Intervention

Kai couldn't believe his eyes as he recognized the figure before him.

"Dad... why are you here?"

When Kai's companions heard what he called the newcomer, they deflated like punctured balls. Because Kai's father had a notorious reputation in Konoha Village—"The Eternal Genin." Now there was no hope to be found.

"You all run. I'll hold them off."

"Dad, they're all Jonin! What can you possibly use to stop them? You shouldn't have come."

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen were elite shinobi of the Mist, warriors worthy of wielding those seven legendary blades. Each was formidable alone, let alone all seven together.

"Don't worry. I still have the Eight Gates Formation."

"But..."

"I want to bloom once."

Might Duy cut Kai off. He wanted to be a hero just once—so his son could hold his head high and say with pride, "This is my father." Might Duy wanted to show the world his strength.

"Oh, prey delivered to our doorstep. I'll take good care of you."

Zabuza Momochi leaned on his massive blade and spoke.

"Gate of Wonder... open!"

Might Duy opened the seventh gate of the Eight Gates Formation right from the start, because the enemy wouldn't give him the luxury of opening them one by one. One misstep and he wouldn't even get the chance. Blue steam erupted violently from Might Duy's body, and the shockwave instantly knocked Kai and the others off their feet behind him.

"Oh ho, not bad. That's almost Kage-level strength."

Karot hid behind a tree, critiquing the scene.

"Dad..."

Kai had never seen his father open the seventh gate before. He'd imagined the Eight Gates Formation was powerful, but he never dreamed it carried such overwhelming force.

"Kai... is this really your father?"

Ebisu stood slack-jawed, stunned. The Might Duy he knew was just a goofy neighborly uncle. This transformation was too intense.

Blue steam billowed continuously. Veins bulged on Might Duy's forehead as he suppressed the power surging within his body, waiting only for an outlet.

Then Might Duy locked his gaze onto Zabuza Momochi. He was the one who spoke first—and Duy was a man of principle.

One step forward, and before the enemy could react, he was already in front of him.

"So fast!"

Zabuza Momochi quickly raised the Kubikiribōchō to block. Might Duy's fist slammed into the blade. One punch. The terrifying force shattered the massive sword in two, and Zabuza Momochi was sent flying by the impact.

"Zabuza!"

The remaining six faces went pale. Things had changed too fast. A genin had instantly gained Jonin-level strength—unbelievable!

But their reactions were swift. They drew their blades, aiming to strike Duy from behind. Suikazan Fuguki swung his sword horizontally; Duy raised an arm to block. Suikazan Fuguki laughed.

"Hahaha, you fell for it! Let my Samehada feast!"

The Samehada in Suikazan Fuguki's hand could absorb an enemy's chakra. But he was destined for disappointment. Might Duy's blue steam wasn't chakra at all.

"Come on!"

Kai grabbed Samehada and yanked. Suikazan Fuguki couldn't pull back in time and was hurled straight toward Might Duy.

"Daytime Tiger!"

A brutal, heavy punch struck Suikazan Fuguki square in the chest. Suikazan Fuguki was beaten to death on the spot.

Seven left... six.

"Morning Peacock!"

Might Duy's fists flew in rapid succession. Countless flames rained down on the six swordsmen with every punch. Each of them could only dodge frantically. Seizing the moment, Might Duy charged at Zabuza Momochi. Without the Kubikiribōchō, Zabuza's strength had waned.

"Daytime Tiger!"

"Daytime Tiger!"

Dodge the first, but not the second. In the end, only the hilt of the Kubikiribōchō remained in Zabuza Momochi's hand. He collapsed to his knees.

Seven left... five.

"Cough... cough..."

Might Duy's clear cough echoed across the battlefield.

He wiped the blood trickling from the corner of his mouth and thought to himself.

Looks like I can't avoid the eighth gate after all.

"Kai, watch closely. This is the eighth gate of the Eight Gates Formation—the Gate of Death."

Suddenly, a hand pressed down on Might Duy's wrist.

"Senior Duy, the eighth gate isn't worth it for them. Leave the rest to me."

Karot's sudden appearance stunned every ninja on the battlefield. Not a single one had sensed his speed.

"Oh, it's Karot. If you're here, then it's settled."

Might Duy didn't undergo his final sublimation because of Karot's appearance—after all, who would choose to die if they could live?

"Dad."

Might Guy ran forward to support his father.

"Alright, it's my turn now."

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen stared at the arriving Karot.

"White hair, red clothes. You're the Red Demon, Karot."

Raiga Kurosuki spoke up.

"Guessed right, but no reward. Are you making the first move, or should I?"

Karot looked at the seven with a mocking grin.

"Damn brat, let me teach you a lesson."

With that, Raiga Kurosuki swung his blades, firing off an energy orb. The orb passed straight through Karot's body.

"Impossible. This is absolutely impossible."

The sight before him defied his imagination.

Karot's speed was so fast that Raiga Kurosuki thought the orb had pierced through him, when in truth Karot had dodged just as it was about to hit.

"Now it's my turn."

As he spoke, Karot vanished. Raiga Kurosuki whipped his head around, searching frantically, when suddenly a hand landed on his shoulder.

"I'm right here."

Karot's voice sounded in his ear. Before he could react, Karot slammed him into the ground, leaving only his head exposed. Raiga Kurosuki coughed blood and died.

Seven left, four.

The remaining swordsmen quickly leaped back, distancing themselves from the smiling Karot. One versus four, and Karot had all the momentum.

"Aren't you here to deal with me? Why are you backing off?"

The four felt as if they'd fallen into an icy abyss, trembling all over. Karot's speed was so fast, so imperceptible, that Raiga Kurosuki was dead before they even noticed. Now it wasn't a question of how to take down Karot—it was how to survive.

Karot's strength didn't just terrify the Mist Village; even Might Duy and his son were deeply shocked. In less than a few seconds, a ninja who had sent them fleeing in panic was taken out by Karot. Their eyes toward him filled with admiration.

"Come on."

Karot crooked his finger.

Karot's contempt finally ignited the fury of the four. Each of them came from the Blood Mist Village, having passed brutal selections to become one of the Seven Swordsmen. To be so belittled now was unbearable.

"Let's go all out."

One Mist ninja clasped his hands in a seal, and a thick fog instantly enveloped Karot.

"Mist Village Technique."

The blinding white mist blocked Karot's vision. The four Swordsmen moved in perfect coordination, launching attacks from sharp, tricky angles. Yet every strike was easily dodged by Karot.

"How is this possible? We were so close. Is he just toying with us?"

One man said in disbelief.

"Not bad. Guessing now isn't too late."

Karot's voice sounded behind him.