Might Duy

Konoha Year 48. Summer was thickening, but the air along the southeastern coast of the Land of Fire was as cold as deep winter. The flames of the Third Shinobi World War had already burned for more than a year. On the western front against Hidden Stone and the northern front facing Hidden Cloud, the fighting had shifted into stalemate and scattered clashes after the battle at Kannabi Bridge, but the enormous drain of war and the constant strain on everyone's nerves had left even Konoha, that towering tree, showing signs of fatigue.

Yet true storms often came from the most unexpected direction.

On the southeastern border of the Land of Fire, inside Konoha's seaside defense headquarters, the atmosphere was so heavy it could drip water. The supreme commander in charge of the defense here, Shimura Danzo, wore black shinobi armor, his lone eye sharp as a hawk's. His gaze swept across the coastal defense map spread over the table, and his finger came down hard on several key landing sites and shipping lanes.

"Latest intelligence: Hidden Mist Village has been frequently moving troops among the coastal islands, on a scale far beyond routine patrols. There are also signs of large numbers of warships gathering at the ports of the Land of Water's mainland." Danzo's voice was low and cold, carrying unquestionable authority. He looked around at the core jonin present: the keen-nosed Inuzuka Clan head, Inuzuka Tsume; the calm and composed Aburame Clan elite, Aburame Shio, who always hid half his face behind a high collar; and several other experienced border troop captains.

"Lord Danzo, is Hidden Mist planning to tear up the ceasefire agreement and launch a full-scale invasion?" one captain could not help asking, worry written across his face. Last year, Hidden Mist's probing invasion of Hidden Sand had been repelled. He had not expected them to turn their spearhead toward Konoha so quickly.

"Hmph, ceasefire agreement?" Danzo snorted coldly, a sinister glint flashing through his lone eye. "In the face of absolute interest, it is nothing but a scrap of paper. Hidden Stone and Hidden Cloud are tying down a large portion of the village's forces on the western and northern fronts. Hidden Mist's Third Mizukage, that increasingly unreasonable madman, clearly believes this is a heaven-sent chance to loot a burning house!"

Everyone in the command center had heard of the Third Mizukage. In recent years, Hidden Mist Village's internal policy as the "Village of the Bloody Mist" had grown ever harsher: graduation exams where classmates killed each other, constant purges among the upper ranks, and the entire village shrouded in blood and terror. The Mizukage himself had also become more and more paranoid, suspicious, and belligerent. Last year's failed invasion of Hidden Sand, with its heavy losses, had dealt a severe blow to his prestige within the village. Now he desperately needed a victory against a great nation—especially the resource-rich Land of Fire—to solidify his rule and divert internal conflict. The secret encouragement and alliances from Hidden Stone and Hidden Cloud had given him even more of a pretext and confidence to send troops.

"We can't just sit back and take it!" Inuzuka Tsume said in a deep voice. At her feet, Kuromaru let out a low whine. "We have to strengthen the guard at every coastal outpost and send patrols to widen the scouting range, especially at night and in fog!"

Aburame Shio pushed up his sunglasses and analyzed calmly, "Hidden Mist shinobi excel at Water Style, assassination, and Hidden Mist Jutsu. They have a huge advantage fighting at sea and along the coast. Our fortifications must take into account the possibility of surprise attacks from underwater and inside the fog. I suggest placing large numbers of explosive tag traps and surveillance insects at every key point."

Danzo nodded and swiftly issued a chain of orders. "Tsume, you will command the patrols. Monitor the sea surface twenty-four hours a day without interruption. If you discover enemy movement, launch a flare warning immediately! Shio, you will oversee the fortifications and trap deployment. I want the coastline turned into a killing zone! The rest of you, get to your positions, raise your guard, and be ready to fight at any moment! Also, send a request for aid to the village immediately. Ask for more reinforcements, especially shinobi skilled in Fire Style and Wind Style, to counter Hidden Mist's Water Style and Hidden Mist Jutsu!"

The orders were quickly passed down, and Konoha's entire southeastern defense line began operating at high speed like a wound-up machine. The tense atmosphere spread rapidly, like thick fog over the sea.

A few days later, on a fog-drenched morning, the coastline had visibility of less than fifty meters. Waves struck the reefs with a monotonous sound. A three-man Konoha patrol was cautiously advancing along a forest path beside the cliffs. The squad members were Might Guy, Hyuga Yutaka, and Amamiya Ren.

After several years of tempering, Guy was already an experienced chunin, highly skilled in taijutsu, and able to open the Eight Gates up to the Sixth Gate, the Gate of View. Hyuga Yutaka's Byakugan was irreplaceable for scouting and tracking enemies. Amamiya Ren, with her outstanding swordsmanship and calm mind, had become a reliable teammate. They were an elite team within the border patrols.

"Yutaka, does your Byakugan see anything?" Guy asked in a low voice. The dense fog made him feel very uncomfortable.

