Demon Zabuza

Ambition was the driving force behind progress, and Zabuza was no exception.

He didn't want to stop at the rank of jonin. He wanted to rise even higher.

There were two paths for a jonin to advance. One was to serve directly under the Mizukage, as an aide or an Anbu unit captain. The other was to earn the prestigious title of one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.

Aide positions had always been reserved for the great clans. It had become tradition, making it difficult for civilian ninja to rise through the ranks.

For a civilian ninja like Zabuza, entering the Mizukage's direct service was impossible without some extraordinary achievement. That left him with only one hope: the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen's unique selection process, based solely on strength, was a paradise for ninja from humble backgrounds.

Anyone could openly challenge a member and win the title.

"You've had Hiramekarei for quite a while. Isn't it time it had a new owner?"

Zabuza spoke with a cold expression.

Among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, Samehada belonged to his superior, Suikazan Fuguki, so he couldn't very well take it by force. Raiga Kurosuki and Biwa Juzo were both on the run, and it would be difficult to track them down anytime soon. As for the Blast Sword, the Long Sword, and the Blunt Sword, they had been lost long ago. That left Twin Blade Hiramekarei as the only one Zabuza could choose.

Though Hozuki Mangetsu was known as the leader of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, Zabuza didn't think he was any worse.

"Are you challenging me?"

Hozuki Mangetsu stared at Zabuza coldly.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen did have such a rule, but few people openly used it to take a sword from one of their own. For one thing, every member was an elite among elites, and ordinary ninja stood no chance against them. For another, it could easily split the Seven Ninja Swordsmen apart.

This had to be that bastard Suikazan Fuguki's idea.

Hozuki Mangetsu's expression darkened.

He had only contradicted Fuguki a few times during the meeting, and now the man had sent someone to provoke him. Fuguki was petty indeed. No wonder he would die at the hands of his own subordinate.

"What, are you afraid?"

Zabuza said scornfully.

Afraid?

A cold smile flickered across Hozuki Mangetsu's face. Lately, he'd been dealing with Kage Level ninja like Orochimaru, Shisui, and the Third Hoshikage. How could he take a mere Zabuza seriously?

Fine!

A smile tugged at Hozuki Mangetsu's lips.

I'll give you what you want!

The two went to a nearby training ground and sealed off the entrance.

Hozuki Mangetsu took out a scroll and summoned Twin Blade Hiramekarei.

The moment Zabuza saw Hiramekarei, his eyes lit up with excitement. Becoming one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen had always been his dream.

Twin Blade Hiramekarei was a strange-looking sword with two handles and a circular hole in the middle.

But Hozuki Mangetsu knew it was a Ninja Blade that required a tremendous burst of power. It could change its shape by channeling Chakra through it.

Zabuza drew a standard long sword from behind his back. He hadn't gotten that useless broken sword yet.

"Wait!"

Hozuki Mangetsu suddenly planted Twin Blade Hiramekarei in the ground and dusted off his hands. "If I use Hiramekarei, then even if I win, it won't be a fair victory."

Zabuza froze, staring at Hozuki Mangetsu in astonishment.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen were so formidable largely because each wielded a Ninja Blade with its own special abilities.

Without their swords, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were considerably weaker.

Zabuza had challenged Hozuki Mangetsu at his superior Suikazan Fuguki's urging. He'd prepared himself for a hard fight, but he'd never imagined that Hozuki Mangetsu wouldn't even draw his sword.

"Are you sure you won't use Hiramekarei?"

Zabuza looked at him in disbelief.

Hozuki Mangetsu smiled. "I want you to accept your defeat without a doubt."

At those words, anger flared in Zabuza's heart.

Geniuses were proud.

"Don't look down on me!"

He roared, tossed aside his sword, drew a Kunai, and charged.

That's more like it!

Hozuki Mangetsu's spirits lifted. He drew his own Kunai and charged forward.

Clang, clang, clang! The two immediately clashed in Taijutsu.

Hozuki Mangetsu was skilled with all Seven Ninja Swords, so his Taijutsu was naturally top-notch. After they fought for a while, Zabuza realized he couldn't gain an advantage, so he quickly retreated a few steps and flung both hands forward. Kunai and Shuriken came flying at once.

Clink, clank!

Hozuki Mangetsu casually knocked the projectiles aside.

An attack of that caliber was meaningless against a Taijutsu expert like him. He didn't even bother using his Water Transformation.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"

Zabuza quickly formed a few Hand Seals and spat out a stream of water.

Water-natured ninja could perform Water Release techniques below B-rank even in places without water.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"

The moment Hozuki Mangetsu saw Zabuza forming Hand Seals, he guessed which technique he was about to use. It was, after all, a fairly practical B-rank technique.

The two water dragons crashed into each other, sending countless sprays of water into the air.

But Zabuza's water dragon soon gained the upper hand!

Hozuki Mangetsu was slightly surprised. He knew Zabuza wasn't ordinary, but he hadn't expected him to be so strong.

Using the same technique, with the same terrain, he still couldn't overpower Zabuza.

Hozuki Mangetsu soon understood. Kisame and Zabuza were both ninja who specialized in Water Release Ninjutsu, while Hozuki Mangetsu had mastered four nature transformations—Wind, Water, Earth, and Lightning. His training was less focused, so naturally he couldn't match ninja who specialized in Water Release.

"So Water Release Ninjutsu is nothing special?"

Zabuza sneered, then formed a few more Hand Seals. "Now, experience your Silent Killing Technique."

Mist Concealment Technique!

With all the water from their earlier clash, Zabuza used the Mist Concealment Technique to even greater effect.

Thick fog soon shrouded the entire area.

Have I been underestimated?

Hozuki Mangetsu muttered to himself, "In that case, let's have some fun."

As he spoke, he took out a Kunai and slowly closed his eyes.

The Silent Killing Technique relied on sound to locate and kill the enemy. It required extremely sharp hearing, as well as exceptional Taijutsu and speed. In all these areas, Hozuki Mangetsu surpassed Zabuza.

After a while, the fog gradually dispersed, no longer sustained by Chakra.

Two figures slowly came into view.

Zabuza gasped for breath. He had at least three new wounds, while Hozuki Mangetsu had only one, on his left arm.

Had he lost?

Zabuza stared at the young man before him. His Taijutsu, speed, and perception were all superior to his own. He was the undisputed king of the Silent Killing Technique.

After their exchange, Zabuza realized that apart from the power of his Ninjutsu, Hozuki Mangetsu was about as strong as he was in every other area. His Taijutsu was even better.

As expected of one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. He was still so skilled without his sword. If he'd used Hiramekarei, Zabuza would have lost long ago.

"You really are strong!"

Zabuza took a deep breath. "As expected of one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. I respect you. Now I'll show you everything I've got."

As he spoke, he formed a Hand Seal.