Naruto: After Seclusion Becoming Naruto Grandfather

Mifune's voice rang out, resolute and commanding. The long beard on his chin trembled with the intensity of his conviction as he addressed the samurai before him.

"As long as we defeat every ninja who seeks to oppress us, we samurai will not fall to where we are now," he declared, his eyes burning with determination. "So, we shall ally with Shin-Konoha and stand against the Five Great Ninja Villages!"

The declaration sent shockwaves through the gathered samurai.

To oppose the Five Great Ninja Villages directly?

The very idea was daunting, almost unthinkable. These were the same villages that had dominated the world for decades, their power solidified through three successive ninja wars.

Every samurai in the room, including Mifune himself, had grown up under the shadow of this system, their experiences shaped by the strength and ruthlessness of the ninja.

"This is too dangerous, Mifune!" one of the samurai protested, his voice trembling. "We're talking about the Five Great Ninja Villages! If something goes wrong, we'll be completely annihilated!"

Others, though silent, wore expressions of agreement.

Mifune opened his mouth to respond, prepared to rally his men, but his instincts suddenly flared. He sensed an unnatural disturbance nearby. Without hesitation, he drew his sword and slashed in a single fluid motion.

A radiant arc of light sliced through the air, gleaming like a silver crescent moon, leaving no room for the enemy to react.

Startled, a ninja from the Land of Earth, who had been hiding underground with a camouflage jutsu, was forced to abandon his cover. Rolling clumsily onto the surface, he narrowly avoided the deadly strike.

The ninja was a burly figure with dark yellow skin, a square face, and two sharp, sickle-like blue markings on his cheeks that gave him a menacing appearance.

Half-squatting, his hands forming a defensive seal, the Iwa ninja stared at Mifune with wary eyes.

"As expected of the last shining glory of the samurai," he said with a grudging respect. "The Land of Iron's General, Mifune."

"It's said your sword strikes before the enemy can even act, leaving no time for seals or counterattacks. Now I see that your reputation is well-earned—I nearly lost my life to your blade."

Mifune's expression remained impassive, his gaze cold and unrelenting. While the praise was true, he wasn't in the mood to entertain flattery.

His mind churned with frustration.

Although he had already resolved to align with Shin-Konoha and sever ties with the Five Great Ninja Villages, his plan had been to gather intelligence during the Five Kage Summit.

Afterward, he intended to discreetly act, ensuring the safety of the samurai and minimizing unnecessary losses.

But now, with this Iwa ninja's appearance, his carefully laid plans had been thrown into disarray.

The very thought sent a surge of boiling rage through him, his hands trembling as his grip tightened around his blade. Images of bloodshed filled his mind—his own, Okisuke's, and those of the samurai both present and absent.

"You bastard from Iwa Village," he hissed, his voice filled with venom. "You dare spy on us? You're as good as dead!"

In the next instant, his blade moved again, its silver arc more dazzling than before.

Iai Slash.

The strike was as beautiful as it was deadly, faster than the eye could follow, leaving no opportunity for counterattacks.

However, the Iwa ninja was no ordinary opponent. Prepared this time, he executed a swift defensive jutsu.

"Earth Style: Water-Cutting Stone Technique!"

As Mifune's blade descended, the ninja vanished into the ground, his body sinking as though it were water. Only his head remained visible, a smug expression on his face as he spoke.

"Defying the Five Great Ninja Villages—should I call it ambition or sheer stupidity?" he mocked.

"Still, I can respect your resolve. To show my appreciation, I'll ensure you face my full power in the coming hunt. It's the least I can do for a samurai as strong-willed as you."

With that, the ninja sank completely into the earth, his voice lingering.

"Goodbye."

The room fell silent, tension hanging thick in the air.

A samurai quickly knelt, pressing his ear to the ground to detect the ninja's movements. After a few moments, he rose, shaking his head in frustration.

"He's already a mile away," the samurai reported grimly. "We can't catch him."

Mifune's face grew pale. The worst-case scenario had come to pass.

"Everyone, listen!" he commanded, his voice firm despite the despair clawing at his heart. "Divide into four squads and scatter!

"No matter what happens, at least one team must escape the pursuit of the Five Great Ninja Villages and make it to Shin-Konoha."

"Only then can the samurai way survive. Only then can our legacy live on!"

His words struck deep, and a heavy silence enveloped the room.

One by one, the samurai stepped forward, drawing their swords in a solemn gesture of farewell. They raised their blades high in salute to Mifune and their comrades, the weight of their shared resolve evident in their expressions.

Then, without a word, they turned and began their journey, heading southeast with unwavering determination.