After this incident, every Suna-nin had a smile on their face. Although there would be some consumption of these supplies on the battlefield, there would still be plenty left to bring home, enough for their families to use for at least three or four months.
For every Suna-nin now, fighting had actually become a secondary task. Their primary task was to survive on the battlefield and then deliver the supplies to their families.
Chiyo sighed. The lack of supplies in Sunagakure had led to this situation. She wondered how much combat strength her troops would really have when it came time to fight.
"Lady Chiyo, you need not worry. The two of us will ensure everyone's safety." Uchiha Izuna stepped forward and said with a smile.
"Then I must trouble you, Lord Izuna. This old woman thanks you in advance." Chiyo gave a slight bow, feeling endless emotions in her heart. She still believed in the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan.
They continued their march southeast along Konoha's border, soon arriving in the Land of Bears. The Land of Bears bordered Kirigakure, and this was the designated battlefield.
Just as Chiyo, Uchiha Izuna, and the army set foot in the Land of Bears, the surrounding scenery changed. The original clear and sunny weather completely disappeared, replaced by a misty, foggy world.
Smelling the salty, fishy air, the Sunagakure shinobi all went on alert. The puppet masters quickly deployed their puppets, while the Wind Release shinobi used Wind Style techniques to begin dispersing the mist.
At that moment, a figure slowly appeared. He was not tall, carrying an iron staff with a flower hook. The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura.
Because Uchiha Madara had returned to the village, and Obito had not been manipulated, Kirigakure's strength had not been squandered. Instead, it had grown day by day. Following behind Yagura were the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, and behind them were the Kirigakure troops.
"I presume this is Kirigakure's Hiding in Mist Technique?" Chiyo spoke, a trace of gravity in her eyes.
"Lady Chiyo, I didn't expect you to be the one leading this expedition. I thought it would be the Fourth Kazekage, Hayashi." The Fourth Mizukage Yagura said with a laugh. Then his face turned pale, then purple.
For no other reason than because he saw Uchiha Izuna and Pakura. Konoha was getting involved in this! Tch, I need to find a way out, one that doesn't lose face and doesn't incur heavy losses.
Yagura steeled his heart. He knew that Pakura had now become the Four-Tails Jinchūriki. It was laughable, really; this information was provided by a spy within Iwagakure.
However, regardless of who provided the information, facing a Four-Tails Jinchūriki and a Mangekyō Uchiha capable of Susano'o meant the advantage was not on his side.
"The Fourth Mizukage is so young and possesses such exceptional strength. This old woman is envious. This battle was not something our Sunagakure desired, but you forced our hand."
"I admit that the current Sunagakure cannot oppose Kirigakure, so we have requested reinforcements from Konoha. We ask that the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, show some leniency later." After Chiyo finished speaking, she looked at Yagura.
"Heh, you flatter me. How about this. I have the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist under my command. Why don't you send seven people to fight them? If you win, I will withdraw my troops. How about that?" Yagura forced a smile.
Chiyo: !!!
Suna-nin: !!!
Seven Ninja Swordsmen: ???
Kiri-nin: ???
Izuna: (?_?)
Pakura: (????ω????)
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen felt a chill in their hearts. They looked at Yagura. Boss, you, you're selling us out just like that?
Yagura returned an apologetic look to them. He would compensate them properly when they returned.
There was no other way. Uchiha Izuna's presence here, to a certain extent, represented Konoha's will. Konoha clearly did not want them to attack Sunagakure.
Even if they could win, no one present could withstand Konoha's subsequent questioning.
Yagura looked helpless. He had felt before that something was off about Uchiha Izuna and Pakura being together, but he couldn't pinpoint what. Only today did he see it clearly!
Chiyo was stunned. Could war be so frivolous? Then she turned to look at Uchiha Izuna and Pakura.
The two nodded and stepped forward. Uchiha Izuna said, "The two of us are enough. Please have your village's Seven Ninja Swordsmen come forward."
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen looked at each other. A Four-Tails Jinchūriki and a Mangekyō user. How were they supposed to fight?
Finally, Suikazan Fuguki stepped out. "Please go easy on us."
"Of course." Uchiha Izuna smiled. He could already see their desire to retreat. They would just exchange a few casual moves. Seeing this, Suikazan Fuguki breathed a sigh of relief. He gave the others a look, and immediately, Zabuza Momochi charged at Uchiha Izuna, holding a uniquely shaped ninja sword.
Why wasn't the Kubikiribōchō used here? Because the Kubikiribōchō had long been taken by the protagonist. This sword was merely a newly forged ninja sword made from chakra metal, not nearly on the same level as the Kubikiribōchō.
Uchiha Izuna raised an eyebrow, then drew his own ninja sword and clashed with Zabuza. After a few slashes and parries, his sword developed notches. Uchiha Izuna couldn't help but sigh. Although Zabuza Momochi's skills weren't great, his sword was good.
