Blade Apart from the Pack

No one likes to be isolated from others and live a solitary life.

"If so, then that person must have a story."

The sounds coming from outside the courtyard seemed to have been expected by Akihamaru. He simply tossed the cigarette in his hand to the ground, as if waiting for the last wisp of smoke to dissipate before he could fully come to his senses.

"In this Shinobi World, who hasn't endured countless hardships..."

He chuckled softly, his eyes regaining their sharp, razor-like edge as he quietly observed Kato Osamu strolling in from the main entrance.

"Blue Asura... I never expected it to be you who came to Mist Shinobi..."

"Oh?"

"Wow, I'm already this famous?"

With eyes as sharp as daggers, this man was definitely a master swordsman. Kato Osamu, who was only slightly narrowing his eyes, inexplicably sensed a trace of hostility from him.

"Few people can escape from that man's clutches..."

"You're the first one I've ever met..."

"Alive..."

The sky is always gloomy Mist Shinobi, with water vapor spreading and obscuring the sky and the earth, making everyone's face indistinct.

"So they were just Danzo's Danzo after all..."

Kato Osamu's lips slowly curved into a smile, but it seemed devoid of any warmth.

"Not everyone is lucky enough to be chosen by the Three Legendary Sannin..."

"A lackey, huh... say what you will..."

Akihamaru didn't seem to possess the cold hardness typical of Root ninjas. As if the mist of Kirigakure had melted away some of his icy demeanor, he slowly shook his head and merely let out a cold snort.

"It's up to you, say it however you like..."

With his head held high and carrying his long sword, Akihamaru ignored Kato Osamu's voice and walked towards the hut on his own. In the silence, no one else's voice could be heard.

"I think you understand why I'm here today..."

"Can I not know...?"

His footsteps paused at the doorway of the room. A thin mist clung to his muscular, bronze-colored body. He spoke in a deep voice but did not turn around.

"Even you, the so-called Blue Asura, still have to obey that person's orders and work for him."

"This so-called escape is truly laughable..."

Before Akihamaru's voice had even finished, Kato Osamu couldn't help but chuckle. His laughter grew louder and louder, seemingly uncontrollable, until no other sound in the entire courtyard could compare.

"It's quite ridiculous..."

Even though it's ridiculous, you still yearn for it...

A burst of blue light shot out from his eyes, and Akihamaru's body seemed to be imprisoned. Large white snakes appeared out of thin air, trying to completely envelop him.

"While I don't particularly dislike animals that crawl on the ground, I think I'd feel disgusted if they clung to me and secreted slime..."

"I can't help but want to kill them all..."

The sword was not drawn; only a flash of silver light appeared, and countless white dust particles exploded in the air.

"Orochimaru's disciple, a promising junior favored by Minato Namikaze Orochimaru, the nephew of Princess Tsunade's former lover, Konoha genius with exceptional talent, and the Blue Asura with illustrious battle achievements..."

"You've come to Mist Shinobi, probably for more than just this information I have..."

The scroll bearing the bright red seal seemed to proclaim its extraordinary and top-secret nature, but the scroll in Akihamaru's hand did not seem to attract Kato Osamu's attention. His gaze was fixed on the man carrying a long sword with his back to him.

The smile that had vanished almost vanished seemed to have never appeared on his face.

"Looks like he's truly a hidden spy; even in Mist Shinobi, his intelligence network is still incredibly efficient..."

"I need you to do something for me, Akiba Gekko..."

Kato Osamu glanced at Akihamaru, seemingly scrutinizing him.

"Oh? Looks like I guessed right? You should know what I want..."

"To remove the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal...?"

"Can..."

Seemingly surprised that Kato Osamu agreed so easily, Akiba Gekko slowly turned her head with a scrutinizing gaze, staring directly at Kato Osamu with eagle-like eyes, cold as if devoid of any emotion.

"A swordsmanship prodigy from the Hayate Clan, at this age, you're the only one I can think of, Akiba Gekko..."

"I've been living under an assumed name for over ten years, I never expected anyone would still remember me..."

He chuckled softly, a hint of confusion and unfamiliarity flashing in his eyes at the address.

"Just call me Akihamaru... I like that name..."

With a hint of reminiscence on his face, Akihamaru slowly shook his head, a slight smile playing on his lips. He didn't bring it up again, but went into the room, carrying two bowls of steaming food. He then casually squatted down in front of the door.

"Mist Shinobi's specialty, chili fish balls, would you like to try them?"

"Certainly..."

Time dissipated in the Mist Shinobi fog, its tranquility unsettling.

At the Water Shadow Building in the Mist Shinobi, Kiriya Shun put down the scroll, gently rubbing his brow. Before he could turn around, Karatachi Yagura's voice, buried within the scroll, rang out.

"Have we arrived at the Hyuga Main Family...?"

"They've arrived. The guards were very tight for the first two days, but intelligence from the last few days indicates that this person has already quietly gone to the battlefield..."

"Hmph, it seems Konoha really thinks Mist Shinobi and has turned this place into a training ground for their disciples..."

A flash of anger crossed Karatachi Yagura's face, but a faint smile quietly appeared on his lips. He slowly rose from the desk covered with books, his gaze sweeping over Kiriya Shun before settling on the churning mist of the sea of clouds.

"However, we cannot ignore this generous gift..."

"Alright, we can begin..."

"Yes!"

"Finally, it's about to begin!"

As if he had been waiting for this moment, Kiriya Shun's eyes lit up instantly, and all his fatigue seemed to vanish.

The battle on the Mist Shinobi battlefield was in chaos, and the village was also in turmoil. As Karatachi Yagura's right-hand man, he understood the importance of this operation and was determined to deal a heavy blow to Konoha.

Perhaps the village's fate will be decided in the war to come.

"Order the New Seven Ninja Swordsmen to immediately ascend the Water Shadow Building..."

"Summon all the heads of major families, the ministers of logistics, strategy, and medical departments."

Every nation is a war behemoth; once it goes all out, it seems to instantly possess an unparalleled power. From the not-so-magnificent Water Shadow Building, the constant stream of orders seems to be continuously activating this war machine called Mist Shinobi.

"Shun, the Anbu is now in your hands..."

"A sudden disturbance will only alert the snake," as the saying Karatachi Yagura understood this principle; the best time to strike was when the prey felt safe.

The Mist Shinobi Anbu lurking on the front lines remained completely still, simply waiting for their prey to step into the abyss.

"You must act immediately, but you only have two days at most. Two days later, the details of the troops mobilized by each village will definitely be on the desks of the Shadows."

"By then, Mist Shinobi will have lost its best hunting opportunity..."

"Yes, Yagura!"

"However, if the Byakugan is lost, the Hyuga Clan and Konoha will likely launch a desperate counterattack..."

"Hmph, I'll show them what true fear is..."

Karatachi Yagura, with his eyes slightly narrowed, stood quietly on the balcony, gazing out the window, without uttering a word.

Following his gaze, Kiriya Shun saw a hidden corner shrouded in mist, seemingly concealing all light and darkness, quiet and still.