"Yoru, this is a top-secret mission personally authorized by Lord Mizukage. You're to lead the operation."
Inside the hidden underground Anbu base in Kirigakure, Land of Water, an Anbu operative with a yellow, spiky mane of hair and a mask walked in.
As he spoke, he pulled a pitch-black scroll from his chest and tossed it over.
These specially-crafted mission scrolls were inscribed with sealing runes. If not opened correctly, the scroll would self-destruct the moment it was tampered with, preventing any leaks.
The young man named Yoru caught the scroll mid-air. Using a method exclusive to the Anbu, he unsealed it—and under his mask, his brows furrowed deeply.
[Mission Order: From the Third Mizukage]To Anbu Squad One Captain, Mizunotsuki Yoru:Infiltrate the Konoha encampment, sow chaos, destroy food and weapon supplies, divert the attention of their main forces, and assist the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist in executing an assassination.Mission Rank: Top Secret
This was an extremely dangerous assignment. One could even call it a suicide mission.
Yoru's task was to infiltrate the enemy's main camp and cause havoc. Even if successful, the enraged Konoha shinobi would likely tear any intruder to shreds.
"…Understood."
Yoru tucked away the scroll, nodding calmly without the slightest hint of emotion at the mission's severity.
"Your abilities are well-suited for this task. That's why the Third Mizukage chose you to lead it," the yellow-haired Anbu said coolly. "I have faith in you. Once this war ends, you should be able to succeed my position."
"…Your sword wouldn't suit me, Lord Kuriarare Kushimaru."
Indeed.
The masked man before him, wrapped in bandages with a wild afro-like hairdo, was none other than Kuriarare Kushimaru, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and wielder of the long blade Nuibari (Sewing Needle).
He was also Yoru's superior—Anbu vice-captain.
Many members of the Seven Swordsmen held roles within the Anbu. For example, Fuguki Suikazan, wielder of Samehada (Shark Skin), was another Anbu vice-captain, though he oversaw the Intelligence Division, while Kushimaru led the Assassination Squad.
"You brat—just because you're taking the post doesn't mean I'm handing over Nuibari!"
Kushimaru's lip twitched under his mask, his gaze briefly settling on the long blade at Yoru's waist.
"That sword of yours… it's said to be a demonic weapon born with you, no?"
"Just a regular blade," Yoru replied flatly.
He drew the katana at his waist—Asauchi.
"Are you suggesting a spar, Lord Kushimaru?"
"Tch. You don't act like someone from the Mizunotsuki Clan at all… more like those Kaguya maniacs."
Kushimaru scoffed. Only an idiot would agree to a match with this kid.
Despite not having awakened the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai of his clan, Yoru had already mastered a bizarre and terrifying secret technique. Anyone who had ever fought him had no desire to face him a second time.
"Yagura's offensive on the front lines isn't going smoothly. This assassination must succeed—failure is not an option."
"The strike happens three days from now. Your mission is to create chaos ahead of time. Move immediately and reach the front lines."
With that, Kushimaru vanished with a Body Flicker, leaving Yoru alone in the damp, dimly-lit chamber.
Yoru stared down at the mission scroll in his hands. Behind the pale mask, his expression was conflicted.
"What must come, always will."
This year marked Yoru's fourteenth since arriving in this world—it was Year 49 of the Hidden Leaf.
The Third Great Ninja War, triggered by the disappearance of the Third Kazekage, was nearing its end.
Although Sunagakure had lost the Third Kazekage early, under the new leadership of the Fourth Kazekage Rasa, they managed to repel Kumogakure's invasion.
However, having lost too much high-end combat power—especially after their crushing defeat at Kikyō Pass—Sunagakure's economy collapsed, and its military was in shambles. The village had lost the will—and the ability—to continue fighting.
On the other side, Kumogakure, the instigator of the war, fared no better.
Their efforts had been thwarted at every turn. After losing the Third Raikage, and with no advantages gained by either the future Fourth Raikage A or Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, against the Yellow Flash Minato Namikaze, Kumo had retreated to its borders in low spirits.
Now, the war raged on between just Konohagakure and Iwagakure.
At first, Iwagakure had the upper hand. They successfully ambushed and killed the Third Raikage using sheer numbers.
But their joint campaign with Sunagakure against Konoha fell apart quickly.
In the Kannabi Bridge battle, Konoha severed Iwa's supply lines—a critical blow.
Though Iwa could still hold the front lines, maintaining a seemingly even stalemate with Konoha, it was only a matter of time before negotiations began. Everyone could see the writing on the wall.
Four years of war had bled all four Great Nations dry. It was a meat grinder, claiming lives by the thousands.
In this war, there were no true victors…
Or rather—the true victor had yet to emerge.
That victor was Kirigakure, which had thus far stayed out of the conflict entirely.
While the other nations clashed in brutal warfare, the Fifth Great Nation, Kirigakure, quietly conserved its strength, watching from the sidelines—waiting for the perfect moment to strike and reap the rewards.
And now…
Sunagakure's forces were in ruins.Kumogakure had withdrawn.Iwagakure was strained with broken supply lines.Konohagakure—despite nearing victory—was weary and depleted from endless battles.
Now was the perfect time for Kirigakure to emerge and snatch the prize.
After half a year of probing along the Fire Country's long border, the Third Mizukage finally made his move—mobilizing the army for a full-scale invasion. But before that, he dispatched the Seven Ninja Swordsmen on a decapitation mission.
The target: Jiraiya, who had just returned from the Iwa battlefield to assume command on the western front—where battle with Kiri was expected.
If they could take him out preemptively, Konoha's forces would fall into chaos. Kirigakure's army could then sweep deep into Fire Country, plundering as they pleased.
That was the grand plan orchestrated by the Third Mizukage and Kirigakure's high command.
Unfortunately—for all its brilliance—the plan was doomed to fail.
A mission involving the Seven Ninja Swordsmen attempting to assassinate Jiraiya would have been one of the biggest events of the war. Yet in the original story, there's no mention of it whatsoever. Not even a record of them encountering each other.
Clearly, the mission must have failed spectacularly—or perhaps never happened at all.
"Wait… never happened?"
Yoru paused.
No… there's no way it never happened. With the Mizukage's direct orders, they'd go even if it meant death. Besides, Kirigakure was overflowing with confidence—certain of their success.
Then he remembered how the Seven Ninja Swordsmen ended up in the original story…
"Don't tell me… they entered Fire Country trying to kill Jiraiya, only to run into Might Guy's team first—and got wiped out by Might Duy using the Eight Gates?"
Yoru's lips twitched.
If that were the case… Kirigakure's luck and that of the Seven Swordsmen was downright tragic.
They confidently prepared to enter the game and claim victory—only to lose their strongest pieces before the match even started.