186 Samurai vs. Mist Ninjas
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On the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Vortex, the Konoha camp stood vigilant against the looming presence of the Mist Village.
Under watchful gaze, some ninjas, accompanied by a dog, patrolled the outskirts of the camp.
Meanwhile, various bugs maintained surveillance from the cover of nearby trees.
Within a secluded tent nestled in a specially designated area of the camp, a figure lay motionless, his dark hair splayed against the makeshift pillow.
Hiashi Hyūga, the revered clan head of the Hyūga clan, remained unconscious, his body bearing the scars of battle. A skilled medical ninja meticulously tended to his wounds, her focus unwavering despite the gravity of his injuries.
"Why hasn't my brother woken up yet? It's been nearly a week." Beside Hiashi's bedside stood his identical twin, Hizashi Hyūga.
Though identical in appearance, their destinies diverged due to a cruel twist of fate. While Hiashi belonged to the esteemed main family of the Hyūga clan, Hizashi found himself relegated to the branch family, forever overshadowed by his brother's status.
The medical ninja, her hands moving as she changed Hiashi's bandages, offered a reassuring smile in response to Hizashi's inquiry. "His injuries are severe, and he has lost a significant amount of blood," she explained softly.
"It's truly a miracle that he has survived. I believe he will awaken within the next three days, at the latest."
"That's good," he murmured, though a lingering tension remained in his heart.
Despite their shared bloodline, a profound divide separated the brothers.
Born mere minutes apart, Hiashi ascended to the esteemed ranks of the main family, destined to lead and uphold the honor of the Hyūga clan.
Meanwhile, Hizashi found himself consigned to the branch family, bound by duty to protect the main family at any cost.
The dichotomy between the main and branch families was stark. At the tender age of three, branch family members bore the burden of a cursed mark known as the "caged bird," a symbol of their subservience and the source of deep-rooted conflict within the clan.
This mark not only served as a means of control by the main family but also sealed away the potent abilities of the Byakugan, leaving the branch members forever bound by duty and shackled by fate.
This time, his brother was badly hurt, but Hizashi emerged unscathed. Yet, despite his innocence in the matter, blame weighed heavily on him within the branch family's ranks.
The circumstances had been dire: Hizashi found himself locked in combat against the wielder of the dreaded Kiba Twin Sword, while his brother, Hiashi, confronted three swordsmen of mist.
Outnumbered, Hizashi had been unable to come to his brother's aid. Tragically, the confrontation resulted in casualties on both sides. A member of the main family had perished, while five from the branch family met their untimely end.
The burden of guilt fell upon Hizashi's shoulders as he sought solace beneath the canopy of a towering tree, his gaze fixed upon the distant mist camp.
As he stood in silent contemplation, two familiar figures approached from behind.
"Shibi, Tsume, do you blame me too?" He questioned them, though he did not turn to face them.
Before Shibi could respond, a small bug returned to him, signaling an impending disturbance.
With practiced ease, he extended his index finger, welcoming the insect back into his fold.
Meanwhile, Tsume's keen senses detected a troubling scent in the breeze. "Blood?"
With urgency in his tone, Aburame Shibi addressed the newfound threat. "Enemy," he declared, releasing a swarm of bugs to alert their teammates and allies within the camp. "There's a fight outside the perimeter. Let's go."
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In the middle of the forest, a lone samurai found himself encircled by a swarm of relentless ninjas.
With a swift and practiced motion, he deflected a barrage of kunai with his sword, the resounding clang echoing through the otherwise silent night.
The ground bore witness to the fallen bodies of at least forty adversaries, their lives extinguished by the swift strokes of his katana, which shimmered with a blue chakra.
Among the fallen was the very ninja who had dared to taunt him earlier, his arrogant boasts silenced by a fatal wound.
"Got him!" A ninja emerged from the earth behind the samurai, leaping with his kunai gleaming in the dim light.
Fugaku's smirk widened as he swiftly dashed forward, spinning around, his long sword poised for action.
With a decisive slash infused with chakra, he cut through the ninja before they could even attempt a substitution technique, sealing their fate in an instant.
"Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Jutsu!"
It was evening, but there was still some visibility. As soon as jutsu was used, the whole forest was covered in fog.
The decision of the Mist Ninjas to employ their jutsu at this juncture was a calculated one. Positioned near the Konoha camp, they had exercised caution, opting to conceal their presence until deemed absolutely necessary.
After all, who could have anticipated an encounter with a strong samurai?
In a matter of minutes, Fugaku had dispatched adversaries, Many ninjas fell before they could even weave the necessary hand seals for their jutsu, unable to match the relentless onslaught of the skilled swordsman.
With a swift arc of his long sword, he carved a circle into the ground, his left leg sweeping.
"Let me show you my sword skills."
With swift movement, he dispatched two more Mist Ninjas, their desperate cries silenced as they fell.
Halting his advance, Fugaku planted his katana on the ground, a brief respite amid the frenzy of battle.
Drawing a deep breath, he concealed his identity behind the guise of a samurai.
"Die!" The furious shout prompts Fugaku to swiftly react. Though he refrained from utilizing his Sharingan, his eyesight allowed him to discern the imminent threat—a charging figure closing in from the side.
He withdrew his sword from the earth and deftly dodged to the side, narrowly evading the oncoming assault.
In an instant, the tranquility of the forest was shattered by a deafening explosion, the force of the blast sending shockwaves rippling through the earth.
