บท 211: Chapter 211: How is this different from outright rebellion?
As soon as Hozuki Kazuhiko's words fell, the entire conference room was instantly plunged into absolute silence.
Even the sound of breathing stopped.
Only the faint sound of heartbeats could be heard.
This news was too sudden.
And it was too unexpected for everyone.
Even though the members Hozuki Kazuhiko had gathered here were all part of the radical faction of the Hozuki Clan.
There wasn't a single conservative or neutral member present.
When conflicts arose between the Zanpakuto and the Hozuki Seven Ninja Swords faction, they were the ones at the forefront.
When the Hozuki Clan conducted special training for suitable Seven Ninja Swords users, they worked the hardest.
When Hozuki Kazuhiko, representing the Hozuki Clan, bowed and compromised with the forging department, they were the most opposed.
These radical members would never bow, never compromise, and never admit that the Zanpakuto was superior to the Hozuki Seven Ninja Swords. They believed that through their own efforts, they could definitely restore the glory of the Seven Ninja Swords.
They could lead the Hozuki Clan to its peak.
They were absolutely in confrontation with the Zanpakuto.
However, even for them, the news that Hozuki Kazuhiko had just revealed was still shocking.
They thought they were already radicals.
But they never expected that the Hozuki Kazuhiko, whom they now considered conservative, would be even more radical than they were.
Given the current situation in Hidden Mist Village, assassinating Uehara Soma... How is that different from outright rebellion?
"Clan Head, what did you say?"
A Hozuki Clan member was so shocked that he even forgot to use proper honorifics.
"I said, launch a surprise attack on Uehara Soma and kill him," Hozuki Kazuhiko said. "The reason I previously bowed and compromised with the forging department on behalf of the family was all a façade, because I realized there were those within the clan whose hearts were not aligned."
"That's why I used that method to weed them out."
"In their hearts, the clan is not the most important thing."
"For their own benefit, they even disregard the clan's honor."
"Hozuki Seven Ninja Swords are the strongest!"
"It was Gengetsu-sama and our Hozuki Clan who supported Hidden Mist Village in the beginning."
"It is because of the sacrifices made by our Hozuki Clan that Hidden Mist Village exists as it does today."
"But they have all forgotten."
"They've ignored our contributions and merits."
"The honor of our Hozuki Clan cannot be tarnished."
"However, Uehara Soma has deliberately targeted us."
"I admit, Uehara Soma's forging technique is impressive, and the Ninjato he creates is good as well."
"But he only achieved this success by building on the foundation laid by our Hozuki Clan's Great Blacksmith."
"He has benefited from our Great Blacksmith, yet he wants to step on his legacy to rise."
"He forcibly compares the Zanpakuto with the Hozuki Seven Ninja Swords."
"He's deliberately targeting us."
"When we had Hozuki Izumo wield the Thunder Swords to show prowess on the battlefield, he immediately forged the Lightning Blade and purposely gave it to Kurosuki Raiga."
"After taking advantage of our Hozuki Clan, he has turned around to suppress us."
"Ungrateful!"
"As long as someone like him remains in Hidden Mist Village, our Hozuki Clan will never have a chance to rise."
"Therefore, Uehara Soma must die!"
Hozuki Kazuhiko paused for a moment and looked around the room again.
"Only you can be trusted."
"During this time, I've observed your behavior. None of you have shown any signs of bowing or compromising."
"I'm fortunate that the clan has people like you."
"Only by killing Uehara Soma can our Hozuki Clan rise quickly."
"For the clan!"
Hozuki Kazuhiko's words were highly motivating.
Moreover, the Hozuki Clan members gathered here by Hozuki Kazuhiko were already quite radical.
However, even with such a speech, getting these radical Hozuki members to agree to assassinate Uehara Soma was still not an easy task.
These people were radical, yes, but they were not brainless.
"Clan Head, Uehara Soma is indeed despicable and deserves death, but if we kill him, the village might not let our Hozuki Clan off so easily."
Hozuki Kazuhiko shook his head.
"You all know the current situation in the village."
"Gengetsu-sama led our Hozuki Clan and made so many contributions to the village, but how does the village treat us now? They've long forgotten our sacrifices."
