"Come out. Stop playing tricks."
Fuguki Suikazan shouted toward the empty space ahead.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen all turned their attention forward.
Underground, Aburame Shibi let out a sigh.
"If I hadn't agreed to act as the bait while Shikuro handled the ambush, these people really wouldn't be worth fighting head-on."
An endless swarm assault, self-destructing insect explosions, corrosive acid rain from insect swarms…
Any of those would be better than direct combat.
Aburame Shibi emerged from the ground, fully on guard.
But what entered his sight were the backs of the seven men.
Hmm?
At a moment like this, wouldn't it be strange not to launch a sneak attack?
"Secret Technique: Insect Sphere."
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen heard the sound behind them and quickly turned around.
They saw Aburame Shibi surrounded by swarming insects.
"The Aburame clan is so despicable—always attacking from behind."
Jūzō Biwa cursed loudly.
The other six immediately shot him looks of disdain.
Seriously, do you even hear yourself? Aren't we here to ambush people too?
Even more speechless than them was Aburame Shiken.
Who's sneak attacking? I rose straight up from underground using Earth Release, fair and square, okay?
If you weren't paying attention, whose fault is that?
As expected, being the bait is a tough job.
"Secret Technique: Giant Parasite Insects."
Aburame Shibi flung out dozens of parasitic insects.
They rapidly expanded in size.
In an instant, dozens of calf-sized insects charged at the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
Bang!
Jūzō Biwa wielded his Executioner's Blade and slashed several of them away.
"The shells are tough—hard to cut."
Crash!
With a swing and a smash, Jinin Akebino split one insect clean in two.
"Doesn't matter how tough it is—one hit from the helmet-splitter is enough."
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—
Thin wires pierced through the joints of several insects.
A long needle spun through the air before returning to Kushimaru Kuriarare's hand.
With a pull, the insects were tightly bound together.
"Heh, too easy."
Boom! Boom! Boom!
"Not satisfying enough! Hahaha, more, more!"
Jinpachi Munashi waved his Explosive Blade wildly, laughing maniacally.
"Lightning Release: Summon Lightning."
Lightning crackled around Raiga Kurosuki.
"Boring."
The giant insects passed through Mangetsu Hōzuki's liquefied body without causing any damage.
"Hiramekarei: Release."
With a single swing, a massive wave surged forward, sweeping everything away.
On Fuguki Suikazan's side, things were even simpler.
As Samehada appeared, it frantically devoured the chakra within the insects.
The giant insects rapidly shrank and collapsed powerless onto the ground.
Watching his teammates showing off their overwhelming strength, Jūzō Biwa felt a chill.
Damn it… I've become the clown here.
Aburame Shibi quietly observed the Seven Ninja Swordsmen's performance.
Shiken's intelligence was all correct—perhaps even too comprehensive. If that's the case, maybe Shikuro isn't even needed.
Never underestimate Aburame Shibi's strength—this was a ninja known as a "perfect shinobi."
Thinking back to the original story: Sasori defeated the Third Kazekage, Konan defeated Sasori, and yet when facing Konan, Aburame Shibi calmly let his own son, Aburame Shino, handle it, as if saying, "I've got your back."
That alone spoke volumes about his strength.
So the ranking should be…
…
"Bastard, are you looking down on us? We're the Seven Ninja Swordsmen!"
Jūzō Biwa's furious roar snapped everything back to reality.
He pointed at Aburame Shibi and cursed.
"We are the elite of the Mist, and Konoha only sends a single ninja to stop us? Say it—are you looking down on us?"
"I am Konoha jonin, Aburame Shibi."
"Just a mere jonin? To stop us, shouldn't the Hokage come personally?"
Jūzō Biwa continued his arrogant rant.
The other six nodded in agreement.
With their status, how could a mere Konoha jonin be worthy of facing them?
Konoha genin Might Duy: Heh heh heh.
Aburame Shibi's face darkened.
If you're going to fight, then fight—why all this nonsense?
Next time, I'm definitely not taking this job.
"Secret Technique: Insect Swarm Self-Destruction."
Countless insects surged toward the Seven Ninja Swordsmen once more.
This time, before even reaching them, the insects began to explode.
Jinin Akebino sniffed the air.
"It's oil—watch out for explosions."
He leapt back immediately.
Jinpachi Munashi, however, rushed forward.
"Explosions? That's what I love most!"
"Explosive Blade: Burst!"
Explosion met explosion.
Thick smoke filled the battlefield.
Whoosh!
A longsword pierced through the smoke, stabbing straight through Aburame Shibi's body.
Kushimaru Kuriarare followed along the chakra thread attached to the blade, a cruel smile on his lips.
"Die."
He flicked a kunai, smashing Shibi's head.
"Damn it—it's a trap!"
Shibi's insect clone detonated violently.
The resulting shockwave blasted Kushimaru Kuriarare backward.
"Damn it… why does it feel like he knows me so well?"
"Hey, none of you leaked information about the longsword, right? That Aburame ninja knows exactly how it works."
Kushimaru Kuriarare shouted.
In the Hidden Mist, if your information was exposed, there was no doubt—it had to be someone close to you.
"Kushimaru Kuriarare, you idiot! No matter how bad we are, we wouldn't leak our own intel to Konoha!"
Jinpachi Munashi snapped back.
The ruthless duo knew exactly what Kushimaru would listen to.
He suppressed his suspicion toward his teammates and refocused on Aburame Shibi.
Anyone who knows my abilities… must die.
"Hey, I don't know what you're all thinking, but I'm making my move. Time is precious—I still have to kill the Hokage. I don't have time to waste on small fry."
Mangetsu Hōzuki said, gripping Hiramekarei.
"Same here. Let's all attack together."
Fuguki Suikazan agreed.
Seeing the Seven Ninja Swordsmen preparing to strike as one, Aburame Shibi had only one thought:
Shikuro, you're taking way too long.
"AAAAAA!"
A shrill scream rang out.
Jinin Akebino let out a miserable howl.
His skin rapidly turned purple.
Within a dozen seconds, he collapsed lifelessly.
Seven Ninja Swordsmen minus one.
"Damn it—there's another ambush!"
"Ahhh!"
"Ahhh!"
Jinpachi Munashi and Kushimaru Kuriarare also screamed.
But they reacted swiftly.
Jinpachi chopped off his own left arm.
Kushimaru sliced off his right lower leg.
"Not bad. One dead, two crippled—acceptable."
Aburame Shikuro appeared behind Aburame Shibi, coldly staring at the remaining six.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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