https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-153-The-Future-Hokage-and-the-Rescue-of-the-Seven-Swordsmen-of-the-Mist-/12832220/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-155-S-Rank-Forbidden-Technique-Earthfire-Incineration-/12832222/
Chapter 154: The Prey Appears!
Chapter 154: The Prey Appears!
Someone had intervened!
A massive arm firmly grabbed the left wrist of East Castle Edo, preventing him from attacking.
"Go!"
The bald, muscular man (Koji: I'm only fifteen...) turned to the four others and spat out this single word.
The newcomer was none other than Koji Yamanaka.
As the second-strongest member of Team 404, it was impossible for him to stand by and do nothing.
Hinata Sogetsu, on the other hand, served as the team's support and reconnaissance, so her absence from the fight wouldn't raise suspicions.
However, Koji was actually a bit curious about who Todai had mentioned as having the potential to become the 'trongest taijutsu ninja.'
"Let's go!"
Maito Guy led the three younger members away quickly.
As shinobi, they couldn't disobey orders from their superiors. Only certain privileged individuals, like the Hokage's children, could get away with such insubordination.
"Damn Konoha ninja, I'll crush you!"
East Castle Edo was enraged.
How could he not be angry when his opponent dared to split his focus during their confrontation?
Did they really think he was just some snack?
With a roar, he swung his single-handed hammer with his right hand, aiming to turn Koji Yamanaka into minced meat.
The Shadow Blade he wielded was the blunt-bladed Chain Sickle.
Divided into a left-hand blade and a right-hand hammer, the two were connected by a rope. When the hammer struck the back of the left-hand blade, it could tear through any defense. Even a single hammer strike could shatter flesh and bone.
For anyone else, even a taijutsu elite jonin, this would be a formidable opponent. But Koji Yamanaka was different.
With a powerful headbutt, Koji slammed his forehead into East Castle Edo's face.
At the same time, he grabbed the other's right wrist.
Their faces were almost touching.
With his height of over two meters, Koji had to look down at his opponent. In terms of strength and physical condition, they were not even in the same league.
East Castle Edo's attacks were indeed powerful, but most of his strength came from his Shadow Blade. In raw power and physical condition, he was no match for Koji Yamanaka, who had undergone the first phase of the Divine Long Staircase's five-stage surgery and was practically a 'little superman.'
This was the advantage of having intelligence!
One side knew everything about the other, and with no significant gap in strength, how could they not dominate the fight?
Koji Yamanaka was currently at the elite jonin level and had no special titles, so he wasn't a high-profile target. Other shinobi villages naturally wouldn't have detailed intelligence on him.
Without that intelligence, how could East Castle Edo not be at a disadvantage once Koji closed the distance?
Koji didn't waste time on words, immediately engaging in close combat, preventing his opponent from using any jutsu or his Shadow Blade.
His formidable physique gave him the upper hand.
Seeing East Castle Edo's miserable state, the other six members of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist couldn't sit idly by.
Though they didn't get along well and often fought among themselves, they wouldn't let one of their own die without a fight.
With a swift movement, one of them leaped towards the two men locked in combat, ready to help.
It was the only other sane one, Julius Juzo.
Todai, however, ignored this.
He couldn't let Koji Yamanaka take out one of the Seven Swordsmen before the capture plan began.
With the advantage of intelligence, he could hold his own even against two opponents.
Todai called out loudly, "Now, let me see if you have the right to dance!"
He was no longer willing to drag this out.
Not only would it risk exposing the plan to the White Zetsu who might be watching, but if the Konoha reinforcements arrived, things would get complicated.
"I will pierce your heart and see what color it is!"
Rikusho Zeren charged forward, his desire to kill no longer under control.
His companion, Kirai Shinpachi, moved almost in sync, their coordination flawless.
They truly were the ruthless duo!
With a roar, just as the two were halfway to Todai, they felt a wave of intense heat.
It was Todai!
He had released the temperature control of his Flame Cloak.
Though this would consume more chakra, it also added a high-temperature attack.
It also left little room for jutsu usage.
For example, the Mist Hidden Technique!
