And right before Sakumo Hatake's eyes, four of these Ninja Blades had already appeared!!

As long as they possessed these Ninja Blades, the organization in the Land of Whirlpools could mass-produce Ninjas similar to those who possessed a Kekkei Genkai!

If this power were allowed to take root in the Land of Whirlpools, it would certainly not be good news for Konoha.

Sakumo Hatake could only hope that this power did not possess so many Ninja Blades with special abilities.

Incidentally, he also touched the White Fang on his back and couldn't help but think: "They are both Ninja Blades, so why is there such a difference in class?"

Meanwhile, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist also understood the value of the sword before them.

However, they did not think as much as Sakumo Hatake; they were merely staring greedily at Sode no Shirayuki, wanting to claim this Ninja Blade capable of unleashing Ice Release for themselves.

As long as they obtained this sword, it would be equivalent to possessing a Kekkei Genkai!

No one would complain about being able to become stronger!

Now that the opportunity was right in front of them, no one wanted to give it up.

Several of them looked at each other, their eyes revealing the intention to rely on their own abilities to claim it.

On the coast, the surviving Shinigami breathed a sigh of relief. Upon seeing the figure of Rukia Kuchiki, they immediately shouted: "It is Lieutenant Rukia Kuchiki of the 13th Division!"

13th Division!

Sakumo Hatake captured this key piece of information.

In other words...

This power has at least thirteen Divisions?

Then, are there thirteen other individuals with the same strength as this girl before him??

Based on Sakumo Hatake's observation, he had already labeled this girl before him as having Quasi-Kage strength.

At the very least, among the Elite Jōnin of the Minazuki Clan in the Hidden Mist Village, he had never encountered anyone who could use Ice Release so powerfully.

Although she had no Chakra, making it difficult to evaluate her strength, using the Minazuki Clan as a standard...

This girl's performance was definitely above that of an Elite Jōnin of the Minazuki Clan.

Therefore, he evaluated her at the Quasi-Kage level.

Now that he knew she was a so-called Lieutenant of the 13th Division, did that mean this organization had twelve other individuals with Quasi-Kage strength?

And this would only be true if the 13th Division was the last Division.

Thirteen Quasi-Kage...

How could he have never heard of a power capable of possessing such strength?

Even the Konoha Intelligence Department had no records of them whatsoever.

Wait!

Suddenly remembering something, Sakumo Hatake's eyes widened, and he could no longer maintain the calm on his face.

13th Division, Lieutenant??

Hiss—

Sakumo Hatake gasped, even doubting if he had misheard.

Lieutenant??

That means there is a Captain above her??

If the Lieutenant is already this strong, then what about the Captain?

Could it be, a Kage?

Sakumo Hatake's heart suddenly trembled.

He then quickly shook his head, casting aside this terrifying thought.

That shouldn't be possible.

If this power had such strength, how could it have remained unknown all this time?

And even now, hiding in a small place like the Land of Whirlpools?

After thinking it through, Sakumo Hatake breathed a sigh of relief.

Only then did he realize that his back had been soaked in cold sweat at some point.

A voice in his heart kept saying: What if?

"13th Division? Lieutenant?"

Suikazan Fuguki hoisted Samehada onto his shoulder and said disdainfully: "That means there are twelve others with your strength? Pfft! Bluffing!"

Anyone with eyes could see Rukia Kuchiki's strength.

Especially Suikazan Fuguki, the user of the Great Waterfall Technique, who was even more aware of the terrifying strength of Rukia Kuchiki, who had instantly frozen his Ninjutsu.

Yet you tell him there are twelve others like this, and even thirteen Captain-class individuals who are stronger than Rukia Kuchiki?

With that kind of strength, they would be powerful enough to establish a nation; how could they have never been heard of until now?

Therefore, he was convinced that this group was bluffing.

Suikazan Fuguki arrogantly said: "If you have the guts, call them all out, and I'll beat them one by one!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than five figures suddenly appeared beside Rukia Kuchiki.

"It's Lieutenant Matsumoto Rangiku of the Tenth Division!"

"And Lieutenant Renji Abarai of the 6th Division, Lieutenant Hinamori Momo of the Fifth Division, and Lieutenant Izuru Kira of the 3rd Division!!"

"Oh, right, and Lieutenant Ōmaeda Marechiyo of the Second Division."

Ōmaeda Marechiyo's face darkened. Why did it feel like he was just there to make up the numbers?

Suikazan Fuguki froze for a moment, exclaiming: "They're actually real?!"

Sakumo Hatake, who was secretly observing, couldn't help but pause at this sight.

Since the other Lieutenants had also appeared, then perhaps the Captains were also real!

Sakumo Hatake's expression became increasingly grave.

Rukia Kuchiki scanned the Mist ninja formation and said: "Find your own opponents and finish the battle quickly."

As she spoke, Rukia Kuchiki raised her snow-white Sode no Shirayuki, pointed it at Suikazan Fuguki, and said calmly: "I'll leave this fat fish to me."

Suikazan Fuguki: "... Fat! Fish!?"

Chapter 13: Howl, Haineko!

Suikazan Fuguki was furious!

Rukia Kuchiki, however, seemed as if she hadn't seen his anger; she even performed a noble bow and said:

"Lieutenant of the 13th Division of the Gotei 13 in the Land of Whirlpools, Rukia Kuchiki, pleased to meet you."

Sakumo Hatake, eavesdropping from afar, was like a war correspondent, recording the information revealed by Rukia Kuchiki in his heart.

Gotei 13.

That means there are only thirteen Divisions.

But what does Gotei mean?

And why put the Land of Whirlpools in front?

What is the relationship between this power and the Land of Whirlpools?

Sakumo Hatake was full of questions.

But Suikazan Fuguki did not care about these prefixes, nor did he have any so-called noble etiquette.

He gripped the great sword Samehada with both hands and slashed heavily toward Rukia Kuchiki!

"Take this slash from me first!"

Bang!

A dull sound rang out.

Rukia Kuchiki parried Suikazan Fuguki's heavy blow with Sode no Shirayuki, her body sinking slightly, her brows furrowed slightly.

Such strong power.

The great sword Samehada continued to press down, but Rukia Kuchiki did not want to continue playing power games with him.

Compared to swordsmanship, what she was best at was Kidō.

"Hado No. 4: Byakurai!"

Crackle!

Lightning burst from Rukia Kuchiki's fingertips, discharging electricity right in his face.