The seven Swordsmen of the mist.
The seven swordsmen of the mist, wielding the ancient treasures of the Land of Forging, were famous accross the continent. Individually, they were all at least of elite jonin level when wielding their artefacts.
Although in the series, their fame and strength was widely underestimated, it was partly because they had lost against a genin-level kamikaze who could display kage-level strength upon releasing the eight gates.
At this time, the swordsmen of the mist were mighty, feared by Kumogakure and Konohagakure alike, and the strongest asset of the Sandaime Mizukage's reign.
The Demon Swordsmen ANBU corps, led by Fuguki Suikazan, was the strongest an elite and secret unit of ANBU composed of the very best seeds of the village. The bare requirement to join these corps was to have jonin-level strength, and it was divided in seven divisions, each with their own specialty:
Raiga Kurosuki, wielder of Kiba, led the Cypher Division, tasked with intelligence gathering, encrypted communication, and battlefield coordination. This was one of the most important division, as information was one of the most important asset on the battlefield.
The Capture Division, was led by Seiryū Kisaragi, wielder of Nuibari (Needle Sword). Specialists in immobilization and subjugation, they were tasked with capturing high-value targets alive, often securing enemy leaders or defectors for interrogation.
Tenzō Ryūketsu, a towering warrior with a reputation for brutality, commanded the Execution Division. Wielding Kubikiribōchō, the massive Executioner's Blade, he led his forces in carrying out public beheadings, battlefield purges, and high-profile assassinations, mostly internally. Many called Tenzo the 'executioner of the bloody mist', for he was the hunting dog of the Sandaime Mizukage.
Fuguki Suikazan, the overall leader of the corps, also commanded the Shock Division, which specialized in direct combat and overwhelming force. His division was the main force of the ANBU corps, and also the one dispatched whenever a jinchuriki or a sub kage-level threat appeared on the battlefield.
The Sabotage Division, led by Jinpachi Munashi, wielder of Shibuki, was responsible for destruction and subterfuge. Experts in explosives and demolitions, they specialized in crippling enemy infrastructure, setting up deadly ambushes, and sowing chaos behind enemy lines. Recent events proved their efficiency at disrupting enemy supply routes and merchant activities in enemy territories.
Renjiro Hakumei, the Interrogation Division wielded Hiramekarei to extract information through force and psychological manipulation. It was one of the weakest faction.
The Phantom Division, commanded by Hanzō Kagetani, wielder of Kabutowari, was the most secretive and elusive unit within the corps. Specializing in assassination and silent warfare, they were trained to eliminate enemies with pinpoint precision.
Seven divisions, seven swordsmen of the mist.
Looking at their assignment, Takeshi could not help but feel a hint of pride.
Naya had been assigned to the Cypher division, whereas he had been assigned to the Capture division.
The message was clear: Inherit the swords, if you can achieve it.
Takeshi was not naive. He knew that the war was going to break out at any moment. Battles like the ones he experienced at the island of steel were going to happen on a daily basis. He had heard from the Mizukage himself, upon returning to the village, that the Uchihas had been dispatched on the Western front, a move from Danzo in an attempt to suppress the red-eyed clans specializing in fire jutsu, inherently weak to the mist's water jutsu.
He trusted Naya to become a sturdier shield. If she wanted to follow him in the future, the minimum requirements would be to inherit the Kiba swords by herself. If she could not, then there was no way she could act as his shield and right arm when he would become mizukage.
The Sandaime was pragmatic and efficient, and clearly, the Demon Swordsmen Corps was well organized. However, his long-term plans were nothing short of disappointing.
The Hidden Village of the Mist had so much more to offer than just ANBU corps. The Kaguya, Yuki, Funato, Hozuki and Hoshigaki clans were all very strong, but not exploited to their fullest potential. The reason was pretty clear: the Mizukage was lacking influence over the patriarchs of these clans. He did not have the aura of a charismatic leader, just like Danzo was never fully supported by the Konoha clans.
In a sense, the hidden village of the mist was a version of Konoha where the equivalent of Danzo rose to power due to a lack of a worthy political opponent.
They had just returned from a month-long trip in the belly of a tailed beast, and yet they were already dispatched on the battlefield.
Now that was some serious resource-allocation efficiency.
Takeshi looked at Naya and cursed: "Naya...What is your goal?"
"I...I want to return the life debt I owe you...No, it is more than just you saving my life at multiple occasions. Takeshi...I...I want to become your sword, I want you to-"
Takeshi stared into her lively eyes and muttered: "You cannot do this the way you are right now. You have become a jonin, but I already told you I will become the fourth Kage in the future, becoming the first swordsman of the mist to achieve this. The way you are now...You cannot follow my footsteps. Don't talk to me until you get your hands on Kiba. I don't care whether you use trickery or just train enough to do that, but I will not tolerate the presence of a weak woman like you around me anymore"
Naya's eyes widened. Tears flowed out her eyes, her voice stuck in her throat, her feelings of love, guilt and respect flaring more intensely than ever, yet this time, burning her very heart.
[Naya Tori's potential increases...]
[You have inflicted [Obsession] ailment to Naya Tori...]
It was hard to do that, to break the heart of someone who was loyal to you...
But at the end of the day, Takeshi needed her to be by his side, and she couldn't be the way she was. She needed to become stronger. In fact, the village needed to be stronger.
Or else, not to mention the likes of Madara and Hashirama returning to the surface, even winning the third shinobi war would be hard to achieve.