The sky gradually brightened as the sun rose from the east.
After the Fire Release Ninjutsu just now, the ground instead emitted thicker mist, allowing Mangetsu and Fuguki to conceal themselves within the dense mist, biding their time to strike.
Seizing the cover of the mist, Mangetsu retrieved a scroll containing stored swords, and then, through a summoning technique, he summoned the explosive blade: Shibuki.
A massive sword wrapped in explosive tags materialized midair, which he firmly grasped.
Ever since the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were humiliatingly defeated by a mere Konoha's Genin during the Third Great Ninja War, reduced to the 'lucky three', the remaining swords had been inherited and sealed away by Mangetsu.
These seven swords were forged under the supervision of the Second Mizukage, Hozuki Gengetsu. The standard for a Hozuki Clan's genius and head was the ability to skillfully wield all seven swords, and the clan had long held the responsibility of safeguarding them.
Moreover, each generation's Hozuki Clan's prodigy also served as the leader of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
After Mangetsu's death from illness, his younger brother, Suigetsu sought to prove himself by gathering all seven swords to reform the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
But then, somehow, he ended up captured and imprisoned by Orochimaru for several years.
It wasn't until Sasuke 'killed' Orochimaru and released Suigetsu, then later found Karin and freed Jugo, that he formed [Hebi Team].
In terms of talent, Mangetsu was undoubtedly superior to his younger brother, Suigetsu.
Once confirming that the enemy's barrier wasn't permanently active, Mangetsu summoned Shibuki.
This was a massive sword covered in explosive tags, capable of summoning countless explosive tags. It could detonate them at close range to attack enemies or hurl them for long-range assaults.
Wielding Shibuki, Mangetsu activated the Great Water Arm Technique, his hands swelling with enhanced muscle from the Water Attribute Chakra, drastically increasing his arm strength.
He exchanged a nod with Fuguki, signaling that preparations were complete.
Then the two of them charged towards Shura in the thick mist again.
"Water Release: Rain Cutter!" With Samehada slung over one shoulder, Fuguki formed hand seals with his free hand.
This was a secret technique that severed the connection between Ninjutsu and Chakra, utilizing the surrounding mist and moisture to disrupt an enemy's techniques.
Of course, Water Release Ninjutsu were unaffected… in fact, they were enhanced.
Menma indeed felt an invisible resistance interfering with his Chakra, forcing him to exert more effort just to maintain his Transformation Technique.
"Hah!"
Mangetsu leaped into the air, swinging Shibuki down at Shura with a fierce slash!
Clang!
Menma blocked the strike with his Kubikiribocho, but in that instant, he noticed the explosive tags on Shibuki's edge igniting.
"Heh!"
Mangetsu grinned, his sharp teeth bared in triumph.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Multiple explosive tags on the blade detonated simultaneously, engulfing both fighters in flames… just as Mangetsu's body liquefied into water.
Amid the explosion, Mangetsu, who had transformed into water, swiftly retreated, his scattered body parts rippling and reforming seamlessly.
This is the secret technique of Hozuki Clan, the Hydrification Technique!
"Hmph, even if that brat isn't dead, he's lost a layer of skin!" Fuguki smirked, his small eyes scanning the smoke intently.
"Don't be careless!" Mangetsu didn't believe such an explosion could harm their enemy.
Sure enough, before the smoke cleared, a figure emerged, casually shouldering the Kubikiribocho.
At this time, Menma was completely unharmed!
'How?!'
Mangetsu frowned, staring at the white three-eyed fox mask, which didn't even have a speck of soot or scratch from the explosion.
"Was it that Body Flicker Technique from earlier?"
Fuguki's pupils contracted as he recalled Shura's sudden disappearance… the same move that had killed Juzo.
"It looks like a Space-Time Ninjutsu, but I'm not sure." Mangetsu glanced at Samehada, which had grown restless after being awakened, and said to Fuguki: "I'll keep him occupied."
Then, he lunged forward again, swinging Shibuki at Shura again!
Fuguki formed hand seals with his hands, creating two water clones to flank Shura from different angles, coordinating with Mangetsu's assault.
"Show me something real. If this is all you've got, you'll end up just like that last guy."
Menma deflected Mangetsu's Shibuki with the tip of his Kubikiribocho, steadily retreating to avoid giving his opponent an opening.
The Kubikiribocho was nearly 1.8 meters long, making it difficult for explosions at this distance to pose much of a threat.
After several failed attempts to close the distance, Mangetsu pulled out a scroll composed of countless explosive tags from Shibuki. He hurled the long strip of explosive tags toward Shura like a coiling serpent.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The explosive scroll detonated in a chain reaction, sending plumes of smoke billowing into the air!
"Now!"
Seizing the opportunity, Fuguki's real body and two water clones charged in.
One of the figures burst through the smoke, engaging Shura in close combat with a sword.
Meanwhile, the other clone rapidly formed hand seals!
"Water Release: Water Prison Technique!"
A surge of water shot out, swiftly enveloping Shura and one of Fuguki's clones in a spherical prison!
Inside the water prison, Menma shattered the water clone with a swing of his Kubikiribocho… but found himself trapped.
"Samehada! Go!"
Fuguki's real body thrust Samehada into the water prison.
The sentient sword, now in its element, swam through the water with glee before opening its maw of jagged teeth and clamping down hard on Shura's shoulder.
"Got him!"
Mangetsu was surprised their tactic had worked so easily.
However, considering their opponent's careless attitude and casual attacks, it seemed Shura had underestimated them… allowing their strategy to succeed!
"Hmph! Shura! This is the price of arrogance!"
Fuguki stood before the spherical water prison, watching as Samehada voraciously devoured Shura's Chakra, his jagged teeth bared in a vicious grin.
"Samehada feeds on Chakra! You'll be sucked dry!"
As far as Fuguki was concerned, the battle was already won.
No one could break the Water Prison Technique from the inside!
Moreover, Samehada is originally created from Three-Tails' flesh was insatiable. Even Fuguki himself had to be cautious when feeding it Chakra, often resorting to hunting Rogue Ninja or enemies from other villages to satisfy its hunger.
"Oh? Is that so?"
However, the guy in the water prison showed no sign of panic, his tone still eerily calm.
Mangetsu's grip tightened around Shibuki, a bad feeling creeping up his spine.
Boom!
Suddenly, surge of thick, malevolent, dark red Chakra erupted from Shura's body… pouring relentlessly into Samehada's gaping maw!
Samehada, which had been happily feasting moments ago, was now force-fed an overwhelming flood of Chakra. Its body bloated unnaturally, dark red energy seeping between its jagged teeth.
Finally, under the stunned gazes of Fuguki and Mangetsu-
Samehada: "Ueggh-!"