Double Cross

Hozuki Genji still wasn't dead!

Could the Mist Ninja Jonin, who Yoroi and the others fought, have some kind of immortal ability like Kakuzu or Hidan from the original storyline?

No, not at all!

It wasn't that Hozuki Genji had an immortal ability; it was that Yoroi and the others used the wrong method to kill him!

From Hozuki Genji's surname, it was clear that he belonged to the Hozuki clan from the Mist Village.

In the original storyline, members of the Hozuki clan like Hozuki Mangetsu and Hozuki Suigetsu, had a remarkable ability: they could liquefy their bodies to evade deadly attacks.

Hozuki Genji, being a member of the Hozuki clan and a Jonin of the Mist Village, had mastered this liquefaction technique to perfection. Therefore, as long as Yoroi and his team relied on physical attacks without knowing Hozuki Genji's weakness, they couldn't kill him.

Because of this, Hozuki Genji used his clan's Kekkei Genkai to escape from Yoroi and his team and also obtained vital information from their conversation!

The information was that Sarutobi Asuma was the son of the Third Hokage!

Even though the Third Hokage had retired and the Fourth Hokage had taken over in Konoha Village, everyone in the ninja world knew that the Fourth Hokage's power in Konoha was far less than the Third Hokage's. Thus, with the Third Hokage's son in hand, the Mist Village could use Asuma's identity to crush Konoha's morale and leverage his life to pressure the Third Hokage, making him very valuable.

Even if they couldn't crush Konoha's morale or the Third Hokage didn't cave into pressure, they could still use Asuma as a prisoner of war to exchange for valuable resources from Konoha.

The Third Hokage wouldn't just let his son die for some war resources, would he?

Hence, after learning about Asuma's identity from Yoroi and the others, Hozuki Genji's mind was ablaze with ideas. After all, all his subordinates had perished in the skirmish, and as a Mist Jonin, he would face punishment upon returning to the village.

However, Hozuki Genji wouldn't have to worry about punishment with Asuma as his trump card. He might even receive a reward for his contribution to the Mist Village.

After ensuring no one was tracking him, Hozuki Genji smoothed his cruel smile and headed towards the Mist Village camp, aiming to secure Asuma.

Earlier, not knowing Asuma's identity, Hozuki Genji had treated him as an ordinary prisoner of war.

Now that he knew Asuma's identity, Hozuki Genji needed to ensure Asuma's safety to make amends and earn a reward.

"Little Sarutobi, I hope you've kept your mouth shut and not leaked too much information."

"Otherwise, if you die in the Mist camp, we'll be in big trouble!"

"Whoosh!"

Thinking to himself, Hozuki Genji knew time was of the essence and vanished into the dense forest.

As he hurried back, his seasoned instincts made him wary of any trickery from Yoroi and his team.

Only after returning to the Mist camp did Hozuki Genji relax, feeling the tension ease from the previous battle.

Clearly, the skirmish had left a mark on him.

Particularly, Yoroi's seemingly young but ruthless ANBU techniques had given Hozuki Genji chills. However, upon returning and finding only a few Mist Chunin and Genin guarding the camp, Hozuki Genji frowned and questioned a nearby Genin:

"Why is the camp guard so weak?"

"Where is Lord Zabuza? Where did everyone go?"

Hearing Hozuki Genji's questions, the Mist Genin respectfully replied, "Sir, the Konoha forces we surrounded started to counterattack, and Lord Zabuza led a team to intercept them."

"Lord Zabuza said that if you return, you should lead your team to assist them immediately."

The Mist Genin then hesitated and asked, "Sir, your team?"

"Hmph, do you think you can ask about these matters? Get lost!"

Angered by the loss of his subordinates in the fight with Yoroi's team, Hozuki Genji showed no kindness to the Mist Genin.

After inquiring about Asuma's location, Hozuki Genji stormed off to the prisoner camp, quickly spotting Asuma.

Captured by the Mist, Asuma was in a dire state.

Despite only a few Chunin and Genin left in the camp, Asuma, as their first prisoner, had been subjected to intense interrogation by the Mist's experts.

Recently captured, Asuma was already on the brink of mental collapse from the severe torture.

Had Hozuki Genji returned any later, Asuma might have revealed Yoroi's breakout plans, becoming useless and dying at the Mist's hands.

Luckily, as the Third Hokage's son, Asuma had a strong will.

Seeing Asuma still holding on, Hozuki Genji breathed a sigh of relief and told the interrogating ANBU:

"Stand down. This prisoner is mine. I'll handle it personally."

"Yes, sir!"

Following Hozuki Genji's orders, the Mist Chunin swiftly withdrew, leaving only Hozuki Genji and Asuma in the camp.

Staring at the dazed Asuma, Hozuki Genji couldn't help but smile arrogantly.

Remembering Asuma's identity and the humiliation from Yoroi's team, Hozuki Genji tightened his grip on his blade, a cruel smile spreading across his face!

"Hey, kid, I heard you're the Third Hokage's son, right?"

"No, I'm not."

Despite the torture, Asuma remained clear about what he could and couldn't say.

Hozuki Genji's sudden question made Asuma waver, and the pain-filled eyes betrayed a hint of fear, prompting Hozuki Genji to sneer and press the blade against Asuma's neck, laughing sinisterly:

"Kid, your friends already spilled your secret, so there's no need to hide! Your buddies are impressive, making me suffer losses! Once I hand you over to Lord Zabuza, I'll seek revenge on your friends!"

"But first, I'll take some interest from you!"

"Hahaha! Wouldn't it be fun if the Third Hokage's son lost a leg?"

"Kid, do you want to lose your right leg or your left leg?"

"No, please don't!"

Faced with Hozuki Genji's cruel smile, Asuma was truly scared.

As the Third Hokage's son and a ninja who disobeyed orders, he and the Third Hokage would still have some dignity if Asuma died in battle. But returning to Konoha with a disability as a prisoner would bring shame, even leading Asuma to consider suicide.

Yet, as Hozuki Genji's captive, Asuma was powerless to resist.

Tears welled in Asuma's eyes, terrified by Hozuki Genji's approach, fearing a maimed future.

But determined to torment Asuma, Hozuki Genji, trained in the "Bloody Mist," showed no mercy. The more Asuma wailed, the more excited Hozuki Genji became, swinging his blade down.

Just as the blade neared Asuma's leg, about to draw a scream, a sudden "whoosh" echoed!

In Hozuki Genji's shocked eyes, a familiar voice rang out beside him and Asuma!

"Shadow Possession Jutsu, successful!"

"Immortal Mist Jonin, you've fallen for my double cross again!"