In such intense heat, this signature auxiliary technique of the Mist Shinobi is impossible to activate.
Flame Cloak!
With his progress in Fire Release techniques and the increase in his chakra, it's no exaggeration to say that this technique can be rated as an A-rank jutsu from the start.
Furthermore, its power increases with chakra enhancements and modes like Sage Mode.
Swoosh!
A fine, needle-like long blade was thrown with astonishing speed, piercing through the air with a subtle whistling sound.
Clang!
Tohei naturally wouldn't use his flesh and blood to block such a piercing blade. He drew a kunai to parry.
With his current strength, even in a normal state, he was a 'near-Kage' level powerhouse. The opponent, even with a chakra blade, couldn't easily defeat him.
Upon engaging, Tohei immediately understood the terror of the Seven Shinobi Swordsmen.
Even without the enhancement from their chakra blades, their skills were exceptional, on par with elite jonin, which was why they had gained such a formidable reputation.
In the original history, it was likely because these elite shinobi were defeated by Might Guy, turning them into the 'Three Lucky Treasures,' that the Mist Village lost its successors.
"Indeed, the Purifying Flame lives up to its name. His strength is quite impressive, and his chakra must be delicious!"
Kabuto Yakushi drew a large blade covered in fine scales.
Great Blade: Samehada!
This blade was the most unique among the seven chakra blades, capable of devouring chakra and was a living entity.
The remaining Black Zetsu Rai and Kakinari also silently drew their chakra blades.
If it were an ordinary person, they would have no qualms about ganging up. But against the Purifying Flame, who had once defeated two Kage-level Sand shinobi and even injured Onoki, they wouldn't hesitate to break the rules of engagement.
Faced with a surround attack, Tohei naturally didn't overestimate himself. He jumped back to create distance and began forming seals.
"Fire Release: Dragon Fire Missile!"
This B-rank Fire Release technique was a gift from the Hyuga clan, but not from the village's rewards. It was obtained through other means, so there was no need to worry about its origin.
After completing the seals, Tohei took a deep breath, his chakra undergoing a transformation within his body before being expelled from his mouth.
Roar!
The thin stream of fire grew thicker as it moved away from him, eventually turning into a massive, several-meter-wide fire dragon that surged backward, sweeping everything in its path.
Don't underestimate the Dragon Fire Missile just because it's a B-rank Fire Release!
When used by Tohei, who had maxed out his Fire Release affinity and possessed a 'Fire Elemental Root,' its power was comparable to Madara's 'Great Fire Annihilation.'
Compared to his opponent, Tohei's mastery of Fire Release was superior, with the only difference being his chakra reserves.
A single Fire Release technique scattered the five opponents, and Tohei retreated while fighting, seemingly overwhelmed by their combined assault.
In reality, he had received a signal from Hyuga Sogetsu.
The hunting ground was set up, and he was to move the battlefield there.
Not only he, but also Yamashiro Koji received the signal.
Bang!
Yamashiro Koji's right fist slammed into the Executioner's Blade, sending Momochi Zabuza flying back with his blade.
"How is this possible!"
Momochi Zabuza, suspended mid-air, was utterly shocked.
He had never imagined that the opponent's strength could be so terrifying.
Even for a specialist in taijutsu, this level of power was excessively exaggerated, and his defense was incredibly strong. Their previous kicks had landed, but the effect... it was like hitting a mountain.
"Die!"
Torune Yubisu, bloodied and looking ferocious, launched an attack.
Yamashiro Koji immediately retreated.
Though he appeared to be a 'heaven-sent brute,' he was actually quite meticulous. He understood that the focus of this mission was not to defeat the opponents but to capture them.
At the edge of the battlefield.
A pale head 'grew' out of a tree trunk, observing the retreating group.
"Lord Madara told me to keep an eye on them, ensuring they can approach Konoha without losing them."
With that, his body slipped back into the tree trunk, moving as silently as a fish in water.
White Zetsu!
He had been monitoring the Seven Shinobi Swordsmen the entire time, and no one had noticed him.
Clearly, the prey had finally revealed itself.
(End of Chapter)
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