They're promoting the "Konoha threat" theory, and spouting nonsense about the Hidden

Chapter 86 The Unbalanced Battle Situation

The Hozuki clan's residence was currently bustling with activity and filled with lively chatter.

All the ninjas present combined numbered at least over a hundred; even the largest banquet hall of the Hozuki clan couldn't accommodate such a large number of ninjas fighting together.

Moreover, in addition to the brawls among low- and mid-level ninjas, there were also ninjutsu exchanges between several top-level ninjas. These indiscriminate ninjutsu techniques do not have automatic recognition capabilities, so each battle circle tries to maintain as much distance as possible. This has resulted in the Hozuki Mansion, which covers nearly 100,000 square meters, being a battlefield in every corner.

Fortunately, Hozuki Zangetsu sent away some of the elderly, weak, sick, and disabled after realizing that things might change tonight; otherwise, the future of the Hozuki clan might have been completely destroyed.

After all, you can't catch a wolf without risking your cub. As long as we can completely eliminate Lian's side, we can bear any price.

The price paid for turning the entire Hozuki clan's mansion into a battlefield was that the once brightly lit and magnificent complex was now a ruin, with only scattered fragments of lanterns and colorful decorations on the ground, seemingly hinting at the lively scene that had recently taken place.

Amidst the booming sounds of ninjutsu being unleashed and the explosions of explosive tags, the faint sounds of kunai colliding and ninjas' cries could also be heard.

The mutilated limbs, the cold corpses, and the sounds they evoked transformed this once joyous banquet into a scene of purgatory.

Everyone present knew that there was no turning back now; they knew that only the victor would have the right to leave this place today; and they knew that tonight's outcome would determine how future generations would judge this event—whether the Mizukage would suppress the rebellion or Hozuki would set things right.

So they all went berserk, completely disregarding their injuries, thinking that killing one would be enough and killing two would be a huge profit, and began to fight to the death.

"Ha, Hozuki Zangetsu, you haven't improved much in the past ten years! You couldn't beat me back then, and you still can't beat me now!"

At this moment, Lian abandoned her usual effeminate demeanor and was fully armed, wearing a set of moon-white armor that exuded the aura of a powerful figure.

At this moment, he continuously formed hand seals, and water-style ninjutsu sprayed out as if it were free. In mid-air, they transformed into dragon shapes or flying needles, attacking Hozuki Zangetsu from different directions.

While unleashing his ninjutsu, he even had the mind to dodge the oncoming Water Gun Technique.

"That bastard's strength is getting stronger and stronger!"

Hozuki Zangetsu grew increasingly alarmed as the fight progressed. Although he looked down on this guy, he had to admit that Ren's talent was quite outstanding, given that he was chosen by the First Mizukage to be his bodyguard for the first Five Kage Summit.

Although Hozuki Zangetsu had greatly overestimated Ren's strength, he only realized tonight that Ren was even stronger than he had imagined. If he hadn't encountered the even more outstanding Hozuki Gengetsu back then, his becoming the Second Mizukage would have truly been well-deserved.

As the direct descendant of the first Mizukage, Ren's skill in Water Release ninjutsu was already quite high. After ten years of training, he can be said to have reached a level of unparalleled mastery, even surpassing Hozuki Zangetsu, who was proficient in Water Transformation Techniques.

For ninjas who cultivate the same type of chakra, the difference in their mastery of the same type of chakra is often more fatal than that of chakra of different types.

In the battle just now, Ren did not stick to using powerful ninjutsu; instead, he preferred C-rank and D-rank ninjutsu with extremely fast release speed.

Under his skillful control, these low-level ninjutsu seemed to come alive, no longer bound by their original forms. With the support of wind-style ninjutsu, they rapidly attacked Hozuki Zangetsu from all sorts of incredible angles.

Faced with such ninjutsu attacks, the Hozuki clan's water transformation technique is naturally not immune.

Although he had planned to take advantage of the chaos to rush forward and engage in close combat with Ren, using "Water Release: Great Water Arm Technique" to enhance his physical attacks, he never expected that Ren would also possess such exquisite swordsmanship.

In the battle between Hozuki Gengetsu and Ren more than a decade ago, he never showed this skill. It can be said that Ren had hidden this sword technique for more than ten years, just for this moment!

Under the influence of the chakra metal blade, Hozuki Zangetsu suffered the most serious injury since the start of the war—his right chest was pierced through. If he hadn't used the Water Healing Technique to treat it urgently, he might have died on the spot.

Even so, judging by this trend, he will probably be defeated in less than ten minutes.

Hozuki Renge glanced furtively at the surrounding battle, hoping the others could quickly defeat their opponents and then come to his aid.

However, he soon discovered that he wasn't the only one at a disadvantage; the others weren't faring much better either, and were merely stalling for time using various methods.

In the distance, Kaguya Yoshio and Yukihira Kyo, the head of the Yuki clan, appeared to be evenly matched, with neither able to gain the upper hand. However, it was clear to anyone with eyes that Yukihira Kyo's Ice Release ninjutsu could only slow down Kaguya Yoshio's Shikotsumyaku (Corpse Bone Pulse) and could not break through his defenses at all.

Conversely, with the enhancement of the Corpse Bone Pulse, every attack from Kaguya Yoshio required Yukihira Kyo to respond with caution, so the two inevitably fell into a tug-of-war.

