Bab 95: Chapter 95: Kakuzu: Sarutobi Hiruzen is no match for me!
Hidden Mist Village. Hozuki Island. Hozuki Clan.
All the elders of the Hozuki Clan are gathered in an underground chamber.
Deep underground, where no light penetrates, one must navigate through the depths of the staircase to reach here.
Among them, a youthful face stands out amidst the others.
It is none other than the prodigy of the Hozuki Clan, Hozuki Mangetsu.
Hozuki Kazuhiko scanned the surroundings.
"Everyone, Mizukage-sama has agreed to our decision to reclaim the Seven Ninja Swords for the Hozuki Clan. Now, we will face no obstacles, and I will unseal the Summoning scroll shortly. Through Summoning, we will retrieve the Seven Ninja Swords for our Hozuki Clan."
"But for the Ninjato, there must be users. Only a suitable ninja can unleash the abilities of the Ninjato. We, the Hozuki Clan, must outperform the Mist Seven Shinobi. This rightfully belongs to our Hozuki Clan."
Afterwards, we will arrange a test, where all members of the Hozuki Clan can participate. Starting today, these seven Ninjato will no longer be the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords, but the Hozuki Seven Ninja Swords. The seven individuals wielding Ninjato will be the Hozuki Seven Shinobi. The revival of the Hozuki Clan starts today, with us!"
As Hozuki Kazuhiko's words echoed, the emotions among the people in the chamber were somewhat heightened.
Some were simply excited.
Some had already envisioned what the future might hold for the Hozuki Clan.
Only Hozuki Mangetsu showed no change in expression.
Regarding the Hozuki Clan reclaiming the Seven Ninja Swords, Hozuki Mangetsu wasn't entirely in favor.
However, it was the decision of the Hozuki Clan.
Hozuki Mangetsu wouldn't oppose the decision made by the family.
"Click!"
Hozuki Kazuhiko opened the mechanism. A metal box cracked open. Then, the crack widened.
A scroll appeared before everyone's eyes. Hozuki Kazuhiko retrieved the scroll and unfurled it spreading out on the ground.
Several patterns were depicted on this scroll. The center of the pattern was blank.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Hozuki Kazuhiko pressed his hand onto the blank Jutsu, and a surge of Chakra emerged. Immediately, in the warehouse of the Hidden Mist Village, a Ninjato suddenly emitted a gravitational force out of nowhere.
In the next moment, the Ninjato vanished. When it reappeared, it was right in front of Hozuki Kazuhiko.
"Longsword, Sewing Needle!"
Hozuki Kazuhiko used Summoning Jutsu again.
"Bluntsword, Helmet Splitter!"
"Blastsword, Splash!"
"Thunder Swords, Kiba!"
"Twinsword, Hiramekarei!"
"Seversword, Executioner's Blade!"
Soon, six Ninjato appeared before Hozuki Kazuhiko, except Samehada.
The emotions of the people were highly excited, their eyes gleaming as if they could already see the Hozuki Clan reaching the pinnacle like during the Second's rule with these Ninjato.
"Clan Head, what about Samehada?" someone asked.
Hozuki Kazuhiko replied, "Samehada is currently being used by Fuguki Suikazan and cannot be retrieved directly through Summoning Jutsu."
"But I've sent someone."
"Even Mizukage-sama agrees, that guy Fuguki Suikazan wouldn't dare to object."
"A mere commonner ninja, we are the Hozuki Clan!"
The Summoning ceremony concluded. People dispersed one after another. Only one elderly man remained.
He was of the same generation as Hozuki Kazuhiko, an Elder of the Hozuki Clan.
"Kazuhiko, why do you think Mizukage-sama agreed so readily? Could there be some deception involved?"
Hozuki Kazuhiko fell silent for a moment.
"To be honest, I didn't expect Mizukage-sama to agree so readily."
"From our standpoint, the Seven Ninja Swords belong to our Hozuki Clan."
"But for the other villagers, they might feel that Gengetsu-sama is also their Mizukage, and that the Great Blacksmith is the Hidden Mist Village's Great Blacksmith, not solely belonging to our Hozuki Clan."
"What we, the Hozuki Clan, are doing is too selfish. Perhaps Mizukage-sama sensed our determination. After all, we possess the Summoning scroll, whether he agrees or not, we can retrieve the Seven Ninja Swords and can still retrieve them.
