On a jungle path within the Land of Fire, two groups faced off. One was a middle-aged man leading a group of brats, the other, seven oddly dressed "circus clowns." Might Duy's body was wrapped in green energy, his expression grave. His premonition had come true! Might Kai had encountered the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist!
"What kind of reckless son are you, not knowing your own father's limits! Always getting into trouble!"
"Kai, you take them and go first!"
"Yes, Father! And you...?"
Might Kai looked at the broad back before him with a sense of reassurance, yet a sudden pang of pain struck his heart, as if his father's silhouette would grow distant, increasingly blurred.
Might Duy turned, revealing his pearly white teeth to Kai, giving him a thumbs-up and a smile. "Kai! Believe in me, I will find you in Konoha!"
"Father... you must come back!"
Might Kai wiped the tears from his eyes. He couldn't cry in front of his father; he had to be a strong man!
"Let's go, Kai. Remember, don't look back!"
Might Duy's face darkened as he looked at the seven figures opposite him, their expressions filled with mockery. The scene that followed would be violent, not for children!
"Leaving just like that, do you not see us at all?"
Jinin Akebino, kicked away by Might Duy, dusted himself off, his face furious. He had been sneak-attacked when he wasn't paying attention! He would make this bushy-browed man pay dearly later!
"If we let you go like this, where would the Seven Ninja Swordsmen's honor be?!"
Kushimaru Kuriarare's voice was chilling beneath his mask. He flashed forward, intending to block Might Duy and his group.
"Sixth Gate, the Gate of Joy, Open!"
The green energy around Might Duy surged again, veins bulging on his rugged face, his eyes instantly turning fierce and sharp.
"What!"
Kushimaru, still mid-air, felt a sharp pain in his chest. He was hit as if by a speeding truck. Before he could even spit blood, his body was sent flying rapidly, crashing through four or five large trees before coming to a halt.
"Kushimaru! How could this be? How did that bushy-browed man suddenly become so fast?"
Jinin was shocked. This speed was already comparable to his own!
"Damn it! How is this guy so strong!"
Kushimaru got up, wiping the blood from beneath his mask. His rage had reached its peak. He had lost face in front of the other six! He would never let this green-clad man go!
Might Duy landed, his gaze serious as he glanced at Kushimaru, who was still capable of fighting. The enemy was strong! Without opening the Gate of Death, he couldn't defeat such an enemy. And there were seven of them. He had no choice but to...
It was good that Kai and the others had left. He no longer had any worries. Still, he wished he could see what Kai would look like when he got married, and help them raise a fat baby. But these thoughts paled in comparison to Kai's safety.
"Why aren't you talking? Are you stalling for time?" Jinin and the others had been observing Might Duy the entire time. Though arrogant, they weren't foolish. They wouldn't act rashly without understanding the opponent's strength. Now, they had a preliminary understanding of Might Duy's power. He possessed a taijutsu that could instantly boost his combat ability to the level of an elite jonin. However, that was all. Such taijutsu usually had a time limit. They could simply wait him out.
The seven exchanged nods. They had a general idea of Might Duy's strength and didn't want to delay further.
"Why aren't you talking? Are you mute?"
"That watermelon-headed brat from your group earlier, he's your son, right? He really takes after you, both looking like idiots!"
"Heh heh heh, you think they can escape? After we deal with you, catching up to them will be a matter of moments!"
"Come on, speak! We'll allow you to give your dying words."
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen, except for the silent Raiga Kurosuki and Jūzō Biwa, all taunted him. But they would soon regret ever wanting Might Duy to speak. They wished they could unhear the words that followed.
Might Duy took a deep breath, glancing back one last time at the departing Might Kai. His gaze was no longer lingering. He said coldly,
"Eighth Gate - The Gate of Death! Open! Formation of the Eight Gates!"
BOOM!
The ground caved in. The green energy that had been surrounding him was replaced by red steam from his evaporating blood. The powerful storm generated by the surging air current buffeted the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
"What... what is this thing?!"
Jinin looked as if he had seen a ghost. He had never felt such an aura, not even when facing the Mizukage. This was the pressure of death! And certain death! How was this possible! How could this man in the green bodysuit possess such power! Why wasn't it recorded in our Mist Village intelligence! Damn it!
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen were shaken by the terrifying aura emanating from Might Duy. They already had the idea of retreating, a thought they had never entertained since their debut.
"Let's retreat first! He can't maintain this state for long. Once he's exhausted, we'll finish him off!"
This was the consensus of the seven. No one dared to be so foolish as to provoke Might Duy now. That would be pure suicide. They were all elite jonin-level ninja; they knew their limits. Only foolish ninja were cannon fodder. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen had names!
The successor of the unnamed dual blades, Samehada, said, "You guys go on, I'll hold him off and catch up!"
"Evening Elephant - First Kick!"
Before the successor of the dual blades could even turn around, a fist wreathed in red steam slammed into his forehead with a "BONG!" The terrifying punch condensed into an air cannon, directly blasting his head into watermelon pulp. The scene was quite vivid.
BOOM!
The residual force continued, piercing through and destroying rows of trees.
"This... this..."
The six individuals beside him were terrified. What kind of power was required to unleash an air cannon with a single punch!
Might Duy's expression was ferocious. Unimaginable pain nearly made him faint. He could clearly hear his bones cracking. With every step, his body creaked. It was even worse when he swung his fist.
Evening Elephant, one of the ultimate techniques of the Eight Gates Formation, had five stages of speed. But Might Duy felt he couldn't last that long and needed to end it quickly!
"Second Kick!"
Completely defenseless, in the blink of an eye, a gaping hole appeared in Jinpachi Munashi's chest. Might Duy's figure stood before him, his fist still extended.
This is completely a game of luck!
The five surviving individuals couldn't help but think this. How were they supposed to fight this? They had completely lost the will to fight!
"Ninjutsu - Hidden Mist Technique!"
Jūzō Biwa broke free from his fear, forming hand seals to use the mist to obscure Might Duy's vision and find an opportunity to escape.
"Third Kick!"
BOOM!
The air cannon, at the third stage of speed, had increased its power by another notch. With one punch, the thick fog dispersed, and the wind and rain ceased!
Large swathes of trees fell backward, and with them, Genma Nawaki. His last thought was: Why me?! Jinin and Kushimaru mocked you the most!
Might Duy: I'm face-blind!