The swordsmanship duel between Momochi Zabuza and Hoshigaki Kisame was far less intense than the battle between Uehara Naraku and Hozuki Mangetsu, not at all like a clash between twelve or thirteen-year-olds.
The Hiramekarei in Hozuki Mangetsu's hand slashed down, its murderous aura carving a deep trench in the earth. However, the blade collided with a yellow circular defense net!
It was Uehara's defensive stance, tightly enveloping his body, with spikes protruding at the intersections of the net.
"Is this all you've got?"
A smile appeared at the corner of Uehara's mouth. The defensive stance rewarded from defeating the Three-tailed, the Spiky Defense, was enough for him to withstand the enemy's swordsmanship in this battle.
As long as he doesn't encounter Might Guy from Konoha Village, his taijutsu could hold its own against most ninjas currently.
Seeing the smile on Uehara Naraku's face, Hozuki Mangetsu twisted his wrist, and a gas emitted from the eyes of the Hiramekarei ninjato, enveloping the entire blade!
"Hiramekarei: Release!"
With a cold shout, Hozuki Mangetsu swung the Hiramekarei towards Uehara!
As his voice fell, a chakra light sphere suddenly condensed from the Hiramekarei's blade, striking Uehara Naraku's body and sending him flying instantly!
But this swordsmanship alone wasn't enough!
Hozuki Mangetsu quickly retracted his hand, pulled open the summoning scroll beside him, and raised his fingers: "Summoning Jutsu, Buntsword·Kabutowari!"
The Buntsword·Kabutowari had a very peculiar appearance, one end resembling a ninjato shaped like an axe, the other end a hammer!
Hozuki Mangetsu leaped forward, grabbing the ninjato and striking Uehara Naraku's body; his other hand lifted the hammer, violently smashing it onto the back of the blade!
The Buntsword·Kabutowari was known to break through any defense because it stacked two types of power when it fell on the enemy.
Clang!
The Buntsword·Kabutowari struck the yellow circular defense net once more!
However, this time, Uehara Naraku's body was propelled backward, unable to withstand the combined force of the dual impact!
Hozuki Mangetsu's body also suffered from the backlash of the Spiky Defense, a mouthful of blood lingered at his lips, slowly seeping from the corners…
"This ninjato… is way too noisy, isn't it?"
Uehara Naraku stood up, dusting off the dirt from his body, ignoring the consumption of his life energy, and pointed at the Buntsword·Kabutowari in Hozuki Mangetsu's hand: "A hammer and an axe don't quite match; it should pair with a scythe for dominance!"
"What?"
Hozuki Mangetsu looked at Uehara in bewilderment, ignoring his ramblings, still shocked by Uehara's defensive jutsu used earlier.
What was that yellow spherical net?
Could even the Buntsword·Kabutowari not destroy his defense?
The Buntsword·Kabutowari in Hozuki Mangetsu's hand dissolved into smoke, and his hand swiftly flipped open the scroll, summoning another ninjato!
Long Blade·Sewing Needle.
"This isn't the one I want!"
Uehara Naraku's voice reached Hozuki Mangetsu's ears, and he suddenly dashed beside the enemy, aiming to kick away his ninjato.
Hozuki Mangetsu's hand quickly raised the long blade, dodging Uehara's attack, and the wire behind the Long Blade·Sewing Needle wrapped tightly around Uehara's ankle!
"Hmph, this time you can't escape!"
Hozuki Mangetsu threw the Long Blade·Sewing Needle, the sharp, slender ninjato deeply embedding into a large tree, the wire wrapped around and bound Uehara tightly to the tree!
A genius ninja proficient with the seven ninja blades indeed.
Hozuki Mangetsu could play with each bizarre ninjato, expertly using them at the most suitable time.
Looking at the bound Uehara Naraku, Hozuki Mangetsu extended his left hand, shouting softly: "Water Release: Great Water Arm Jutsu!"
Hozuki Mangetsu's arm visibly thickened before their eyes!
This is a Secret Technique of the Hozuki Family that concentrates all the body's water content in the arm to enhance wrist power.
Glancing at the nearby battlefield, Momochi Zabuza was lurking in the mist, entangling Hoshigaki Kisame, seemingly not requiring the ninjato for now.
"Zabuza-senpai, lend me the Decapitating Carving Knife for a bit!"
Hozuki Mangetsu quickly formed hand seals and opened his palm: "Summoning Jutsu… Broken Blade: Decapitating Carving Knife!"
"Damn kid, take it for now!"
Hidden in the mist, Momochi Zabuza cursed but ultimately did not voice opposition, also secretly observing the battlefield between Uehara and Hozuki Mangetsu.
Although the two twelve or thirteen-year-olds weren't using powerful ninjutsu, their taijutsu clash was exceptionally gruesome to watch!
Every time, Momochi Zabuza thought Uehara Naraku was done for, yet each time, after using a defensive jutsu to withstand, Uehara would nonchalantly stand up again…
Compared to the aggressive Hozuki Mangetsu, he had already suffered numerous internal injuries, while Uehara Naraku's defensive jutsu was absurdly strong!
This kid, how afraid of death is he?
Hardly any powerful offensive ninjutsu are used, yet defensive ninjutsu is employed with expertise!
Now that Hozuki Mangetsu had seized another chance for victory, Momochi Zabuza surely would support him, not to mention it's just lending him the Decapitating Carving Knife once.
Only the Decapitating Carving Knife can cut through anything!
But…
Recalling Uehara Naraku's bizarre jutsu, Momochi Zabuza shouted: "Be careful, this guy seems capable of using a completely invincible defensive ninjutsu, stronger than that yellow defensive jutsu…"
However, Zabuza's warning was already too late!
After summoning the Decapitating Carving Knife with the Summoning Jutsu, Hozuki Mangetsu didn't want to miss the rare opportunity, firmly gripping the Decapitating Carving Knife and slashing towards Uehara Naraku's head!
A dazzling golden light shield emerged from Uehara's body.
That golden light entered Hozuki Mangetsu's sight, reflected through the sharp, smooth Decapitating Carving Knife into Kisame and Zabuza's view as well…
As ninjas who had fought Uehara Naraku, Hoshigaki Kisame and Zabuza both knew how incredibly strong that golden light shield's defense was…
In their minds, a thought involuntarily arose: Is Hozuki Mangetsu going to suffer, and is the Seven-swords Ninja of the Hidden Mist about to lose to Uehara?
Uehara Naraku, bathed in golden light, faced the Decapitating Carving Knife head-on.
Along with the invincible barrier of The Moment of Holy Judgment, Uehara set up another layer of yellow Spiky Defense, facing the blade of the Decapitating Carving Knife directly.
Bang!
Countless blade fragments scattered!
As Hozuki Mangetsu wielded the Decapitating Carving Knife, it encountered an immense rebound force the moment it touched Uehara Naraku's first layer of defense, completely destroying the Knife's blade!
The sharp Decapitating Carving Knife couldn't withstand it, and neither could Hozuki Mangetsu himself. The Hidden Mist Village's genius ninja spat out a mouthful of blood from the rebound force, not even knowing how many bones were broken…
Uehara Naraku opened his eyes, looking down at the severely injured Hozuki Mangetsu lying on the ground, tilting his head and saying: "Ha, I haven't even started, and you're already down?"
"..."
Hozuki Mangetsu twisted his head, looking at the handle of the Decapitating Carving Knife left in his hand, doubting if he was caught in a genjutsu.
But the situation allowed no hesitation.
"Water Release: Water Healing!"
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