It's just that afterwards, we may face some criticism and opposition. But compared to gaining the Seven Ninja Swords, these are insignificant. The village wouldn't treat us, the Hozuki Clan, the same way they treated the Kaguya Clan."
The situations of the Hozuki Clan and the Kaguya Clan are different.
Hozuki Gengetsu's prestige is at stake here.
Furthermore, what the Hozuki Clan is doing is different from the Kaguya Clan.
Therefore, Hozuki Kazuhiko felt that what they were doing would only result in facing some criticism and targeted backlash afterwards, which they could endure.
"No matter what Mizukage-sama thinks, we will proceed according to our plan. Let's quickly select the seven individuals who will use the Ninjato. Once the Hozuki Seven Shinobi are chosen, it won't matter even if others have objections."
...
"Just one more, the last one."
Kakuzu said, "I'll teach you one more Fire Release, pay attention."
After saying that, Kakuzu formed seals.
"Fire Release: Crimson Earth Spider!"
A flame shaped like a spider spewed from Kakuzu's mouth. It crawled forward at an extremely fast speed along the ground.
Under Kakuzu's control, this spider could even change direction midway.
"This Fire Release is also one of the Hidden Waterfall Village's Fire Releases. It's quite challenging."
Crimson Earth Spider, besides Chakra Nature Transformation, also involves Chakra shape transformation.
Its power might not seem very strong, but the ability to change direction midway makes it stronger than many Fire Releases.
Fire Release: Great Fireball, Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire, Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire...
These Fire Releases can't achieve that.
Soma smiled.
Kakuzu clearly didn't want to continue teaching, but upon hearing the word "money," he involuntarily stopped, indicating that money might have already become an obsession for Kakuzu.
If we compare the difficulty of Flame Whirlwind Jutsu to Water Prison Jutsu...
Then, the difficulty of Crimson Earth Spider Jutsu is equivalent to Water Dragon Bullet Jutsu.
Juzo looked at Soma, feeling a slight sense of emotion.
"Soma's Fire Release talent is indeed much inferior compared to his Water Release talent."
"At Soma's level, he can learn Water Release Ninjutsu in no time. There's no need to spend so much time and effort. And the reason Soma is like this is largely for the village. Learning Fire Release is to enhance his Forging Technique.
But in Soma's case, even if his Forging Technique doesn't improve, he's already one of the top figures in the world, surpassing not only the Great Blacksmith of the past but even more formidable. For Soma to improve his strength, delving into Water Release is sufficient."
"In a way, Soma is also sacrificing for the Hidden Mist Village."
This was Juzo's assessment and analysis from his perspective.
However, in reality, Soma's actions were not driven by thoughts of the Hidden Mist Village.
It was simply about wanting to improve his Forging Technique.
A higher Forging Technique can create better ninja tools.
Better ninja tools can bring better rewards to Soma.
With better rewards, Soma's strength can become stronger.
His safety in this world will greatly increase.
Those powerful beings that appeared in the Fourth Great Ninja War are not something that just a Hidden Mist Village can handle.
Upon hearing the word "money," Kakuzu involuntarily agreed.
But immediately after agreeing, he regretted it.
However, since the deal had already been made, Kakuzu couldn't back out.
He had to force himself to raise his patience to the ultimate level.
When he couldn't bear it anymore, he would go outside the courtyard and chop down a couple of trees to vent his emotions.
Kakuzu realized that he truly wasn't suited for such tasks, for such work.
His patience was simply not enough.
Soma is actually quite a good student. It's just his Fire Release talent that's a bit lacking.
"I won't take on these teaching assignments anymore in the future!"
After mastering the Fire Release: Flame Whirlwind, Soma's familiarity with Fire Release improved.
So even though the Fire Release: Crimson Earth Spider Jutsu was more difficult, Soma didn't spend that much longer on it.
"Kakuzu-senpai."
"I won't take it, even if you add money."
Kakuzu, with his belongings on his back, walked to the door.
"I've taught you Ninjutsu, received the money, the deal is done, goodbye."
"Kakuzu-senpai, wait a moment, I have one more question."
"What question?"
"I heard that the Third Hokage of Konoha, known as the Ninja Professor, is proficient in various elemental Ninjutsu, mastering them excellently, and knows countless Ninjutsu."
