Chapter 42: Turns Out You Dote On Your Younger Brother Too
After Mangetsu Hōzuki formed seals with joined fingers, his body abruptly dissolved into a splash of water, swiftly merging into the nearby lake using his clan's hereditary Hydrification secret technique!
In just a brief moment, he walked out of the lake again.
Taking no more than a few seconds, Mangetsu Hōzuki had already returned to his original appearance, the wounds and bloodstains on his body completely gone.
Apart from consuming a rather large amount of chakra, Mangetsu Hōzuki's body was now completely healed. The Hydrification Healing secret technique could be called miraculous!
This secret technique was actually a ninjutsu similar to Orochimaru's substitution techniques; by consuming a large amount of chakra, one could directly recover from all bodily injuries.
Watching Mangetsu Hōzuki, Uehara Naraka couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "If your body possessed a top-tier Kekkei Genkai of the ninja world, perhaps you too could become a genius ninja capable of rivaling Uchiha Itachi!"
This sentence reflected Uehara's true thoughts.
Mangetsu Hōzuki was only thirteen this year, yet had already cultivated his Hōzuki clan's hereditary Hydrification secret technique to great proficiency. He could use Hydrification to immunize against physical attacks and heal himself, and was also extremely skilled in swordsmanship.
Moreover, he could wield every special ninja sword of Kirigakure (Village Hidden by Mist) as if it were an extension of his own arm. In terms of combat power alone, Mangetsu Hōzuki had already surpassed ordinary Jonin of the ninja world.
It should be said, worthy of being the eldest son of a prominent ninja clan?
In some aspects, Mangetsu Hōzuki and Uchiha Itachi were very similar. Both were thirteen this year, both successors to prominent clans in major hidden villages. In the future history of the ninja world, Mangetsu Hōzuki, like Uchiha Itachi, would both suffer from serious illnesses and die prematurely.
"Konoha's S-rank rogue ninja, Clan-Killer Itachi?"
Mangetsu Hōzuki glanced at Uehara in surprise, not quite understanding why this guy would suddenly bring up Uchiha Itachi's name. That Konoha S-rank rogue ninja's strength was indeed formidable.
Some time ago, when Uchiha Itachi and Jūzō Biwa infiltrated the Land of Water, it was said they heavily injured the partially transformed Fourth Mizukage, causing a huge uproar in the village.
It was precisely for this reason that Yagura left Kirigakure to hide here and recuperate, and also why Zabuza Momochi got the idea to assassinate Yagura.
Kirigakure had therefore also been secretly collecting information on him [Itachi].
Mangetsu Hōzuki recalled the description on the wanted posters circulated by Konoha in the ninja world, as well as certain rumors he had heard, shook his head and said, "I would never kill my own clansmen and torture my own younger brother like him!"
"..."
Uehara Naraka chuckled lightly, not offering further explanation, just finding it somewhat amusing. Are all ninjas in the ninja world who have younger brothers serious 'bro-cons' (people who dote on their younger brothers)?
Thinking of this, a smile appeared on Uehara Naraka's face. He probed, "If you're willing to surrender now, I'll consider sparing your younger brother's life."
After speaking, Uehara Naraka pressed his temples thoughtfully and continued with a light chuckle, "Hmm, let me think... His name is Suigetsu Hōzuki, he should be eight years old this year, right?"
"..."
A flash of anger instantly appeared on Mangetsu Hōzuki's face!
This rarely perturbed Mist genius was now clenching his fists so hard they creaked!
Mangetsu Hōzuki looked gravely at Uehara Naraka and issued his warning, "If anyone dares to mention harming Suigetsu... I will fight to the death!"
"Looks like I guessed right!"
The smile on Uehara Naraka's face widened. He seemed to have found a way to recruit Mangetsu Hōzuki; this guy really was a 'bro-con' ninja!
