Chapter 92: The Selfishness of the Hozuki Clan!

"The Third Raikage, amidst chaos, pacified the Hidden Cloud Village. Over the years, his efforts have significantly strengthened the Hidden Cloud Village. He holds the titles of The Strongest Spear and The Strongest Shield."

"This is an achievement."

"But dying under the siege of the Hidden Rock Ninja has left the younger generation with an unstable situation in the Ninja village. Engaging on multiple fronts, suffering losses on the side of the Hidden Rock Village, and also considerable losses on Konoha's side."

"Two young talents from the Hidden Cloud Village can be balanced out by a single golden flash from Konoha."

"This is a negligence."

"The Third Kazekage, hailed as the strongest Kazekage of all time, but in reality, the reputation doesn't match the truth. Suddenly disappearing, leaving the Hidden Sand Village without a leader, only to let that little Rasa take over."

"If he truly had strength, how could he suddenly disappear?"

"Such reputation is merely boastful."

"Nowhere near my level."

"The Third Tsuchikage, possessing the Kekkei Tota, Dust Release, indeed surpasses me in strength, but there is no successor for the Hidden Rock Village, numerous mid-tier ninjas but extremely lacking in elite ninjas."

"Moreover, in order to kill the Third Raikage, they used the tactic of overwhelming numbers, sacrificing not just hundreds, but thousands of lives for one man."

"In the cultivation of elite ninjas, the Third Tsuchikage falls short compared to me."

"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist have encountered setbacks, but ultimately, they are still top-tier elite ninjas."

"Furthermore, with the emergence of Zanpakuto and the Shinigami Squad, in terms of elite ninjas, I believe no other village can surpass my Hidden Mist Village."

"The greatest credit naturally goes to Soma."

"But if I were incapable and incompetent in judging people, how could someone like Soma emerge in the Hidden Mist Village?"

The Third Mizukage took some credit for himself.

"The Third Hokage, renowned as the God of Shinobi, also known as the Ninja Professor, proficient in all types of Ninjutsu, and skilled in various Combination Jutsu. But, how much of his strength is truly his own?"

"It's nothing more than inheriting the rich legacy of the First Hokage and the Second Hokage."

"Furthermore, Konoha doesn't even need any measures; one genius after another emerges on its own."

"Konoha's White Fang, the Sannin, the golden flash, and Hatake Kakashi, Uchiha Shisui..."

"They even possess the Byakugan, unmatched on the battlefield."

"With such a village, even if a stray dog were to sit in the seat of Kage, it wouldn't be too shabby."

"But Konoha, under the leadership of the Third Hokage, is becoming increasingly worse."

"They have the resources but can't produce results."

"The handling of Konoha's White Fang's matter was also quite poor."

"If I were the Hokage, I would do much better."

The Third Mizukage summed up.

"Among the Third Kages, I can rank in the top two."

The Third Mizukage crossed his arms, his eyes gazing into the distance, slightly widened.

...

Night fell.

"Yes, Clan Head."

Soon, the Elders of the Hozuki Clan gathered together.

"Everyone."

Hozuki Kazuhiko scanned around and said, "Just now, an ANBU Ninja arrived, saying that the head of the forging department, that is, the young Blacksmith, has created a new ninja tool."

"This ninja tool requires a relatively high Water Release talent from the ninja, so Mizukage-sama ordered us to go and try it out, especially Mangetsu."

Like Hozuki Kazuhiko, these members of the Hozuki Clan didn't seem particularly surprised by this news.

It's clear that the other ninja tools crafted by Uehara Soma have already proven that Uehara Soma's craftsmanship is exceptional.

Having such a ninja tool can enhance one's strength.

For the user, it's a good thing.

That is, for the current Hozuki Clan, it's a good thing.

This is how the Third Mizukage sees it.

For the declining Hozuki Clan, getting the right to use such a ninja tool is something they couldn't possibly refuse.

