Chapter 209. Hōzuki Mangetsu’s Swift Defeat

Chapter 209 - 209. Hōzuki Mangetsu's Swift DefeatEarly Morning The sound of knocking woke Hanekawa from his sleep. He quickly opened her eyes and stepped out of the tent. "Lord Hanekawa." A young Chūnin stood outside, knocking on the door. His task was to wake up the ninjas participating in today's attack on the Kirigakure stronghold at 4 AM. "Is Sensei awake?" Hanekawa asked with a slight nod. "I don't know," the young Chūnin explained. "Lady Tsunade said to wake her last." "You don't need to go. I'll do it," Hanekawa decided after a brief thought. "Understood," the young Chūnin replied and turned to wake the other ninjas. "Sensei," Hanekawa called out in front of Tsunade's tent. "Come in." After a brief pause, Tsunade's voice came from inside. Hanekawa stepped in. Tsunade, who had slept in her clothes, was already awake, yawning while lying on the carpet. Her long, golden hair was in disarray, and combined with her lazy movements, she appeared particularly relaxed. After stretching for a few seconds, Tsunade stood up, arching her back in a lazy stretch, causing her clothes to outline her figure. Hanekawa blinked. It was definitely worth coming to wake Tsunade up. "What are you looking at, brat?" Tsunade noticed his gaze. "Sensei," Hanekawa said seriously. "You're truly beautiful." Tsunade was momentarily stunned. The drowsiness from just waking up vanished instantly. She hadn't expected Hanekawa to be so honest and bold. For some reason, instead of feeling annoyed, Tsunade was actually a little pleased. "I'm your teacher." Tsunade walked forward and flicked his forehead. "Can't a student compliment their teacher?" Hanekawa asked, catching her soft, slender hand. Tsunade's heart trembled slightly, and she instinctively withdrew her hand. Looking outside the tent, she said, "It's time to leave. Don't waste time." With that, Tsunade stepped out of the tent. The sky was still dark, with only a faint hint of dawn. The ninjas from Konoha and Sunagakure participating in this mission had all gathered. Seven ninja squads—twenty-eight ninjas in total—with more than half being Jōnin. The reason was simple. This was an ambush mission. There were bound to be traps outside the Kirigakure stronghold. The stronger the ninja, the easier it was to detect and evade traps, ensuring a successful sneak attack. "Time is tight. Eat while moving," Tsunade instructed the group. "We'll have a feast after we win the battle!" "Yes!" The twenty-eight ninjas responded in unison. Tsunade glanced at Hanekawa before turning and leading the group away from the base. Moving at high speed, they reached the coast in about half an hour. "I have an idea for the ambush," Hanekawa said, looking at the island in the distant sea. "What is it?" Tsunade, who was contemplating the best landing point, instinctively asked. "I'll use Water Release: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave to create massive waves, and you all can follow behind them to attack." After speaking, Hanekawa noticed everyone looking at him in shock. He hesitated for a moment and asked, "Is that a no?" "How is that a sneak attack?" Tsunade couldn't help but retort. The other ninjas nodded in agreement. "Why wouldn't it be?" Hanekawa cleared his throat and asked. "This kind of sneak attack... probably only you in the entire ninja world could pull it off," Tsunade chuckled. Water Release: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave consumed an immense amount of chakra. Most ninjas couldn't even use this Water Release technique. In fact, in the original story, only Tobirama Senju and Kisame Hoshigaki had ever used it. "Let's begin." Tsunade's smile faded, and she spoke in a serious tone. "Let's give them a surprise." "Alright." Hanekawa nodded, forming hand seals. A massive amount of chakra surged within him, gathering in his throat. Taking a deep breath, Hanekawa leaned back and then exhaled a torrent of water. The water cascaded into the vast sea, instantly stirring the surface into towering waves over ten meters high—one after another. The others watched in astonishment. Especially the ninjas who had never seen Hanekawa use Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave before—stunned by the sheer power of his Water Release. "Go!" Tsunade leaped onto the massive wave, rushing toward the island. The others quickly snapped out of their daze and followed. The wave moved at an incredible speed, crossing half the distance before the Kirigakure sentry ninjas noticed it. "What is that?" "Why is there such a huge wave?" "Is it an earthquake?" "Quick! Sound the alarm!" The patrolling Kirigakure ninjas shouted in alarm and hurriedly activated the warning system. It was 4:30 AM—most of the ninjas were still asleep. By