Hozuki Mangetsu

In the jungle, the sound of dripping water echoed.

A figure crouched on the ground, panting heavily, his body drenched in sweat.

He appeared to be about sixteen or seventeen years old, dressed in ninja attire with a Kirigakure forehead protector strapped to his brow.

"Hozuki Mangetsu!"

A slender figure stood before him, yellow pupils constricting as cold, sinister light flickered in narrow eyes; a long tongue darted out to lick his lips, looking utterly terrifying.

"Be a good boy and become my test subject. I am quite interested in the Water Transformation Secret Technique of your Hozuki clan."

A sharp glint flashed through the youth's eyes.

Orochimaru!

One of the legendary Sannin of Konoha, a super-ninja who gave all five Great Ninja Villages a massive headache.

He had rendered distinguished service to Konoha during the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars and was a formidable contender for the title of Fourth Hokage.

Even ninjas from other villages spoke of Orochimaru with deep awe.

But now, he had become synonymous with cold-blooded slaughter.

For the sake of so-called truth, this man did not hesitate to kill his own villagers to use them for human experiments.

Countless civilians, ninjas, and even Anbu directly under the Hokage had been assassinated by him, their corpses used for his experiments.

He had now become a rogue ninja of Konoha and an S-rank wanted criminal in the ninja world.

A gust of wind blew, lifting the youth's long hair and revealing a face that still held a hint of childishness.

Hozuki Mangetsu!

A genius ninja of the Hozuki clan from Kirigakure, the second wielder of Hiramekarei, a youth proficient in all Seven Ninja Swords, and possessor of the Hozuki clan's Water Transformation Secret Technique.

But before the legendary Sannin, he was still far too green.

Orochimaru's strength and experience far surpassed his own, and he even possessed several subordinates with rare bloodline limits.

Is this the end?

Mangetsu licked his lips. Having been baptized by the Blood Mist Village, every ninja who emerged from Kirigakure was cruel and bloodthirsty; they never knew the meaning of fear.

Since he could not run, he would have to fight for his life.

He reached into his pocket, pulled out a scroll, and performed a series of hand seals.

"Summoning Technique: Exploding Blade Shibuki, Nuibari!"

Two large blades appeared in Mangetsu's hands.

Exploding Blade Shibuki!

One of the Seven Ninja Swords of the Mist, possessing infinite explosive power.

Nuibari!

One of the Seven Ninja Swords of the Mist, possessing superior piercing and stitching capabilities.

Combined with the Blunt Sword he had summoned earlier, Mangetsu had now brought out three blades!

Orochimaru remained unmoved, merely sneering as he said, "Your treasures seem to be endless. I suppose that makes sense; the Hozuki clan has deep ties to the seven blades, so it is no surprise you have others in your possession. However, what I want to say is..."

He narrowed his eyes, two cold glints fixed upon Mangetsu.

"All of this is futile. A mouse targeted by a snake has only one fate: to be swallowed. Besides, the Seven Ninja Swords of the Mist are nothing but scrap metal, not worth mentioning."

As he spoke, he opened his mouth wide and spat out an ancient, glowing sword.

Mangetsu's pupils constricted as he stared in shock at the longsword in Orochimaru's hand.

Although it looked rather disgusting, he still recognized the origin of the blade.

Kusanagi Sword!

One of the legendary Three Sacred Treasures, the divine sword pulled from the tail of the Eight-Headed Serpent after Susanoo slew it; even the Totsuka Blade, the Sword of the Gods, was not as sharp as this.

There were also legends that the Eight-Headed Serpent had eight heads and eight tails, with a sword in each tail, making the Kusanagi Sword a series.

The one in Orochimaru's hand was merely one of them.

Mangetsu licked his lips, a surge of heat flashing through his heart. The Hozuki clan had no resistance to ninja swords, especially such legendary weapons.

In that moment, his mindset shifted instantly from wanting to escape successfully to seizing the Kusanagi Sword.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Mangetsu threw the longsword in his hand, but his target was not Orochimaru; it was the other ninjas standing behind him.

Nuibari was incredibly sharp, ignoring all defenses, and even more formidable was the sharp steel wire attached to its tail; beyond allowing him to control the blade's trajectory, it also had the effect of slicing through anyone in its path.

"Cunning brat!"

Orochimaru sneered, not caring in the slightest about the lives of his subordinates.

In his eyes, if they couldn't even block a jutsu of this level, they were better off dead.

The other ninjas each unleashed their own unique techniques to dodge the long blade's assault. Since they were individuals valued by Orochimaru, they naturally possessed considerable skill.

Of course, there were a few unlucky ones who were struck by the blade; Mangetsu could clearly feel the moment the blade pierced their bodies.

These people had no choice but to endure the excruciating pain, and because Orochimaru had not permitted them to approach, they dared not appear before him.

This man was truly cold-blooded!

Watching the indifferent Orochimaru, a chill flashed through Mangetsu's heart, yet his hands continued to manipulate the trajectory of the long blade.

After a while, a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Things were progressing smoothly, and Orochimaru's cold-bloodedness was even beyond his expectations.

"Brat!"

Orochimaru licked his lips and said, "Have you had enough fun yet?"

His tongue was long, easily reaching his chin; from this angle, he looked just like a snake draped in human skin.

"Enough!"

Mangetsu sneered, pulling with one hand, and the long blade emerged from the ground.

"Long Blade Ninjutsu, Earth Spider Stitch!"

Countless steel wires erupted from beneath the ground, forming a massive grid that trapped Orochimaru inside.

Looking at the dense web of steel wires beneath his feet, Orochimaru remarked, "Using the long blade's wires to set a trap underground? A very clever idea, but..."

With a flick of his wrist, the Kusanagi Sword appeared, effortlessly slicing through the surrounding wires.

"It has no effect on me!"

Is that so?

Mangetsu sneered once more.

"Exploding Blade Ninjutsu—Explosive Wave Heavy Death!"

His hands formed seals rapidly, and the scroll of the Exploding Blade Shibuki flew toward Orochimaru, quickly encircling him.

This was the ultimate killing move of the Exploding Blade Ninjutsu.

Even a ninja of Kage-level caliber like Orochimaru would find it difficult to withstand.

Mangetsu had originally intended to create this opening to escape using the Hydrification Technique, but upon seeing the Kusanagi Sword in Orochimaru's hand, greed was instantly ignited.

He took the risk, deciding to seize Orochimaru's Kusanagi Sword!

Bang! Bang! Bang! The sounds of explosions rang out.

Countless plumes of smoke rose into the air.

Done!

A sinister grin flashed across Mangetsu's mouth.

"Lord Orochimaru!"

The other ninjas shouted and rushed forward!

"Small fry!"

Mangetsu swallowed a Ration Pill to replenish some of his chakra.

Without Orochimaru, these people were no match for him at all.

"Mist Concealment Technique!"

Mangetsu quickly formed a seal with his hands, and his surroundings were filled with thick water mist; this was the signature skill of Kirigakure.

The vast fog blocked everyone's vision, but for a Mist ninja, it was like walking through their own backyard, as they were all masters of the Silent Killing Technique.

"Summoning Technique!"

Just then, a massive creature appeared before everyone, instantly dispersing the thick fog.