Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh-
Deep in a dense forest, two figures darted through the trees, their paths crossing.
Clang, clang-
Blades clashed, scattering sparks between the trees.
Then one of the figures plummeted from the air and hit the ground with a thud.
Kakashi gripped his Short Sword, his gaze fixed on the unfamiliar ninja in the tree. The ninja held a strangely shaped broadsword and stared down at Kakashi with icy eyes. His killing intent was almost tangible, like a beast poised to devour its prey.
"Someone from Kirigakure!"
Kakashi swept his gaze over the man's Forehead Protector and spoke through gritted teeth.
Just then, the man's figure flickered and vanished from the tree. A moment later, he appeared on the ground a short distance from Kakashi.
"Heh, I only meant to use the lull during the Chunin Ninja Exams to test Konoha's strength! I never expected a little brat to see through me!"
"White hair and a sword... are you Hatake Sakumo?"
"No, you must be his son!"
"Konoha really does keep producing talent!"
The ninja carrying the strange broadsword spoke as he closed in on Kakashi.
Kakashi tightened his grip on his Short Sword and scanned his surroundings, searching for anything he could use.
His father Hatake Sakumo's death had left Kakashi withdrawn and quiet. Whenever his spirits sank at night, he would sneak out of the village and wander outside.
But tonight, Kakashi had run into trouble.
In the woods outside the village, he had encountered a squad of ninja who were not from Konoha. Confident in his skills and courage, Kakashi had crept closer.
Only to be discovered!
One of them had even chased him down-the Kirigakure ninja now standing before him.
After exchanging blows, Kakashi had quickly realized that his opponent was far stronger than him, a genuine Jonin. Kakashi had only recently become a Chunin and was still a long way from Jonin level.
Using the terrain to his advantage, Kakashi had begun fleeing toward Konoha, hoping the village's Jonin and Anbu would notice what was happening and come to his aid.
Then the Kirigakure ninja had caught up. Their blades had clashed again, and his opponent's overwhelming strength had sent Kakashi crashing to the ground. Now his entire body trembled, and he was trapped.
As the man advanced step by step, death might be all that awaited Kakashi when that blade came down.
"I don't know how you're related to Hatake Sakumo, but it's a shame I never got to fight him!"
"Konoha's White Fang... I was really looking forward to it!"
"But it's too late now!"
As he spoke, the powerful, mysterious Kirigakure ninja stepped forward with his strange broadsword. Then he raised it high and slashed at Kakashi.
But at that very moment-
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh-
Several Shuriken suddenly flew out of the woods to one side, tracing arcs through the air straight toward the Kirigakure ninja's head.
Seeing them, the Kirigakure ninja hurriedly stepped back and swung his flounder-shaped broadsword.
Clang, clang, clang-
The Shuriken were deflected.
The Kirigakure ninja turned a wary gaze toward the woods.
This was Konoha's territory. If Konoha's Anbu discovered his intrusion, he would likely be in serious trouble.
By now, the Kirigakure ninja was already considering retreat.
Soon, Mu Feng emerged from the woods. Beneath the moonlight, he looked at the Kirigakure ninja opposite him, his pupils narrowing.
Mu Feng recognized the flounder-shaped broadsword in the Kirigakure ninja's hand.
The Twin Blades, Hiramekarei!
It was one of the broadswords wielded by the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, formed by joining two symmetrical blades, one above the other. It could fire gaseous spheres of energy and enlarge its blade. Because its shape somewhat resembled a flounder, it was also called the Twin Blades, Flounder.
In the original story, this sword had always been in Chojuro's hands.
But the ninja before Mu Feng was clearly not Chojuro. Judging by his face, he looked more like Hozuki Suigetsu from the original story.
From these clues, Mu Feng quickly reached a conclusion. The Kirigakure ninja standing before him was Hozuki Mangetsu, the current leader of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
I never expected to run into someone this powerful!
Staring at Hozuki Mangetsu, Mu Feng sighed inwardly.
As the leader of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Hozuki Mangetsu's strength needed no explanation. Not only did he possess the Hozuki Clan's innate talents, but he could also wield all seven of their Ninja Blades with proficiency. He was an elite Jonin in every sense.
However, during the Third Shinobi World War, he had died to Might Duy's Eight Gates Released Formation. Otherwise, Hozuki Mangetsu might even have contended for the position of Mizukage.
"Mu Feng!"
Kakashi's eyes widened when he saw Mu Feng emerge from the woods.
"Mu Feng, get out of here! That guy is a Jonin from Kiri-"
Kakashi hurriedly shouted.
Mu Feng was the same age as him, and throughout Kakashi's time at the academy, Mu Feng had never shown any outstanding ability.
By normal standards, Mu Feng would not even be a Genin yet.
For a ninja like that to face a Kirigakure Jonin who had driven even a gifted Chunin like Kakashi to the brink of death was simply suicide.
"I know!"
Before Kakashi could finish, however, Mu Feng stepped forward and interrupted him. His gaze settled on Hozuki Suigetsu.
"Hozuki Mangetsu, one of Kirigakure's Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist!"
"That broadsword in your hand must be the Twin Blades, Hiramekarei!"
With a cold gaze, Mu Feng recited Hozuki Mangetsu's identity as though it were common knowledge, leaving Kakashi stunned.
Hozuki Mangetsu was surprised as well. Tilting his head, he studied Mu Feng until his eyes settled on the Uchiha clothing Mu Feng wore.
"The Uchiha Fire Fan... you're a brat from the Uchiha Clan!"
"Hahaha, not bad! You recognized me, yet your first thought wasn't to run. That's impressive for someone your age! Even Zabuza might not manage that!"
Hozuki Mangetsu burst out laughing, giving Mu Feng no regard whatsoever.
He could easily kill Kakashi. Another boy of the same age was naturally no concern to Hozuki Mangetsu, who considered himself a genius of Kirigakure.
"Mu Feng, you..."
Kakashi stood frozen beside him!
He had never imagined that Mu Feng could identify their opponent with a single glance when he himself had failed to do so even after fighting for his life.
In the world of Naruto, a person's identity carried many implications. Recognizing an opponent also meant knowing their ninjutsu, techniques, and even their Kekkei Genkai.
Mu Feng's identity as a member of the Uchiha Clan was one example. Once an enemy recognized him on the battlefield, they would instinctively avoid looking into his eyes to guard against attacks using the Sharingan's visual powers.
Thus, correctly identifying an enemy and their clan was also a crucial part of ninja combat.
In that respect, Mu Feng had clearly surpassed Kakashi.
More importantly, Kakashi had gone outside the village on missions over the past year, while Mu Feng had only stayed within its walls.
For a moment, Kakashi felt that his former classmate had somehow become a little unfamiliar.
Just then, Mu Feng's voice reached his ears.
"Don't worry. Leave this to me!"
His calm tone made Kakashi feel that Mu Feng was not lying, leaving him even more shocked.
"Mu Feng, he's a Jonin!"
"A Jonin? That's exactly who I'm here to kill!"
As those resolute words rang out, killing intent surged from Mu Feng.
The battle began!
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