3RD POV
Kushina stepped forward without hesitation, her golden chains of chakra snaking out from her back, glowing ominously in the dim light. Her presence was as commanding as it was protective.
"To what do we owe the honor of having all seven swordsmen invade the Land of Fire?" she asked, her voice laced with biting sarcasm.
The swordsman who held Kubikiribōchō, the Executioner's Blade, stepped closer, his expression calm but deadly. He was a tall, slender man with no eyebrows and sharp, spiky grey hair. His tan skin bore a cross-shaped scar on his cheek, and his jaw was marked with a red grid-like tattoo. His eyes, dark and cold, studied the group like a predator sizing up its prey. His attire—sleek, dark, and practical—gave him an air of lethal efficiency.
"We weren't planning on stopping you," he began, his voice deep and measured. "We could've let you pass without a word… but your little sensor over there just had to notice us." He gestured toward Fuyumi with his sword, his smirk sending a chill through the group.
Ryuichi's fists clenched at his sides. He glanced at Fuyumi, whose face remained impassive, though her hands trembled slightly.
"And now?" Kushina asked, her voice calm but laced with menace. Her chains coiled and tensed behind her, ready to strike.
"Now," the swordsman continued, his smirk widening, "we've decided you're worth the trouble. After all, it's not every day we run into Konoha shinobi, let alone a squad escorting injured comrades. Makes for a nice bit of sport."
His words drew laughter from the others as they stepped forward, their infamous swords glinting ominously. Each carried their own aura of danger, their reputations preceding them.
Might Dai stepped forward slowly, his presence steady but resolute. The tension in the clearing was palpable as the group of Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist turned their attention toward him. The air seemed to hum with impending violence.
"Kushina-san," Dai said, his voice calm yet firm, "I will take down four of them. Do you think you can handle the remaining three?"
The swordsmen erupted in laughter at his words, their mocking tones cutting through the air like the blades they wielded. Among them, the wielder of Nuibari, the Sewing Needle Sword, sneered and spoke up.
"Take down four of us? You're out of your mind, old man. With your pitiful chakra levels, you'd be lucky to take down a single genin, let alone one of us."
Despite the taunts, Dai remained unshaken.
"Dad, stop!" Gai's voice cracked with desperation as he stepped forward, his hands trembling. His youthful eyes were wide with panic as he stared at his father's back. "You can't fight them! Please, don't do this!"
Dai turned slightly, offering his son a warm smile. "Gai," he said softly, his tone filled with love and pride, "watch closely. This is the ultimate technique of taijutsu. This is the fruit of twenty years of hard work, perseverance, and unwavering spirit."
Kushina's crimson hair swayed as she turned to face Dai. Her golden chains hovered protectively, ready to spring into action, but she could sense something unyielding in him. "Are you sure about this, Dai?" she asked, her voice steady yet tinged with concern.
"Yes, Kushina-san. I am confident," Dai replied. He turned back to Gai, his gaze lingering on his son's tear-streaked face. "Gai, you must never give up, no matter the odds. Remember this moment."
He straightened and looked back at Kushina one last time. "Take care of my son, will you?" he said, his voice low but filled with conviction.
Dai took a deep breath and shouted, his voice ringing through the clearing like thunder.
"Gate of Opening! Gate of Healing! Gate of Life! Gate of Pain! Gate of Limit! Gate of View! Gate of Wonder!"
As he called out each gate, his body began to glow, and a visible aura of green energy burst forth from him. The ground beneath his feet cracked as raw power surged around him. His muscles bulged, veins pulsating with unnatural strength. He turned toward Gai one last time.
"GATE OF DEATH!"
With that final declaration, an overwhelming burst of energy erupted from Dai. The green aura shifted into a fiery red as his life force burned at an unimaginable intensity. The ground trembled beneath him, and the surrounding forest seemed to recoil in fear of the overwhelming presence he now commanded. The sheer power emanating from him was suffocating, a force that made even Kushina take a step back.
The Seven Swordsmen, who had moments ago mocked him, now stood frozen in place. For the first time in their careers as elite killers, they felt a bone-deep fear. The man they had derided as weak now radiated a power so immense that it surpassed even that of their Mizukage. The air was heavy, oppressive, as if the world itself recognized Dai's unyielding spirit.
