The morning light broke through the mist.
Takizo opened his eyes, his face bright with joy.
"It's finally complete."
He moved his body, feeling the subtle but unmistakable difference coursing through him.
If one were to observe him now through the Byakugan, they would see something deeply strange—no trace of chakra flowing through his body, only pale white veins coiling like threads within him.
With the completion of the Bone Pulse Circulation, Takizo had achieved something incredible.
He could now completely seal chakra within his body. Only when he wished would he open certain pathways to release it.
In this world, chakra could not normally be stored—it had to be refined in real-time whenever used.
That was why, when a ninja was suddenly ambushed, they often relied on taijutsu at first—to buy time to draw out chakra and gauge their opponent.
But Takizo could store chakra directly inside his body.
This meant he could unleash powerful ninjutsu instantly. It was as if he had two chakra reserves instead of one.
And if he could completely lock it in, he could also release it all at once.
"So that's how it works."
Takizo smirked proudly, crossing his arms.
He lifted a single finger.
Chakra erupted from within him like a geyser. The pressure filled the room, scattering jars and bottles in all directions.
He quickly cut off the flow, grimacing as he surveyed the mess. "Great. Got a little carried away."
As he was tidying up, a knock came at the door.
"Takizo-sama, your friend is here."
A familiar loud voice followed. "Takizo! Open up! My brother told me to bring you something!"
Takizo slid open the door—and there stood Suigetsu.
Without hesitation, Suigetsu shoved past him and looked around. "What a dump. Not even a chair to sit on."
"Sit on the floor, then," Takizo replied casually.
Suigetsu dropped down cross-legged, shrugging. "You guys really live out in the middle of nowhere."
"You came by yourself?" Takizo asked.
"Of course! What, do I look like some kid who needs an escort?" Suigetsu raised a brow.
Takizo eyed him up and down, smiling faintly.
Suigetsu's eyes widened. "Hey! You're looking down on me, aren't you?"
Ignoring the jab, Takizo asked, "Where's the stuff?"
"The what?" Suigetsu blinked.
"The stuff your brother told you to deliver," Takizo said, sighing.
"Oh!" Suigetsu slapped his forehead and pulled out two scrolls from his robe. "Here!"
Takizo opened the first scroll—and his pupils contracted. "The Hydration Technique."
"What?" Suigetsu gasped. "No way! My brother must've packed the wrong scroll!"
Takizo ignored him, scanning through the rest. "Great Water Arm, Water Cannon… Vapor Explosion?"
"WHAT?!" Suigetsu nearly leapt on him. "He gave you our clan's secret techniques?! I don't even know half of these!"
A letter slipped out of the scroll. Takizo picked it up and handed it over. "It's for you."
Suigetsu took it lazily. "What's this? Can't he just tell me in person? Why a let—"
His voice faltered as he read, disbelief spreading across his face.
He looked up. "My brother wants me to go with you… to the Hidden Cloud?"
Takizo nodded.
Suigetsu's voice trembled. "No way! My brother needs me! I can't just run off! I—"
He clutched his head in frustration. "The Cloud's full of lightning-style users! I'll get fried! No way, no way! He must've made a mistake—I need to go back and ask him!"
He turned toward the door.
"Suigetsu." Takizo's tone sharpened.
Suigetsu froze. His shoulders shook slightly. "He wouldn't send me away like that… not unless…"
Takizo walked up beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Because your brother doesn't think he'll make it."
Suigetsu's head jerked up.
Takizo continued, his voice calm but heavy. "Mangetsu can wager his life for the sake of the Mist. But the one thing he refuses to gamble with is you."
He pressed the scroll of secret techniques back into Suigetsu's hands. "That's why he entrusted these to me—to pass them to you when the time comes, so you can restore the Hozuki Clan."
"And who knows," Takizo added softly. "Maybe you'll arrive in the Land of Lightning, and your brother will be there waiting."
Suigetsu rubbed his face roughly, turning away. "We'll come back someday, right?"
Takizo met his reddened eyes and said firmly, "We will."
But in his heart, he sighed. Who knows how long that will take.
Suigetsu tossed the scroll back into Takizo's arms. "Then you hold on to it. Learn the techniques first—then teach me later."
He sat back down quickly. "Come on, open the other scroll!"
Takizo was curious too. He unrolled the second one—and immediately snapped it shut.
"Hey! I didn't even see!" Suigetsu protested.
Takizo handed it to him silently.
Suigetsu opened it, took one glance, and also slammed it closed.
"My brother… he actually gave you those?" The two stared at each other in disbelief.
Takizo reopened the scroll.
Inside, written in bold letters, were seven simple words:
Decapitating, Long, Blunt, Explosive, Lightning, Twin, Stitching.
The names of the Seven Ninja Swords of the Mist.
Four names—Long, Blunt, Explosive, and Lightning—were glowing.
It meant the scroll contained the sealed blades: the Long Blade Stitching Needle, the Blunt Blade Cleaver, the Explosive Blade Splash, and the Lightning Blade Fang.
"Wait," Suigetsu said suddenly, pointing. "There's another letter—for you."
Takizo opened it and read.
The message was clear: If Mangetsu succeeded, he would come for the swords himself.
If he failed, Takizo was to safeguard them and rebuild the Seven Ninja Swordsmen alongside Suigetsu.
If Takizo ever grew to despise the Mist, then he was to pass the swords to Suigetsu once he was grown—and keep one as his reward.
A father's care lies in the depth of his foresight.
Mangetsu's love for his village ran deep.
Unfortunately, Takizo felt none of it.
Still, he wasn't about to pocket all four blades. He would keep one, as agreed, and return the rest to Mei Terumi when the time came.
He hid the scroll within his robe and warned, "Until we reach jonin level, we act like this never happened. Don't use them. Don't speak of them."
Suigetsu nodded solemnly.
Takizo took a deep breath. "Come on. Time to meet some friends. From now on, they'll be our family."
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