"Now, the village holds Uehara Soma in high regard."
"His status and reputation are second only to the Mizukage."
"Some even view Uehara Soma as more important than the Mizukage."
"But as long as Uehara Soma dies..."
"Who would stand up for a dead man?"
"As long as we act quickly enough, and Uehara Soma dies swiftly..."
"By the time they react, Uehara Soma will already be dead."
"Then, they won't be able to do anything to us."
"Just as the people of Hidden Mist Village forgot our Hozuki Clan's contributions, they can just as easily forget Uehara Soma's. That's the way of Hidden Mist Village."
However, the people below still weren't convinced.
Such an action, whether it succeeds or fails, will have enormous consequences.
In the shadows, Uchiha Obito's eyes flickered.
"It seems I need to take action once more."
"These Hozuki Clan members aren't 'brave' enough!"
A complex pattern appeared in Uchiha Obito's eyes.
A surge of Genjutsu power emerged.
Then, Obito took out a scroll, and a faint scent wafted out.
"Uehara Soma, I've sacrificed quite a bit to kill you. Tonight, your death is certain."
"Hidden Mist Village cannot continue to grow stronger."
Obito glanced at the scroll in his hand, a trace of regret flashing in his eyes.
"The effect should last for about half the night, but that should be enough."
"Don't let me down."
Gradually, the members of the Hozuki Clan showed changes in their expressions. Their gazes became scattered, and their eyes grew dazed.
Excitement, agitation, anger... various emotions intertwined.
These Hozuki Clan members seemed to have entered a state similar to being "Druged."
"Kill!"
"Kill Uehara Soma!"
The crowd shouted.
Hozuki Kazuhiko smiled.
"After nightfall, follow my command!"
As the sky darkened, heads suddenly emerged from the sea near Forging Island.
They were all members of the Hozuki Clan.
They didn't use boats but instead approached by diving underwater.
Being highly skilled in Water Release, they had the ability to stay submerged for long periods.
The nearby ANBU ninja did not detect the actions of the Hozuki Clan ninjas.
Additionally, to ensure the success of this plan, Hozuki Kazuhiko deliberately created a disturbance elsewhere in the village, a diversion tactic.
The majority of the ANBU ninja were drawn to the commotion in that area.
Moreover, after the guard force at the forging department had fully assembled, the number of ANBU ninja in the shadows had significantly decreased.
"The strength of the forging department's guards is not weak."
"But that Uehara Soma is not strong. Based on what we know, his abilities are at most Chunin-level. We will attack from multiple directions to divert the guards' attention."
"As long as two or three of us can get close to Uehara Soma, we will surely be able to kill him."
"It's nighttime now, so there can't be many guards closely protecting Uehara Soma," Hozuki Kazuhiko ordered.
"Follow my command. Move!"
Immediately, the Hozuki Clan members began coming ashore.
"Slash!"
One of the guards failed to notice the approaching enemy and was ambushed, collapsing instantly.
As members of the forging department's guard, they were well aware of its importance. However, over time, most threats to the forging department were dealt with before even reaching Forging Island, causing some guards to become complacent.
They never expected "malice" from within Hidden Mist Village itself, targeting Forging Island.
"Enemy attack!"
A nearby guard froze for a moment upon seeing his companion fall, then shouted fiercely.
But just as he spoke, another attack from a Hozuki Clan member landed on him.
"Boom!"
This guard also collapsed.
However, his shout before dying had already alerted the surrounding guards.
"Enemy attack!"
"Protect Chief-sama!"
All the guards quickly reacted.
The remaining Hozuki Clan members no longer concealed themselves and charged forward, attacking the guards.
A portion of the Hozuki Clan members bypassed the smaller skirmishes and headed straight for the central area of Forging Island.
They first arrived at the courtyard where Uehara Soma and the others lived.
"Not here!"
"Not here?"
"Where did he go?"
"Could he have hidden in advance?"
"No, that's impossible. This operation is known only to our Hozuki Clan."
At this time, a Hozuki clan member heard the sound of forging not far away.
"Is it in the forging room?"
