"Each of these seven… their strength has probably reached the Kage level!"
Hearing this, Shigure merely smiled.
"Perhaps."
Sasuke frowned. "The Hidden Mist seems terrifyingly strong now."
"But how did you do it?"
Shigure raised an eyebrow. "Why do you always assume everything is my doing?"
Sasuke stared. "Because the Hidden Mist wasn't like this before. Not even close."
According to the intel he had, Kirigakure was dangerous in the past, but not overwhelmingly powerful. The Mizukage line was competent, but nothing exceptional. And although the Seven Ninja Swordsmen had a fearsome reputation, they were never collectively comparable to Kage-tier fighters.
Yet under Shigure's leadership, the Hidden Mist had transformed—reborn, even.
Just training seven elite swordsmen to reach Kage-class strength was something few in history could pull off. Many ninja had talent—so why these seven?
There was only one answer: Shigure.
"You could say that," Shigure admitted lightly.
"But… it's still not enough."
He turned and began walking forward.
The Mist Swordsmen Strike
At that moment, Zabuza stepped toward Nagato and the others.
"I'll deal with that brat Chōjūrō later. For now… I'll take care of you."
With a single motion, he drew the Kubikiribōchō.
Water surged the instant the blade left its sheath.
Water Breathing—First Form: Surface Slash!
A crescent-shaped torrent of water carved through the air, tearing toward the enemy. They managed to dodge, but the slash cut directly through the massive wall behind them—splitting it cleanly in half.
Nagato's eyes narrowed.
"What incredible swordsmanship."
Zetsu replied, "That's the Mizukage's style. A strange hybrid sword art that merges Water Release with kenjutsu. Only the Mist has it."
Yahiko's expression tightened. "I've never heard of anything like that."
At that moment, Mei Terumī swung the Nuibari.
A surge of intense heat burst from her blade. The downward strike wasn't like a sword at all—it was like a giant hammer smashing the world itself.
Steam burst violently from Mei's body, empowered by Boil Release: Matchless Monstrous Strength.
The blow landed.
Boom!
A deafening explosion shook the entire abandoned factory.
The ground fractured, a massive crater forming beneath her strike as blistering heat rippled through the air. Even the temperature in the entire complex jumped drastically.
Buildings began to collapse from the shockwave.
Then—
A calm but cold voice echoed:
"Chōjūrō… you're being reckless. Lord Shigure is inside. What if you endangered him?"
A surge of freezing air swept through the area.
The collapsing structures froze mid-fall, locked in glittering ice.
The sheer scale of the freezing technique made the Fourth Raikage tense.
He leapt down beside Zabuza and the others, looking around with a grave expression.
The water flowing beneath his feet had solidified instantly—harder than steel.
The Raikage's thoughts churned.
The Seven Mist Swordsmen had appeared one after another—each unleashing overwhelming power. From above, he had watched carefully.
Each of them was at least on par with him.
He could defeat one—but easily? No.
These were monsters trained personally by the Mizukage.
And now, all seven stood assembled.
This was the first time the full squad had been deployed together—and the sight was astonishing.
Seven such fighters could destroy a small nation outright.
Even one of the Five Great Nations would struggle if all seven attacked together.
They were assassins by origin—frontal assault wasn't even their strength.
The Raikage stared at Darui, ready to issue orders—
—but then Chōjūrō landed, carrying an exhausted Darui down to safety. The Raikage's gaze sharpened as he stared at the boy who had cleaved a district's worth of buildings moments ago.
Samui and the other Cloud nin regrouped, all visibly drained.
By contrast, the Seven Mist Swordsmen looked invigorated.
Akatsuki Cornered
"The Hidden Mist and the Hidden Cloud moving together…"
Nagato narrowed his eyes.
"Two Great Nations joining forces to surround us. It seems they intend to wipe out Akatsuki entirely."
His gaze shifted toward a certain direction—
—where Shigure emerged from the shadows, Sasuke following behind.
Shigure looked directly at Nagato.
Seeing Nagato standing in his real body, Shigure paused briefly. Then he sensed it—the Six-Tails' chakra swirling within Nagato.
"So he made himself a Jinchūriki… hoping to keep fighting with a Tailed Beast's power?"
Shigure stepped forward.
Zabuza and the Seven Swordsmen silently moved behind him, massive blades resting on their shoulders.
Each one of them stood aligned behind their Mizukage.
Completely united.
Completely loyal.
Completely his.
At that moment, Haku appeared beside Shigure, landing lightly on the frozen ground.
"There's no one downstairs. The Orochimaru Lord Shigure mentioned isn't here."
Haku had vanished moments earlier because Shigure sent him to locate Orochimaru.
After all, Edo Tensei ninja could only truly be neutralized by dealing with their summoner. Even if sealed, they still technically remained "alive" unless the caster was defeated.
Not here?
Shigure frowned.
That didn't make sense.
If Orochimaru wasn't present, how were the Edo Tensei still able to operate normally?
Shigure's gaze shifted toward the distant figure wrapped entirely in a cloak, only his eyes visible.
The chakra signature radiating from him—
Kabuto.
So he was the one maintaining Edo Tensei?
Not Orochimaru?
Shigure nodded slightly.
"I understand."
He narrowed his eyes, focusing entirely on Kabuto.
Strange.
Orochimaru had definitely been here earlier. So how did he vanish so suddenly? Orochimaru wasn't the type to retreat without leaving a trace.
But Shigure wasn't panicked.
He had something far more urgent to address.
His eyes moved toward the distant battlefield, where the Two-Tails Jinchūriki—Obito—was clashing with Kisame in a violent explosion of chakra and water pressure.
Shigure exhaled slowly.
"Lord Raikage," he called out.
"Do you still intend to continue fighting?"
The Raikage turned to face him, his breath heavy.
"This old man would love nothing more than to keep going… but I've already exhausted too much stamina."
"Then step aside," Shigure said bluntly. "Don't get in my way."
He then faced Nagato directly.
"The battle in Konoha isn't finished.
This time—let's see it through."