But just as Might Duy was about to activate the chakra in his heart...
A massive flying slash suddenly shot in from the distance, carving an enormous trench between Might Duy and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
"Wh-what is that?"
Munashi Jinpachi looked toward the direction the slash had come from and murmured, his voice trembling.
"Looks like I got here just in time!"
A figure emerged from that direction. It was Chihane Hatake, who had just returned from the front lines.
Chihane had spotted the signal flare Biwa Juzo had fired moments earlier. Although he did not know what it meant, he had decided to come take a look.
And that spur-of-the-moment decision had brought Chihane here just in time to stop Might Duy from activating the Eight Gates Released Formation!
"Chihane!"
Ebisu, who had already given up hope, caught sight of Chihane in his despair and cried out in excitement.
"Chihane? Are you Konoha's Asura Swordmaster, Chihane Hatake?"
Hearing Ebisu's words and recalling the enormous flying slash, Biwa Juzo exclaimed in surprise.
Biwa Juzo kept a notebook specifically devoted to the powerful figures of the shinobi world.
Naturally, he had included Konoha's newly risen S-rank ninja, the Asura Swordmaster Chihane Hatake, who had killed Iwagakure's Iron Fist Kitsuchi.
"Uncle Duy, leave this to me. Take them somewhere and wait a little while. Once I've dealt with these guys, I'll take you all back to Konoha."
Chihane ignored Biwa Juzo and spoke to Might Duy beside him instead.
"Heh! Kids these days really aren't very likable! Since Konoha's Asura Swordmaster is here, we'll let you off for now!"
"Let's go!"
Seeing that Chihane had arrived, Suikazan Fuguki knew their mission had failed completely. But he did not want to fight Chihane head-on unless he had to, so