Chapter 21: The Three Trapped in Despair
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the branches, creating a mesmerizing Tyndall effect.
Suddenly, a green figure darted swiftly through the light.
Close behind, two more figures followed in pursuit.
"Guy, we've gone too deep!"
"This is too dangerous…"
The young Shiranui Genma couldn't help but voice another warning.
They had already received intelligence confirming that Kirigakure's forces were retreating from the battlefield in the Land of Fire.
But times like these were when vigilance was most crucial.
This was a hard-earned lesson, bought with the blood and tears of countless Konoha predecessors.
The enemy was always cunning—one had to be wary of every possibility.
"The battlefield is where men unleash their passion and youth! Our comrades are bravely fighting the enemy—this is our chance to show our manly spirit!"
Might Guy, still a teenager, was visibly excited—perhaps even a little too excited.
But his voice was abruptly cut off.
Beside him, Shiranui Genma and Ebisu also halted their steps at the same time.
The three of them simultaneously raised their heads with vigilance.
Perched haphazardly on the trees ahead were seven men with sinister expressions and strange attire.
From their headbands alone, their identities were clear.
"Ninja from Kirigakure…"
Might Guy's gaze sharpened.
No matter how reckless he was, it was easy to tell these seven were no ordinary opponents.
"They're all Jonin… Guy, I told you we were being too reckless. What do we do now?"
Ebisu's worry was evident.
They were only three, and none of them were Jonin.
Meanwhile, the enemy had seven—more than double their number.
But worse than the numbers was the fact that every single one of them possessed Jonin-level strength or higher.
These were clearly ruthless fighters, not to be trifled with.
"We're done for."
Shiranui Genma muttered under his breath.
Just as he spoke, one of the seven enemies stepped forward.
"Heh…"
"Well, well, look what we have here—three little Konoha brats. Looks like we got lucky today!"
The speaker grinned, baring a mouth full of sharp teeth, a truly unnerving sight.
His chin was painted with a crimson pattern that resembled a grotesque, demonic mouth.
It made him look even more vicious and sinister—likely enough to make children cry at the mere sound of his voice.
"That green bowl-cut kid is mine. No objections, right?"
A rotund man with long orange hair that nearly dragged on the ground—Fuguki Suikazan—spoke menacingly, locking his eyes on Might Guy.
"In that case, the other two are mine."
Biwa Jūzō grinned cruelly.
Perhaps they had already slaughtered too many Konoha Genin on their way here, because none of the other members voiced any objections.
"Let's go."
"Finish them quickly, then find new targets."
Fuguki Suikazan brandished the massive Samehada and leaped forward, charging straight at Might Guy.
His speed was astonishing.
And his blade, already swinging in a horizontal slash, carried overwhelming power.
Getting hit would be catastrophic.
Fortunately, Might Guy's reflexes were fast.
At the last moment, he jumped back, barely avoiding the attack.
BOOM!
With a thunderous impact, Samehada struck the ground where Might Guy had stood, shattering the earth and leaving a massive crater.
Amidst the scattering debris, Fuguki Suikazan immediately lunged again.
At that moment, Shiranui Genma and Ebisu leaped forward from either side, crossing their kunai to block his massive blade.
With all their strength, they barely managed to hold back the follow-up strike.
"Guy, we can't beat them—we need to retreat!"
Seeing Might Guy still eager to engage in taijutsu combat, Shiranui Genma quickly shouted a warning.
"Retreat? Heh… do you really think you can get away?"
Biwa Jūzō, wielding the Executioner's Blade, had already appeared behind Might Guy, silent as a phantom.
Without a word, he swung his massive blade at Guy's back.
The force of the strike showed no mercy.
"If you step onto the battlefield against us, you'd better be prepared to die. Don't think we'll go easy on kids!"
Zabuza sneered, as if he already had the battle won.
But at that instant, Might Guy leaped again, dodging by a hair's breadth.
At the same time, Shiranui Genma and Ebisu also jumped in opposite directions, distancing themselves from Fuguki Suikazan.
Seeing these Konoha brats proving so difficult—failing to take them down in a single move—both Zabuza and Fuguki grew irritated.
They immediately pursued.
However, instead of fighting a losing battle, the three Konoha ninja turned and ran.
"Run? You think you can escape? After them!"
Fuguki Suikazan led the charge, chasing Might Guy and his team.
The rest of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen followed, though they did not move at full speed.
To them, this was a game—a hunt they had already won.
A bit of cat-and-mouse could be entertaining.
Even though they weren't taking this seriously, they quickly caught up.
They didn't strike from behind.
Instead, they circled ahead, waiting.
Might Guy, Shiranui Genma, and Ebisu dashed through the forest, glancing back and seeing no pursuers. Thinking they had finally escaped, they let out a breath of relief.
But before they could truly relax, they emerged into a clearing—only to see several figures standing or sitting atop a pile of rubble, watching them with sinister amusement.
Their faces instantly turned pale with despair.
"So we can't escape after all…"
Ebisu's voice was grim, but his eyes grew resolute.
If they couldn't run, they would fight to the death.
Beside him, Might Guy and Shiranui Genma felt the same.
The three took defensive stances, ready to go down swinging.
"Oh? Still resisting?"
"In that case, let me entertain you."
Kushimaru Kuriarare stepped forward.
At that very moment, a figure closed in from behind Might Guy's team.
Simultaneously, another presence—silent as a ghost—appeared, unseen by all.
And that mysterious figure simply observed, watching the battlefield unfold with an air of amusement.