A middle-aged man frowned.

"Clan Head, could it be that Mizukage-sama has sensed our intentions? Does he want to use this to stop our plan?"

Hozuki Kazuhiko remained silent for a moment.

"That possibility cannot be ruled out."

Immediately, the middle-aged man stood up.

"We absolutely cannot accept this."

"The Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords originally belonged to our Hozuki Clan"

"These were crafted during Gengetsu-sama's tenure."

"And the Great Blacksmith who forged the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords is also considered a member of our Hozuki Clan."

"It's impossible for us to give up reclaiming the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords just for the sake of a mere ninja tool."

"It was only because the village needed it that we, the Hozuki Clan, contributed the Ninjatos, allowing others in the village to use them, enhancing the village's overall strength."

"But the outcome..."

"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist suffered a disastrous defeat, with four of them killed."

"Biwa Juzo has already abandoned the Executioner's Blade."

"Kurosuki Raiga is completely ruined, and the Thunder Swords ended up in the hands of Kaguya Hikari, who was then killed shortly after."

"Even Fuguki Suikazan couldn't fully utilize Samehada's abilities."

"The tarnished reputation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist has disgraced the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords."

"It's time to reclaim all the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords back to the hands of our Hozuki Clan."

"Only we, the members of the Hozuki Clan, can unleash the true power of the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords."

"We, the Hozuki Clan, have sacrificed so much for the village."

"Now it's time to think about ourselves."

"Retrieve the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords, and rebuild the glory of the Hozuki Clan!"

The words of the middle-aged man were echoed by many present.

Within the Hozuki Clan, many felt the same way.

The village's chosen Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist have suffered heavy losses. And within a short period, suitable replacements cannot be found.

Thus, now is the best opportunity to reclaim the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords.

The Hozuki Clan also needs the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords to enhance their strength.

Some people held different opinions, but in the face of such a family trend, they dared not speak out.

Hozuki Kazuhiko nodded.

"That's right."

"Many say that the Kaguya Clan is similar to Konoha's Uchiha Clan, but isn't our Hozuki Clan similar to Konoha's Senju Clan?"

"As one of the founding ninja families of the Hidden Mist Village, we have made significant contributions to this village."

"The Senju Clan, for the sake of Konoha, willingly abandoned their surname, integrating the entire family into the civilian population of Konoha, sacrificing one family to achieve the greatness of the whole Konoha."

"We, the Hozuki Clan, for the Hidden Mist Village, willingly offered the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords, allowing other ninjas to use them, sacrificing the interests of our Hozuki Clan to achieve the greatness of the entire Hidden Mist Village."

"But now, look at the fate of the Senju Clan."

"How many in Konoha still remember the name Senju?"

"The direct descendants of Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama have almost all disappeared."

"The only one left, Tsunade, has also left Konoha."

"That's the fate of the Senju Clan."

"We, the Hozuki Clan, are also walking down this path. If we don't reclaim the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords, the strength of our Hozuki Clan will continue to decline. Then, today's Senju in Konoha will be tomorrow's us."

"We cannot let such a thing happen."

An elder hesitated.

"But, Clan Head, Mizukage-sama may not agree."

"We don't need his agreement."

Hozuki Kazuhiko said, "I've decided to unseal that Summoning scroll."

"But in that case, Mizukage-sama may target us. If Mizukage-sama treats us like he did the Kaguya Clan, what should we, the Hozuki Clan, do?"

As Elders of the Hozuki Clan, they understood the truth about the Kaguya Clan.

It's not just the actions of Kaguya Neko alone.

It's Mizukage's actions against the Kaguya Clan.

Hozuki Kazuhiko shook his head.

"I understand Mizukage-sama's personality, he's indeed radical, iron-blooded, to call it cruel would not be an exaggeration."

"But precisely because of what happened with the Kaguya Clan, Mizukage-sama cannot adopt the same targeting strategy against our Hozuki Clan."

