"I'm not going to die!"
Juzo Biwa let out a savage laugh, then roared with wild abandon. "My strength... is the greatest in Kirigakure!"
Faced with that terrifying strike,
he didn't retreat. Instead, he leaped high into the air, charging toward the terrifying thunderbolt like a moth drawn to a flame!
Boom!
His body was swallowed by the terrifying thunderbolt!
He was sent flying, his body wreathed in white smoke. His eyes rolled back, and not a trace of life remained.
From the side, his chest looked as though his front and back had been pressed together.
His internal organs were completely destroyed, and every rib was broken.
He couldn't have been more dead!
"For an enemy worthy of respect, sending them off with a powerful technique is the highest form of courtesy."
Hyuga Kagami walked over and picked up Kubikiribōchō. "You weren't the one at fault. The Shinobi World was. So death isn't a bad end for you."
Few ninjas met a peaceful end.
Most ninjas had already accepted the fate of death.
Though the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were cruel and bloodthirsty, they were loyal ninjas of Kirigakure. They only defected later because, after the Third Mizukage was controlled by Uchiha Obito, the village fell into chaos and became impossible to live in.
"Hello. May I ask your name?"
Just then, a rich, melodious voice like a cuckoo's suddenly rang in his ear.
It was different from Uzuki Yugao's gentle voice. This one was richer and more commanding, like the voice of an empress!
Mei Terumi stared at Hyuga Kagami, looking more and more pleased with him. "I'm Mei Terumi. It's nice to meet you."
(^_-)db(-_^)
Hyuga Kagami raised an eyebrow. "Sorry, but whether it's the Lightning Blade or Kubikiribōchō, they're my spoils. I can't give them back to Kirigakure!"
As if!
This woman might be beautiful, but the way she was eyeing him made it obvious she was here to take the swords!
Mei Terumi: "..."
What the hell? Was she really less appealing than a pair of swords?!
"Of course, they're your spoils. I won't ask you to return either weapon."
What a failure!
For the first time, Mei Terumi realized her beauty wasn't working.
She smiled brightly. "I just wanted to get to know you, that's all."
Hyuga Kagami looked Mei Terumi over. No wonder she was a beauty who could rival Tsunade in the Shinobi World. Her curvaceous figure and exquisite face looked like a masterpiece carved by the gods, a creation of heaven itself.
Especially those emerald-green eyes.
They had an exotic charm that made his heart skip a beat.
But still, swords mattered more.
"Of course."
Hyuga Kagami reached out and shook her soft hand. It was as smooth and delicate as satin. "But do you know where I can find a good blacksmith?"
"These two Ninja Swords need to be reforged."
"A mace is still easier to handle."
Mei Terumi: "..."
%￥#%...￥##!!!
She took a deep breath, then her eyes suddenly lit up.
She smiled.
Radiant as a flower!
As expected of the man she'd set her sights on. If her advances had turned him into a lovesick fool, he wouldn't have been a true powerhouse—and she wouldn't have looked twice at him!
Hyuga Kagami frowned.
Was this woman crazy? The original story hadn't mentioned it.
"Of course. Kirigakure has excellent blacksmiths."
Mei Terumi thought for a moment, then looked at the two weapons in Hyuga Kagami's hands. "But whether it's the Lightning Blade or Kubikiribōchō, they're both finished Ninja Swords with special properties."
"If you reforge them, you could affect those properties!"
"They might even lose them altogether, or only retain one of them!"
The special properties of the Ninja Swords were extremely rare.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen had become even stronger thanks to their swords' unique properties!
Combining two different properties was practically impossible.
"I see."
Hyuga Kagami pondered for a moment. "That makes sense. Then let's make sure Kubikiribōchō keeps its ability to 'regenerate'!"
"I already have the power of Thunderbolt, so I don't really need that. But I do need a powerful mace that can recover even if it's damaged!"
A mace!
Along with Thunder Bagua!
That was a man's idea of romance!
"If you're not in a hurry, I'd suggest going to the Land of Iron."
Mei Terumi suddenly remembered something. "There's a 'God of Blacksmiths' in the Land of Iron. If he said he was the second-best swordsmith in the Shinobi World, no one would dare claim to be the best!"
"And the Seven Ninja Swords of Kirigakure were all made by him."
"But the materials for the Seven Ninja Swords are so rare that making another set would be difficult."
Making Ninja Swords required more than just a skilled blacksmith.
The materials were essential too!
"Then I'll wait."
Hyuga Kagami tossed the weapons aside, and all three disappeared into the Kamui Dimension.
If he could get an even stronger mace made, he wouldn't turn down the opportunity. Besides... he might even be able to collect a few more Ninja Swords!
"Then let's head to Kirigakure!"
Hatake Kakashi spoke up, covering his Sharingan again. He looked at Mei Terumi. "We'll help you, but only as long as we don't expose ourselves and the situation is within our abilities."
"If we run into danger, we'll retreat immediately."
"In exchange, you'll help us gather information!"
With Mei Terumi there, finding information would be much easier.
"Of course."
Mei Terumi suddenly thought of something and sighed. "Helping ninjas from another village investigate Kirigakure's secrets... What a frustrating situation."
"But there's no other choice now."
Kirigakure was at a critical point, with its very survival at stake.
If the Mizukage kept this up, Kirigakure... would be finished!
"There's something I'd like to ask."
Hyuga Kagami suddenly spoke. "Mei Terumi, you're an elite jonin from Kirigakure. You should know a lot about the village. Do you know whether Kirigakure is currently conducting any investigations into Konoha? Or, for that matter, whether there are any Kirigakure spies in Konoha?"
He knew the original story.
Kirigakure was a militaristic village, but because it was "closed off," intelligence wasn't kept very secret from its own ninja.
It was a simple question.
Why not just ask Mei Terumi?
She was an elite jonin and had excellent relations with the major clans. Finding out this kind of information wouldn't be difficult.
Hatake Kakashi: "All right..."
Uchiha Itachi: "Hm?"
The two of them turned to look at Mei Terumi at once. They didn't know her very well!
If she knew a lot, things would be much easier!
Mei Terumi: "..."
She really did know... but she couldn't tell them!
If she did, how could Hatake Kakashi and the others help her?
Her expression turned solemn, and she said earnestly, "That's confidential information about Kirigakure. I'm not a high-ranking official, so I'd need to investigate before I could find out."
"If Kirigakure really does have spies in Konoha, I'll tell you all their names. But in return, I ask that Konoha send all our spies home safely."
Right.
Hyuga Kagami took in Mei Terumi's expression. This girl really did know.
She just couldn't say anything right now.
He shrugged.
Whatever. It was a good chance to check in while they were passing through!
Before you continue