Takizo dragged the limp, puddle-like figure into the shadowy alleyway and examined the face, which had melted into a simplified cartoon sketch.
White-blue hair fell across cheeks that framed purple, unfocused eyes. The slack, crooked mouth was full of sharp, serrated teeth.
This was the genius of the Hozuki Clan, a future member of Team Taka (or Team Hebi) in the original series.
Suigetsu Hozuki.
Currently only six years old.
As Suigetsu slowly reformed back into a solid human shape, Takizo marveled at the Hozuki Clan's biology.
The Hozuki were a clan of secret technique users in the Mist Village. Their signature ability was the Hydrification Technique, which allowed them to liquefy their bodies at will. It made them immune to almost all physical damage, but they had a glaring weakness: Lightning Release.
Which explained why Takizo's low-voltage "Lightning Release: Earth Flash" had instantly short-circuited him.
"Damn it! That was dirty!" Suigetsu shook his head as he sat up, groggy. "Using Lightning Release on a student? Seriously?"
Takizo chuckled. "Hey, you're the future Seven Ninja Swordsmen legend, Suigetsu Hozuki. I had to go all out, right?"
"Heh. You've got a good eye for talent, teach." Suigetsu grinned, showing off his shark-like teeth. "I'll let you off the hook this ti—wait a second. You're not a teacher."
Suigetsu suddenly leaned in close, squinting at Takizo's face. "You look kinda familiar..."
Takizo pushed his forehead protector up, revealing the two red dots on his brow. He raised an eyebrow at Suigetsu.
"EHHH?!!" Suigetsu yelped, then immediately slapped his hands over his mouth, looking around nervously.
He lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "You're that kid from the Kaguya Clan?"
Takizo rolled his eyes. "First of all, the name is Takizo Kaguya. Second, I'm older than you, so you're the kid."
Suigetsu shrugged nonchalantly. "Details, details."
Takizo gestured toward the Ninja Academy with his chin. "So, what's with you going to school? I thought clans usually homeschooled."
"You haven't heard?" Suigetsu scratched his head, annoyed. "It's my big brother. He's on this whole crusade about 'revitalizing the Mist Village' and 'breaking down barriers between the clans and the village' blah blah blah. Anyway, he made me enroll."
Takizo actually knew about this. The Kaguya Clan had initially been excited to send their kids to school too.
But when they found out the "Blood Mist" graduation exam—where students had to kill their classmates—had been abolished, they got disappointed and pulled out. They spent the next clan meeting cursing the guy responsible for stopping the tradition: Zabuza Momochi.
But Takizo wasn't interested in school politics. He wanted to steer the conversation toward Suigetsu's older brother, Mangetsu Hozuki.
"Speaking of Mangetsu, I haven't seen him in over six months," Takizo said casually. "Since I snuck into the village, I figure I should pay him a visit."
The Kaguya and Hozuki clans were both ancient, prestigious families in the Mist, so they had some history of interaction.
Suigetsu thought for a moment. "Last time you guys met was probably when your clan slaughtered that Genin squad, right? Zabuza-senpai and my brother had to go to your compound to demand you hand over the culprits."
"But lately, Big Bro has been acting super weird. He's always sneaking around with Zabuza-senpai doing... something," Suigetsu shook his head. "I don't even know when he's coming home these days."
"That's a shame," Takizo clicked his tongue. "I can't exactly just go wait at your house uninvited."
Suigetsu's eyes lit up. "Wait! Yes, you can! You can wait at my house!"
He jumped up and paced around, grinning widely. "If I'm escorting a 'VIP guest' from the Kaguya Clan, then it doesn't count as skipping school, right?"
"I'm a genius!" Suigetsu laughed, hands on his hips. "Hahaha! Truly worthy of being the future master of the Hiramekarei... or maybe Samehada... actually, the Executioner's Blade is cool too. Whatever! Future Seven Swordsmen Master Suigetsu Hozuki!"
"I heard voices over here!" A shout came from nearby.
Suigetsu's face fell. "Crap! The old geezers found us! Run!"
He grabbed Takizo's arm and bolted.
---
After a chaotic chase through winding alleys, the two finally arrived at the Hozuki Clan compound.
"As expected of the Second Mizukage's descendants," Takizo said, admiring the well-maintained architecture. "Great location, too. Two blocks away from the village center."
"You like it?" Suigetsu said lazily. "Tell my brother you like it, and he'll probably just give you a house. We've got tons of empty ones."
Takizo raised an eyebrow. "Must be nice being rich. Prime real estate and you've got houses to spare?"
Suigetsu rolled his eyes. "We didn't build empty houses. They became empty."
Takizo knew exactly what that meant.
"Alright, we're here. Looks like Big Bro isn't home," Suigetsu said, opening the door. "We let the servants go a while back, so just make yourself comfortable. I'll go get some tea."
Takizo sat cross-legged in the living room, scanning the modest decor.
Simple decorations. No servants. Is this just frugality, or is there another reason?
In the original story, there were several major events in the Mist's history that were mentioned but never fully explained. One of the biggest was Zabuza's attempted coup.
Zabuza tried to assassinate the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura. He failed, fled the village, and met Haku.
But the details were full of plot holes.
First, how did Zabuza get past the ANBU to even get a shot at the Mizukage? Even if he was a trusted insider, getting close enough for an assassination attempt is no small feat.
Second, how did he survive the counterattack from a perfect Jinchūriki (Yagura) and Obito Uchiha, who was pulling the strings?
Third, after failing, how did he manage to escape the village manhunt and have the resources to take Haku under his wing while on the run?
It was obvious. Zabuza had help.
Who was the accomplice?
The answer lay in the disappearance of the Hozuki Clan.
In the original series, we only ever see three Hozuki members: The Second Mizukage (reanimated), Mangetsu (reanimated), and Suigetsu (Orochimaru's test subject).
Where was everyone else?
Suigetsu was the key.
Look at Orochimaru's collection of misfits: Karin (from the wiped-out Uzumaki Clan), Kimimaro (from the wiped-out Kaguya Clan), and Sasuke (from the wiped-out Uchiha Clan).
It stands to reason that the Hozuki Clan met a similar fate: Extinction.
And the reason for that extinction likely tied into Mangetsu Hozuki's bio in the databooks: "Died pursuing his dream."
Connecting the dots, the picture became clear.
Zabuza's accomplice was Mangetsu Hozuki. Or rather, they were co-conspirators.
Suigetsu's comment about his brother sneaking around with Zabuza just confirmed Takizo's theory.
Takizo smirked. "So, the next step is figuring out how to join the party."
Suigetsu returned with tea and snacks. "Since we've got nothing to do, let's spar. I'll show you what I can do."
Remembering the lightning zap earlier, he quickly added, "No Lightning Release allowed!"
Takizo scoffed. "Hah. No deal."
"Eh? Why not?!" Suigetsu whined.
"You want me to fight a guy who's immune to physical attacks and uses Water Style... while I'm stuck using only bones and... wait for it... Water Style? Without my Lightning counter?" Takizo gave him a look that said 'Are you stupid?'
Suigetsu slumped into a puddle of depression on the floor. Takizo, who hadn't eaten breakfast, took the opportunity to demolish the snacks.
"Come back when you graduate, kid," Takizo teased through a mouthful of crumbs. "You're not even a Genin yet."
"You're not a Genin either!" Suigetsu shot back. "You never even went to school!"
"I don't speak to truant school children," Takizo said, sipping his tea calmly.
"ARGHHH!" Suigetsu clawed at the air in frustration.
Suddenly, the front door creaked open, and a figure stepped inside.