Chapter 212: The time left for us is running out!

"How many people has the Hozuki Clan gathered to kill me?"

"Is it that the whole clan's strength is not enough?"

"If you couldn't kill me, how will your Hozuki Clan survive in the Hidden Mist Village after today?"

"Even if you kill me, what benefits will your Hozuki Clan gain?"

Soma couldn't understand the reason behind the Hozuki Clan's actions. Even if they were suppressed by the Zanpakuto he forged, it shouldn't be to this extent. This hatred wasn't heavy enough to justify such actions.

More importantly, if they succeeded in killing him, regardless of the outcome, the Hozuki Clan would inevitably face extremely dire consequences.

"Your actions are quite decisive."

"So many people launching a surprise attack."

"The guards of Forging Island are unable to repel them."

"And the village will need time to respond."

"No one expected the Hozuki Clan to act this way."

Soma's eyes flashed for a moment.

"But, you want to kill me?"

"Do you really think I'm just a simple Blacksmith who can do nothing but forge?"

"You Hozuki Clan people are a hundred years too early to kill me!"

"Better think carefully about what kind of consequences you will face after this operation fails!"

Upon entering the Garden Box, Soma felt at ease and no longer worried about his safety.

This was Soma's absolute domain.

Even if members of the Hozuki Clan could detect the anomaly of the Garden Box and enter it, within the Garden Box, these people would not be his match. Soma wouldn't even need to fight them. He only needed to hide and wait for them to drink the water and eat the food inside the Garden Box.

Victory would come naturally to him.

Additionally, the Hozuki Clan's actions were very time-sensitive. They had to find and kill Soma within a short period. If they exceeded this time limit, others in the village would inevitably notice the abnormality of Forging Island. At that point, the Hozuki Clan would face not just Forging Island but the entire Hidden Mist Village.

Members of the Hozuki Clan burst into the forge, but Soma had already vanished.

On the ground, only the bodies of two Hozuki Clan members remained.

"Where is Uehara Soma?"

"Where did he go?"

"There's no other way out of here."

"Tada and Yoshida's bodies are here!"

"He must be here!"

"We have to find him!"

The Hozuki Clan members were both angry and anxious.

Even though they were incited, they understood very well that tonight's operation came at a great cost.

And compared to success, the cost of failure would be even greater.

The people in the village might not pay a huge price for the already dead Soma.

The Hozuki Clan might have some maneuvering options.

But as long as Soma is still alive, the entire village would stand against the Hozuki Clan.

The Hozuki Clan's situation will be even worse than the Kaguya Clan's at its worst.

Now that they had finally entered Soma's forge, found traces of him, and lost two comrades, Soma's figure had vanished.

What should they do?

"Where could he have gone? There's no other way out of here!"

"Damn it, we don't have much time left!"

The Hozuki Clan members began to search everywhere, causing widespread destruction. They didn't want to miss any possible hiding place, but they still couldn't find Soma.

Some Hozuki Clan members also noticed the Garden Box in the corner. However, no one thought that Soma would hide in such a small "Bonsai."

"Break it open!"

In their anger and desperation, the Hozuki members even smashed through the walls.

The sounds of battle continued outside.

"Where exactly is he?"

One Hozuki Clan member's eyes were bloodshot.

"Water Release, Water Balloon Jutsu!"

A large number of Water Balloons appeared. Inside the cave, they touched the walls and exploded one after another, creating a series of explosions that even seemed to stir the entire volcano, as if awakening a slumbering giant beast.

"What's happening?"

A patrolling ninja, not far from Forging Island, noticed the situation on the island and hurried over.

"Enemy attack!"

"Someone has attacked Forging Island!"

"We must report to Mizukage-sama immediately!"

At once, the entire Hidden Mist Village was stirred.

Forging Island was too important, and Soma was too crucial to the Hidden Mist Village.

