Kaguya Masui looked at Kaguya Izumi in front of him.
"Izumi, why are you back? Shouldn't you be on Forging Island at this time?"
"Big Brother Masui, the chief asked me to come back."
Kaguya Masui is already the Clan Head of the Kaguya Clan. However, Kaguya Izumi has been familiar with and had a good relationship with Kaguya Masui before, so she still calls him "big brother."
"Chief Uehara?"
"Yes."
Kaguya Izumi nodded and said, "The minister has something to discuss with you. Are you available to come with me to Forging Island now? It's quite urgent."
"Now?" Kaguya Masui was taken aback. Even without Izumi mentioning it, Masui had been preparing to go to Forging Island.
With the Third Mizukage missing and Yagura taking over, Kaguya Masui hoped to establish a good relationship with Soma. However, Masui hadn't finished preparing the gift.
"Yes, now," Kaguya Izumi confirmed.
After hesitating for a moment, Kaguya Masui agreed, "Alright, I'll go with you now."
He decided not to bring the half-prepared gift. Giving an incomplete gift was better than not giving any gift at all.
The two of them left Kaguya island and headed towards Forging Island.
On the other side, a figure walked with a dejected posture, fists clenched tightly.
It was Hozuki Izumo returning from the frontline battlefield. Originally, relying on Thunder Swords, Hozuki Izumo had performed reasonably well in battle, even though he had been defeated by Danzo. But then again, Danzo was one of Konoha's senior elders, skilled in wind-style ninjutsu that countered Lightning Release. So, it was quite normal for Hozuki Izumo to have been defeated under those circumstances.
Hozuki Izumo knew that others compared him to Kurosuki Raiga, who wielded the Lightning Blade. They all thought Kurosuki Raiga was stronger than him. The Lightning Blade was stronger than Thunder Swords.
After that incident, Hozuki Izumo fought even harder, defeating more Konoha ninjas to gain achievements, showcasing his strength and the power of Thunder Swords. Hozuki Izumo had already put in a lot of effort.
He believed that within the entire Hozuki Clan, no one worked harder than he did.
Any other person couldn't do better than himself. However, the Hozuki Clan was still dissatisfied with Hozuki Izumo. They forcibly ordered him back to the village. With one order not enough, and even after refusing two orders, Hozuki Kazuhiko issued a final ultimatum: return to the village or be expelled from the Hozuki Clan. Faced with this threat, Hozuki Izumo had no choice but to return to the village.
Upon returning to the Hozuki Clan, Thunder Swords in hand, Hozuki Izumo was immediately stripped of them. "Hozuki Izumo, with your abilities and talent, you cannot fully wield Thunder Swords. Thunder Swords no longer belong to you." Hozuki Izumo could feel that after Hozuki Kazuhiko's words, the gazes upon him had completely changed—mocking, scornful, devoid of any goodwill. "Hozuki Izumo, making you surrender Thunder Swords was the right decision. You've brought shame upon Thunder Swords and our Hozuki Clan."
"Your family trusted you with Thunder Swords, yet you were completely overshadowed by Kurosuki Raiga."
"You've brought shame upon the family."
"You're truly useless!"
Hozuki Izumo clenched his fists.
Veins bulged on his arms.
At that moment, Hozuki Izumo's mindset changed.
Towards the Hozuki Clan, he felt only estrangement and disgust.
Countless voices echoed in Hozuki Izumo's mind.
"What meaning does such a family have?"
"Why should I remain loyal to such a family?"
"I worked so hard, fought so fiercely, only to receive this outcome?"
"It's so unfair."
Just then, Hozuki Izumo suddenly remembered something.
That is, when he was about to leave the frontline battlefield and return to the Hidden Mist Village, he encountered Hozuki Mangetsu.
Another member of the Hozuki Seven.
Holding Hiramekarei.
However, unlike with Hozuki Izumo, the Hozuki Clan did not retrieve Hiramekarei from Hozuki Mangetsu's hands.
One is Hozuki Mangetsu, a rare genius in the Hozuki Clan for many years.
The other is that Hozuki Mangetsu also does not have too obvious comparisons.
Unlike Hozuki Izumo, who completely became a stepping stone for Kurosuki Raiga to regain fame.
On the side of Hidden Mist Village, there are no Ninjas who can be compared with Hozuki Mangetsu.
Hoshigaki Kisame and Zabuza are much older than Hozuki Mangetsu.
