Hozuki Mangetsu

Biodata

Abilities & Skills

Water Release and Water Transformation

Mangetsu's Hozuki Clan Water Release allows him to transform into water, making conventional physical attacks—particularly swordsmanship—extremely difficult to use against him. 580 581

• Used binding, tentacle-like streams of water to restrict Kawakita's movements. 580
• Could transform into water to evade attacks, including Ikura's Earth Release. 581
• His transformation is highly vulnerable to Lightning Release; even a relatively weak handheld Lightning Release tool can numb him and interrupt the technique. 581 587
• Kawakita judged that he could neither defeat nor be defeated by Mangetsu in a direct exchange, making prolonged engagement strategically undesirable. 580

Water Clones

Mangetsu employs Water Clones as concealed support and counterintelligence assets. 492

• During Obito Uchiha's attempt to abduct Bloodline Limit children, every Mist ninja present was accompanied by one of Mangetsu's Water Clones. 492
• A clone concealed in nearby water struck Obito with Water Release—Water Gun Cannon, wounding his jaw and forcing him to retreat. 492
• The clone assessed that the main body could likely have pierced Obito's head with the same attack. 492

Command and Battlefield Tactics

Mangetsu was entrusted with command of Kirigakure's Third Division, leading 2,000 ninja against Konoha. 465

• Favored forcing Konoha into a melee, where Kirigakure's nearby supply lines and medical support would be advantageous. 466
• Recognized Kakashi Hatake as a dangerous Lightning Release user and warned his subordinates about both Chidori and Kakashi's Sharingan genjutsu. 466
• Supported a strategic shift toward suppressing Iwagakure before its expansion made it impossible for Kirigakure, Konoha, and Kumogakure to contain it. 515

Equipment

• Nuibari — One of the Seven Ninja Swords of the Mist; Mangetsu wielded it during his duel with Kakashi Hatake. 468 473

Personality

Mangetsu initially presents himself with a relaxed, flippant confidence, but becomes serious when assessing threats such as an enemy Sage Mode user. 421 He is pragmatic in war, readily advocating a change in Kirigakure's alignment when Iwagakure's growth becomes too dangerous. 515

Following setbacks against Lightning Release, Mangetsu fell into self-doubt and viewed himself as less useful than Yuki Koru. Kisame attributed his weaker resilience to having been raised comfortably compared with Kisame's harsher upbringing. 587

Relationships

• Kisame Hoshigaki — Mizukage and commanding superior; Kisame appointed Mangetsu to lead the Third Division and later urged him to diversify beyond Hozuki Clan techniques after Lightning Release exposed their weakness. 465 587
• Mei Terumi — Fellow Kirigakure leader and battlefield ally; they jointly moved to support Yugito's engagement and agreed that Iwagakure needed to be contained. 421 515
• Kakashi Hatake — Konoha opponent; Mangetsu fought Kakashi with Nuibari, ultimately losing while leaving Kakashi injured. 468 473
• Obito Uchiha — Enemy whose Kamui was countered by Mangetsu's Water Clone during an attempted child abduction. 492
• Kawakita — Iwagakure swordsman whom Mangetsu attempted to restrain with Water Release; Kawakita considered Mangetsu too troublesome to engage for long. 580

Story Role / Major Arcs

Conflict with Kumogakure

Mangetsu and Mei Terumi moved to support Yugito when Darui and Shia approached the battlefield. 421

Defense of Kirigakure

When Kirigakure divided its army to confront Konoha, Sunagakure, and Kumogakure, Kisame assigned Mangetsu 2,000 troops and command of the Third Division against Konoha. 465 Mangetsu sought to exploit Kirigakure's logistical advantage through a melee battle plan while preparing to personally contain Kakashi. 466

Kakashi and Mangetsu later withdrew to the edge of the battlefield for their one-on-one duel. Kakashi won, though both combatants were injured and the Mist side suffered heavier casualties. Mangetsu considered the broader outcome worthwhile despite his severe injuries. 468 473

Countering Obito Uchiha

Mangetsu prepared Water Clones to accompany Mist operatives during their operation against Obito. One clone ambushed Obito with Water Gun Cannon, drew blood, and helped prevent him from taking another child. 492

War Against Iwagakure

During Kirigakure's later war with Iwagakure, Mangetsu was repeatedly singled out because Lightning Release directly countered his Water Release techniques. 581 612 He was ultimately targeted by Senju Tobirama, Obito Uchiha, and Hanzo, who used handheld Lightning Release tools to paralyze him and predict his attempted escape route. 613 Mangetsu's death was the Allied Forces' first loss of a living combatant in that battle. 614