Devoured…?
Just like that?
Mumei stared at the space where Ranmaru had vanished. That black, all-consuming force Shigure commanded — he had seen it used to grant people overwhelming power…
…but he now understood it could also erase someone completely.
He swallowed hard.
Wordlessly, he stepped out of the courtyard and resumed guard duty.
Until Kuji returned, Mumei would remain Shigure's shield. Out of the hundred shinobi who followed Shigure back then, he and Kuji were the strongest.
And between the two of them…
Kuji held the advantage. His Shikotsumyaku gave him monstrous regeneration. Unless his heart was crushed in an instant, or his head obliterated completely, Kuji would rise again.
Still, Mumei's own abilities — Boil Release: Brute Strength Burst, Boil Release: Skillful Mist Technique, Boil Release: Heat Haze Blade — were fearsome. His raw power rivaled Tsunade's, further amplified by lethal heat.
They were both monsters in human skin.
—
Inside his room, Shigure sat cross-legged.
[Great Sage: Congratulations, host. You have acquired the dōjutsu Kekkei Genkai — Red Eye.]
[Would you like to fuse Red Eye with the Sharingan?]
Fuse…?
"They can be combined?"
[Great Sage: With the power of Gluttony, two abilities may be fused into one.]
Interesting.
"What change would the fusion bring?"
[Great Sage: The capabilities of both dōjutsu will merge and overlap. The outward appearance of the eye can be adjusted as the host wishes.]
So — greater power, without revealing what it truly was.
That was more than enough.
"Fuse them."
[Great Sage: Activating Gluttony. Fusing Sharingan and Red Eye…]
[Fusion complete. Please choose the manifestation of the new dōjutsu.]
If it looked like the Sharingan, he'd immediately be linked to the Uchiha Clan. That could be troublesome. But if it resembled Ranmaru's Red Eye…
…people might compare the two, but never make the true connection.
"Manifest it as Red Eye — externally."
[Great Sage: Understood.]
Perfect.
A Sharingan hidden behind another dojutsu's guise.
Even if he unleashed its full power in public, no one would suspect the Uchiha's secret eye technique.
[Great Sage: Would the host like to name the newly fused dōjutsu?]
A new name…
It couldn't simply remain "Red Eye."
This was now an evolution — Sharingan and Red Eye united.
A dojutsu worthy of a new identity.
Shigure's eyes gleamed.
—
"Let's name them… Scarlet Blaze Eyes."
Shigure stared into a mirror. His eyes glowed crimson—large pupils shimmering with a sharp, radiant sheen.
They resembled those so-called "Scarlet Eyes" from a certain clan in another world… fitting enough.
And now, in this Scarlet Blaze Eye state, every ability of the three-tomoe Sharingan remained fully intact: insight, chakra perception, predictive vision—yet enhanced further by the Red Eye's extraordinary penetration, far-sight, and illusionary image projection.
In addition…
His chakra control surged to frightening precision.
Add the Great Sage's accelerated thinking on top of that?
Shigure's capabilities had ascended to a new tier entirely.
With this level of fine control, the possibilities for Light Release techniques had expanded dramatically. He could now develop techniques far beyond the norm—techniques that should not exist.
Without resting, Shigure returned to the training island. He tested and refined jutsu while the Great Sage handled analysis and optimization.
Two days passed in a flash.
Kuji and the returning Kirigakure forces had safely arrived back home.
During that time, Shigure arranged housing for Hinata. Mei Terumī was… exasperated.
There were obvious diplomatic concerns regarding Konoha. But realistically, the Hidden Mist and Konoha were already in a cold state of hostility. There would be no peace between them.
The greater issue lay within the village.
Everyone knew Shigure had abducted the noble princess of the Hyūga Clan—a clan famed throughout the shinobi world for the Byakugan.
Some voices argued:
Since she was here, why not dissect her and unravel the Byakugan's secrets?
Mei crushed those suggestions instantly.
She was firm: Hinata would not be harmed.
With Kuji and the others back, Shigure summoned Ameyuri Ringo.
"This belongs to you now."
He handed her the fully restored Kiba, the Lightning Blade.
The changes were subtle but crucial: when infused with lightning-nature chakra, the sword amplified electrical transformation to a far stronger degree, while simultaneously improving the wielder's own chakra control.
The effect existed only with Kiba in hand—an extension of its original purpose.
Ameyuri's joy was impossible to hide.
"Lord Shigure! This is truly one of the Seven Ninja Swords! The power—it's incredible!"
Shigure simply watched as she sliced arcs of lightning through the air. The original blades were nowhere near this potent.
"Wield it proudly. Do not tarnish the Lightning Blade's name."
"Yes, Lord Shigure!"
When she stepped aside, Kuji called in the others.
Haku, Chōjūrō, Zabuza, and Kisame all entered together.
Shigure stood before them—gaze sharp, voice firm.
"Haku of the Yuki Clan—Ice Release prodigy.
One of the new Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
Bearer of the sword Nuibari — the Needle."
"Chōjūrō—Hidden Mist's rising genius.
One of the new Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
Bearer of the twin blade Hiramekarei."
"Momochi Zabuza—the Demon of the Hidden Mist.
One of the new Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
Bearer of Kubikiribōchō — the Executioner's Blade."
"Hoshigaki Kisame—the Monster of the Hidden Mist.
One of the new Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
Bearer of Samehada — the Great Shark Blade."
"And you—Ameyuri Ringo.
One of the new Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
Bearer of Kiba — the Lightning Blade."
Five.
Kisame glanced over the assembled swordsmen. Even if some lacked the strength they would eventually achieve, their potential was indisputable. This new generation… would surpass the last.
"Lord Shigure," Ameyuri asked eagerly, "are you truly rebuilding the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?"
Shigure nodded.
"Yes. These are the first five. The last two…"
His gaze shifted to the side—
—toward the next candidates he had already chosen.
...
TN:
🔟 Pa-treon-com/LordMerlin (Support me! 😊)