Veins bulged around Hyuga Yutaka's eyes, and his white field of vision pierced the fog, sweeping over the sea and the woods. "Nothing for now... wait! Two o'clock, on the sea—chakra reactions! A lot of them! They're moving extremely fast! They're approaching!"

"What?!" Guy and Amamiya Ren instantly tensed.

"They're less than five hundred meters from shore! Their numbers... over thirty! Chakra intensity... at least five jonin-level! And... that's..." Hyuga Yutaka's voice abruptly sharpened, filled with horror. "Seven blades... giving off terrifying chakra! It's Hidden Mist's... Seven Ninja Swordsmen!"

"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen?!" Guy and Amamiya Ren's expressions changed drastically. They were the symbol of Hidden Mist Village's highest combat strength. Every ninja sword possessed strange and powerful abilities, and when all seven fought together, they were said to have the power to destroy a small nation. Why would they appear here? And in this weather, no less!

"Send the signal! Hurry!" Guy roared.

Amamiya Ren quickly pulled out a hand flare, but the instant he was about to set it off—

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—!"

Countless poisoned shuriken and senbon shot out from the dense fog like a torrential downpour. They were astonishingly fast.

"Gentle Fist Art: Rotation!" Hyuga Yutaka instantly used his absolute defense and deflected most of the attacks.

Guy and Amamiya Ren also swung their fists, feet, and longsword to block, but the flare was knocked to the ground.

In the dense fog, seven figures radiating terrifying killing intent slowly emerged like ghosts. The leader was a tall man carrying the bandage-wrapped broken blade, Executioner's Blade, on his shoulder—Biwa Juzo. Beside him were Kuriarare Kushimaru, wearing a Hidden Mist mask and holding the Longsword, Sewing Needle; Munashi Jinpachi, carrying the Blast Blade, Splash; and the other four: Kurosuki Raiga, who possessed the Lightning Blades, Fangs; Hozuki Senjin, with the Twin Blades, Flounder; Akebino Jinin, with the Blunt Sword, Helmet Splitter; and Suikazan Fuguki, wielder of the Greatsword, Sharkskin. They appeared one by one, surrounding Guy's team completely. Behind them stood dozens of elite Hidden Mist ANBU.

"Konoha little mice. Pretty sharp noses." Suikazan Fuguki licked his lips, and Sharkskin trembled excitedly. "Too bad you noticed too late."

"Kill them. End it quickly!" Akebino Jinin barked coldly.

The battle erupted in an instant. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen did not even all make a move. Just Akebino Jinin, Kuriarare Kushimaru, and Munashi Jinpachi stepping forward was enough to show overwhelming strength.

"Blast Blade: Heavy Rupture!" Munashi Jinpachi swung his blade down at the ground, triggering a violent explosion that sent shattered stones flying.

"Longsword: Earth Spider Stitch!" Kuriarare Kushimaru's Sewing Needle wove like a venomous snake, laying steel-wire traps across the ground.

Akebino Jinin charged straight at Guy, Helmet Splitter smashing down with the force of ten thousand jun!

"Sixth Gate, Gate of View, open!" Guy did not hesitate. He directly opened the highest gate he could endure. Green steam erupted across his body, and his speed and strength soared. He narrowly dodged Helmet Splitter and punched at Akebino Jinin, but the other man blocked with the body of his blade, the shock numbing Guy's arm.

Hyuga Yutaka's Byakugan could see through the attacks, but the enemy's strength and speed were too great. His Gentle Fist struggled to get close, so he could only rely on Rotation and Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm to barely hold on while protecting Amamiya Ren. Though Amamiya Ren's swordsmanship was excellent, under the explosions of the Blast Blade and the bizarre attacks of Sewing Needle, he was hard-pressed from all sides and was soon wounded.

"Konoha Strong Whirlwind!" Guy roared and launched a high-speed spinning kick, forcing Akebino Jinin back, but Kuriarare Kushimaru's Sewing Needle had already circled silently behind him.

"Guy! Watch out!" Hyuga Yutaka cried in alarm, but he was too late to help.

Just as Guy was about to be pierced through, a figure as fast as lightning charged into the battle!

"Partial Expansion Jutsu: Fist!" A massive fist appeared out of thin air and knocked Sewing Needle off course.

"Fang Passing Fang!" Two whirlwind-like shadows slammed into Munashi Jinpachi, forcing him back.

It was the support force led by Inuzuka Tsume and Aburame Shimi, who had rushed over after receiving the warning signal.

"Guy! Are you all right?" Inuzuka Tsume shouted, while Kuromaru bared his teeth.

"Mr. Shimi! Senior Tsume! It's the Seven Ninja Swordsmen!" Guy shouted urgently.

"Hmph, more coming to die!" Suikazan Fuguki sneered and swung Sharkskin. "Kill them all!"

