Under the guidance of Zabuza Momochi and Fuguki Suikazan, Kazuki and the others soon arrived at a cave hidden along the cliffs.
Fuguki bowed slightly.
"Lord Senju—"
Kazuki's eye twitched.
"How many times do I have to say it?"
"My name isn't Senju."
Fuguki froze.
He had learned Kazuki's identity along the way and immediately switched to calling him "Lord Senju," thinking it showed respect.
The Senju clan.
A legend in the ninja world.
As the last bloodline inheritor, Kazuki absolutely commanded fear.
But Kazuki was irritated.
By the Third Hokage's era, even Tsunade and Nawaki didn't use the Senju surname.
The clan had dissolved its name to integrate into Konoha.
It was supposed to prevent standing out.
Didn't stop dark hands from targeting them anyway.
Fuguki swallowed.
"Yes, Lord Senju."
He pointed toward the cave entrance.
"The dense fog inside—Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique. Terumi is very likely in there."
Kazuki nodded.
"Find Terumi, and you're free."
"Thank you, Lord Senju!"
The two Mist ninja entered first.
Kazuki asked casually,
"Don't you know how to dispel the Hidden Mist?"
Fuguki scratched his head.
"It's simple. Wind Release or Fire Release can disperse it."
"But most Kirigakure shinobi don't train in wind or fire."
Translation:
The ones who did were already dead.
Mikoto stepped forward.
"I'll do it. I know Fire Release."
Everyone moved aside.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball—"
Before she finished—
Kunai shot out from the cave.
"Careful!"
Kazuki pulled Mikoto back instantly.
Roots burst from behind her and blocked the blades.
Mikoto flushed.
"Sorry… my hand seals were too slow."
"It's fine," Kazuki said calmly.
"You two. Go in."
Zabuza and Fuguki exchanged miserable looks—
And entered again.
Moments later—
They emerged, dragging two figures.
A young girl in a luxurious blue dress.
And her guard—Ao.
Fuguki grabbed the girl and laughed.
"Lord Senju! Got her!"
Terumi struggled, eyes full of fear.
"What are you doing?!"
Suddenly—
She exhaled toward Fuguki's face.
"Boil Release: Skilled Mist Technique!"
Scalding acidic vapor erupted point-blank.
"AAAAHHH!"
Fuguki screamed.
"You little brat!"
He raised his blade—
Kazuki moved.
Lightning crackled in his hand.
The shriek of a thousand birds filled the cave.
"Lightning Release: Chidori."
Kakashi's eyes nearly popped out.
That's my technique!
When did Sensei learn it?!
And it's cleaner than mine?!
Fuguki turned—
"Lord Senj—"
Too late.
Slash.
His head separated cleanly.
Blood sprayed everywhere.
The students screamed.
The three newly conscious kids fainted again.
Kai and the others vomited.
Kakashi and Obito swallowed hard—
But stayed standing.
Terumi went completely pale.
Kazuki lifted her easily.
Mikoto stared.
Only now did she notice—
Obito's Sharingan was active.
A Uchiha child who had awakened it?
How had she not known?
Kazuki's voice cut through the chaos.
"Kakashi. Obito. Rin."
"The other one's yours."
Mikoto's eyes widened.
"You're having them kill a jonin?!"
Kazuki shrugged.
"I said I wouldn't kill him."
"I didn't say they wouldn't."
Zabuza roared in fury.
"You're Senju! You have no honor?!"
Kazuki smiled lazily.
"I keep my promises."
"Rin."
"Yes, Sensei!"
Rin stepped forward, pale but determined.
She hurled kunai and shuriken.
They embedded across Zabuza's face.
"Nice one, Rin," Kazuki nodded.
Obito was about to comment—
Kazuki kicked him lightly.
"Move."
Kakashi began forming seals.
Lightning gathered again.
Mikoto's eyes widened.
So Sensei didn't teach him that—
Kakashi invented it.
Impressive.
Zabuza struggled violently.
"Stay back—!"
Too late.
Kakashi dashed forward.
Chidori pierced through.
Blood splashed.
Zabuza's body split at the waist.
Obito jumped in next—
Driving a kunai straight into his chest.
Silence.
The legendary Seven Ninja Swordsmen—
Reduced to history.
Mikoto and Haruno stared.
Team Seven didn't look like rookies.
They were terrifyingly composed.
Kazuki patted Terumi's head.
"Well done."
Terumi glared up at him.
"Don't touch me!"
Kazuki smirked.
"Don't spray acid again."
"Or I'll tie you up."
She shivered.
"You… what are you?"
"The guy who just saved you."
"We're from Konoha."
Ao stood stiffly.
"If you're from Konoha, why capture us?"
"Ask the Hokage when we get back."
On the return trip, Mikoto learned Kakashi was Sakumo's son.
No wonder.
As for Obito—
A Sharingan user hidden in plain sight.
"Obito-kun, when we return, I'll introduce you to the clan head."
Obito nearly glowed.
"Yes, Mikoto-oneesan!"
He finally felt acknowledged.
For once—
He wasn't nobody.
He looked at Kazuki gratefully.
Ruthless.
But that ruthlessness had forced him to awaken.
They reached the long bridge.
No fog this time.
Clear skies.
"Once we cross, it's the Land of Fire."
"We're finally home!"
Everyone relaxed.
Smiled.
Halfway across—
Kazuki stopped.
Mikoto's voice tightened.
"Kazu-kun… what is it?"
Haruno looked around nervously.
"Is there an enemy?"
The system chimed.
[Option 1: Abandon everyone and escape alone. Reward: Earth Grudge Fear.]
[Option 2: Escape with Terumi only. Reward: Sharingan.]
[Option 3: Stay behind like the Second Hokage and defend Konoha's future. Reward: S-rank Simulation — Second Hokage's Defensive Stand.]
Kazuki ignored it.
The bridge trembled violently.
The ocean beneath erupted.
Massive water pillars shot into the sky.
"Water Release!"
Everyone dropped low.
Children screamed.
Rin and Terumi grabbed Kazuki's clothes tightly.
Even Mikoto trembled.
Kazuki looked up.
At the far end of the bridge—
A man stood calmly.
Long black hair.
Mizukage cloak.
Eyes closed.
The Third Mizukage.
And the real battle—
Had just begun.