Chapter 228: Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist

"That was really cautious, running so far away. If we weren't well-prepared, they might have gotten away," Senjin Hōzuki said, watching the Minato group approach the port in the distance. He let out a sigh, clearly annoyed at the effort it had taken to track them.

"We found them, but what's so special about that kid?" Jūzō Biwa asked, his eyes narrowing as he focused on Nagato. The boy's red hair and the way he hid his eyes with his hair didn't suggest anything remarkable to him.

"That's not for us to worry about. Our job is just to bring them back," Fuguki Suikazan said. Cautious and reserved by nature, he mentally reviewed what he knew about the Minato group but came up with nothing significant.

"Look carefully. Behind them are members of the Yuki Clan. The Anbu really were useless," Jinpachi Munashi remarked, recognizing the Clan Head among the group.

"It really is them. Looks like the Konoha ninja's mission was to rescue the Yuki Clan," Senjin added. "What should we do?"

"Kill the traitors along with them."

With that, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist reached a unanimous decision about the group's fate.

They had no idea the Anbu had already been wiped out by Minato's team. Nor did they consider the possibility that the Konoha ninja might be a match for them. To the Seven, the Yuki Clan's survival was merely luck.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen were renowned for handling Kirigakure's most challenging missions. They viewed themselves as far superior to the Anbu, both in skill and reputation.

"Water Release: Hiding in Mist Technique."

The group formed hand seals in unison, and a thick fog rapidly spread across the area. Its speed and density were astonishing, shrouding everything in an impenetrable haze.

"Enemy attack!" Minato called out, instantly adopting a defensive stance. The thick fog made it impossible to see anyone around him.

"Senior Brother, my senses are being disrupted," Nagato said, his voice tense. Despite his efforts to investigate, he couldn't detect anyone through the mist.

At that moment, the group was entirely in the dark, facing an unknown threat.

"It must be someone from Kirigakure."

Nawaki's statement was obvious and added little to the discussion, yet everyone agreed with it.

"Lord Nawaki is right. Let's see what we can do."

The Clan Head of the Yuki Clan, skilled in the Hiding in Mist Technique, not only understood its intricacies but also knew how to counter it.

"Wind Release, Passing Typhoon."

Ice Release, a blend of Wind and Water Release, was a signature ability of the Yuki Clan, and every clan member could use Wind Release. Together, their Wind Release dissipated the dense fog instantly, revealing seven figures charging toward them.

"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."

The Clan Head was stunned. As a native of Kirigakure, he was well aware of the terrifying reputation of these seven.

"I've heard of them," Minato remarked calmly. Accustomed to encountering powerful opponents, he remained unimpressed. No matter how strong they are, they can't compare to Sensei.

"That sword looks very interesting," Nawaki commented, his attention caught by the Samehada held by Fuguki Suikazan. Even through its bandages, the blade wriggled like a living creature. He also couldn't help but remark on Fuguki's appearance.

"This guy looks a bit strange."

"What's strange? He's just plain ugly," Konan interjected bluntly, voicing her immediate reaction. Surrounded by attractive people her entire life, she had rarely seen anyone as unappealing as him.

Standing at the forefront, Fuguki Suikazan's massive form loomed over them. His chest muscles bulged alongside the Samehada, ready to absorb any incoming Ninjutsu. His stout, round body was paired with a broad face filled with jagged teeth. His double-balloon topknot hairstyle and two dangling locks on his chest further exaggerated his grotesque appearance, making him as unattractive as one could imagine.

Haha, I'll take care of this ugly guy," Nawaki laughed heartily, forming hand seals with both hands.

"Water Release, Water Dragon Bullet Technique."

He wanted to test the strength of these enemies.

"Lord Nawaki, Ninjutsu is useless," the Clan Head warned, aware that Nawaki had not grasped the situation fully.

Nawaki opened his mouth and unleashed a massive water dragon, formed from swirling currents, charging toward Fuguki Suikazan.

