Chapter 113: Chapter 113: Exploding Reputation!
Soon, the news of the Mist Village's great victory spread throughout the entire ninja world.
"Great!"
The Third Mizukage no longer maintained his usual expression, but instead showed a clear smile, even widening his eyes a bit.
"The presence of Soma is truly a great fortune for our Hidden Mist Village."
The entire Hidden Mist Village was almost filled with excitement.
Initially, in the conflict between Hidden Mist Village and Konoha, due to Konoha's simultaneous engagement on multiple fronts, the balance of power was essentially maintained.
Back and forth it went.
In essence, Konoha didn't really take Hidden Mist Village seriously.
Initially, Konoha's main concerns were the Hidden Cloud Village and Hidden Rock Village.
Minato held the line against the Hidden Cloud Village.
Orochimaru held the line against Hidden Rock Village.
But Duy's sudden outbreak caught the Hidden Mist Village off guard.
The proud Mist Seven suffered a major defeat, with four members killed directly.
The morale of the Hidden Mist Village plummeted.
The Third Mizukage had no choice but to arrange for Kisame and Zabuza to fight the young ninjas from Konoha.
Konoha was confident in the abilities of Kakashi and others, so they took a passive attitude towards the actions of the Hidden Mist Village.
It was like a "Chunin Exam Battle" during wartime.
However, those participating in the "Chunin Exam Battle" were not just Chunin-level in strength.
Kakashi and Kisame were already Jonin.
But in the original plot of the Chunin Exams, there were many participants whose strength far exceeded Chunin level.
Such as Gaara, who could transform into a tailed beast.
Naruto, who could summon Gamabunta.
And Kabuto, who concealed his true abilities.
...
Konoha didn't overestimate Kakashi, but underestimated Kisame.
More precisely, they didn't expect the existence of Zanpakuto.
Kisame, wielding Kiriichimonji, defeated Asuma first, then defeated Kakashi. Rising to fame in the process.
Among the young ninjas of the Shinobi world, Kisame directly became the top figure.
Kakashi of Konoha was defeated.
Sasori of the Red Sand from the Hidden Sand Village, known as a genius Puppetry master, but rarely appeared in action and often disappeared.
The Hidden Rock Village had only one, Kitsuchi. The son of the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki. However, he didn't inherit his father's Kekkei Tota.
He could only use Earth Release. Therefore, people didn't have a very high opinion of Kitsuchi.
Darui from the Hidden Cloud Village did catch many people's attention. He inherited the Black Lightning from the Third Raikage.
At the same time, he also possessed the Kekkei Genkai, Storm Release. However, Darui didn't have achievements like Kisame's.
The victory of the young ninjas boosted the morale of the Hidden Mist Village somewhat.
However, even the momentum can only be boosted by the young generation of ninjas, which shows how dire and dismal the situation in the Hidden Mist Village is.
It wasn't until Juzo severely injured Pakura that the Shinobi world began to truly value the Hidden Mist Village.
And this time, after temporarily easing the war with the Hidden Cloud Village, Konoha shifted its main focus to the Hidden Mist Village, even sending Orochimaru to the front lines.
They were preparing for a major showdown, intending to severely punish the Hidden Mist Village.
In this situation, Yagura, Fuguki, Juzo, and Kisame severely injured Manda and defeated Orochimaru.
They repelled the Konoha Ninja forces.
In one battle, they killed hundreds of Konoha Ninja.
In an instant, they restored the momentum the Hidden Mist Village had previously lost.
This is Orochimaru, one of the Three Sannin!
And this is Manda we're talking about!
Yagura and the others completely overshadowed Orochimaru.
Especially Fuguki.
Yagura already had a good reputation.
The Hidden Mist Village basically believed that after the Third Mizukage, Yagura would be the one to succeed as Mizukage.
This time, Yagura teamed up with Fuguki and others to defeat Orochimaru, earning considerable credit.
But their reputation boost was limited.
Juzo, when he severely injured Pakura, had already regained the recognition as one of the top ninjas in the Shinobi world.
Kisame only made one move at the end. But Fuguki was different.
First, he was defeated by Duy and barely escaped.
Then he lost Samehada.
But this time, he suddenly erupted.
Everyone could see that in defeating Manda, Fuguki was almost the one who exerted the most effort.
With extremely powerful and mysterious Water Release.
And finally, he relentlessly hacked at Manda with his blood as a blade.
That scene, that scenario, made the ninjas present unable to suppress their fear.
Not many ninjas believed they could withstand attacks like Fuguki's.
It's too astonishing.
