Aboard the warships.
The Kirigakure ninja also spotted the Konoha ninja "waiting" on the shore.
But they showed no intention of retreating just because Konoha had discovered their operation in advance. Instead, under the command of Yin Jie's "old friend," Karatachi Yagura, they accelerated.
The force the Hidden Mist Village had assembled this time was unprecedentedly powerful. Not only was Karatachi Yagura, regarded as the Mizukage's successor, leading as commander, but the renowned Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist had also turned out in full.
—Suikazan Fuguki, wielder of Samehada; Kurotsuchi Raiga, wielder of Kiba; Munashi Jinpachi, wielder of the Exploding Blade Shibuki; Kushimaru Kuriarare, wielder of Nuibari; and Jinin Akebino, wielder of Kabutowari.
Of course, calling them the Five Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist would have been more accurate now.
After all, two of their members, Jūzō Biwa and Hōzuki Senjin, had already died at Yin Jie's hands in the Land of Hot Water. Their respective Ninja Blades, the Broken Blade: Kubikiribōchō and the Twin Blades: Hiramekarei, had become his spoils as well.
Although the jinchūriki mentioned in the intelligence had not appeared, the Hidden Mist Village's deployment made its intentions clear: it was determined to clash with Konoha on a massive scale, rather than continue with petty raids and harassment.
Razor-sharp teeth!
Deranged grins!
In their various stances aboard the warships, the Kirigakure ninja fixed their icy gazes through the sea fog on the Konoha ninja, who had formed up onshore and stood ready for battle.
With them came bursts of ear-piercing, brazen laughter, mingled with savage howls and bellows. The sea breeze carried the noise across the distance to the Konoha ninja's ears.
Yes, like a troop of gorillas that had completely lost their minds...
At the sight, a bloodthirsty edge crept onto the Konoha ninja's faces