Chukichi, the Dark Release Ninja

"Wait a moment!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly stood up and said, "I believe there is still some misunderstanding here."

A misunderstanding?

Hōzuki Mangetsu sneered, "Konoha has already determined that Kirigakure started this war. What kind of misunderstanding could there possibly be?"

"It was exactly that!"

Danzo sneered, "Several Kirigakure ninja snuck into Konoha's borders. That is an act of war against Konoha, and Konoha is fully entitled to treat them as enemies."

Is that so?

Hōzuki Mangetsu stared him down and said, "So, Lord Danzo, are you admitting that Konoha killed our ninja?"

Danzo!

Sarutobi Hiruzen's face darkened with anger as he said, "Enough. You leave first; I will handle this matter."

Danzo's eye twitched a few times, and after giving Hōzuki Mangetsu a cold, calculating look, he slowly walked out.

"My apologies!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen said apologetically, "This matter was not done by Konoha. We are investigating with all our might and will certainly give Kirigakure a satisfactory answer."

At present, the village leadership was in conflict with the Uchiha, and war could break out at any moment.

Starting a conflict with the Land of Water at such a time would be highly irrational, which is why Sarutobi Hiruzen had initially intended to smooth things over.

However, his plans had been ruined by Danzo.

It was no secret that Danzo had always been dissatisfied with Sarutobi Hiruzen's conservative policies.

Lord Third!

Hōzuki Mangetsu had long been aware of the village's situation, so he boldly put on a show of force.

"I, Hōzuki Mangetsu, can wait, but Kirigakure cannot. A blood debt must be paid in blood—that has always been the tradition of Kirigakure. If the Third Hokage cannot provide us with a satisfactory answer, we naturally will not let this matter rest."

Since he knew the concerns of Konoha's high command, Hōzuki Mangetsu would not let this opportunity to extort them slip by.

A small weight can tip a thousand-pound scale.

With Konoha currently at a critical juncture, the leadership would certainly not want to engage in a conflict with Kirigakure.

Rest assured!

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded and said, "Konoha will give Kirigakure an explanation."

As he spoke, he took out a scroll and handed it to Hōzuki Mangetsu.

"These are the Kirigakure prisoners captured during the last war. Let us return them to Kirigakure now."

Ever since he learned that Kirigakure intended to hold them accountable, he had already formulated this plan.

As everyone knew, Kirigakure did not believe in prisoner exchanges, so for other nations, capturing Kirigakure ninja was useless beyond keeping them locked away.

During the last great war, Konoha had captured quite a few Kirigakure ninja. Since they were just sitting in cells anyway, it was better to use this opportunity to return them to Kirigakure to offset the incident involving the five ninja.

Ginger is still spicier when it's old.

The Third Hokage's move was brilliant; it resolved the immediate issue while dumping the burden back onto Kirigakure.

After all, prisoners still needed to be fed.

Hōzuki Mangetsu nodded inwardly.

This Sarutobi Hiruzen had been able to rule Konoha for so long; he was clearly no simple character.

Although he appeared somewhat weak compared to Danzo's hardline stance, this weakness contained great wisdom.

A needle hidden in silk!

That was the true nature of Sarutobi Hiruzen.

However...

Hōzuki Mangetsu shook his head.

He was not a man so easily satisfied.

By using the tiger's skin as his own banner, he intended to squeeze out as much as he could.

"I appreciate the Third Hokage's good intentions. But as you know, Kirigakure does not accept prisoners of war. Even if Konoha hands them over to me, they would only face death upon returning."

Hōzuki Mangetsu smiled and said, "For the Third Hokage to try and buy Kirigakure's forgiveness with a few dead men—isn't that a bit lacking in sincerity?"

Is that so?

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, smiled slightly and said, "In that case, let us keep Chukichi. After all, Dark Release users are quite rare."

Chukichi!

Hōzuki Mangetsu paused for a moment, taking a while to recall the person.

One of Kirigakure's strongest sensory ninja, a user of the rare Dark Release bloodline, who had been captured by Konoha during the Third Shinobi World War.

Because Kirigakure refused to accept prisoners, he had been kept in a Konoha prison until his death.

He was resurrected by Yakushi Kabuto via Impure World Reincarnation during the Fourth Great Ninja War.

So it was him!

Hōzuki Mangetsu nodded to himself.

Dark Release is a unique kekkei genkai that can theoretically absorb any ninjutsu. Its ability is similar to the Preta Path of the Six Paths of Pain. However, it cannot absorb S-rank ninjutsu that combine shape transformation and nature transformation.

This is a super-powered support unit that comes with its own meat shield!

Thinking of this, Hōzuki Mangetsu immediately grew excited.

He currently lacks helpers, and if Chukichi joins him, it will certainly increase his combat strength significantly.

Sarutobi Hiruzen seemed to see through his thoughts, smiling as he said, "During the last war, the Five Great Shinobi Villages suffered heavy losses. Now that peace has finally been restored, we should cherish this hard-won opportunity."

Hōzuki Mangetsu smiled.

He had no interest in Sarutobi Hiruzen's platitudes.

If the Land of Fire and the Land of Water were in each other's positions, it would be difficult for them not to make territorial demands on their neighbor as well.

Soon, both sides reached an agreement.

Hōzuki Mangetsu would return to his village to await Konoha's investigation, while Konoha would release the captured Kirigakure ninja, Chukichi.

After leaving Konoha, Orochimaru immediately parted ways with Hōzuki Mangetsu.

All that remained was Chukichi.

At Hōzuki Mangetsu's request, Konoha secretly released Chukichi.

"Are you from Kirigakure?"

Chukichi looked at Hōzuki Mangetsu in pleasant surprise.

He had been imprisoned by Konoha for many years, so seeing a ninja from his own village now filled him with a mix of shock and joy.

As everyone knows, Kirigakure does not exchange prisoners, so Kirigakure ninja rarely meet a good end once captured.

To survive, these people would divulge everything they knew.

But Chukichi was different; he had always been tenacious because he loved his country and his village.

"My name is Hōzuki Mangetsu!"

Hōzuki Mangetsu smiled and said, "I have heard of the great name of the Dark Release ninja!"

Hearing this title, a look of discomfort flashed across Chukichi's face.

Back in the day, he was a person of some standing in Kirigakure.

Not only did he possess the Dark Release kekkei genkai capable of absorbing any ninjutsu, but he also had extremely strong sensory abilities.

In Kirigakure, Chukichi and Ao were known as the dual sensory experts.

It was a pity that he was captured by Konoha during a mission and had been imprisoned ever since.

"So you are a child of the Hozuki Clan!"

Chukichi nodded.

He was much older than Hōzuki Mangetsu, and having been captured many years ago, it was normal for him to be unfamiliar with the name Hōzuki Mangetsu.

"How is the village? I heard Yagura became the Fourth Mizukage?"

Even in prison, Chukichi had managed to hear bits and pieces of news regarding Kirigakure.

That is correct!

Hōzuki Mangetsu nodded and briefly described the current state of the village.

Chukichi listened carefully, fearing he might miss anything; what he wanted to know most was whether Kirigakure had changed its rule against prisoner exchanges.

Unfortunately, he was disappointed.

The rule still existed, which meant that even if he returned to the village now, he would be killed as a traitor.