Eight Gates Released Formation, Open!

As Hozuki Mangetsu unleashed the Hidden Mist Technique, dense mist spread across the battlefield, completely engulfing Mu Feng's position.

Mu Feng gripped the short sword he had taken from Kakashi, his Sharingan scanning his surroundings warily.

Having pursued him this time, Mu Feng had no intention of continuing his earlier battle of attrition with Hozuki Mangetsu.

Rather than ninjutsu, the Eight Gates Released Formation combined with the Sharingan was Mu Feng's strongest fighting state.

"Eight Gates Released Formation, first gate, Gate of Life, open!"

Studying his surroundings carefully, Mu Feng soon pinpointed Hozuki Mangetsu's direction with the visual power of his Sharingan.

Without any hesitation, Mu Feng opened the first gate of the Eight Gates Released Formation.

But that clearly still fell far short of enough.

"Second gate, Gate of Healing, open!"

"Third gate, Gate of Life, open!"

"Fourth gate, Gate of Pain, open!"

He opened four gates in one breath. Powerful chakra surged around Mu Feng, and green energy radiated from his body.

The powerful surge of chakra completely dispersed the mist around Mu Feng, startling Hozuki Mangetsu, who was hiding within it.

"Wh-what kind of ninjutsu is this?!"

Facing the Eight Gates Released Formation for the first time, Hozuki Mangetsu's eyes widened.

He could distinctly feel the chakra surging through Mu Feng increasing exponentially. In just a few breaths, Hozuki Mangetsu could already feel a sense of pressure emanating from him.

"How... how is this possible?"

"Even an ordinary Jonin doesn't have this much chakra!"

"And he's nothing but a brat from Konoha!"

Once his shock subsided, Hozuki Mangetsu began to grow wary.

At that moment, he acknowledged deep down that Mu Feng was unquestionably more gifted than Kakashi, whom he had just fought.

He had yet to infiltrate Konoha, but he had already encountered two of its prodigies in succession. A trace of dread crept into Hozuki Mangetsu's heart.

How many young prodigies does Konoha have?

Can Kirigakure really stand against Konoha?

Can our plan for the Chunin Ninja Exams go smoothly?

In Mu Feng, Hozuki Mangetsu seemed to glimpse an invincible Konoha.

"There you are!"

But while Hozuki Mangetsu was distracted, Mu Feng had already locked onto him with his Sharingan.

With four gates open, Mu Feng moved too quickly for an ordinary person to follow.

The instant he spotted Hozuki Mangetsu, Mu Feng dashed forward and appeared before him, White Fang's short sword in hand.

Whoosh!

Startled by Mu Feng's sudden appearance, Hozuki Mangetsu instinctively drew the twin sword Hiramekarei to block him.

Clang!

The two weapons collided with a crisp metallic ring.

Immediately afterward, Hozuki Mangetsu felt tremendous force transmitted through Hiramekarei, a force that actually overpowered him.

Thud, thud!

Forced back two steps in succession, Hozuki Mangetsu wore a look of disbelief.

But Mu Feng gave him no chance to catch his breath. In a flash, he closed in again, swinging the short sword in his hand.

Clang, clang, clang...

Sounds like a smith hammering iron rang through the forest as the short sword and Hiramekarei repeatedly collided in showers of sparks.

Hozuki Mangetsu's swordsmanship was remarkable. Against a ninja Mu Feng's age, he had every confidence in that regard.

And indeed, once Mu Feng closed in, Hozuki Mangetsu's exquisite swordsmanship put him under tremendous pressure. Soon, however, that pressure began to ease, while Hozuki Mangetsu himself grew increasingly unsettled.

He discovered that after opening the Eight Gates Released Formation, Mu Feng swung his sword far faster than he did. Although Mu Feng's swordsmanship was inferior, the frequency of his strikes surpassed Hozuki Mangetsu's, forcing him onto the defensive.

With his Three-Tomoe Sharingan active, Mu Feng only had to fight Hozuki Mangetsu for a short while before he began analyzing his moves and even learning his swordsmanship.

Shing-

Finally, after a period of deadlock, Mu Feng found an opening.

The short sword in his hand became a streak of white light, sweeping straight through a gap in Hiramekarei toward Hozuki Mangetsu's waist.

But just as the blade was about to touch his waist, Hozuki Mangetsu's entire body suddenly turned transparent. Then, with a splash, he became a mass of water.

The Hydrification Technique! The Hozuki Clan's kekkei genkai.

Having turned into water, Hozuki Mangetsu immediately retreated. Only after putting some distance between himself and Mu Feng did he return to his original form.

"You little Konoha brat, you actually forced me this far! But this is where it ends!"

A vicious glint flashed in Hozuki Mangetsu's eyes. Clearly, being forced to use his kekkei genkai had angered him.

If word spread that a ninja brat of only seven or eight had driven him this far, it would not only disgrace Hozuki Mangetsu and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist-even Kirigakure itself would be looked down upon.

Across from him, Mu Feng frowned as he watched Hozuki Mangetsu regain his human form.

As expected, four gates aren't enough to deal with this guy!

The Hydrification Technique is troublesome too. But if I remember correctly, it should be vulnerable to that!

Mu Feng began calculating inwardly. Forcing Hozuki Mangetsu to use the Hydrification Technique in their exchange had given him a clear understanding of his opponent's strength.

After weighing things up, a sharp gleam flashed in Mu Feng's eyes.

I can kill him. It's worth a try!

With that, the chakra inside Mu Feng began to surge.

"Eight Gates Released Formation, fifth gate, Gate of Limit, open!"

Boom!

Another powerful surge of energy erupted. With the Gate of Limit open, the chakra within Mu Feng rushed like a flood. His blood began to vaporize, and the glow of energy around his body grew even more intense.

"He can get even stronger?"

Hozuki Mangetsu stared at Mu Feng in shock. In this state, a faint stinging sensation prickled between his brows, and his entire body sounded warning after warning. Clearly, with five gates open, Mu Feng could now threaten his life.

Gripping the twin sword Hiramekarei tightly, Hozuki Mangetsu even felt an urge to flee the battlefield. But their earlier exchange had made it clear that Mu Feng's speed in this state would give him no chance to escape.

This state can't last! I only need to dodge his initial attacks. After that, it'll be easy!

Watching Mu Feng, Hozuki Mangetsu also knew that the Eight Gates Released Formation was a secret technique. It would not last long and would damage the user's body. He only needed to stall for a while and wait for Mu Feng's condition to deteriorate, then he could finish him off with ease.

And against physical attacks like these, Hozuki Mangetsu had a measure of confidence, because he was immune to them while in his liquid state.

Now, Hozuki Mangetsu was ready to face Mu Feng's attack. He could enter his liquid state at any moment.

He looked toward Mu Feng, and in the next instant, his pupils abruptly contracted.

"So fast!"

Mu Feng launched his attack!