A few days later, Konoha's announcement condemning the Akatsuki spread across the ninja world.
The implied threat was obvious, and the smaller nations breathed a sigh of relief. After all, in their eyes, the Akatsuki would surely have to give Konoha some respect.
Unfortunately, they never imagined that this was a complete deception.
Not only did the Akatsuki completely ignore Konoha's warning, but they also launched an attack on the Land of Waterfalls that very same day.
Konan and Kakuzu were also on the move, making Konoha's denunciation seem like nothing more than a joke.
Just as the other nations were expecting Konoha to take military action, an even sharper announcement was issued.
This time, however, everyone could see Konoha's true stance—indifference.
Unless their own interests were threatened, Konoha had no intention of mobilizing for the so-called greater good.
Everything unfolded just as Kawakaze had anticipated. Yahiko easily took control of the Land of Waterfalls.
Perhaps emboldened by his success, Yahiko immediately led his forces into the Land of Iron's territory without pause.
"Stop."
"Go no further."
Before they had advanced far beyond the border, their path was blocked.
"The general of the Land of Iron, Mifune?"
Yahiko narrowed his eyes slightly. He recognized this man from a portrait he had seen before.
"Yes, it is I, Lord Akatsukikage."
"The Land of Iron has always maintained neutrality."
"We have neither wronged you nor provoked the Land of Rain."
Since the fall of the Land of Grass, Mifune had been preparing for war.
He had held onto a sliver of hope, but the moment the Akatsuki crossed the border, that hope was crushed.
Behind Mifune stood the finest samurai of the Land of Iron, their silver-layered armor gleaming under the sun.
"Neutrality is your choice, and while I respect it, that doesn't mean I have to abide by it."
"If Hanzō of the Salamander could set foot here, why shouldn't I?"
Yahiko's words struck Mifune's sore spot, reminding him of the humiliating defeat he had suffered in the past.
As expected, remaining neutral in times of chaos was nothing more than wishful thinking.
"There's no room for negotiation?"
Mifune's grip on his sword tightened, veins bulging across his hand.
Even though he had anticipated the answer and was ready for battle, he still clung to a final shred of hope.
"There's always an option."
"Surrender, and you will live."
Yahiko grinned, his seemingly harmless expression sending a chill down Mifune's spine.
"Surrender is not in my vocabulary."
"Prepare for battle."
Mifune drew his sword with a roar, and in unison, the warriors behind him unsheathed their blades.
"Then don't blame me for being ruthless."
"Attack."
With a casual wave of his hand, Yahiko charged forward, leading the assault.
And so, the battle erupted at the border of the Land of Iron.
Despite having no shinobi, the samurai of the Land of Iron wielded chakra-infused blades, capable of unleashing devastating sword strikes and even axe-shaped energy attacks.
Blades of chakra flew across the battlefield, while ninjutsu erupted in bursts of destruction.
From the very first clash, both sides fought with full force, and the battle quickly escalated into a brutal contest of strength and skill.
"I never expected you to be so skilled in swordsmanship."
Mifune was genuinely surprised. He had never heard that the Akatsukikage was a swordsman.
According to the intelligence he had gathered, Yahiko was only known for his mastery of Water Release.
"It's nothing special," Yahiko replied, without any false modesty—he truly believed his sword skills were average.
Among his fellow disciples, he had never been the most proficient in Kenjutsu.
His long sword, wrapped in Water Release chakra, clashed against Mifune's blade.
Their gazes locked, neither giving an inch.
"Hmph, are you mocking me?"
After dedicating half his life to swordsmanship, was he really being matched by someone who considered their skill "nothing special"?
Mifune's face darkened as he leaned forward, using his weight to press his blade down onto Yahiko's.
"Think whatever you want."
"Water Release: Heavenly Weeping."
Yahiko had no interest in explaining himself to Mifune. Stepping back with his right foot, he shifted his body to redirect the force, his blade skimming along Mifune's before aiming for the back of his hand.
At the same time, he unleashed a barrage of densely packed water needles from his mouth, catching Mifune completely off guard.
"Sealless ninjutsu?"
Mifune's eyes widened in shock. He had never expected Yahiko to be capable of sealless techniques.
