The Fall of the Seven Swordsmen! Sea Cliff's Swan Song!

Tobirama Senju stood proudly atop the sea, coldly watching the eight Kirigakure powerhouses surrounding him.

"I told you, in my eyes, you aren't even qualified to be my enemies!"

"Now, I'll give you two choices—surrender, or die!"

Mizunazuki Jingyu wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and sneered. "Second Hokage, you're too arrogant!"

Tobirama closed his eyes. "This was your choice!"

Boom!

A terrifying, tangible killing intent erupted from Tobirama's body!

His violent chakra formed a visible whirlwind, violently blasting away the surrounding seawater and instantly obscuring every Kirigakure ninja's vision.

The instant their vision returned, Tobirama had already appeared behind the Kirigakure ninja codenamed Broken Blade like a ghost.

The Sword of the Thunder God became a dazzling streak of lightning and pierced through his abdomen without resistance!

Broken Blade spat out a mouthful of blood. Yet not only did he refuse to retreat, he tightly seized Tobirama's arm and roared himself hoarse, "Attack! Twin Blades!"

The other Kirigakure ninja reacted instantly.

The Kirigakure ninja wielding the flounder-shaped twin blades leaped high into the air and wildly poured chakra into them. "Release!"

The Twin Blades: Hiramekarei erupted with a powerful current of air, instantly expanding into a massive gaseous warhammer that came crashing down upon Tobirama and Broken Blade with the force of a mountain collapsing overhead!

Seeing that Broken Blade was determined to die, Tobirama advanced rather than retreat.

He rapidly formed seals with one hand. "Water Release: Water Clear Wave!"

A massive surge of seawater shot into the sky, transforming into a wave that forcibly held back the descending air hammer.

Immediately afterward, Tobirama kicked Broken Blade, who had been clinging to him desperately, and sent him flying.

At that moment, Suikazan Fuguki, wielding Shark Skin, charged forward with an enraged roar. The enormous Shark Skin swept toward Tobirama's waist like a small mountain.

Behind Tobirama, the Kirigakure ninja wielding Exploding Blade Shibuki had also closed in, slashing its blade covered in explosive tags toward his back.

Attacked from both front and rear!

A cold glint flashed through Tobirama's eyes as he directly plunged the Sword of the Thunder God into the seawater beneath his feet.

"Lightning Release: Heavy Current Rock!"

Violent lightning-nature chakra flowed through the Sword of the Thunder God into the sea, instantly transforming into countless dazzling lightning serpents that spread outward indiscriminately!

The powerful current instantly numbed the two approaching men from head to toe, forcing them back.

At the same time, Mizunazuki Jingyu formed seals again. "Secret Technique: Water-Moon Slaughter!"

Countless tiny droplets turned into lethal bullets and rained down upon Tobirama.

The remaining Kirigakure ninja also unleashed their strongest killing moves!

Lightning Blade: Kiba, capable of releasing lightning spheres!

Exploding Blade Shibuki, capable of perfectly combining with explosions!

Twin Blades: Hiramekarei, capable of firing gaseous energy spheres!

Nuibari, capable of piercing through anything and sewing it together!

Kabutowari, capable of crushing all defenses!

Shark Skin, capable of absorbing an enemy's chakra and merging with its wielder!

And the heavily injured Executioner's Blade, which was regenerating itself by absorbing the iron in blood!

Seven ninja blades with special abilities burst forth with their most brilliant radiance in the hands of seven warriors determined to protect Kirigakure!

They completely abandoned defense and launched a brutal suicidal assault against this Hokage standing at the pinnacle of the ninja world!

At some point, a torrential downpour had begun to fall from the sky.

Tobirama gripped the Sword of the Thunder God and darted through rain and lightning, engaging eight Kirigakure elites in a true fight to the death!

"Get lost! You Konoha scum, don't stand in my way!"

Minazuki Kai's eyes were bloodshot as he crazily cursed Hiruzen Sarutobi and Lin Hai, who stood before him.

Lin Hai gave a cold laugh. "Want to save your brother? Dream on! Today, neither of you brothers will leave this place alive!"

Hiruzen did not waste words. He swung the Golden Cudgel again, smashing it toward Minazuki Kai like a raging storm.

Kai formed seals with both hands at once, and two thick water whips appeared from thin air, lashing viciously toward Hiruzen.

Watching the heavy rain fill the sky, Lin Hai felt extremely frustrated. Damn it! In weather and surroundings like this, my Fire Release is completely useless! When I get back, I have to develop flames that can't be put out!

Frustrated as he was, Lin Hai's hands did not slow. "Wind Style: Wind Cutter Technique!"

An enormous invisible wind blade instantly severed both water whips.

Hiruzen took the opportunity to rush in and smashed his staff solidly into Kai's chest, sending him flying.

While flying backward, Kai endured the agonizing pain and formed a hand seal with one hand.

A high-pressure water jet shot from his fingertips, piercing straight toward Hiruzen's heart!

With no foothold in midair, Hiruzen could only twist his body with all his strength.

