/Author's note: this is a brief prequel to my fanfic that stars Seta Zatoichi, and is a brief tale of his back-story. We'll be seeing him later on in the fanfic, but I'm impatient and feel like giving his back-story right. Be warned, this one is over-the-top a little bit/

The Holy Swords of Kumogakure

Part 1: Offense and Defense

Masamune sharpened whetted his sword near the fireplace. Kiro was staring off into space at the window, while Takashi and Akira played Go at the table in the middle of the room. Zatoichi and Senamaru meditated in a corner while Shiro read a scroll near the Seventh's bed. These men were the Seven Holy Swords of Kumogakure, the most powerful of Kumogakure's shinobi, all personally trained by the mighty Urani Souma.

The Fifth and Sixth Raikage's stood contemplating the Seventh's sleeping form. He'd gone into a coma after fighting off one of the Youma. He'd proven himself worthy of the title of Raikage; it was a tragic loss for Kumogakure for him to be in that state. Souma walked into the chamber, and the Seven Swords immediately stood at attention in his presence. He signaled them to be at ease and went over to the Fifth.

"Godaime-sama (Godaimemeans Fifth)," Souma said, "We have ill news. Konohagakure's forces have pushed our armies back into our own city walls. While we have some forces still outside the enemy formations, they would be slaughtered without being able to do much against the enemy."

"I see," the Fifth said, "if only I were younger," he mused, "thirty years ago, I may've been of some use to you all."

"It's not your fault, Godaime-sama," the Sixth said, "perhaps we could somehow awaken Nanadaime (Nanadaime means Seventh)…"

"No," the Fifth said, "that beast must never be allowed to awaken. He struck down a Youma, one of the legendary tragedies of this world. His kind of power must never be wielded lightly."

"Yes, Godaime-sama," the Sixth said, bowing her head.

"Then," Masamune said, "We'll handle it." Souma turned toward Masamune.

"There are at least three hundred shinobi out there," Souma said, "and there's worse news: the 'Yellow Flash' is leading them." Everyone seemed affected by that info, "I tried to fight him off, and was able to push him back, however, his speed is inhuman. It was all I could do to escape in the end."

"We'll kill him then," Kiro said, "there are seven of us and one of him." The other swords approved.

"No, the Yellow Flash has been known to fight off divisions of fifty men single-handedly. You seven will not be good enough, and I'm wounded as well," he pointed to his leg where a deep laceration had been sewn up recently, "and cannot help you."

"Then we'll kill as many as we can," Zatoichi said, "make it easier for our forces outside the wall to commit to a flanking maneuver."

"You're all too valuable for that," Souma said.

"We're tools of the country," Takashi said, "Dying is what we do. 'Value' has little meaning in the sea of red dirt." Souma sighed and bowed his head. He wasn't going to be able to stop them. They started to leave, and Zatoichi was the last to leave.

"Seta," Souma said, "listen, stay alive out there. Konoha's Yellow Flash, I think maybe you can stop him."

"Why me," Zatoichi asked, "I am the weakest of the Seven Swords, how is it that I alone can stop the Yellow Flash."

"Don't kid yourself," Souma said, "Seta, you have taken those eyes as your own, and those eyes can see everything." Zatoichi's eyes widened, and then narrowed.

"Those eyes," he said, "If I use them now, we'll lose an important advantage." Souma nodded in agreement.

"Yes," he replied, "we will, but, it is also a psychological weapon. We have one of their secrets now, and that will dramatically shake their confidence." Zatoichi nodded his assent. "Listen, Seta," Souma said, "you are the one I chose to be the guardian of the Seven Swords. You and your compatriots are our villages only hope for survival in this war. Please, for our people, keep your friends alive. Use those eyes to save them."

"Yes," Zatoichi said, and turned to follow his compatriots. Once they were outside the walls, they began drawing enemy ninjas toward their position. Several dozen charged, but they all quickly fell before the Seven Swords, the guardians of Kumogakure. No matter who came at them, the enemy would fall apart (both literally and figuratively). Soon, word spread to the enemy that the Seven Swords were fighting off the siege, and a single unit was dispatched to handle them. Masamune met them first. One of the enemy ninjas wore his headband so that it covered his left eye, and his hair was grey, despite his very young age.

"So," Masamune said, "you're all they sent, pathetic."

"You'll pay for what you've done here," the grey haired ninja said, "Gai, Anko," he said to two of his teammates, "take one side, Rin," he'd turned to his other teammate, a medical ninja, "stay there, we'll handle this." The medic nodded, and the grey haired guy turned back to Masamune, "my name is Hatake Kakashi, some call me 'Copy Ninja Kakashi,' and I can see through any jutsu with this sharingan," he pulled his head protector away from his left eye, revealing the sharingan, "let's go."

The battle didn't last all that long, even Kakashi couldn't keep up with the swordsman's speed and ability. Things got worse as the other six arrived, completely surrounding Kakashi's team.

"You're pretty tough for a kid," Masamune said, "but you stand no chance against me."

"But I do," a voice called from the left flank. The Seven Swords turned to see a blonde haired man with a fiery gaze.

"Konoha's Yellow Flash," Shiro mused, "I guess we've got no choice, then."

"Whatever," Akira said, "let's just be rid of him."

"This is bad," Zatoichi said to Masamune, "I don't think we can beat him."

/End Part 1/