The "anyone" here referred to Might Guy and Asuma.
As for Kakashi, he had already been excluded without question.
For a long time, because of Uchiha Haru's aloof and arrogant personality, very few people had interacted with him. This made most people subconsciously overlook and ignore him.
Kurenai Yuhi and Uzuki Yugao were no exceptions. It wasn't until this mission that they suddenly realized something.
He had already become a jonin at the age of fifteen or sixteen.
He had awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan.
Such a level of strength was no weaker than prodigies like Asuma among the younger generation.
Kurenai's crimson eyes shimmered with a strange light.
She had grown up alongside Asuma and understood his capabilities well. She wasn't sure who was stronger—Asuma or Haru—but one thing she knew for certain:
Asuma was never this hardworking.
Even on the road to completing a mission, Haru never missed a chance to train and refine himself.
He wasn't just talented—he was diligent, too.
Perhaps, just as Yugao had said, Haru's abilities had already surpassed everyone's expectations.
Moreover, Uchiha Haru... wasn't as cold as everyone believed.
Even when in a rush to complete a mission, he would still suggest stopping to rest.
With his strength as a jonin, he didn't need to rest at all.
The only reason to pause was clearly for their sake.
Half an hour later, Haru and the others set out again. Throughout the journey, they would rest briefly at intervals, never pushing too hard.
By the time they reached the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rivers, the sky was already darkening.
The three of them made camp and rested overnight.
At first light, they resumed their journey.
Soon after entering the Land of Rivers, the destination was only two to three hours away. The mission was all but complete.
But just then, something changed.
A light fog began to settle in.
At first, it was barely noticeable.
Then it thickened rapidly.
Visibility dropped.
Even Haru's Sharingan struggled slightly against the obscured view.
He and the others immediately went on high alert.
No doubt about it.
This was an ambush.
Haru, Kurenai, and Yugao stood back-to-back, eyes sharp and wary as they scanned their surroundings.
Haru, who had experienced countless life-or-death battles in simulated training, felt his blood begin to boil.
After so many repetitions in simulation... was it finally happening for real?
Kurenai and Yugao weren't as composed. They were younger, less battle-hardened. Tension made their movements stiff.
"Hahahahaha!"
Suddenly, a harsh, grating laugh echoed through the fog. The voice sounded like a snake with vocal cords—sneering, mocking, contemptuous.
Just hearing it made the skin crawl.
"So, the little Konoha brats finally noticed, huh?"
"Took you long enough."
The voice came from everywhere, impossible to pinpoint.
Yet the speaker didn't care to hide.
A figure emerged directly from the fog.
Tall, broad-shouldered, and with two massive swords strapped to his back.
He had dared to intercept them, dared to appear so boldly.
Clearly, he already had detailed intel on their group—and complete confidence in his own power.
To him, these three little Konoha ninja weren't even a threat.
He stepped forward slowly, almost casually.
With every step, the pressure in the air thickened.
Kurenai and Yugao grew visibly paler.
The sheer killing intent was unbearable for ordinary Chunin.
Haru remained composed. He stared calmly at the advancing figure.
"One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Hidden Mist... Raiga Kurosuki?"
Raiga Kurosuki.
The moment his name was spoken, the figure hesitated slightly, the mocking air faltering.
"You know me?" he asked, voice surprised.
But then he chuckled darkly, resuming his sinister tone.
"Doesn't matter. None of you are walking away alive."
"Hand over your delivery. Maybe I'll give you a quick death."
As he spoke, Raiga drew nearer.
He stood only five or six meters away now.
His wild green hair, thick black brows, and twisted smile made him look like a man possessed.
His body was wrapped tightly in bandages, and he wore a sleeveless black vest.
But the most terrifying part of him was the twin swords on his back.
Even sheathed, they sparked faintly with visible arcs of electricity, emitting a deadly aura.
One of the infamous Seven Swordsmen of the Mist!
Raiga Kurosuki!
Kurenai and Yugao had both heard the stories.
He was no ordinary ninja.
If compared within the ranks of Konoha, he was beyond even elite jonin.
Against such a monster, Kurenai and Yugao instinctively positioned themselves behind Haru.
They were young. Still Chunin. Still green.
They had not yet faced many life-or-death situations.
Seeing a real member of the Seven Swordsmen triggered a deep, primal fear.
Raiga saw their expressions and was clearly pleased.
He loved it when people feared him. Their trembling gave him a twisted thrill.
But then his gaze landed on Haru—
And the smile froze.
No fear. No panic. No tension.
Just calm. Cold calm.
Even after Raiga locked eyes with him, trying to intimidate him, Haru didn't flinch.
It was as if Raiga didn't exist.
Or worse, as if he didn't matter.
The corner of Raiga's mouth twitched cruelly.
"You little brat... you'll regret that."
Clang!
The twin swords came free with a sharp ring.
The cold steel gleamed under the dim light, jagged like monstrous fangs.
Electricity crackled around the blades, snapping and flashing.
Overhead, dark clouds began to gather ominously.
RUMBLE!
Thunder rolled across the heavens.
Raiga crossed the swords high over his head.
"Lightning Release: Thunder Fang!"
In the next instant, arcs of electricity flared violently across the twin swords.
They surged upward into the sky—and connected with the lightning above.
An explosive surge of chakra and nature energy erupted between the clouds and blades, as Raiga roared into the storm.