Chapter 4: The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist

At this moment, Akira cursed his lack of sensory skills.

The signal flares bursting overhead were a clear sign—Konoha ninja calling for help in a crisis.

Before he could react, he heard the quick pounding of footsteps approaching.

Akira turned to see three young ninja, around twelve or thirteen, sprinting through the dense forest toward him. One wore a tight green jumpsuit and had a bowl-cut hairstyle that made him look like a green-skinned kappa. Another had a senbon clenched in his teeth and wore a blue cap. The third sported dark sunglasses and a blue headscarf.

Seeing them, Akira immediately realized he'd stumbled into something big. These were none other than Might Guy, Genma Shiranui, and Ebisu.

Given the context of the Third Shinobi World War, Akira knew that an intense battle was likely on the way.

Sure enough, the sound of swift movement cut through the forest, and seven men with distinct appearances flashed out from the shadows, positioning themselves behind the fleeing trio.

Juzo Biwa, with his short black hair, sharp fangs, a cross-shaped scar on his right cheek, and a bandage-wrapped neck, stood wielding his massive Decapitating Cleaver.

Next was Fuguki Suikazan, a massive man with wild orange hair and green-striped face paint, holding his bandage-wrapped sword, Samehada.

Then came Jinpachi Munashi, tall with spiky yellow hair and an ANBU mask, dressed in black with the Sewing Needle strapped to his back.

Ameyuri Ringo wore a pointed ninja hat, sharp teeth bared, and a loose bandage around his neck. He held the Blunt Sword, Kabutowari.

Kuriarare Kushimaru had black hair, a long mustache, thick lips, and a cloth over his left eye, gripping the Explosive Sword, Shibuki.

Raiga Kurosuki, with green hair and thick brows, had bandages peeking from under his black clothes and carried the Thunder Sword, Kiba.

Last was a man I'll call Momotarō. He wore a blue pointed hat and blue attire, and he carried the Twin Swords, Hiramekarei, wrapped in bandages. (I had to come up with a name for him since the original owner of the Twin Swords is unknown.)

The seven formed a loose circle around the terrified Guy, Genma, and Ebisu, each with a playful but cruel smile.

"Guy, what do we do? These are the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist—we don't stand a chance!" Ebisu asked, looking desperately at Guy.

Genma, the one with the senbon, looked equally anxious.

Though Guy was mainly skilled in taijutsu, both he and Ebisu knew that he was undoubtedly the strongest among the three of them.

Guy's expression turned grim, and just as he was about to say something, he noticed that the Seven Swordsmen's attention had shifted—toward the figure standing behind him and his friends.

They turned around and saw a young boy, about fifteen or sixteen, with black hair and dark eyes, standing on a branch. He wore a black, high-collared short-sleeved shirt, a ninja headband with the Konoha symbol tied on his forehead, and carried a sword on his back. His Sharingan, with three tomoe, glowed a deep red as he fixed his gaze on the Seven Swordsmen.

"A Sharingan? Looks like we've got an unexpected treat!" Juzo sneered, baring his fangs. "My blade could use some fresh blood from the Uchiha to mend the chips in its edge."

"Bold of him not to run at the sight of us," Fuguki Suikazan added coldly, his eyes filled with killing intent. "Maybe our reputation hasn't spread far enough!"

"Enough talk," grumbled Jinpachi, swinging Shibuki. "Don't forget our mission!"

In a flash, Jinpachi vanished and reappeared in front of Guy, his sword arcing down.

Just as Shibuki was mere inches from Guy's head, a flash of blue lightning crashed down, striking Jinpachi directly.

Boom!

The ground cracked, massive fissures tearing through the earth. Jinpachi was forced several feet deep into the ground, crushed under the electrified foot of the young Uchiha.

The impact sent Guy, Genma, and Ebisu stumbling back several meters. As the dust settled, they saw that the one standing on Jinpachi's back was none other than the same Uchiha boy.

"Move back," Akira ordered, not even sparing a glance at the lifeless body of Jinpachi beneath him.

The Seven Swordsmen were momentarily stunned, shocked by the sheer speed of Akira's attack. This was what happened when they underestimated their opponent.

Hearing his command, the three young Konoha ninja snapped out of their daze and nodded hastily, retreating as fast as they could.

As they withdrew, Guy looked back at Akira, worry evident on his face.

"Uchiha-san, be careful! They're the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist! All of them are elite jōnin!"

Akira nodded silently, keeping his focus on the swordsmen.

These men weren't ordinary ninja. Each was an elite jōnin of exceptional skill. He'd caught Jinpachi off guard, but the other six wouldn't fall so easily. Even with his Mangekyō Sharingan, Akira wasn't certain he could come out unscathed against them.

"I need to avoid getting surrounded… somehow separate them," he thought.

"Tch! Who would have thought a Uchiha brat would be this tough?" sneered Kushimaru, glaring at the scene in annoyance. "Poor Jinpachi didn't even get a chance to fight back."

"Pathetic. If he's dead, he's dead," Fuguki scoffed.

Momotarō spoke up, "Alright, let's finish this quickly. We're in Konoha territory—if more of their shinobi show up, it'll be trouble."

"Trouble? I'd welcome them!" Kushimaru chuckled darkly. "My Sword is itching for action."

Seeing that Guy, Genma, and Ebisu had reached a safe distance, Akira quickly formed a hand seal.

"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"

With a deep breath, he unleashed a vast wave of flames that roared toward the Seven Swordsmen like an engulfing tidal wave.

Not stopping there, he formed another seal immediately.

"Wind Style!"

With a powerful thrust of his hands, a fierce white gale swept through the forest, fueling the flames into a blazing inferno that looked capable of devouring the entire forest.

The Uchiha clan was known for its chakra reserves, rivaled by few. After fusing with his former self, Akira's mental energy was immense, giving him an even greater supply of chakra.

His chakra levels far exceeded those of an ordinary jōnin. He might not have the reserves of someone like the Raikage, whose chakra was rumored to rival that of tailed beasts, but it was more than enough for large-scale ninjutsu.

"Amazing…" From a hundred meters away, Guy, Genma, and Ebisu stared in awe at the spectacle.

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