Although theoretically, as the Ice Release continues to slow down, Kaguya Yoshio's movements will become slower and slower, giving Yukihira Kyo a chance to win, Kaguya Yoshio's battle condition is clearly getting better and better as the warlike bloodline within the Kaguya clan awakens. Therefore, it is really hard to say who will win this duel.

Meanwhile, in another direction, the battlefield between the four members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist—Suizan Hobuki, Kurihara Kushimaru, Tsukushino Erito, and Murashi Jinpachi—and the Yuki clan ninjas was equally dire.

The ninja swords, forged by the Second Mizukage Hozuki Gengetsu with the combined strength of the entire Kirigakure village, each possess unique characteristics. Their distinctive fighting style caused the Snow Clan ninjas immense suffering, as virtually no one could defeat them in a one-on-one fight, not even the Snow Clan elders.

Moreover, those ANBU members are no pushovers either. Under Lian's meticulous training over more than ten years, regardless of the cost, the level of these ANBU ninjas can definitely be described as elite.

Therefore, the Snow Clan's ninjas could only barely hold them back by relying on the slowing and defensive properties of Ice Release, along with their numerical advantage, preventing them from supporting other battlefields.

Unlike the two disadvantageous battlefields mentioned above, the most intense battle took place on the battlefield where Hozuki Ninja and Kaguya Ninja were fighting.

The Hozuki clan possesses a water-transformation technique that grants immunity to physical attacks, as well as various powerful and fast-released water-escape techniques. The Kaguya clan also possesses the unparalleled Shikotsumyaku (Corpse Bone Pulse) for both defense and offense. In addition, due to various conflicts between the two clans caused by the previous marriage alliance, both sides fought with bloodlust, resulting in the highest number of casualties on this battlefield.

In conclusion, considering the entire battle, Hozuki's side was actually at a disadvantage.

In fact, the current battle situation is exactly the difference in strength between the two sides in the original work, before Hozuki Shingetsu appeared.

Through Hozuki Shingetsu's various methods, Hozuki's side gained the support of some neutral forces and the addition of the Uzumaki clan, greatly increasing their strength.

However, when Ren insanely released the two tailed beasts, all of these supporters were wiped out, and Hozuki's forces were instantly reduced to their original state.

If nothing unexpected happens, the fate of Hozuki's side tonight will probably be no different from that in the original story: most of them will die on the spot, and a few will change their names and go far away.

Then the entire Hozuki clan and the Yuki clan were branded as rebels and would be infamous for eternity.

"Heh, for the past ten years or so, I've constantly thought about that battle with Hozuki Gengetsu, pondering how to defeat him. If any of you had mastered Mirage and Steam Burst, I might actually find this combination quite troublesome, but... none of you have been able to learn it, have you?"

Lian smiled as she looked at the struggling Ghost Lantern Crescent.

Ghost Lantern Remnant Moon's heart sank. He knew that what the old man said was true. If nothing unexpected happened, they might really be wiped out today.

"Damn it... the timing of this Tailed Beast rampage is truly fatal! If it weren't for this Tailed Beast rampage, with the support of the Uzumaki clan, wouldn't dealing with these guys be a piece of cake?"

"Besides... the time is just too tight! If I could have a few more years, I might actually have a chance to master the Steam Burst Technique. At that time, I could dominate the Hidden Mist Village with this combination technique..."

Ghost Lantern Crescent Moon observed the situation on the battlefield, feeling increasingly uneasy.

Perhaps knowing what Hozuki Zangetsu was thinking, Ren spoke up and issued a kill order against Hozuki Shingetsu right in front of Hozuki Zangetsu.

"I really didn't expect that kid Hozuki Shingetsu could master Mirage. Otherwise, I might have been able to take care of him when he went to Uzushio Village... If he continues to be allowed to do this, he might actually master Steam Explosion and become a true 'Hozuki Gengetsu II'."

"So... after this battle, anyone can live, but this kid is definitely dead!"

Perhaps it was because Ren had seen through his thoughts, or perhaps it was the psychological burden of the unfavorable overall battle situation, or perhaps it was the side effect of excessive blood loss, in any case, Hozuki Zangetsu was momentarily distracted under Ren's series of verbal attacks, and his originally tight defense immediately showed a flaw.

"not good!"

Hozuki Renge had a bad feeling, but how could Ren, who was also a veteran of many battles, miss such a good opportunity?

"Water Release·Shunsui!"

In an instant, a stream of water rose from beneath Ghost Lamp Crescent's feet, tightly wrapping around his legs and attempting to pull him into the water.

Although Hozuki Zangetsu reacted quickly by using part of his water transformation technique to turn his feet into water, it still delayed him for a moment. In that short time, Ren arrived in front of Hozuki Zangetsu.

"Don't forget to say hello to Hozuki Gengetsu for me when you see him!"

Lian looked at the wide-open Ghost Lantern Crescent Moon and a smile appeared on her lips.

He gripped the ninja sword with both hands in reverse, and his violent chakra, as impatient as his excited emotions, surged into the sword. With a piercing sound, the ninja sword, flashing with blue arcs of light, went straight for Hozuki Zangetsu's chest!

"Could today truly be the day I die?"

Just as Hozuki Renge was resigned to his fate and gave up resistance, a scarlet figure suddenly appeared in front of him and grabbed the ninja sword that was rushing towards him.

"So this is the power of the Mizukage...?"

A soft laugh rang out from within the figure enveloped in an ominous crimson chakra.

"If the Mizukage's strength is only this much, I think I could take the position..."

(End of this chapter)