The battle had grown far too intense. At any moment, Konoha's forces might arrive to investigate the commotion.
Uchiha Jin knew he had to end it quickly.
With that in mind, he unleashed his Iron Body Fist to its fullest potential, abandoning all restraint. He no longer bothered to dodge Biwa Jūzō's swings of the Kubikiribōchō — the Executioner's Blade. Instead, his iron-hardened fists clashed directly against the massive weapon, sending sparks flying through the mist.
Aided by the crimson clarity of his Sharingan, Jūzō's movements appeared sluggish, almost like slow motion.
Within just two minutes, Uchiha Jin had shattered the swordsman's rhythm — and his body. Jūzō's bones cracked under the relentless barrage, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth as he staggered, barely standing through sheer willpower.
Meanwhile, Shisui's own battle raged nearby. His Body Flicker Technique pushed to the limit, the three tomoe of his Sharingan spun furiously, tracking every move of the Watermelon Mountain Pufferfish Ghost. His sword flashed in crimson arcs of light, pressing the wielder of Samehada to the edge.
If it weren't for Samehada's chakra-absorbing nature, Shisui — a prodigy even among the Uchiha — could have finished him off long ago.
But both Uchiha warriors could see each other's situation.
The Pufferfish Ghost, realizing Jūzō's defeat was inevitable, began to panic.
"Cease fire! I surrender!" he shouted, desperation cracking his voice.
"You can seal our chakra! We'll surrender to Konoha! After losing the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, Kirigakure will have no choice but to negotiate. Mizukage-sama will pay for our release!"
He gasped between words, his fear evident. Loyalty to Kirigakure was never his strength — after all, he'd secretly made contact with Danzō before. Faced with true death, his survival instinct kicked in.
But Shisui's eyes were cold.
He said nothing.
When the Pufferfish Ghost exposed an opening mid-sentence, Shisui vanished and reappeared behind him in a blur — his blade slashing cleanly through his throat.
The body fell without a sound.
Perhaps, at another time, Shisui would have accepted the surrender. But now, he couldn't risk it.
Uchiha Jin's true strength was a secret that could not reach the upper ranks of Konoha — not even the Yamanaka clan could be allowed to probe their memories.
On the other side, Uchiha Jin ended his own fight decisively. With one final Finger Gun strike — his chakra concentrated to a lethal point — he pierced Biwa Jūzō's heart, ending the battle.
And so, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were no more.
Without hesitation, Jin formed a series of hand seals.
"Fire Style: Storm Dance!"
A sweeping inferno consumed the forest, reducing trees, corpses, and evidence alike to ash. The heat warped the air, erasing all traces of the slaughter.
Samehada and the Kubikiribōchō — weapons too valuable to leave behind — were sealed into scrolls.
"Let's return to the valley we came from," Jin ordered calmly.
"Make sure nothing remains here. Bring the handleless blade, too."
The others nodded. Fifteen minutes later, after thoroughly cleansing the battlefield, they finally allowed themselves to breathe.
Shisui turned toward Jin, brows furrowed.
"Jin, what are we going to tell the higher-ups? The commotion here was massive. The death of the Seven Swordsmen won't stay hidden for long."
Nara Kazama and Hyūga Aya exchanged glances, then looked at Jin as well. Their gazes carried new respect.
In the shinobi world, strength commanded acknowledgment — and Jin had just proved himself.
Kazama, in particular, felt vindicated. He had believed Jin would one day rise as a formidable power, but witnessing it firsthand exceeded all expectation.
Now, he silently began planning the next steps, knowing this victory had changed everything.
Uchiha Jin, however, was silent. He frowned slightly, deep in thought.
The battle had been sudden — no time to prepare a cover story. If the truth about his real strength reached Konoha or even the Uchiha clan, the consequences could be severe.
Finally, he exhaled softly and said, "We'll say that, under extreme pressure, I awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. That I used Susanoo to kill the Seven Ninja Swordsmen."
He sighed again, a faint smile tugging at his lips — half helpless, half resigned.
Ever since arriving in this world, Jin had wanted to survive quietly — to live beneath notice, grow in secret, and one day emerge unstoppable.
But fate, it seemed, had other plans.
The sudden appearance of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen had shattered that peace.
"Fine," he muttered. "I'm an Uchiha after all."
He raised his gaze, the faint glow of the Sharingan flickering in his eyes.
"Our clan's power is absurd. Even a novice can triple their strength once they awaken the Sharingan. And a Mangekyō…"
He smirked slightly.
"Against that, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen are nothing but fodder."
If his concealment was no longer possible, he would simply lean into it. Power brought danger — but also freedom.
As a weak man, he could avoid attention; as a strong one, he could shape his own path.
In this world where only strength mattered, Uchiha Jin chose his next step — not as a survivor, but as a rising force.