The Last Ninja Sword, Uchiha Sasuke Defies Fate and Receives Destiny's Gift

The Land of Water.

In an unknown forest, a large door exuding an ancient aura appeared out of nowhere. Then, a blond-haired man skillfully stepped out, paused for a moment, and even looked left and right before finally walking out.

"Damn it, the coordinates are off again," Naruto complained.

Before me lay a dense rainforest, rain falling from the sky, and further away shrouded in white mist. The emerald green was ethereal, as if covered by an airtight green canopy.

Traveling through this rainforest, using an umbrella was obviously out of the question. Naruto quickly changed into a warm raincoat to prevent hypothermia.

Entering the rainforest, he spent some time finding his way, but after searching all day, he found nothing. As night approached, Naruto couldn't help but frown.

"The information we got is inaccurate. There's no grave for the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist here!"

That's right, he came to dig up the Ninja Blade.

Of the remaining Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, only Chojuro is Zabuza alive. Zabuza is dead, Kisame Hoshigaki is dead, and Raiga Kurosuki is dead.

All three died at Naruto's hands, and all three Ninja Blade fell into his possession. Of the remaining four swords, one of the Twin Swords: Hiramekarei was in Chojuro's hands, while the other three, due to the lack of successors, were sealed in a scroll by Hozuki Mangetsu.

Now, what he's looking for is the grave of Hidden Mist Mangetsu, the legendary genius of Hozuki Mangetsu who could wield Seven Ninja Swords. In other words, three of the swords are in Hozuki Mangetsu's hands.

If Naruto can find Hozuki Mangetsu's grave and Impure World Reincarnation him using the Impure World Reincarnation technique, he can easily acquire all three Ninja Blades. Meanwhile, Mission Two will advance nearly halfway, just one sword away from completion.

In the latter half of the night, a torrential downpour began in the rainforest.

Naruto pitched his tent in a tree, listening to the pattering of the rain awning, feeling uncomfortable in the sweltering heat. Even when he eventually drifted off to sleep, it wasn't a restful one.

The Land of Fire's technology was too backward, and he somewhat regretted not updating his supplies in the Land of Snow. Perhaps the Land of Snow had more durable tents, and things wouldn't be like this now.

No matter how powerful one is, in this era without satellite positioning or transportation, almost everyone is equal. Even Jiraiya had to travel on foot.

For a powerful figure at the Kage Level to have to huddle in a tent exposed to the wind and rain is truly a miserable existence.

I slept fitfully, and when I woke up the next morning, the weather had changed. The scorching sun peeked through the tree canopy, shining directly on the tent.

With a splash, Naruto climbed out. He casually put the tent into his Sealing Space, squatted in a shady spot, took out a bucket, and began to wash up.

After washing up, he even made a rather flamboyant breakfast.

"Let's keep looking," Naruto sighed.

After a five-day search through the rainforest, he finally found Hozuki Mangetsu's burial site. On a relatively wide plain nearby, Naruto Impure World Reincarnation Hozuki Mangetsu using the Impure World Reincarnation technique.

The coffin overturned with a thud, and a bewildered Hozuki Mangetsu emerged. He looked down at his palm, then up at Naruto, appearing somewhat dazed.

"Impure World Reincarnation?"

"No need to ask, it's just Impure World Reincarnation. Summon the three Ninja Blades." Naruto added after saying that, "There's no use in you resisting."

"Hmm." Hozuki Mangetsu didn't seem to care, clearly knowing about the Impure World Reincarnation.

This is all thanks to the invincible Second, who greatly expanded the applications of Ninjutsu and raised the bar for war Ninjutsu.

Hozuki Mangetsu cooperated perfectly by summoning three Ninja Blades, directly contributing nearly half of Naruto's mission progress.

[Bite!]

[Achievements Completed: Broken Blade - Kubikiribōchō's Blade, Lightning Blade - Fang, Greatsword - Samehada, Longsword - Nuibari, Exploding Blade - Shibuki, Blunt Blade - Kabutowari.]

[Reward: Izanagi, awarded upon completion of all achievements.]

He scrolled up and down the panel, looking at the progress bar for Task 2 which was almost full, and muttered to himself.

"There's only one more sword missing, the one in Chojuro's hand."

He now faces two choices: either repackage his old methods and infiltrate Kirigakure to see what happens, or play it safe and return to Konohagakure first to deal with the situation later.