"What… what is this?!" hissed the wielder of Kubikiribōchō, his hands trembling as he gripped the Executioner's Blade. His confident smirk was gone, replaced with wide-eyed disbelief.
"This chakra… it's monstrous!" one of the swordsmen whispered, sweat dripping down his face.
"This can't be real," muttered another, his voice shaky.
Dai's body was visibly straining under the immense power of the Eight Gates. Blood seeped from his pores, and steam rose from his skin as his life force burned away with each passing moment. Yet his eyes remained resolute, burning with the fiery will of someone who had dedicated every fiber of his being to protecting what mattered most.
Might Dai crouched low, his body radiating an intense red aura as his muscles strained against the immense power of the Eight Gates. In one fluid motion, he launched himself toward the wielder of the Twin Swords, Kiba. The air around him cracked like a thunderclap as he closed the distance in an instant. His fist connected with the enemy's chest, and the impact was catastrophic.
The swordsman's upper body didn't merely break—it disintegrated, reduced to a crimson mist that sprayed across the clearing. The lifeless lower half crumpled to the ground, blood pooling around it. The scene was horrifying, and yet Dai's movements were relentless.
Before the shock could settle, Dai turned his blazing gaze toward the wielder of the Blast Sword, Shibuki. With a single punch, he struck the man's chest. The explosion that followed engulfed the area, shattering trees and flinging debris. When the smoke cleared, there was nothing left of the swordsman but scattered remnants.
The remaining swordsmen, witnessing this terrifying display, instinctively moved to retreat. Their confident smirks and mocking laughter had been replaced with pale faces and wide, fearful eyes. They were elite assassins, wielders of the most powerful weapons of Kirigakure, yet here they stood, gripped by primal fear of the man who was supposed to be their inferior.
But Dai gave them no quarter. His movements were impossibly fast, blurring across the battlefield like a streak of fire. He appeared behind the wielder of Samehada, the massive, scale-like blade, and grasped the man's head with both hands. With a sickening crunch, Dai squeezed, causing the man's skull to burst like a ripe fruit. Blood sprayed in every direction as the lifeless body dropped, Samehada clattering to the ground.
Next was the wielder of Hiramekarei, the Twin Sword. Dai grabbed the man's arms mid-swing, his grip like iron. With a brutal twist, he tore both arms clean off the body. The swordsman screamed in agony, but Dai silenced him with a powerful kick. The force of the blow created a gaping hole in the man's torso, and his body collapsed lifelessly to the forest floor.
Finally, Dai's burning gaze turned to the wielder of Kubikiribōchō, the Executioner's Blade. The swordsman, a towering figure of cruelty and arrogance, now stood frozen in place. Sweat poured down his face as Dai rushed toward him, his fist cocked back for a devastating blow.
But then, Dai stopped.
His fist hovered an inch away from the man's face, the sheer force of his restrained attack making the air vibrate. The swordsman's legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground, trembling. He stared up at Dai, terror etched into every line of his face. For the first time in his life, he had stared death in the eye—and he knew it had shown him mercy.
Dai stood there for a moment, his body trembling from exertion. The red aura flickered, the toll of the Eight Gates consuming him. His vision blurred as he turned toward Kushina, who stood frozen, her eyes wide with disbelief. She had always known Dai to be kind and humble, but what she had just witnessed was beyond anything she could have imagined. It was power born from decades of tireless dedication, a man's unyielding resolve forged into a weapon.
"I leave the rest to you, Kushina," Dai said, his voice weak but steady. His body could no longer hold out against the strain. The fiery aura faded, and he crumpled to the ground. His body was charred, his life force completely spent. He had fought to his very last breath.
The clearing was silent, save for the labored breathing of the remaining swordsmen. The wielder of Kubikiribōchō sat on his knees, trembling. His voice broke the silence, hoarse and panicked.
"I… I was an inch away from certain death," he stammered. "Death I couldn't even hope to stop. We couldn't even fight back! Four of us are dead—slaughtered in an instant!"
He gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, his knuckles white. "We can't go back like this," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else. "We'll be executed for this failure. No... no, we can't just leave it like this!"
His gaze sharpened, locking onto Kushina, who had stepped forward, her golden chains of chakra coiling protectively around her like living extensions of her will. Behind her, the remaining genin looked on in awe and terror. The wielder of Kubikiribōchō gritted his teeth, hatred and desperation twisting his face.
