Kirigakure

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**"Where did this kid go?"**

The old captain muttered, puzzled. **"Where can a three or four-year-old kid go?"** He looked around at the fog that engulfed him. He had taken the money, so he had to find the child.

But what he didn't know was that Muzan had just slipped past him. The young child he sought had already transformed into a young man with long silver hair and scarlet eyes.

Muzan slowly walked into the fog.

Kirigakure Village, surrounded by the sea, is perpetually shrouded in mist. It seemed as if this place was built to be free from misery. The mist was thick enough to block out the sun, allowing Muzan—who could not tolerate sunlight—to move freely. Even in the faint afterglow of the setting sun, most of the sunlight was blocked, giving Muzan the perfect opportunity to unleash his full strength.

**"The Hidden Mist Village is truly a treasure trove. It's a pity we can't confront that old fool Madara just yet, or this place would make an excellent base camp,"** Muzan mused as he ventured deeper into the village.

The Twelve Kizuki's first battle in the ninja world would leave a lasting mark. Muzan intended for the Twelve Kizuki to be feared across the entire ninja world, rather than being dismissed as just another group of destructive outcasts.

The policies enforced by Kirigakure Village made it extremely isolated. Its brutal and murderous reputation kept even the bravest merchants away, leaving the village in a state of near-total isolation.

As Muzan stepped into the area near the Hidden Mist Village, he felt several eyes on him. Though the ninjas were hidden in the mist and moved without sound, he could sense their presence. Their silence was a testament to the training they had received from childhood at Konoha Academy, a training that was even more effective in this foggy village. Paired with Kirigakure's signature technique—the Silent Killing technique—these ninjas were nearly undetectable.

**"Impressive ability,"** Muzan thought. However, he could still detect their scent in the air. Muzan turned and looked directly at the figures hidden in the mist, his blood-red eyes locking onto them no matter how they moved.

**"We've been exposed,"** one of the ninjas whispered.

**"Where did this ninja come from? He's no ordinary shinobi,"** another muttered.

**"Doesn't matter,"** the third one said. **"We follow Mizukage-sama's orders. Any outsider who comes close to the village is to be killed without mercy!"**

The three of them surrounded Muzan, ready to attack.

But then their bodies stiffened—not out of fear, but because they were already dead. Vines extended from Muzan's hand, piercing their bodies and nailing them to the ground.

**"Three Genin trying to block my way?"** Muzan scoffed, not bothering to hide the bodies. He didn't care if the smell of blood attracted more ninjas; today was the Twelve Kizuki's grand debut.

The sound of footsteps echoed in the empty fog as Muzan continued deeper into the village.

At the same time, Pakura, who had arrived at the outskirts of Kirigakure Village, felt that something was wrong. If this had been a normal mission, the village would have been informed in advance. Yet, instead of a welcome, she was greeted by ninjas with weapons drawn, the tension in the air thick enough to cut with a kunai.

**"I didn't expect them to actually send you,"** a voice called out mockingly. **"Poor thing... but you'll die here today, just like all the others who were foolish enough to trust us."**

Seven figures emerged from the mist, and the surrounding ninjas instinctively made way for them. These seven were the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, elite Jonin-level warriors, and the most feared fighters in Kirigakure.

Only now did Pakura realize that she had been betrayed by her own village. The betrayal stung, but now was not the time for anger—she needed to escape.

**"I didn't expect the village to actually give up on me!"** she thought bitterly. **"I'm just a pawn in this so-called alliance with Kirigakure."**

Two ninjas lunged at her from behind, aiming their kunai at her back. But Pakura, having sensed their presence, swiftly turned and struck first. Her kunai found their marks in their throats, eliminating the traitors instantly.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen watched with interest, unfazed by the deaths of their comrades. In Kirigakure, the bond between comrades was severed the moment one became a ninja—a harsh lesson taught by the village's leaders. Ninjas were to be tools, living only to kill and fulfill missions.

**"Kill her!"** came the command.

From a hidden vantage point, Yamanosatsu observed the battle, his eyes widening at the sight of Pakura's power. **"As expected of a shinobi with the Scorch Release."** Her abilities were at the pinnacle of Jonin level, and any ordinary Kirigakure ninja that approached her was incinerated by her intense heat, their charred remains falling to the ground.

Yamanosatsu knew he had to wait for the right moment to strike. Muzan had ordered him to appear when Pakura was at her weakest, to showcase the power of the Twelve Kizuki and introduce them to the world.

Despite her strength, Pakura was deep in enemy territory, her chances of survival growing slimmer by the second. **"I can't die here. Not without taking some of them with me!"** she vowed.

Kurihara Kushimaru, the fastest of the Seven Swordsmen, was the first to reach her, his blade slicing across her chest. Pakura staggered, knowing that with the Seven Swordsmen here, her chances of escape were slim.

**"Scorch Release: Extremely Steaming Murder!"** she shouted, sending a wave of superheated orbs toward her attackers. But Muuri Jinpachi, wielding the explosive sword, blocked her path, forcing her to abandon the attack.

**"Damn!"** she cursed as Loquat Juzo's blade pushed her back. Blood dripped from the corner of her mouth—she was already gravely injured. She looked up at the fog-covered sky, knowing that this would likely be her final battle.

**"Die, Pakura!"** Loquat Juzo raised his sword for the killing blow, but before he could strike, several kunai, each attached to an explosive tag, interrupted his attack.

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