3RD POV

The sun hung high in the clear sky as Ryuichi perched atop a tree, a scroll spread across his lap. The scroll detailed advanced techniques for the Shunshin no Jutsu, a teleportation-like movement skill that relied on raw speed and chakra control. Though Ryuichi had managed to incorporate it into combat—a feat typically reserved for Jonin—he still hadn't mastered performing it without handseals. It was an accomplishment he took pride in, but his perfectionist streak often left him unsatisfied.

Below him, his teammates, Fuyumi and Haru, stood under the same tree, deep in conversation. They were discussing ways to infuse fūinjutsu into their kunai and shuriken, their quiet chatter occasionally punctuated by Fuyumi's measured tone and Haru's more enthusiastic exclamations.

Ryuichi sighed and leaned back against the tree trunk. His mind wandered to his recent training. Combining his burgeoning chakra-enhanced strength with Shunshin had elevated his combat prowess to high-chunin speeds, something he was immensely proud of. However, his monstrous strength—though remarkable for a genin—was laughable when compared to Tsunade's raw power. Knocking down a tree with a single punch was currently his limit, and the thought of comparing himself to the director of the Konoha hospital made him cringe. Still, Ryuichi excelled in ninjutsu, with a particular focus on combat and medical techniques. His three C-rank Fire jutsu were reliable, and his newly acquired B-rank Lightning jutsu, Electromagnetic Murder, was almost unheard of for someone his age.

As he mulled over his progress, two blurs streaked toward the team at impossible speeds, one red and one green. The commotion pulled Ryuichi from his thoughts, and he watched as the two figures came to an abrupt halt before Fuyumi and Haru.

"Good morning, everyone!" Kushina Uzumaki greeted cheerfully, her red hair fluttering in the breeze. Beside her stood the green blur, a man whose appearance caught everyone's attention.

"This is Might Dai," Kushina said with a broad smile, gesturing to the man beside her. "He's a genin of the village."

Ryuichi jumped down from the tree, landing gracefully beside his teammates. He raised a skeptical eyebrow as he studied Dai, a towering figure who looked closer to his father's age than a genin's. Dai had thick, high cheekbones, a prominent nose, dark hair cut into a bowl style, and a moustache that framed a beaming smile. He wore an eccentric green jumpsuit, orange-striped leg warmers, and a yellow scarf. His entire demeanor radiated a strange mix of energy and sincerity.

"A genin? he looks thirty!" Ryuichi asked, incredulous.

"I AM MIGHT DAI!" the man declared, giving them a sparkling smile with an enthusiastic thumbs-up. His voice was loud, booming with genuine excitement. "IT IS A PLEASURE TO MAKE YOUR ACQUAINTANCE!"

"Right," Ryuichi muttered, still eyeing the man suspiciously.

Kushina, ever the cheerful sensei, clapped her hands to grab their attention. "Guess what, team!" she said, her grin widening.

"What is it, sensei?" Haru asked eagerly.

"I bagged us a C-rank mission!" Kushina announced proudly.

Ryuichi and Haru shared a high-five, their excitement palpable. Even Fuyumi, usually composed, allowed herself a small smile, her eyes betraying her satisfaction at finally embarking on an actual mission.

Kushina continued, "And Dai here will be accompanying us on this mission!"

Dai gave them another enthusiastic thumbs-up, and his radiant smile was unyielding.

Ryuichi leaned toward Haru, whispering, "How is he a genin? He looks like he's my father's age."

Haru elbowed him sharply in the ribs. "Don't be rude, Ryuichi."

Ryuichi grumbled under his breath, crossing his arms as they began their walk toward the village gates.

"What's the mission, sensei?" Fuyumi asked, her tone direct.

Kushina's expression grew serious, a shift that immediately grabbed the team's attention. "We're going to rescue a genin team," she said. "Apparently, they came into contact with one of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist."

The weight of her words froze all the genin in their tracks. Ryuichi felt a chill run down his spine. He had heard tales of the Seven Swordsmen, each wielding a legendary blade and possessing skills that even seasoned shinobi feared.