"Kill them all!" he roared. "At least if we kill the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, we'll have something to show for this! Kushimaru!" He barked at the wielder of Nuibari, who immediately stepped forward, his needle-like blade gleaming ominously. "Take care of the genin. Jinin and I will handle the Red-Hot Habanero."
The wielder of Nuibari nodded, leaping toward the genin with murderous intent. Meanwhile, the wielder of Kubikiribōchō and the wielder of Kabutowari, the Blunt Sword, advanced toward Kushina, their movements calculated but desperate.
1 month ago
The warm glow of the lanterns in Kushina's cozy home filled the room with a soft, inviting light. Haru sat across from her, the delicate aroma of freshly brewed tea wafting between them. Outside, the muffled chirping of crickets mixed with the faint rustling of leaves, but inside the room, the world seemed still—quiet, reflective.
Kushina reached for the teapot, pouring tea into Haru's cup with practiced grace. Her movements were deliberate, calm, as though the act of pouring tea was as meaningful as the words she was about to share. Haru cradled the warm cup in his hands, glancing at his sensei with curious anticipation.
"So, why am I here, Kushina-sensei?" Haru asked, breaking the tranquil silence. He took a small sip of tea, its warmth spreading through him.
Kushina placed her own cup on the table and looked directly into his eyes, her expression soft yet serious. "I brought you here to teach you something important, Haru. I want to talk to you about leadership—about how to lead a team."
Haru blinked, a little startled. "Leadership?" he repeated, his brow furrowing slightly. "But… should I really be focusing on that? I'm just a genin. Isn't that something I should learn later?"
Kushina smiled, a mixture of fondness and resolve in her expression. "Most genin don't have to think about it, that's true," she admitted, leaning forward slightly. "But you're not just any genin, Haru. You have a goal, don't you? You want to become Hokage."
Haru's eyes widened slightly at her words, his grip on the teacup tightening. He opened his mouth to respond but found no words, caught off guard by her direct acknowledgment of his ambition.
Kushina paused, letting her words sink in before continuing. "Every Hokage Konoha has ever had was a great leader. It's not just about being strong or completing missions; it's about being the person people trust to guide them, the one who brings everyone together even in the darkest times. That's why it's important for you to start thinking about this now—not someday in the future, but today."
Haru looked down at his tea, his reflection faintly visible on its surface. His voice, when it came, was soft and tinged with doubt. "Do you… do you really think I can do it, Sensei? Do you believe I can actually become Hokage?"
Kushina's gaze softened, and she smiled—a smile so warm and reassuring that it felt like sunlight breaking through the darkness. She leaned back slightly and tilted her head, her crimson hair catching the light. "Let me ask you something, Haru," she said gently. "Do you believe you can do it?"
Haru looked up, his golden eyes filled with a flicker of determination. "Yes," he said, his voice steady now. "I want to become Hokage. More than anything."
"Good," Kushina said, her voice firm but kind. "Then my answer is simple. If you believe in yourself, then it's my job as your teacher to believe in you too. It's my job to help you get there, no matter how long it takes. If you're determined enough and you have the heart for it—and I know you do—then there's no reason you can't do it. And if I can't help you reach your goal, then I wouldn't be much of a teacher, would I?"
Haru stared at her, his eyes widening as her words washed over him. A lump formed in his throat, and before he could stop it, tears pricked at the corners of his eyes. "Sensei…" he murmured, his voice trembling. "Thank you. Thank you for believing in me. It means more than you know."
Kushina reached across the table and ruffled his hair, her touch as warm and reassuring as her words. "Ah, don't get all mushy on me now," she teased lightly, though her voice was filled with affection. "It's what any good sensei would do. But Haru, there's something else you need to understand about leadership."
Haru sniffled, sitting up straighter. "What's that?"
"Leadership isn't just about you," she said, her tone turning serious again. "It's about the people around you—your teammates. You might have big dreams, and that's amazing, but a Hokage doesn't stand alone. They're only as strong as the people by their side."
She gestured toward the empty space where Fuyumi and Ryuichi would normally be. "Fuyumi, Ryuichi—they're not just your teammates. They're your partners, your family in battle. You'll have to trust them, protect them, and rely on them, just like they'll do for you. A good leader lifts up their team, helps them shine, and makes sure they feel valued. That's the kind of Hokage Konoha needs."
