Chapter 160: Kisame Returns To The Battlefield

A talented young member of the family has already died. Then, news came that Seversword was missing. Hozuki Kazuhiko felt that the heavens were really unfair to the Hozuki Clan.

The situation of the Hozuki Clan was not very good. When the Kaguya Clan's "genocide incident" erupted and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist suffered a great defeat, Hozuki Kazuhiko saw the possibility of reclaiming all the Seven Ninja Swords for the Hozuki Clan. Ambitiously, Hozuki Kazuhiko intended to transform the Hidden Mist's Seven Ninja Swords into the Hozuki Seven Ninja Swords and establish the Hozuki Seven.

Hozuki Kazuhiko believed that as long as the Seven Ninja Swords remained, the Hozuki Clan would always have at least seven elite Jonin, which would be enough to sustain the clan and keep it powerful forever. He thought that he, as the founder of this beginning, would become a hero of the Hozuki Clan, remembered through the ages.

However, Hozuki Kazuhiko did not expect that implementing this plan would be far more difficult than he had imagined. Firstly, within the Hozuki Clan, there were not enough talented members. Even until now, only one member, Hozuki Mangetsu, was notable.

Hozuki Kazuhiko originally thought Hozuki Izumo was acceptable. However, Hozuki Izumo suffered a crushing defeat against Konoha's Shimura Danzo. Yet, Shimura Danzo was then defeated by Kurosuki Raiga. In comparison, Hozuki Izumo and the Hozuki Clan appeared quite inept.

The main issue was that the Thunder Swords had been previously used by Kurosuki Raiga. Hozuki Kazuhiko had to reclaim the Thunder Swords from Hozuki Izumo to mitigate the impact on the Hozuki Clan.

Hozuki Kazuhiko felt a strong sense of dissatisfaction with Zanpakuto, the Forging Department, and Uehara Soma. However, there was no alternative but to bow his head and endure.

Hozuki Kazuhiko thought that allowing Zanpakuto and the Shinigami Squad to be arrogant for now while the Hozuki Clan secretly accumulated strength and power would eventually lead to a stunning resurgence when the time was right. A temporary advantage was not a true advantage.

Only ultimate victory is true victory.

Hozuki Kazuhiko deliberately minimized the presence of the Hozuki Clan. The Hozuki Clan took pleasure in the disappearance of the Third Mizukage and the incident of Hoshigaki Kisame losing the Kiriichimonji.

However, the death of a young junior was somewhat acceptable, but the disappearance of Seversword was something Hozuki Kazuhiko could not tolerate.

"Go investigate."

"Everyone go."

"We must find Seversword."

"Seversword absolutely cannot be lost."

"No matter who that person is."

Hozuki Kazuhiko had considered several possible suspects, but none were completely certain. Upon receiving the orders, the members of the Hozuki Clan dispersed.

However, by this time, Kaguya Neko had already left the Hidden Mist Village. Soon, the news of Seversword's disappearance spread throughout the entire village.

Not many people paid attention to Hozuki Shinichi's death.

"This Hozuki Clan really has the nerve to seize the Seven Ninja Swords."

"Look at what they've done."

"Only Hozuki Mangetsu has managed to use Hiramekarei decently; the other Ninjato still haven't found suitable users."

"The Seven Ninja Swords in the hands of the Hozuki Clan are just a waste."

"Now they've even lost Seversword."

"Unlike Kiriichimonji, which was taken by Kaguya Neko—given Kaguya Neko's strength, it was indeed very hard for Hoshigaki Kisame to resist, and that couldn't be helped."

For a time, the entire village was filled with negative comments about the Hozuki Clan.

Previously, the Hozuki Clan was a marginal force and didn't draw much concern.

Moreover, out of respect for the Second Mizukage, not many spoke ill of the Hozuki Clan.

Additionally, the attention was diverted to the Kaguya Clan.

Recently, the Hozuki Clan has been plagued by a series of strange incidents.

It's difficult for people not to gossip about it.

Hozuki Kazuhiko looked at the crowd in front of him.

"How is it? Do you have any leads?"

Everyone shook their heads.

"Clan Head, we haven't found any clues."

"The perpetrator, and the person who stole Seversword, seems to have appeared out of nowhere and disappeared just as mysteriously."

A member of the Hozuki Clan made a malicious guess.

"Clan Head, could this be revenge from the Forging Department?"

"We previously spoke ill of Zanpakuto compared to the Seven Ninja Swords."

