Hozuki Mangetsu

"I heard your Ice Release doesn't come from a Kekkei Genkai, but was created by combining Wind Release and Water Release. I wonder if you'd let me see it for myself?" Hozuki Mangetsu licked his lips and smiled.

Before Uesugi Shinji could speak, a woman's voice rang out of thin air. "Tch~ I thought something serious had happened. Turns out it's just a brat."

In Hozuki Mangetsu's astonished gaze, a black shadow flashed across Uesugi Shinji's body. A slender figure split off from the shadow stretched beneath his feet by the moonlight. It was Rin, who had followed him.

Rin wore a dismissive look as she crossed her arms over her chest and regarded Hozuki Mangetsu from above.

Although Hozuki Mangetsu had made quite a name for himself in the village, Uesugi Shinji's squad was made up of elite Jonin. None of the three took him seriously at this stage.

Despite his young age, Hozuki Mangetsu was much more levelheaded than the younger brother he would have in the future. Rin's contemptuous attitude didn't anger him.

"So this is the legendary Shadow Release Kekkei Genkai? It's a very impressive ability."

After offering a perfunctory compliment, Hozuki Mangetsu turned his attention back to Uesugi Shinji. He had to find out tonight whether Uesugi Shinji had developed Ice Release on his own, and had little interest in chatting with Rin.

He reached behind himself with his right hand and gripped the hilt of the sword at his back.

"Senior Uesugi, allow me to test my skills against you!"

His words were polite, but he gave Uesugi Shinji no chance to refuse. As he spoke, he had already charged straight at him.

Rin's expression darkened. She was about to teach the insolent boy a lesson when Uesugi Shinji raised his left hand to stop her, signaling that he would handle it.

Rin gave a quiet snort and stepped back. Uesugi Shinji drew the Wakizashi at his waist, stepped forward, and swung. His blade met Hozuki Mangetsu's sword just as the boy reached him.

A sharp clang rang out as the blades collided. Hozuki Mangetsu was sent flying backward with a single strike.

From that exchange, Uesugi Shinji had gained a rough assessment of Hozuki Mangetsu's Taijutsu.

His speed was outstanding, already surpassing that of most Jonin in the Shinobi World. His strength, however, was thoroughly average. He was nowhere near Uesugi Shinji, who maintained an intense strength-training regimen, and was only average even by Chunin standards.

After all, Hozuki Mangetsu was barely ten years old. His lack of strength wasn't a matter of talent; on the contrary, his speed at this age already lived up to the praise heaped on him by Kirigakure's ninjas.

After sending Hozuki Mangetsu flying with that first strike, Uesugi Shinji didn't stop. He quickly pursued the retreating boy and caught up while Hozuki Mangetsu was still struggling to regain his balance.

Hozuki Mangetsu's eyes widened in shock. He hadn't expected Uesugi Shinji to be so much stronger than him. The man didn't even look like a strength-focused ninja.

Top-tier speed, top-tier strength. With Taijutsu alone, he already ranks among the best Jonin! He's always been so inconspicuous in the village. I never imagined he'd been hiding his strength so well! Hozuki Mangetsu marveled inwardly.

Although he was already at a complete disadvantage after one move, Hozuki Mangetsu wasn't ready to concede. He still had plenty of techniques he hadn't used.

Uesugi Shinji was strong, but not strong enough to defeat him so easily!

"Water Release: Water Iron."

Hozuki Mangetsu rapidly formed Hand Seals in front of his chest, intending to force Uesugi Shinji back with an offensive technique. But before he could finish, a shadow flickered before his eyes, and Uesugi Shinji was already right in front of him.

Uesugi Shinji's gaze remained calm. He seemed not to take their fight seriously, yet every move he made left Hozuki Mangetsu feeling cornered and oppressed.

A flash of light streaked across the air. Hozuki Mangetsu's expression froze. Uesugi Shinji's Wakizashi had severed his raised fingers, along with the upper half of his torso. The technique he had been preparing came to an abrupt halt.

Rin frowned at the sight and muttered, "He didn't actually kill the brat, did he?"

Hozuki Mangetsu had started the fight himself. Even if Uesugi Shinji killed him on the spot, he wouldn't technically be held responsible. Ninja battles were perilous, after all. Anyone who entered one had to be prepared to die.

But the Hozuki Clan held a very special position in Kirigakure. If Hozuki Mangetsu really died here, it would cause a great deal of trouble for Uesugi Shinji.

Just then, Hozuki Mangetsu's severed body twisted rapidly, rotating and coalescing like liquid. His upper and lower halves each transformed into an identical version of himself.

To Rin and Uesugi Shinji's surprise, each of the two Hozuki Mangetsus now held an enormous pale-blue Ninja Blade with a round blade: one of Kirigakure's most powerful Ninja Blades, the Twin Blades: Hiramekarei!