"How are you getting along with those people from Konoha Village?"
By a quiet hot spring in the Hidden Mist Village, Chōjūrō wiped his face with a towel as he spoke to Kagura, who stood beside him holding a water basin.
Kagura nodded slightly, "Yes. We're getting along quite well."
"That's good." Chōjūrō exhaled with visible relief.
"Lord Chōjūrō."
Kagura paused, his tone suddenly serious.
"Regarding the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist candidate trial… I've decided to accept it."
"Really?"
Chōjūrō's eyes widened slightly, surprise flashing across his face before shifting into joy.
"That's wonderful, Kagura. You're finally willing to take this step."
Kagura then took the key from Chōjūrō and headed to the vault that housed the Seven Ninja Swordsmen's weapons.
Deep within the village stood an ancient, solemn building.
Kagura took a steady breath before slowly pushing open the heavy wooden door.
The hinges creaked loudly, echoing across the empty vault.
The dim light inside was just enough to reveal the surroundings.
Rows of shelves held numerous weapons, but what stood out most were seven massive blades—each resting quietly yet pulsing with chakra.
Kagura's gaze landed immediately on one of them.
The Twin Swords: Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
He lifted the weapon with both hands, staring at its blade with deep emotion.
"…Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."
Later, on a training ground, Kagura swung the sword over the surface of the water, sensing its power with each movement.
"As expected of Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."
His voice was filled with awe.
"If I had used it when sparring with Boruto before, maybe…"
He stopped himself and shook his head.
"No. Even with Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, I wouldn't have been able to defeat Boruto."
"Long time no see, Kagura."
A voice drifted toward him.
Kagura turned, "Shizuma? Aren't you under house arrest?"
Shizuma smirked.
"House arrest? If you want to leave, you leave."
His tone chilled, "And I no longer obey Chōjūrō. It's time to reclaim dignity."
"You're abandoning Lord Chōjūrō? You want to become a rogue ninja?" Kagura's tone carried disbelief.
"Rogue ninja?" Shizuma scoffed.
"That's what you call it. I call it revolution."
His eyes gleamed dangerously.
"We will overthrow Chōjūrō and kill the Hokage's son. That will be the first step. A new war will restore the Hidden Mist to what it once was."
He extended a hand toward Kagura.
"Join us. Let's bring back the Blood Mist Village."
Kagura stepped back, gripping Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
"Why are you doing this, Shizuma? We finally achieved peace."
Shizuma laughed—a twisted, mocking sound.
"Ahhh… so the brainwashing worked on you too."
His expression hardened.
"Have you forgotten your name? Forgotten that you are the grandson of the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura?"
Kagura raised Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, voice steady.
"The shadow of those cruel days has finally faded. Shinobi here are learning what peace means. I carry my lineage with pride, but I won't repeat those mistakes."
Shizuma paused—then smirked.
"You think you can stop me alone?"
"Kyohō!"
The water below exploded upward. A massive masked ninja appeared, grabbing Kagura and restraining him instantly.
"Buntan!"
Another kunoichi leapt from the water, forming hand signs.
"Lightning Release: Lightning Ball!"
Golden lightning surged outward, striking Kagura.
His body trembled violently as electricity crackled across his body.
Shizuma blurred forward, gripping Kagura by the throat and ripping Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist from his hands.
"Without you, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen can still rise."
He shouted.
"Ichirota! Hassaku! Hebiichigo! Izuki!"
Four more masked shinobi emerged from the water.
Kagura struggled helplessly.
Shizuma leaned close, voice low and cruel.
"I could kill you right now… but I want you conscious when we execute the Hokage's son."
Kagura didn't get the chance to answer—Shizuma struck him unconscious with a sharp blow.
He glanced down at Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, then casually tossed it to Izuki.
"Boss, aren't you going to use it?" Izuki asked.
Shizuma shook his head.
"I only want Samehada."
He clenched Kagura's key in his hand.
"Let's go. The era of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen begins again."
That night, inside the hotel room, the atmosphere was quiet and dim.
Sarada slowly pushed open the door and stepped inside.
Just like the night before, she stopped right at the entrance—hands fidgeting, eyes lowered, face slightly flushed.
Boruto looked up from the bed and smirked.
"Well, well. You're early tonight."
"I… I left a Shadow Clone over there," she muttered.
"Mm. Smart."
Her heart raced when Boruto approached.
She took a shaky breath and backed up—until her shoulders touched the cold wall.
"Boruto… w-what are you doing?" Her voice was barely audible.
Boruto didn't answer.
He simply leaned in—placing one hand on the wall beside her head.
A perfect kabedon.
Sarada's heart hammered in her chest.
She muttered under her breath,
"Come on Sarada—why are you so damn shy?"
Then something shifted.
The blush slowly faded.
Her Sharingan activated—three tomoe spinning.
She placed her palm on Boruto's chest… and pushed.
Boruto hit the opposite wall with a soft thud.
And then—
Sarada stepped forward, mirroring his pose from moments ago.
One hand braced against the wall beside him, the other gently cupping his cheek.
Boruto blinked, caught completely off guard.
"Well damn… Sarada—"
His voice dipped.
"You really flipped the script."