Hozuki Mangetsu

"I hear your Ice Release doesn't stem from a Kekkei Genkai, but was created by fusing Wind Release and Water Release. I wonder if you might let this humble one witness it?" Hozuki Mangetsu licked his lips and said with a smile.

Before Uesugi Shinji could speak, a woman's voice rang out from the air: "Tch~ I thought something major had happened; turns out it's just a brat."

Under Hozuki Mangetsu's surprised gaze, a black light flickered over Uesugi Shinji's body. From the shadow stretched out by the moonlight at his feet, a slender figure detached itself—it was Rin, who had been tailing them.

At this moment, Rin wore a look of disdain, her arms crossed over her chest as she looked down at Hozuki Mangetsu from a position of superiority.

Although Hozuki Mangetsu had quite a reputation in the village, Uesugi Shinji's squad consisted of elites among jonin; none of the three regarded him as a threat at his current stage.

Despite his young age, Hozuki Mangetsu's temperament was far more composed than that of his future younger brother, and he did not grow angry at the contempt Rin displayed.

"So this is the legendary Shadow Release Kekkei Genkai? A truly remarkable ability."

After Hozuki Mangetsu offered this perfunctory comment, his focus returned to Uesugi Shinji. He had to probe whether Uesugi Shinji's Ice Release was developed post-natally, and he had little interest in wasting words with Rin.

Reaching his right hand behind his back, Hozuki Mangetsu gripped the hilt of his katana tightly.

"Senior Uesugi, allow this junior to learn a few moves from you!"

Though his words were polite, he gave Uesugi Shinji no choice to refuse. As he spoke, his body had already surged rapidly toward Uesugi Shinji.

Rin's expression darkened at the sight, and she prepared to step in and teach this arrogant boy a lesson. However, Uesugi Shinji blocked her with his left hand, signaling that he would handle everything himself.

Rin gave a soft huff and stepped back. Uesugi Shinji drew the wakizashi at his waist, stepped forward, and slashed out, his blade colliding perfectly with the katana in the hands of the charging Hozuki Mangetsu.

With a crisp ring of clashing steel, Hozuki Mangetsu's body was sent flying backward; he had been repelled by a single strike from Uesugi Shinji.

Through this exchange, Uesugi Shinji gained a rough assessment of Hozuki Mangetsu's taijutsu level.

The opponent's speed was exceptional, exceeding that of most jonin in the ninja world. However, his strength was quite mediocre; not to mention compared to a jonin like himself who insisted on high-intensity strength training, it was only average even among chunin.

After all, Hozuki Mangetsu was barely ten years old; his lack of physical strength was not a flaw in his talent. On the contrary, possessing such speed at his age made him worthy of the title of genius praised by the ninjas of Kirigakure.

After knocking Hozuki Mangetsu back with a single blow, Uesugi Shinji did not cease his assault, instead rapidly closing the distance to catch up with the still-unsteady Hozuki Mangetsu.

Hozuki Mangetsu's eyes were filled with astonishment. He had not expected Uesugi Shinji's strength to be so much greater than his own, especially since the man did not appear to be a strength-based ninja.

Top-tier speed, top-tier strength—even just in terms of taijutsu, he counts as an expert among jonin! This guy has always been obscure in the village; I never expected him to be hiding so much! Hozuki Mangetsu marveled inwardly.

Although he was at an absolute disadvantage after a single exchange, Hozuki Mangetsu did not concede; he still had many techniques left to unleash.

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

"Water Release: Water Iron."

His hands moved rapidly through seals before his chest, Hozuki Mangetsu preparing an offensive ninjutsu to force the pursuing Uesugi Shinji to retreat. Yet, before he could even finish his seals, a black shadow flashed before his eyes—Uesugi Shinji was already within arm's reach.

The Uesugi Shinji before him remained calm, seemingly unbothered by their clash, yet every strike he made left the boy feeling passive and suppressed.

As an arc of light flashed, Hozuki Mangetsu's expression froze. His fingers, still held in the seal, and his upper torso were severed by the wakizashi in Uesugi Shinji's hand, and the ninjutsu he was weaving came to an abrupt halt.

Not far away, Rin frowned at the sight and couldn't help but mutter to herself: "He didn't actually kill this brat, did he!?"

This battle had been initiated by Hozuki Mangetsu; even if he were killed on the spot by Uesugi Shinji, the latter would not be held responsible in principle. Ninja combat was perilous, and one had to be prepared to be killed the moment they struck.

However, the Hozuki Clan held a very special status in Kirigakure. If Hozuki Mangetsu were to perish here, it would be a very troublesome matter for Uesugi Shinji.

Just then, Hozuki Mangetsu's severed body began to twist rapidly, swirling and condensing like liquid, until the two halves transformed into two identical versions of himself.

To the surprise of both Rin and Uesugi Shinji, each of the two Hozuki Mangetsu held a massive, circular-bladed pale blue ninja sword—the very same Twin Blades: Hiramekarei, one of the strongest ninja swords in Kirigakure!