Chapter 6: The Eight Gates—The Gate of Shock

Boom!

A violent explosion reverberated as Might Duy, enveloped in green vapor, was sent flying back.

"Tch," grumbled Jūzō Biwa, clearly displeased as he tossed his sword back onto his shoulder. 

Jūzō had thought he could finish Might Duy off with a single surprise strike. However, Duy's reaction time was far quicker than he'd anticipated. Despite looking like some kind of rare beast, Duy was no slouch in terms of strength.

A bead of sweat rolled down Duy's forehead. The situation just now had been close—if he hadn't reacted at the last second, he would have suffered serious injuries.

From the corner of his eye, he noticed Akira surrounded by Biwa Jūzō, Ringo, Fuguki, and Momotarō. Akira looked like he was walking a tightrope, one wrong step away from being torn to shreds by four notorious swords.

As they fought, the group moved further from the lake Fuguki had created and deeper into the forest. In the next instant, thick white mist engulfed the battlefield where Akira was.

Seeing an opening, Jūzō quickly made hand signs, invoking the Hiding in Mist Technique

Akira found himself in a precarious situation. Even with his Sharingan, he struggled to keep up, especially as the mist obscured his vision. He was up against Jūzō with the Kubikiribōchō, Ameyuri with the Kiba, Suikazan with the Samehada, and Momotarō with the Hiramekarei. These were all masters of taijutsu, and even though Akira was using Lightning Style to enhance his speed, he was gradually being overwhelmed.

The mist made him vulnerable, and Ameyuri's speed was close to his own, relentlessly disrupting his movements. Jūzō and Suikazan's strikes were powerful and wide, forcing Akira to dodge quickly and avoid direct confrontations. He was especially wary of Momotarō's Hiramekarei, a weapon almost as deadly as the Samehada when fully unleashed.

"At this rate, I have to find a way to break through. These four may be cold-blooded, but they're working together with surprising coordination," Akira thought, his crimson eyes flashing. Gripping his blade, he charged it with lightning until it crackled with a dangerous energy.

In one swift move, he slammed his lightning-charged blade into the ground, sending a web of electricity shooting out in all directions. Taking advantage of the opening, Akira swiftly formed hand seals.

"Wind Release: Opulent Maelstrom!"

A massive burst of chakra erupted from his hands, transforming into a blinding white whirlwind that swallowed the thick mist and tore trees from the ground.

"Release the Hiramekarei!" shouted Momotarō. A brilliant blue light exploded as he unleashed a shockwave from the Hiramekarei, breaking apart Akira's Wind Style.

Jūzō burst through the lingering winds, his Kubikiribōchō gleaming coldly. But Akira was ready—his blade, still crackling with blue lightning, moved to intercept.

Clang!

With a sharp metallic sound, Akira's lightning-coated blade sliced through the chipped Kubikiribōchō, shattering it further. If it had been a one-on-one fight, Jūzō would already be out of the game, paralyzed by Akira's lightning-infused sword. But he had allies to back him up.

"Release the Hiramekarei!" Hayato's voice cut through the air as he wielded the weapon, firing a massive blue chakra blast straight at Akira. At the same time, Ameyuri crossed her Kiba blades, forming a large lightning sphere that shot toward him.

"Water Style: Water Whip!" Fuguki completed his hand signs, lashing out with a ghostly blue whip of water.

At that instant, Akira formed hand seals, unleashing a burst of energy that crackled in his hands.

"Lightning Style: Thunderstorm!"

The forest erupted in a blinding blue light, transforming the area around Akira into a field of razor-sharp lightning spears. A booming explosion followed, reducing the surrounding forest to dust as smoke and debris clouded the sky.

In the smoke-filled chaos, the clashing figures continued their deadly dance. Akira emerged from the smoke, looking battered, his clothing scorched. The unleashed Hiramekarei was even more powerful than he had expected. Although he managed to take Jūzō out of the fight, he hadn't escaped unscathed.

Just then, a low growl echoed across the battlefield:

"Eight Gates—Seventh Gate: Gate of Shock, open!"

A wave of blue energy swept across the field, instantly clearing the smoke. When it settled, Jūzō lay on the ground, his body scorched and motionless.

The remaining Swordsmen—Ameyuri, Momotarō, and Fuguki—stood around, their expressions dark. Their pride as the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist was wounded. To be outmatched by a young Uchiha was nothing short of a disgrace.

Consumed by anger, they glared at Akira, seething with the desire to crush him. But before they could react, Might Duy vanished from Jūzō's line of sight, appearing behind him in a flash. Forced to act quickly, Jūzō raised his sword.

In response, Duy shouted, "Daytime Tiger!"

Suddenly, his figure sharpened into focus as he threw hundreds of lightning-fast punches. The sheer friction ignited the air, forming a massive white tiger's head that swallowed Jūzō whole.

Boom!

In an instant, the white tiger exploded, sending shockwaves that flattened the forest ahead, clearing a swath of land in a single, breathtaking blow.

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