The Hidden Mist Village had always been isolated from the world, an island nation separated by an endless ocean. Its wars rarely touched the village itself. Past conflicts kept the battle far from its shores. The only time danger truly reached them was during the First Great Ninja War when the Second Mizukage and the Second Tsuchikage clashed. Their battle was so fierce it affected not only the Mist, but several islands across the Land of Water.
But this night was different. The village had never faced anything on this scale before.
Being geographically close to Konoha and the Hidden Cloud Village, occasional strife was understandable. But Iwagakure, across vast lands? That hatred ran deep, so deep that both leaders had fallen together in a historic clash no one forgot.
Many whispered tales of a bond twisted into enmity, maybe even love turned to hatred. Yet no secret from centuries past mattered now. Not for Hayashi. His purpose was clear. He would destroy the Hidden Mist Village.
His steps were calm and deliberate. With every tap of his Ninja sandals against the stone path, he closed the distance deeper into the base. Mist curled around him like quiet smoke.
From within that white fog, another shinobi emerged. This one wore the armor and bearing of a high‑ranking Jonin, and the pale skin and flowing fluid movements marked him as a member of the Hozuki Clan.
Without hesitation, the Hozuki Jonin formed hand seals. With a roar of chakra, several shimmering streams of water shot forward like arrows.
Hayashi reacted instantly. With a burst of chakra at his feet he leapt forward, spinning lightly to evade the deadly Water Release. As he landed, his left leg shot out like a whip, delivering a sharp downward kick directly to the opponent's neck.
There was a muffled sound as the jonin fell, collapsing headfirst onto the stone.
The Hozuki Clan was famed for the Water Transformation Technique, able to turn flesh into fluid and reform elsewhere. No exception here. The jonin melted into a pool of water and reformed a short distance away, using the water he had fired to fuel his movement.
But Hayashi was already upon him, flickering forward in a blink. The next moment his foot connected solidly with the jonin's abdomen.
The Hozuki shinobi tried to block, arms raised, but the blow flung him back like a cannonball. He smashed through tree branches and landed harshly, clutching at the ground as dust rose around him.
His sleeve hid the injury, yet the swelling and pain were clear. At that moment, other Mist shinobi rushed toward the clash, faces filled with shock.
From where he lay, Hozuki Mitsuki raised his arm and barked orders in a grave voice, "Jonin stay here. Chunin and Genin get out of here. Go warn the others and tell them the Lightning Flash of Konoha has invaded!"
Hayashi's name was spoken in fear throughout the Mist Village. Known as the Lightning Flash of Konoha, he had become a commander before age twenty. No one doubted his strength. Facing such a foe, lower‑ranked shinobi would die instantly, accomplishing nothing.
The Chunin and Genin scattered immediately, desperate to alert their comrades.
Then from the buildings to the left came a thunderous crash. A massive serpent burst into view, its flicking tail sending houses collapsing under clouds of dust.
The fleeing villagers screamed in terror.
The snake was Manda.
Under normal circumstances, Hayashi never bothered to summon the giant snake. Manda was notoriously cruel and temperamental, loyal only to Orochimaru and himself. But here in the Hidden Mist Village, his ruthless nature was exactly what Hayashi wanted. A terrifying monster rampaging through the buildings would draw attention and hatred away from the invading forces.
Hozuki Mitsuki's jaw tightened as Manda laid waste to structures. There was no time to mourn destruction, so he motioned to his subordinates to handle the chaos while his eyes tracked Hayashi's position.
From his scroll he drew a greatsword larger than most standard blades. The right arm beneath his sleeve bulged with chakra and muscle.
"Water Release: Great Water Arm Technique!"
In his hands, the massive sword felt light despite its size. With a roar he charged.
Hayashi stood without fear. As the sword came down, he pressed his hands against the back of the blade. Bright sparks flew, lightning flaring violently.
Hozuki Mitsuki's grip faltered, shock rippling through his body. Hayashi's lightning intensified.
"Chidori Current!"
The surge of concentrated lightning engulfed the Hozuki warrior, who tried desperately to transform into water and escape. The technique struck with devastating force, electrocuting him into a lifeless heap of jelly.
"Captain!"
His subordinates cried out in rage and horror. Bonds ran deep even in the Mist Village. They drew kunai and charged forward, seeking vengeance.
But Hayashi exhaled calmly and stepped into their path.
This was war and mercy would not be given today.
A rolling wave of intense heat burst from his mouth in brilliant color, fire exploding outward in every direction.
With a swift kick he propelled himself forward. In his hand appeared the greatsword once wielded by his foe, now taken by his command.
Hayashi charged straight into the oncoming ranks, Fire and Lightning shaping the night sky as he cut through the Mist's defenders.
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