Chapter 42: Hozuki Mangetsu: I Can’t Win, I Really Can’t!

Words : 1436 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

Grandmaster-Level Body Flicker Technique! Ryoho Kyohiko set down his sword and sat on the ground, meditating. "Precision, perfect control, combat experience in various scenarios..." Countless memories flooded his mind. Kyohiko’s head throbbed with pain. He endured it for a while. Gradually, the pain subsided. Then, Kyohiko felt a bit lost. The upgrade’s description didn’t seem very clear? Combat experience? What good was it if he couldn’t react in time? After some hesitation, he got up and started testing. First, the basics... Body Flicker! Whoosh! In an instant, he appeared in another location. Kyohiko carefully analyzed the sensation. The speed was fast, likely reaching the limits of his body and chakra. But just this alone didn’t feel significantly different. Wait... Let’s try again! He grabbed a blindfold, covered his eyes, and created a shadow clone to attack him. After days of training, he had developed a basic ability to sense his surroundings through sound, and his reflexes had improved significantly. The moment the shadow clone attacked... Kyohiko heard it. In that instant, he reacted, using the Body Flicker Technique to dodge. What was this? Kyohiko was utterly shocked. He could feel that his body seemed to have undergone countless hours of training and practice with this technique. In the blink of an eye, as soon as he heard the sound, he knew where the enemy was and instinctively reacted. He tried several times. Then, Kyohiko confirmed that he had indeed gained enhanced auditory perception and sharper reflexes. In fact. At that moment, as soon as he had the thought, his body had already moved. This was a comprehensive improvement! However. Kyohiko understood clearly. This meant he couldn’t fully control such extreme speed, so he relied on his body’s instincts and various techniques to achieve instantaneous reactions. If he were like Namikaze Minato, who already had the physical capability to react at such speeds, what kind of evolution would that lead to? Perhaps something similar to Shisui’s abilities, but for now, he had no way of knowing. "It’s fine. I can develop combined techniques on my own. Combat experience and reflexes are the most valuable!" Kyohiko exhaled. Then, he pondered his next steps in training. The Grandmaster-Level Body Flicker Technique wasn’t invincible. It required him to first gather information, then consciously react, with his body responding almost simultaneously. If an enemy could launch a completely silent sneak attack, his body wouldn’t be able to dodge on its own. At its core, it was still a technique, not a passive ability of the body. Still. Even just the improvement in evasion and reaction awareness brought him tremendous benefits. Kyohiko took a deep breath, calming his excitement, and his thoughts gradually became clearer. Next step— Continue training, strengthen his physique! What he lacked now was a stronger body. Once his physical capabilities improved, the upper limit of his Body Flicker Technique would also increase. "Next, keep running and practicing with the sword." Kyohiko packed up. He removed the training equipment from the yard. Time to go running! ... It had been a while since Kyohiko had left the house, and he felt a bit out of place. Wearing weights, he relied on his own strength to run laps around the village. Before long, a familiar figure caught up from behind. "Hey! My eternal rival, you’re finally back!" After a moment, Might Gai quickly overtook him, running backward. "Why aren’t you answering me?" Kyohiko was confused. "Were you talking to me?" "Ugh! You and Kakashi really are from the same team. Your speaking styles are so similar!" Might Gai sighed. "Isn’t Kakashi your eternal rival?" Kyohiko asked, puzzled. Might Gai grinned. "Can’t I have more than one rival? You and Kakashi are both my eternal rivals!" Then, he suddenly returned to running normally. "By the way, are you participating in this year’s Chunin Exams? It’s a bit special this year, so I wanted to ask if you’re joining." "Chunin Exams? Special?" Kyohiko was surprised. Might Gai nodded. "Yeah, didn’t Lord Jiraiya tell you?" "I haven’t seen Teacher in many days." Even at the hot springs, Kyohiko hadn’t seen Jiraiya. He guessed Jiraiya had left the village to handle the "alliance" matters. Might Gai paused, then understood. "No wonder! Lord Jiraiya must be busy. Well, this year’s Chunin Exams are special. My teacher