Morning mist dispersed, leaving behind a pale winter sun that cast a cold golden glow over the western district of Infinity City.
Anlan walked calmly into the camp.
Behind him—half a step—
stood Kisame Hoshigaki.
Recovered. Refined. Deadly.
The former rogue now wore a deep-green commander's uniform, the insignia on his shoulder marking his new status under the Shogunate.
The training ground buzzed with activity.
Two hundred former Kirigakure ninja—ragged, uncertain—lined up for registration, interrogation, and chakra testing.
Some looked numb.
Some afraid.
Some… hopeful.
Anlan watched silently.
Then turned.
"Take me to them."
They were kept separately.
Ao (Elder Advisor)—composed, restrained.
And—
Mei Terumi.
Injured. Pale.
But her eyes—
sharp like a wounded predator.
They were brought outside.
Sunlight fell across them.
The air stilled.
Ao spoke first.
"Have you come to decide our fate… and that of Kirigakure?"
Mei remained silent—
watching.
Waiting.
Burning.
Anlan didn't waste time.
"Kirigakure has lost."
"Completely."
"We now possess the Three-Tails Isobu… and the Six-Tails Saiken."
The words landed like a hammer.
Mei's fists tightened.
Her lips trembled—
but she swallowed her rage.
Ao stepped forward.
"We are willing to pay any price… to reclaim the tailed beasts."
Silence.
Then—
Anlan smiled faintly.
"Tell me."
"Who was the First Hokage?"
Kisame answered.
"Hashirama Senju."
"And I?"
"…Uchiha."
Anlan's gaze sharpened.
"So when did the Senju… start speaking for the Uchiha?"
Ao's heart sank.
Completely.
This man—
did not follow the old rules.
He intended to rewrite them.
Ao bowed.
Deeply.
"The old order belongs to the past."
"The future… belongs to the victor."
"I submit."
Mei's eyes widened.
Pain.
Shock.
But—
she said nothing.
Anlan stepped forward.
"I will give you authority."
"You will manage all remaining Kirigakure prisoners."
"Organization. Discipline. Conversion."
"All of it."
Mei froze.
Even Ao—
was shaken.
This was—
trust?
Or a trap?
Both.
Anlan continued calmly.
"This is your test."
"Turn them into mine."
"Or prove you are useless."
Ao understood instantly.
A double-edged blade.
If he succeeded—
he lived.
If he failed—
he died.
And Kirigakure's remnants with him.
"…Understood."
Mei glanced sideways at Anlan.
For a brief moment—
a dangerous thought crossed her mind.
If he were born in Kirigakure…
She clenched her jaw.
No.
He was Uchiha.
Enemy.
Always.
Anlan clapped his hands lightly.
"Since we are all on the same side now…"
"Let me show you something interesting."
"Summoning Technique."
Smoke burst outward.
Seven legendary blades appeared.
Among them—
Kubikiribocho
and
Samehada
began to hum.
Then—
two figures emerged.
Juzo Biwa
and
Fuguki Suikazan
Their souls—
bound to their blades.
Alive.
The atmosphere froze.
Ao stared.
Mei's pupils shrank.
Life.
Death.
Reversed.
Controlled.
This was—
monstrous.
"Get along."
Anlan's voice was calm.
As if this were normal.
Ao forced a smile.
"From now on… we serve together."
Juzo nodded.
Fuguki smirked.
Mei said nothing.
Her silence—
was colder than ice.
Anlan turned.
His gaze landed on Kisame.
And for the first time—
the monster showed excitement.
Pure.
Unfiltered.
Like a child seeing something he loved.
"Choose your blade."
No hesitation.
Kisame stepped forward.
Placed his hand on—
Samehada.
The blade reacted instantly.
Alive.
Hungry.
Recognizing him.
Fuguki's soul merged within it.
Then—
BOOM.
A shockwave exploded outward.
Dust lifted.
Air thickened.
Kisame stood there—
changed.
Not physically larger—
but heavier.
Denser.
His presence alone—
pressed down on everything around him.
Veins pulsed beneath his skin.
His shark-like eyes burned with savage clarity.
Samehada wrapped tighter around his arm—
like it had found its true partner.
Anlan watched carefully.
The result—
was clear.
Soul + weapon + host
= amplification.
Not just chakra—
but existence itself.
And in that moment—
the future of the "Seven Ninja Swordsmen" was reborn.
Not as Kirigakure's legend—
But as the Shogunate's weapon.
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