"Psychic Shadows of the Hidden Leaf

"It looks like they're allies from the village. What happened here?"

Captain Anbu stopped his team when he noticed Kaitan recognized the three approaching figures.

"Master Anbu, please save my father! He's fighting the Seven Ninja Swordsmen!" Kai exclaimed, tears streaming down his face.

Everyone froze in shock. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen? Here?

"Stop talking and lead the way!" Captain Anbu commanded, his tone sharp and decisive.

Kaitan stepped forward, sensing no hostility from the three. Placing his hands together in a seal, he patted each of them on the shoulder, revitalizing their energy.

Kai and his companions, Ebisu and Shiranui Genma, felt their strength return, the exhaustion of their desperate flight fading away.

"Let's move!" Kai said, guiding them toward the battlefield.

As they sped through the trees, Captain Anbu issued orders. "E, send a message to Lord Hokage immediately and request reinforcements."

One of the Anbu summoned a hawk, quickly tying the message to its leg. With a sharp cry, the bird soared into the sky, heading for Konoha.

---

When they arrived at the battlefield, the scene before them left them speechless. A vast area of the forest had been reduced to rubble. Trees were uprooted, the ground was scorched, and signs of intense battle were everywhere.

"Dad!" Kai cried out as he spotted a figure lying motionless in the center of the destruction.

Kaitan followed Kai and froze at the sight of the man. Matt Dai, clad in his iconic green tights, lay there, his body charred and his eyes wide open in a lifeless gaze.

"Let him rest in peace," Kaitan said softly, placing a comforting hand on Kai's shoulder.

Despite the immense respect Kaitan felt for Matt Dai's sacrifice, he resisted the temptation to probe the man's memories. Such an act would be a violation of Dai's heroism and would never be permitted by the village.

Nearby, Captain Anbu examined four lifeless bodies surrounded by shattered weapons. "This... this is Kurotsuchi, wielder of the Longsword; Tongcaoyebaiten of the Dull Sword; Jinpachi Wuli with the Explosive Blade; and the wielder of the Double Blade, Augustus..."

His voice trailed off, the weight of the revelation sinking in.

"One man... defeated four of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen."

"Stay alert!" Captain Anbu barked. "Three of them are unaccounted for. They may still be in the area."

Kaitan snapped out of his thoughts and maximized his sensory abilities, scanning the area for any remaining threats. After a tense minute, he shook his head. "Captain, no enemies detected."

The rest of the team reported the same.

"It seems the remaining three escaped," Captain Anbu concluded. "Prepare the battlefield for cleanup. Leave no trace behind."

"Understood," Dunko replied, stepping forward.

Kaitan pulled out a sealing scroll, unfurled it, and began weaving hand signs. The scroll's runes activated, enveloping Matt Dai's body before sealing it away.

The other ninjas gathered the corpses of the fallen swordsmen, along with their weapons, securing them for transport back to Konoha.

Kai, watching all this, approached Captain Anbu with a determined look. "Master Anbu, can I join Anbu? I want to protect the village like my father did!"

Captain Anbu gave a small smile. "If you wish to join Anbu, you must first become a Chūnin and gain the approval of Lord Hokage. Work hard, and you'll have your chance."

Kai's companions, Ebisu and Shiranui Genma, exchanged exasperated looks.

Kaitan sighed. "Kai, let's focus on getting back to the village safely. This isn't the time for that conversation."

"Right..." Kai muttered, his spirit dimming momentarily.

As they prepared to leave, Kaitan addressed Kai and the others. "By the way, the technique I used earlier to restore your stamina... it's a form of self-enhancement Genjutsu. It pushes your body to overextend itself, so make sure to rest for at least a day. Don't train or exert yourselves, or you'll risk severe strain."

Ebisu's face tightened in concern. "Genjutsu? Does it have any lasting side effects?"

Shiranui Genma frowned thoughtfully. "It didn't feel like typical Ninjutsu or medical techniques. Was it some form of advanced self-hypnosis?"

"Exactly," Kaitan replied with a grin. "It tricks the brain into thinking your body is in peak condition, which forces your cells to overcompensate. It's helpful in emergencies, but it does come with risks. So promise me you'll rest."

Ebisu and Genma nodded in understanding. Even Kai, ever the enthusiast, reluctantly agreed after recalling his father's sacrifice.

---

As they traveled back to Konoha, they encountered another group of Anbu sent as reinforcements. After confirming their identities, the groups merged and returned together.

Upon reaching the village, everyone filed their mission reports. The weapons and corpses were handed over to the intelligence division for further analysis.

Kaitan, now free from duty, decided to treat himself to a meal at Ichiraku Ramen. Sitting at the counter, he slurped down a steaming bowl, reflecting on the events of the day.

"Matt Dai... a true hero," he thought to himself. "He gave everything to protect his son and the village. His spirit lives on in Kai."

Despite the somber mission, Kaitan found solace in knowing that Matt Dai's sacrifice wasn't in vain. As he finished his meal, he silently vowed to honor the legacy of heroes like Matt Dai, protecting Konoha and its future generations.

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