Naruto: Hidden Mist's Great Blacksmith

As Hozuki Izumo's words fell, everyone around glared angrily at the Hozuki Ninja in the center.

"Too much!" 

"Simply shameless!" 

"Can't do it yourself, and you blame others for being too strong!" 

"Isn't it the Hozuki Clan that selfishly wants to control the Seven Ninja Swords?"

"Can you blame Chief Uehara for this?" 

"Even trying to kill Chief Uehara, you're out of your mind!" 

"Do you want to turn against the entire village?"

…

The Hozuki Ninja then focused their gaze on Hozuki Izumo.

"Traitor!"

 "As a member of the Hozuki Clan, you actually betrayed your family and sided with outsiders!" 

"Unforgivable!"

 "You are unworthy of being a Hozuki Clan member." 

"You dishonor the blood flowing through you and your surname." 

"If it weren't for you, our plan tonight might have already succeeded."

Hearing the Hozuki Ninja's words, everyone was even more furious.

"Even now, you're still so arrogant?" 

"Does the Hozuki Clan think they have some special backing?" 

"Do you think being descendants of Lord Second means the village can't do anything to you?" 

"They must be severely punished!"

"Execute them!"

But when Yagura, Genji, and others turned their gaze to Hozuki Izumo, the situation became somewhat delicate.

They did not immediately believe Hozuki Izumo's condemnation of the Hozuki Clan's crimes. Instead, they considered a question:

As a member of the Hozuki Clan, is Hozuki Izumo truly not associated with these Hozuki Clan members? Could it be that after the incident, he deliberately distanced himself to protect some Hozuki Clan members? Is Hozuki Izumo and the surrounded Hozuki Clan members merely acting? A temporary split?

Genji and Yagura considered the situation more comprehensively.

Yagura nodded.

"The Hozuki Clan has committed great crimes and must be severely punished."

"Fortunately, there are outstanding individuals like you within the Hozuki Clan."

"You haven't fallen with them."

"You're quite impressive."

"Earlier, how many did you kill?"

The first few sentences were just a prelude; the final question was what Yagura truly wanted to ask.

"Four."

"What are their names?"

Hozuki Izumo was momentarily stunned before recalling and answering.

"Hozuki Hikari, Hozuki Horu, Hozuki Hisashi, Hozuki Toshi."

"Where are their bodies?"

"That way."

Hozuki Izumo pointed in a direction.

Yagura signaled to an ANBU Ninja.

Immediately, the ANBU Ninja moved swiftly and soon returned, carrying four bodies—each one belonging to a member of the Hozuki Clan.

Yagura then looked at another Ninja.

When this Ninja nodded, Yagura turned back to Hozuki Izumo, his gaze now showing a hint of trust.

Being able to clearly state the number of people he had killed and their corresponding names, with no errors, indicated that it was unlikely to have been prepared in advance.

If the Hozuki Clan had prepared so thoroughly and meticulously, even sacrificing four of their members beforehand, their attempt to assassinate Soma would likely have been even more refined, not as "rough" as it appeared now.

Yagura thought that it was highly likely that Hozuki Izumo and the Hozuki Clan were not aligned.

"Deal with them."

With Yagura's command, the ANBU Ninja charged forward.

With their numerical advantage, they overwhelmed the Hozuki Ninjas. Some Hozuki Ninja were killed on the spot, while others were knocked to the ground, unable to resist further.

"Handle it after finding Soma!"

Peach Hermit Garden Box.

Soma did not rush out. Instead, he found a wooden hut and went inside to rest.

Before the Hozuki Clan's attack, Soma had been forging. He was close to completing the creation of Thunder God's Rage. Killing two Hozuki members had also disturbed Soma's focus.

His current condition was not very good.

"The Hozuki Ninja attack will have caused quite a commotion."

"The village should soon be able to react and send support."

"But I wonder if Obito will control Yagura to take any actions…"

Soma knew of Obito's hatred for Hidden Mist Village. As the Great Blacksmith of Hidden Mist Village and the one leading its rise, he would inevitably be targeted by Obito.

"I'll go out after I recover my Chakra and stamina."