Hozuki Kazuhiko hesitated for a moment and then shook his head.

"That's unlikely. No matter what, we are all members of Hidden Mist Village; they wouldn't go to such extremes. Besides, it must be acknowledged that the reputation of Zanpakuto and the Shinigami Squad is currently superior to ours in the Hozuki Clan."

"So the Forging Department has no need to do this."

A young man furrowed his brow.

"Then who did it?"

"Who could infiltrate Hidden Mist Village so quietly, kill Shinichi silently, steal Seversword without a trace, and then vanish just as silently? Who has such capabilities?"

"Even a Ninja with Kage-level strength would find it difficult."

"Unless he is very familiar with our situation."

"It must be someone from our own village!"

This statement made Hozuki Kazuhiko consider a possibility.

"Do you think it could be Kaguya Neko?"

The more Hozuki Kazuhiko thought about it, the more he felt it was a strong possibility.

"Kaguya Neko is one of our Hidden Mist Village members and is very familiar with the internal situation. Additionally, he previously attacked Hoshigaki Kisame and seized Kiriichimonji, indicating a need for Ninjato."

"Then it is very likely that he infiltrated our Hozuki Clan and stole Seversword."

The people below also found this reasoning quite plausible.

"Given Kaguya Neko's situation and strength, it is indeed a possibility."

"Kaguya Neko is very strong and knows the village well."

"But why did he kill Shinichi directly?"

"Yet he spared Hoshigaki Kisame?"

"That seems too unfair!"

Some Hozuki Clan members were indignant, feeling that if Kaguya Neko had also killed Hoshigaki Kisame, they wouldn't have blamed him.

...

A letter was delivered to Juzo.

"Soma's letter?"

Juzo opened it.

"Employ Kakuzu and learn Lightning Release?"

Juzo hesitated for a moment and then ordered a subordinate to come in.

A handwritten letter was soon sent.

"Go to the Land of Rivers, find a Ninja named Kakuzu, and give this to him."

"Yes, Juzo-sama."

Two days later, the Ninja arrived in the Land of Rivers and found Kakuzu.

Kakuzu opened the letter and immediately his expression changed.

"I'm not going, absolutely not."

The Mist Ninja recalled Juzo's instructions before he left.

"Kakuzu-san, Juzo-sama said there would be extra payment."

"Extra payment?"

Kakuzu admitted that he was tempted once again.

But recalling the previous situation, Kakuzu shook his head and chose to refuse.

"I'm not going."

The Mist Ninja then remembered Juzo's second instruction and took out a cloth bag.

"Kakuzu-san, this is something Juzo-sama asked me to give to you."

Kakuzu hesitated for a moment and then took it.

Opening it, he found a note inside.

"A higher price, just to teach one Ninjutsu?"

This made Kakuzu hesitate. Teaching a student with insufficient talent was truly torturous. Kakuzu never wanted to experience that again, especially since he knew he had a short temper.

He could get so frustrated that he could kill himself.

And he couldn't take out his anger on the student.

He could only vent by chopping wood.

For Kakuzu, this was harder than killing a hundred people.

However, seeing the price and the guarantee of teaching only one Ninjutsu, Kakuzu was tempted once again.

Kakuzu persuaded himself.

"Just one Ninjutsu; I can endure it."

"Currently, it's tough for wandering Ninjas to make a living."

"This is the last time."

Kakuzu looked at the Mist Ninja.

"When?"

The Mist Ninja's eyes brightened slightly, thinking to himself 'Juzo-sama, as expected, is truly insightful.'

"Juzo-sama said, the sooner the better."

"Alright, then let's set off now."

The two of them headed directly toward the Land of Water.

They did not go to see Juzo.

They bypassed the battlefield where the Mist Ninjas were fighting with Konoha Ninjas.

At this moment, Kisame also returned to the Land of Fire battlefield, carrying the Sword of Wisdom.

"Kisame."

Fuguki looked at Kisame and smiled.

"Have you adjusted well?"

Then his gaze was inevitably drawn to the Sword of Wisdom in Kisame's hand.

"What is this?"

"To answer Fuguki-sama, I have adjusted quite well. Returning to the battlefield this time was with Mizukage-sama's approval. As for the sword in my hand—"

Before Kisame could explain, the voice of Dragon Slayer sounded first.

"Red-haired fat uncle, the long sword you're holding looks quite impressive. Are you interested in having it as my subordinate?"