Pfft!

The water jet pierced through Hiruzen's right shoulder, bringing a spray of blood with it.

The instant Kai fell into the water, Lin Hai seized the chance to use the Body Flicker Technique and appear beside him. Two kunai mercilessly stabbed into his lower back.

Kai let out a painful howl. Ignoring his injuries, he suddenly turned his head and spat out several fine ice senbon!

Lin Hai was too close to dodge, and several ice senbon pierced through his abdomen.

Ignoring the injury to his shoulder, Hiruzen charged toward Kai again.

"Staff Piercing!"

The Golden Cudgel instantly extended, shooting forward like a golden bolt of lightning and striking straight at Kai's chest!

Kai desperately twisted his body and avoided his heart, but his right arm was still ruthlessly smashed apart by the Golden Cudgel.

Dragging his shattered body, he retreated rapidly once more, widening the distance between himself and the two men.

Hiruzen leaned on the Golden Cudgel and panted heavily as he looked at Minazuki Kai. "Your heart is in turmoil! You had the strength to defeat us, but your mind was never here. You've already lost."

Lin Hai pulled the ice senbon from his abdomen and endured the intense pain as he sealed his pressure points to stop the bleeding. "Surrender! Your brother definitely can't stop Lord Second Hokage! There's no point in struggling any longer!"

Kai looked at his severed right hand and forcibly pushed the kunai from his waist out with chakra.

He stared at the two men with hatred-filled eyes and roared hysterically, "Surrender? Why should I?!"

"Why should I surrender to sanctimonious Konoha ninja like you?!"

"What does the matter of the Land of Whirlpools have to do with Konoha? You use protecting an allied nation as an excuse, but in truth, you just want to suppress the development of our Land of Water!"

"The Land of Whirlpools is like a nail lodged in our throat, blocking our expansion toward the mainland!"

"Why should only Konoha be allowed to dominate while Kirigakure is forbidden from rising?!"

"I'll kill you all!!"

Kai had completely descended into madness, rapidly forming seals with one hand.

"Secret Technique: Water-Moon Slaughter!"

The rain filling the sky instantly transformed into countless deadly swords, stabbing toward the two men from all directions!

Lin Hai gritted his teeth and charged directly into the rain of swords.

"Wind Style: Thousand Faces of Wind!"

Countless tiny wind blades formed a barrier before him, shredding the incoming raindrops. Lin Hai used the opportunity to rapidly close in on Minazuki Kai.

Looking at the approaching Lin Hai, Kai's lips curled into a cruel sneer. "Die!"

"Ice Release: Dragon-Breaking Fierce Tiger!"

The sea beneath Kai's feet instantly froze, and a massive frost tiger roared as it burst forth, opening its bloody jaws to bite down on Lin Hai.

At that moment, Hiruzen arrived beside Lin Hai.

"Great Advance!"

The tip of the Golden Cudgel in Hiruzen's hand suddenly became incomparably huge, like an impregnable wall, and slammed viciously into the ice tiger!

Boom!

The ice tiger shattered from the impact! The tremendous force did not diminish, smashing heavily into Kai and sending him flying once again.

Lin Hai gripped a short blade and activated the Body Flicker Technique, appearing at Kai's side like a shadow.

Taking advantage of Kai's brief daze after being blasted away, Lin Hai's eyes turned fierce, and he viciously drove his blade into Kai's heart!

However, at the instant the blade pierced his heart!

Kai's left hand instantly transformed into a crystalline ice sword and, at an unbelievable angle, pierced through Lin Hai's chest in a backhand strike!

Then Kai heavily kicked Lin Hai in the abdomen, sending him flying.

Seeing this, Hiruzen roared and swung the Golden Cudgel toward Kai's head.

Kai actually seized the Golden Cudgel tightly with his remaining left hand!

"Secret Technique: Thousand Flying Water Needles!"

The surrounding rainwater transformed into countless ice senbon again and shot toward Hiruzen at close range!

Unable to evade, Hiruzen could only shout, "Earth Release: Hardening Technique!"

A layer of hard rock instantly covered the surface of his skin.

However, Kai's attack power erupting in such desperate circumstances was far too terrifying. The ice senbon forcibly penetrated the rocky defense, pierced Hiruzen's abdomen, and blasted him away.

While flying backward, Hiruzen endured the agonizing pain and formed seals with one hand.

"Enma! Release!"

The Golden Cudgel in Kai's grip instantly released its transformation and returned to Enma's form.

Enma let out a thunderous roar and thrust out his sharp claws, instantly piercing through Minazuki Kai's chest and forcibly tearing out his heart!

Kai's eyes gradually lost focus as he stared blankly at the gray sky, muttering, "Why... why..."

With endless unwillingness and fury, this peerless genius of the Yuki Clan slowly collapsed onto the cold sea.

The battle had finally ended.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura arrived at the scene. When they saw the heavily injured Hiruzen and Lin Hai lying on the ground, they were startled.

Koharu hurried forward and used medical ninjutsu to stabilize Lin Hai's injuries.