"That would lead to all other ninja families in the entire Hidden Mist Village losing trust in him."

"The Hidden Mist Village would collapse. This is not the outcome he wants to see. Furthermore, what we're doing is completely reasonable and justified."

"What the Kaguya Clan did is not even the same concept."

"Mizukage-sama may be infuriated, but he cannot logically act directly against us."

Hozuki Kazuhiko paused as he spoke.

"In fact, I didn't want to do this so soon. Originally, I planned to wait until the moment Mizukage-sama retired to minimize the impact of the matter."

"The old Mizukage has already retired, and the new Mizukage has not yet taken office."

"That timing would have been ideal."

"But now, I have no choice but to act early."

"Mizukage-sama may have already sensed our intentions. By giving us a ninja tool made by that young Blacksmith, if we were to accept it, we wouldn't have enough grounds to reclaim the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords."

"At that point, Mizukage-sama could find reasons to stop us."

"Therefore, we cannot accept that ninja tool."

"Doing this now will undoubtedly offend Mizukage-sama."

"But for the future of our Hozuki Clan, it's worth it."

"Besides, Mizukage-sama is already old."

...

The next day.

Approaching dusk.

Uehara Soma, accompanied by Pioggia, and Ao, headed towards Mizukage Island.

An ANBU ninja led the way.

"Chief Uehara, Ao-senpai, this way," the ANBU ninja gestured.

Uehara Soma nodded and followed.

Soon, the three arrived at a small building.

"Mizukage-sama has some matters to attend to and will come later. The members of the Hozuki Clan are also on their way. Chief Uehara and Ao-senpai, please have a seat," the ANBU ninja said.

As soon as the ANBU ninja finished speaking, footsteps were heard.

Uehara Soma and Ao turned around.

An elder was walking towards them.

Seeing the elder, the ANBU ninja said, "Chief Uehara, Ao-senpai, this is the Clan Head of the Hozuki Clan."

But then, the ANBU ninja felt something was off.

Because Hozuki Kazuhiko had come alone.

He didn't bring Hozuki Mangetsu, not even other members of the Hozuki Clan.

"Kazuhiko-san?"

Hozuki Kazuhiko glanced at the ANBU ninja without explanation.

"I will personally explain to Mizukage-sama later."

Upon hearing Hozuki Kazuhiko's words, the ANBU ninja had no choice but to swallow their question.

Hozuki Kazuhiko scrutinized Uehara Soma.

Hozuki Kazuhiko knews Ao as a Jonin from the Hidden Mist Village who had recently achieved great success by seizing a Byakugan from a Hyuga ninja in Konoha.

This was significant for the Hidden Mist Village.

So, the remaining Uehara Soma must be the Blacksmith.

"So young..."

Suddenly, a thought arose in Hozuki Kazuhiko's mind.

"Could our decision in the Hozuki Clan be wrong?"

But quickly, Hozuki Kazuhiko shook his head.

"It cannot be wrong."

"For the Hozuki Clan to reclaim the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords is to be a complete Hozuki Clan."

"This young Blacksmith, even if he can forge more Ninjato in the future, how many of them can be given to the Hozuki Clan?"

"The Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords, there are a full seven of them."

"Even if the weapons made by this young Blacksmith are given to the Hozuki Clan, they don't belong to the Hozuki Clan."

"They can only be used temporarily."

"What significance does this hold for the Hozuki Clan?"

"This isn't the path that can lead to the Hozuki Clan's resurgence."

Uehara Soma looked at Hozuki Kazuhiko, even though Hozuki Kazuhiko hadn't spoken, Uehara Soma already had a bad feeling.

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Ps: The plot regaring the reaction of the Hozuki clan is based on the fact that Mangetsu is known to have mastered all of the seven hidden mist swords. So, they must have reclaimed them at some point in time in history whether through the summoning scroll or taking advantage of the third Mizukage's death.

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