*Chapter 16: Might Duy in Flames*

The sound of the night echoed.

Chakra flowed from his body like a flood, depleting rapidly to support the formation of this terrifying technique.

A heavy, almost unbearable pressure spread through the environment, causing the very air to freeze.

In the next instant.

Biwa Jūzō’s eyes suddenly contracted, staring ahead in shock.

In his view, a deep blackness emerged, sending a chilling wave of dread through him. In an instant, Might Duy was completely engulfed and bound.

From a distance, it looked like a black coffin!

The suffocating aura caused Biwa Jūzō to gulp involuntarily. He couldn’t believe that such a terrifying technique had been unleashed by Yoru.

The future star of Kirigakure, the most outstanding disciple of Elder Genshirō, a genius on par with Yagura, and the blade of the Blood Mist from the ANBU.

Though Yoru had yet to awaken the bloodline of the Yuki clan, his reputation as a genius was well-known among Kirigakure's higher-ups. Biwa Jūzō had already regarded him as an equal, with no trace of underestimation.

Everyone knew that as long as Yoru continued to grow, it wouldn’t be long before he surpassed the level of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.

But that was in the future—a prediction of what Yoru could become after further growth!

But now...

"The power of this technique... it’s at least at the forbidden jutsu level. This kid..."

"Is he a true genius?"

While Yoru didn’t know the full extent of Biwa Jūzō's shock and amazement, he could sense it in those wide, astonished eyes.

It felt gratifying to be gazed at by someone of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen’s stature, but Yoru’s attention was more focused on Might Duy, who was being swallowed by the black coffin.

Casting a Kido spell above level 90 was incredibly difficult. Even Yoru couldn’t perform one without a full incantation.

Indeed.

For someone like Aizen to cast Kido at this level, the incantation greatly enhanced its power. But in Yoru’s case, it was simply to ensure the spell could be cast at all.

This was the difference in chakra reserves and mastery over Kido!

"It should work..."

Feeling the emptiness within, Yoru’s expression grew heavy.

This black coffin had nearly drained all of his chakra, but he believed he had seized the moment of Might Duy's weakness.

If this didn’t kill him, there was nothing more Yoru could do.

The suffocating pressure swirled within the coffin, but soon, Yoru’s expression suddenly shifted, and Biwa Jūzō's eyes widened in shock as he shouted.

"How is this possible?!"

Crack... crack...

The black coffin lasted only a few seconds before it seemed to suffer a tremendous impact from within. Countless cracks appeared on its surface.

In an instant, a blood-red flame erupted into the sky, shattering the black coffin and revealing what was inside.

A blood-red beast!

Might Duy’s body was covered with wounds, yet there wasn’t a drop of blood.

The terrifying chakra had evaporated all of his blood, turning it into red steam that enveloped him.

The Eight Gates Formation!

"Kirigakure..."

The blood-red monster locked eyes on Yoru.

His eyes were white, and with a roar, he charged forward with even more ferocity.

In almost an instant, he was right in front of Yoru.

With the Eight Gates fully opened, Might Duy's aura had reached unprecedented heights, so overwhelming that even Biwa Jūzō, Fuguki Suikazan, and Raiga felt their very lives suffocated.

Yoru stood motionless, showing no defensive posture.

Might Duy’s momentum was terrifyingly fierce, and in a flash, he was in front of Yoru. But just as his fist was about to land, his expression suddenly changed.

His momentum froze, and his charge came to an abrupt halt.

He had burned out.

The intense battle with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, combined with using the full power of the Eight Gates to break the black coffin, had consumed everything within this beast.

The sword fell.

Ding! "Congratulations on completing S-rank targets ‘Might Duy’ Task 2 and Task 3: Reward: 150,000 points."

Ding! "Successfully killed a special type Genin. Reward: 2,500 points."

As the system chimed, Might Duy’s head and body separated.

No blood flowed from his severed neck. The moment his blood-red flames were extinguished, his body had completely carbonized, turning to charcoal, ready to crumble at a touch.

Such was the allure of the Eight Gates.

By opening the final gate in the heart, all chakra is released, granting immense power. Like a fire in the night, blazing brilliantly!

Biwa Jūzō was utterly dumbfounded.

He didn’t know if this was luck or calculation on Yoru’s part.

But regardless, the monster that nearly destroyed the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist had, in fact, died at Yoru’s hands.

Decapitated by Yoru!

After storing Might Duy’s head and body in a sealing scroll, Yoru began healing Biwa Jūzō and the other two.

"Your rib cage is completely shattered, and some bones have pierced your internal organs. Your leg is broken, and your left arm has a comminuted fracture. Lord Biwa Jūzō, I can’t fully heal these injuries.

"Lord Fuguki Suikazan and Lord Raiga Kurosuki are in similar condition."

"I can only stabilize your injuries for now, but with some food pills, you should all be able to move."

The three still hadn’t fully recovered from the battle. The terrifying black coffin and the monstrous power of the Eight Gates Formation had left them shaken.

It wasn’t until Yoru finished healing their injuries that the three finally snapped out of their daze.

Looking at Yoru’s calm expression, Biwa Jūzō shook his head with a bitter smile. "I never thought you’d already reached this level. After this battle... no, once we return to camp, you should be able to take over Kuriarare Kushimaru’s position, or even higher."

Fuguki Suikazan and Raiga Kurosuki nodded in agreement. After this, both his strength and his reputation would allow Yoru to rise to their level.

"Vice-captain or captain, it doesn’t make much difference," Yoru shook his head. "Instead of worrying about that, we should think about how to report this to Lord Yagura and Lord Mizukage."

"Also, we need to return quickly and report this so that the Third Mizukage and Genshirō can plan our next move to prevent this mission’s failure from escalating."

The group fell silent, especially Fuguki Suikazan, whose face looked grim.

Not only was he one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, but he was also responsible for intelligence in Kirigakure. Almost all the information for this mission had passed through his hands.

Because of this major intelligence error, not only had their plans fallen apart, but four of the Seven Ninja Swords were lost.

Even as one of the Seven, they wouldn’t escape responsibility!

"At least we killed the monster," Fuguki muttered. "Let’s head back. That commotion was too loud, and a squad of Konoha shinobi escaped earlier. If their reinforcements arrive, we won’t have an easy time."

"Agreed."

The four quickly left, disappearing into the forest.

Not long after they departed.

A dozen Konoha shinobi appeared in the ravaged clearing, staring in disbelief at the battle-scarred scene before them, their hearts shaken.

Among them, a small Genin named Might Guy knelt weakly on the ground, tears streaming down his face.

Today, he had lost his father.

(End of Chapter)