And on the side of Konoha, Hozuki Mangetsu's comparable figure is only one, Uchiha Shisui.
At a young age, he has already gained the title of Body Flicker Shisui.
However, when facing Uchiha Shisui, Hozuki Mangetsu did not fall into a significant disadvantage.
His Water Release techniques were extremely smooth.
Coupled with the abilities of Hiramekarei, even Uchiha Shisui dared not directly confront Hozuki Mangetsu's attacks.
Gradually, Hozuki Mangetsu also gained the reputation of a genius on the battlefield.
"Some call him the Sencond Gengetsu"
Some people referred to Hozuki Mangetsu in this way.
And the first to say such a thing was probably someone from the Hozuki Clan themselves.
The purpose is self-evident.
However, Hozuki Mangetsu's ability to gain recognition for this title is enough to prove his talent and performance.
Hozuki Mangetsu understood the intention behind Hozuki Clan's decision to send Hozuki Izumo back.
Without saying much, he only said one thing.
"If there are any issues, you can go to Forging Island. Chief Uehara is a good person."
Hozuki Izumo recalled this statement.
At that time, Hozuki Izumo was puzzled, not knowing when Hozuki Mangetsu had developed a connection with Forging Island.
But after losing Thunder Swords.
Faced with those strange gazes within the family, Hozuki Izumo realized something.
"Biwa Juzo lost Seversword and gained Blue Rose Sword."
"Fuguki Suikazan lost Samehada and gained Water Dragon Possession."
"Kurosuki Raiga lost Thunder Swords and gained Lightning Blade."
"These three have all found a new path."
"Hoshigaki Kisame, who obtained Kiriichimonji, also became the top talent among the younger generation of Hidden Mist Village."
"Actually, I have to admit that Zanpakuto are indeed stronger than the Seven Ninja Swords."
"The craftsmanship of that Blacksmith surpasses that of the Great Blacksmith from years ago."
Hozuki Izumo walked out of the conference building, paused at the door, and looked back.
"Kurosuki Raiga, who was robbed of Thunder Swords by you, not only did not weaken after losing Thunder Swords, but also became stronger. So, do you feel embarrassed?"
"Is all the blame going to fall on me?"
"If I were to lose Thunder Swords and obtain a Zanpakuto on Forging Island, not only would I not weaken, but I would become stronger. What kind of expression would you have then?"
Hozuki Izumo harbored thoughts of revenge.
"Since you despise me."
"Ignore my achievements and efforts."
"Clearly I did nothing wrong, yet you treat me like a criminal."
"These people of the clan, I want nothing to do with them."
"From now on, I am no longer Hozuki Izumo."
"I am just Izumo."
Disappointed to the extreme with Hozuki Clan, Izumo left Hozuki Island and headed for Forging Island.
When the escort team brought Izumo to Forging Island, Soma was somewhat surprised.
"A member of Hozuki Clan has come to Forging Island?"
For the people of Hidden Mist Village, the discord between the Forging Department and Hozuki Clan was already a well-known fact.
The comparison between Zanpakuto and the Hozuki Seven Ninja Swords.
The comparison between the Shinigami Squad and the Hozuki Seven.
The former Seven Ninja of the Mist who lost their Seven Ninja Swords turned to the Forging Department, obtained Zanpakuto, and became the Shinigami Squad.
Those dissatisfied with Hozuki Clan became supporters of Zanpakuto, mocking and belittling Hozuki Clan.
In this situation, members of Hozuki Clan started criticizing Zanpakuto and the Shinigami Squad.
After a series of actions, the relationship between the two camps has become extremely hostile.
Compared to when Hozuki Mangetsu visited, the atmosphere now was much worse.
After Hozuki Izumo explained his situation, Soma seemed relieved.
"But why should the Forging Department accept you?"
"I have left Hozuki Clan. I know a lot about Hozuki Clan's situations. I can tell you everything I know, Chief Uehara. I can do that right now."
"But I want a chance to possess a Zanpakuto."
Soma glanced at Hozuki Izumo.
"Anything?"
"Yes."
"Including Hozuki Clan's current plans and your Secret Jutsu?"
Hozuki Izumo hesitated for a moment but nodded.
"Yes."
If he was going to betray, he would do it thoroughly. From the moment he walked out of Hozuki Island, Izumo had already made up his mind.
"Alright, I can give you a chance."
"Thank you, Chief Uehara."