The three of them headed towards the forging room.
After getting closer, the sound of forging suddenly became clearer.
"He is still forging at such a late hour?"
"No wonder he can make so many good ninja swords."
"Unfortunately, he's so ungrateful towards our Hozuki Clan."
"It is because of our Hozuki Clan that he has such Forging Technique."
"Yet he targets us everywhere."
Daida stepped out, keeping a vigilant eye on the three.
"Who are you?"
The three Hozuki Clan members exchanged glances.
Then, one of them charged out, attacking Daida fiercely to hold him back, while the remaining two quickly broke through the door of the forging room and entered.
The first room they entered was an empty forging room.
"There's a path here; the sound is coming from below!"
"Hmph, Uehara Soma is hiding quite well."
The two quickly moved downward.
"Just Uehara Soma alone."
However, just as the two entered Uehara Soma's actual forging room,
"Water Release, Water Gun Jutsu!"
A water droplet formed at Uehara Soma's fingertips, shooting like a bullet directly into the forehead of one Hozuki Clan member, and then exploding.
The Hozuki Clan member's eyes widened in shock.
It was too sudden.
He didn't have time to react.
He hadn't expected Uehara Soma to be prepared in advance.
Even more unexpected was Uehara Soma's powerful attack.
He didn't even have time to use Hydrification Jutsu.
One strike, fatal.
Uehara Soma's fingers moved.
The other Hozuki Clan member reacted in time.
"Hydrification Jutsu!"
The Water Gun pierced through the Hozuki Clan member's body and struck the wall behind him, blowing a large hole in it.
"Hydrification Jutsu? Hozuki Clan members?"
Uehara Soma frowned.
"The Hozuki Clan want to kill me?"
"It seems the previous submission was just a deception to confuse me."
"Do you hate me so much?"
"You were the ones who refused the contract with Zanpakuto, and now it seems you still blame me?"
"Do you think that by killing me, your Hozuki Clan can rise with the Seven Ninja Swords?"
"For personal gain, attacking comrades of the village."
"For personal gain, willing to sever the village's future?"
"Is this what your Hozuki Clan is about?"
Uehara Soma did not know much about the Hozuki Clan.
After the confrontation between Zanpakuto and the Seven Ninja Swords, Soma realized that he and the Hozuki Clan would never become friends.
But he did not expect the Hozuki Clan to go this far.
It was almost more Uchiha than the Uchiha.
More Kaguya than the Kaguya.
The Hozuki Clan members were equally shocked.
"Water Gun Jutsu? How do you know our Hozuki Clan's Water Gun Jutsu?"
"When did you steal it?"
"Such audacity!"
"Unforgivable!"
Using Hydrification Jutsu to evade Soma's Water Gun Jutsu, the Hozuki Clan member quickly closed in on Soma, his form taking on an irregular shape.
"Kill!"
Soma raised a hand.
"Lightning Release, Lightning Whip!"
Hydrification Jutsu can immunize against all physical attacks, making it a counter to Taijutsu. However, it has a weakness—it is restrained by Lightning Release.
Soma, who just happens to use Lightning Release, unleashed his technique. As the Lightning Release struck, it ensnared the Hozuki Clan member, causing his body to stiffen immediately. The Hydrification portion turned jelly-like, and the unprotected areas were also paralyzed.
Soma picked up Zudomon's Hammer and swung it heavily at the Hozuki Clan member's head.
"Boom!"
The Hozuki Clan member's head exploded like a watermelon, shattering into countless pieces—red, white, yellow... scattering everywhere. In an instant, hid life came to an end!
At that moment, a more urgent sound of footsteps echoed from outside.
"Here!"
"Uehara Soma is inside!"
"Kill!"
"Our people have already found him!"
"Attack together!"
Soma's expression changed slightly.
From the sound of the footsteps, Soma could tell that a large number of people were breaking in from outside. And they were very close.
Without hesitation, Soma turned and headed towards the corner.
He approached the Garden Box.
Immediately, a force of attraction enveloped Soma.
Next, his body visibly shrank in size.
In the next moment, he had completely entered the Garden Box and disappeared from the forging room.
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