"Elder Genji, are we really following Fuguki Suikazan's plan completely tomorrow?"
Ao lowered his voice and glanced outside.
"Fuguki has already suffered several setbacks at Sunagakure's hands. Are we sure his plan will work?"
Ao had his doubts about Fuguki's ability.
Genji shook his head.
"I know Fuguki's ability well."
"Among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, he is the strongest in this area. Otherwise, Mizukage-sama would never have previously entrusted all six thousand men to him."
"Kushimaru Kuriarare commanding three thousand is already his limit."
"Kushimaru with only a thousand would be acceptable."
"Juzo Biwa is a brute. He's good at killing, but ask him to formulate strategy or command an army, and he has no talent for it whatsoever."
"Hozuki Kumogiri is obsessed with the blade."
"Jinin Akebino is about the same as Kushimaru."
A trace of puzzlement appeared on Ao's face.
Genji had named only six of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
There was still one left.
"Elder Genji… what about Kurotsuchi Raiga?"
Contempt appeared openly in Genji's eyes.
"Among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, he is the one I look down on most. The moment anything happens, he loses his head like his soul's been ripped out of him. Completely unfit for important use."
"It's only because Kirigakure doesn't currently have a better wielder for the Lightning Blades. Otherwise, that position would never have fallen to him."
Genji paused, then continued.
"Besides, Kirigakure is already far stronger than Sunagakure."
"Even if Fuguki's plan turns out to be less effective than expected, our army can still defeat the Suna forces. Crushing Sunagakure is only a matter of time."
"And it won't take long."
"Previously, Fuguki delayed only because he wanted to minimize the village's losses."
"But now, Mizukage-sama no longer wishes to wait."
"The sooner this ends, the sooner other opportunities can be seized."
At those words, Ao instinctively turned his gaze toward the Land of Fire.
"Elder Genji… you mean Konoha?"
Genji nodded.
"Exactly."
"Konoha's situation is poor right now. The Uchiha clan's rebellion has cost them greatly. Not only have they lost Uchiha ninja, but the Sarutobi clan and Shimura clan also suffered serious casualties that night."
"And Konoha must now dispatch a dedicated force to hunt down the Uchiha."
"If they do not pursue them, the Uchiha will surely seek a chance to retaliate."
"Add to that Iwagakure's ferocious offensive, and Konoha will most likely lose."
Genji looked in the same direction.
"If we can carve up Konoha…"
"The gains would far exceed those from crushing Sunagakure."
"A few extra Byakugan would be an enormous asset to Kirigakure. Those eyes are invaluable, whether in missions or on the battlefield."
"Ao, you should understand that better than anyone."
Ao nodded.
As Kirigakure's only ninja possessing the Byakugan, his status within the village was extremely unique.
He could be considered one of the most highly valued members of the younger generation.
Even so, the idea of more Byakugan left him with mixed feelings.
On one hand, more Byakugan would naturally weaken his own unique standing within the village.
On the other hand, there was no denying that additional Byakugan would be tremendously useful to Kirigakure.
Terumi Mei, however, felt no such concern.
Like Ao, she was one of Kirigakure's most valued young talents. But what she relied on were her two kekkei genkai—
Lava Release and Boil Release.
Because both she and Pakura were female ninja possessing bloodline abilities, many in Kirigakure often compared the two.
A lot of people believed that Terumi Mei might one day grow into Kirigakure's version of Pakura.
But Terumi Mei had no intention of accepting that comparison.
She did not believe Pakura represented her ceiling.
She believed she would surpass Pakura.
"I hope I get the chance to fight her this time."
"Pakura… don't disappoint me."
"Let me see just how strong you really are."
The next day—
Before dawn, Kirigakure's army was already on the move.
Following Fuguki Suikazan's plan, the force split into two parts.
One group, made up of elite ninja, launched a surprise attack against the Suna army.
The other moved as a whole around to the flank.
Once Sunagakure's attention had been drawn away by the attacking Kiri elites, that larger force would launch a full assault on the Suna troops.
"Relay my order. The whole army attacks!"
Kushimaru Kuriarare was the first to rush forward.
"Kill!"
Needle in hand, killing intent pouring off him, he narrowed his eyes at the Suna ninja ahead and ran his tongue slowly across his lips.
"Enemy attack!"
A Suna ninja managed to shout the warning in time.
At once, the nearby Suna shinobi all looked over.
"Kushimaru Kuriarare!"
"One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen!"
"The wielder of Nuibari!"
Without any disguise on Kirigakure's side, the Suna ninja recognized the attacker almost immediately.
To Sunagakure, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were even more unforgettable than the Third Mizukage himself.
Too many Suna ninja had already died at their hands.
And each one of the Seven was distinct to an almost grotesque degree.
"Quickly! Inform Lady Pakura!"
Some of the Suna ninja rushed forward to intercept, but they were no match for Kushimaru.
"Puchi!"
A huge gash split open across one Suna ninja's body, and blood erupted violently.
Another had slightly better luck, but he was still sent flying backward.
How many bones had broken in the fall, no one knew.
"Lady Pakura, there's an enemy atta—"
The Suna ninja had only just stumbled over to deliver the message when his voice stopped on its own.
Because what he saw next froze him in place.
Pakura was already locked in a bitter battle.
Two figures fought her from either side.
On the left was Fuguki Suikazan.
On the right was Juzo Biwa.
Pakura was holding off both at once, and she had not yet fallen into disadvantage—but Kirigakure had not sent only these two.
More than a dozen elite ninja were stationed around the outer perimeter.
And the Samehada wielded by Fuguki Suikazan possessed a frightening chakra-absorbing ability.
In a one-on-one fight, Fuguki was not Pakura's equal.
But now he only needed to restrain her, and with so many helpers around him, Pakura had no good answer for the moment.
More Kiri ninja appeared.
The sounds of slaughter erupted nearby.
The Suna ninja stared blankly around him.
"Why did so many Kirigakure ninja appear all of a sudden?"
"How did they get this close without making a sound?"
"Where are our scout ninja?"
Not far away, Ao smiled faintly as he looked at the dead Suna scouts beside him.
"These Suna scouts were well hidden."
"But I have the Byakugan."
Genji nodded.
"Pass down my order. Have Hozuki Kumogiri launch the full offensive and deliver a fatal blow to the Suna army."