As the samurai commander's body fell, the nearest Land of Water samurai cried out in terror, shouting, "The general is dead! The general is dead!" as they instinctively backed away. In times like these, a unit's commander wielded enormous influence. With no ideals or convictions to bind them, the soldiers' cohesion depended entirely on authority imposed from above. Once that authority disappeared, their unity began to crumble.
This was one of the great differences between traditional feudal armies and modern armies—not merely their weapons and equipment, but their mindset and discipline. Thus, when that Land of Water samurai shouted, the shock it sent through those around him was easy to imagine. Terror seized them, their bodies trembled, and they wanted nothing more than to throw down their weapons and flee.
Noticing this, the Konoha ninja shouted as they fought the samurai or Kirigakure ninja around them: "The general is dead! The general is dead!"
Amid such chaos, no one could tell who was shouting. Those farther away, unaware of what had happened, saw disorder spreading around the samurai commander's position and believed the news. They began to panic as well, spreading their fear to others in an endless vicious cycle.
"Attack!" After cutting down the samurai commander with a single stroke, Mifune paused for only one breath before shouting. At the same time, he strode forward and swept his blade at the Land of Water samurai before him.
Having witnessed his astonishing strike, and shaken by their commander's death, these Land of Water samurai had no courage left to face Mifune. Some had already turned to flee. Others still hesitated, instinctively raising their blades to meet him when they saw him charge.
But how could such spiritless swordsmanship stand against a master like Mifune? Cold steel flashed, and three Land