Kyōichi, Konoha’s Life Mentor

"Sama-tachi, I have discovered their patrol team!"

At this time, Ao had not yet obtained his proud Byakugan and was just a relatively excellent sensory ninja, skilled in reconnaissance. 

Under Yagura's command, few had better sensing abilities than him.

Therefore.

As they approached the coast, he sensed the location of the patrol team.

"Oh? Speak quickly."

Hōzuki Mangetsu hurriedly said.

After listening, he was overjoyed in his heart.

He had to admit, although Yagura didn't get along with him, he indeed acted for the sake of Kirigakure. 

Despite their differences, Yagura had sent a capable person, showing thorough consideration.

"Let me see... We can take this route. According to their patrol gaps, there will be a slight opening."

Hoshigaki Kisame took out a map and pondered, finding a route.

Ao frowned. "This route avoids detection, but if combat erupts, Konoha's forces will encircle us."

"Once we reach Nagano Mountain, of course, we'll fight to our heart's content. Who's thinking about retreating?"

Mubuki Jinpachi looked at him as if he were a fool.

Indeed.

The people Yagura brought shared his characteristics.

They ignored Ao's opinion.

Hōzuki Mangetsu thought for a moment, then waved his hand, continuing to advance along the predetermined route.

On Kyōichi's side, seeing them heading towards the trap, he knew they had taken the bait.

Moreover.

From the situation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, he roughly calculated the sensing range of the eight people.

It was similar to the range of the Byakugan.

He immediately sent this information back—

No mistakes could be made!

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen absolutely did not expect that while they were charging forward, there was someone following them from behind. 

Moreover, the path ahead seemed clear, but in reality...

It was all designed by the enemy.

If Yagura were here, he'd smell the trap. 

But he's still chasing their dust.

The Seven Swordsmen plunged in without any hesitation, advancing deep into Nagano Mountain. 

On the way, there were only two ninjas patrolling—Shirakumo Hayama and Might Duy.

Of course, this was intentional.

However, how would the Seven Swordsmen know?

"Two people patrolling?"

Hōzuki Mangetsu frowned.

"Judging from their chakra, one is a jōnin, and the other's chakra is unclear. It's possible he's a taijutsu jōnin."

"Two jōnin."

Hoshigaki Kisame was conflicted.

Killing two jōnin, of course, they wouldn't be satisfied, but they had to admit, Konoha's defense was impenetrable. Even this gap in the line had patrols, and they were two jōnin.

This actually reassured him.

After much deliberation, he said, "Killing two jōnin isn't bad. Let's kill them first, then adapt as we go."

"Agreed."

...

The Seven Swordsmen no longer hesitated.

They were truly reckless!

Kyōichi used his chakra sensing technique as he walked, sighing in his heart.

The Seven Swordsmen were overconfident.

Simply put.

With seven swords combined, they might barely match a Kage-level ninja, but in the vast ninja world, Kage-level was nothing special. 

They could still die.

Kyōichi kept his distance, staying just within Ao's sensing range.

After following for a while.

He slightly frowned.

There was someone else behind?

This chakra signature and intensity...

Yagura!

He quickly summoned a slug, using the slug clone to communicate with the slug clones he had previously placed with other patrol teams.

"There's someone behind the Seven Swordsmen, at a distance of... Be ready to intercept."

"Understood!"

All patrol teams received the message.

Uchiha Yashiro was shocked. 

He knew Kyōichi had a high status, but he didn't expect him to have a contract with Shikkotsu Forest.

As for Inabi.

He looked at Yashiro and the other clan members, feeling truly disappointed.

Even Inabi, after some investigation, knew that Kyōichi was highly regarded in the village, while they seemed to pay no attention to external affairs, content with the Uchiha's past glory.

Too outdated.

Kyōichi didn't care what they thought.

Yagura was actually chasing them!

The battle situation had changed again.

They had to end the fight quickly.

Kyōichi quickly headed towards Might Duy's location. At this time, Might Duy and Shirakumo Hayama were already very close to the Seven Swordsmen.

The night, with mist swirling.

Kirigakure's Hiding in Mist Technique was hard to detect.

However.

Hyūga Fuji was behind Shirakumo Hayate.

"Hayama-sama, The mist carries chakra traces. It might be the Hiding in Mist Technique."

"Understood."

The Seven Swordsmen's plan was probably the same as before—to sneak attack the base if there was an opportunity, or kill a few people and leave as a show of force if there wasn't.

However.

They didn't know that guerrilla tactics required not just strategy, but also very precise intelligence.

Without Byakugan or chakra sensing, they're lambs.

No wonder Yagura was rushing over in such a hurry. He must have sensed something was wrong, but unfortunately, he didn't expect the Seven Swordsmen to be rushing to their deaths, moving at full speed with Body Flicker.

He couldn't catch up in time.

...

"Be careful."

Shirakumo Hayama whispered a reminder.

Might Duy nodded slightly.

He was a bit nervous.

Although he had been a ninja for over twenty years, most of his missions were escort or logistical support. This was only his second time participating in a jōnin-level battle.

Then.

