Demon Zabuza

Ambition is the driving force of progress, and Zabuza is no exception.

He does not wish to remain at the level of a Jonin; he desires a higher status.

There are two paths for promotion beyond Jonin: one is direct service to the Mizukage, such as in advisory roles or as an Anbu captain, and the other is the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, a group with an honorable title.

The advisory positions have always been the exclusive domain of the great clans; this has become a tradition, and it is difficult for commoner ninjas to ascend to them.

For a commoner ninja like Zabuza, it is impossible to enter the Mizukage's direct service without some extraordinary contribution, so he can only pin his hopes on the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.

The unique selection method of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, which values strength above all else, has become a paradise for commoner ninjas.

One can openly and legitimately challenge for the title.

"The Hiramekarei has been in your hands for quite some time; isn't it time for it to change masters?"

Zabuza said with a cold expression.

Among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, the Samehada belongs to his superior, Suikazan Fuguki, so he naturally cannot attempt to seize it. The remaining members, Raiga Kurosuki and Biwa Juzo, are fugitives, and it is difficult to track their whereabouts. As for the Blast Sword, Long Sword, and Blunt Sword, they were lost long ago, leaving Zabuza with only the Twin Blade Hiramekarei as an option.

Although Hōzuki Mangetsu is known as the leader of the Seven, Zabuza does not feel inferior to him.

"Are you challenging me?"

Hōzuki Mangetsu looked at Zabuza coldly.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen do have such a rule, but it is rare for anyone to openly use this channel to seize a blade. For one, the successive members of the Seven have been the elite of the elite, and ordinary ninjas are simply no match for them; for another, it easily causes division within the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.

This must have been instigated by that bastard Suikazan Fuguki.

Hōzuki Mangetsu's face darkened.

He had merely opposed him a few times during a meeting, and now he has sent someone to provoke him. That fellow is truly petty; no wonder he ends up dying at the hands of his own trusted subordinate.

"What, are you afraid?"

Zabuza said contemptuously.

Afraid?

A sneer flashed across Hōzuki Mangetsu's face. During this period, he has been dealing with Kage-level ninjas like Orochimaru, Shisui, and the Third Hoshikage; how could he possibly take a mere Zabuza seriously?

Very well!

A smile appeared at the corner of Hōzuki Mangetsu's mouth.

I will grant your wish!

The two arrived at a nearby training ground and sealed the entrance.

Hōzuki Mangetsu took out a scroll and summoned the Twin Blade Hiramekarei.

Upon seeing the Hiramekarei, Zabuza's eyes instantly became excited; becoming one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen has always been his wish.

The Twin Blade Hiramekarei is a strangely shaped blade with two handles and a circular hole in the center.

However, Hōzuki Mangetsu knows clearly that this is a blade that requires an explosive release of power, as it can change the shape of the blade through the manipulation of chakra.

Zabuza drew a standard-issue long sword from behind his back; he has not yet obtained that lackluster broken blade.

Wait a moment!

Hōzuki Mangetsu suddenly stuck the Twin Blade Hiramekarei into the ground and clapped his hands. "If I use the Hiramekarei, it would be an unfair victory even if I win."

Zabuza was stunned, looking at Hōzuki Mangetsu in surprise.

The reason the Seven Ninja Swordsmen are formidable is mainly because they possess blades with unique properties.

Without their blades, the strength of the Seven is somewhat diminished.

Zabuza was also challenging Hōzuki Mangetsu at the behest of his superior, Suikazan Fuguki. Although he had personally prepared for a bitter struggle, he never expected that Hōzuki Mangetsu would have no intention of using his blade.

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

Zabuza looked at him in disbelief.

Hōzuki Mangetsu smiled and said, "I want you to lose with full conviction."

Hearing this, a surge of anger immediately rose in Zabuza's heart.

Geniuses are always arrogant.

"Don't look down on me!"

He roared, discarded his own sword, drew a kunai, and charged forward.

Well played!

Hōzuki Mangetsu felt a surge of spirit, drew his own kunai, and charged to meet him.

Clang, clang, clang—the two immediately engaged in a contest of taijutsu.

Hōzuki Mangetsu is proficient with all seven ninja swords, so his taijutsu is naturally top-tier. After they fought for a while, Zabuza realized he could not gain any advantage, so he immediately retreated a few steps and swung both hands, sending kunai and shuriken flying simultaneously.

Cling, clang!

Hōzuki Mangetsu casually deflected the hidden weapons.

This level of attack meant nothing to a taijutsu expert like him; he didn't even bother to use his Hydrification Technique.

"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"

Zabuza quickly formed a few hand seals and spat out a torrent of water.

Ninjas with Water affinity can perform B-rank or lower ninjutsu even in places without a water source.

"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"

Seeing Zabuza form the seals, Hōzuki Mangetsu guessed he was going to use this technique; after all, it was a relatively practical B-rank ninjutsu.

The two water dragons collided, sending thousands of droplets splashing into the air.

However, Zabuza's water dragon soon gained the upper hand!

Hōzuki Mangetsu was slightly startled. Although he knew Zabuza was no simple opponent, he hadn't expected him to be this strong.

With the same ninjutsu and the same environmental advantage, he was actually losing the clash against Zabuza.

Hōzuki Mangetsu quickly realized the reason: whether it was Kisame or Zabuza, they were ninjas who specialized in Water Style ninjutsu, whereas Hōzuki Mangetsu excelled in four nature transformations—Wind, Water, Earth, and Lightning. His development was somewhat diversified, so naturally, he couldn't compare to these specialists in Water Style.

"Is that all your Water Style ninjutsu amounts to?"

Zabuza sneered, then formed a few more seals and said, "Next, let's see how you handle my Silent Killing Technique."

Mist Concealment Technique!

With the abundance of water from their previous clash, Zabuza felt right at home using the Mist Concealment Technique.

Soon, the entire area was shrouded in thick fog.

Was I just looked down upon?

Hōzuki Mangetsu muttered to himself, "Since that's the case, let's have some real fun!"

Saying this, he pulled out a kunai and slowly closed his eyes.

The Silent Killing Technique relies on killing enemies based on sound, which requires extremely sensitive hearing, superior taijutsu, and immense speed. In these aspects, Hōzuki Mangetsu was a cut above Zabuza.

After a while, the thick fog, no longer maintained by chakra, gradually dissipated.

Two figures slowly became clear.

Zabuza was panting heavily; he had at least three wounds on his body, while Hōzuki Mangetsu only had one on his left arm.

Did I fail?

Zabuza stared at the youth before him. His taijutsu, speed, and senses all surpassed his own; he was the undisputed king of the Silent Killing Technique.

Through this exchange, Zabuza realized that aside from the power of his ninjutsu, everything else about his opponent was on par with his own, and his taijutsu was even superior.

He is truly worthy of being one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. Even without his blade, he possesses such formidable skills; if he had used Hiramekarei, I likely would have been defeated long ago.

"You are indeed very strong!"

Zabuza took a deep breath and said, "Worthy of being one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. I am impressed. Next, I will bring out my full strength."

As he spoke, he formed a single hand seal.