Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist (雾隐忍刀七人众) 58 |
| Alias(es) | Mizukage’s Shadow Guard 58 234 |
| Affiliation | Kirigakure 58 |
| Occupation/Role | Elite special force assigned battlefield assaults, commander decapitations and assassinations 52 |
| First Appearance | Foreshadowed in Chapter 35; formally established in Chapter 58 35 58 |
Power Progression
| Stage / Realm / Level | Chapter | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Above-Jōnin combat strength | 59 | After more than six months of training, the six members besides Seiji became proficient with their blades and gained combat strength above Jōnin level. |
| Multiple Kage-level members | 222 | Fuguki and Akebino were counted among Kirigakure’s Kage-level shinobi. |
| Full seven-member roster restored | 236 | Chizuru took Hiramekarei and gained Kage-level combat power with the sword, though he remained at the bottom of that tier. |
| All members Kage-level without their swords | 253 | Under Seiji’s occasional guidance, every member reached Kage-level strength independently of their weapon. |
History
Third Mizukage Hyou assembled seven swords inherited from previous Mizukage or collected and forged during his own tenure. Seeking a renowned elite force for Kirigakure, he opened selection to the village and designated the eventual wielders as his Shadow Guard. Candidates fought others seeking the same blade, then had to demonstrate compatibility with it 52 54.
The first generation was established at the beginning of Mist Year 35. Seiji Ōtsutsuki won Hiramekarei and became captain. After more than half a year of heavily resourced training, the unit was proficient with its weapons; Seiji could wield all seven 58 59.
When Seiji became Fourth Mizukage, he left Hiramekarei without a new wielder, temporarily reducing the group to six. Fuguki took command, while its Shadow Guard duties continued. Seiji later awarded Hiramekarei to Hōzuki Chizuru, restoring the seven-member roster. Subsequent reforms moved the unit out of ANBU and placed it under the Defense Department, with a base at Training Ground 1 234 235 236.
Members and Ninja Swords
| Ninja sword | Original wielder | Documented properties |
|---|---|---|
| Executioner’s Blade (Kubikiribōchō) | Jūzō Biwa | Repairs itself using iron from blood; converts absorbed blood into chakra for its wielder 54 58. |
| Great Blade Samehada | Suikazan Fuguki | A living sword that absorbs and stores chakra, supports healing, and can fuse with its wielder 54 58. |
| Longsword Nuibari | Kushimaru Kuriarare | Pierces targets and stitches them together 54 58. |
| Blunt Sword Kabutowari | Jinin Akebino | Described as capable of shattering any defense 54 58. |
| Exploding Blade Shibuki | Munashi Jinpachi | Produces explosions using summoned exploding tags 54 58. |
| Lightning Blade Kiba | Saitō Kage | Paired blades that create and attract lightning and enhance Lightning Release 54 58. |
| Twin Swords Hiramekarei | Seiji Ōtsutsuki; later Hōzuki Chizuru | Stores and fires chakra, supports close- and long-range attacks, and grows stronger as a battle continues 54 58 236. |
Abilities & Skills
Coordinated combat
- In their first battle, against a rampaging Six-Tails jinchūriki, the swordsmen combined Water and Lightning Release to restrain it briefly. Nuibari’s wire and Shibuki’s explosions provided a second coordinated attack, but the jinchūriki broke free and seriously injured several members 66 67 68.
- Against Shennong, Fuguki used a Water Clone as a decoy and turned it into a Water Prison. Saitō followed with lightning, Fuguki added a water attack, and Chizuru struck with Hiramekarei. Shennong survived and, after opening the Eighth Gate, rapidly defeated four swordsmen before eventually surrendering 276 277 279.
Specialized missions
- Hyou designed the unit for assaults, assassinations and attacks on enemy commanders 52.
- Under Fuguki, the swordsmen were assigned to assassinate Sunagakure’s upper ranks. They attacked the Kazekage Tower, destroying it and killing numerous higher-ups 413 429.
- Ahead of Kirigakure’s advance into the Land of Earth, the seven silently eliminated border guards before they could report the attack 532.
Leadership and Relationships
- Hyou — founded the unit as his Shadow Guard and supplied extensive training resources 52 59.
- Seiji Ōtsutsuki — founding captain and Hiramekarei wielder; later, as Fourth Mizukage, chose Chizuru as his successor on the roster 58 235 236.
- Suikazan Fuguki — succeeded Seiji as captain and led later operations, including the mission to capture Shennong 234 271 275.
- Uzumaki Shinji — joined the Shennong capture mission and located its target with the Mind’s Eye of the Kagura 271.