Chapter 59: Hidden Rain Preparing for a Decisive Battle
After Kiyoshi and the others became members of the Shadow Guards, their Anbu assignments were not canceled by the Third Mizukage.
Strictly speaking, the Shadow Guards were also considered members of the Anbu, but they would no longer carry out Anbu missions.
The Shadow Guards could be said to be the Anbu directly under the Mizukage, providing close protection to the Mizukage and executing the Mizukage's orders, only being responsible to the Mizukage alone.
Moreover, members of the Shadow Guards were allowed not to wear Anbu masks or Anbu attire. For example, Kiyoshi's father, Kaguya Genji, didn't wear a mask because he was too well-known, and his Bone Pulse fighting style was too easily recognizable. So, he usually simply wore standard Kaguya clan attire and never wore a mask.
Therefore, among the current Seven Swordsmen, only Kiyoshi and Kushimaru Kuriarare still wore Anbu masks. Kiyoshi did so because he still couldn't publicly reveal himself to everyone, while Kushimaru Kuriarare had simply gotten used to wearing the mask and didn't want to take it off.
Time passed quickly. More than half a year had passed since the formation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. During this time, the Third Mizukage Ice was not stingy with various training resources and ninjutsu, vowing to forge the Seven Ninja Swordsmen into an existence that surpassed the Hidden Stone Village's elite Blasting Corps and the once-renowned Hidden Cloud Village's Gold and Silver Brothers squad.
In this half-year, the other six had all skillfully mastered the use of their respective ninja swords. With the power of the ninja swords, the combat power of all members had steadily remained above the Jōnin level. Kiyoshi, with his exceptional talent, could skillfully master and use all the ninja swords.
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Hidden Mist Year 35, October, a year had passed since the outbreak of the Second Great Ninja War.
The Hidden Sand Village and the Hidden Leaf Village lived up to their reputation as the five great powers of the ninja world. After many mutual attacks, the two villages had completely pushed the battle lines back into the territory of the Land of Rain.
At the Hidden Rain front lines, inside Salamander Hanzo's command post, Hanzo was vehemently addressing all the Jōnin who had come to attend the war meeting.
"In this place, the Land of Rain, whether in the more distant ancient times, the previous Warring States Period, or the current era of ninja villages, the large-scale wars in history are countless, and the rights and wrongs are difficult to determine. But it is precisely in this place that the rise and fall of many countries, their prosperity and decline, have been decided," Hanzo's voice slowly transmitted, steady and firm.
"I don't understand why everyone is so dejected, as if this war is destined to bring us more bad luck than good. A year ago, we divided our forces into two groups and simultaneously launched attacks from here towards the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire, forcing the Hidden Sand Village and the Hidden Leaf Village to retreat repeatedly, achieving a great victory! Our advance was unstoppable as we penetrated deep into enemy territory. The vibrant vitality and the scene of all things competing to grow are still vivid in my mind. Has the war situation for our Hidden Rain fallen into such a stalemate in just a short year?" Hanzo's tone gradually became impassioned, and his voice unconsciously began to increase.
"No matter what, in terms of war strength, we have 20,000 ninjas, while the Hidden Sand and Hidden Leaf combined only have a little over 10,000 ninjas. The advantage is on our side!" Hanzo concluded with a decisive tone, his voice still full of confidence in winning this war that he had initiated.
"Orders!" Hanzo's tone suddenly became stern.
All the ninjas present stood up with serious expressions, ready to receive the orders issued by their leader.
"Everyone return to their respective posts and reorganize the ninjas under their command, preparing for a large-scale operation. Secretly withdraw half of the elite ninjas from the forces facing the Hidden Leaf. Ten days later, launch a major counteroffensive against the Hidden Sand. I want to cripple the Hidden Sand's forces in one go, and then concentrate all our strength to deal with the Hidden Leaf!" Hanzo stated his plan.
Most of the Land of Wind's territory was desert. The habitable oasis areas were few and mostly concentrated in the hinterland. In addition, due to the plundering of the Land of Wind's border towns in the early stages of the war, the current Land of Wind was far less valuable to Hanzo and the Hidden Rain than the Land of Fire. Therefore, Hanzo's plan was to first resolve the Hidden Sand, making them unable to interfere, and then concentrate all the Hidden Rain's ninjas to deal with the Hidden Leaf.
"Kamada, be sure to maintain secrecy when withdrawing personnel. Try not to have large-scale friction with the Hidden Leaf these days. You stay behind to continue confronting the Hidden Leaf. Heiji, you are responsible for secretly leading all the withdrawn elite forces to the Hidden Sand defense line," Hanzo continued to instruct his right-hand men.
"Go back and prepare yourselves. Meeting dismissed!"
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The perspective returns to the Hidden Mist Village.
Hidden Mist Village, Mizukage Building, Mizukage's office, Kiyoshi and Ken were discussing the upcoming war-related matters with the Third Mizukage.
"First, I'll give this to you for safekeeping. After so much training, the weakest among you seven can now match Jōnin-level strength with the aid of your ninja swords. It's time to start carrying out missions!" Ice picked up a scroll from the table and handed it to Kiyoshi. It was the Ninja Sword Summoning Scroll.
This scroll was made by the Hidden Mist Village using a special method. It could not only store the ninja swords but also remotely summon all seven of them.
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