the time they woke up and rushed to the stronghold's entrance, the giant wave had already arrived. Screams erupted. Many Genin and Chūnin, unable to react in time, were knocked unconscious by the overwhelming force of the water. The Jōnin of Kirigakure quickly used defensive jutsu—water walls and earth barriers rose, barely managing to carve out a safe zone. Hōzuki Mangetsu was among them. However, being a master of water-based techniques, he blended seamlessly into the water, his body turning liquid and merging with the waves. Just then, he spotted Tsunade and the Konoha ninjas. "Watch out! It's Konoha's forces!" Hōzuki Mangetsu shouted, but it was already too late. Tsunade charged into the crowd and stomped down. With her as the epicenter, the sheer force of the impact cracked the ground, sending debris flying in all directions. The ninjas near her were first flung backward by the shockwave, then struck by the scattered debris, causing blood to splatter. Tsunade's full-powered Heavenly Kick of Pain instantly incapacitated more than a dozen Kirigakure ninjas. The other Konoha and Sunagakure ninjas unleashed their own abilities— The slicing force of wind, the scorching blaze of fire, the electrifying speed of lightning, the terrain-shaping power of earth— A chaotic mix of jutsu turned the battlefield into a storm of blood and destruction. The battle had begun—merciless and brutal. "Damn it!" Hōzuki Mangetsu's eyes widened in fury. The sight of fallen comrades and the overwhelming scent of blood ignited his rage. Just as he prepared to counterattack, blinding lightning flashed before his eyes. Not good! A chill ran down his spine as he instinctively reverted to his solid form. His Hydrification Technique made him immune to physical attacks, but if he was hit by Lightning Release, he'd be completely vulnerable. Body Flicker Technique! Hōzuki Mangetsu barely dodged as several lightning spears streaked toward him. He turned toward the attacker, his expression darkening. "You're Hanekawa?" he asked cautiously. Though he had never met Hanekawa before, the young ninja's distinct traits were unmistakable— 1. He was young. 2. He was exceptionally handsome. 3. He was absurdly strong. The person before him matched all three. "I am," Hanekawa said with a smile. "I heard you were looking for me?" Hōzuki Mangetsu was taken aback. Though he was considered a genius in Kirigakure, his reputation in the ninja world wasn't widespread—unlike Hanekawa, whose name was well known. That Hanekawa recognized him was surprising. Clearly, he had underestimated how much a teacher cared about his students. "I was indeed looking for you," Hōzuki Mangetsu admitted. Then he asked, "Do you have the Seven Ninja Swords of the Mist with you?" "I do," Hanekawa replied, raising an eyebrow. "Good!" Hōzuki Mangetsu suddenly shouted, "Then return them to me now!" In an instant, his body vanished and reappeared in front of Hanekawa. Water Release: Super Water Arm Technique! His muscles bulged, his arms swelling with explosive power. A powerful gust of wind surged as he punched forward, unleashing a shockwave. Superhuman Strength! Hanekawa watched the incoming fist and responded with a punch of his own. Fist met fist— A terrifying force surged back through their arms. Hōzuki Mangetsu's expression changed drastically. A scream escaped his lips as he was sent flying backward, completely out of control. Hanekawa shook his head. The Super Water Arm Technique was indeed a powerful secret technique of the Hōzuki Clan. But compared to raw Superhuman Strength, it was still inferior. Of course, the main reason for the gap was that Hōzuki Mangetsu hadn't fully matured. Additionally, half of his talent was invested in swordsmanship rather than pure physical strength. In the original story, during the Fourth Great Ninja War, he was revived with Edo Tensei, but without his swords, his combat power was greatly diminished. His only real trump card was the Hydrification Technique, which, unfortunately, was countered by Hanekawa's Lightning Release. "Unbelievable!" Hōzuki Mangetsu struggled to stand, gritting his teeth in pain. Determined, he pulled out two swords. They resembled the Twin Swords: Hiramekarei, with a broad, flat blade structure. Like an arrow released from a bowstring, Hōzuki Mangetsu dashed toward Hanekawa, striking from both sides. Clang! Hanekawa parried the left sword with his Thunderflame Sword, then followed through with a strike that knocked the right sword aside. A sharp numbness ran through Hōzuki Mangetsu's arms. He was utterly shocked— What was this strength?! Earlier, he could at least attribute it to Superhuman Strength, but now? Even in his normal state, Hanekawa had such raw power? Konoha-Style Kenjutsu: Willow! Hanekawa retreated slightly, his