Kicked to Death

As Aragaki Yasushi was quietly plotting how to skim a few Ninja Blades before handing them over to the village, a vicious voice suddenly rang out.

"Everyone, attack together! Don't let them pick us off one by one!"

"That kid's no pushover either. Otherwise, we really will die here."

The one speaking was Munashi Jinpachi.

His face was twisted with rage, his teeth clenched, and his expression full of murderous intent.

With that, Munashi Jinpachi snatched up the Exploding Blade Shibuki in his hand and charged straight at Aragaki Yasushi.

Aragaki Yasushi raised an eyebrow.

Oh? He was coming for me?

So he'd mistaken me for an easy target, huh?

He sneered, his gaze fixed on the Exploding Blade Shibuki in Munashi Jinpachi's hands.

This Ninja Blade suited him perfectly, too.

The Exploding Blade Shibuki could summon countless Explosive Tags, and every attack came with an explosion.

If he combined it with his Paper Style, he might be able to create a sea of Explosive Tags like Konan's, blasting his enemies until they were crying for their mothers.

He had to get that blade. No way was he letting it go!

Aragaki Yasushi didn't hesitate any longer. He immediately activated the Energy Scroll without wasting a moment.

A green beam shot out with a whistle, hurtling straight toward Munashi Jinpachi so fast he barely had time to react.

But Munashi Jinpachi had already seen how dangerous Aragaki Yasushi's technique was. How could he not be prepared?

He shifted his footing and nimbly dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the green beam. A smug smile curled his lips.

Seeing this, Might Duy immediately stopped and started toward Munashi Jinpachi, ready to intervene in case Aragaki Yasushi got hurt.

Aragaki Yasushi hurriedly called out to him, "Teacher Duy, let me handle him!"

Might Duy paused. Seeing the determination in Aragaki Yasushi's eyes, he nodded and chose to trust his strength, then turned and charged toward the other four members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.

Off in the distance, Might Guy, Shiranui Genma, and Ebisu saw what was happening and wanted to rush over to help Aragaki Yasushi.

Aragaki Yasushi frowned and snapped, "This isn't a fight you can get involved in!"

"Get back, now. Don't become a burden!"

Though his words were harsh, Might Guy and the others knew they wouldn't be much help if they stayed. Gritting their teeth, they reluctantly retreated to a safe distance.

At the same time, Munashi Jinpachi had already charged right up to Aragaki Yasushi, his eyes so vicious he looked ready to eat him alive.

He suddenly hurled the Exploding Blade Shibuki at Aragaki Yasushi and roared, "Die, you Konoha brat!"

As the blade flew, countless Explosive Tags appeared, blanketing Aragaki Yasushi in a dense swarm.

But Aragaki Yasushi looked utterly fearless. Not only did he not dodge, he plunged straight into the mass of Explosive Tags.

Seeing this, Munashi Jinpachi burst into laughter. "You fool! You're asking for it!"

He could already picture Aragaki Yasushi being blown to pieces, his body reduced to nothing.

"Boom! Boom!"

The Explosive Tags went off one after another, their blasts so loud the ground trembled.

Smoke and flames filled the air, shrouding the entire battlefield so completely that nothing inside could be seen.

Just as Munashi Jinpachi was gloating, a snow-white figure suddenly burst from the smoke.

It was none other than Aragaki Yasushi!

By then, he had transformed completely into an eight-armed, four-winged Paper Person.

To be honest, the Explosive Tags had hurt him. They had even left him covered in soot and looking thoroughly battered.

But Aragaki Yasushi wasn't worried in the slightest.

With a paper body reinforced by the Ox Talisman, how could he be so easily destroyed?

As long as he wasn't blasted into nothing, the Horse Talisman could immediately restore him.

In an instant, layers of white paper scraps appeared out of nowhere.

The damaged parts of Aragaki Yasushi's paper body rapidly regenerated before their very eyes, returning to normal in the blink of an eye.

"How is that possible?!"

Munashi Jinpachi's eyes widened as he shouted in shock, his jaw practically hitting the ground.

But what terrified him even more was that Aragaki Yasushi was already holding the Exploding Blade Shibuki!

He couldn't imagine how anyone could withstand the Explosive Tags from the blade and still snatch his weapon away.

Aragaki Yasushi gave the Exploding Blade Shibuki in his hand a casual swing, a teasing smile on his lips. "If you don't want your Ninja Blade anymore, you can always give it to someone who does."

"Throwing it around like that is such a waste, wouldn't you say?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Aragaki Yasushi swung his wrist with force. The Exploding Blade Shibuki tore through the air and slashed straight at Munashi Jinpachi.

Countless Explosive Tags appeared along with it, instantly engulfing Munashi Jinpachi.

"Uh-oh!"

Munashi Jinpachi was so terrified he nearly lost his soul. He turned and tried to flee.

As the blade's owner, he knew its power better than anyone.

But it was already too late.

"Boom! Boom!"

The Explosive Tags detonated in a relentless series of blasts.

Munashi Jinpachi was sent flying into the sky by his own blade. He didn't even have time to scream before he drew his last breath, dead beyond any doubt.

Aragaki Yasushi hefted the Exploding Blade Shibuki a couple of times, nodded in satisfaction, then turned to look toward Might Duy.

He had no idea what he'd see—and was stunned when he did.

In the short time that had passed, Might Duy had already kicked two of the four remaining members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen to death.

One was the owner of the Twin Blades Hiramekarei, an unnamed nobody who hadn't even gotten a name. Just a bit player.

The other was the owner of the long blade Nuibari, Kushimaru Kuriarare, who had also been kicked to death.

The remaining two, Biwa Juzo and Suikazan Fuguki, were living up to their reputation as two of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen's "Three Lucky Treasures."

They were indeed tougher than the others. Neither had been killed outright with a single kick from Might Duy.

The two exchanged a glance, and they both had just one thought.

Run!

Even without opening the Eight Gates, Might Duy was already terrifying in the Seventh Gate.

And on top of that, there was Aragaki Yasushi, a formidable Paper Style ninja who could withstand the Exploding Blade's blasts.

If they didn't leave now, they'd die here today, and someone would have to come collect their bodies!

But how could they outrun Might Duy with the Seventh Gate open?

It was pure wishful thinking!

In the blink of an eye, Might Duy vanished. The next second, he appeared behind Suikazan Fuguki.

"Damn it!" Suikazan Fuguki's heart tightened, and he roared.

Relying on years of battle experience and superb swordsmanship, he raised Samehada behind him on instinct.

"Thud!"

A dull impact rang out. He barely managed to block Might Duy's powerful strike, but his arm went numb.

The next instant, Samehada activated its ability. Countless spikes shot out, stabbing toward Might Duy and greedily draining chakra from his body.

Might Duy stiffened, shock filling his heart.

It could absorb chakra!

Just then, Aragaki Yasushi flapped his Paper Wings and came over. "Teacher Duy, leave this one to me."

"Go after the one who got away, Biwa Juzo. Don't let him escape."

Might Duy had been keeping an eye on Aragaki Yasushi's fight and knew he was strong. He should have no trouble dealing with Suikazan Fuguki.

At the very least, he wouldn't be taken out anytime soon.