said they’re being held jointly with Kumogakure and Kirigakure. The Kirigakure envoys are already in the village." As he spoke. A cold snort came from nearby. "Kyohiko, I finally found you!" The voice sounded somewhat familiar. Kyohiko looked over and raised an eyebrow, a faint smile appearing on his face. "Mangetsu, are you here to thank my teacher for inviting you to Konoha as a guest?" "Hmph!" Hozuki Mangetsu snorted coldly. His gaze was icy as he stared at Kyohiko. "Will you be participating in this Chunin Exam?" "Who knows? Maybe, maybe not." Kyohiko shrugged. "How have you been lately?" Hozuki Mangetsu’s lips curled into a cruel smile. "Thanks to you, I’ve been very busy. If you don’t participate in the Chunin Exams, I’ll make sure to repay Konoha’s other participants!" With that, his figure suddenly vanished. However. The moment Hozuki Mangetsu reappeared, Kyohiko swung his fist toward the space behind him. Splash! Hozuki Mangetsu’s head exploded, but he still threw a punch at Kyohiko. The Water Release Technique made him immune to physical attacks! But. In the next moment, Hozuki Mangetsu’s punch hit nothing. What? In an instant, his face showed shock. By the time Hozuki Mangetsu realized what had happened, Kyohiko’s figure had already disappeared. Was this a clone technique? No! It wasn’t a clone. It was just that Kyohiko’s speed was so fast that his eyes couldn’t keep up, creating an afterimage! Hozuki Mangetsu’s breath hitched. The next moment, his head and lower body were shattered again. Above, it was Might Gai’s flying kick. Below... It was Kyohiko’s foot. Might Gai was surprised to find that Kyohiko had somehow appeared behind Hozuki Mangetsu. Such speed! And. The Kirigakure ninja hadn’t even reacted... "Attacking a Konoha ninja? Do you want to extend your stay in Konoha?" Hozuki Mangetsu didn’t answer. He wasn’t being arrogant—he was utterly shocked. This guy! His reflexes and attack speed were even faster than before! After being tortured by that mad scientist for over ten days, this Kyohiko had actually gotten stronger! How was this possible? Was this guy even human? For the first time, Hozuki Mangetsu felt that his talent had been overshadowed. The only thing he was grateful for was that, no matter how strong Kyohiko was, he couldn’t kill him— If it weren’t for the Water Release Technique, he would have died already! At that moment, on a high platform near the Konoha Hospital. "Tsunade." "Hmm?" "That kid over there, the one dealing with the Kirigakure ninja, seems to be your junior." Orochimaru’s voice was hoarse. Tsunade immediately focused her gaze and then chuckled. Kyohiko! This kid... Wait? Tsunade’s eyes narrowed as she observed more closely. She sensed a surge of powerful chakra from Kyohiko, followed by him shattering Hozuki Mangetsu’s upper body with a single punch. Such speed! Could it be? Had he improved this quickly? She was deeply shocked, her eyes filled with amazement. Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. "For his age, such speed is already remarkable. This kid reminds me of the Second Hokage." "The Senju bloodline and talent shine brightly in him once again. It’s truly astonishing and nostalgic! No wonder you chose to return to the village and compete for the Hokage position!" Even Orochimaru couldn’t help but praise— No wonder Jiraiya often boasted that his student was like a second Senju Tobirama. Such terrifying talent! "It’s not about bloodlines. It’s just his hard work. Talent only played a small part." Despite her words, Tsunade couldn’t stop smiling. Then, her smile stiffened, and she snorted. "As for competing for Hokage, if it weren’t for the old man and the others, this kid’s talent would have been recognized much earlier! I’m competing for Hokage to protect their healthy growth!" "Back then, Senju Touka’s genjutsu was renowned throughout the ninja world. The scrolls she left behind, like the Second Hokage’s, are of great research value." Orochimaru said. Tsunade sneered. "After all these years, what have you achieved? With the combined genjutsu scrolls of my uncle and aunt, after years of research, you haven’t even produced a single ninja who can use the Darkness Genjutsu!" Orochimaru fell silent. Because, indeed, Konoha currently had no ninja who could use the Darkness Genjutsu. Just as Tsunade was about to criticize their incompetence further, she suddenly paused and vanished in a shunshin.

Chapter 42: Hozuki Mangetsu: I Can’t Win, I Really Can’t!

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