The Seven Swordsmen made their move!

Instantaneous Body Skill!

Followed by a slash aimed for decapitation.

Ameyuri Ringo was the first to strike.

Her target for assassination was Might Duy.

"careful!"

Shirakumo Hayama drew his sword to help, but Mubuki Jinpachi's Shibuki erupted in his path. Kisame's Samehada sealed his retreat.

The remaining Swordsmen converged on Duy.

The Seven Swordsmen believed Might Duy was weaker and wanted to kill him first with one strike. 

Behind them, Hyūga Fuji was anxiously rushing over.

However.

Before he could run a few steps, he saw Might Duy erupt with terrifying chakra.

What was this?

Eight Gates!

Hyūga Fuji thought of a piece of information.

The Sandaime had lifted the ban on two forbidden techniques, one called the Eight Gates, and the other called Seven Heavens breathing Technique.

And the Eight Gates...

The creator seemed to be Might Duy.

"Ha!"

Dai's roar shook the trees as the Six Gates were unleashed.

He instantly disappeared from his original position. 

Fists hammered Biwa Juzo's blade like meteors.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Biwa Juzo reacted quickly.

He moved the Executioner's Blade back, barely blocking Might Duy's punches. 

However, Might Duy's strength was too great, and his punches were too fast, giving him no time to recover.

The piercing sound of collisions gradually turned into flames from Might Duy's fists.

Morning Peacock!

"Help me!"

Juzo's eyes flashed with fear.

What kind of technique was this?

It was impossible to block.

Mangetsu liquefied, surging forward to shield Juzo. 

Although he was instantly shattered by the punches, there was no shortage of water here.

In an instant, he reappeared.

This was the strength of the Hōzuki clan.

Might Duy took a breath, bypassed him, and quickly headed towards Juzo.

He didn't understand tactics.

However.

He knew how to fight—

Focus on beating one person!

Moreover.

Kyōichi had arrived!

"Save me!"

Ao's scream died mid-air.

Kyōichi's blade flashed—Wind Release: Gale Palm shearing through kunai and flesh.

Ao collapsed, unrecognizable to Kyōichi as the future Byakugan thief.

He sheathed his chakra blade, then held two swords with both hands.

Hoshigaki Kisame formed hand seals.

Countless hair formed senbon, sweeped towards Kyōichi, but it was useless. Earth Spear and Wind Release Chakra Mode swept all the hairs away.

No penetration!

"He seems immune to normal attacks."

Kisame immediately fled, going to assist in besieging Shirakumo Hayama.

"Is this technique Earth Spear? I'll handle it!"

Kurotsuchi Raiga grinned, crossed his twin swords, and gathered lightning, then a wave of thunder surged forward.

However.

His lightning was blocked by Wind Release Chakra Mode.

And...

Iaido: Vacuum Blade!

One slash and the highly concentrated Wind Release Chakra swept everything, devouring the lightning and air, creating a vacuum.

Immediately after.

Whoosh!

A high-pressure water column flew from the sword, accompanied by the still lingering Wind Release Chakra, forming a water tornado.

"Mangetsu!"

"..."

Hōzuki Mangetsu cursed.

Damn it.

You couldn't handle other one, and now this Kyōichi, still needs me to deal with him.

His arm muscles bulged.

Then...

Squelch!

The water-spear pierced his liquefied wrist.

Duy seized the opening.

Seventh Gate, open!

He remembered what Kyōichi had said before.

The Eight Gates needed to be paired with special taijutsu. Above the seventh gate, perhaps he could use air to perform even stronger techniques.

That's right.

Daytime Tiger!

Kisame immediately used Body Flicker, swinging Samehada towards the Daytime Tiger.

This move was unstoppable.

Boom!

Kisame's Samehada was instantly knocked away, and he looked bewildered. The next moment—

He was engulfed by the Daytime Tiger.

The remaining Seven Swordsmen's eyes flashed with fear.

Especially those behind Kisame, who were planning to besiege Kyōichi. 

They instantly fled, with no intention of saving Kisame.

How could they save him?

This technique even Samehada couldn't block, they were powerless. Moreover, Kisame's body had already turned into a mist of blood.

In an instant, the scene was chaotic, and no one paid attention to Kyōichi.

The next second.

Yin Seal: Release.

Strength of a Hundred Seal!

Gate of Opening, open!

Kyōichi didn't use the Seven Heavens Breathing Method. Dealing with the Seven Swordsmen didn't require it. 

His current buffs were already maxed out.

The next moment.

His figure flashed, heading towards Kuriarare Kushimaru.

Shirakumo Hayama was holding off two to three people, struggling. 

Even with Vacuum Blade temporarily repelling them, under the wire mesh of the Sewing Needle, it was still perilous.

Kuriarare Kushimaru's face showed a cold smile. There were wire traps here, sharp enough to even pierce Earth Spear...

In an instant, his smile froze.

These wires, upon touching Kyōichi, were instantly severed by the overwhelming chakra airflow.

Chakra Enhanced Strength, Wind Release Chakra!

Although it didn't enhance punching power, the principle was similar.

The wires were instantly destroyed.