He had been confident that, at such close range, he could interrupt any jutsu Yahiko attempted to form, but this—this was beyond his expectations.
As the countless water needles grew larger in his vision, cold sweat drenched his back.
There was no way to dodge!!!
Faced with Yahiko's dual assault, Mifune had no choice but to take a direct hit.
Ignoring the searing pain in his hand, he swung his sword in a dense, impenetrable arc.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The water needles struck his blade with a series of sharp, metallic echoes.
When the last needle was finally deflected, Mifune exhaled in relief.
But his appearance was far from composed—half of his right ear had been sliced off, and fresh cuts marred his face.
Blood trickled down his cheek, his eye twitching involuntarily.
He dared not close his eyes, fearing that if he blinked, Yahiko's blade would be the last thing he saw.
"You've got some skill."
Yahiko twirled his sword in an effortless flourish, his gaze filled with amusement.
So this is the great general of the Land of Iron?
Mifune understood the look in Yahiko's eyes, but he had no way to refute it.
His grip tightened around his sword. The wound on the back of his hand was deep enough to expose bone, and even the slightest movement sent waves of pain coursing through him.
His swordsmanship was already compromised.
"It's not too late to surrender."
Seeing Mifune remain silent but sheathe his sword, Yahiko offered him another chance.
He had no particular desire to kill Mifune. A general of the Land of Iron who surrendered could be far more useful.
"Kenjutsu: Iaido."
But Mifune didn't answer. Instead, his response came in the form of cold steel.
With a sudden, lightning-fast draw, he unleashed a swift slash aimed directly at Yahiko's throat.
The two figures crossed paths, Mifune maintaining his forward stance—one foot lunging ahead, his sword held behind him.
A single droplet of blood fell from his severed ear, blossoming against the ground.
Splash!
Yet, the Yahiko he had struck dissolved into a puddle of water.
"What a fast blade."
"Water Release: Twin-Headed Water Dragon Bullet."
By the time Mifune realized something was wrong, it was already too late.
From a distance, Yahiko had already finished his hand seals.
Utilizing the accumulated water on the battlefield, two massive water dragons spiraled into the air behind him.
Once they reached their peak, the dragons opened their jaws wide and lunged toward Mifune.
"Kenjutsu: Rending Void Slash."
Mifune desperately forced out the last reserves of his chakra. He had seen Water Dragon Bullet before—but not like this.
Never had he seen them so massive. Never had he seen two of them at once.
If only they weren't coming straight for him.
As the water dragons bore down on him, Mifune swung his blade with all his might.
A massive crescent-shaped sword wave erupted forward.
Boom!
The sword energy clashed with the water dragons, sending torrents of rain pouring down over the battlefield.
Mifune coughed up blood, planting his sword into the ground to support himself as he dropped to one knee.
He was gravely wounded!!!
"I'll give you one last chance."
"Surrender, or die?"
In an instant, Yahiko appeared beside Mifune, his blade resting coldly against the general's neck.
His voice carried no pretense—only raw, unfiltered killing intent.
Mifune knew without a doubt that the moment he uttered even half a word of defiance, he would die where he stood.
He scanned his surroundings—his warriors were already losing ground.
The battlefield was littered with the bodies of samurai, overwhelmed by Akatsuki's relentless assault.
"This is my failure."
"After I die, surrender."
Mifune knew there was no turning the tide. With one last roar, he thrust himself forward—straight into Yahiko's blade.
The sword sliced cleanly through his throat. Blood gushed forth.
"Lord Mifune!"
The surviving samurai cried out in anguish. But Mifune could no longer hear them.
He collapsed heavily onto the ground, his eyes staring lifelessly ahead, never closing.
"He had some backbone."
Yahiko wasn't surprised. No matter what choice Mifune made, he would have accepted it.
With a casual flick, he shook the blood from his blade, assuming the battle was over.
To him, there was no reason for the remaining samurai to continue resisting.
But reality proved otherwise.
Not a single warrior surrendered.
One by one, they fought to their last breath.
That day, Akatsuki wiped out every samurai of the Land of Iron.
And Yahiko earned himself a new name across the ninja world—The Bloodthirsty Butcher.