After a moment's thought, he chose to charge.

On the other side.

Far beyond the rainforest, beyond an island, a group of four walked slowly along the sea. All four wore black hoods and loose robes.

The sea breeze lifted a person's hood, revealing short, fiery red hair. Karin smoothed her flowing hair with her hand and glanced at Sasuke behind her.

Are we going to the Land of Water this time?

"Hmm." Sasuke frowned, his injuries had only recently healed, and his face was still somewhat pale. "Those lunatics from Kumogakure must have taken some kind of drug; they're fighting like they don't care about their lives."

"Let's keep that debt in mind for now and not provoke Kumogakure. Anyway, Hidden Mist also has Tailed Beast. As long as we find the Three-Tails' habitat, it'll be like we're doing a mission."

"Stop talking. Those guys from Kumogakure are muscle-bound lunatics. If we hadn't run fast, we might be dead already," Hozuki Suigetsu complained.

Jugo glanced at his companions, then lowered his head again and continued on his way in silence.

"Sasuke, how are your injuries?" Karin asked.

"It's nothing." Sasuke pulled open his clothes, revealing the hideous wound on his chest. He merely glanced down at it before calmly looking away.

The Fourth Raikage and Killer B teamed up and nearly shredded half of Sasuke's body with their Lariat. Jugo enabled Sasuke to Sasuke Sage Transformation and healed him, allowing him to regenerate.

Otherwise, the arrogant Uchiha Sasuke would be finished by now, with twelve dishes and a soup already on the table.

"The border of the Land of Water is just ahead. We'll rest once we reach the Mist Islands," Sasuke ordered, and the group continued on their way.

"Sasuke, what if the people from Kirigakure also discover our entry?" Karin asked her biggest concern. "What about us?"

"No, there's no such thing as a coincidence in this world," Sasuke immediately denied.

"But lately I've had this feeling that something's not quite right. It's like we've been having a run of bad luck ever since we entered Konohagakure."

Karin frowned and said with concern.

"Including the time when Danzo was killed, it was all too strange. We had clearly retreated, but Danzo was somehow managed to be worn down again."

"It seems as if an invisible hand is guiding us forward, and our every move is under someone else's control. It's terrifying."

"Karin, aren't you being too paranoid?" Suigetsu didn't seem to care. "Your sensory abilities are so strong, plus Sasuke has the Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan."

"Whether it's Genjutsu or other schemes, they can't completely guide us forward. What you're talking about is just a coincidence."

Upon hearing this, Sasuke actually found it somewhat reasonable. After all, only the four of them knew about the internal plan, and there was no traitor within the team.

Everything that happened along the way seemed to be only explainable by coincidence. This included meeting Naruto in Konohagakure and turning back to kill Danzo at the end.

"Then how do you explain what happened in Kumogakure? Tell me!" Karin shouted at Hozuki Suigetsu, clearly annoyed. "Use your brain and think about it!"

"We barely entered Kumogakure when the Fourth Raikage led almost his entire force out to kill us intruders?"

"In so much time, what important items could we possibly steal? This is like using a cannon to kill a mosquito—is it even necessary? It's like killing your father!"

"So many unreasonable things, one after another, is your brain just full of water?"

Suigetsu shook his head, looking at Karin in surprise. His mind was indeed filled with water; it wasn't that he was stupid, he just didn't want to think about those things.

"That doesn't matter. We've changed locations anyway, so we'll find out if something's wrong by trying, right?" he said, shrugging. "We haven't encountered anything along the way, and besides, we're not going into Kirigakure this time."

"You!" Karin was furious.

"Alright! Stop arguing!" Sasuke was getting annoyed. "Karin is right, and Suigetsu's method is also feasible. We'll know once we enter the Land of Water and see what's going on."

"Which way should I go?" Naruto left the rainforest and rushed towards Kirigakure. "It's a pity that without Sasuke's help this time, I'm afraid I won't be able to achieve the same results as last time in Kumogakure."

He muttered to himself, shaking his head in regret, completely unaware that Sasuke, who had escaped death in Kumogakure, was approaching the Land of Water.

Naruto's plan was to first use his Transformation Jutsu to infiltrate Hidden Mist and gather information, find out Chojuro's routine, and then steal the Twin Swords: Hiramekarei while he was alone.

Alright, he's about to start his unremarkable Villager A Plan again.

Konohagakure.