Looking at Minazuki Kai slowly sinking into the sea, Homura said in shock, "You... you really killed this guy?!"

Hiruzen clutched the wound on his abdomen and gave a bitter smile. "That kid was lucky. His heart was slightly off-center, otherwise that strike would have finished him."

Then Hiruzen shouted at Homura, "Who do you think we are? If not for Enma's help, and for this kid risking his life to create an opening, we'd be the ones dead!"

Homura's expression turned solemn. "The Kirigakure main force up ahead has already surrendered. More than three thousand have all been captured. The battle is over. Have you seen Lord Hokage?"

Hiruzen froze. "By all rights, Sensei should have dealt with that Yuki Clan leader long ago. Why hasn't he come out yet?"

A bad feeling arose in Homura's heart. "You two stay here and treat your injuries. I'll go take a look inside Sea Cliff!"

With that, Homura turned and sprinted toward the depths of the valley.

Deep within Despair Valley.

Mitokado Homura rushed into the valley, and the sight before him made him suck in a cold breath.

On the steep cliff face, the Sword of the Thunder God had nailed a Kirigakure ninja firmly to the rock.

Several mangled corpses floated upon the sea.

At the center of the valley, atop the sea, Second Hokage Tobirama Senju sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, resting.

"There was more than one enemy?!" Homura was horrified.

He cautiously approached Tobirama and called softly, "Sensei?"

Boom!

A terrifying, tangible killing intent erupted instantly, directly flipping Mitokado Homura onto the sea!

Tobirama suddenly opened his eyes. The killing intent in them had not yet faded, and he resembled a primordial beast ready to devour its prey.

Only after seeing that the newcomer was his disciple did Tobirama slowly withdraw his killing intent and take a deep breath.

"Whew... It's been many years since I had such a satisfying fight. I didn't rein in my aura in time. Are you all right?"

Tobirama stood up. His voice carried a trace of exhaustion, but even more exhilaration.

Homura had broken out in a cold sweat. In that instant, he had felt as though he had fallen into an endless hell, unable even to breathe.

He hurriedly got to his feet. "I'm fine, Sensei. Kirigakure's forces at the front have all surrendered. We've won a great victory!"

Tobirama nodded. His gaze swept across the seven strange ninja blades scattered around them and the eight cold corpses, and a complicated trace of respect flashed through his eyes.

"Send people here to collect the bodies of these eight men. Find a place with good feng shui and give them a proper burial. As for these ninja blades... bring them back to Konoha."

"Though they were enemies, they were also Kirigakure's true heroes."

With that, Tobirama turned and left the battlefield without looking back.

Only then did Mitokado Homura dare to carefully examine the miserable scene around him.

From the lingering aura on these mangled bodies alone, he could sense how powerful they had been in life!

When his gaze fell upon the seven scattered ninja blades, his pupils suddenly contracted, and he could not help crying out, "The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist?!"

The Executioner's Blade had broken into two pieces and sunk into the shallow sea.

The massive Shark Skin was embedded backward in Suikazan Fuguki's body.

Kabutowari was deeply lodged in the cliff face.

And Jingyu, the Yuki Clan leader, had been nailed firmly to the highest point by Tobirama's Sword of the Thunder God...

Kirigakure's most elite trump card—the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist—along with the Yuki Clan leader, had been completely wiped out in this nameless valley while covering the main force's retreat!

Land of Water, Kirigakure.

Having just ascended to the position of Third Mizukage through a brutal election, the man stood spiritedly before the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Mizukage Building, looking down upon the entire village.

"Under my leadership, Kirigakure will advance toward unprecedented glory!"

At that moment, an ANBU member rushed in with a panicked expression.

"Lord Mizukage! The Land of Whirlpools front... an urgent classified report!"

The Third Mizukage frowned, accepted the report, and casually opened it.

However, when he saw its contents, his whole body was struck as if by lightning. The report slipped from his hand and fell to the floor.

"How could this be..."

The Third Mizukage collapsed into his chair in a daze, muttering to himself.

"Mizunazuki Jingyu is dead in battle... the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist have been annihilated... three thousand main-force soldiers captured..."

"Everything is over..."

"They... they were Kirigakure's true heroes! Compared to them, what am I, who climbed over my comrades' corpses to become Mizukage? And those clans who fought for power and profit without caring whether the village lived or died? We're nothing but a pack of clowns!"

The Third Mizukage covered his face as tears of anguish streamed through his fingers.

Konoha Year Fifteen.

The Land of Whirlpools War, which had lasted two years and swept across several great nations, was finally declared over after the Third Mizukage personally went to Konoha's main camp and signed a ceasefire agreement with the Second Hokage.

The people of the shinobi world did not remember the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, who had died bravely to cover their comrades' retreat.

They remembered only one name.

A legendary Hokage who had swept through Kirigakure's elite forces single-handedly in a naval battle.

Tobirama Senju.

From that day onward, the shinobi world gained a title that struck fear into all who heard it.

—"Water God"!