"Boom!"
Mangetsu's sneak attack failed, and the crushing impact of Hiramekarei blasted a massive crater into the ground.
Meanwhile, Kazuyama had already reappeared on the other side, his eyes locked onto the weapon in Mangetsu's hands.
"Something's not right. This sword… Hiramekarei? How is it in his hands?"
"What the hell is going on?"
It was only now that he realized his mistake. He had assumed Mangetsu was part of the first generation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, but that wasn't the case.
By all accounts, Mangetsu should have belonged to the second generation. Yet in their earlier exchange, he hadn't denied being a current member.
Something here didn't match his memories.
"You seem to know quite a bit about Kirigakure's swords."
"You even recognize Hiramekarei. Haha… what a shame. Its previous wielder was too weak to unleash its full potential."
"But in my hands, it can finally be used correctly."
Mangetsu admired the weapon in his grip, a look of obsession flashing across his face.
That confirmed everything.
Kazuyama wasn't interested in overthinking it. The only thing that mattered was that Mangetsu had a sword and was an enemy.
"Look at you, clinging to that oversized meat cleaver like it makes you special."
"Tsk, tsk. Typical Kirigakure. Always full of freaks."
Leaving that taunt behind, Kazuyama turned away from Mangetsu and shifted his focus to the other Kirigakure ANBU.
There were too many of them. He needed to start thinning their numbers.
"Watch out for his attack!"
"Water Clone Technique!"
Jūzō's unease spiked as Kazuyama vanished once again. He immediately summoned five water clones and sent them charging toward the ANBU already struggling against Kazuyama's crystal clones.
But no matter how fast they moved, they couldn't outrun the Flying Thunder God.
Before Jūzō could take another step, Kazuyama had already reappeared in the middle of the enemy ranks.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"
When it came to clone combat, with Chōmei's chakra backing him, Kazuyama feared no one.
A series of white puffs erupted across the battlefield—one hundred Kazuyamas materialized, each moving in perfect synchronization.
Then, as one, they all raised their hands.
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
A thousand serpents burst forth, overwhelming the thirteen ANBU in an instant.
"Aaaah! Snakes!"
"They're all over me! Disgusting!"
Even the battle-hardened ANBU weren't prepared for this. Suddenly being drowned in a writhing mass of venomous snakes sent several of them into a panic.
And these weren't just ordinary snakes. They were all highly venomous. The moment their fangs sank in, toxins spread.
In one swift ambush, the thirteen ANBU were eliminated.
"Chōmei, give me a little more chakra—these shadow clones are draining me too fast!"
"Watch it. If you keep pushing, the Tailed Beast cloak might start forming!"
Kazuyama was frustrated with his chakra reserves, while Chōmei was worried about him blowing his cover.
The two locked eyes, neither backing down. In the end, Kazuyama gave in. He had to look up at Chōmei, and his neck was getting tired.
"Fine, fine, I'll hold back."
With the small fry dealt with, Kazuyama turned his attention back to Mangetsu and Jūzō.
The overwhelming presence of a hundred clones made both swordsmen unconsciously tighten their grip on their weapons.
"This brat was just playing weak… his real strength is insane."
"This is… a bit much."
Jūzō glanced at his five water clones, then at Kazuyama's hundred clones, and suddenly felt very old.
Meanwhile, a sharp glint flashed in Mangetsu's eyes. The chakra surrounding Hiramekarei flared, and a brilliant blue light exploded from the blade.
"Mangetsu, are you really going all out?"
"Quit joking. Even you know that if you unleash maximum power, there's a high chance you'll lose control."
"Let's retreat. This mission is a failure."
Jūzō grabbed Mangetsu's arm, his face showing no sign of disappointment despite their setback.
"You think you can just leave? Did you even ask for my permission?"
"Leave the Kubikiribōchō behind!"
Over a hundred Kazuyamas moved at once, releasing a storm of serpents that surged toward the two swordsmen. The sight of so many open snake jaws sent a chill down their spines.
"Hmph! Just a bunch of snakes!"
"Twin Blades: Hiramekarei—Maximum Power!"
Mangetsu had made his decision. As the wielder of Hiramekarei, he refused to believe he couldn't fully control it.
The chakra gathered around the blade, its blue glow intensifying before exploding into a massive arc of energy that slashed forward.
"Shit, this bastard really can use its full power!"
"I'm outta here!"
Jūzō's eyes widened as the devastating chakra slash tore through the battlefield.
Hiramekarei had the ability to change form based on the user's chakra input and could grow stronger through battle.
Now, under Mangetsu's control, it had reached full output—its chakra-forged blade capable of cutting down hundreds, even thousands, in an instant.
The slash ripped through the incoming serpents, splitting them cleanly in half. Rather than dulling from the mass slaughter, the blade only grew sharper.
"Damn it… I'm an idiot."
"I totally forgot about Hiramekarei's passive power boost from killing."
"Tch. I'm out!"
Not only had the snake attack failed, but it had actually fueled Mangetsu's power. Kazuyama could only curse his own stupidity.
And now, the chakra blade was coming straight for him.
With no other choice, he activated the Flying Thunder God and vanished.
One swing.
All of his clones were wiped out.
Even a massive section of the forest was cleaved apart.
"Whoa, Mangetsu, you crazy—"
"Wait! Something's wrong!"
Jūzō barely dodged the attack and was about to compliment Mangetsu's raw power when he sensed something beneath them.
The ground trembled violently, as if something was about to burst out.
"Heh. Too late!"
"Hiramekarei… and you, little water man… both belong to me now!"
Kazuyama's voice rang out with a sinister edge, just as the ground beneath Mangetsu cracked.
"Crystal Release… Jade Crystal Prison Technique!"
Massive crystal formations erupted, instantly encasing Mangetsu in a translucent cage.
"No! Damn it!"
Mangetsu struggled, chakra surging through his body as he instinctively liquefied—a signature ability of the Hōzuki Clan's Hydrification Technique.
But it was useless.
Crystal Release could crystallize anything, and Kazuyama's Crystal Prison was specifically designed for containment.
Even in liquid form, Mangetsu couldn't escape his fate.
Hiramekarei clattered to the ground.
Mangetsu was now nothing more than a giant crystal statue.
"Hahahaha! The Hōzuki Clan, huh? My sensei is gonna love experimenting on you."
"And this blade… wait—"
"Where the hell is my sword?!"
"Jūzō!!"
Kazuyama had just reached for Hiramekarei when he realized—it was gone.
A puddle of water remained where Jūzō had stood.
And Jūzō himself?
Nowhere to be seen.
Clearly, the bastard had snatched the blade and made a run for it!
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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