movements turning fluid and unpredictable. In his hands, the Thunderflame Sword flashed, splitting into countless afterimages. Hōzuki Mangetsu instinctively widened his eyes, but he still couldn't distinguish which sword shadow was the real attack. Just as he was about to raise his twin blades, he suddenly realized—his body couldn't move. Genjutsu? When did this happen? There was no time to think—he hurriedly broke free from the illusion. At that moment, a cold flash of light appeared—Hanekawa's Thunderflame Sword was already in front of him. He felt that in the next second, he would lose his life. Hydrification Technique! At the very last moment, Hōzuki Mangetsu dissolved into water. The Thunderflame Sword passed through, missing its target. He let out a sigh of relief. But just then— A piercing chirping sound echoed. Chidori Nagashi! Lightning surged across Hanekawa's entire body, then spread outward. Hōzuki Mangetsu could only watch helplessly as the lightning engulfed him. A scream rang out. His body reappeared— But he had been electrocuted into unconsciousness. Hanekawa didn't kill him—after all, he still needed to learn the Hydrification Technique from him. In fact, there was no need to kill him. Because in the original story, Hōzuki Mangetsu died young—he only lived to seventeen. In other words, within two years, he would die anyway. Hanekawa stepped forward and formed a hand seal. Four Limbs Sealing Technique! A surge of chakra covered Hōzuki Mangetsu, sealing his strength. Hanekawa was worried that he might wake up and escape using his Hydrification Technique. With Hōzuki Mangetsu secured, Hanekawa rejoined the battle. Though this stronghold had several Jōnin, none were a match for Tsunade or Hanekawa. In less than thirty minutes, Konoha and Sunagakure secured victory and took control of the island. Kirigakure, on the other hand, suffered over seventy casualties. — "This is Hōzuki Mangetsu?" Tsunade glanced at the white-haired boy at Hanekawa's feet. The other ninjas were already cleaning up the battlefield. But as the commander, she could openly slack off. Hanekawa didn't comment—after all, he was slacking off too. "Yeah, it's him." Hanekawa nodded. "How strong is he?" Tsunade asked casually. "Not bad." After a brief thought, Hanekawa evaluated, "One of the best among his peers." Hōzuki Mangetsu's Hydrification Technique was extremely useful. As long as he didn't face a Lightning Release user, he had a huge advantage. Even if he couldn't win, he could at least stall for time. Unfortunately for him, he encountered Hanekawa. A perfect counter in every way. This battle made Hanekawa realize the benefit of learning multiple jutsu— No matter how tricky an opponent's technique was, he could always find a way to counter it. "You're also his peer," Tsunade reminded him with a smirk. "It feels like you guys don't see me that way anymore," Hanekawa replied with a playful blink. "Don't get cocky!" Tsunade rolled her eyes and warned, "Always stay vigilant." "Yes, Sensei," Hanekawa tilted his head and replied. "Alright, pack up—we're heading back to base." Tsunade smiled again. "Once Yagura realizes what happened, we'll be surrounded by a wave of Kirigakure ninjas." "Understood." Hanekawa casually lifted Hōzuki Mangetsu with chakra. "You planning to trade him for something with Kirigakure?" Tsunade asked curiously. "No." Hanekawa shook his head. "I want to learn the Hōzuki Clan's Water Release techniques." "That's so like you." Tsunade sighed. "Only you would be able to learn so many jutsu." Most ninjas had limits. Many spent their entire lives mastering just one elemental release. After cleaning up the battlefield, the group quickly withdrew. — An hour later, Yagura and his forces arrived—too late. "Lord Mizukage." Ao surveyed the scene and reported, "Tsunade and Hanekawa led the attack." He recognized the deep craters left by Heavenly Kick of Pain. Aside from superhuman strength, the island was covered in water— Very few ninjas could accomplish this. Among Konoha and Sunagakure's forces, only Hanekawa had such water manipulation abilities. "They've gone too far!" A young Kirigakure ninja seethed in anger. Meanwhile, Mei Terumi spaced out slightly when she heard Hanekawa's name. She once again recalled the black fishnet stockings he had taken from her. "Lord Mizukage, one more thing—I didn't find Hōzuki Mangetsu's body." Ao speculated, "He might have been captured." Yagura felt a headache coming on. The Hōzuki Clan was one of the great clans of Kirigakure. With Hōzuki Mangetsu missing, he had to give them an explanation. "Clean up the stronghold, collect the bodies, and withdraw," Yagura ordered after a brief silence. S~eaʀᴄh the novёlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ___ Taking a week off