Such a genius ninja! Not letting him join the Akatsuki of love and peace, letting him stay in Kirigakure to eventually die of serious illness—wouldn't that be a reckless waste?
Just thinking about it was interesting!
During the meeting at the Akatsuki base, Uehara Naraka had confidently stated he could also recruit Kisame Hoshigaki into the organization. Konan had even advised him not to worry about the mission and prioritize his own safety.
Now, if he brought back Kirigakure's only remaining three Seven Ninja Swordsmen, wouldn't that practically be completing the mission above and beyond?
At the very least, they had to be beaten up first, right?
When Pain and Konan started their venture anew, how did they recruit members? Wasn't it by beating them up first, intimidating them a bit, and only then slowly building up the ninja world supergroup?
The smile on Uehara's face grew wider, full of provocation, "But even if you fight desperately, it's useless. I'll kill you first, then go kill your younger brother..."
To increase his persuasiveness, Uehara Naraka continued his analysis matter-of-factly, "If news of Fourth Mizukage Yagura's death spreads, Kirigakure should become quite chaotic, right? In that case, wanting to kill your younger brother doesn't seem like too difficult a task!"
"Bastard!"
Mangetsu Hōzuki knew the young ninja before him wanted to provoke him, but where Suigetsu Hōzuki was concerned, he still showed his uncontrollable rage, "Give up your unrealistic thoughts! I will kill you here!"
After Mangetsu Hōzuki finished speaking furiously, his body transformed into a giant water humanoid, slamming a fist down towards Uehara Naraka's position!
RUMBLE!
Waves splashed high!
The water humanoid's fist smashed onto Uehara Naraka's body! The immense force almost instantly caused the earth to collapse, and monstrous currents immediately flooded the ground!
"Can the Hydrification Technique alone achieve this level?"
Uehara Naraka floated up from the water, hovering in the air, looking directly at the giant water humanoid, slowly spreading his arms, "Unfortunately, there is no uncrackable ninjutsu in the world. Every technique has its weaknesses. For example, your Hōzuki clan's Hydrification secret technique is very vulnerable to Lightning Release ninjutsu..."
"..."
Hearing Uehara's words, the water humanoid Mangetsu Hōzuki had transformed into paused for a moment. Its giant palms actually began to form hand seals! Water surged up the water humanoid's body from the ground, then cascaded down between its fingers like a waterfall...
Mangetsu Hōzuki's voice came from within the water humanoid, shouting coldly, "You won't have a chance to release Lightning Release ninjutsu... Water Release: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"
A torrent of water spewed from the water humanoid's mouth, attacking towards Uehara Naraka. Waves surged and splashed, forming a huge, spherical lake of water that trapped Uehara!
Uehara Naraka glanced at his drenched clothes. Just as he intended to float out of the water sphere, he suddenly felt the density of the surrounding water decrease sharply, actually squeezing his body!
That guy Mangetsu Hōzuki had completely merged into the water!
In the ninja world, every Water Release ninja uses techniques like Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave, which can change terrain but are extremely chakra-consuming, because they have corresponding attack methods to go with them.
For example, after Tobirama Senju uses Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave, he would use Surf Strike to attack enemies from underwater; after Kisame Hoshigaki uses Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave, he would enter his Fused Samehada Form to batter opponents in the water.
Mangetsu Hōzuki used Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave also wanting to coordinate it with his Hydrification Technique. Within the huge, spherical water ball they were in, every drop of water was part of his body!
Every drop of water could be manipulated by him!
Mangetsu Hōzuki was able to develop his clan's hereditary Hydrification secret technique to its utmost potential. No wonder he dared to appear here. Just in his current state alone, defeating a Jinchūriki would be more than enough, right?
"Unfortunately... you picked the wrong opponent."
Uehara Naraka's eyes suddenly turned cold. He raised his palm, "Then let me show you my Lightning Release ninjutsu! Lightning Release: Slicing Maelstrom!"
(End of Chapter)
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