"Don't worry," Kushina reassured them, her tone calm but firm. "The genin team escaped and survived the encounter. We're just going to provide first aid and escort them back to the village. If there's any fighting, Dai and I will handle it."

"You and Dai?" Ryuichi asked, his skepticism returning. "Why can't we be involved if dai who is a GENIN can be?"

Kushina's gaze hardened. "Don't judge a book by its cover, Ryuichi," she said sternly. "There's a lot more to Dai than he lets on."

Ryuichi pouted but held his tongue, his eyes flicking toward Dai, who responded with another disarming smile. The man's sunny demeanor somehow irritated Ryuichi, though he couldn't explain why.

"Thank you for your support, young man," Dai said warmly, his smile unwavering.

"I wasn't exactly supporting you..." Ryuichi muttered, his tone flat. Haru promptly elbowed him in the stomach, earning a sharp glare from Fuyumi that could have frozen fire.

"I really admire your optimism, Mister Dai," Haru said, his voice bright and genuine. Dai chuckled heartily, his grin widening.

As they passed through the village gates, the group naturally fell into formation. Haru sidled up to Ryuichi, leaning in close. "Can you not insult the poor man?" he whispered, his voice a mix of exasperation and amusement. Ryuichi merely scoffed in response, earning another warning glance from Fuyumi as the team pressed on

The team traveled in relative silence for a while, The forest was alive with activity as Team Kushina made their way to the outpost, its canopy sheltering them from the midday sun. As they neared their destination, the tension from Kushina's earlier revelation about the Seven Swordsmen still hung in the air. For all their training and skill, the prospect of encountering legendary shinobi from Kirigakure was a sobering thought.

After several hours of travel, they finally reached the designated meeting point—an outpost situated near the Land of Waves. The Land of Waves was just a short boat ride away, but it was heavily influenced and monitored by the Land of Water. This made the presence of enemy Kiri-nin in the area a very real possibility. However, despite the potential threat, the outpost remained under Konoha's control and management, making any hostile action here highly unlikely.

At the gates, a Konoha patrol guard stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he sized up the approaching group. "Stop right there! State your name and purpose," he demanded, his tone professional but wary.

"I am Kushina Uzumaki of the Leaf," Kushina replied confidently. "My team and I are here to escort Team Choza back to the village."

The guard's demeanor shifted instantly. "K-Kushina Uzumaki? As in The Red Hot Habanero?" he stammered, a faint tremor in his voice.

Kushina smirked and winked at him. "The very same."

The guard flushed and quickly stepped aside, bowing slightly. "P-Please come in. Team Choza is inside, but their condition is severe. We've done what we can with civilian doctors, but they need better medical attention."

As the team followed the guard, the tension thickened. Inside, the outpost was bustling with activity. Shinobi moved with purpose, their movements sharp and focused. The guard led them to a large tent where the injured team was housed.

"This is where they are," the guard said, bowing again before taking his leave.

Ryuichi was the first to enter, his sharp eyes immediately scanning the scene. Three young genin, likely around his age, sat huddled together, their faces pale and bandaged from head to toe. Beside them lay a hulking figure—undoubtedly their Jonin sensei. His massive frame was marred by deep gashes, and his right arm lay at an awkward angle, swathed in blood-soaked bandages.

Ryuichi's instincts kicked in. He knelt beside the injured Jonin, assessing the damage with a critical eye. The genin have sustained only minor injuries, but this guy… His right arm looks like it's been through a blender. What could've done this?

Activating his Mystical Palm Jutsu, Ryuichi's hands glowed with a faint green light as he began working on the Jonin's arm. Sweat beaded his brow as he focused on repairing what he could. The wounds were deep, and the damage to the bone was extensive. This was beyond what most genin medics could handle, but Ryuichi refused to give up.

Meanwhile, Kushina approached the Jonin, her expression serious. "Choza, what happened here?" she asked.

