Clap.
The two struck their hands together.
"You moved too late. Zero efficiency."
"And who do you think we're dealing with? The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. They're not just for show. Being able to slip past even one of their senses is already impressive."
"Next time, you be the bait. I'll show you what a real successful ambush looks like."
"Sure. But if the enemy runs the moment they see the phosphorus devourer insects, don't blame me."
The two chatted back and forth with remarkable ease.
Across from them, the remaining six swordsmen looked grave.
"That one just now… must be the rumored insect poison user of the Aburame Clan. Anyone touched by his insects dies."
Fuguki Suikazan spoke.
"You mean the one who wiped out three thousand Rain Village ninja during the war?"
But Mangetsu Hōzuki's eyes were filled with excitement.
Fame is won on the battlefield, and success requires stepping stones.
A poison insect user with such a reputation—he'd make a perfect stepping stone.
The glory of the Hōzuki Clan… will shine again, starting with me.
"Hiramekarei: Release—Second Strike!"
Mangetsu charged forward.
The twin blades of Hiramekarei gleamed brilliantly.
Two massive waves surged toward the two Aburame.
They quickly dodged.
Aburame Shikuro raised his left hand.
"Secret Technique: Poison Insect Spray."
The purple insects in his hand instantly formed a stream, shooting out like a water jet toward Mangetsu.
"Hydrification."
Mangetsu's body instantly turned to water.
The insects passed straight through.
Only after confirming not a single insect remained in his liquefied body did he reform.
"Poison insects? Guess they're not that strong after all."
"Troublesome. Shibi, I'll leave this one to you."
"No problem."
"Don't think you're getting away."
Seeing this, Mangetsu moved to chase—
"Don't think you're getting away."
That line sounded oddly familiar.
Before he could think further—
Crackle, crackle.
Electric currents sparked.
Countless lightning-charged insects surrounded him completely.
"Hey, hey… insects with electricity? Isn't that a bit over the top?"
Mangetsu's mouth twitched. Their intel had definitely been leaked—otherwise how could the enemy counter them so precisely?
Mangetsu faced off against Aburame Shibi.
Meanwhile, Jinpachi Munashi and Kushimaru Kuriarare exchanged a glance and rushed toward Aburame Shikuro.
"Explosive Blade: Burst!"
"Longsword Ninja Art!"
Jinpachi swung the Explosive Blade with one arm.
Kushimaru leapt through the forest on one foot, his Longsword weaving endlessly.
Shikuro released part of his insects to block Jinpachi, while swiftly tying two kunai to his feet.
He steadied himself atop the spiderweb threads formed by the Longsword.
"Damn it! How did you Leaf ninja get intel on the Longsword?!"
Kushimaru gritted his teeth.
That feeling—every move you make, the enemy already knows—it was unbearable.
"And the Explosive Blade too! How do you know it can't be touched?!"
Jinpachi's expression darkened.
If the enemy knew the Explosive Blade's weakness, its threat would be even lower than the Executioner's Blade.
Kushimaru and Jinpachi exchanged another look.
Immediately, they abandoned their usual tactics and charged recklessly forward.
Jūzō Biwa watched, blood boiling, gripping his Executioner's Blade.
Partner—
It's our turn to save the day.
"Raiga, now we can finally see who's the weakest among us."
Heh. Even being the weakest required competition now—first place or last, only one person could hold it.
"Raiga? Raiga?"
Jūzō glanced to his right.
Kurosuki Raiga, who should have been there… was gone.
Kurosuki Raiga: You think I'm stupid? Those two clearly came prepared. Our intel is completely compromised. Charging in now is just suicide. If you want to be cannon fodder, go ahead. I'd rather become a rogue ninja than die. The ninja world is huge—Raiga and I can find somewhere to survive.
"Lord Fuguki, Raiga actually dared to run! That kind of person is a disgrace to the Seven Ninja Swordsmen!"
Jūzō turned to his left—
Fuguki Suikazan's massive figure was already gone as well.
Jūzō stood there awkwardly.
Ahead of him was Mangetsu, battered and no longer daring to use Hydrification.
And Jinpachi and Kushimaru, already fighting with the intent to die.
"Fuguki-sama and Raiga have gone too far. I'll go drag them back myself."
Jūzō vanished as well.
"Aburame, die!"
Jinpachi swung a kunai at Shikuro.
Seeing it wasn't the Explosive Blade, Shikuro also stepped forward with a kunai to block.
"The world knows of poison insects… but few realize that I, Aburame Shikuro, enjoy close combat just as much."
"Good. I like close combat experts the most."
Jinpachi's grin widened uncontrollably.
Whoosh—
The Longsword pierced through Jinpachi's body and struck Shikuro, who was locked in a clash with him.
Blood seeped from Shikuro's lips.
"You actually—"
"That's called deception in war."
Kushimaru pressed the advantage.
The Longsword danced wildly, aiming to bind Shikuro completely.
Jinpachi retrieved the Explosive Blade.
"Go to hell, Aburame."
"Explode."
A massive explosion engulfed even Kushimaru.
When the smoke cleared—
Jinpachi clutched his abdomen, tending to his wound.
Kushimaru treated his burns.
"Damn it… that was ruthless."
"Likewise."
"AAAAAHHH!!"
"AAAAAHHH!!"
Suddenly, both collapsed.
Purple spread rapidly across their bodies.
"Damn it… how?! If that was a clone, how could it bleed?!"
They stared at Shikuro, who stood unharmed, disbelief in their eyes.
"If not for the intel, it'd be hard to believe anyone would fight like this. As for the blood… Nara Clan blood packs. Extremely useful. Highly recommended."
"We have to kill whoever leaked our intel—"
Before they could finish—
Jinpachi Munashi and Kushimaru Kuriarare were officially out.
Seven Ninja Swordsmen—three down.
Shikuro looked around.
Only Mangetsu remained, still trapped by Shibi.
"Shibi, the three marked by Shiken as high-priority… are already gone."
"Is that so? Send this intel to Shiken. As for the one left… let's finish this. Don't keep his comrades waiting too long."
"Right."
...
Far away, Aburame Shiken examined the newly delivered intel.
"Three of them ran, huh… now that makes perfect sense."
Before seeing the Eight Gates, Might Duy seemed insanely powerful—one versus seven, killing four.
After witnessing the Eight Gates, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen seemed impressive—they still managed to have three survivors.
Now it all makes sense.
The reason they survived… was because they ran fast.