Sunlight filtered through the branches, casting scattered beams across the forest—
The Tyndall effect dancing faintly in the air.
Suddenly—
A green figure streaked through the light.
Two more followed close behind.
"Guy, we've gone too far!"
"This is too dangerous…"
The young Shiranui Genma couldn't help but warn again.
Even though they had received intel—
That the Hidden Mist forces were withdrawing from the Land of Fire—
This was exactly when they should be most cautious.
Countless Konoha veterans had paid in blood to learn that lesson.
The enemy was always cunning.
Never let your guard down.
"The battlefield is where a man's passion and youth burn brightest!"
"Our comrades are fighting bravely—this is our moment to prove our spirit!"
Might Guy, also still in his teens, spoke with burning enthusiasm.
But—
His voice suddenly stopped.
Genma and Ebisu halted as well.
All three stared ahead—
Alert.
On the trees before them—
Seven figures stood, relaxed and crooked—
Their expressions playful.
Their clothing strange.
But their forehead protectors—
Revealed everything.
"Hidden Mist ninja…"
Guy's eyes sharpened.
Even he could tell—
These were not ordinary enemies.
"Each one's a Jonin… Guy, I told you this was too risky. What do we do now?"
Ebisu said, his voice tight.
Three of them.
None were Jonin.
Against seven elite enemies—
The outcome was obvious.
"…We're done for."
Genma muttered.
Just then—
One of the seven spoke.
"Heh…"
"Three little Konoha brats… looks like we got lucky."
He grinned—
Revealing rows of sharp teeth.
A red marking like a demon's mouth stretched across his chin.
Fuguki Suikazan.
"That green watermelon-head is mine. No objections?"
He grinned viciously at Guy.
"Then the other two are mine."
Jūzō Biwa smirked.
The rest didn't object.
They had already slaughtered enough weaklings today.
"Let's go."
"Finish them quickly—then move on."
Fuguki swung Samehada—
And lunged at Guy.
Fast.
His massive blade swept horizontally—
A killing strike.
Guy barely reacted in time—
Jumping back at the last possible moment.
BOOM!
The ground shattered where he had stood.
Before he could regain his balance—
Fuguki was already closing in again.
At that moment—
Genma and Ebisu jumped forward.
Their kunai crossed—
Barely intercepting Samehada.
Their arms trembled—
Straining to hold it back.
"Guy! We can't win—run!"
Genma shouted.
"Run? Heh… where do you think you're going?"
Jūzō appeared behind Guy—
Like a phantom.
His executioner blade fell without hesitation.
"Once you step onto the battlefield…"
"You should already be prepared to die."
"Don't expect mercy just because you're children."
He grinned—
Certain of victory.
But—
At that moment—
Guy lunged forward—
Barely dodging again.
Genma and Ebisu disengaged—
Creating distance.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen frowned.
Annoyed.
"These brats are more troublesome than expected…"
They pressed forward.
But—
Guy and the others suddenly turned—
And ran.
"Run? You think you can escape? Chase them!"
Fuguki led the pursuit.
The others followed.
But they weren't in a hurry.
To them—
This was a game.
A hunt.
A slow, deliberate chase.
Even so—
They caught up quickly.
Instead of striking from behind—
They moved ahead—
And waited.
Guy, Genma, and Ebisu burst into a clearing—
Thinking they had escaped.
But—
They froze.
Seven figures stood there—
Waiting.
Watching.
Smiling.
Their expressions turned pale.
Despair settled in.
"…We can't escape."
Ebisu said quietly.
But his eyes hardened.
If escape was impossible—
Then they would fight.
To the death.
Guy and Genma shared the same resolve.
They took their stances.
Ready.
"Oh? Still resisting?"
"In that case… I'll play with you."
Jinin Akebino stepped forward.
But just then—
A presence approached from behind Guy and the others.
At the same time—
Another presence appeared silently—
Like a ghost.
Hidden.
Watching.
Its owner observed the battlefield—
With calm amusement.