The massive Jonin, Choza, opened his eyes, his voice gravelly as he replied, "We encountered one of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist—the wielder of Nuibari. I had to sacrifice my right arm to hold him in place long enough to land a decisive blow. But before I could finish him off, another one of the swordsmen showed up."

Kushina's eyes widened. "Two Swordsmen of the Mist? Here? In the Land of Fire?"

Choza nodded grimly. "Yes. We were lucky to escape with our lives. My team wouldn't have made it if I hadn't held them off."

Kushina's jaw tightened as the implications sank in. "You know what this means, Choza," she said, her voice low.

Choza nodded again. "Kirigakure is preparing for an attack on Konoha."

The atmosphere in the room grew heavy, the weight of the revelation pressing down on everyone present.

Ryuichi interrupted the grim silence. "I've done as much as I can," he said, looking up at Choza. "But your arm has sustained too much damage. I recommend you avoid using it until Tsunade-sama has a chance to treat it."

Choza grunted his thanks, though his expression remained somber.

Kushina straightened up. "Then it's settled. We leave immediately for Konoha."

"No," Choza interjected, his voice firm. "I'll be staying here."

Kushina turned to him, her eyes narrowing. "Did you not hear what my student just said?"

"I heard him loud and clear," Choza replied. "But someone has to stay here in case the Swordsmen attack the outpost again."

"I'll stay, then," Kushina said, her voice rising slightly. "I'm perfectly healthy, unlike you."

Choza shook his head. "We can't afford to lose you, Kushina. You know why."

Kushina's face twisted with frustration. "If you stay, and they attack again, you'll die."

Choza's lips curled into a grim smile. "And that's a risk I'm willing to take. Afterall the greatest honor for a shinobi is to die protecting their village."

Kushina growled under her breath but ultimately relented. "Fine. I'll leave it to you, Choza," she said, turning away from him. Her eyes softened as she addressed the genin in the room. "We leave in two hours. Ryuichi, heal them as much as you can. We need to get them out of here."

Ryuichi nodded and got to work, moving methodically from one injured genin to the next. Despite the grim circumstances, he felt a sense of purpose. His hands worked quickly, the green glow of his chakra illuminating the tent as he stabilized each patient.

Ryuichi stepped out of the tent, wiping the sweat from his brow. The cool evening breeze was a welcome relief after the intense chakra work. His gaze wandered until he spotted Kushina leaning casually against a wall, her red hair glowing softly in the fading light. She looked serene, a contrast to her usual fiery energy.

"Red Hot Habanero, huh?" Ryuichi called out, a teasing grin tugging at his lips.

Kushina turned her head toward him, a chuckle escaping her lips. "Oh, that old nickname? Got it at the start of the war. People love to stick labels on things they don't understand."

Ryuichi joined her, leaning against the wall with the same casual air. "Doesn't really suit you, though," he mused, glancing at her with a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Oh?" Kushina raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And which vegetable do you think suits me better, oh wise student?"

Ryuichi rubbed his chin, pretending to ponder deeply. "Tomato! How about Tomato-sensei?"

Kushina's eyes widened slightly, her amusement faltering for a moment as the word echoed in her mind. Tomato. It was a name bullies at the academy had once hurled at her, mocking her fiery hair and temper. But something about the way Ryuichi said it—so casual, so utterly lacking in malice—made her pause. She wasn't angry, surprisingly. Instead, she found herself curious.

"Tomato, huh?" she asked, tilting her head. "And why exactly that?"

"Well…" Ryuichi began, his eyes sparkling as he tried to explain. "Tomatoes are sweet—my favorite fruit, actually."

Kushina's lips twitched. "You know tomatoes are technically vegetables, right?"

"Actually," Ryuichi corrected her with mock seriousness, "they're fruits. "

Kushina chuckled. "Alright, smart guy. Sweet, you say? Go on."

Ryuichi smirked, pleased that she was playing along. "Yeah, they're sweet and great for just about anything. But if you step on one? Boom! Explodes everywhere. Ruins your day."

For a moment, Kushina stared at him, her expression caught between disbelief and laughter. "So... you're saying I'm sweet but also ready to explode at the slightest provocation?"

