Jin carried the two Thunder Swords back to the battlefield and gathered the other five strangely shaped blades.
There were six in all. He tried them one by one, but only Nuibari suited him. His Mangekyo Sharingan already boosted his speed; a blade as slender as a long needle would give him an extra edge in battle.
Deep in the forest, Biwa Jūzō glanced back. Hitoshi was closing the distance at terrifying speed.
"So I can't get away after all. I'll have to face him head-on. Die!"
Jūzō twisted around in midair and brought Kubikiribōchō down toward Hitoshi's head.
Hitoshi's Mangekyo Sharingan spun. He tracked the blade's path and swept his sword upward.
Clang!
The weapons collided with a deafening crash. The force of Hitoshi's Berserk state surged through his sword into Kubikiribōchō, driving Jūzō backward.
"What strength." Jūzō's expression darkened.
"You're not bad yourself. If that Hōzuki had used your sword, he might have lasted a few more rounds. Too bad his blade drained him so badly," Hitoshi said calmly.
"Heh. Chiren was a prodigy in Sword Techniques, even among the Hōzuki."
"So what? The Uchiha have prodigies to spare. This Shinobi World War will mark our clan's rise, and you Seven Ninja Swordsmen will be our stepping stones."
"Stepping stones? Hahahaha!"
Jūzō's face twisted, his eyes burning with resentment. He sprang forward, raised Kubikiribōchō high, and hacked down.
The clash of weapons rang through the forest. Their blades struck again and again, Jūzō throwing all his strength into every blow.
Hitoshi relished the contest of strength. But after barely a dozen exchanges, sweat had already appeared on Jūzō's brow.
Hitoshi suddenly moved faster and struck harder. He knocked Kubikiribōchō aside, then reversed his blade and slashed across Jūzō's chest.
A massive wound opened. Blood poured out, staining Jūzō's