Chojuro's Master

Hearing Hōzuki Mangetsu's agreement, Terumi Mei was overjoyed: "Chojuro, to be taken under the wing of a genius from the Hozuki Clan is your honor. Why don't you greet your teacher?"

Chojuro hurriedly said: "Thank you, Teacher Mangetsu!"

Hōzuki Mangetsu thought for a moment and said: "The Hozuki Clan's greatest strengths are the Hydrification Technique and the use of the seven ninja blades. You certainly cannot learn Hydrification, so all I can teach you is the use of the blades. However, you aren't strong enough yet to master them, so it's best to start with the basics. Starting tomorrow, you will practice with Shui Yue'er, and I will guide you both during this time."

"Thank you, Teacher Mangetsu!"

Chojuro was overwhelmed with joy; he had admired the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist since he was a child, and receiving guidance from Hōzuki Mangetsu was a cause for great celebration.

A smile appeared on the corner of Hōzuki Mangetsu's mouth. This child was the future Sixth Mizukage; having him as a disciple now could be considered building some political capital for the Hozuki Clan in the future.

Having achieved what she wanted, Terumi Mei left with her people.

Hōzuki Mangetsu did not linger either, immediately heading toward the Hozuki Clan's shrine.

He was currently desperate to increase his own strength.

The Hozuki Clan was a powerful clan in Kirigakure, having produced many brilliant talents throughout the generations, though it had become somewhat declining by now.

This could be seen from the desolate state of the shrine.

Hōzuki Mangetsu pushed open the shrine gates and walked in slowly.

Inside were the memorial tablets of the Hozuki Clan's predecessors, the most important of which was the Second Mizukage, Hozuki Gengetsu.

That battle-crazed tyrant of the Joki Boi, capable of infinite explosions.

Even now, many legends and deeds of his still circulated throughout Kirigakure.

However, the Second Mizukage was a kekkei genkai user, and his Oil Transformation Technique had long been preserved by the village. The Hozuki brothers, lacking that bloodline, certainly couldn't use it. But compared to that, Hōzuki Mangetsu was more interested in his Yin Release ninjutsu and the Giant Clam.

That was a massive weapon capable of large-scale genjutsu.

Hōzuki Mangetsu had touched upon some Yin Release ninjutsu, but only to a level of proficiency, not mastery. With the help of the Giant Clam, he could certainly take it to the next level.

To use summoning techniques on the battlefield, one had to sign a blood contract with the animals and pay a certain price.

Looking across the Naruto storyline, the strongest summoning beasts were naturally the Tailed Beasts, followed by the creatures from the three great sage regions—frogs, snakes, and slugs—with other animals coming after.

Although the Second Mizukage's Giant Clam had no offensive power, its defensive and auxiliary capabilities were quite excellent.

For Hōzuki Mangetsu, who lacked a summoning beast, it was also a means of self-preservation.

"My apologies, Mr. Mustache!"

Hōzuki Mangetsu said helplessly: "Some things cannot be taken with you in life or death. Since you were such a humorous man, you can surely understand the feelings of a descendant, right? Survival is paramount, so please, don't blame me!"

As he spoke, he undid the Hozuki Clan's sealing technique and walked into the burial chamber.

Inside the chamber was a wall of water; behind it were sealed the secrets of the Hozuki Clan. Without the Hozuki bloodline and the unlocking method, it was impossible to enter.

Opening the Second Mizukage's coffin, Hōzuki Mangetsu found three scrolls: one containing the method for the Oil Transformation Technique, which was superior to Hydrification, and the other two being the Yin Release ninjutsu and the contract for the Giant Clam.

The Giant Clam lived in the deep seas of the Land of Water, possessing immense vitality and defensive power, and could also create thick fog on a large scale.

Hōzuki Mangetsu noted down some of the Yin Release ninjutsu and opened the contract, writing his name at the bottom.

As for the Oil Transformation Technique, he merely glanced at it before putting it back.

Oil Transformation required a bloodline; to use it, one had to alter their own body, and currently, only Orochimaru possessed that capability.

However...

A smile appeared on the corner of Hōzuki Mangetsu's mouth. If he had the means to alter his body, he wouldn't even look twice at a bloodline like Oil Transformation.

Leaving the Hozuki Clan's shrine, Hōzuki Mangetsu returned home.

"Big brother, this sword is really amazing!"

The little boy Shui Yue'er said happily, holding the Kusanagi Sword.

He had already mastered the initial usage of the blade.

Hōzuki Mangetsu smiled.

Things favored by the Second Young Master and Orochimaru were naturally excellent.

It was just that this sword now belonged to Shui Yue'er, which could be considered stealing the spotlight from the Second Young Master.

"Shui Yue'er!"

Hōzuki Mangetsu suddenly remembered something and said: "Until you have fully mastered the characteristics of this sword, never expose it in front of others."

Kirigakure was different from other ninja villages; here, power was the only truth, and killing to seize treasures was an unspoken rule in the village.

This Kusanagi Sword was extremely precious; if Shui Yue'er didn't have sufficient strength, it would surely be snatched away by others.

"I know!"

Shui Yue'er said dismissively: "I am the future leader of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen; how could I let others take my ninja tool? Big brother, why are you being such a nag today?"

He suddenly drew the Kusanagi Sword and let out a low shout, and a pale blue chakra appeared on the blade.

Chakra Flow!

Hōzuki Mangetsu was slightly astonished. He hadn't expected Shui Yue'er to have mastered Chakra Flow at such a young age; it was truly incredible.

The Hozuki Clan was indeed full of geniuses.

Hōzuki Mangetsu suddenly recalled the scene from the original story where Asuma taught Naruto about nature transformation.

He took the Kusanagi Sword from Shui Yue'er without a word, and a powerful flow of light blue chakra manifested along the blade.

"So amazing!"

Shui Yue'er watched his older brother with admiration.

"This is chakra nature transformation!"

Hōzuki Mangetsu explained, "Right now, you only possess wind and water chakra natures. Wind is the attribute with the greatest offensive power; imbuing it into a ninja tool produces a potent effect."

Nature transformation!

Shui Yue'er murmured the words a few times.

"That's right. The nature transformation of wind chakra feels like something that becomes sharper the more it is honed."

Hōzuki Mangetsu copied the plot verbatim.

In truth, he was not a very good teacher.

The more it is honed, the sharper it becomes!

Shui Yue'er's small face grew solemn, and he continued to mutter to himself.

Hōzuki Mangetsu handed the Kusanagi Sword back to him, leaving him to his own insights.

After all, if someone with Naruto's dull aptitude could grasp it, surely Shui Yue'er, who was much smarter, could do the same?

If Shui Yue'er mastered wind nature transformation and applied it to his ninja tools, it would elevate his combat prowess to an entirely new level.

The next day, Chojuro arrived, and as promised, Hōzuki Mangetsu personally guided the two in their training.

Chojuro and Shui Yue'er were both genius-level ninjas with quick learning capabilities, and they achieved significant progress in just a few short days.

Hōzuki Mangetsu did not hold back, teaching them everything he knew regarding the use of ninja blades.

After all, the two were considered the cream of the crop among the younger generation.

There was little age difference between them, and while Chojuro was slightly stronger than Shui Yue'er, the gap was very limited.

Under Hōzuki Mangetsu's encouragement, the two soon became good friends.