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen finally all moved. The Lightning Blades released bolts of lightning, Flounder absorbed chakra and became enormous, and Sharkskin wildly devoured the ninjutsu of Konoha shinobi. Though Konoha's support force was made up of elites, under the pincer attack of the seven ninja swords and Hidden Mist ANBU, they were plunged into a bitter fight in an instant and suffered heavy casualties. Guy opened six gates and held off Akebino Jinin and Munashi Jinpachi alone, his whole body covered in wounds. Hyuga Yutaka and Amamiya Ren struggled to hold on under the cover of Inuzuka Tsume and Aburame Shimi, the defense line on the verge of collapse.

"Damn it! At this rate, everyone's going to die!" Guy watched his comrades fall one after another, his eyes nearly splitting with rage. "I can only use that... the Seventh Gate..."

Just as he was about to risk his life in one desperate strike—

"Guy—!!!"

A furious roar like a wild beast's bellow came from deep within the forest, filled with boundless anxiety, anger, and resolve.

A red figure, like a burning meteor, broke through the dense fog at a speed beyond everyone's reaction and smashed hard into the center of the battlefield. The shockwave sent the surrounding Hidden Mist ANBU flying.

The figure came to a stop. It was a man in a green jumpsuit, with thick eyebrows and a bowl haircut—Might Duy. Guy's father, Konoha's eternal genin.

But the Might Duy at this moment was nothing like the hot-blooded idiot who usually only shouted about "youth." His whole body was blood-red, red steam formed from evaporating blood burning around him. His hair stood on end, and massive chakra swept across the entire battlefield like a storm, even twisting the space around him. The ground beneath his feet cracked inch by inch.

"Eighth Gate: Gate of Death... open!!!" Might Duy's roar shook the wilderness.

"Dad... Father?!" Guy was stunned. He had never felt such terrifying power and presence before.

"Oh? A genin who opened the Gate of Death? Interesting." A trace of surprise flashed in Suikazan Fuguki's eyes, but he still looked contemptuous. "Nothing but a dying struggle."

"A dying struggle?" Might Duy raised his head. His eyes were crimson-white, and his gaze locked onto the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. "You... dared to hurt my son and my comrades! Then I'll use the last of my life to show you... what the true 'king' is!"

"Evening Elephant!"

Might Duy's figure vanished. The next instant, he appeared before Akebino Jinin and threw a punch—not an ordinary fist, but an air cannon compressed to the absolute limit.

"One Foot!"

Akebino Jinin did not even have time to raise Helmet Splitter before his entire body, along with the great blade, was struck in the chest by an invisible force and instantly exploded into a mist of blood. Not even bone remained.

"What?!" The other six Ninja Swordsmen turned pale with shock.

"Two Foot!" Might Duy appeared beside Munashi Jinpachi, and the air cannon erupted again. Munashi Jinpachi, along with the Blast Blade, Splash, was blasted into fragments.

"Three Foot!" Kuriarare Kushimaru tried to block with Sewing Needle, but both man and blade were crushed.

Three instant kills. The remaining Suikazan Fuguki, Biwa Juzo, Kurosuki Raiga, and Hozuki Senjin were terrified out of their wits and turned to flee.

"You think you can escape? Night Guy!!!"

Might Duy let out his final roar. His body transformed into a blood-red giant dragon and caught up to the four fleeing Ninja Swordsmen at a speed beyond space and time.

"No—!" Hozuki Senjin screamed in terror, the Twin Blades, Flounder, flying from his hands.

Boom—!!!

An earth-shattering explosion rang out as the blood-colored dragon devoured the area where the four men were. The shockwave leveled the entire forest, and the dense fog was completely blown away.

When the smoke and dust cleared, only a massive crater remained. Of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, four were dead and three wounded; the ones who ultimately escaped were Biwa Juzo, Kurosuki Raiga, and Suikazan Fuguki. The accompanying Hidden Mist ANBU were also almost entirely killed or wounded.

Might Duy stood at the edge of the crater, his whole body like burned-out charcoal, his skin split open and smoking. He turned back and looked at the dumbstruck Guy. Two lines of bloody tears flowed from his crimson-white eyes, but the corners of his mouth still strained into a smile.

"Guy... live on... well... your youth... has only just begun..."

Before the words had faded, his tall body fell backward like a collapsing mountain, turned to ash, and scattered with the wind. With the body of a mortal, he had stood shoulder to shoulder with gods, and in the end burned everything away.

"Father—!!!" Guy let out a heart-wrenching cry and collapsed to his knees.

The surviving Konoha shinobi, including Inuzuka Tsume and Aburame Shimi, silently lowered their heads, their hearts filled with endless shock and grief. Konoha's eternal genin, Might Duy, had paid with his life to defeat Hidden Mist's trump card and save the border defense line.

When the news reached Hidden Mist Village, the Third Mizukage flew into a rage, but he was also heartsick over the devastating losses suffered by the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, and the offensive was frustrated. On Konoha's side, although they had withstood the most elite surprise attack, Might Duy's sacrifice cast a heavy shadow over that victory. The flames of war on the southeastern front did not die out because of it. Instead, they continued to spread in an even more brutal fashion.