The next morning.
Kirigakure was shrouded in pale mist. The entire village lay hidden beneath drifting fog, with only scattered lights glowing faintly like stars submerged in water.
At dawn, Kagura Karatachi stood upright beside a wooden basin. Chōjūrō, the Sixth Mizukage, took the towel Kagura handed him and quietly washed his face.
"It's been a long time since you've done this for me," Chōjūrō said with a soft chuckle.
"So? How are things with the Konoha kids?"
"Very well," Kagura replied.
"That's good."
Kagura lowered his gaze, then clenched his fist.
"Boruto gave me a reason to wield my sword. He made me understand why this peace must be protected."
He raised his head, eyes firm.
"I want to take part in the Hiramekarei succession trial."
Chōjūrō froze for a moment—then smiled.
"Is that so? I'm glad."
He turned to face Kagura fully.
"Before you were born, the ninja world experienced a war unlike anything before it. One out of every five shinobi died to secure the peace we now take for granted."
Kagura nodded.
"That peace was paid for in blood. If we forget that pain, we will repeat it."
"That's why," Chōjūrō said calmly, "the future must be entrusted to those who remember both fear and resolve."
He produced a key and placed it into Kagura's palm.
"Along with those who came before us, let us bear the future together."
Kagura accepted it with both hands.
High on the mountains of Kirigakure, a secluded storehouse stood carved into stone.
As Kagura opened the door, dim light spilled into the darkness.
At the far end rested a reinforced chest. He unlocked it.
Inside lay the seven legendary blades:
The Executioner's Blade Kubikiribōchō.
The Greatsword Samehada.
The Longsword Nuibari.
The Blunt Blade Kabutowari.
The Explosive Blade Shibuki.
The Lightning Blade Kiba.
And the Twin Blades Hiramekarei.
Kagura lifted Hiramekarei, its weight solid and steady in his hands.
Then—
A presence.
"You finally stopped shaking, huh?"
A voice echoed behind him.
Kagura turned slowly.
Shizuma Hoshigaki stood there, eyes alight with excitement.
"The balance of the Land of Water is about to collapse," Shizuma muttered.
"Children's games should have ended long ago. It's time for Kirigakure to return to the Blood Mist."
Kagura raised Hiramekarei, the twin blades crossing before Shizuma's neck.
"Shizuma Hoshigaki. You're supposed to be under house arrest."
Shizuma laughed lightly.
"Come on. We're old classmates."
"I won't protect anyone who seeks chaos," Kagura said coldly.
Shizuma tilted his head, studying him.
"Your eyes have changed. Your hand doesn't tremble anymore. Looks like Chōjūrō—or maybe that Konoha brat—got to you."
"I've chosen my path."
"You call this harmony?" Shizuma sneered.
"All of this—this polished village—was built by burying dissent."
He leaned close and whispered,
"Anyone who opposed the Mizukage was erased. Quietly. Efficiently."
Kagura's pupils shook.
"Otherwise, why do you think the Blood Mist vanished so quickly? Where are the names of our families on the memorial stones?"
Shizuma stepped back and spread his arms.
"That's why I'll destroy this false peace. Not for bloodlust—but for truth."
Water surged.
Five figures emerged.
Hassaku Onomichi shouldered Samehada.
Buntan Kurosuki gripped Shibuki.
Kyoho Fuefuki rested Kabutowari against his shoulder.
Hebiichigo drew Nuibari.
Ichirōta Oniyuzu stepped forward silently.
"The new Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist are born," Shizuma declared.
One by one, the blades were raised.
Kagura did not move.
He simply watched.
Far above, hidden among the cliffs, Mitsuki observed everything exactly as Boruto had predicted.
"So it begins," he murmured.
The chaos would spread.
And chaos was useful.
Elsewhere, deep within a cavern scorched by magma and veiled by cascading water, the Four-Tails, Son Gokū, stood on guard.
A white-robed figure faced him calmly.
"Well, Son Gokū," the man said lightly,
"I'm not here to negotiate today."
Son Gokū growled.
"Then why are you here?"
Sarada crossed her arms.
"If we let you roam free, you'll just start firing Tailed Beast Balls again."
Son Gokū: "???"
"Enough," the white-robed man said flatly.
Mangekyō Sharingan spun.
The illusion took hold.
A Flying Thunder God marker was carved into space.
They were waiting.
Meanwhile, Deepa found nothing in Kirigakure's hospitals.
Nothing.
His irritation twisted into fury.
Just as he prepared to leave, rumors reached him.
A rebellion.
A new generation of swordsmen.
Deepa smiled.
"Perfect."
If the Moon wanted to stay hidden—
He would drown this land in despair and force them into the open.
---
A/N: A New Fanfic Is Out "Bleach: Reborn As Ishida Uryuu"
A/N: Advanced Chapters Have Been Uploaded On My Patreon
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