As Kuriarare Kushimaru ruthlessly marched the team into the forest, Kiichiro's Shadow Clone remained perfectly still, hidden high in the distant canopy, observing everything.
Mishu, that bastard, the clone grumbled internally. He mentioned last night in the dreamscape that he was heading to the Land of the Moon for a mission. I didn't expect him to get mixed up with my target, Kuroda Hiroki!
The clone knew that time in the dreamscape was limited. Everyone needed time to exchange vital jutsu knowledge, analyze shifting geopolitical situations, formulate long-term survival plans, and occasionally just chat to decompress. As a result, some minor details naturally slipped through the cracks.
For instance, Kiichiro hadn't bothered to tell anyone the specific name of his sworn enemy, Kuroda Hiroki, because he figured he could assassinate the man himself without needing backup.
Similarly, Mishu went on so many black-ops missions that he couldn't possibly report the exact names of every single contact he met.
By sheer, ridiculous coincidence, this had led to a direct collision between Kiichiro's revenge plot and Mishu's military mission.
Well, since we've stumbled into each other, it would be a total waste of fate if we didn't stir up some massive trouble together, the clone mused.
Just as the thought crossed his mind, a sharp, whistling sound sliced through the air.
A long, impossibly thin blade—the legendary sword Nuibari (The Sewing Needle)—pierced straight through the Shadow Clone's skull from behind.
The clone instantly popped into a cloud of white smoke. Down below, Nuibari arced gracefully back through the trees, returning directly into Kushimaru's waiting hand.
Seeing Kushimaru suddenly launch a lethal attack at the empty trees, Kuroda Hiroki drew his sword, instantly wary. "What's going on?!"
Kushimaru ran a gloved finger along Nuibari's smooth, bloodless blade. Realizing he hadn't struck a real human, he clicked his tongue in displeasure.
"There was a little rat spying on us. It used a clone technique and managed to escape."
Walking quietly behind him, Mishu had no idea that the 'little rat' Kushimaru was referring to was actually that fat bastard, Kiichiro. Mishu wisely chose to remain silent, playing the part of an obedient subordinate.
However, Kuroda Hiroki and his rebel samurai immediately tensed up.
"It must be the Cloud Shinobi!" Hiroki panicked. "They've been operating in this region for years. They have spies everywhere. Should we abort the plan?!"
Kushimaru deeply despised cowards. He completely ignored the panicking rebels and turned to Mishu. "Tonight, we strike the nearest outpost. If the Cloud Shinobi learned we're here, they will definitely set a trap. I want to see them try to spring it."
Mishu cursed internally. Knowing it's a trap, yet insisting on kicking the door down anyway? Should I praise your absolute confidence, or curse you for being an arrogant, suicidal maniac?
Outwardly, Mishu simply offered a crisp, compliant nod.
That night, in the dreamscape, Kiichiro logged in but didn't see Mishu. He shook his head, looking exasperated. When the others saw Kiichiro's expression, they immediately asked what had happened.
After Kiichiro explained the bizarre coincidence in the real world, Kyosuke shook his head, clicking his tongue.
"Tsk, tsk. It seems you two are perfectly positioned to team up and cause absolute havoc. So, what's the master plan?"
Ooka Shin leaned forward, his eyes gleaming. "Are you planning to backstab Kuriarare Kushimaru and steal the Sewing Needle? I heard Nuibari fetches an astronomical price on the black market."
Chisuke, having been safely locked in a highly comfortable prison cell recently, was incredibly bored. Thrilled to have some drama to analyze, he immediately shot down the idea.
"That's a terrible plan. Think about it: if Kushimaru dies mysteriously and Mishu is the only one who returns alive, it will instantly arouse suspicion in the Blood Mist Village. At best, he faces brutal interrogation; at worst, execution for treason."
Chisuke continued his tactical breakdown. "Furthermore, losing one of the Seven Legendary Swords is a massive blow. Kirigakure will definitely send hunter-nin to investigate the theft, and they might trace the black market sale right back to Kiichiro. The risk is immense, and the reward is just money. It's not worth it."
Kiichiro rolled his eyes, a dismissive smile on his face.
"Look at all of you, your perspectives are so tragically narrow," Kiichiro boasted. "Just today, I finalized contracts with several major merchants to buy out the region's grain supply. If I can use Mishu's mission to violently escalate the conflict between the Mist and the Cloud—even if it doesn't immediately erupt into a World War—it will cause absolute panic and turmoil in the Land of the Moon. Grain prices will skyrocket locally, and I will make a fortune overnight."
Kyosuke looked at Kiichiro in genuine surprise.
"Damn. Just a few days ago you were merely talking about speculating on wartime economies. Now, just to ensure your investment pays off, you're actively conspiring to incite a localized war between two Great Shinobi Villages? Kiichiro, the richer you get, the blacker your heart becomes."
