The scene once again fell into a standoff.
The death of Yagura couldn't change their confrontation.
Except for Momochi Zabuza, who was an outsider, both Uehara Naraku and Hozuki Mangetsu wanted to keep their secrets.
Uehara Naraku didn't want Uchiha Obito to know about Hoshigaki Kisame's betrayal; he needed Hoshigaki Kisame to act as a spy.
Hozuki Mangetsu didn't want anyone to know he attempted to kill Yagura, because he came from the Hozuki Family and wanted to inherit the Mizukage position.
Hoshigaki Kisame swung his Shark Skin Greatsword from behind and chuckled, "Lord Uehara, if you need to kill them, I should be able to do it, right?"
"No rush."
Uehara Naraku waved his hand; he wanted to check the reward for killing Yagura first.
Hidden Mission: Break Uchiha Obito's control over Fourth Mizukage Yagura (1/1), mission completed, reward skill: Purification.
Purification: Removes all negative effects from oneself, cooldown time 210 seconds, consumes nothing.
Uehara felt a bit puzzled; he had never noticed the hidden mission and found completion somewhat inexplicable. Could killing Yagura have lifted the control?
Nevertheless, the Purification skill reward was truly generous!
From now on, he wouldn't have to worry about falling under Sharingan's Genjutsu, avoiding the fate of being instantly defeated like Orochimaru and Kakashi.
Besides, there were two regular side missions.
Side Mission: Defeat Three-tailed Isobu (1/1), mission completed, reward skill: Spiky Defense.
Spiky Defense: Enter a defensive stance, doubling life energy. During this period, Taijutsu attacks received will rebound half the damage to the attacker. Minimum duration of defensive stance is 6 seconds, consumes 40 Chakra, duration and Chakra consumption are related, cooldown time is 4 seconds.
Getting a turtle skill for defeating a turtle?
Why not just give him a Summoning Contract instead! However, Spiky Defense greatly enhances his Taijutsu combat abilities!
The last mission reward turned out to be rather useless, because Hoshigaki Kisame beside Uehara Naraku also had a similar Ninjutsu skill.
Side Mission: Defeat Fourth Mizukage Yagura (1/1), mission completed, reward skill: Roaring Wave.
Roaring Wave: Summon a wave from beneath, sweeping away all enemies in front, skill range and Chakra consumption are related, minimum consumption is 100 Chakra, cooldown time is 100 seconds.
Isn't this just a Water Release Ninjutsu?
Uehara Naraku sighed. Standing beside him, Hoshigaki Kisame could unleash Water Release Ninjutsu capable of destroying dams in a single breath. This skill was hardly of any use.
"Hey, Hozuki Mangetsu, what do you plan to do?"
Momochi Zabuza planted the Decapitating Carving Knife into the ground and whispered, "Only the dead can keep secrets, but those two guys are tough to deal with!"
"We must keep them here."
Hozuki Mangetsu held a scroll in his hand and said, "Suigetsu is still in the village; I don't want my brother to become a rogue ninja."
"That Suigetsu brat…"
When Momochi Zabuza mentioned Hozuki Suigetsu, his expression turned a bit unsightly, because that brat was always clamoring to take the Decapitating Carving Knife.
Wasn't this openly declaring his intent to kill him when he grows up?
If not for having a brother like Hozuki Mangetsu as his protector, that loudmouth Hozuki Suigetsu would have been killed countless times!
Hoshigaki Kisame recognized the scroll in Hozuki Mangetsu's hand and clicked his tongue in admiration, "Truly a prodigy favored by the seven ninja blades, even my Shark Skin acknowledges you, Hozuki Mangetsu!"
"Is that the scroll that can summon the seven ninja blades?"
Uehara Naraku curiously looked at the scroll in Hozuki Mangetsu's hand and asked, "How many of the ninja blades can he use now?"
"Currently, it seems he can use four."
Hoshigaki Kisame, well-versed with the Seven-swords Ninja of the Hidden Mist, answered, "Shark Skin is in my hand, the Decapitating Carving Knife is with Zabuza, and the Thunder Sword is still with the previous rogue Kurosuki Raiga, but he can use the remaining four."
"Ha…"
Uehara Naraku suddenly showed interest, "I heard there's a blade called Blastsword·Shibuki among them, capable of summoning countless Paper Bombs… Is this blade among them?"
Though Uehara didn't understand the mechanism of this ninja blade, it might have carvings or a Curse Seal for summoning Paper Bombs, but its ability alone was very appealing.
This ninja blade could perfectly pair with Tandem Paper Bombs!
Uehara Naraku had the Tandem Paper Bomb skill; regardless of the number of Paper Bombs, it was never quite enough for him.
If it didn't work out, he could always give it to Konan as a decorative piece?
Hoshigaki Kisame, unaware of Uehara Naraku's thoughts, nodded, "Indeed, the explosive capability of Blastsword·Shibuki is quite troublesome…"
Uehara Naraku's expression immediately turned serious as he crossed his arms, fixing his gaze on Hozuki Mangetsu who was unsealing the scroll, and coldly commanded, "Let him hand over the Blastsword·Shibuki! I really like that ninja blade!"
"..."
Hoshigaki Kisame's expression was a bit strange, as if recalling the fear of being dominated by Uehara Naraku's Paper Bomb Array, yet now, aligning with Uehara's faction, he chuckled lightly and nodded, "That ninja blade indeed suits Lord Uehara."
"Unfortunately, it seems he doesn't want to hand it over directly to me!"
Uehara Naraku flexed his wrists and stepped towards Hozuki Mangetsu, softly instructing Kisame, "I'll take down Hozuki Mangetsu, Mr. Kisame, you take on Zabuza. No problem, right?"
"Of course."
Hoshigaki Kisame confidently grinned and suddenly tore off the bandages on the Shark Skin Greatsword, continuing with a smile, "Having Lord Uehara face Hozuki Mangetsu is for the best… After all, I can't be sure to take down the village's genius ninja!"
Within the current Hidden Mist's three Seven-swords Ninja, though they never truly compared strengths, they knew more or less in their hearts; in a direct confrontation, Zabuza's strength was likely the weakest.
As for Hoshigaki Kisame and Hozuki Mangetsu, they rarely engaged with each other, and the thirteen-year-old Hozuki Mangetsu had yet to suffer any defeat.
Hozuki Mangetsu never took any confrontation seriously during missions, yet no matter how strong the enemy, he easily triumphed over them.
Hence, Hozuki Mangetsu was termed the Hidden Mist's most mysterious prodigy, a prodigy whose true power remained unknowable!
As for Hozuki Mangetsu's upcoming opponent, it was also intriguing.
Hoshigaki Kisame had never fully witnessed the extent of Uehara's hidden strength, as Uehara Naraku always faced Uchiha Obito or Fourth Mizukage Yagura with unwavering confidence and composure.
Hoshigaki Kisame chuckled, turning his gaze toward his designated opponent, "Over there, it's a showdown between two ninja whose true powers have never been probed. Who do you support, Zabuza?"
"Hmph, the one I support has always been myself!"
Momochi Zabuza swung the Decapitating Carving Knife and charged toward Hoshigaki Kisame, thus beginning an internal battle among the Seven-swords Ninja!