The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist - Ringo Ameyuri!

Most ninjas can't see in the dark.

Only special clans with eye techniques, like the Uchiha with their Sharingan or the Hyuga with their Byakugan, can stay calm and fight effectively in darkness. These techniques allow them to see the flow of chakra.

Sarutobi Ryo was now one of those rare individuals.

His right eye gave him thermal imaging and night vision. He could see everything, even in the pitch-black tunnels. As explosions rocked the area and screams echoed, he moved swiftly.

Combining his amazing strength and skills in body techniques, Sarutobi Ryo quickly defeated most of the enemies.

They were blind in the darkness, while he could see them perfectly. The outcome was inevitable.

"Konoha Great Whirlwind!"

Sarutobi Ryo jumped, his leg a blur as he swept across the tunnel. He struck three enemies in the temple, one after the other, with incredible speed.

Each blow was delivered with full force, and the three ninjas fell to the ground, unconscious.

Then, Sarutobi Ryo quickly retreated.

"Huff... huff..."

Using body techniques at full power is exhausting.

Sarutobi Ryo was no different.

Sweat dripped from his forehead. He quickly made his way back into the tomb.

Hakumo Hayama had just managed to light his fire starter. He barely had time to react before Sarutobi Ryo was already gathering the remains.

Sarutobi Ryo used a sealing technique to put Kato Dan's bones into a scroll he carried. Then, he turned back around.

"Let's go!"

He wasn't afraid of the dark because of his night vision. Sarutobi Ryo moved freely underground. Getting out was only a matter of time.

When Hakumo Hayama saw the bodies scattered on the ground, he was shocked. "Did Young Master Sarutobi Ryo defeat all of these Blood Mist ninjas?"

He remembered hearing the sounds of fighting and shouts from inside the tomb. Young Master Sarutobi Ryo had taken out everyone in such a short amount of time!

Truly, like father, like son, he thought. He is just as amazing as the Third Honorable Hokage.

Suddenly, Yamanaka Hui stopped. He sensed something for a moment and shouted, "Young Master! More enemies from the Blood Mist are coming from other tunnels!"

The enemy also had sensory ninjas who could clearly tell what was happening.

All the Kirigakure ninjas blocking the other tunnels received the message. They were planning to surround Sarutobi Ryo and his team completely.

"How many are there?"

Sarutobi Ryo asked, not even turning his head, as he sped up.

Yamanaka Hui replied, "6, 12... and 18!"

"18 people, huh..."

Sarutobi Ryo remembered the 6 Kirigakure ninjas who had died. That meant the enemy had split into four teams of six. They had started with a total of 24.

"What's our chance of getting out of here?"

Sarutobi Ryo quickened his pace again.

Yamanaka Hui said, "Even in the best-case scenario, we'll still run into one of the teams."

"Then that's what we'll do."

Sarutobi Ryo signaled the others to follow him. He started to sprint at full speed.

----

Soon, the group emerged into the light. They were finally on the surface, out of the underground tunnels.

As soon as they came out, they saw eight Blood Mist ninjas staring at them with bloodlust in their eyes.

The ninja leading them was a petite woman. She had reddish-brown hair styled like rabbit ears.

But the most noticeable thing about her were the two sharp-toothed blades strapped to her back.

Hakumo Hayama's eyes widened in fear. He exclaimed, "One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist… the wielder of the Lightning Blade Kiba… Kirigakure Genius Girl, Ringo Ameyuri!"

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were famous throughout the Ninja World.

In Kirigakure, they were some of the strongest fighters.

Only the Mizukage, the two Jinchuriki of Kirigakure, the heads of clans with special bloodline abilities, and other unique individuals could challenge them.

Hakumo Hayama's expression turned serious. Encountering such a powerful opponent so early in a Jonin assessment mission was not good.

Ringo Ameyuri was the youngest of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, and she had joined the group later than the others. She was known as a Kirigakure Genius Girl.

But that didn't mean she was weak.

People said she was the most skilled wielder of the Lightning Blade Kiba in history. Her talent was greater than any previous owner of the blade.

And there was something else interesting about her...

"Oh? Isn't that the Third Hokage's son… Sarutobi Ryo?"

Ringo Ameyuri looked over the team, finally stopping her gaze on Sarutobi Ryo.

He was wearing a Konoha Forehead Protector, of course.

His ninja uniform had a vortex pattern on the back, showing Konoha's friendship with the Uzumaki clan.

The clan crest on his sleeve showed he was a member of the Sarutobi Clan.

And his handsome face looked very similar to Sarutobi Hiruzen when he was young. Ringo Ameyuri was sure of his identity.

Ringo Ameyuri was the same age as Sarutobi Ryo and Namikaze Minato. Her reputation as a genius was well-known in Kirigakure.

The Ninja World had no shortage of talented people.

Every Shinobi Village had its share of geniuses, like stars in the night sky.

Ringo Ameyuri was meeting Sarutobi Ryo for the first time. Her tone was a bit mocking.

She had seen too many incompetent children of famous ninjas.

The saying, "dragons beget dragons, phoenixes beget phoenixes, and a rat's son knows how to dig holes," was popular.

But there were some disappointing second-generation ninjas who didn't inherit the talent or even the personality of their parents.

People often criticized them.

Ringo Ameyuri thought that the Golden Flash, Namikaze Minato, was the only one who truly deserved to be called a genius among their generation.

The Third Hokage's son was too unknown.

There are only two possibilities, she thought. Either he's truly incapable, or he's hiding his abilities very well. Maybe he just doesn't like to show off. So, which one are you, Sarutobi Clan's young master?

Grinning and showing her teeth, Ringo Ameyuri started to unstrap the twin blades from her back.

Hakumo Hayama became even more nervous.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist had a terrifying reputation. Hakumo Hayama was inexperienced and not as calm as he would be later in life.

He was still young. He couldn't handle the killing intent coming from the eight ninjas, especially Ringo Ameyuri's overwhelming presence.

He roared and drew the sword from his waist.

"Wind Release...!"

But before Hakumo Hayama could use his technique, Ringo Ameyuri attacked.

"Lightning Release... Lightning Blade: Lightning Strike!"

Crack!

Lightning crackled around the Lightning Blade, sending bright bolts of electric light into the sky.

In a flash, with a deafening roar, lightning struck Hakumo Hayama. He was just about to swing his sword, and no one could react in time.

Hakumo Hayama fell to the ground with a thud. Black, charred smoke rose from his body.

He had only raised his hand and started to attach Wind Release to his blade.

The opponent's attack was already finished.

Their attacks were on completely different levels of speed.

It was beyond anything he had ever imagined.