Highlights
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were an elite group of shinobi known for their unmatched skills in kenjutsu and their uniquely powerful blades.
Former group members have subsequently joined organizations like the Akatsuki, showcasing their formidable strength and impressive swordsmanship abilities.
The seven blades affiliated with the group possessed unique abilities and combat styles, rendering them exceedingly powerful weapons during confrontations.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, an esteemed group of shinobi, were renowned as the most skilled practitioners of kenjutsu in Kirigakure and the entire shinobi world in Naruto. Each member possessed a distinctive and formidable blade, requiring years of dedication to become proficient in its use. These legendary weapons were passed down through generations within the group. Notably, many of the Hidden Mist's most formidable shinobi belonged to the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, solidifying their reputation throughout history.
Introduced early on in the Naruto series in the arc entitled "Prologue — Land of Waves," the group left a lasting impact on the narrative in various ways. Their formation coincided with a turbulent era for both the Seven Ninja Swordsmen and the Hidden Mist Village, marked by bloodshed and instability. Even after their disbandment, former members who defected from Kirigakure joined other influential groups, including the Akatsuki, and engaged in numerous combats against the series' main characters. These encounters showcased their exceptional prowess in swordsmanship and unrivaled strength.
Who Were The Seven Ninja Swordsmen?
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen, hailed as the greatest blade wielders from each generation of ninja in Kirigakure, instilled fear in all the Five Great Shinobi Countries due to their unparalleled skill with their respective swords. With only seven members allowed at any given time, being a part of this exclusive organization symbolized the collective strength of the group as well as the individual prowess of each ninja. Despite their involvement in unsavory actions throughout the years, being a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen held great prestige among the Kirigakure ninja.
Legend has it that when united, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen possessed the power to overthrow entire nations on their own. Certain generations were known to house the strongest shinobi in Kirigakure, second only to the Mizukage. The current Sixth Mizukage, Chojuro, is an esteemed member of the organization's final generation and wields the blade Hiramekarei. Other remarkable former members include Suigetsu Hozuki, known as the "Demon of the Hidden Mist," Zabuza Momochi, who wielded Kubikiribocho, Juzo Biwa, the predecessor with the sword Juzo Biwa, Kisame Hoshigaki, the wielder of Samehada, and Mangetsu Hozuki, who had the ability to use all seven blades and possessed a scroll to summon them.
Seven Legendary Blades
The organization's seven mystical blades have been passed down through generations since the time of the First Mizukage. Each blade possesses unique abilities and a distinct fighting style, reflecting their varied shapes, sizes, and forms. Hiramekarei, primarily used by Chojuro, is a flounder-shaped weapon capable of storing chakra. When its power is unleashed, the blade is coated with the user's chakra, allowing for both long-range and short-range attacks, ranging from slashes to impactful blows.
Another blade, Kabutowari, wielded by Jinin Akebino, consists of a large axe and hammer connected by a thin cord. It is renowned for its ability to penetrate any defense, whether through powerful cuts or blunt force attacks. On the other hand, Kiba, a pair of twin Taiji swords, is infused with Lightning Release, enhancing their cutting and piercing capabilities. Ameyuri Ringo and Raigo Kurosuki have both carried these blades throughout successive generations.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen possess a variety of distinctive swords, each with its own unique abilities. Nuibari, wielded by Kushimaru Kuriarare, stands out as an exceptionally slender longsword, resembling a knitting needle. Its razor-sharp blade is adept at piercing through multiple targets simultaneously, and its hilt allows for stitches to bind them together.
Another noteworthy sword, Shibuki, was wielded by Jinpachi Munashi. This weapon incorporates explosive tags on a scroll, requiring the user to incorporate explosive blasts into their swordsmanship techniques.
One of the most prominent swords in the Naruto series is Samehada, originally belonging to Kisame Hoshigaki after he claimed it from Fuguki Suikazan. Following Kisame's demise, it found a new wielder in Killer B of Kumogakure. What sets Samehada apart is its sentience and ability to choose its own user, making it the most feared among the seven. Its appearance resembles that of a shark, with scales facing downward. Furthermore, it has the unique ability to absorb chakra and increase in size. While functioning more like a flail than a traditional sword, Samehada inflicts damage by tearing and shaving its targets, and can even merge with its wielder to enhance their physical capabilities.
Traditions Broken By Treachery
In conclusion, Kubikiribocho is an enormous broadsword that was originally wielded by Juzo Biwa and later passed on to Zabuza Momochi before eventually falling into the possession of Suigetsu Hozuki. This remarkable blade has the ability to slice through practically anything, although the person using it must possess significant physical strength to effectively swing the weapon due to its sheer size and weight. Furthermore, the blade possesses the extraordinary capability to mend itself, regardless of the extent of damage it endures, whether it's minor nicks or even being severed in half. This incredible attribute is made possible through a unique process where the blade absorbs iron from the blood of its adversaries, enabling it to constantly regenerate.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen, despite their reputation, gradually disbanded before the start of Naruto's main storyline. Many members were killed in various conflicts or by other Kirigakure ninjas, such as Fuguki who was slain by Kisame after his involvement in leaking information. Moreover, some of them chose to defect from Kirigakure and became rogue ninjas, including Juzo, Zabuza, and Kisame.
As a result, the organization lost possession of many of the swords, leading to its decline and eventual non-existence in Part II. Prior to the start of Boruto, Kabuto revived what he thought was the strongest generation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen using Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation during the Fourth Shinobi World War. This group consisted of Mangetsu Hozuki, Zabuza Momochi, Fuguki Suikazan, Kushimaru Kuriarare, Jinin Akebino, Ameyuri Ringo, and Jinpachi Munashi.
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