Chapter34: Yūzō... Six Legs
The morning sun appeared atop the distant mountain ridge; many Konoha ninjas raised their heads to look.
January 1, Konoha Year 49—a day that should have been filled with celebration.
But the 2,000 Konoha ninjas who arrived at White Bird City could not bring themselves to smile at all.
Uchiha Fugaku leaped onto a large tree, taking in the full惨状 of this city of death.
Uchiha Sanpō held the personnel list. When his eyes landed on Nohara Rin's name among the captured medical team, his gaze lingered for a moment.
His voice was cold as ice: "Report to Clan Head Fugaku: personnel intelligence collection inside the outpost is complete. Confirmed 817 dead, 24 medical team members captured, 20 missing, 139 survivors—of whom 34 are severely wounded."
Uchiha Fugaku did not reply. His gaze fell on a tiny corpse—the child had clutched a Konoha forehead protector until death; his fingers were rigid and could not be pried open.
Blood-red claw marks on the city wall showed they had once desperately tried to climb the high wall to escape.
Uchiha Sanpō sighed: "Sigh… from the looks of it, these were civilian academy students who were graduated early. They hadn't even learned how to climb walls using chakra."
Suddenly, Uchiha Ryūka appeared in a Body Flicker: "Report to Clan Head! We found Hyūga Hiyori's body… from the looks of it, he chose suicide after defeat."
Though Hyūga Hiyori was called the overall commander of the Kirigakure front, it was more like a cruel joke. He led over 3,000 Konoha ninjas—among them 2,450 children under 12 years old.
In this war, he played a tragic role—leading 3,000 child soldiers against the blood-soaked executioners of Kirigakure.
The Kirigakure front was the peak of Uchiha Shisui's rise. At 8 years old he awakened the Three Tomoe Sharingan; skilled in Phantom Body Flicker Technique, he had already earned the title "Shunshin no Shisui." In terms of dōjutsu talent, he was even stronger than Uchiha Itachi. Of course, this was only surface information—the truth was that at 9 years old, Shisui may have already awakened the Mangekyō.
(When Uchiha Obito killed Itachi's teammates at age 8 to force him to awaken the Sharingan, it was likely because Shisui had already awakened Three Tomoe or even Mangekyō at 8 or 9 years old! Uchiha Shisui died at 14, so the time he awakened Mangekyō was between 8–14!)
Thinking of this enigmatic child, Uchiha Sanpō asked calmly: "Any news of Shisui?"
"According to some survivors, he was transferred to guard Nansha City a few days ago," Uchiha Ryūka replied.
Suddenly commotion came from outside the tent. A bloodstained chūnin rushed in, cradling an unconscious little girl: "Please! She's still breathing!"
Beside him, Hyūga Ikki activated his Byakugan, scanning the kunai-pierced wound in the girl's chest. Then he looked at the almost depleted medical supplies and slowly closed his eyes.
"This kind of wound… unless Lady Tsunade is here, it can't be saved."
Uchiha Fugaku, long accustomed to death, sighed softly: "Carry out the original plan. Ryūka, take 1,700 people to escort these survivors and the bodies back to Konoha. We'll take 300 to Nansha City to pursue the Kirigakure ninjas."
Uchiha Ryūka knelt on one knee; his forehead protector glinted coldly in the morning light: "Understood, Clan Head."
On the Kirigakure side, seven ninja swords of different shapes were stuck blade-down into rock crevices, their edges reflecting eerie blue firelight.
Tōunagashi Jinpachi smashed his fist into the rock wall; rubble clattered down.
He gritted his teeth: "I never expected attacking White Bird City would cost us over 700 people!"
Kushimaru Kuriarare wrapped bandages around the Executioner's Blade: "I heard Konoha already signed a peace agreement with Kumogakure. This group came from the Kumo front—mainly Ino–Shika–Chō, Inuzuka, and other clans. It's normal for them to be a bit stronger."
Hōzuki Mangetsu's fat face twisted: "The Land of Fire really is rich. A few days ago we looted over 300 billion ryō from Bear City. But in White Bird City we only got over 100 billion—and lost more than 700 people. I feel this war is a loss."
Momochi Zabuza spoke seriously: "If we hadn't captured 24 Konoha medical ninjas in White Bird City, the Fourth Mizukage would definitely punish us for losing over 700 ninjas."
Hōzuki Mangetsu's small eyes darted: "I heard Uchiha Fugaku defeated Iwagakure—the war should end soon. After that, there won't be many chances to loot. I suggest we plunder Nansha City one last time before the war ends. Conservatively, we can get over 200 billion ryō, right?"
Kurotsuchi Raiga gave an evil smile: "We can loot Nansha City, but we need a good battle plan."
