The Hidden Mist Blacksmith, forging the glory of the Ninja Sword Style!

"Yes."

Hozuki Kazuhiko smiled.

"I didn't expect this master blacksmith to forge another new ninja tool so quickly. This is truly something to be happy about. Has the Mizukage said which member of our Hozuki clan should go over?"

"That's what the ANBU ninja said."

"Lord Mizukage said that Hozuki Mangetsu is a genius of the Hozuki clan, and his talent in Water Release must be exceptional."

"Also, you could give it a try to be a lively Hozuki clan ninja."

Hozuki Kazuhiko nodded.

"I understand. What about the time and place?"

"Tomorrow night, Mizukage Island. Lord Mizukage has already arranged a place."

"it is good."

The ANBU ninja left.

What the ANBU ninja didn't know was that after he left, Hozuki Kazuhiko's smile immediately vanished, replaced by a complex and somewhat subtle expression.

Hozuki Kazuhiko glanced to the side.

"Hold a family meeting."

"Yes, Mr. Patriarch."

Soon, the high-ranking members of the Hozuki clan gathered together.

"Everyone."

Hozuki Kazuhiko looked around and said, "A member of the Anbu ninja just came by and said that the head of the forging department, that is, the young blacksmith, has forged a new ninja tool."

"This ninja tool requires a high level of Water Release talent from the ninja, so the Mizukage ordered our Hozuki clan to go and try it out, especially the Full Moon."

Like Hozuki Kazuhiko, the members of the Hozuki clan did not seem to be surprised by the news.

The fact that other ninja tools crafted by Uehara Shu have already proven that Uehara Shu's forging products are of high quality is undeniable.

Having such a ninja tool can enhance one's strength.

This is a good thing for users.

In other words, this is a good thing for the current Hozuki clan.

That's what the Third Mizukage thought.

For the declining Hozuki clan, the opportunity to use such a ninja tool would be irresistible.

A middle-aged man frowned.

"Clan leader, could it be that Lord Mizukage has discovered our intentions and wants to use this to thwart our plans?"

Hozuki Kazuhiko remained silent for a while.

"This possibility cannot be ruled out."

The middle-aged man immediately stood up.

"I absolutely cannot accept such a thing."

"Originally, the Seven Ninja Swords of Kirigakure belonged to our Hozuki clan."

"These are ninja tools created during Lord Huan Yue's term of office."

"The master blacksmith who forged the Seven Ninja Swords of Kirigakure is also considered a member of our Hozuki clan."

"You think you can make us give up on retrieving the Seven Ninja Swords of the Hidden Mist with just a mere ninja tool? That's impossible."

"It was only because the village needed it that our Hozuki clan contributed our ninja swords so that other villagers could use them and enhance the village's overall strength."

"But what was the result?"

"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist suffered a crushing defeat, with four of them dying."

“Juzo Biwa has given up the Executioner’s Blade.”

"The Black Hoshi Raiga was completely defeated, and the Raiga actually fell into the hands of Taketori Hikaru. Not long after, Taketori Hikaru was killed."

"Even Suigetsu Hozuki couldn't unleash Samehada's full potential."

"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist have tarnished the reputation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."

"It is time to return all the Seven Ninja Swords of Kirigakure to our Hozuki clan."

"Only members of our Hozuki clan can unleash the full power of the Seven Ninja Swords of Kirigakure."

"Our Hozuki clan has sacrificed so much for the village."

“It’s time for us to think about ourselves.”

"Reclaim the Seven Ninja Swords of the Hidden Mist, and restore Hozuki's glory!"

The middle-aged man's words were echoed by many people present.

Many people in the Hozuki clan think this way.

The Seven Hidden Mist Sects were founded by Hozuki Gengetsu.

The Seven Ninja Swords of the Hidden Mist were created during Hozuki Gengetsu's tenure.

The master blacksmith who forged the Seven Ninja Swords of Kirigakure, and related to the Hozuki clan.

The great blacksmith's wife was a member of the Hozuki clan.

So, this is something that belongs to the Hozuki clan.

Previously, the Hozuki clan was generous enough to offer up the Seven Ninja Swords of Kirigakure for the sake of the village.

But now, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, chosen by the village, have suffered heavy losses.

Moreover, no more suitable candidate can be selected in a short period of time.

Therefore, this is the best opportunity to reclaim the Seven Ninja Swords of the Hidden Mist.

The Hozuki clan also needs the Seven Ninja Swords of Kirigakure to enhance their strength.

Some people hold different opinions, but in the face of such a powerful family faction, they dare not speak out.

Hozuki Kazuhiko nodded.

"good."

"Many people say that the Kaguya clan is similar to the Uchiha clan of Konoha, but isn't our Hozuki clan similar to the Senju clan of Konoha?"

"As one of the founding ninja clans of Kirigakure, we have made a great contribution to this village."

"The Senju clan, for the sake of Konoha, was willing to give up their surname and integrate the entire clan into the common people of Konoha, sacrificing one clan to make Konoha better."

"Our Hozuki clan is willing to offer up the Seven Ninja Swords of the Mist for the sake of Kirigakure, allowing other ninjas to use them, sacrificing the interests of our Hozuki clan to benefit the entire Kirigakure."

"But look at the Senju clan now, what has become of them?"

How many people in Konoha still remember the name Senju?

"The direct descendants of Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju have almost all disappeared."

"The only remaining Tsunade has left Konoha."

"This is the fate of the Senju clan."

"Our Hozuki clan is also on this path. If we don't take back the Seven Ninja Swords of Kirigakure, the strength of our Hozuki clan will continue to decline. Then the Senju of Konoha today will be us tomorrow."

"We cannot let this happen."

An elderly man hesitated.

"But I'm afraid the clan leader and the Mizukage will not agree."

"His consent is not required."

Hozuki Kazuhiko said, "I have decided to unseal that summoning scroll."

"But if that's the case, I'm afraid the Mizukage will target us. If the Mizukage treats us like he treated the Kaguya clan, what will become of our Hozuki clan?"

As a high-ranking member of the Hozuki clan, he is aware of the truth about the Kaguya clan.

It wasn't just the actions of the bamboo cutter cat alone.

Rather, it was the Mizukage's actions against the Kaguya clan.

Hozuki Kazuhiko shook his head.

"I know the Mizukage's personality; he is indeed radical, ruthless, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him cruel."

"But precisely because the incident involving the Kaguya clan has only just happened, it is impossible for Lord Mizukage to adopt the same strategy against our Hozuki clan."

"That would cause all the other ninja clans in Kirigakure to distrust him."

"The Hidden Mist Village will collapse."

"This is not the outcome he wanted to see."

"Furthermore, what we did was completely reasonable."

"What the bamboo tug clan did is completely different from what they did."

"Lord Mizukage is angry, and it's unavoidable."

“It doesn’t make sense for them to attack us directly.”

Hozuki Kazuhiko paused for a moment as he spoke.

"In fact, I didn't want it to be so fast either. I originally wanted to wait until the Mizukage stepped down before doing this, so as to minimize the impact of the matter."

"The old water shadow has abdicated, and the new water shadow has not yet taken over."

"That timing was the best."

"But now, I have to do it ahead of time."

"Lord Mizukage has likely already sensed our intentions. He gave us one of that young blacksmith's ninja tools. If we accept it, we won't have a strong enough position to reclaim the Seven Ninja Swords of Kirigakure."

"At that time, Lord Mizukage could find a reason to stop us."

"Therefore, we cannot accept that ninja tool."