As the samurai leader's body fell, the closest Water Country samurai immediately screamed in terror, shouting, "The general is dead, the general is dead!" and involuntarily retreated.
At this time, a unit leader had a very great influence, because without ideals and beliefs, the cohesion of the soldiers was maintained by top-down authoritarian power, and when that power was lost, their cohesion would crumble.
This was a huge difference between classical feudal armies and modern armies, not only in weapons and equipment, but also in ideology and discipline.
Therefore, when that Water Country samurai shouted, the shock to those around him was considerable; they immediately felt their livers and gallbladders split, their bodies trembled, and they wished they could immediately throw down their weapons and run.
Noticing this, the Konoha ninjas, while dealing with the samurai or Hidden Mist ninjas around them, also shouted, "The general is dead! The general is dead!"
In such a chaotic situation, no one could tell who was shouting, and those far away who didn't understand what was happening saw that the samurai leader's side was gradually becoming chaotic, so they also believed it and started to panic themselves, which then affected others, and this vicious cycle continued.
"Charge!" Mifune, after cutting down the samurai leader with a single stroke, merely took a breath before letting out a loud shout, simultaneously striding forward and swinging his sword at the Water Country samurai in front of him.
Having witnessed his astonishing strike, coupled with the shock of the samurai leader's death, these Water Country samurai had no courage to face Mifune; some had already started to turn and run, while others were still hesitant, and when they saw Mifune charging, they subconsciously raised their swords to meet him.
But how could such spiritless swordsmanship contend with a master like Mifune?
A cold gleam flashed, and three Water Country samurai immediately fell to the ground, their swords broken in two, blood gushing from their chests, while Mifune didn't even glance at them, directly stepping over their bodies and leading his troops to attack the samurai army that had begun to rout.
The Hidden Mist ninjas who rushed to support them were filled with anger and shock; for ninjas who excelled in small-scale operations and valued rules and loyalty, the performance of the samurai army was completely incomprehensible.
However, even so, they had to protect the samurai army from further collapse, otherwise, relying solely on them, the possibility of defeating the Land of Whirlpools would become increasingly slim.
But when they tried to help, they were dispersed by the chaotic samurai army.
Of course, for ninjas, being dispersed was also good, allowing for better concealment and movement.
However, they soon discovered that there were also Konoha ninjas among the charging samurai army; those Konoha ninjas used ninjutsu without hesitation, almost completely tearing apart the samurai army's formation.
Even if the Hidden Mist ninjas used ninjutsu to counterattack and block, because the surrounding area was filled with Water Country samurai, using powerful Water Release jutsu would injure their own people, not only failing to block but also aiding the enemy.
They could only use small-scale ninjutsu, while the other side had no psychological qualms, so the Hidden Mist ninjas had no advantage in battles against Konoha ninjas.
However, Hozuki Gengetsu, the leader of the Hidden Mist ninjas, was not here but in a forest several hundred meters away.
He was face to face with a black-armored ninja.
That black-armored ninja was Sarutobi Hiruzen; he was deeply influenced by the Warring States period, and even though thirty years had passed since then, his combat equipment had not changed like that of ordinary Konoha ninjas.
"I didn't expect you to be here, Sarutobi Hiruzen. Who exactly is that person at the coastal border?" Hozuki Gengetsu asked cautiously, looking at the other party.
"Who knows? You can guess who could imitate me to that extent," Sarutobi Hiruzen replied with a slight smile.
Sarutobi Hiruzen naturally guessed Hozuki Gengetsu's purpose, which was nothing more than to extract information from him, but it wasn't easy to deceive a veteran ninja like him.
Moreover, he was quite happy to chat with the other party, because the longer the time dragged on, the more advantageous it would be for his side.
From Sarutobi Hiruzen's perspective, he was willing to chat with Hozuki Gengetsu until the battle ended.
Hozuki Gengetsu, however, would not sit by and watch the war further deteriorate while he idled away.
Seeing that Sarutobi Hiruzen was impenetrable, he no longer tried to extract information.
He was somewhat worried in his heart about what the Third Mizukage might encounter on the main battlefield.
The "Sarutobi Hiruzen" there had been investigated multiple times by the Anbu, who determined it was the real Sarutobi Hiruzen; only then did they finalize this plan, but with Sarutobi Hiruzen appearing in the Land of Whirlpools, the plan had already failed by half.
Hozuki Gengetsu was about to make a move, but Sarutobi Hiruzen formed hand signs first, spitting out an arrow-like bolt of lightning that abruptly pierced towards Hozuki Gengetsu's face.
