Deterrence

Deterrence

"Smack!"

Released from the scroll on the back of the blade, a large number of Explosive Tag were unleashed. Munashi Jinpachi shouted, "Exploding Blade Technique - Rending Collapse!"

The combined force of the swinging blade and the blast of air nearly knocked the Heavy Black Iron Ruler from Shunren's hand.

But at that moment, Jinin Akebino, wielding a giant axe in his right hand and a large hammer in his left, coldly proclaimed, "Blunt Blade Technique - Mountain-Splitting Slash!"

The combined force of the giant axe's downward strike and the hammer's blow against the back of the blade created an unparalleled physical impact, instantly knocking the exceptionally heavy giant ruler from Shunren's hand.

Despite having his weapon knocked away, Shunren remained calm. He immediately used his Body Flicker Technique to retreat, while simultaneously projecting the images of Kanshou and Bakuya into his hands.

Just then, Raiga Kurosuki swung his twin swords in a cross motion, and several bolts of violent lightning shot out.

"White Fang Style: One Sword Style: Halberd!"

A black streak accompanying the sword's edge sliced through the lightning.

Raiga Kurosuki was shocked. "Impossible! He shattered my Thunder Blade Technique with just one strike?"

"Crack!"

On the other side, Shunren swung a white Kushimaru Kuriarare, who was trying to sneak up from behind.

Juzo Biwa didn't join the attack; he simply watched from the sidelines, carrying his Kubikiribōchō, and remarked with surprise, "This kid... it's only been a few months, and his swordsmanship has improved so much."

Yuki Kan lowered his hands from the hand seal. He had been watching Shunren closely, waiting for him to make a mistake so he could use Ninjutsu to attack. However, all of his little actions had clearly been seen through by his Sharingan.

Among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist Suikazan Fuguki did not attempt to test the waters. Despite his pot-bellied appearance and seemingly simple-minded demeanor, he was an excellent sensory ninja and quite cunning. Of the group, he should have harbored the greatest grudge against Shunren, because during the previous pursuit in the Land of Water, Suikazan Fuguki was caught off guard and struck by Shunren's Dōjutsu.

This is Konoha territory, after all. For the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist to attack a Konoha Ninja so recklessly is bound to cause trouble. From the beginning, Suikazan Fuguki had been observing the Konoha's reactions, and to his surprise, the Konoha people didn't seem to intend to intervene.

The leader of Konoha this time is named Sarutobi Matsumoto, a retainer of the Third. Since he is a member of the Sarutobi Clan, he obviously cannot help Shunren. As for the two thousand Konoha Ninja, they are just cannon fodder and naturally have no say. The Uchiha members are willing to help, but they have to weigh their options carefully when faced with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist of the Mist.

Juzo Biwa noticed the strange behavior of Konoha and the others, and then grinned slyly, "Hey! Uchiha Shunren, you don't seem to be very popular in your village, huh?"

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist of the Mist weren't fools either. Logically, they wouldn't dare to act too recklessly under Konoha's nose. Therefore, their previous attack on Shunren was merely a "greeting" and not a serious move. However, now that they realized Konoha didn't seem to intend to intervene, they couldn't help but cast malicious glances at Shunren.

"Don't you want to stop here?" Shunren stood with his sword in hand, his cold Sharingan revealing not a trace of fear.

Kushimaru Kuriarare flicked his slender fingers at the sharp, Anbu sword in his hand. Wearing Mist Ninja ANBU mask all day, his expression was hidden, but even through the mask, one could sense the sinister aura emanating from him. "Boy, you don't seem to understand your current situation. Or perhaps you're confident you can face the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist of the Mist head-on?"

"It's you who haven't grasped the current situation," Shunren said calmly, then gestured with both hands, "Yin Release: Projection!"

"Ding ding ding ding ding ding~"

Seven weapons fell at the feet of Shunren.

"This is... our Ninja Blade?" Kushimaru Kuriarare was taken aback at first.

He glanced down at the long sword in his hand, then at the foot of Shunren, at one of the swords that looked exactly like his. "So that's it, the ability to create ninja tools with Chakra... just like the rumors say, a genius of the Uchiha Clan." With his keen senses, the Suikajō Fuguki immediately noticed the clues.

Juzo Biwa slammed the Kubikiribōchō he was holding onto the ground, his face filled with arrogance. He said coldly, "I thought you were showing off. It's just a mere fake. It's utterly useless against the real thing!"

"Indeed, these are all just imposters." Shunren casually picked up Kushimaru Kuriarare's Nuibari, Sewing Needle, and swung his arm slightly, assuming a strange stance.

However, Kushimaru Kuriarare changed drastically. "You stole my longsword technique?"

"Longsword technique, broken sword technique, blunt sword technique, greatsword technique, explosive sword technique, lightning sword technique, dual sword technique—through our last encounter, my eyes have copied your swordsmanship." Shunren twirled his sword, then thrust his longsword into the ground with a backhand motion, and said calmly, "You should understand your own capabilities in combining swordsmanship and Ninja Blade, shouldn't you?"

As if he had just realized something, Juzo Biwa's face suddenly turned gloomy.

Shunren raised the Exploding Blade - Shibuki high, releasing a large number of Explosive Tag spells from the scroll.

"That's right! Your swords are already very powerful, so if two swords clash, how can these ants around us possibly survive?"

Shunren's words immediately caused Sarutobi Matsumoto, who had originally planned to sit back and watch the fight, to change his expression. "Uchiha Shunren! You'd better not do anything rash!"

However, Shunren didn't even glance at Sarutobi Matsumoto's warning, thinking to himself, "Weren't you enjoying it just now? Why are you getting so worked up now?"

Juzo Biwa was so angry that his face turned a deep shade of liver. He roared, "You brat! How dare you threaten me!"

At this moment, even the usually hot-tempered Munashi Jinpachi grabbed the former with one hand. No one knew the power of his Exploding Blade: Shibuki better than him. It was an extremely dangerous blade, containing a large number of explosive techniques in its scroll. Once released, it could blast an area of several kilometers into dust! For ninjas of their caliber, self-preservation was not a problem, but the thousands of ninjas around them were another matter entirely.

Are you kidding me! These cannon fodder are meant to wear down the Raikage, not have them face a Kage Level expert head-on!

"Don't be impulsive! If that kid goes too far and does something reckless, our people will suffer heavy casualties!"

In an instant, both the people of Mist Ninja and the people of Konoha stared intently at Shunren, and the atmosphere on the field became extremely tense.

The deterrent objective has been achieved.

Shunren dispersed the seven Ninja Blades in front of him one after another.

"Then, everyone, let's stick to the original plan and deal with the Raikage properly."