Haru nodded slowly, her words sinking deep into his heart. "You're saying… that I can't do it alone?"
"No one can," Kushina said, her smile returning. "Even Minato—he's one of the strongest shinobi I know, but he doesn't fight alone. He has his team, his allies, his friends… and me, of course!" She grinned, giving Haru a playful wink.
Haru chuckled through his tears, the weight on his shoulders feeling just a little lighter. "I understand, Sensei. I'll do my best to be there for my teammates too."
"That's the spirit!" Kushina said, raising her tea cup in a mock toast. "Now, drink up. You've got a big future ahead of you, Haru, and it's my job to make sure you're ready for it."
As Haru took another sip of tea, a quiet determination burned in his chest. For the first time, he truly felt like he wasn't alone in his dream—and that maybe, just maybe, he could really make it come true.
Back to present
Kushina's crimson hair shimmered as her chains lashed out with deadly precision. Her expression was no longer one of shock or grief. It was cold, resolute, and fiercely protective. She stepped forward, her chakra flaring like an inferno.
"Run!" Kushina shouted, her voice firm and unyielding as one of her chakra chains clashed violently with Nuibari's needle-like blade. Her crimson hair flared around her like a fiery halo as she fought to protect her students. "I can hold him off for a while, but I can't stop him from chasing you forever if the other two keep attacking me. Survive, and I'll come find you after I deal with them!" With a swift motion, she drew her own blade to meet the crushing swing of Kubikiribōchō.
Ryuichi didn't hesitate; he grabbed Genma and Ebisu, while Haru hoisted Gai. The group began sprinting away, their breath heavy with fear and determination. Minutes later, Fuyumi called out, her voice tight with urgency.
"The Nuibari user is a thousand meters behind us—and closing fast!"
"What do we do, Haru?" Ryuichi asked, panic creeping into his tone.
"If we keep running like this, he'll catch us in no time," Haru replied grimly. He took a deep breath, his eyes sharp with resolve. "We fight."
"Are you insane?!" Ebisu exclaimed from Ryuichi's shoulder. "We'll die if we face him!"
"You're right," Haru said, and Ebisu let out a shaky sigh of relief—until Haru spoke again. "Ryuichi, put them down."
The group came to a halt. Genma looked at Haru, his voice trembling. "Are you going to abandon us?"
"No," Haru answered firmly, his gaze fixed in the direction of the oncoming enemy. "You're going to abandon us."
The words hit hard. Haru continued, his tone calm but unyielding. "Ryuichi, Fuyumi, you can leave with them if you want. But I'm staying to hold him off for as long as I can."
"I'm not abandoning a teammate," Ryuichi declared, his voice shaking with both fear and determination. "I swore to Tsunade-sama that I would protect the people I care about."
"I'm staying too," Fuyumi added, her expression resolute.
Haru gave them a small, fleeting smile. "Then this is where we make our stand."
"Wait!" Gai suddenly spoke up, his voice thick with emotion. Tears streamed down his face as memories of his father's sacrifice burned in his heart. "I'll stay too."
"No." Haru's tone softened, but his words were firm. "The three of you would only hinder us in this fight. The best thing you can do now is run and live."
The younger genin hesitated, their faces etched with frustration and guilt, but they knew Haru was right. Gritting their teeth, they turned and ran, tears streaming as they left their comrades behind.
"You sure about this, Haru?" Fuyumi asked, her voice quiet but steady. "We could've been the ones running."
"What kind of Hokage would I be if I sacrificed my comrades just to survive?" Haru replied with a faint chuckle, earning smiles from both Ryuichi and Fuyumi.
At that moment, the Nuibari wielder appeared, perched on a tree branch like a predator sizing up its prey. His voice dripped with cruel amusement. "So, you're the sacrificial lambs, huh? Don't worry. Once you're dead, I'll chase down the others and finish them off too."
Haru stepped in front of Ryuichi and Fuyumi, raising his kunai. His posture was calm, but his voice carried the weight of his conviction. "This is where we hold the line. You won't touch them."
The Nuibari wielder laughed, his voice echoing through the forest. "Big words for dead men."
==Chapter End==