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This article, Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist (Kaimetsu), is property of ShonenChicoBoy. |
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This article, Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist (Kaimetsu), is based on the canon equivalent of the same name and contains fanon material added by its owner. To view the original canon page, please visit here: Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. |
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| Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist (霧の忍刀七人衆, Kiri no Shinobigatana Shichinin Shū) | |||
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The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist (霧の忍刀七人衆, Kiri no Shinobigatana Shichinin Shū) consists of the most skilled blade-wielding shinobi in Kirigakure. The swords of the Seven Swordsmen are passed down from generation to generation, and as such there can only be seven at any time. Historically, they were regarded as being the strongest shinobi in the village behind the Mizukage, as many swordsmen are former Anbu, often serving as hunter-nin as well as swordsmen. It is said that, together, the Seven Swordsmen are capable of bringing down an entire nation.
History[]
The true origins of the seven swords themselves are unknown, although it is assumed that they were forged using unordinary methods around the time of the founding of Kirigakure. It is rumored, for example, that Samehada was created from the body of a sentient shark, while Kubikiribōchō was made utilizing a special, blood-absorbing iron.
The strongest generation of the Seven Swordsmen
The organization was most likely founded during the era of the Second or Third Mizukage's reign. The group's make-up changed over the following years. Some of its more notable members included Jūzō Biwa and Kisame Hōshigaki, who deserted the swordsmen to join Akatsuki; Mangetsu Hōzuki, who at one point mastered all seven swords; Raiga Kurosuki, "The Burier," a serial killer known for interring his victims alive; and Zabuza Momochi, the "Demon of the Hidden Mist" and infamous wielder of the Executioner's Blade. The strongest generation of the Seven Swordsmen, who were reincarnated during the Fourth Shinobi World War to fight for Akatsuki, was stated to consist of Zabuza Momochi, Mangetsu Hōzuki, Ameyuri Ringo, Fuguki Suikazan, Kushimaru Kuriarare, Jinin Akebino and Jinpachi Munashi.
During the worst period of the village's history, many of the swordsmen were killed off or deserted, taking their swords with them. By the time of the Fourth War, only Hiramekarei, wielded by Chōjūrō, remained in Kirigakure's possession. After the defeat of Akatsuki, the swords were eventually returned to Kiri's possession, including Kubikiribōchō from Kakashi Hatake and Kiba from Omoi. The only sword that remained at large is Samehada, which was lost by Killer B at some point following the war.
While the organization was never officially reinstated, the swords were used periodically throughout the New Era, entrusted to various hunter-nin in order to complete dangerous assignments. During their years as Anbu operatives, Wakasa Momochi and his younger brother Ryōhei became prominent wielders of the Kubikiribōchō and Nuibari, respectively. Chōjūrō also trained Kagura Karatachi to use the Hiramekarei, signifying a renewal of the sword's official succession.
Ten years before the start of current events, Shizuma Hoshigaki attempted to form his own version of the group, called the New Seven Ninja Swordsmen, which was comprised of malcontents who wish to return the village to its roots as the "Village of Bloody Mist". Forcibly recruiting Kagura to their cause, they took advantage of his access to the seven blades and attempted to stage a coup d'etat. However, their plans failed due to the combined efforts of Chōjūrō, Wakasa and Kagura, the latter of whom double-crossed the rebel organization. As a result, the swordsmen were swiftly defeated and imprisoned.
Succession[]
Because of the unusual forms of many of the seven swords, specialized training is required for them to be utilized effectively. As such, it is customary for a swordsman to choose a successor to train under them. Since the swordsmen are frequently sent on dangerous missions where death is expected, the practice of handpicking a protégé at a young age became customary. For example, Zabuza selected Haku to follow him and serve as his "tool" while the latter was a young child. Even in the New Era, Chōjūrō declared Kagura to be his successor shortly after he had become a chūnin. In the case of death (or as in Chōjūrō's case, retirement), the chosen successor will replace the swordsman. Although rare, some of the swords may also "choose" a wielder for themselves, such as Samehada, who has been known to turn on its owner. Swordsmen may also willingly allow someone else to use their blade, as in the case of Mangetsu who at one point trained with all seven swords. As such, sword ownership isn't always clear-cut, with cases of temporary and co-ownership being known, as well as a swordsman wielding multiple swords at the same time.