"The loss of face by the Seven Mist Swordsmen, now, Orochimaru has restored it."
"The younger generation of ninjas, we from the Hidden Mist Village are at the forefront."
"Even Orochimaru suffered a major defeat, who else could be an opponent?"
After the battle, almost all of the Hidden Mist Village ninjas felt triumphant.
In contrast, the Village Hidden in the Leaves suffered greatly from negative impacts, not only declining in momentum but also showing signs of internal strife. Many people mocked Orochimaru.
Just like how many people mocked the Seven Mist Swordsmen in the Hidden Mist Village before.
Eminent figures like Konoha's White Fang, once they made a mistake, were condemned by others.
Orochimaru was no exception.
As for these discussions, Orochimaru truthfully didn't care that much.
However, Orochimaru was well aware that Manda's severe injuries meant that for a long time, he wouldn't be able to control Manda or summon it for his own use, which would only bring trouble to himself.
Furthermore, Minato had almost no defeats.
After many years, Orochimaru personally intervened again, only to be defeated.
Under such circumstances, the gap between himself and Minato Namikaze was bound to widen in terms of reputation.
The position of Hokage would become even further out of his reach.
"Hidden Mist Village..."
Orochimaru looked towards the direction of the Land of Water, his expression changing constantly.
An ANBU ninja entered Orochimaru's tent.
"Orochimaru-sama."
"What is it?"
"Hokage-sama sent a letter."
"Sarutobi-sensei?"
Orochimaru's eyes flickered as he took the letter.
As expected, Orochimaru had already anticipated it, but his mood still turned sour because Sarutobi Hiruzen's letter was about changing the leaders of the front lines, meaning that he had just taken office but was already being replaced.
"Why? just because of such a defeat?"
"Has Konoha really come to this?"
Accompanying the ANBU ninja was another person.
"Danzo Senpai?"
Whether it was Minato or Jiraiya, they both had their own responsibilities, and Hiruzen couldn't think of a suitable person to replace Orochimaru.
Until Shimura Danzo volunteered himself.
"Hiruzen, let me go. I'm not yet at an age where I can't go to the front lines, and the intelligence war with Hidden Mist Village is especially crucial."
"The information about Zanpakuto and the Shinigami Squad will greatly influence the course of the war."
"And my abilities in intelligence are stronger than anyone else's."
"Leave it to me."
Hiruzen thought for a moment and found it reasonable.
Indeed, Danzo was skilled in intelligence warfare.
Moreover, since Danzo volunteered himself, Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't consider whether it would be too much for Danzo.
"Orochimaru, there's been a lot of talk in the village about your failure."
"It's not a big deal, but you know."
"Now is the time when the position of Hokage might change."
"Those people aren't here because of Orochimaru's failure this time, but because of Orochimaru himself."
"So I chose to take over as the leader of this front line."
"For us, this is the least impactful way."
Orochimaru nodded.
Danzo asked again, "By the way, Orochimaru, can you tell me in detail about the members of the Shinigami Squad? Some information has come back to the village, but what you know must be more accurate."
"No problem."
Orochimaru said, "Biwa Juzo's Zanpakuto ability is similar to Ice Release. The village already has clear intelligence on Hoshigaki Kisame. He has fought Kakashi many times."
"Fuguki Suikazan's Zanpakuto ability is quite strange."
"It can replicate the Water Release techniques that he himself performs."
"It can revive Water Release techniques he has used before."
"It can also manipulate water flow for attacks independently, without needing hand seals."
"In terms of Water Release, Fuguki Suikazan is considered top-tier even among Kirigakure ninja."
"No, currently among Kirigakure ninja, no one surpasses him in Water Release manipulation."
"Even the ninja of the Hozuki Clan are not his match."
"If he controls blood, he can transform it into the shape of a blade and it's extremely sharp."
"Compared to the water flow he controls, its destructiveness is on another level."
Danzo digested the information Orochimaru had provided.
"In your opinion, Orochimaru, what is their level of strength?"
"Biwa Juzo and Fuguki Suikazan can both be considered among the elite Jonin."
"What about Yagura?"
Orochimaru pondered for a moment.
"If we consider individual strength, Yagura's power would slightly surpass theirs. His Water Mirror Jutsu is difficult to deal with; it even managed to restrain me."
"However, Mist Village ninjas cannot be assessed based solely on individual strength. Their abilities combined can unleash a level of power exceeding what they should individually possess."
"Biwa Juzo can utilize others' Water Release to use Ice Release."
"Hoshigaki Kisame inflicts wounds that continue to bleed; this blood can then be used by Fuguki Suikazan."