Fuguki was taken aback.

"Who?"

Kisame had to explain.

"Fuguki-sama, this is the voice coming from the Sword of Wisdom in my hand. This Ninjato is quite special, it has self-awareness, can think, and can speak. It's called Dragon Slayer."

Fuguki's eyes widened.

"A Ninjato with awareness and the ability to speak?"

"Samehada?"

"No, it's even more outrageous than Samehada."

Fuguki knew that Samehada wasn't a typical Ninjato. It wasn't made from metal but was actually a parasitic fish that followed the Three-Tails.

Samehada itself was a living organism.

But the Sword of Wisdom, from all appearances, was metal.

"Truly amazing."

Fuguki exclaimed in wonder.

"I'm a Ninjato crafted with the full effort of the Forger-sama. What does that count for? In the future, the boy and I will become the strongest human-sword combination in the entire world."

Dragon Slayer spoke with great pride.

"Is that so? That's really impressive."

Fuguki responded dismissively.

Fuguki didn't care about the notion of being the strongest.

He believed that in the ninja world, there was no such thing as the strongest—only victory and defeat.

What is said doesn't count; only what is done matters.

Countless Ninjas have aspired to become the strongest, but only a few are truly recognized.

Fuguki acknowledged that the Sword of Wisdom was special, but he had no intention of making Water Dragon Possession a subordinate of the Sword of Wisdom.

"Kisame, what are the abilities of the Sword of Wisdom?"

"There are two abilities."

Kisame said, "One is that it can absorb Ninjutsu, convert it into Chakra, and transmit it to me, which can complement my Chakra Absorption Technique."

"The other is that the Sword of Wisdom can change its length."

Dragon Slayer eagerly added, "And there's another one, which is me!"

"With me commanding the boy in battle, the win rate will definitely increase significantly."

Fuguki's eye twitched slightly.

"Kisame, this Ninjato of yours is indeed very special."

Kisame showed a helpless expression.

He couldn't control Dragon Slayer's personality, but he had to admit that the Sword of Wisdom's abilities were well-suited to him.

As for Dragon Slayer's "nonsense," Kisame felt he could tolerate it.

"Fuguki-sama, the Mizukage's expectation of me this time is that I can reclaim the title of the strongest young ninja in the ninja world and bolster the prestige of Hidden Mist Village."

Fuguki nodded.

"That's only natural."

"Since Kisame, you have returned, it should be this way."

"After losing Kiriichimonji, many so-called top young ninjas suddenly emerged, claiming to be the strongest in the ninja world, but none of them have truly impressed."

"The Hidden Sand Village's Baki and the like—what are they? Not even comparable to Zabuza."

"Konoha has no one worth mentioning except Kakashi."

"Uchiha did produce an Uchiha Shisui, but he's still too young."

"Even after multiple battles with Mangetsu, there hasn't been any significant advantage gained."

"The Hozuki Clan may be lacking, but Mangetsu is still competent."

"Sarutobi Asuma isn't up to par, and Konoha's other young ninjas are even worse compared to Sarutobi Asuma."

"Hidden Cloud Village pushed out Darui, who is barely acceptable."

"But Hidden Rock Village actually promoted an ordinary Earth Release ninja who has no special abilities, special tools, Secret Jutsu, Genjutsu, or bloodline abilities."

"Just because his father is Onoki."

Fuguki shook his head.

"I used to think that Onoki had a broader vision than Sarutobi Hiruzen, but now it seems they are quite similar."

"I will make arrangements for you."

"Kisame, go with confidence."

"Who else but you can claim the title of the strongest young ninja?"

As fellow owners of Zanpakuto and members of Shinigami Squad, Fuguki viewed Kisame as one of his own. He felt that the two were naturally on the same side and needed to consider his own camp's interests.

"On the battlefield now, the young standout from Konoha is a female ninja named Kurenai. She's Shinku Yuhi's daughter."

"She is very skilled in Genjutsu."

"I will create an opportunity for you to fight her."

"Kisame, are you okay with fighting a Genjutsu ninja?"

Kisame hesitated for a moment.

Dragon Slayer's voice sounded.

"Don't worry, with me around, Genjutsu is useless!"

"You can go and fight with confidence, boy. I don't know what that female ninja looks like, or if she's beautiful. If she is, we'll capture her and present her to the forger as a maid."

"Wahaha!"

Dragon Slayer's laughter sounded like a pure villain.

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