Soma said, "Kakuzu-senpai, you mentioned that you're also skilled in various elemental Ninjutsu, so I'd like to ask, between you and the Third Hokage, who is stronger in this regard?"
Kakuzu felt somewhat proud in this aspect.
And Soma also knew that Kakuzu, relying on the Earth Grudge Fear Jutsu, was indeed proficient in many Ninjutsu.
He was also skilled in Fusion Ninjutsu like Sarutobi Hiruzen.
That is, combining two different elemental Ninjutsu to unleash stronger power.
Kakuzu remained silent for a moment.
"In terms of the number of Ninjutsu mastered, I'm not as good as him."
"But..."
Kakuzu straightened his chest.
"In terms of understanding and research on various elemental Ninjutsu, I am definitely superior to him."
"The Ninja Professor?"
"Deep research is the true skill."
After saying this, without waiting for Soma to speak again, Kakuzu suddenly flashed and disappeared.
It was as if he fled.
When Soma looked again, Kakuzu's figure had turned into a small black dot.
Soma couldn't confirm the truth of Kakuzu's words.
Perhaps it was just Kakuzu's own thoughts.
After a long time, Kakuzu finally stopped and looked back.
Kakuzu's eyes flickered, and in his heart, he actually entertained the idea of ambushing Juzo, killing him, and taking his head to exchange for the hefty reward from Konoha.
The money from the deal had already been received.
And frankly, the distance from Hidden Mist Village was quite far.
Kakuzu felt there was a chance to escape.
But after some serious consideration, Kakuzu gave up on the idea.
As a rogue ninja, as a wandering ninja, Kakuzu fell into a long period of confusion and idleness after leaving Hidden Waterfall Village.
During his time in Hidden Waterfall Village, Kakuzu was a loyal presence.
He was willing to sacrifice everything for the village. He would follow any order given to him.
Even orders like assassinating the First Hokage, which had zero chance of success and would undoubtedly result in retaliation, Kakuzu accepted without hesitation.
There was no hint of doubt. It could be said that the initial Kakuzu was similar to Hoshigaki Kisame.
However, after Kakuzu failed to assassinate the First Hokage and suffered severe injuries, the Hidden Waterfall Village not only failed to treat or console him, but also accused him and charged him with severe crimes.
Not only was Kakuzu imprisoned in a lightless dungeon, but he was also sentenced to death.
During his imprisonment, Kakuzu had an epiphany. His personality changed drastically. His mindset completely transformed.
So Kakuzu chose to escape, and after stealing the Secret Jutsu Earth Grudge Fear, he quickly mastered it.
His strength increased significantly. Later, Kakuzu sneaked back into Hidden Waterfall Village, killed those damned village elders, and took their hearts. During that period, revenge was Kakuzu's sole obsession.
After avenging himself, Kakuzu's obsession disappeared. After spending a long time in confusion, Kakuzu turned his obsession into money. And for wandering ninjas, there are usually two ways to get money.
One is by accepting mission commissions. Like this time, the mission Juzo commissioned to Kakuzu. The other is by killing people with bounties on their heads.
For example, Kaguya Neko, who was recently classified as an S-rank bounty by Hidden Mist Village.
This bounty puts Kaguya Neko in great danger. But, in order to increase the authenticity of the Kaguya Clan incident, Hidden Mist Village has no choice.
However, killing Kaguya Neko is not an easy task. Not many people dare to attempt it.
After all, according to the information released publicly, he's the ruthless one who almost wiped out a clan overnight.
There are two reasons why Kakuzu gave up. One is Juzo's strength. Being able to fight Sand hero Pakura to a draw, such strength is definitely not weak.
Kakuzu isn't fully confident in taking down Juzo. Even with a surprise attack.
Also, while Soma's talent in Fire Release isn't high, Kakuzu can sense that Soma is not weak.
But there's no bounty on him. It's not worth fighting two ninjas for a single bounty.
The second point is that Kakuzu thinks this deal is okay.
Even though teaching Ninjutsu isn't Kakuzu's favorite job.
But, Kakuzu has to admit, Juzo and Soma paid well, and they're generous.
Kakuzu hopes to maintain this client relationship, there might be opportunities for future cooperation, as long as it's not a task like teaching Ninjutsu, Kakuzu can accept.
"Juzo-senpai, let's go back."
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