Danzo frowned.
"Is it precisely because of their coordinated abilities that they were able to defeat Manda?"
"Exactly."
With a heavy heart, Orochimaru left.
Danzo assumed the position of frontline leader.
Compared to Orochimaru's style, Danzo's style is noticeably different.
More cunning, more ruthless, and placing greater emphasis on intelligence.
Danzo never relies solely on his own strength to determine the probability of winning.
However, this is also because Danzo's own strength is not strong enough.
He doesn't have Uchiha Shisui's Sharingan.
He hasn't undergone Hashirama's cell transplantation.
He hasn't acquired that Sharingan ability.
The only thing Danzo can rely on is his Wind Style technique.
In fact, Danzo's position is somewhat similar to Ebizo from Hidden Sand Village.
Both are responsible for intelligence and take on dirty work themselves.
"Sarutobi-sensei."
As soon as Orochimaru returned to Konoha, he went straight to the Hokage Building.
"Orochimaru, are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
"That's good."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "This time, it's not your fault. No one expected Hidden Mist Village to produce a new Zanpakuto so quickly, significantly enhancing Fuguki Suikazan's strength."
"But, given the current situation, Orochimaru, you should stay in the village, take some time to rest, and adjust your mindset."
Orochimaru opened his mouth, wanting to say something.
However, after seeing Hiruzen's expression, he ultimately said nothing.
"Yes, Sarutobi-sensei."
Due to this news, Hidden Cloud Village and Hidden Rock Village have slightly increased their attention to Hidden Mist Village.
But because there is currently no direct war relationship, the impact is not significant.
However, Hidden Sand Village, apart from Konoha, is also at war with Hidden Mist Village.
Pakura had only just recovered from her injuries and eagerly went to the front lines.
Without even making a move, she heard the news of Orochimaru's defeat.
Suddenly, Hidden Sand Village's apprehension towards Hidden Mist Village increased by another level.
"The emergence of Zanpakuto has greatly boosted Hidden Mist Village."
"Unhealable Blade, Kiriichimonji."
"Ice Blade, Blue Rose Sword."
"Blood Blade, Water Dragon Possession."
"They are really much stronger than the Seven Ninja Swords."
In fact, within Hidden Mist Village, there are also those who have been negatively affected by this incident.
That would be the Hozuki Clan.
A heavy, bleak, and oppressive atmosphere surrounds the headquarters of the Hozuki Clan.
Orochimaru's defeat is naturally a good thing for the Hozuki Clan.
However, Fuguki's outstanding performance is like a slap in the face for the Hozuki Clan.
On one hand, the Hozuki Clan forcibly took Samehada back from Fuguki Suikazan, claiming externally that it was not the fault of Samehada but rather Fuguki Suikazan's incompetence.
But then Fuguki Suikazan proved himself in the battle against Orochimaru.
During the process of severely injuring Manda, he provided the majority of the damage.
Besides the Deadly Blood Blades, Fuguki Suikazan's Water Release ability has also become remarkably strange.
His ability to manipulate water surpasses even that of the Hozuki Clan.
This is no longer just a slap in the face.
It's more like pressing the Hozuki Clan's face down and rubbing it on the ground.
Now, when members of the Hozuki Clan go outside, they can't help but feel the strange looks from others.
"Some people outside are saying harsh things saying that our Hozuki Clan lacks foresight."
"Too stupid."
"Our Hozuki Clan has become almost a joke in the entire Hidden Mist Village, no, in the entire ninja world."
"Selfishly occupying the Seven Ninja Swords, yet unable to make use of them."
"Treasuring the Seven Ninja Swords as treasures, but the Seven Ninja Swords are far inferior to Zanpakuto."
A member of the Hozuki Clan said indignantly, "I think that Blacksmith did it on purpose."
"They specially made a Ninjato for Fuguki Suikazan, one that can enhance Water Release abilities."
"He just wants to see our Hozuki Clan embarrassed."
"Wants to see us become a laughingstock."
"This is his retaliation against us.vRevenge for us rejecting his Ninjato."
"He's too narrow-minded."
"How can someone from the same village be so petty?"
"Does he really intend to make enemies with our Hozuki Clan?"
"Now that he hears those discussions outside, he must be feeling quite pleased."
But in fact, Soma has no interest in listening to the discussions outside.
Because Soma has much more important things to deal with.
"Orochimaru's defeat has given me so much reputation."
"He's practically my lucky star!"
Soma smiled as he looked at the reputation column numbers on the semi-transparent panel.
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