After several days and nights at sea, Neji and Rock Lee finally ended their journey and arrived in Konohagakure without any problems. They went home and lay down for two days straight.

The next day.

The Team 3 gathered to celebrate their safe return from their mission. This was an unspoken rule they had: they would meet up whenever they had experienced a dangerous mission.

Might Guy was still on his way to the Land of Whirlpools Island to meet Tenten. Due to the lack of real-time updates during the journey, he did not know that Tenten had already returned.

Even if they knew, they'd probably be on their way back by now. Not to mention, it's uncertain whether Might Guy will be able to attend the Team 3's gathering.

After a few rounds of drinks, the three of them ate some food to fill their stomachs.

"Tenten, why are you back so early?" Rock Lee put down his chopsticks and asked curiously.

Upon hearing this, Tenten realized that Lee and Neji were most likely unaware of Naruto's mysterious portal. Therefore, she naturally wouldn't reveal it.

"Well, maybe I was just lucky. Naruto had a boat," she said casually. "He dropped me off on land and then disappeared without a trace."

"This is so strange. Naruto seems to have arrived at such a great distance in no time." Rock Lee scratched his head and looked at Neji.

"Neji, did I remember the time wrong?"

"No, it's probably because Naruto has other methods."

Neji wasn't particularly curious about Naruto. He had already seen Naruto's abilities when he demonstrated how to break the Caged Bird Seal with his bare hands.

"Is that so?" Rock Lee scratched his head, not thinking much of it.

"By the way, Neji, when are you getting married?" Tenten suddenly brought up a topic, smiling as she looked at Neji. Rock Lee, who was standing next to her, also became interested.

"Yeah, yeah, Neji, when are you getting married?"

"It'll be soon, probably in the next few days." Neji nodded. "I'll send you invitations for the exact date. No need for a gift."

"How can that be?" Tenten shook her head. "We all gave money as wedding gifts when Shikamaru and Choji got married, so we can't not give one for your wedding."

"Alright." Neji forced a smile. "My original intention was to keep it simple. Actually, this is how weddings in the Hyuga Clan are all done."

"By the way, Neji, are you now the head of the Hyuga Clan?" Rock Lee asked, looking at him.

"Yes."

"Wow, that's amazing!" Rock Lee exclaimed in astonishment.

"Actually, it's nothing, it's just that," Neji explained simply, his words sincere, "The conflict between the Hyuga Main Family and the Branch Family has a long history, and it can only be resolved gradually."

Tenten, he sat attentively to the side, picking at his food and sipping his drink. Neji was slowly explaining the details of the wedding arrangements, Rock Lee listened with admiration.

As she drank, she suddenly realized that Neji's sudden marriage wasn't so bad after all. As his partner, she should wish him well after he chose his path.

"Congratulations on your marriage, Neji!" Tenten smiled and raised her glass towards Neji.

"Me too!" Rock Lee quickly raised his glass.

Upon hearing this, Neji smiled gently and raised his glass to lightly clink it with his two companions. He had found the path he would dedicate his life to, and discovered the way out of his predicament.

The Caged Bird not only imprisons its mind, but also its spirit. He wanted to change all of this, to be the first to truly stand up and say no to the Branch Family, and he has now largely succeeded.

"Why do you look unfamiliar?" The members of the Hidden Mist Assassination Squad stopped Naruto and scrutinized him from head to toe.

Naruto felt a cold sweat break out on his back, his heart filled with horror. He thought to himself, "How can Kirigakure be so monstrous? I clearly used the Transformation Jutsu, so how did they still recognize me?"

"I've always been like this!" he said, forcing himself to speak.

"Still trying to deny it? I can tell at a glance you're not from Kirigakure!" The man frowned, pointed at Naruto, and reprimanded him sternly.

Who exactly are you?

"I'm talking to you! Don't look! It's you! How dare you ignore me? Are you looking for death?"

The voice came from afar. Naruto watched as the madman in the Assassination Squad uniform chased after another villager, his expression complicated.

"Mei Terumi even competent? How does she manage her subordinates? Even a madman has run away!"

He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, having almost thought his "Villager A" plan had failed before it even began. He thought to himself, "It makes no sense that my Transformation Jutsu could be recognized by some nobody; that would be ridiculous."

As he walked forward, he didn't notice a gaze fixed on him. The gaze was directed at a window on the third floor of a building along the street —Mei Terumi.