"Exactly!" Ryuichi replied enthusiastically, as if he'd just solved a complex riddle. "But mostly, it's because of your hair. It's so vibrant, like a perfect, ripe tomato. And…" he trailed off, his voice growing quieter, "it just… suits you."

Kushina blinked at him, the humor melting into something softer. Her lips curved into a genuine smile, and she reached out, ruffling his hair in a rare show of affection. "You're a strange kid, Ryuichi," she said warmly, her tone filled with something maternal. "But you've got a good heart."

Ryuichi, slightly embarrassed by the gesture, tried to brush her hand away. "H-Hey! Tomato-sensei's supposed to be tough, not all mushy!" he teased, his face heating up.

Kushina laughed, her voice ringing like a melody. "Tough, huh? You might want to remember that the next time you call me a vegetable, you little brat."

Ryuichi grinned up at her, unbothered by her mock threat. "You mean fruit."

Kushina shook her head, still chuckling. For a moment, she let herself simply enjoy the peace, leaning back against the wall. Her thoughts wandered briefly to her younger self—the lonely girl with big dreams, teased for her hair and fiery temper. If someone had told that girl she'd one day have students like Ryuichi, who saw her as more than her quirks or her temper, she wouldn't have believed it.

"You know, Ryuichi," she said, her voice soft now, "being a teacher is a lot harder than I thought it would be. But moments like this?" She glanced down at him, her smile genuine. "They make it worth it."

Ryuichi looked up at her, his grin fading into something more thoughtful. "You're a great teacher, Tomato-sensei," he said sincerely. "Even if you're a little… explosive."

Kushina burst out laughing again, and for a moment, the worries of missions, injuries, and dangerous swordsmen faded into the background. In that quiet moment, under the soft hues of the evening sky, teacher and student shared a rare, heartwarming connection—one built on respect, camaraderie, and just a little bit of teasing.

-{0}-

After about fifteen minutes, the group of genin emerged from the camp, each carrying backpacks and supplies salvaged from Team Chōza's gear. Despite their injuries, the rescued genin—Gai, Genma, and Ebisu—did their best to keep up. Gai, true to his spirited nature, chatted animatedly with his older counterpart, Might Dai, who nodded enthusiastically. Meanwhile, Genma and Ebisu trudged silently, clearly exhausted.

Fuyumi and Haru had gone ahead to scout, their teamwork seamless. Fuyumi's sensory abilities had grown impressively, allowing her to detect chakra signatures within a 2000-meter radius. Haru, utilizing his Byakugan, provided additional surveillance.

"The area's clear. No signs of movement," Fuyumi reported, her voice steady.

"I didn't see anything either," Haru confirmed, lowering his Byakugan.

"Alright, let's move out," Kushina instructed, her tone firm. "We're not stopping until we're halfway to Konoha. Keep your focus."

The group formed into a protective formation, Kushina and Dai taking the rear while Ryuichi covered the left flank, Fuyumi the right, and Haru led from the front. Team Chōza stayed safely in the center, their weakened condition making them incapable of defending themselves if danger struck.

For hours, the only sounds were the rhythmic crunch of leaves and sticks underfoot and the chirping of distant birds. The dense forest, bathed in golden light, seemed peaceful, yet tension lingered in the air. Everyone remained vigilant, knowing the dangers of crossing hostile terrain with injured shinobi.

Suddenly, Fuyumi stopped abruptly, her eyes narrowing as she pressed her palm to the ground. Her chakra flared. "Enemy incoming—one o'clock!" she shouted.

The air grew heavy as Fuyumi's chakra surged, forming a barrier that erupted from the ground like a translucent dome. Just as it solidified, a massive sword hurtled toward them at incredible speed. The weapon crashed into the barrier with a deafening impact, shattering it into fragments of chakra light. Though the barrier was destroyed, it managed to absorb enough of the sword's momentum to stop it midair.

A figure appeared in the treetops, catching the blade with ease. Moments later, six more figures materialized, each exuding a chilling, oppressive presence.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.

==Chapter End==