The Peach Hermit Garden Box was essentially another small world. However, some of the sounds from outside could still be heard inside the Garden Box.

Suddenly, the outside noise vanished. It was as if it had become eerily quiet.

Soon after, Soma heard two surprised cries. But these cries were not from outside; they were coming from inside the Garden Box.

Soma's expression shifted.

"Someone has entered the Garden Box?"

Soma quickly emerged, concealed his presence, and carefully observed.

Soon, two figures came into view.

"They're dressed the same as the two I killed before."

"They are also Hozuki Clan attackers."

Soma narrowed his eyes but did not act immediately. Those who entered the Garden Box without understanding the situation often walked into danger themselves, so Soma wouldn't need to intervene.

In the unfamiliar environment, the two Hozuki Ninja were initially panicked.

"What is this place?"

"Weren't we in Uehara Soma's forging room?"

"Others in the village have been alerted and have come to Forging Island."

"We were attacked and scattered, but how did we suddenly end up here?"

"Forests, wooden huts, streams…"

One of the Hozuki Ninja suddenly had a thought.

"Do you think there might be some device on Forging Island that can summon people here?"

"Like how our Hozuki Clan uses scrolls to summon the Seven Ninja Swords?"

"Yes, just like how Ninjas use Summoning Jutsu to call Summon Beasts."

"It's very likely that Soma used such a device to leave Forging Island."

"And now, we happen to have encountered it."

The other Hozuki Ninja's eyes lit up.

"This means we've arrived at Soma's hiding place?"

"Soma is nearby!"

"We might have a chance to kill Soma?"

"Great!"

"If we accomplish such a feat, our status in the family will be only second to the Clan Head."

"Find Soma and kill him!"

The two immediately began searching the surroundings.

On the tree branches, bright red fruits hung.

One of the Hozuki Clan members casually picked two of them—one for himself and one for his companion.

Since it was a familiar fruit and they didn't sense any poisonous aura from it, they had no doubts. They simply wiped the fruits a couple of times and ate them.

The fruit wasn't poisonous but seemed to contain a kind of mental control energy.

As the fruit was consumed, the expressions of the two began to change.

Their eyes grew more vacant than before.

The two didn't notice it themselves, but Soma did.

"Now I can make my move."

He raised his hand.

"Water Release: Water Gun Jutsu!"

The Hozuki Ninja, who had become dull after eating the fruit, didn't react in time.

"Bang!"

Soma's Water Gun pierced through one of the Hozuki Ninja's heads. Blood splattered everywhere. The Hozuki Ninja fell to the ground.

The remaining Hozuki Ninja was startled.

"Fire Release: Crimson Earth Spider!"

Flames coalesced into the shape of a giant spider and lunged at the Hozuki Ninja.

Soma's figure was concealed behind the spider.

"Lightning Release: Lightning Whip Jutsu."

A whip made of lightning coiled around the Hozuki Ninja.

At the same time, Soma took out Zudomon's Hammer and delivered a powerful strike.

"Crack!"

Immediately, the Hozuki Ninja's chest caved in.

But he did not lose his life immediately. Soma had done it deliberately.

"You Hozuki Clan want to kill me?"

"You deserve to die!"

The Hozuki Ninja, severely injured, remained fierce, glaring angrily at Soma. If looks could kill, Soma would have been torn to shreds.

"It's all because of you that our Hozuki Clan's situation has worsened."

"You could only forge those Ninjato based on the foundation of our Hozuki Clan Blacksmiths."

"Yet, not only are you ungrateful to our Hozuki Clan, but you also act against us."

"You oppose us at every turn."

"Ungrateful!"

"Killing you is the only way our Hozuki Clan has any hope of rising."

"Don't be too proud. If we can't kill you this time, there will be a next time. Even if I'm gone, there will be others. Even if we fail!"

"Other Ninja villages will eventually kill you!"

"I'll be waiting for you underground!"

With that, the Hozuki Ninja began to channel his Chakra.

"Pfft!"

A spurt of blood sprayed from the Hozuki Ninja's mouth, staining the ground in front of him red.

Soma watched the Hozuki Ninja's body with a calm expression.