Forging Zanpakuto. Forging Great Grade Sword. Forging Skillful Grade Sword.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that a single person's efforts could save the Hidden Mist Village.

He allowed people like Biwa Juzo to have a second life.

As long as Soma was around, the situation in the Hidden Mist Village would only improve.

Whether for Soma's past achievements or the future of the Hidden Mist Village, he was absolutely irreplaceable.

This was the consensus of the vast majority within the Hidden Mist Village.

"Go to Forging Island!"

Genji, Kaguya Clan, Medical Department, Hoshigaki Clan…

Members of the Hozuki Clan formed a sort of encircling blockade, surrounding the center of Forging Island.

The guards of Forging Island were either held back or kept outside.

These Hozuki Clan members gave their all to create opportunities for those entering the forge.

"Chief-sama!"

Kaguya Izumi fiercely slashed her blade at the Hozuki Ninja in front of her.

Then, ignoring the incoming attack from another Hozuki Ninja, she forcefully pushed forward.

Daida was being attacked by three or four people.

Hozuki Izumo flashed behind one of the Hozuki Ninjas.

"Die!"

The Hozuki Ninja fell, and the mask dropped.

When Hozuki Izumo saw the face of the fallen ninja, his pupils contracted sharply.

This person, Hozuki Izumo recognized.

"Hozuki Hoshu?"

Hozuki Izumo's expression instantly darkened.

"Are the attackers on Forging Island from the Hozuki Clan?"

"What do you want to do?"

"How dare you?"

Facing his own clan, Hozuki Izumo hesitated for a moment, but soon made a decision. No matter what the Hozuki Clan intended, he would stand with Soma.

"I am now on Uehara-sama's side. If you make a move against Uehara-sama, and intend to harm him, even if you are my own clan, I will not show any mercy. Die!"

Hozuki Izumo vaguely guessed why the Hozuki Clan was attacking Forging Island but couldn't understand why they had suddenly become so reckless. It was completely irrational.

However, Hozuki Izumo had no intention of defending the Hozuki Clan.

"Water Release, Water Gun Jutsu!"

Hozuki Izumo raised his finger.

"Bang!"

A water ball was thrown like a bullet.

"Hydrification Jutsu!"

However, Hozuki Izumo was very familiar with Hydrification Jutsu and well-acquainted with the Hozuki Clan's ninjas. The Water Gun Jutsu was just the beginning; the real killing move would come next.

"Kill!"

Another Hozuki Clan member fell at the hands of Hozuki Izumo.

Some Hozuki Ninjas noticed Hozuki Izumo.

"Water Gun Jutsu?"

"Who are you?"

Several Hozuki Ninjas surrounded Hozuki Izumo's position.

Hozuki Izumo replied calmly.

"Your enemy!"

The smell of blood filled the air.

The battle on Forging Island was intense.

The Hozuki Ninjas came with a strong killing intent. As time passed and they still couldn't find Soma, their frustration and anger made them fight with no restraint.

"Everyone, die!"

The guards of Forging Island, concerned for Soma's safety, ignored their own lives.

In such a short time, the number of corpses on the ground had already exceeded a dozen.

Some were Hozuki Clan ninjas.

Some were members of the Forging Island guard.

In the sky, Obito stood still.

"Soma has disappeared?"

"After deploying so many people, we still let Soma escape?"

"Useless! Useless! All of you are useless!"

"What's the point of having the Hozuki Clan?"

Obito's eyes flickered as he descended directly onto Forging Island.

"I will handle this personally!"

Originally, Obito didn't want to get involved, believing the Hozuki Clan was sufficient.

However, he didn't expect that the Hozuki Clan not only failed to force out any potential "trump cards" of Forging Island but also couldn't even locate Soma.

As for Yagura, Obito had no intention of involving him in this operation.

Given the involvement with Forging Island and Soma, if Yagura were to participate, even if just to block or delay support for Forging Island, it would raise suspicions.

