Thunderous Measures

"Did they really die that easily?"

Uchiha Itachi's dark eyes trembled. This was the first time he had seen a dead person, the first time he had faced death. The despair he'd felt just moments ago had made him give up hope, but Kagami-kun hadn't given up.

Instead, he had killed the enemy with thunderous force!

"This is the true cruelty of the Shinobi World!"

Hatake Kakashi's expression was calm. "Itachi, you and Kagami are both geniuses. Before you've had the chance to grow stronger, you must make sure to protect yourselves!"

"Because in the Shinobi World, no one will go easy on you just because of your age."

"The only people you'll face are your fellow villagers and your enemies!"

"Only by killing your enemies can you survive!"

His eyes darkened, and he let out a sigh.

Back then, it was their lack of vigilance and their failure to finish off the enemy that had ultimately led to Obito's death!

Now, seeing Hyuga Kagami's decisiveness in killing.

His expression grew complicated. If only he'd been so ruthless back then... perhaps Obito would still be alive now?

"Kirigakure is known as the Bloody Mist. Every one of its ninja has fought their way through countless others."

Hyuga Kagami spoke calmly. "Even their comrades mean little to them, so never let your guard down around the enemy."

"The best enemy is a dead one."

Ever since he'd transmigrated into this world.

He had already begun to think about how, as a ninja, going to the battlefield was inevitable.

The Third Shinobi World War had ended, but the Shinobi World was still turbulent, with undercurrents running deep. Conflicts between the hidden villages had never stopped!

Perhaps even now... spies from other villages had appeared in Konoha!

"Damn you!"

Just then, a sharp shout rang out. A curvaceous woman with brown hair approached, her lovely face frosty. Her alluring lips parted as she said coldly, "Kirigakure is nothing like it used to be!"

"There's no economic development at all, only killing and death!"

Mei Terumi glared coldly at the two ninja pursuing her. "Juzo Biwa, Raiga Kurosuki, as members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, you should know that better than anyone!"

"If Kirigakure keeps going down this path, it'll be destroyed!"

Back when the Second Mizukage ruled.

Kirigakure had made the most of its coastal location and geographical advantages, developing its fishing industry and bringing prosperity to its people. But now, Kirigakure had "closed its borders," cutting off all foreign trade.

What was Kirigakure now, if not the Bloody Mist?

It was nothing but a barren, wretched land!

"Heh. What's that got to do with us?"

Raiga Kurosuki licked his lips, bloodlust in his eyes as he swaggered forward. "We were raised as ninja of the Bloody Mist. From the time we were children, we were taught... to become excellent executioners!"

"Mei Terumi, surrender quietly and perhaps the Mizukage will spare your life!"

Juzo Biwa's voice was cold, his eyes icy, devoid of warmth.

He sent a chill down anyone's spine!

"Raiga! Enough talk. The Mizukage only wants her captured alive, so it doesn't matter if she's badly injured."

His gaze was cold.

Like a venomous snake lurking in the dark!

Then his expression suddenly turned grim, and he looked toward the three people nearby. "Wait. There are others!"

"You're... ninja from Konoha?"

Juzo Biwa stared hard at Hatake Kakashi's white hair and the Single-Tomoe Sharingan he hadn't yet put away.

"Konoha's Copy Ninja, Hatake Kakashi. I can't believe he's here."

His eyes shifted as he considered a possibility.

"Are you trying to invade Kirigakure?!"

"Raiga, let's finish this quickly!"

"With Hatake Kakashi here, this fight just got a lot harder."

Hatake Kakashi was an elite jonin, with outstanding combat ability and tactical insight. He could always find an enemy's weakness!

And as the Copy Ninja.

Hatake Kakashi knew a vast number of jutsu. He could face all kinds of enemies and counter them!

"What an annoying guy!"

Raiga Kurosuki shrugged in irritation. "Then let me see just how good this legendary Copy Ninja really is!"

He didn't seem concerned, licking his bloodstained lips.

His mouth curled upward.

A wild grin spread across his face!

As the Copy Ninja, Hatake Kakashi knew many jutsu, but Raiga had powerful Ninja Swords of his own!

"My Lightning Blade won't lose to some Copy Ninja!"

He was an elite jonin too, and he had his pride.

How could he believe himself inferior to anyone?

"What a headache."

Hatake Kakashi rubbed his forehead and gave a wry smile. "You should really be paying attention to more than just me."

He turned to look at Hyuga Kagami.

Kagami... had he already reached the level of an elite jonin?

An elite jonin at eight years old!

What terrifying talent!

Suddenly, he noticed Hyuga Kagami's burning gaze fixed on the Lightning Blade in Raiga's hand. He looked thrilled!

"Armament Haki can protect weapons, but a powerful weapon can complement Armament Haki and unleash even greater strength!"

Hyuga Kagami grinned.

"The Ninja Swords of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist would be an excellent choice!"

He flashed a grin. "Kirigakure and I are destined to cross paths!"

His Great Hammer was usable, sure.

But he was too strong now.

So strong that the Great Hammer in his hands felt like it was made of paper. It had no heft at all, and offered no satisfying impact.

Mei Terumi's face lit up. She hurriedly called out, "Kakashi, help me this once. When I become Mizukage, I'll form an alliance with Konoha!"

"Kirigakure is in chaos, and its people are suffering. This can't go on!"

Anxious, she looked uncertain.

She was visibly nervous.

If Hatake Kakashi helped her, she could survive today and weaken the Mizukage's faction as well!

But if Hatake Kakashi refused, she might die here today!

"Don't get distracted in the middle of a fight!"

Raiga Kurosuki's expression turned manic. He brought his Lightning Blade down with a furious shout. "Lightning Release: Lightning Ball!"

Boom!

In an instant.

A blue-white ball of lightning crackled with electricity and shot toward Mei Terumi. He gave her no chance to say another word!

"Damn it!"

Mei Terumi's face tightened. She hurriedly dodged, but just then, a gust of wind swept past!

A swift figure shot forward like a gale!

He flashed past her from behind, his clothes flapping. He brushed right past the lightning ball without even looking at it!

"Is that... the ninja from the Hyuga Clan who's with Hatake Kakashi?"

Mei Terumi froze.

Since Hatake Kakashi was leading the team, his two teammates could only be jonin at best.

There was no way they could fight Raiga Kurosuki, a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.

Wasn't he just throwing his life away?

"Idiot! You dare attack me first?"

Raiga Kurosuki sneered, madness and murderous intent gleaming in his eyes!

"Hahaha!"

He raised his Lightning Blade high. "Then I'll start with you!"

"You poor, unlucky fool!"

"Die!"

The Lightning Blade came crashing down!

Terrifying lightning surged!

A vast blaze of lightning enveloped Hyuga Kagami!