization.
If we let them go unchecked and allow them to continue recklessly killing foreign envoys and capturing Jinchuriki, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"You've seen what Samehada does to its victims. Even if the murderer isn't Kisame Hoshigaki himself, someone else must be using our legendary swords of the Mist."
"As a member of the Seven Swords of the Bloody Mist, it is my duty to track them down and reclaim the stolen weapons." Chojuro understood the gravity of his mission and gave a firm nod. "I will uncover the truth, capture the culprit, and bring back Samehada, Mizukage-sama!"
Hearing Chojuro's confident and determined declaration, a satisfied smile spread across Mei Terumi's face.
"You may choose suitable teammates to assist you with this mission. Head out once you're prepared. Good luck! I believe in your success."
Chojuro smiled in return, deeply bowed, then turned and walked out of the office.
After he left, Ao stepped in, watching the direction Chojuro had just left.
"Do you really think he's up to this task? If someone truly is using Samehada, I doubt his current strength is enough. Whoever controls that blade...must be an extremely formidable opponent."
Mei's brow furrowed slightly as she replied.
"I have faith in Chojuro. He's the only one truly worthy of continuing the legacy of the Seven Swords. If anyone can stand against an enemy wielding Samehada, it's definitely Chojuro."
Ao sighed, stepping into the office and leaning against the doorframe.
"I remain skeptical. This kind of mission should be entrusted to an experienced, seasoned ninja. With all due respect, Mizukage-sama, this mission calls for a real man."
Unfortunately, Mei barely listened to his rambling speech.
"A real man..." She smirked knowingly, cutting Ao off mid-complaint. "Ao, you'd better shut up, or I'll kill you."
Ao froze mid-step.
"What did I do this time?"
******
On a remote island in the Land of Water, Suigetsu stood outside a recently ravaged Mist observation post, surveying the wreckage with a smug grin.
"I gotta say...Lord Madara sure does know how to reward loyalty...and Zetsu's intel network runs like clockwork."
Fifty corpses of Mist ninjas lay scattered across the ground.
"Why does everyone always attack me first?" Suigetsu muttered to himself, scratching his head. "I was just trying to teach them a lesson and take a few more of Kiri's legendary swords."
He shrugged. "Well, whatever. At least now I can go all out and massacre without holding back, unlike before when I had to hold myself back. If Sasuke were here, he'd start preaching about 'leaving survivors.' Such a drag. Right, Jugo?"
Jugo furiously pounded the corpse of a Kiri ninja with his piston-like arm, smashing the rocks beneath into pieces.
"Die! Die! Die!" he roared like a madman, each punch sending sprays of blood and shards of rock flying into the air.
Suigetsu remained unmoved by the brutal scene.
"You've already turned their heads into pulp. How could they possibly still be alive?"
He noticed that Jugo had stopped moving, his right arm returning to normal, so he finally said,
"I think you're alright now."
Jugo slowly nodded, looking down at his hands and murmuring shakily, "Yeah..."
"Honestly, I don't get why we're wasting time here while you go after a couple of useless swords," Karin walked over, visibly annoyed. "You already have one—"
Before she could finish speaking, Suigetsu abruptly hurled Samehada in front of her, cutting her off mid-sentence.
"Don't spout nonsense, alright?" Suigetsu said impatiently. "Last time we lost to that Kabuto was because you rushed off for revenge before we were even ready. Now I'm getting better at using Samehada [Samehada], and if I can get another Legendary Sword of the Mist, we'll stand a much better chance next time we run into someone strong."
Karin disgustingly dodged away from the monstrous blade and complained,
"What if we end up dead while you're hunting for your stupid swords?"
Suigetsu gave a cruel grin, exposing shark-like teeth.
"Haven't you heard? No pain, no gain. If we can't even beat some weaklings like these, how can we dream of challenging a Jinchuriki? Let alone monsters like Naruto Uzumaki. He won't sit around letting us get stronger."
"I'm going to kill that bastard!" At the mention of Naruto's name, Karin flared up immediately. "I'll tear him apart piece by piece to avenge Sasuke!"
Suigetsu shook his head. "Then maybe you should start building your strength first. At your current level, he could probably kill you with just a glare..." He added with dry self-mockery, "...literally."
He slung Samehada over his shoulder and muttered to himself,
"Now then... Either Hiramekarei or Samehada would be great. But ideally, I'd get my hands on both..."
Seeing Suigetsu completely immersed in his daydream, Karin helplessly shook her head and turned toward Jugo.
"We need to get out of here and find shelter fast. Jugo's emotions are all over the place—if he snaps again, we'll all be in danger. Besides, you two made such a huge commotion, someone's sure to come snooping around soon."
Suigetsu casually slung Samehada onto his shoulder again.
"Yeah, yeah. All because you're too weak, making so much noise," he mockingly pointed at Jugo, who had now calmed down. "In his berserk state, Jugo is way more powerful than you."
"If I hadn't been here using Genjutsu [Genjutsu], wouldn't you two have been caught already? Do you really think you'd be free to do whatever you want?"
Karin protested fervently. She believed she contributed a lot to the team, even if her role was more of a support type.
If Suigetsu ever got seriously hurt, he'd realize how important she was...
The problem was, Suigetsu's vitality was like that of a cockroach—he could submerge himself in water and slowly regenerate as long as he wasn't actually dead. Meanwhile, Jugo's mind was extremely volatile. When healing him, one could easily be consumed by his negative emotions, making it extremely risky.
As the two bickered endlessly, Jugo suddenly spoke up:
"Aren't we supposed to get going?"
Suigetsu nodded in agreement.
"That's right. We need to find another stronghold so you won't go berserk again, and we won't have to struggle holding you down."
He cast a glance back at the observation post they had razed, a savage grin spreading across his face.
"They'll come hunting us down for revenge sooner or later—especially once they realize we've got Samehada. Can't wait to see what they've got."
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