The dense forest was littered with seven or eight corpses.
Some were decapitated, some had their limbs severed and scattered across the ground, others were burned into blackened charcoal, and two bodies were grotesquely sewn together with steel wire.
Not far from the bodies, in front of a shattered wagon, three young shinobi stood side by side, faces pale with fear.
The boy on the right, wearing sunglasses, swallowed nervously. "Guy, what tactics should we use now?"
At his question, the boy in the middle scratched the back of his head and said softly, "Ebisu, don't ask me that… let Genma decide."
Might Guy, with his bowl-cut hair, thick eyebrows, and green jumpsuit, had a red scarf tied around his neck. Combined with his awkward scratching motion, he looked almost comically innocent.
Seeing both teammates staring at him, Shiranui Genma, the one biting a senbon between his teeth, stammered, "We can only run. Against these guys, no tactic will work."
Facing them stood seven shinobi wearing forehead protectors engraved with the symbol of the Hidden Mist Village.
Each carried a uniquely shaped sword, their eyes gleaming with bloodlust.
"Captain, leave these brats to me. My Executioner's Blade has been thirsting for blood," said a towering man with red streaks painted across his mouth. His browless face looked utterly feral as he twirled the massive sword.
Before he could move, a masked shinobi beside him sneered. "Jūzō Biwa, I think it'd be more fun to stitch the three of them together with my sewing needles."
As the two began to argue, a one-eyed ninja perched on a branch fiddled with explosive tags and barked impatiently, "Jinpachi Munashi, Kushimaru Kuriarare—go together. Finish those three quickly, then we'll move on to hunt the other squads."
A fat, orange-haired ninja nodded in agreement. "Fuguki Suikazan is right. Make it quick."
With their captain, Fuguki Suikazan, having spoken, both Jūzō and Kushimaru stopped bickering and advanced toward Might Guy, Shiranui Genma, and Ebisu, weapons in hand.
"Ebisu, Genma—I'll hold them off. You two run first."
Feeling the suffocating killing intent pressing down on him, Might Guy forced himself to swallow his fear and gathered his chakra.
"Eight Gates Released Formation: Gate of Healing —Open!"
At his shout, a surge of green energy flared around him.
The next instant, his figure vanished.
"Leaf Whirlwind!"
He reappeared in midair, leg whipping toward Jūzō Biwa in a powerful kick.
But Jūzō merely raised his Executioner's Blade and swatted him aside effortlessly. Guy's body was sent flying.
"You little punk… you think attacking me first isn't an insult?" Jūzō's voice dripped with fury.
Feeling slighted for being chosen as the first target, he slung his great blade over his shoulder and charged at Guy with a roar.
"Leaf Strong Whirlwind!"
A green blur darted from afar, delivering a kick that forced Jūzō to raise his sword in defense.
Thud!
The tremendous impact drove him several steps backward.
"Father?!"
Recognizing the newcomer, Might Guy's eyes lit up with joy.
But a heartbeat later, his expression twisted into panic.
"Father, these people are really strong! You have to run!"
Even they, as Chūnin, couldn't stand against these foes—his father, a mere Genin, would die for nothing if he stayed.
Might Duy turned to his son and smiled. "Guy, have you forgotten the technique I have?"
"That technique …" Guy froze, tears welling in his eyes. "But you said using it would kill you! You said you'd only use that power to protect what mattered most!"
Duy nodded with a grin and gave his son a thumbs-up. "Exactly. And your safety… is what matters most to me!"
"Guy, don't cry. This is my moment to burn with youth!"
Guy sniffed hard, shouting, "Father, I'll live on—I swear it!"
"Guy!"
"Father!"
After their brief exchange, Might Duy placed a firm hand on his son's shoulder. "Guy, the enemy's right before us. Remember to run when I tell you to."
Guy nodded, tears streaming. "I understand, Father."
Watching the heartfelt scene, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist wore mixed expressions.
Do these idiots seriously remember the enemy's right in front of them?
Kushimaru said coldly: "Since you two father and son are so close, I'll use my Nuibari to stitch you together later."
Jūzō also said unhappily: "I hate this kind of scene the most. I'm going to use the Kubikiribōchō to cut you both into two pieces!"
Might Duy straightened his posture, placing himself between the Mist swordsmen and the three young shinobi behind him—Guy, Genma, and Ebisu.
The battle was about to erupt—
Until Fuguki Suikazan's face suddenly changed. "Enemies approaching! Be alert!"
At his warning, everyone froze.
Then, a calm voice drifted from a nearby tree. "You guys carry on. I'm just passing by."
They turned to see a black-haired, black-eyed man sitting cross-legged on a branch, watching them impassively.
"Hmph. Trying to act mysterious," Fuguki scoffed, his long hair hardening into a barrage of needle-like strands that shot toward the bushes below the stranger.
"Earth Style: Earth-Style Wall!"
A wall of earth rose from the ground, blocking the attack completely.
Having been discovered, Kakashi, Obito, and Shisui stepped out from the cover.
As soon as they appeared, Guy shouted excitedly, "Kakashi! And that, uh, that other guy—uh, what's-his-name…"
"What are you guys doing here?!"
Hearing Guy's fumbling words, Obito's face darkened. He pointed at himself, exasperated. "Hey, bushy brows! Don't tell me you don't know who I am?!"
Guy frowned in thought, then said slowly, "Nope. Not a clue."
"What?!"
Obito nearly exploded with rage.
He'd been one of the most popular students at the Academy—and this muscle-brained idiot didn't even remember his name?!
Worse, Guy had instantly recognized Kakashi!
Unbelievable!
Hearing their conversation, Jūzō Biwa sneered: "You bastards are as arrogant as ever! How dare you chat and reminisce as if we weren't here?!"