Seeing the long-haired man in archaic clothing standing ahead and blocking the road, Mifune raised an eyebrow.
"Who might you be, sir...?"
Mifune's tone was filled with cautious probing, making Chong Jie, his trusted subordinate beside him, glance sideways.
In Chong Jie's mind, the general was the strongest among the samurai of the Land of Iron. Even when facing the Five Kage, he could speak to them as an equal. Why was he being so wary of this man before them?
Mifune paid no mind to his subordinate's confusion. With a grave expression, he placed his hand on the hilt at his waist.
Years of training and battle had given Mifune exceptionally sharp instincts.
The pressure the other man gave him was immense. Just a trace of his aura was enough to make sweat pour down Mifune's back.
Not even Hanzō of the Land of Rain had ever made him feel this way.
This man was dangerous!
"Heh heh," Madara chuckled softly, stopping where he stood and keeping roughly a dozen meters between himself and the samurai.
"Who I am isn't important. But right now, you have only two choices—kill me, or be killed by me."
Although the other man spoke with a smile, the arrogance and killing intent in his words made Mifune frown deeply.
"Kid, do you know who you're facing?!"
Madara's attitude immediately displeased Chong Jie. He was about to draw the long sword at his waist when Mifune stopped him with a hand.
"You are from Konoha, aren't you?" Mifune walked alone to the very front of the group.
Madara nodded slightly, admitting his identity.
"Since you have appeared here, you must be here to stop us from aiding the Land of Hot Water..."
"Given your strength, please forgive my junior's disrespectful words."
"I have an