As Fujin's sword slashed into the Water Prison, a tall, muscular ninja with a shark-like appearance appeared in front of him and blocked his sword with a large sword that was wrapped in a white cloth. Even before the two swords clashed, the wind chakra flowing along Fujin's sword was sucked by the sword.
As their swords clashed, both Fujin and Kisame stared into each other's eyes. However, their confrontation was cut short as Juzo completed his hand seals.
'Water Release: Water Bullets jutsu'
He shot several water bullets at Fujin. Fujin pulled back and flickered out of the line of attack and appeared next to his sword that was knocked out earlier. He picked it up and flickered next to his team while storing the other sword back in the storage seal on his bracer.
Fujin's squad had very grim expressions. Just taking on one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist was already an extremely difficult task. If not for Fujin, they would have retreated after just seeing Juzo. So facing two was just too much for them to think about.
Kisame didn't press on the attack immediately and checked on Juzo first instead. On seeing that his injuries weren't fatal, he chuckled and asked in a taunting tone, "Looks like the kids roughed you up pretty badly. Can you still fight?"
Juzo gathered himself and stood up. He replied annoyingly, "Stop mocking me. Of course, I can."
His tone became serious as he warned, "Don't underestimate that Spectral Swordsman brat. He is strong."
While Kisame was checking up on Juzo, Fujin instructed, "Prepare to fight. Also, be ready to retreat in case more of them appear."
Fujin's teammates were surprised. They had expected Fujin to focus on retreating. With his summons, none of them felt that retreating would be difficult.
Yugao said softly, "Captain, we need to retreat. We can't take on two Swordsm…"
Fujin cut her off and commanded, "It's fine. Focus on the fight. When you get a chance, help me distract one of them."
Yugao had a bitter smile behind her mask. She couldn't help but recall Hiruzen's words to her before she joined Fujin's squad. She recalled his warning about Fujin's tendencies to take the missions to an extreme. Unfortunately, there wasn't anything she could do in that situation. Fujin was insistent on facing the enemies and she didn't have any time to logically argue against him.
Kisame nodded on hearing Juzo's warning. He turned his attention to Fujin and said, "The Spectral Swordsman of Konoha. Do you think that you can increase your reputation by taking on the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist?"
Fujin ignored his question and said, "Biwa Juzo and Hoshigaki Kisame… Two of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist joined Akatsuki?"
Juzo and Kisame were surprised to hear the name of their organization. Akatsuki wasn't very active around Konoha. Kisame said, "I'm surprised that someone from the mighty Konoha knows about me and the Akatsuki."
Unlike Juzo, Kisame hadn't gained much fame in the world. After all, he had joined Akatsuki immediately after getting one of the seven swords. And despite being strong, he didn't have much fame as he hadn't accomplished anything spectacular.
Fujin ignored him once again and continued, "I had heard that your group was active around the Land of Earth and the smaller countries around there. But by showing here and assisting Kirigakure, are you two also fake rogue ninjas who keep serving the Mizukage obediently?
Or is Akatsuki secretly controlled by the Mizukage? Regardless, it is impressive. Every other village considers Kirigakure to be very weak right now. But now, everyone will need to reconsider Kirigakure's forces."
Fujin was very careful with his words. He said nothing about the Jinchurikis like Kakashi had. If he did, he didn't doubt the fact that returning to Konoha would be an incredibly difficult task.
Kisame was amused by Fujin's analysis. He had no reason to correct Fujin. However, Juzo was offended. He snorted and asked loudly, "Do you think I'll work for those scumbags?"
Fujin asked, "So why did you stop us? Why are you even fighting and risking your life?"
Juzo answered in an annoyed tone, "I already told you. I want your bounty. Just hand over your head obediently and I'll let your subordinates escape."
Both Kisame and Juzo began charging up their chakra. Though they had the advantage and had a confident expression, both were very alert towards Fujin. After all, his Vacuum attacks still posed a great danger to them. One careless moment could cost them their lives. At the same time, Zetsu spectated the fight once again. This time, Fujin couldn't detect his presence.
On seeing them charge their chakras, Yugao, Fumito and Bunjiro grabbed their weapons and took a fighting stance.
Fujin, holding his sword in his right hand, also began exerting his chakra. However, instead of attacking, he looked at Kisame and said, "Why would I want to take on the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist to enhance my reputation? A group that was claimed to have the capability of hunting a Kage but was annihilated by a mere Genin! If I was a part of your little playgroup, I would have long killed myself from shame."
Juzo's expression immediately became dark. Kisame was a bit offended as well. It was truly as Fujin said. Might Duy had dragged the name of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist through the dirt.
Even though Duy had power beyond the Kage level, he was only a Genin officially. Once the news regarding their defeat spread in Kirigakure, their reputation hit rock bottom. The seven ninjas, who were treated as the heroes in Kirigakure, became the butt of all jokes. Though none of them committed suicide, their situation was far worse than Hatake Sakumo's. It was one of the main reasons why 2 of the remaining 3 betrayed Kiri.
Of course, Fujin didn't care about that. Instead, he was one of the very few who knew about Might Duy and admired him. He had only said those words for one reason. A glint appeared in Fujin's eyes as soon as their expressions became dark. He just wanted a momentary distraction!
In an instant, 12 Wind Clones appeared around Fujin. Kisame and Juzo immediately became alert. However, that moment's delay was sufficient for Fujin. All his clones flickered and surrounded Kisame and Juzo on all sides. At the same time, all 12 blasted Infinite Breakthrough jutsu from all directions.
The process of creating 12 clones, surrounding the two Akatsuki members and blasting them with Infinite Breakthrough jutsu from all sides took merely a fraction of a second. So Juzo and Kisame barely had any time to react.
They quickly stood with their backs to each other while weaving hand signs rapidly. They completed their hand seals at the same moment and expelled a massive amount of water from their mouths. The water surrounded them on all sides and began rushing out and hit the intense winds, acting as a barrier for the two Swordsmen.
Fujin's teammates were surprised by the quick attack. Fujin didn't pay any attention to them as his entire attention was on Kisame and Juzo, who were trapped at the center while surrounded by water and intense winds. Though the situation was temporary, Fujin thought, 'This is sufficient.'
Chakra flowed through Fujin's sword once again as he took a step forward.
Juzo shouted as he controlled the water around him, "Look out for Vacuum Bullets. They are very fas…"
Suddenly, both Juzo and Kisame felt danger. Juzo looked at his body while Kisame turned his eyes towards Juzo. Juzo immediately tried to cover his own body with chakra. But it was too late. With multiple loud booms, a series of explosions went off on Juzo's body as if his body was covered in Explosive tags!