"Stubbornness is stubbornness."

"But the shameless ones are you."

"Relying on the Hozuki Clan's Blacksmith foundation?"

"Could the Forging Techniques on Forging Island create a Zanpakuto?"

"Dream on."

"Your Hozuki Clan really know how to take credit for yourselves."

Soma quickly dug a hole and buried the two Hozuki Clan bodies under a tree.

This wasn't to give them a proper burial, but to clean up the Garden Box environment.

The Peach Hermit Garden Box, not too small but not too large either, would be filled with the stench of blood from just two bodies. Over time, it would also emit a strong odor.

Soma looked at a nearby tree.

Previously, when processing Thunder God's Rage materials, he had stored the leftover cow horn scraps in a box and buried it under this tree, covering it with soil.

He had only made a mark on the trunk that Soma alone understood.

"This tree seems to have changed a bit."

Soma frowned slightly.

"It doesn't seem like an illusion…"

"First, I'll leave the Garden Box. Given the situation with the two Hozuki Ninja, the village's reinforcements should have arrived outside. The Hozuki Ninja wouldn't be able to hold them off. Forging Island should be safe now."

Soma exited through the hidden passage.

Once outside the Garden Box, Soma's form immediately expanded back to his normal human size.

The forging room was empty, except for a few bodies.

There was no sign of battle outside either.

Soma proceeded out.

"Chief Uehara?"

Soma encountered an ANBU Ninja who had been searching the area.

"It's me."

"Thank goodness, it's really great that you're alright. Mizukage-sama and the others are outside. The Hozuki attackers have all been killed or subdued. Forging Island is safe now."

The ANBU Ninja quickly reported.

Soma nodded.

"I'll go out now."

The ANBU Ninja led the way.

"Mizukage-sama, Chief Uehara has been found."

"Chief Uehara is alright."

As the ANBU Ninja spoke, everyone's gaze turned toward them.

"Soma."

"Mizukage-sama, Elder Genji… Everyone, I'm sorry for causing so much worry. Thank you all."

Soma stood between Yagura and Genji.

Yagura patted Soma on the shoulder.

"Soma, it's good that you're alright."

He paused.

"Soma, don't worry. I will give you an explanation for what happened today. The Hozuki Clan's actions, attacking our village's comrades, are unforgivable."

"Izumo said that before this, the Hozuki Clan already harbored significant hostility toward you."

"But we didn't expect them to be so vicious."

"Even more incorrigible than the Kaguya Clan back then."

As Yagura spoke, he glanced at Hozuki Izumo.

At that moment, Yagura actually had a thought in his mind.

In terms of radicalism, Yagura is not any less severe than the Third Mizukage.

Moreover, Obito's long-term control over Yagura seems to have had some impact on him.

Strengthening the Bloody Mist, increasing competition, even if it means bloodshed and sacrifice...

When the Hozuki Clan carried out the assassination attempt on Soma, Yagura's own thought—when not under Obito's control—was that the Hozuki Clan should not be forgiven.

Such a Ninja clan should be eradicated.

Even though there are non-selfish, village-minded individuals like Hozuki Izumo among the Hozuki Clan, and many innocent people...

In Yagura's view, the conflict between the Hozuki Clan and the village can no longer be reconciled.

The village cannot trust the Hozuki Clan.

The Hozuki Clan will not trust the village.

Not even basic trust can be maintained.

Either the Hozuki Clan must leave Hidden Mist Village, or the entire clan must be wiped out.

The former poses a significant future threat to Hidden Mist Village.

Just as Konoha would prefer the Hyuga Clan to disappear rather than let them leave Konoha, Yagura did not immediately voice the intention to exterminate the Hozuki Clan.

However, Yagura had already made his decision.

Yagura was waiting.

The Hozuki Clan's raid on Forging Island had failed. The remaining members of the Hozuki Clan must now be aware of the situation.

So, what kind of reaction would the Hozuki Clan have?

Yagura believed that the Hozuki Clan would not all surrender meekly. Some would likely panic and flee the village, or even go to the extreme of mutual destruction.

At that point, the village could naturally exterminate the Hozuki Clan.

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