Kiichiro spat on the ground. "Stop pretending to have a moral high ground! The mountains of cash you'll all be spending to fund your own ambitions in the future will be the money I earn this way! If you have such strong principles, then don't spend a single ryo of my money!"
Kyosuke smiled and offered absolutely no rebuttal.
Not spend the money? Absolutely impossible!
The group finalized their loose strategies and logged out to sleep. Only Kiichiro stayed behind in the void, intending to wait for Mishu to finish his real-world combat so they could coordinate properly.
Outside a fortified Cloud Shinobi outpost, Mishu lay flat in the tall grass, feeding a few insects.
He had insect repellent in his pouch, but to reduce his scent profile and minimize the chance of exposure, he never used it during assassination missions.
"Move!" Kushimaru commanded softly.
The lanky swordsman charged in first. Despite his slender, almost fragile appearance, Kushimaru moved with terrifying speed, rushing directly into the outpost's kill zone. Mishu followed closely behind, sticking to the shadows.
This particular outpost was a heavily fortified, two-story stone castle, brightly illuminated by perimeter lamps. The trees and brush surrounding the castle had been completely cleared away, offering the guards a perfect, unobstructed field of vision. A frontal assault was practically guaranteed to alert the sentries immediately.
Mishu watched in disbelief as Kushimaru boldly charged straight up the main path. He looks like a twig, yet he doesn't fight like an assassin at all. He fights like a berserker!
"Fine," Mishu muttered to himself. "You be the loud, flashy tank to draw their aggro, and I'll be the actual assassin."
By the time Mishu used Earth Release to silently phase under the castle walls, Kushimaru had already struck.
Using Nuibari, Kushimaru had literally stitched two Cloud sentries together through their chests, securing the first kills of the night and successfully drawing the panicked attention of every Cloud shinobi in the fortress.
"Intruder! It's one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist! Those damn Kirigakure bastards are attacking us! Fall back and form a perimeter, let me deal with him!"
A Cloud Jonin barked orders from the courtyard. Seeing Kushimaru tearing through his men, he prepared to intercept the swordsman.
Suddenly, the Jonin felt a chilling wave of killing intent flare directly behind him. Knowing it was an ambush, he violently twisted his body to dodge.
"Who's there?!"
The cold gleam of a blade flashed in the moonlight. Mishu hadn't managed to land a lethal blow on the Jonin's neck, but his short sword sheared cleanly through the man's left arm, severing it at the elbow. Without missing a beat, Mishu spun and drove his blade into the throat of a nearby Chunin.
With his left arm gone, the Cloud Jonin was unable to form hand seals. His combat effectiveness had just plummeted by sixty percent. Realizing he had absolutely no hope of winning against an elite Swordsman and an ambusher, he decisively leaped toward a nearby window, intending to flee and call for backup.
He didn't make it.
Gleaming steel wire danced through the air like a deadly spiderweb. Nuibari pierced through the bodies of three fleeing Cloud shinobi in a straight line before driving perfectly through the fleeing Jonin's back.
Kushimaru gave the wire a vicious, violent yank. Nuibari tore back into his hand, while the razor-sharp wire forcefully pulled the impaled shinobi together into a mangled knot of exploding flesh and blood.
The Cloud shinobi died in horrific, screaming agony.
"Tsk, tsk," Kushimaru chuckled, turning to look at Mishu. "No wonder the Mizukage sent you to watch my back. You almost decapitated a Jonin with a single strike. You're actually quite formidable, kid."
Having spent the last few days in his presence, Mishu knew Kushimaru was an irredeemable psychopath. He had absolutely nothing to say to the man, opting to remain completely silent.
Seeing Mishu ignore the compliment, Kushimaru didn't get angry. Instead, he grabbed a surviving, terrified captive and began a brutal interrogation.
Minutes later, he dropped the corpse.
"Oh? How interesting," Kushimaru mused aloud. "They hadn't received any advance warning about our arrival. So... who exactly was that little rat monitoring us earlier? Well, it doesn't matter. Let's finish the mission."
They set the stone castle ablaze, watching it burn against the night sky, and then retreated to a safe cave to rest.
It was just past midnight. Mishu habitually closed his eyes and entered the dreamscape. He immediately spotted Kiichiro sitting cross-legged on the floor, practicing hand seals with an incredibly bored expression.
Mishu was surprised. "Why are you still here? Were you waiting for me?"
Kiichiro's spirits instantly lifted. He jumped to his feet. "You're finally here! I was monitoring my target, Kuroda Hiroki, today and unexpectedly saw you working with Kushimaru. This is absolutely perfect! We can team up and orchestrate a massive incident!"
Kiichiro rapidly explained his entire plan regarding the grain market and his desire to spark a localized war.
Since this plan would allow Mishu to help his friend get revenge, complete his own mission perfectly, and help fund their future operations, Mishu naturally had no reason to refuse.
"Understood," Mishu grinned sharply. "I will cooperate with your plan. Let's start a war!"