Chapter 264: The Seven Ninja Swordsmen
Desert.
Scorching heat.
Shh shh... More than a dozen sharp kunai shot through the air, targeting six fleeing figures ahead.
"Wind Release – Wind Wall Technique!"
Among the six, all wearing Sunagakure forehead protectors, one turned back, formed hand seals, and exhaled a barrier of wind to block the incoming kunai.
But because of this, he fell behind—and the enemy caught up.
"Da Xiong!!!"
The other five instinctively halted, but before they could react, a teammate shouted from behind.
"Don't stop! Keep moving!"
The one lagging behind turned his back to them, his expression wild—fully prepared to sacrifice himself.
"Go!"
The five knew the determination in his voice. They understood: someone had to hold the rear. Suppressing their grief, they picked up their pace, unwilling to waste the chance their comrade gave them.
"Too late to run now!"
The pursuers were Kirigakure shinobi, about twenty in number. Leading them was a masked middle-aged man. Seizing the moment of hesitation from the five, he swiftly formed hand seals and unleashed a large-scale Water Release jutsu.
"Water Release – Great Waterfall Technique!"
A surge of torrential water—like a flood during monsoon season—erupted in the desert, roaring toward the fleeing Suna ninja.
"Such powerful Water Release in a desert?!"
Da Xiong's expression changed. To produce water jutsu of this scale in a desert, this Kiri ninja had to be an elite among jonin.
"Earth Release – Earth Formation Wall!"
"Aaah—!"
Da Xiong poured chakra wildly into the jutsu. A thick wall of earth shot up from the sand to block the incoming deluge.
The five Suna shinobi ahead used that moment to widen the gap and continue fleeing deeper into the desert.
Thud!
A sharp blade pierced Da Xiong's chest. He looked down at the blood-dripping needle-like weapon. A flash of recognition passed through his eyes. Then, realization struck—his expression changed, and he tried to turn his head to shout something to his comrades.
But...
Splurt, splurt!
Only blood poured from his mouth.
"Nin...ja Sword...Seven..."
In his final moment, he saw a yellow-haired man with a spiky hairstyle wearing a Kiri Anbu mask—one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, the wielder of the long blade Nuibari (Sewing Needle).
Shlick!
In the distance, Kushimaru Kuriare reeled back the steel wire, pulling Nuibari from Da Xiong's body.
"I hope that Scorch Release user Pakura is more entertaining."
Zabuza Momochi, carrying the massive Executioner's Blade, dashed past Kuriare, a mocking tone in his voice.
Kushimaru turned and followed silently. As a former Anbu, he was a cold, mechanical killer—never one for small talk.
"Don't underestimate them. If the Fourth sent all seven of us out together, the target must be formidable."
Poof...
Behind them, the man who had used the large-scale water jutsu dispelled his Transformation Jutsu, revealing the massive form of Jinpachi Munashi, also known as the wielder of Samehada (Shark Skin).
Despite the desert terrain, he had unleashed a flood-like Water Release jutsu. Thanks to Samehada's vast chakra reserves, he could perform large-scale techniques even without nearby water.
Among the Seven Swordsmen, Jinpachi's power was the highest.
Though truth be told, it wasn't by much—the others didn't particularly fear him.
Ameyuri Ringo, wielder of the Blastsword: Shibuki, scoffed, "As long as none of you get in my way, I'll handle that woman myself."
At that, Zabuza sneered, "My blade's been thirsty for too long. You just watch—I'll feed it her blood."
"Hmph..."
The others answered with disdainful smirks.
As the tension escalated, Jinpachi quickly reminded them, "Don't forget, this is a direct order from the Fourth."
The name of the Fourth Mizukage still carried considerable weight.
Hearing that, they all calmed down.
No matter their pride, the mission came first.
Disobedience to the Fourth wasn't something they could afford.
The man who could perfectly control the Three-Tails, who wielded countless secret Water Release techniques—his strength was terrifying.
Everyone present had personally witnessed him quell an uprising in the village. None dared treat his orders lightly.
…
The five fleeing Suna shinobi had no idea they were being hunted by the infamous Seven Ninja Swordsmen—nor that their real target was Pakura .
They were still naïvely hoping that once they reached her, they would be safe.
But it was hard to blame them.
Over the past year, Pakura had risen like a blazing comet.
Her Scorch Release was devastatingly effective against Kiri's Water Release jutsu—nothing like the version from the anime that could be extinguished by a splash of water.
No matter how powerful the Water Release, it was all instantly vaporized by her flames.
In close combat, her fireballs were instant death. No kunai or sword could stop them.
Combined with her strong taijutsu, she had become a terrifying battlefield reaper.
Ordinary jonin stood no chance.
Over the past year, she had slain more than fifteen Kirigakure jonin.
Each jonin had no glaring weaknesses. Most possessed their own secret techniques or unique skills.
Even the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were officially still ranked as jonin.
So for Pakura to have killed so many spoke volumes—she had reached the edge of Kage level.
If they didn't act soon, and she matured into a true Kage-class shinobi, it would spell disaster for Kirigakure.
That's why the Fourth Mizukage had sent the entire Seven Ninja Swordsmen team—to eliminate her now, while they still could.
…
"Move! Move!"
Across the desert, Pakura led a team of ten Suna shinobi at high speed.
An hour earlier, she had received word that two recon squads had run into Kirigakure forces and were being pursued.
Without hesitation, she had taken three full squads to provide backup.
Cry!
Overhead, a gray falcon screeched, signaling from above.
Hearing it, Pakura 's expression hardened. "Enemy ahead. Prepare for combat."
"Yes, ma'am!"
The three Suna squads answered in unison, immediately drawing kunai and swords.
Soon—
The fleeing comrades came into view. Two more had fallen holding the rear.
Now, only three survivors remained. But in that moment, they saw what they'd been praying for—
"It's Lady Pakura !"
"We're saved—Lady Pakura is here!"
Tears welled up in their eyes. They ran even faster.
With Pakura here, it didn't matter how many enemies pursued them—they knew she would win.
That was the confidence she had built on this battlefield over the past year.
The five survivors finally reached Pakura 's position.
The instant they made contact—
Six shinobi from Pakura 's three squads stepped forward. Their hand seals were already complete. Their chests swelled as they unleashed their jutsu.
"Fire Release – Fire Dragon Flame Technique!"
"Wind Release – Wind Gust Technique!"
Three used Fire, three used Wind.
Wind fanned the flames; the flames surged with the wind.
What would've been a hundred-meter-wide flame zone instantly swelled to five hundred meters, turning into a sea of fire that surged back toward the pursuing Kiri forces.
(END CHAPTER)
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