Watching Izumo's departing figure, Soma furrowed his brows.
"Soma, why are you accepting someone like this?"
"A traitor."
"Even the family's secrets, Secret Jutsu, he's willing to hand them over."
"How can we trust someone like this?"
"Today he betrays the Hozuki Clan, tomorrow he could betray the Forging Department."
Ao's disgust towards Hozuki Izumo was undisguised.
Even though Ao knew there were reasons behind Hozuki Izumo's actions,
in his eyes, a traitor was still a traitor.
"Ao-senpai, do you think, given Hozuki Izumo's situation, if we didn't accept him into our Forging Department, would he go and join another ninja village?"
Ao paused for a moment.
"So Soma, are you concerned that Hozuki Izumo will join another ninja village and that's why you took him in?"
"Considering it, it is really the benefit of the village."
Soma nodded.
"Part of this is the reason, and the other part is that Hozuki Clan is indeed a bit overdone."
"Regardless of whether it's towards our Forging Department or towards Hozuki Izumo."
"I haven't intended to confront them, and I find it rather pointless to spend time and energy on this."
"But they have become somewhat aggressive."
"Especially after Lord Third encountered such an incident."
"Some are even rallying around Lord Third's disappearance."
Ao fell silent for a moment.
"The Hozuki Clan has indeed gone too far."
"Previously isolated in a corner with little interaction with the village, they are exceedingly selfish once they act."
"And the incident involving Lord Third is no different."
"Soma, if Lord Third knew what you're doing, he would surely appreciate your actions."
Soma shook his head.
"Lord Third doesn't need to know. I'm just doing what I should do."
In saying this, Soma wasn't just standing up for Third Mizukage; he was also shaping his own image as someone who values loyalty and tradition.
This way, it can enhance the "loyalty" of those around him towards himself. Besides these, Soma is also interested in Hozuki Clan's Water Release techniques. Based on the Hydrification Jutsu, a series of Water Release techniques have been derived. Soma has wanted to learn these for a long time.
However, the Hozuki Clan has guarded their Water Release Secret Jutsu closely. Now, finally, he has the opportunity.
...
Daida appeared in front of Hozuki Izumo.
"Izumo, Chief Uehara wants you to come with me."
"Okay, right away."
Hozuki Izumo immediately put down what he was holding and followed Daida out.
At a quick pace, they headed towards Forging Island.
"Chief, Hozuki Izumo has arrived."
"Chief Uehara."
Hozuki Izumo hurriedly greeted him.
Soma nodded slightly.
"Izumo."
Terumi Mei sized up Hozuki Izumo.
Terumi Mei also understood the conflict between the Forging Department and Hozuki Clan.
Unexpectedly, a member of the Hozuki Clan can be seen here.
Soma originally intended to have Hoshigaki Kisame return to the village, but after seeing Hozuki Izumo's situation, he suddenly felt that Izumo was actually a very suitable candidate.
Once mastered, Hozuki Clan's Secret Jutsu is extremely powerful. Therefore, Soma decided to let Hozuki Izumo take the place originally planned for Hoshigaki Kisame.
This arrangement would also be better for the front lines of the Mist Village and the Land of Fire.
"Chief Uehara, is there something you need?"
The current situation made Hozuki Izumo somewhat unclear about what was happening.
"Let's talk later; one more person is yet to arrive."
After a few more minutes, two figures appeared in the distance, entering everyone's sight.
"Chief."
"Chief Uehara."
Soma glanced at Kaguya Izumi.
"Izumi, take Ameyuri to train on the other side."
"Yes, Minister."
Kaguya Izumi left with Ameyuri Ringo.
Soma looked around and said, "The reason I gathered everyone this time is for a mission that requires six people. Before that, I need everyone to introduce their abilities."
"This way, we can cooperate better during the mission."
"The target is very strong."
"Let me briefly introduce myself first."
"I specialize in Water Release and can use two Fire Release techniques."
"My overall strength is around the Special Jonin level."
After Soma finished speaking, Ao spoke up, "I mainly use Water Release and Taijutsu, specialize in Sensing Ninjutsu, possess the Byakugan. You can rely on me for intelligence gathering. Overall, I'm at the Jonin level."
Next was Daida.
"I mainly use Water Release and Ninjato. Overall, I'm at the Jonin level."
Then, Soma's gaze turned to Kaguya Masui.
---
You can read up to 50 Advanced chapters and support me at patreon.com/Lookar