During the era of the Bloody Mist, the main form of succession within the swordsmen was for a potential wielder to kill the previous owner in order to inherit the blade. This was to ensure that each generation of swordsmen improved upon itself, as the successor would, by necessity, always be stronger than their master. While brutal, this practice had some merit, as demonstrated by the last full generation of the swordsmen, who were heralded as the strongest. It also led to the ironic development of a culture of loyalty in that, to prevent suspicion and mistrust among the swordsmen, the successors were completely devoted to their masters until the ultimate, affirmed moment of betrayal.
Historically, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were comprised almost entirely of shinobi who came from one of Kiri's high-ranking clans, such as the Hōzuki or Hoshigaki. This was because priority for succession was often given to family members in order to maintain power by keeping a given blade within the same clan. As such, it was rare for potential swordsmen who came from a low class clan or who were without a clan to be selected as an apprentice unless they were particularly skilled; notably including: Raiga Kurosuki, Zabuza Momochi, and Chōjūrō.
Swords[]
The seven swords.
- Hiramekarei (ヒラメカレイ, lit. "Right-Left-Eyed Flounder"): A bandaged double-handled sword that is capable of storing and emitting the user's chakra, which can then take on various forms. It is also called a "Twinsword" (双刀, Sōtō).
- Kiba (牙, lit. "Fangs"): Twin swords that are imbued with lightning which increases their cutting power. They are said to be the sharpest swords ever forged. They are also called "Thunderswords" (雷刀, Raitō).
- Kubikiribōchō (首斬り包丁, lit. "Decapitating Carving Knife," "Executioner's Blade"): A giant sword with a butcher-knife-like appearance, the wielder can use the semi-circle on the blade to decapitate an opponent's head, hence the name. The sword has an ability to regenerate using the iron absorbed from the blood of those it cuts down. It is also called a "Seversword" (断刀, Dantō).
- Nuibari (縫い針, lit. "Sewing Needle"): A sword in the shape of a needle with a long thin wire that resembles thread attached to it, which can be used to pierce enemies and "sew" them together in human bundles. It is also called a "Longsword" (長刀, Chōtō).
- Shibuki (飛沫, lit. "Splash"): A sword that has a scroll full of explosive tags incorporated into it, lined up behind the blade, combining swordsmanship and explosions. It is also called a "Blastsword" (爆刀, Bakutō).
- Samehada (鮫肌, lit. "Shark Skin"): The most terrifying of the seven blades, it has the appearance of a giant knife covered in shark scales. It is a sentient, living weapon and has the ability to "eat" chakra. It is also called a "Greatsword" (大刀, Daitō). After Kisame Hoshigaki was killed shortly before the Fourth War, the sword was possessed for a brief time by Killer B, who lost the sword sometime before his death at Kaimetsu's hands. It was later recovered by Aogetsu Hōzuki.
Other[]
- Kabutowari (兜割, lit. "Helmet Splitter": A sword consisting of a single-sided axe and a hammer joined by a length of chain. Said to be capable of crushing any and all defenses. It is also called a "Bluntsword" (鈍刀, Dontō). Kabutowari was formerly wielded by Kyohō Fuefuki† but was destroyed when Kyohō was killed by Isobu's Tailed Beast Ball during Kiri's mission to capture the tailed-beast.
- Kusakiru (草切, lit. "Grass Cutter": A sword with a long blade, resembling an Ōdachi. After the Fourth War, Samehada was lost to Kirigakure, and as such the Kusakiru was created to serve as a temporary replacement to complete the seven swords. It is also called a "Fieldsword" (野刀, Notō). When Takanami Senka defected he took the Kusakiru with him, and as such it is currently missing from Kirigakure.
Current Generation[]
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Rebel Swordsmen[]
The New Seven Swordsmen, who took part in a rebellion to overthrow the Mizukage ten years ago, included:
- Kiba: Wielded by Shizuma Hoshigaki.
- Hiramekarei: Wielded by Kagura Karatachi
- Nuibari: Wielded by Ryōhei Momochi.
- Kubikiribōchō: Wielded by Aisaka Momochi
- Shibuki: Wielded by Ichirōta Oniyuzu
- Kabutowari: Wielded by Kyohō Fuefuki†
- Kusakiru: Wielded by Takanami Senka
Trivia[]
- It seems to be a tradition for the members and aspiring members of the Seven Swordsmen to have sharpened teeth, although this has fallen out of practice in the modern era.
- Historically, if a member joined the swordsmen who did not have a family name, they were given a first name or surname by the Mizukage derived from a type of fruit.
- Most members of the organization are Anbu or hunter-nin before becoming swordsmen.
- In the past, because of the swordsmen's fame, many kiri-nin strove to master kenjutsu in hopes of one day becoming a member of the organization. Kenjutsu has become Kirigakure's most distinctive form of combat as a result.
