The Demon Submits

Soon, the figures of Hōzuki Mangetsu and Zabuza appeared in Kirigakure.

This time, Zabuza did not hide anything, openly displaying the long blade.

Compared to that useless broken blade, Zabuza, who excelled in the Silent Killing Technique, was much better suited for this long blade.

The Silent Killing Technique combined with the ghostly long blade was truly the stuff of nightmares.

With the long blade in hand, the jungle was Zabuza's domain, and his strength could certainly reach the level of a Quasi-Shadow.

The return of the long blade to Kirigakure and Zabuza's ascension as one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen caused an immediate explosion of talk within the village.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen had long existed in name only, with only the Kareifugu and Samehada remaining in the village; the return of the long blade reignited everyone's longing for the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.

Of course, there were those who gnashed their teeth in the shadows, such as Suikazan Fuguki.

He was already displeased that Zabuza had obtained the long blade, and after he instigated Kisame Hoshigaki to seize it only to be thwarted by Hōzuki Mangetsu, Suikazan Fuguki felt even more uncomfortable.

He had originally intended to snatch it back secretly, but Zabuza's open display of the long blade meant he was no longer standing on his side.

"Fuguki!"

Hōzuki Mangetsu walked forward with a cold sneer and said, "According to the rules, Zabuza has already received the acknowledgment of me, Hōzuki Mangetsu. As long as he can also receive your acknowledgment, then Zabuza will be the master of the long blade. If someone were to openly seize the long blade from his hands, it would only mean his skills were lacking and he couldn't control it. But you ordered your subordinates to gang up on Zabuza, breaking the rules of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. Tell me, what should be done about this?"

He had come this time specifically to challenge Suikazan Fuguki.

Suikazan Fuguki's instigation of Kisame and a group of subordinates to besiege Zabuza had violated the rules of the Seven, which was intolerable in Kirigakure. This was especially true for the commoner ninjas.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen were the highest goal for these commoner ninjas, and they would never allow anyone to break these rules.

Suikazan's subordinates were all commoner ninjas, and he absolutely could not afford to alienate them over this matter.

What?

His expression turned cold as he said, "Kisame, you have some nerve, daring to break the rules of the Seven?"

Kisame Hoshigaki was stunned and asked in confusion, "My lord, this..."

Suikazan suddenly slapped Kisame across the face and barked, "You have disappointed me greatly! Get out of here, you disgraceful thing!"

A flash of killing intent crossed Kisame's eyes.

The reason he had tried to seize Zabuza's long blade was indeed under Suikazan's instruction, and besides, Kisame himself coveted the status of the Seven.

He and Zabuza were evenly matched, so to be safe, he had brought along a squadron of Anbu.

Everything had been at Suikazan's behest, yet now that the matter had failed, Suikazan was the first to use him as a scapegoat.

That bastard!

Kisame wanted nothing more than to kill him and drain Suikazan's Chakra, but he knew it was not yet the time.

"I am sorry, Lord Fuguki!"

Kisame lowered his head and was soon taken away by the Anbu.

Only then did Suikazan Fuguki reveal a smile.

"Mangetsu, there have been too many things going on lately, and I've been busy and confused."

He turned his gaze toward Zabuza.

"Congratulations, Zabuza. Since Mangetsu trusts you so much, I will also be happy to help. From this day forward, you, Zabuza, are the master of the long blade."

Zabuza's expression remained unchanged as he said indifferently, "Many thanks!"

He knew this was a forced move by Suikazan Fuguki, so he felt no gratitude.

After finishing this, Suikazan Fuguki took his leave.

"Little brother Mangetsu!"

Terumi Mei swayed her hips as she came before him.

"Well done. Seeing that bastard Suikazan Fuguki get humiliated makes this sister feel good."

She looked at Zabuza with a smile, though a cold light flashed in her eyes.

Back when that guy graduated, he had slaughtered all the students in his class, among whom was Terumi Mei's younger brother.

It could be said that the two were like fire and water; Terumi Mei wanted to kill Zabuza every moment of every day, but unfortunately, with Suikazan Fuguki shielding him, she had never found the opportunity.

Now, even a fool could see that Zabuza and Suikazan Fuguki had broken ties, making it the perfect time for her to avenge her brother.

Zabuza!

Terumi Mei licked her lips and said, word for word, "Shouldn't we settle our old scores now?"

Zabuza smiled faintly and spun the long blade in his hand.

"I am ready whenever you are!"

He had not been a match for Terumi Mei before, but now that he had obtained the long blade, his confidence had increased significantly.

Now that he had joined the ranks of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, he naturally would not fear being challenged.

Very well!

Terumi Mei narrowed her eyes.

"I will definitely melt you down to avenge my late brother."

Zabuza stared coldly back at her, showing every sign of striking the moment a disagreement arose.

Alright, alright!

Hōzuki Mangetsu stepped between the two and hurriedly said, "Sister Mei, do me a favor and don't trouble Zabuza for the time being, alright?"

He certainly didn't want Zabuza, whom he had gone to such lengths to recruit, to be melted by Terumi Mei.

Terumi Mei sneered, "Little Brother Hozuki, it's not that I don't want to give you face. But my brother died at Zabuza's hands; how could I, as his sister, not avenge him? If it were you, what would you do?"

Well, that...

Hōzuki Mangetsu scratched his head.

To be fair, this guy Zabuza had indeed gone a bit too far, but there was no helping it. Which ninja coming out of the Bloody Mist Era hadn't stained their hands with the blood of their comrades?

When Hōzuki Mangetsu first started out, his path had been just as blood-soaked, if not more so than Zabuza's.

"Sister!"

He coughed and whispered, "Right now is the critical moment to deal with Fuguki. Zabuza is a source of power, so we really shouldn't be fighting among ourselves!"

The enemy of an enemy is a friend; that saying was still quite persuasive.

Terumi Mei snorted again, seemingly weighing the pros and cons, before finally saying after a long while, "Since that's the case, I'll give you, Hōzuki Mangetsu, some face. But don't let him appear in front of me for now, lest I lose control and melt him."

She shot a sidelong glance at Hōzuki Mangetsu and added, "You, oh you. I asked you to teach a student, and look at you—nowhere to be found half the time. No matter how smart a student is, they'll never graduate like this!"

Hōzuki Mangetsu was left feeling both amused and helpless.

He finally understood Terumi Mei's true intention.

She was hinting that he needed to speed up Chojuro's progress toward joining the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, perhaps spurred on by the stimulus of Zabuza.

Chojuro was Terumi Mei's clansman and confidant; if he could successfully enter the ranks of the Seven, it would be a major boost for her.

"Rest assured, Sister. I will definitely train that child, Chojuro, into a capable ninja."

Hōzuki Mangetsu smiled and gave his final guarantee.