Uchiha Ryosuke had always wondered—
Why, when facing Might Duy in his Eight Gates Formation—
Three members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen had survived.
That was a forbidden technique—
So powerful that even Uchiha Madara had nearly been killed by a single kick.
But now—
He understood.
Fuguki Suikazan.
Jūzō Biwa.
Raiga Kurosuki.
Those three—
Never fought to the death.
The moment the battle turned unfavorable—
They ran.
That was why they lived.
On the other hand—
Those who chose to stand their ground—
Jinpachi Munashi.
Jinin Akebino.
Kushimaru Kuriarare.
Mangetsu Hōzuki.
They were the ones destined to die.
Originally—
Under Might Duy.
But now—
The one killing them—
Was Uchiha Ryosuke.
Without Fuguki and Jūzō—
Even though Jinin, Jinpachi, and Mangetsu fought with everything they had—
They had overlooked one thing.
Speed.
The terrifying amplification of Ryosuke's Body Flicker.
In battle—
Speed was everything.
When Ryosuke went all out—
He became untouchable.
A phantom.
"This strike…"
"I'm aiming for your kidney."
His voice was cold—
Like a sentence of death.
The moment the words reached him—
A kunai pierced into Mangetsu Hōzuki's lower back.
But—
The instant it struck—
Ryosuke noticed something wrong.
The resistance—
Was off.
Too soft.
Like piercing water.
He looked down.
Mangetsu's body—
Had liquefied.
"The Hōzuki clan's Hydrification Technique!"
"It nullifies physical attacks!"
"Die, Uchiha brat!!"
Jinin Akebino attacked from behind—
Kabutowari crashing down like an executioner's axe.
The force—
Enough to split a body in half.
But—
Just before impact—
Ryosuke vanished.
"…Damn it! This speed is a nightmare!"
Jinin cursed.
He had already lost count—
Of how many times he had missed.
Being toyed with—
By a single Uchiha—
Was unbearable.
"Move aside! I'll handle him!!"
Jinpachi Munashi roared.
He prepared his weapon—
Shibuki.
A blade layered with explosive tags.
"I'll blow you to pieces!!"
He warned his allies—
To stay back.
But—
Suddenly—
His body froze.
"…What… when did this happen?!"
He couldn't move.
At all.
In that instant—
He understood.
"…Paralysis Genjutsu…?!"
"So you got caught too!"
Jinin reacted immediately.
He rushed forward—
Trying to disrupt Jinpachi's chakra flow.
But—
Too late.
Two kunai appeared—
Like shadows.
From behind.
Pfft! Pfft!
They struck.
Jinin's body stiffened—
Then collapsed.
He was already injured.
Barely holding on.
Now—
With Ryosuke's precise strike—
He lost all ability to fight.
Which left—
Only one.
Mangetsu.
Alone.
Facing Ryosuke.
"…Who exactly are you?"
Mangetsu's body returned to solid form.
At the same time—
A dense mist spread across the battlefield.
Vision—
Gone.
Completely blocked.
His voice echoed from every direction—
Impossible to pinpoint.
"My name…"
"You won't live to tell anyone."
"But I'll tell you anyway."
"So you can die knowing."
"I am Uchiha Ryosuke."
With his heightened perception—
Sound.
Scent.
Movement.
Even within the thick mist—
He locked onto Mangetsu instantly.
While speaking—
He had already moved behind him.
Mangetsu—
Didn't notice.
Still searching—
Toward Ryosuke's previous position.
To Ryosuke—
It almost looked absurd.
Mangetsu reached the spot—
And swung Hiramekarei forward.
But—
It hit nothing.
"…What?!"
Before he could react—
A voice came from behind him.
"Looking for me?"
Mangetsu froze.
Cold sweat poured down his face.
"…Impossible…"
"Let's see if your Hydrification saves you this time."
Ryosuke smiled.
His hands were already moving.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
A massive fireball erupted—
Blasting through the mist.
The heat—
Instantly evaporated the surroundings.
At the same time—
It forced Mangetsu out of his liquid state.
"Don't underestimate the Hōzuki clan!!"
"Water Style: Great Waterfall Jutsu!!"
Using the momentum—
Mangetsu leapt forward—
Then turned—
Unleashing a massive torrent of water.
Like a collapsing flood—
It surged toward Ryosuke.
But—
Ryosuke didn't meet it head-on.
Instead—
He vanished.
And reappeared—
Beside Jinpachi.
Still frozen.
"So many explosive tags…"
"This blade must be valuable."
"I'll be taking it."
Like a devil—
Ryosuke pulled Shibuki from his grasp.
At the same time—
His other hand moved.
A kunai—
Straight into Jinpachi's chest.
Piercing his heart.