- So that bastard sent someone else to their death? They are real weaklings, since they didn't notice me. - The young man with a huge sword on his back said in irritation.
- After I deal with them, I'll need to change my place of residence... I wish I could kill that bastard, but he's sitting somewhere deep in the land of fire... - He said with a sigh, and turned his gaze to the teenage girl in a traditional kimono, and then stroked her hair, and said: - Wait here, and hide, as always.
The girl nodded silently, deftly climbed the nearest tree, and hid so that even Jonin would have difficulty finding her.
The young man himself was twenty meters away in one movement, and continued to rush forward until he finally reached the enemies. He jumped onto a tall tree, and, making hand seals, quietly whispered: - Suiton: Suiryudan no Jutsu!
*****
Ichiro and his brothers had no problem dodging the enemy's equipment, as they were always prepared. Having survived many battles, they were all hardened and ready for a surprise attack.
The second group hired for this mission, on the contrary, was not prepared for a sudden attack, and the "water dragon" technique, of the five people, only two survived, the commander, and that same stocky man. They immediately attempted to escape, but without much trouble were cut into two parts by the enemy who caught up with them. He really did not like the idea that any of them would leave alive.
Those few seconds gave Ichiro and his brothers enough time to mentally discuss a counter-strategy. Ichiro instantly recognized the enemy as Momochi Zabuza. Kenshin implanted all known information about the strongest shinobi into each son's mind so that they would avoid them.
"Everyone be on your guard, this is Momochi Zabuza, one of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist. Take up battle formation, but do not attack!" Ichiro commanded, and he himself tried to enter into a dialogue.
"Sir, there has been a misunderstanding. Allow us to leave, and the Nakayama Family will be in your debt." Ichiro said with a friendly expression, to which Zabuza only laughed a booming laugh.
- Hahaha! The Nakayama family? This is the first time I've heard of it. Whatever the case, I can't let you go. It's nothing personal. - Zabuza said and charged. His speed was so fast that even with two tomoe, Ichiro barely had time to react and block with his sword.
Their strength was incomparable, so Ichiro went flying, breaking several trees with his back. His brothers immediately rushed to attack, not caring about anything else. They understood perfectly well that it would be incredibly difficult to get out alive.
Zabuza marveled at their coordination, but dodged or parried each attack without issue. It reminded him of the time he had been assigned to train a team of shinobi, and the little puppies had tried to kill him in the same way.
The fourth went after his older brother, unsuccessfully taking Zabuza's blow on the block, but in mid-flight was caught by Ichiro, who was rushing back, and returned to the ranks.
- Kaiten! - The voice of the Twenty-Second was heard, and what seemed to be the strongest blow from Zabuza was easily repelled by the incredible technique of the Hyuga clan.
- Kage Mane no Jutsu! - Eighteenth whispered, and shadow stripes rushed towards the flying Zabuza.
Zabuza had barely landed on his feet when a whisper rang out, "Kage Nui no Jutsu!" and shadow streaks rose from the ground, rushing towards his vital organs.
He was very surprised that he had come across such a motley crew, but even the shadow needles flying at him did not make his heart tremble. He calmly whispered: "Suiton: Suijinheki." And the water membrane that appeared in the air held back the enemy shadows without any problems, allowing him to retreat calmly.
Eighteen barely noticed Zabuza rushing forward and swung his sword towards him. He was very weak in close combat and did not have time to react, but at the very last moment, Ichiro appeared in front of him and blocked Zabuza's attack with his sword.
There was a loud bang, and the entire ground beneath Ichiro's feet, within a radius of ten meters, shook. His arms could barely withstand such a powerful load, and he escaped with only a torn ligament in his right forearm.
Then came another horizontal strike from Zabuza, trying to cut Ichiro in half. However, he concentrated and blocked it with difficulty, and then went flying.
At that very moment, the Eighteenth retreated, and the Seventh got close enough to deliver a devastating attack. Unfortunately, the reaction speed of a strong Jonin could not be underestimated, so Zabuza, without much concern, decided to meet the blow of the enemy's sword with a strong bracer with steel plates on his left arm.
A loud ringing sound was heard, and Zabuza, suddenly for himself, winced painfully, taking a step back, instinctively swinging his huge sword at the enemy. The speed of the Jonin's strike was so high that the Seventh did not have time to put up a normal block, and took the blow first on an invisible barrier, and then on his chest.
While Zabuza was waving away the Seventh and checking his arm for injury, finding a cut in the muscle, the Fourth made hand seals and shouted:
- Katon: Goka Mekkyaku! - He poured in a huge amount of chakra, and with difficulty blew out a five-meter wall of fire.
Twenty-Second was nearby, and immediately supported his brother, folding the seals, and shouted: - Fuuton Toppa! - A huge stream of air flew into the wall of fire, and allowed it to grow to fifteen meters.
Seeing the combined katon and fuuton technique, Zabuza felt danger for the first time in the entire battle. He did not have time to dodge, so he made hand seals and poured a huge amount of chakra into the technique.
- Suiton: Suijinheki! - He roared, and a thick, five-meter wall of water appeared right in front of him, which with difficulty, but swallowed the enemy equipment.
While the steam from the mutually destroyed techniques had not cleared, all the brothers gathered together, sensing each other telepathically. Seven was barely conscious, but could not move. Twenty-Second, being an Iryenin, hurried to him, and checked his condition.