During the journey to the Land of Bears, the former Mist Ninja sparred several times.
Even Obito couldn't make these unruly Mist Ninja behave and stay quiet. He and the others were happy to watch them fight, though, since it offered a better chance to assess their strength.
Of these missing-nin, Zabuza was naturally the weakest, and he also had the smallest chakra reserves.
Who was strongest remained open to debate. Juzo Biwa and Kisame seemed evenly matched, while Hozuki Mangetsu, despite being the youngest, carried two ninja blades and had mastered the Hozuki Clan's secret technique.
After the Second Mizukage's refinements, the power of the Hozuki Clan's secret technique had approached that of a kekkei genkai.
Thus, the youngest-looking of them, Hozuki Mangetsu, might well have been the strongest Mist Ninja in the Akatsuki.
Even now, Zou Hyuga was still puzzled as to why Hozuki Mangetsu had joined Obito. Still, any Mist Ninja who had lived through the Blood Mist regime was more or less sick in the head.
Zabuza, that ruthless bastard, had even killed every other graduate, forcing Kirigakure to change its rules.
Before long, the members of the Akatsuki boarded a ferry bound for the Land of Water, ready to cross the sea.
As they passed through the mist over the coastal waters, Juzo Biwa and Hozuki Mangetsu turned their attention to Zou Hyuga. Kisame's behavior made it clear that he had been Zou Hyuga's subordinate all these years.
Zou Hyuga was certainly exceptionally strong, but they were very interested in how he had brought the unruly Kisame into his service.
Ignoring their stares, Zou Hyuga took out a fishing rod and cast his bait into the sea.
Inside Kirigakure's base.
Having finished her daily practice, Mei Terumi slowly left the training room, wiping away