"Not worth mentioning," Fuguki Suikazan said with a smirk. He raised the Samehada and slashed at the dragon's head.

To the astonishment of Minato and the others, the water dragon was completely absorbed.

"Absorbing Ninjutsu? Is this the power of that sword?" Nawaki muttered, growing more intrigued by Samehada.

"Yes, each of their seven swords has its own unique power," the Clan Head replied. "We have to be careful."

With that, he led his clan members into a defensive formation. If not for the presence of Minato and his companions, he might have already chosen to retreat.

"This is really interesting," Nawaki said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. He had already set his sights on the sword.

"Allow me to return the favor."

As the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist closed in, Fuguki Suikazan, now bolstered by the absorption of Nawaki's Water Release Chakra, launched his counterattack.

"Ninja Art: Hair Needle Senbon."

His orange hair hardened and exploded outward, transforming into steel-like needles that shot rapidly toward the group.

"Ice Release: Ice Rock Dome of Magnificent Nothingness."

The Snow Clan contributed by erecting a series of ice walls that halted Fuguki Suikazan's needle-like hair attack in its tracks.

"Just like Big Brother Jiraiya—he likes to play with his hair, but the power just isn't there," Nawaki thought aloud, unable to suppress a comparison to Jiraiya. Few ninjas used their hair as a weapon, and Fuguki's technique, though formidable, lacked the mastery of Jiraiya's.

"Stop talking and attack!" Minato snapped, glaring at Nawaki. Even in the heat of battle, he found time for such irrelevant musings.

As Minato finished speaking, the ice wall dissipated, and he charged forward to lead the attack.

"You're overestimating your abilities," one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist remarked, their tone tinged with both amusement and a hint of admiration for the young ninja's bravery.

"Wait for me," Nawaki called out, following closely while unsheathing the long sword strapped to his back.

Yahiko's group also sprang into action, moving in unison. The battle between the two sides had officially begun.

Minato raised his hand and flung a specially crafted kunai. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen quickly dodged, deflecting some of the kunai with their blades.

In an instant, Minato vanished from sight, reappearing beside Biwa Jūzō, who had unknowingly positioned himself closest to a kunai lying on the ground.

A Rasengan hurtled toward Biwa Jūzō's face.

"So fast," Biwa Jūzō muttered, sensing the immense energy radiating from the Rasengan as it closed in.

He raised his Kubikiribōchō to block in front of his face, supporting the other end of the blade with his other hand.

Bang!

A loud explosion echoed as a deep crack formed on the Kubikiribōchō. Both Minato and Biwa Jūzō were sent stumbling back several meters.

Nawaki, understanding the abilities of Samehada, engaged Fuguki Suikazan in close combat. Enhancing his long sword with the Added-Weight Rock Technique gave him a significant advantage in strength.

For a moment, Fuguki Suikazan found himself at a disadvantage, much to his disbelief. It didn't seem possible for such a young ninja to possess such incredible strength while holding his ground.

Senjin Hōzuki wielded his twin blades, the Hiramekarei, continuously condensing Chakra orbs to fire at his opponents. These long-range attacks were all intercepted by Nagato, who blocked them one by one.

Meanwhile, Konan and Yahiko clashed with Jinpachi Munashi, the wielder of the Exploding Blade, Shibuki. After several exchanges, Jinpachi noticed that Konan's attacks bore a resemblance to his own Ninjutsu.

The bearer of the blunt sword Kabutowari, Jinin Akebino, and the long sword Nuibari, Kushimaru Kuriarare, were locked in battle with the Anbu trio led by Shishi. Both sides fought fiercely, the exchange of blows making for an intense and chaotic skirmish.

At the same time, Raiga Kurosuki, wielding the Lightning Blades Kiba, confronted the entire Yuki Clan. His wide-area lightning attacks proved highly effective in group combat.