At thirty-five, Duy had been tempered by over twenty years of life as a ninja. He was now an experienced ninja, no longer the eternal genin who knew nothing.
He quickly saw the Seven Ninja Swordsmen's apprehension. With a slight turn of thought, he understood what they were worried about and said calmly, "I never thought the mighty Seven Ninja Swordsmen of Kirigakure would stoop to bullying the weak!"
"To us Mist Ninja, all enemies are the same. Even ordinary women and children can be killed if it serves our purpose, let alone little brats who've put on forehead protectors and gone to war. You Konoha ninja just love this kind of hypocrisy, but that alone won't save these little brats!" Jūzō Biwa said with a cruel smile.
"I was the fastest, so I was the first to arrive. My other companions will be here soon. I advise you to leave immediately, or if Lord Hokage learns that someone dared target Asuma Sarutobi, he certainly won't let you off!" Might Duy stroked his little mustache and threatened them with a composed expression.
Those words struck directly at the concerns in the seven men's hearts. If Konoha's experts surrounded them, they likely would not escape this time.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen's expressions darkened at once, all traces of their earlier ease gone. Behind Duy, the six young ninja relaxed when they heard reinforcements would arrive soon. Some color returned to their previously pale faces.
Jūzō Biwa glanced at Fuguki several times, asking whether they should retreat quickly. Fuguki frowned, then said with a sly grin, "You aren't trying to deceive us, are you? If reinforcements were really coming, you should be trying to stall us for time. Why would you instead urge us to run? With your strength, even burdened by