Thinking this, Uchiha Izuna seized the moment. Taking advantage of the instant when Zabuza raised his sword with both hands, preparing for a downward slash, he performed a reverse hook kick. Bang! His foot kicked towards Zabuza's grip. In an instant, Zabuza's ninja sword flew from his hands. Uchiha Izuna leaped and caught it.
Zabuza's sword landed firmly in Uchiha Izuna's hand. Uchiha Izuna gently stroked the blade, and it emitted a soft hum. Uchiha Izuna said, "Good treasure. From now on, you follow me."
Perhaps the divine weapon had a spirit, as the sword gleamed briefly before falling silent. Only Zabuza stared at Uchiha Izuna, hatred in his eyes. Damn it! Uchiha Ryun took my sword, and now you take my sword too! I am one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. How embarrassing to always have my sword taken!
So Zabuza Momochi took out two more ninja swords and charged at Uchiha Izuna again. Uchiha Izuna raised an eyebrow. Heh, not convinced? Then I'll beat you until you submit!
Uchiha Izuna shifted his hand, then leaped into the air with a movement that inspired awe. He spun the sword in mid-air, aimed at Zabuza's two ordinary ninja swords, and slashed down with full force.
With only two clinking sounds, Zabuza's two swords were cleanly cut. The blades broke and fell towards the ground. Zabuza's pupils dilated. Impossible!
"Considering you gave me a sword, I won't kill you. Go back and train some more." Uchiha Izuna sheathed Zabuza's sword in his own scabbard. Hey, and it fits perfectly!
"That sword is the eighth sword of our Kirigakure, 'Illusion Severer'. Although it cannot match the previous seven swords, it is still quite valuable. Lord Izuna, isn't it rather improper for you to just take it like that?" Yagura narrowed his eyes and looked at Uchiha Izuna.
"Didn't I say it? I spared his life as repayment. Otherwise, do you think he would survive?" Uchiha Izuna was completely indifferent to Yagura's threat.
Yagura fell silent. In the end, he said nothing. But he remembered this grudge! Interfering with Kirigakure's military plans, and taking their ninja sword.
What a fine Uchiha Izuna. What a fine Konoha. You'd better not let me catch you slipping!
The other six swordsmen looked at each other, then at Zabuza who had his sword taken yet again. In the end, the six chose to surrender. How could they fight? It was impossible! What if Izuna took a liking to their swords too? How would they manage then? What are the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist without their swords?
Yagura did not demand too much from them regarding this. After all, the swords of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were not their personal property, but belonged to Kirigakure, assets of the village. If the other six swords were taken, Kirigakure's face would be thoroughly trampled underfoot!
However, Yagura was unwilling to withdraw just like that. His face darkened as he said, "Uchiha Izuna, how about this. You and I will have a match. If you win, I withdraw my troops. If you lose, they stay."
Yagura raised his iron staff, pointing the hook end towards the Sunagakure troops, a cold intent in his eyes.
Chiyo's face changed. Gritting her teeth, based on intelligence, she knew Yagura's strength was among the top Kage level. She didn't know if Uchiha Izuna could handle him?
Uchiha Izuna was taken aback. "Alright." Although Yagura had said earlier that he would withdraw if they defeated the Seven Swordsmen, Izuna taking Zabuza's sword was already a slap to Kirigakure's face.
If he didn't give Yagura a chance to save face, Yagura would probably start the war outright. Even if he and Pakura had the strength to annihilate the Kirigakure forces, the Kiri-nin would certainly be able to take out Chiyo's thousand-strong shinobi unit with them.
The Kirigakure troops retreated. The Sunagakure troops retreated. A large empty space was left in the valley. Among the Seven Swordsmen, Suikazan Fuguki squinted his small eyes, slowly unwrapping the bandages from Samehada, ready to rescue Yagura at any moment.
Yagura formed hand signs. "Water Style: Water Mirror Technique!" As soon as he spoke, a watery mirror surface appeared out of thin air. Then, two people walked out from it. One was Yagura, the other was Uchiha Izuna.
Uchiha Izuna was stunned. What a strange technique. It actually created an exact copy of himself.
"Uchiha Izuna, I know you are very powerful, but my Water Mirror Technique is not bad either. If you cannot surpass your mirror image, you will inevitably be defeated in the end!" Yagura slowly explained.
Creating Uchiha Izuna's mirror image had consumed two-thirds of his chakra, but at least it was successful. This time, the scales of victory began to tilt in his, Yagura's, favor!
Uchiha Izuna looked up at his copy. His copy also looked at him.
Uchiha Izuna formed hand signs and performed the Great Fireball Technique. The copy opposite him performed the same technique in the next moment.
Boom! Boom!
Two large fireballs met in mid-air. This move ended in a stalemate!
Yagura's lips curled upwards. He looked at Uchiha Izuna. "See? It truly possesses all of your strength!"
Uchiha Izuna did not deny it. Instead, he glanced at Yagura, then stared intently at his copy, considering his countermeasure.
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