Kuriarare Kushimaru rubbed his chin: "I have a suggestion—seal the Three-Tails into one of the captured Konoha medical ninjas, then release them near Nansha City. With the village's sealing techniques, the Three-Tails can break free in half a day. Then Konoha's ninjas will have to fight the Three-Tails while we plunder—casualties will be much lower."
Tōunagashi Jinpachi thought briefly: "I agree with Kuriarare's plan. If we submit this to the Fourth Mizukage, he should approve!"
Kurotsuchi Raiga looked at the ninja world map: "Sealing the Three-Tails and sending it near Nansha City will take about 12 hours. Why don't we go deeper into Fire Country territory and cause some chaos—draw Konoha's attention? That way when our main force attacks Nansha City, resistance will be much lighter."
Hōzuki Mangetsu, who loved money, immediately shouted: "I agree!"
The eldest, Tōunagashi Jinpachi, made the final decision: "Good. In one hour we go deep into Fire Country territory to create chaos, scatter Konoha's forces, and kill some Konoha ninjas along the way—weakening their strength."
…
Inside the Land of Fire, 13-year-old Might Guy, Shiranui Genma, and Ebisu's breaths turned to white frost in the cold air.
"Damn it… how did we run into… the Seven Ninja Swordsmen… these monsters…" Ebisu's hand holding the kunai trembled nonstop.
Seven black shadows slowly emerged from the mist.
Tōunagashi Jinpachi raised the blunt sword Kabutowari: "Little Konoha brats—your blood will consecrate my blade."
At that moment, a green figure crashed into the center of the battlefield like a meteor; the ground beneath his feet cracked.
Guy's eyes widened as he stared at the familiar green jumpsuit back!
"Father… you're only a genin—why are you here?!"
Might Duy did not turn around, but gave him a thumbs-up—his expression more serious than ever: "Guy! Take your comrades and retreat immediately!"
Ebisu bit his senbon: "Uncle Dai, they're the Seven Ninja Swordsmen—we can't beat them, run!"
"Ebisu, never underestimate a father's determination to protect his child. Now let me show you… a father's true power!"
(Note: During the Fourth Great Ninja War, Might Guy opened the Eighth Gate—Gate of Death—at age 31. Now Might Duy is about 35—having trained Eight Gates for over 4 years more than Guy, his real combat power is immense. But since he only knows taijutsu and no ninjutsu, he was rated as "Eternal Genin.")
(And precisely because Might Duy fought the Seven Ninja Swordsmen to near death, turning them into the "Three Treasures of Good Fortune," Konoha opened the jōnin path for taijutsu specialists like Might Guy. Otherwise, Guy would have been a genin forever. It can be said Might Duy used his own life to pave the way for Might Guy to become a jōnin!)
Might Duy clenched both fists, his gaze firm as steel, charging toward the Seven Ninja Swordsmen with the resolve to die.
"Eight Gates Formation… Eighth Gate—Gate of Death, open!"
Eight Gates Formation · Gate of Death · Open
Blood-colored steam shot skyward; Might Duy's skin began to crack. Kuriarare Kushimaru's long sword Nuibari attacked first.
"Yūzō… One Leg!"
Might Duy's fist tore through the air, forming a vacuum shockwave. The moment Nuibari touched the shockwave it was repelled; the shockwave then struck Kuriarare Kushimaru, caving in his chest.
Might Guy was being dragged back by Genma, yet he kept turning to look.
He saw his father's figure weaving through the assault of seven legendary ninja swords; every punch carried the power to split mountains and crack stone.
Might Guy's vision blurred with tears: "Father's technique… is actually this powerful… he's not the useless genin others say he is…"
"Yūzō… Two Legs!"
Another shockwave struck Kuriarare Kushimaru; he was instantly crushed into a pile of minced flesh.
"Yūzō… Three Legs!"
Hōzuki Mangetsu saw the situation turning bad and immediately used his hair to shield himself. Even so, he was blasted far away.
"Yūzō… Four Legs!"
Momochi Zabuza tried to save him, but before his explosive blade could detonate, he was blown away, crashing through seven large trees before stopping. He vomited blood and lay motionless.
Kushimaru Kuriarare and Kurotsuchi Raiga, seeing the situation was hopeless, immediately used Water Body Flicker to escape.
Tōunagashi Jinpachi—the slowest among the seven—knew he couldn't run.
He charged in the opposite direction and shouted: "Kirigakure also has men who aren't afraid of death!"
"I admire your courage… but this… is my youth… Yūzō… Five Legs… Six Legs…"
Might Duy looked toward the direction Might Guy was fleeing in; their gazes seemed to meet across the distance.
"Guy… your father's life is ending. The road ahead… you must walk it yourself… Guy, you will forever be your father's pride…"
Might Duy raised his clenched right fist across the distance… just like always… he gave a thumbs-up!
Might Guy's tears flowed freely… he responded to his father's gesture… raising his own thumbs-up!
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