On the rooftop.
Karatachi Yagura had nothing to say.
Zabuza scoffed. "That old bastard has no shame. How is Kirigakure supposed to improve with a fossil like him around?"
Hozuki Mangetsu nodded emphatically. "You're right, but... why am I the one carrying Utakata?"
Zabuza said nothing. He just stared at Genji, apparently considering which angle would let him slice off the old man's head most cleanly.
Shinji glanced at Karatachi Yagura. "I'm going to kill someone, all right?"
Resolve flashed through Karatachi Yagura's eyes.
"If you want Mei Terumi to take power, not one of the old guard led by Genji can be left alive!"
"Tch. You really are a veteran. You're much more ruthless than that woman."
Shinji shook his head, took out a Scroll, draped a Haku robe over himself, then pulled out a mask and covered his face. With a whoosh, he vanished.
Smack!
Kimimaro was still trying to work out what Genji had meant.
A large hand settled on his shoulder.
Kimimaro's brow twitched.
Shhk!
A stark Haku bone shot from his back like a blade. At the same time, he drove the long bone sword he had formed from his spine under his arm.
He stabbed behind him!
Clang—
What happened next stunned Kimimaro and every Kirigakure ninja there!
All afternoon and into the night, no one had dared face Kimimaro's unstoppable bone blade. Yet now it had been blocked with ease...
"What is that?"
Genji froze.
The moment Shinji appeared, a terrible premonition rose in Genji's heart.
Then he saw the golden flames rising from Shinji's body become ribs, forming a suit of armor.
His clouded old eyes flew wide!
"Madara Uchiha?!" Genji blurted out. The young Kirigakure ninja stared at one another in shock.
But Genji shook his head.
"No, that's impossible! He