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

The victory of the younger generation of ninjas boosted the morale of Kirigakure.

However, the fact that even their morale can only be boosted by the younger generation of ninjas shows just how dire, wretched, and terrible the situation is in Kirigakure.

After Juzo Biwa severely injured Yotsuki, the ninja world's attention to Kirigakure truly began to rise.

And this time.

After Konoha temporarily eased the war with Kumogakure, it focused its main efforts on Kirigakure, even sending Orochimaru to the front lines.

They were just about to make a big move and give Kirigakure a good beating.

In this situation, Yagura, Fuguki, Juzo Biwa, and Kisame severely injured Manda and defeated Orochimaru.

They repelled the Konoha ninja army.

In one battle, hundreds of Konoha ninja were killed.

In one fell swoop, they completely restored the momentum that Kirigakure had previously lost.

This is Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin!

This is a monstrous snake!

The four members of the Yagura group made their name entirely by stepping on Orochimaru.

In particular, the Watermelon Pufferfish Demon.

Yagura already had a good reputation.

Kirigakure generally believes that Yagura is the only one who can succeed the Third Mizukage.

Yagura's contribution to Orochimaru's great victory, achieved by teaming up with Fuguki and others, was significant.

However, the increase in reputation was limited.

As for Juzo Biwa, he had already regained his reputation as a top ninja in the ninja world when he severely injured Pakura.

Kisame Hoshigaki only made one move at the very end.

But the pufferfish demon is different.

He was first defeated by Might Guy, but managed to escape.

And then I lost Samehada.

But this time, it suddenly erupted.

It was clear to everyone that Fuguki had contributed the most to defeating Manda.

An extremely powerful and unpredictable water-based technique.

And finally, he used blood as a blade to slash at the ten thousand serpents with unparalleled ferocity.

The scene and the atmosphere instilled fear in all the ninjas present.

Few ninjas believed they could withstand an attack like that of the pufferfish demon.

It's amazing.

"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist lost face, and now Orochimaru has returned it to them."

"Among the younger generation of ninjas, our Hidden Mist Village is undoubtedly the best."

"Our Hidden Mist Village is no less capable than our core generation of ninjas."

"Even Orochimaru suffered a crushing defeat, who could possibly be his match?"

After the battle, almost all the Hidden Mist ninjas felt a sense of triumph.

Correspondingly, Konoha Village suffered greatly from the negative impact. Not only did its morale decline significantly, but it also showed signs of internal strife, with many people mocking Orochimaru.

Just like how many people mocked the Seven Ninja of the Mist back then.

Even a highly decorated figure like Konoha's White Fang can be scorned for making a single mistake.

Orochimaru was no exception.

To be honest, Orochimaru didn't really care that much about these comments.

However, Orochimaru knew very well that Manda had been severely injured, which meant that he would not be able to control Manda for a long time, and if he summoned it, it would cause him trouble again.

In addition, Minato Namikaze has almost no defeats.

After many years, he personally took action again and was defeated.

Given the public opinion surrounding him, the gap between him and Minato Namikaze will inevitably widen.

The position of Hokage will be even further away from me.

Hidden Mist Village

Orochimaru looked towards the Land of Water, his expression shifting between light and dark.

An ANBU ninja enters Orochimaru's tent.

"Lord Orochimaru."

"What's the matter?"

"The Hokage has sent a letter."

"Sarutobi-sensei?"

Orochimaru's eyes flickered for a moment before he took it.

As expected, Orochimaru's mood still soured because Hiruzen Sarutobi's letter was about changing the leader of the front line, meaning that he had just taken office and was already being removed from his post.

"Just because of a defeat like this?"

"Is this what Konoha has become?"

Another person arrived at the same time as the ANBU ninja.

"Danzo-senpai?"

Both Minato Namikaze and Jiraiya had their own responsibilities, and Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't think of anyone suitable to replace Orochimaru.

It wasn't until Shimura Danzo volunteered that the task was completed.

"Hiruzen, let me go. I'm not too old to go to the front lines. Besides, the war with Kirigakure is an intelligence war, which is especially important."

"Information about Zanpakuto and the Shinigami squad will greatly influence the course of the war."

"And I am better than anyone else in terms of intelligence."

"give it to me."

Hiruzen Sarutobi thought about it for a moment and felt that it made sense.

Danzo was indeed skilled in intelligence warfare.

Moreover, since Danzo volunteered, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't consider whether it would overwork Danzo.

"Orochimaru, there's a lot of talk in the village about your defeat."

"It wasn't a big mistake, but, you know."

"We are currently in a period when the Hokage may be replaced."

“Those people aren’t here because of your failure this time, Orochimaru; they’re here because of you as a person.”

"Therefore, I chose to succeed him as the leader of this front."

"For us, this is the least impactful approach."

Orochimaru nodded.

Danzo then asked, "By the way, Orochimaru, could you tell me more about the situation of those Shinigami team members? Some news has come back from the village, but Orochimaru, you certainly know the real story."

"no problem."

Orochimaru said, "Juzo Biwa's Zanpakuto ability is no different from Ice Release. The village already knows a lot about Kisame Hoshigaki. He has fought Kakashi many times."

"Suizawa Fuguki's Zanpakuto ability is rather strange."

"It can copy the Water Release techniques I use when forming hand seals."

"It can revive the Water Release techniques it has used."

"It can also manipulate water flow to attack independently, without needing to form hand seals."

"In terms of water-style techniques, Suigetsu Hozuki is considered one of the top ninjas in Kirigakure."

"No, among the Hidden Mist ninjas, there shouldn't be anyone who can match him in the control of Water Release techniques."

"They are not even as good as the ninjas of the Hozuki clan."

"And if he controls blood, he can transform blood into the shape of a knife."

"Extremely sharp."

"It's a level more destructive than controlled water flow."

Danzo processed the information Orochimaru had given him.

"In Orochimaru's opinion, what level of strength do you think they possess?"

"Bopa Juzo and Suigetsu Hozuki can both be considered among the best of the elite Jonin."

"What about Yagura?"

Orochimaru thought for a while.

"If we're really talking about individual strength, Yagura's strength is slightly above theirs. His Water Mirror Technique is very troublesome; even I was held back by it."

"However, the Hidden Mist Ninja cannot be judged by their individual strength. When their abilities are used in combination, they can unleash a level of strength that exceeds what they should have."

"Juzo Biwa can use other people's Water Release techniques to create Ice Release techniques."

"Kisame Hoshigaki creates wounds that bleed profusely, and this blood can then be used by Suigetsu Fuguki."

Danzo frowned.

"It was precisely because of their combined abilities that they were able to defeat Manda?"

"good."

Orochimaru left with a heavy heart.