The one who arrived from behind—
And stood before Might Guy and the others—
Was a middle-aged man who bore a striking resemblance to the young Guy.
He wore the same green tight suit.
After stepping onto the battlefield—
He let out a long breath.
"Finally… made it in time."
Behind him, Might Guy stared at his back—
His voice trembling with both excitement and worry.
"F-Father…"
The man who had arrived just in time—
Was Konoha's "eternal genin."
Might Duy.
High above, standing on a tree and observing everything—
Uchiha Akira wore a faint, knowing smile.
Even he hadn't expected to witness this moment here.
If nothing changed—
Might Duy was about to unleash the Eight Gates Formation.
One man—
Against the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
And he would take down four of them.
Meanwhile—
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist looked at the man in the green suit—
A strange-looking Konoha genin—
And dismissed him completely.
Some even chuckled.
"What a ridiculous guy…"
Fuguki Suikazan sneered.
"That makes four genin now."
Raiga smirked.
"Your strength doesn't interest us… but maybe you'll be entertaining."
"Stop wasting time. Finish them."
Jinpachi Munashi's voice was cold.
At that moment—
Might Duy made his decision.
He told Guy and the others to retreat—
While he alone would hold off all seven enemies.
"Looking to die!"
Raiga moved first.
Unable to hold back—
He lunged forward, intending to kill all four in a single sweep.
But—
He suddenly stopped.
Because—
Another figure had appeared in front of them.
When he focused—
His pupils shrank.
"It's you!"
"He's that Uchiha!!"
Jinin Akebino recognized him instantly.
Hatred flared in his eyes.
The humiliation from that kunai strike—
Still lingered.
The rest of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen turned serious—
Their attention locking onto Uchiha Akira.
Compared to the others—
He was the real threat.
"Now that I think about it…"
"The seven of us were ambushed by this brat before."
"A disgrace."
Kushimaru Kuriarare spoke coldly.
"Then we make sure he doesn't leave today."
"We kill him—and the rest."
Jūzō Biwa had already chosen his prey.
Behind him—
Might Duy and the others stood frozen for a moment.
"You're from the Uchiha clan, aren't you?"
"I recognize that crest."
"But you should retreat with Guy and the others, young man."
"This burning youth…"
"…is mine to carry."
Might Duy spoke seriously.
Akira smiled faintly.
"You've developed such a powerful taijutsu…"
"Are you really willing to let it disappear before it ever shines?"
Those words—
Made Might Duy freeze.
Shock flashed in his eyes.
He understood exactly what was being said—
But not how this young man knew.
Might Guy was just as stunned.
The secret of the Eight Gates—
Should only be known to him and his father.
His gaze locked onto Akira—
Filled with confusion.
"Are you done chatting yet?"
"Seriously… acting like we're not even here!"
"Looking to die!!"
Jūzō roared in irritation.
His Executioner Blade swung as he charged forward.
"I'll start with you!"
"I'll take your head clean off!"
He surged forward—
Crossing dozens of meters in an instant.
But—
His blade cut through nothing.
Empty air.
Akira—
Had already vanished.
Everyone froze.
Especially Jūzō.
"Looking for me?"
A voice came from the right—
From a tree.
"When—?!"
Jūzō's pupils shrank as he looked up.
And in that instant—
A massive fireball descended.
Before it even landed—
The heat distorted the air.
Jūzō's expression changed.
He leapt back immediately.
Behind him—
Might Duy and the others finally relaxed slightly.
"This young man… is stronger than I thought."
"Fall back, Guy!"
Duy led them away from the center—
Watching closely—
While preparing to open the Eight Gates.
Across the battlefield—
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen now focused completely on Akira.
"This kid… he's no ordinary opponent."
"So last time wasn't luck…"
Fuguki's expression hardened.
The others followed.
Then—
The fireball struck.
BOOM!!
A massive explosion tore open the ground—
A crater over thirty meters wide.
Flames roared outward—
Engulfing everything nearby.
But that wasn't all.
At the same time—
Akira threw five kunai.
Three struck Jūzō directly—
Perfectly.
The other two—
Were barely deflected by his blade.
Jūzō's face changed completely.
"We attack together!"
He shouted.
"Everyone—take him down!"
Kushimaru moved instantly—
Calling the others to join.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen—
Attacked as one.