Chapter 55

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*"BOOM!"*

*"BOOM!"*

*"BOOM!"*

Three consecutive explosions forced Loquat Juzo to take a few steps back, preparing himself for an imminent attack. Even though this was Kirigakure, the Village Hidden in the Mist, he couldn't afford to be careless.

The shockwaves from the explosions caused the surrounding fog to momentarily clear. In that brief gap, everyone saw a figure emerging from the mist.

Yamanosatsu had fully transformed into a demon. His body was covered in dense, grotesque eyes, sending chills down the spines of those who looked at him.

*"What the hell is this? Does such a bloodline even exist in the ninja world?"* one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen muttered in disbelief.

*"I don't know, but be ready to fight. He doesn't seem to be a friend,"* another responded, tightening his grip on his sword.

*"What are you afraid of? There are seven of us here!"* a third one scoffed.

Even Pakura, severely wounded, was shocked by her rescuer. This mission to Kirigakure was supposed to be known only to the village elders and the high-ranking ninjas of Kirigakure. A rescue was out of the question—so who was this mysterious figure?

*"What... what are you?"* one of the swordsmen asked cautiously, eyes fixed on Yamanosatsu as he approached through the mist.

*"This is truly rude,"* Yamanosatsu replied, his multitude of eyes widening in what seemed like anger. In an instant, he rushed in front of Loquat Juzo.

While his weapons couldn't compare to the power of the legendary ninja swords, the true strength of a demon like Yamanosatsu lay in his body.

*"SLASH!"*

Loquat Juzo's beheading sword sliced through Yamanosatsu's body, cutting him clean in half at the waist. But before the swordsmen could react, they watched in horror as

Yamanosatsu's body began to heal, the wound closing at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Yamanosatsu didn't engage further with Juzo; his goal was to rescue Pakura. Grabbing her by the shoulders, he pulled her out of the mud, frowning at her battered state.

*"Ninjas are so fragile. Just a few stabs, and even the strongest of you can't withstand it,"* he muttered disdainfully.

*"Who... who are you?"* Pakura gasped, barely able to speak from her injuries. Despite her scornful words, her concern was more about his identity and his motives for saving her.

*"I am the Sixth Lower Moon of the Twelve Kizuki Organization! The Demonic Eye!"* Yamanosatsu declared with pride, extending his hand as an invitation. His tone carried a hint of arrogance.

*"Congratulations, you've been chosen by my master. You can join our organization and become one of us—one of the Twelve Kizuki."*

*"The hero abandoned by the village..."* he added, mockery dripping from his words. Yamanosatsu was confident that anyone standing before the might of the Twelve Kizuki would choose to join and become part of it.

*"Asshole!"* Pakura spat, weakly trying to raise a kunai, but her strength had left her.

Yamanosatsu ignored her defiance. She reminded him of himself before he had tasted the power of Muzan. Once she experienced that power, everything she once knew would be overturned.

He glanced down at the slash across his waist and then up at the sky. The sun had already set, and the thick fog provided perfect cover for a demon's battle.

*"You actually damaged my clothes. Go to hell!"* Yamanosatsu snarled, his eyes narrowing in fury.

This time, he aimed to kill. His movements were precise, each strike executed perfectly. But Loquat Juzo, despite his surprise, reacted quickly. Every time he drew his sword, Yamanosatsu anticipated the next move, causing each slash to miss.

The true power of the beheading sword was being neutralized by the Demonic Eye's predictions, forcing Juzo to rely on his combat experience instead.

*"CLANG!"*

Yamanosatsu's strength, enhanced by the power of a demon, made him a match for any elite Jonin. With his blood demon art and immortal body, not even a Kage-level ninja could kill him easily. Loquat Juzo, relying solely on the beheading sword, struggled to keep up.

The other swordsmen, though surprised by Yamanosatsu abilities, didn't intervene immediately. They wanted to see how far Juzo could push this strange opponent.

*"These bastards..."* Juzo muttered, well aware of the ruthless nature of Kirigakure. The village's elimination rules had long fostered resentment among its ninjas. In this place, bonds between comrades were nonexistent; it was a daily struggle to avoid being stabbed in the back.

Reaching the position of one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen required immense strength. But even the slightest sign of fatigue would attract the sharks circling around him, waiting for a chance to devour him.

*"BOOM!"*

Juzo switched tactics, turning the beheading sword into a sweeping weapon, expanding the attack range but sacrificing offensive power. Despite this, the move proved effective. Although Yamanosatsu could predict his opponent's next move, Juzo's speed and the large-scale attacks made it difficult to avoid them all.

After dodging three strikes, the fourth attack landed, hitting Yamanosatsu squarely in the back and sending him flying.

But when the dust settled, Yamanosatsu

stood up again, completely unscathed.

*"How could he not be hurt at all?"* Juzo murmured, disbelief etched on his face. He wasn't a novice with the beheading sword; his strike had been clean, cutting through flesh and bone. It was certain that this was no illusion.

*"What kind of power...?"* Juzo wondered aloud, watching as Yamanosatsu

 injuries healed at an alarming rate.

Yamanosatsu, sensing an approaching presence, felt a surge of urgency. If he didn't prove himself in this battle, Muzan would not tolerate his failure.

*"The first battle of the Twelve Kizuki in the ninja world! Go to hell!"* Yamanosatsu roared, forming hand seals rapidly.

*"Earth Release: Earth Flow River!"*

As the ground beneath them turned to mud, the battlefield became treacherous. The surrounding ninjas leaped to avoid being swallowed by the shifting terrain.

Pakura, half-buried in the mud, could only watch in despair. She had no strength left to escape.

*"Damn it..."* she cursed under her breath.

Yamanosatsu glanced down at her, disdain evident in his gaze. Though he harbored no affection for his future competitor, Muzan's orders were clear: Pakura had to be kept alive. He restrained his jutsu, ensuring she wouldn't be completely buried.

Pakura could feel the murderous intent radiating from him. What kind of person could control Yamanosatsu?

*"A bit ridiculous, Yamanosatsu!"* a cold voice echoed from a distance, causing Yamanosatsu to abruptly stop his jutsu.

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