105. Hikari’s Stand Against The Hidden Mist Swordsmen (1)

105. Hikari’s Stand Against The Hidden Mist Swordsmen (1)

Several days after the successful operation against the Kirigakure's supply depots, the dynamics on the battlefield began to shift.

Kirigakure, reeling from the loss of critical resources and mounting casualties, stemming from the loss of the Hozuki clan Patriarch and the information his brain provided to their enemies, thanks to Hikari, adopted a seemingly more aggressive and 'desperate' strategy of warfare.

Their tactics grew bolder, fueled by a combination of necessity and also the emotional toll of their setbacks in the eyes of Konoha's side leaders.

Therefore, today, a significant, largest Kirigakure force so far, including two members of the revered Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, that were on this sub-front, launched another concentrated attack on a section of Konoha's frontlines.

Recognizing the severity of the threat, Hikari quickly gathered a substantial group of Konoha shinobi to form a quick response unit, as he was also close to the breakthrough at that time, whereas Isamu Sumi and Ryosuke Gekko stayed back to keep their own front lines stable.

Hikari led his large contingent of Konoha shinobi through the dense jungle, moving strategically toward the location where Kirigakure's forces were reported to be advancing.

The thick foliage provided both cover and challenge, demanding careful navigation and vigilant sensing to avoid ambushes or getting separated.

As they pushed forward, the sounds of the jungle were gradually overtaken by the distant echoes of battle—clashing metal, shouts, and the unique sounds of various jutsu being deployed.

Hikari maintained a brisk pace, understanding that timing was critical to intercept Kirigakure's group effectively and prevent them from gaining further ground.

The Konoha shinobi were a mix of veterans and younger fighters, all drawn together by the urgency of the situation and Hikari's leadership.

As they neared the anticipated point of contact, Hikari issued commands, positioning his forces for optimal impact.

He organized them into several flanks, designed to envelop the enemy and create multiple fronts, complicating the Kirigakure shinobi's ability to maintain a cohesive defense.

Finally, the dense greenery gave way to a clearer area where the Kirigakure forces were momentarily regrouping. Hikari, spotting the enemy, signaled his troops to prepare.

With a deep breath, he led the charge, initiating the confrontation with a well-coordinated assault.

The Konoha ninjas burst through the underbrush, launching a surprise attack that capitalized on the momentary disarray among the Kirigakure troops.

As the battle ensued, Hikari found himself in the thick of combat, directly engaging the Kirigakure shinobi. His movements were precise and calculated, designed to push through the enemy lines and reach the two Swordsmen of the Mist.

Each step forward was contested fiercely, but Hikari's strategic approach and his shinobi's commitment kept the momentum in their favor.

As the battle raged on, Hikari scanned the chaos with his Byakugan, its enhanced vision cutting through the melee to identify key targets.

His eyes locked onto two figures, he recognized vaguely from his knowledge of the original story, wielding large, distinctive swords—Raiga Kurosuki and Jinin Akebino, members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.

They were cutting a swath through the Konoha forces, their prowess as Swordsmen evident in the efficiency and brutality of their attacks.

He used it to imbue the swords with various special properties and to glue them together and make them into finished products.

Additionally, Hikari thought that for multiple models it could be that even fuinjutsu was used, and for the most famous Samehada, even the Yang Release was probably used.

Hikari then learned that historically Byakuren was already an old man by the time he became Mizukage. So, he needed to pass his swords on to someone worthy.

When no other swordsman was skilled enough to wield all seven swords like himself, Byakuren selected seven disciples with the greatest talent that his country had to offer.

Even those who weren't ninja turned from their lives as samurai or mercenaries to be given the chance to learn from him. He taught them to each master one of the blades that would become their inheritance and would, however, take the secrets of their creation to his grave.

It was during the First Shinobi World War that they made their presence known. They sharpened their teeth in honor of their master and terrified their enemies, were brutal and merciless to their enemies and their swordsmanship put even most samurai to shame.

By the war's end, they were recognized worldwide as the infamous Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.

Just as the seven swords fell to them, it became tradition for the swords to be passed from one generation to the next as their wielders died in battle.

The Swordsmen never retired from their service and were committed to only knowing a life of battle.

Those who aspired to become one of Swordsmen would sharpen their teeth themselves to symbolize their ambition and commitment to that cause.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen continued to plague the other hidden villages in each war and the sight of them together on the battlefield was often synonymous with Kirigakure's victory.

Meanwhile, with Byakugan active, Hikari didn't just see the two swordsmen in front of him; he analyzed their chakra flow, their stance, and the slight twitches in their muscles that preceded movement.

However, as the tension between Hikari and the two Swordsmen reached its peak, and the clash seemed imminent, a sudden twist occurred that rarely took Hikari completely by surprise.

Both Raiga and Jinin, with swift, almost imperceptible gestures, activated hidden mechanisms within their swords.

These were not merely ornate or traditional features but intricate command systems embedded within the weapons themselves.

To Hikari's astonishment, the activation of these commands summoned two additional figures to the battlefield, one done by each of them.

One 'arrival' was Kushimaru Kuriarare, known for his merciless use of the long, needle-like sword "Nuibari," which could sew enemies together in a grotesque tapestry of death.

The other was a wielder of "Shibuki", the predecessor of Jinpachi Munashi from the original story. He understood from the Hozuki Patriarch's intelligence that he was called "Fumetsu".

Raiga's smirk widened as he observed Hikari's reactions, the young Hyuga's poised readiness contrasting sharply with the casual demeanor of the Mist Swordsmen.

"Yes, we the 'Seven Swordsman' are known to be quite brazen and bold, but make no mistake, when it comes to the strategic interest of our village, we don't take chances...", Raiga declared, his voice laced with a hint of respect and intrigue.

"We've seen what you're capable of, boy. Taking down the Hozuki clan patriarch by a river, that's no small feat, there are not many people in our village who could do that...", Raiga continued, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of amusement and seriousness, "Jinin and I alone indeed might not cut it against someone of your caliber. That's why we set up this little... welcome committee. You've just walked into our trap, Hyuga-boy, time for payback."