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

However, Hozuki Kazuhiko's behavior that night immediately worsened Ao's impression of the Hozuki clan.

Ghost lamp Kazuhiko is too arrogant.

The bamboo-harvesting clan was also arrogant.

However, the two are slightly different.

The way the bamboo twig behaves is more like that of a nouveau riche, swearing and behaving savagely, and looking down on those who are inferior to them in strength and power.

The Hozuki clan, on the other hand, doesn't appear so arrogant on the surface, but deep down they look down on others.

Now, Hozuki Mangetsu's performance makes Ao feel that he is much better than Hozuki Kazuhiko.

Before long, Uehara arrived.

"Senior Xiu."

Hozuki Mangetsu quickly got up.

"Ghost Lantern Full Moon?"

Uehara Shu looked at Hozuki Mangetsu.

He was about eight or nine years old, not even ten. In other worlds, he might still be a child, but in this world, at this age, he was already considered a ninja.

In the neighboring Konoha, Itachi Uchiha went to the battlefield when he was only four or five years old.

It looks somewhat similar to the appearance of Hozuki Suigetsu in Uehara Osamu's memory.

But the hair color is slightly different.

In addition, he seems to have a much calmer personality.

"Yes, I am Hozuki Mangetsu."

"sit down."

Uehara Osamu gestured for Hozuki Mangetsu to sit down, and then sat down himself.

But Hozuki Mangetsu bowed and apologized to Uehara Shu first.

"Senior Xiu, I am very sorry. The Hozuki clan has done something very bad. On behalf of the Hozuki clan, I would like to apologize to you, Senior Xiu. We are very sorry."

Uehara Osamu waved his hand.

"Don't rush to apologize. Your Hozuki clan only made the choice you wanted. My ninja tools are not necessarily meant for your Hozuki clan to use."

"Furthermore, Hozuki Mangetsu, if I may be so bold, you don't represent the Hozuki clan either."

Hozuki Mangetsu's expression froze, and then his face darkened.

Uehara Osamu said, "Things have come to this point, there's no need to say too much."

"Given the current situation, if your Hozuki clan forcibly takes back the Seven Ninja Swords and forms the Seven Hozuki, it basically means you're cutting off all ties with my ninja tools."

"For me, this is actually no loss at all."

"It's just that in the future, the Zanpakuto I forge will be in some competition with the Seven Ninja Swords of your Hozuki clan."

"The Shinigami Squad and your Seven Hozuki Members will also have a certain degree of competition."

"However, this is the freedom of your Hozuki clan."

There's no need for you to apologize to me.

"If you really think that the Hozuki clan did something wrong and you want to apologize to me and make amends, then do me a favor."

Hozuki Mangetsu paused for a moment.

"Senior Xiu, what can I do for you?"

"Based on my speculation, this newly crafted ninja tool of mine might be a good fit for the ninjas of your Hozuki clan, but your Hozuki clan has refused it."

Uehara Osamu said, "Then, I can no longer give ninja tools to the Hozuki clan ninjas. However, I want to test whether my speculation is correct."

"I need a few members of the Hozuki clan to conduct this test."

Hozuki Mangetsu hesitated for a moment.

"Senior Xiu, the test is no problem, but given the current situation, I estimate I can only bring myself. By the way, Senior Xiu, may I ask how the test is conducted?"

Osamu Uehara answered.

"All you need to do is touch my ninja tool."

Hozuki Mangetsu's eyes flickered.

"Does it have to be a ninja?"

"No need, it doesn't have to be a ninja."

"Besides me, I can bring my younger brother, but I can't bring anyone else."

Hozuki Mangetsu said, "The vast majority of members of the Hozuki clan share the same idea as the clan leader: they all want to rebuild the clan's glory with the help of the Seven Ninja Swords."

"If the Hozuki clan comes into contact with you, Senior Shu, or your ninja tools, the Hozuki clan will likely become the target of everyone's hatred. Therefore, they have a certain degree of resistance to you, Senior Shu, and your ninja tools."

Uehara Osamu nodded.

"Okay, just the two of you. I'm just doing a test."

When are you planning to arrive?

"I've been quite busy lately, so if we don't schedule a time in advance, you might have to wait even longer than today."

Hozuki Mangetsu thought for a moment.

"Senior Xiu, let's do it today. I'll bring my younger brother over later."

Chapter 97 Nautilus Contract Successful

Ao watched as Hozuki Mangetsu's figure receded into the distance.

"The Hozuki clan wants to privatize the Seven Ninja Swords in order to strengthen their own power, using the Second Hokage's name and the relationship between that great blacksmith and the Hozuki clan as justification."

"They know that doing this will offend people."

"Therefore, not daring to further provoke public anger, they instead showed a rejection of Xiu's ninja tools."

For a moment, Qing felt a pang of sadness.

"I never imagined that the Hozuki clan, which was so powerful under the leadership of the Second Hozuki, would resort to such methods to enhance its strength now."

"If these members of the Hozuki clan were to see the Second Hozuki again, they would probably be ashamed to death."

Ao looked at Uehara Shu.

"Speaking of which, they were able to use such methods thanks to you, Xiu."

“If it weren’t for the ninja tools you created, even if the Hozuki clan had such thoughts, they would never have dared to do it. The rest of the village would never have agreed.”

"The Mizukage would never agree to that."

"It's only because of the ninja tools you created that the other ninjas in the village don't have to keep an eye on the Seven Ninja Swords, which is why they can barely tolerate the Hozuki clan's actions."

"If someone is dissatisfied, they might target others secretly, but they won't directly break off relations."

Not long after, Hozuki Mangetsu returned to the Forging Island.

Hozuki Mangetsu is holding a little boy in his arms.

He was curiously looking around.

"Senior Xiu."

Uehara Osamu nodded.

"Then let's get started."

As soon as he finished speaking, Uehara Shu took the nautilus shell out of his pocket and placed it on the table.

Uehara Osamu said, "All you need to do is touch it with your fingers."

"Yes, Senior Xiu."

Hozuki Mangetsu first put Hozuki Suigetsu down, then stretched out his fingers and reached towards the Nautilus.

A voice rang in Uehara Shu's mind.

A contractor compatible with Nautilus has been detected. Lily of the Valley's approval rating: Low, attribute compatibility: Extremely high, overall compatibility: Good. Should we guide the contract process?

Uehara Osamu thought to himself.

"Just as I expected, the Hozuki clan's talent in water-style techniques is indeed impeccable, very high."

"Hozuki Mangetsu's water-style talent is probably even greater than that of Kisame Hoshigaki and Juzo Biwa."

"I wonder how this compares to my current perfect level?"

"However, the low acceptance of lily of the valley greatly lowers the overall compatibility."

The compatibility was at a good level, meeting Uehara Shu's requirements. However, Uehara Shu did not intend to immediately initiate the contract, but instead looked at Hozuki Mangetsu.

"Hōzuki Mangetsu, let your younger brother try it."

"Yes, Senior Xiu."

Hozuki Mangetsu withdrew his hand.

Then, it guided Hozuki Suigetsu to crawl towards the location of the Nautilus.

Actually, no guidance is needed.

As soon as Hozuki Mangetsu released Hozuki Suigetsu, Hozuki Suigetsu showed interest in the nautilus, crawling over to it and taking it in his hand.

A compatible contractor for Nautilus has been detected. Lily of the Valley's approval rating: High, attribute compatibility: High, overall compatibility: Excellent. Should we guide the contract process?

Upon hearing the word "excellent," Uehara Osamu smiled.

This time, Uehara Osamu did not hesitate.

"guide!"

next moment.

The Nautilus contract was successful.