Hozuki Gengetsu's pupils slightly contracted, and the scroll he had been holding in his hand unfurled.
With a bang, a long sword appeared in his hand, which he raised to block the incoming lightning bolt.
In an instant, dazzling lightning exploded, coiling around the surface of the blade but unable to penetrate further and reach Hozuki Gengetsu's body.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was startled; he didn't expect that sword to be able to block his Lightning Release.
It was clearly not an ordinary sword; if it were an ordinary sword, no matter how sturdy, it would be impossible to block Lightning Release and the electricity would still transfer to Hozuki Gengetsu, which would be almost a bane for Hozuki Gengetsu, who specialized in the Hydrification Technique.
But the other party seemed to have understood this, and therefore, had prepared early to meet the Lightning Release.
Hozuki Gengetsu gave Sarutobi Hiruzen a cold smile and said, "You should taste your own Lightning Release."
Saying this, he forcefully swung his long sword, and a bolt of lightning instantly attacked Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression darkened, and he changed his hand signs, exhaling a hurricane that scattered the lightning bolt.
At this moment, he noticed Hozuki Gengetsu's figure flashing to the side, chakra condensing in his feet, instantly erupting, and with a Body Flicker Technique, he appeared in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"You won't escape!" Sarutobi Hiruzen already held the transformed Adamantine Staff in his arms, swinging it heavily towards Hozuki Gengetsu's head.
Hozuki Gengetsu seemed to know Sarutobi Hiruzen would charge, and he suddenly turned around, holding a huge sword shaped like a flounder in his hand, which collided with the Adamantine Staff.
A powerful chakra glow appeared on the surface of the flounder-shaped sword, and the astonishing impact pushed Sarutobi Hiruzen back.
—Are there other swords?
As Sarutobi Hiruzen was surprised, because the Adamantine Staff was blocked and his entire body was undefended, Hozuki Gengetsu raised his hand and threw a needle-thin sword, which pierced into Sarutobi Hiruzen's chest like a javelin.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's figure paused slightly, and a shocked expression appeared on his entire face.
However, Hozuki Gengetsu's expression became solemn, and he unhesitatingly tried to pull back the needle-like sword, but it was already too late.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's body rapidly disintegrated, turning into distorted lightning that was about to leap onto Hozuki Gengetsu along the long sword.
Fortunately, Hozuki Gengetsu immediately made the flounder-shaped ninja sword disappear, and instead, he once again grasped the long sword that had blocked the lightning, timely placing it against the needle-like ninja sword.
The lightning, as if attracted, once again transmitted onto it.
"Ha!" Hozuki Gengetsu shouted loudly, swinging his body in a circle, and the lightning spread out in an arc.
At the same time, he exhaled a large stream of water from his mouth, which merged with the swung lightning; this was precisely the compound ninjutsu that Sarutobi Hiruzen was accustomed to using.
The surrounding trees fell one after another, making deafening sounds and stirring up a large amount of smoke.
When Sarutobi Hiruzen reappeared, Hozuki Gengetsu was nowhere to be seen.
"This guy has some skill," Sarutobi Hiruzen muttered, stroking his beard.
In terms of the variety of ninjutsu mastered, Hozuki Gengetsu was far inferior to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Even if Hozuki Gengetsu's mastery of Water Release was high, he had no advantage against Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was accustomed to using Earth Release and Lightning Release.
However, the other party had somehow obtained three ninja swords.
One sharp, fang-like ninja sword had the ability to attract lightning; one flounder-shaped ninja sword had powerful chakra impact ability; and one needle-like ninja sword had unparalleled penetration ability.
"I didn't see these ninja tools during the last Great Ninja War. It seems the Hidden Mist Village has been hiding them," Sarutobi Hiruzen said as he pursued Hozuki Gengetsu.
Hozuki Gengetsu finally shook off Sarutobi Hiruzen and quickly ran through the forest, finding time to create a Water Clone to organize and command the Hidden Mist ninjas, while he himself stayed to continue facing Sarutobi Hiruzen.
He knew that if a master like Sarutobi Hiruzen charged into a crowd, the damage caused would be extraordinary; therefore, Hozuki Gengetsu chose to fight Sarutobi Hiruzen here.
Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen had thought, the swords Hozuki Gengetsu used to counter Sarutobi Hiruzen's ninjutsu were the research achievements of the Hidden Mist Village over the years.
Their primary organizer was his ancestor, the Second Mizukage, Hozuki Gengetsu.
There were a total of seven ninja swords, each with different abilities, and their names were determined by their appearance.
