Defeated by a Single Sword Stroke

On an island off the coast of the Land of Water, Yagura emerged from the sea, exhausted.

"How did it go, sir?"

"The fool Hozuki Senkei got captured. We need to quickly plan our next move. Also, watch out for a ninja, probably around fifteen or sixteen, with silver hair and skilled in both Water Release and Earth Release techniques," Yagura said indifferently.

"Does their side have someone who can use Lightning Release?" a blade-wielding ninja asked, frowning.

He was Hozuki Mangetsu, one of the Seven Swordsman.

"No."

"That's impossible! Without Lightning Release, especially near a river like this, even if they faced someone from the Hyūga clan, they should have been able to escape. It's impossible to get caught alive!" Hozuki Mangetsu couldn't believe it.

"It must be a weapon, or perhaps, that ninja also possesses Lightning Release abilities," Yagura speculated, furrowing his brow. He couldn't see clearly from a distance.

After he briefly described the situation, Hozuki Mangetsu, looking grim, fell silent.

"What an idiot!" he cursed, extremely frustrated.

From the description...

That young ninja was indeed formidable! Not only did he detect Hozuki Senkei in his water form, but he also quickly countered with Earth Release techniques to isolate the river from its surroundings.

Moreover.

He even used Chakra Absorption and Sealing Techniques, and was so swift that Hozuki Senkei couldn't react in time. Such speed was rare even among their elite group, the Seven Swordsmen.

Who was this guy? Hozuki Mangetsu, though arrogant, didn't dare to underestimate him.

"Right, his summoning beast, it looked like the one belonging to Lady Tsunade of Konoha," Yagura recalled another crucial detail.

"A slug? It must be a relative of Tsunade's."

Hozuki Mangetsu's expression grew stern, then, with a cruel smirk, he said, "I heard Tsunade has already lost two relatives. Shall we join forces and finish this one too?"

"Are you talking about the missing Senju clan? Perhaps. If so, could he be the leader of Konoha's eastern front?" Yagura pondered this possibility. "We should gather more intelligence before making any moves. Let's see what the other two ninja villages are up to."

"Then let's let him live a little longer. The Seven Swordsmen haven't gathered yet. Once we're together, we'll go and finish him off!" Hozuki Mangetsu followed Yagura's lead.

Yagura nodded, a slight smile appearing on his lips.

It seemed.

Hozuki Senkei's capture might not be without its benefits.

…

In the Land of Fire, Nagano Mountain.

Might Guy, was the first to be dispatched to deliver the message and assemble the team. Kyōichi and Hayama Shirakumo moved earlier in the day with five others to ensure their safety.

After all, with the Hozuki clan on the move, the eastern regions of the Land of Fire, especially those near water, were hardly safe, unless they entered the vicinity of the camp—

The camp was guarded by ninjas from the Hyūga clan. Though the Hozuki clan could avoid ordinary detection methods, they couldn't hide their chakra.

So.

Only when they reached the foot of Nagano Mountain and saw the patrol team, did Kyōichi finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"Kurenai, lead everyone up the mountain. The slug will follow you. I and Shirakumo will go ahead."

Kyōichi turned to instruct Kurenai.

She was a Chūnin.

With Kyōichi and Shirakumo leaving, she was the highest-ranking ninja present, naturally taking command.

The others nodded in agreement.

"Let's go!"

Kyōichi's speed suddenly increased.

In the blink of an eye, he, along with the sealed Hozuki Senkei and Shirakumo, headed up the mountain.

The campsite was deliberately chosen far from any water sources.

Clearly.

The Leaf ninjas were wary of the Hozuki clan, fearing a surprise attack using their secret water techniques, hence the careful selection of this location.

"Lord Kyōichi, Lord Shirakumo!"

The elite Chūnin guarding the camp saluted upon their arrival, then directed them to the camp, "The Jōnin currently at the camp are waiting inside the tent."

"Thank you."

Kyōichi entered with Hozuki Senkei in tow.

There weren't many Jōnin in the tent, only five, but Kyōichi recognized most of them from the previous training in the Breathing Technique. The most familiar was Hayate Gekkō, with the highest-ranking being Yamanaka Inoichi.

"Yamanaka-senpai, I didn't expect to see you here."

Kyōichi quickly greeted.

"Don't mention it. The Third Hokage sent me here to assist you with intelligence handling."

Inoichi Yamanaka smiled warmly.

He looked much younger and more handsome than his depiction in the anime.

Kyōichi understood.

Inoichi Yamanaka, as the leader of Konoha's Analysis Team and an expert in intelligence, held a prestigious position. The Third Hokage wouldn't have sent him unless it was to aid Kyōichi.

Just then...

"It's great to have you here. This is a member of the Hozuki clan that Shirakumo and I captured."

"Oh? You actually managed to capture a member of the Hozuki clan!"

Inoichi Yamanaka was surprised.

The Hozuki clan, with their Hydrification Technique, were impervious to ordinary attacks and hard to detect, making them a significant nuisance for Konoha. This was why many from the Hyūga clan were sent to assist.

And now.

Kyōichi put down the captive, and Yamanaka, sensing carefully, looked utterly astonished.

He was alive, not dead!

Inoichi of the Yamanaka Clan was incredulous this time.

Killing one was one thing.

The Hozuki clan, once discovered, could always be killed using some methods, but capturing one alive was a much more challenging feat.

He observed closely and noticed that the seals imprinted on Hozuki Senkei's body were high-end sealing techniques like the Four Symbols Seal.

Impressive.

This youngster knew sealing techniques!

Human energy and time was limited, and it's usually difficult to master many skills simultaneously.

But what about Kyōichi?

Swordsmanship, Tijutsu,Water Release, Earth Release, Genjutsu, medical ninjutsu...

And now, sealing techniques too.

Was there any field he wasn't proficient in?

Inoichi marveled silently.

"Cough, how did you do it... capturing him, with everyone's cooperation, wasn't too hard," Kyōichi didn't elaborate.

Trapped with Earth Release, then taken down with a single sword strike?

There was no need to elaborate.

Stunned momentarily, Inoichi quickly regained his composure and seriously said, "It's even better that he's alive. First, gather the sealing team and move him to a secure location. Then I'll slowly extract information from his mind."

"Be careful of suicide," Kyōichi warned.

"Hahaha, don't worry, I'm a professional in this regard," Inoichi laughed.

In terms of combat, he admitted he was far inferior to Kyōichi, but when it came to extracting information, he dared to claim second place in Konoha, with no one bold enough to claim the first.

Inoichi left with his men immediately.

The Hozuki clan was a major clan from the Hidden Mist Village.

Every member of the Hozuki clan surely held a wealth of information. They had never had the chance to capture a living, intact member of the Hozuki clan before. How could they not cherish this opportunity?

Inoichi departed.

Silence fell within the tent.

Hayama Shirakumo was pondering over the previous situation, while the others...

Were utterly dumbfounded.

Kyōichi had demonstrated his strength when he taught the breathing techniques, so they didn't underestimate the youngest Jonin and commander of Konoha.

Even so, they hadn't expected Kyōichi to capture such a significant figure so soon upon his arrival.

The Hozuki clan.

This might be the first Hozuki clan member ever captured alive.