Raiga Kurosuki's consciousness wasn't controlled—
His mind remained clear.
He could see Kushimaru Kuriarare's corpse lying nearby.
He could see his teammates rushing toward Uchiha Akira—
Launching a coordinated assault.
But something was wrong.
His body wouldn't move.
No matter how hard he tried—
It refused to respond.
At that moment—
He understood.
He had fallen into a genjutsu.
A dangerous one.
"…Paralysis Genjutsu…"
Cold sweat streamed down Raiga's face.
Against an opponent like this—
Immobility meant death.
Kushimaru's fate was right in front of him.
He had no intention of becoming the next corpse.
After all—
He was an elite Jonin of the Hidden Mist.
At the brink of death—
Raiga acted.
Using the lightning stored within his blades—
He stimulated his own body.
Electric current surged through him—
Disrupting his chakra flow.
Breaking the genjutsu.
He was free.
The moment control returned—
He leapt backward.
Not even daring to counterattack.
"Don't look into his eyes!"
"He has the Sharingan!!"
Raiga shouted to his comrades—
Then turned and fled without hesitation.
But just as he was about to disappear into the forest—
Two kunai shot after him.
Faster than his retreat.
They struck.
"Ugh—!"
Raiga staggered—
Nearly falling from the tree.
But he forced himself steady—
And kept running.
Akira could have pursued.
But—
The remaining five members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen—
Had already surrounded him.
From all directions.
There was no opening.
"Let's go after him!"
Might Guy shouted, eyes blazing.
Genma also stepped forward—
Inspired by Akira's overwhelming display.
"No!"
"That's too dangerous."
Might Duy stopped them immediately.
"What if there's an ambush ahead? You'd walk straight into it."
After speaking—
His gaze returned to Akira.
There was now a trace of respect in his eyes.
"As expected of Konoha's greatest clan…"
"His Body Flicker… it's flawless…"
Ebisu muttered in awe.
Meanwhile—
Akira moved.
Using his advanced Body Flicker—
He toyed with the remaining five swordsmen.
Fuguki Suikazan.
Jinpachi Munashi.
Jūzō Biwa.
Mangetsu Hōzuki.
Jinin Akebino.
Five elite Jonin—
Attacking with everything they had.
Yet—
Every strike—
Missed by a hair.
Every time—
At the final instant—
Akira slipped away effortlessly.
It was suffocating.
Even worse—
They couldn't relax.
Not for even a moment.
If they showed the slightest opening—
They would die instantly.
In just a short exchange—
Each of them had already brushed death multiple times.
If this were a one-on-one fight—
They all knew the truth.
They would be dead.
"Damn it… who exactly is this brat?!"
"How does he use that Body Flicker… like Shisui?!"
Fuguki gritted his teeth—
Glancing toward the direction Raiga had fled.
For the first time—
He felt fear.
Five against one—
And still at a disadvantage.
If this continued—
He might not survive.
Jūzō felt the same.
Despite his reckless nature—
He wasn't stupid.
If you couldn't win—
You ran.
That was how you lived.
But—
Jinin Akebino.
Mangetsu Hōzuki.
Jinpachi Munashi.
The three of them—
Had no intention of retreating.
Instead—
Their killing intent surged.
"His Body Flicker consumes chakra!"
"No matter how fast he is—he'll slow down eventually!"
"We wear him down!"
Jinpachi laughed wildly—
Swinging Shibuki.
One edge—
A blade.
The other—
Lined with explosive tags.
At any moment—
It could detonate.
"Don't let this blade touch you!"
"Or you'll be blown apart instantly!"
Encouraged—
Jinin attacked from the side.
Kabutowari crashed down like a hammer—
But the real killing blow—
Was the hidden hook connected by chain.
At the same time—
Mangetsu pressed forward relentlessly.
The three fought like madmen—
Willing to trade their lives.
Seeing this—
Fuguki seized his chance.
He leapt back.
"The enemy is too strong!"
"This fight is disadvantageous—retreat!"
Using that as justification—
He turned and fled.
In seconds—
He was gone.
Jūzō didn't hesitate either.
He retreated in another direction.
"Our mission isn't to fight elites!"
"We weaken them—then withdraw!"
His voice faded—
As he disappeared into the forest.
"…They just ran?"
Ebisu frowned.
"Abandoning their comrades without hesitation…"
"The Hidden Mist really is ruthless…"