For example, the ninja sword Hozuki Gengetsu used to block Lightning Release was called Kiba (Fang), which had the effect of controlling lightning.
The flounder-shaped ninja sword was called Hiramekarei, which could accumulate chakra through battle and condense chakra orbs, possessing very powerful destructive force.
The needle-like ninja sword was called Nuibari (Sewing Needle), and its piercing ability was unparalleled.
Besides these, there were four other ninja swords.
Hozuki Gengetsu alone could use all seven ninja swords without affecting his own combat ability, and he could coordinate them seamlessly, thereby increasing his own strength.
Of course, this was Hozuki Gengetsu's first time using the ninja swords to duel a master like Sarutobi Hiruzen, and it seemed the effect was quite good, otherwise, he might not have been able to escape so easily.
Just as Hozuki Gengetsu was deep in thought, Sarutobi Hiruzen had already appeared before him.
He seemed to know Hozuki Gengetsu would be waiting here, and his expression was not surprised.
He said, "Let's fight here, the two of us, to avoid affecting others.
As for the outcome, it depends on the abilities of our subordinates."
"Exactly," Hozuki Gengetsu said, raising his ninja sword and looking at Sarutobi Hiruzen solemnly.
Just as the two began their fierce battle, the other side of the conflict was already nearing its end.
When Hozuki Gengetsu's Water Clone arrived, he immediately saw the Water Country samurai army on the verge of collapse and his own Hidden Mist ninjas at a loss.
Knowing the gravity of the situation, he immediately started to restore order, beginning with the people closest to him.
Hozuki Gengetsu also had high prestige, and in the hearts of the samurai, who were already like startled birds, he was undoubtedly a lifeline, and they no longer cared about his identity as a ninja.
Under the command of "Hozuki Gengetsu," the samurai army and Hidden Mist ninjas contracted their defensive line, strengthening and reinforcing it.
Although they had to abandon some people, they preserved the stability of the majority.
He understood that in the current situation, being able to prevent his side from further collapse was something to be thankful for, let alone counterattacking.
Looking at the corpses lying on the ground, "Hozuki Gengetsu" was so enraged he felt like he was about to explode, but he knew what his true objective was and not to act on a momentary impulse, so he could only order a retreat.
The morale-boosted samurai of the Land of Whirlpools and Land of Fire, as well as the Konoha ninjas, did not pursue but instead shouted loudly in place, intimidating the enemy.
This surprise attack dealt a heavy blow to the Water Country army and the Hidden Mist ninjas, but the disparity in strength still existed.
With "Hozuki Gengetsu" re-establishing order, attacking again, although it would certainly be easier to deal with than usual due to the enemy's fear, would still undoubtedly cost their side a considerable price.
It should be known that the number of Land of Fire samurai and Konoha ninjas who came here was limited, and their already not-so-abundant resources should not be further invested.
From the outcome, this battle was a great victory; even the leader commanding the samurai army was slain by Mifune, dealing an even greater blow to the enemy.
Mifune gasped for breath, his entire armor stained with blood.
Having fought all the way until now, his physical strength was almost at its limit.
Just as he had agreed with Sarutobi Hiruzen, he tried his best to expand the results of the battle, even taking down the Water Country's samurai leader.
He had a clear conscience.
Just as the others were reorganizing their ranks, preparing to return to the town, Mifune suddenly felt someone tap him.
Mifune was startled and immediately drew his sword.
Upon seeing the other person's face, he stopped and let out a sigh of relief, saying, "Sarutobi-san."
"Well done, Mifune! I heard you were the one who took down the enemy's samurai leader," Sarutobi Hiruzen laughed heartily, patting Mifune's shoulder firmly.
"You're truly amazing.
In the chaos of battle, even for us ninjas, assassinating an enemy leader isn't something everyone can accomplish."
"I merely did my best," Mifune replied.
"Hmm, 'did my best,' that's a good phrase.
We can only do our best here too.
Fortunately, the outcome wasn't bad," Sarutobi Hiruzen said.
This battle could definitely be called a great victory.
The Land of Fire samurai who participated in this sortie numbered over dozens, and the ninjas were also over thirty.
In terms of casualties, the enemy lost approximately over four hundred people, including the death of their samurai commander, and Hozuki Gengetsu returned with severe physical exhaustion and injuries.
As for Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others, their losses were no more than ten people.
"Let's go back now.
Now we can plan properly to evacuate the people of the Land of Whirlpools," Sarutobi Hiruzen said, turning his head to look in the direction the enemy had retreated.