At that time, if Ao returned to Hidden Mist Village with the Byakugan, he might use it to observe Yagura.

In that case, he would lose this crucial piece. His information and plans might be exposed.

Obito was very eager to kill Soma, but this was even more important to him.

As soon as he landed, Obito moved quickly, searching throughout Forging Island.

"Sharingan!"

Using the Sharingan, he observed the residual Chakra of Soma to track him down.

But he found nothing.

"Not even I can find him?"

"Where exactly has Soma hidden?"

"Has he already left Forging Island?"

"But Soma should be on Forging Island."

"The Hozuki Clan already gathered the intelligence."

"Could it be that Soma also has space Ninjutsu?"

Obito frowned deeply, his expression troubled.

"If only I had Byakugan, it would be much more convenient."

At this moment, Obito couldn't help but think of the value of Byakugan.

"But, there's no time…"

Suddenly, Obito looked up and glanced outside. An invisible vortex appeared beside Obito, and in the next moment, Obito disappeared.

The village's ninjas had arrived to provide support.

"Kill!"

There was no intention of holding back.

In the face of numerous and formidable reinforcements, the strength of these radical members of the Hozuki Clan was simply inadequate.

The disparity was too great.

They collapsed immediately upon contact.

The Hozuki Ninjas were suddenly thrown into panic.

"The village's other people have arrived!"

"What should we do now?"

"We haven't found Soma yet!"

"What about the Clan Head?"

For the Hozuki Clan members, the worst-case scenario had occurred.

Not only had they failed to kill Soma, but the village's reinforcements had also arrived. The members who came to Forging Island had almost no outcome other than being killed.

What was even more critical was that members of the Hozuki Clan who hadn't participated in this operation would also be implicated.

"Mizukage-sama!"

The Hozuki Ninjas were defeated. Aside from those already killed, all remaining were trapped.

Against the mountain wall, a dozen figures were huddled together.

Their expressions were frantic and terrified.

Even though they wore masks that only revealed their eyes, their fear was evident.

Yagura stared intently at the Hozuki Ninjas.

"Have you found Soma?"

The ANBU Ninja beside him shook his head.

"Reporting to Mizukage-sama, we haven't found him yet, but there's no sign of Chief Uehara's body either. Given these people's behavior, it's highly likely that Chief Uehara is still alive."

"Perhaps he is hiding."

Yagura nodded, his expression easing slightly.

However, his gaze towards the Hozuki Ninjas remained unfriendly.

"To invade Hidden Mist Village, break into Forging Island, and attack our village's Blacksmith…"

"What audacity!"

"Who are you?"

A figure stepped forward.

"Mizukage-sama, they are ninjas from the Hozuki Clan."

Hozuki Izumo quickly stepped forward as soon as he heard Yagura's words.

While walking, he removed his mask.

"These people are all ninjas from the Hozuki Clan; I recognize them."

Yagura frowned.

"Hozuki Clan?"

Hozuki Izumo continued.

"Mizukage-sama, a long time ago, the Hozuki Clan had a significant issue with Chief Uehara, believing that the Zanpakuto forged by Chief Uehara blocked their path."

"Even when I was still in the Hozuki Clan, they clearly expressed their intention to oppose the Forging Department and Chief Uehara, spreading malicious rumors about him."

"I wanted to contribute to my family, so I trained hard and obtained the right to use Thunder Swords."

"But because my performance did not meet their expectations."

"My use of Thunder Swords was far inferior to Raiga-san's use of Lightning Blade."

"They took the Thunder Swords away from me."

"And they took their anger out on me."

"They targeted me in every possible way."

"They made it impossible for me to stay in my original ninja position."

"At that time, it was Chief Uehara who took me in and allowed me to stay on Forging Island."

"But I never expected that the Hozuki Clan would be so ruthless."

"They really dared to directly attack Chief Uehara."

"Such people are unworthy of being members of the village."

"They deserve to die!"

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