Naruto: Hidden Mist's Great Blacksmith

Soma and Genji exchanged a glance.

Both of them guessed Yagura's thoughts.

Soma was deep in thought.

In the original storyline, Soma was aware of the Kaguya Clan's radicalism and insanity.

They had a civil war with the village.

As a result, they faced the fate of "extermination."

Because of Soma's appearance, the fate of the Kaguya Clan has changed in this world.

In the original storyline, the Hozuki Clan was not like the Kaguya Clan.

After all, this is the ninja clan of Hozuki Gengetsu, the Second Mizukage.

Moreover, in the original storyline, Soma's Zanpakuto did not exist.

Yet, the Hozuki Clan still declined.

Hozuki Mangetsu died.

Hozuki Suigetsu became Orochimaru's test subject.

Considering the sudden and reckless nature of the Hozuki Clan's recent actions.

"Mizukage-sama, there are too many people here. How about we find a private place to discuss how to deal with the Hozuki Clan?"

Genji suggested.

Yagura nodded.

"Alright."

Immediately, Yagura, Genji, Mayuko Ringo… under Soma's guidance, went to an empty forge.

"Izumo, come here."

"Yes, Chief-sama."

Entering the forge.

"Bang!"

The door closed.

Soma looked at Hozuki Izumo.

"Izumo, what do you think about this matter?"

"Chief-sama."

Hozuki Izumo hesitated for a moment and said, "The actions of the Hozuki Clan are unforgivable. Even though I am a member of the Hozuki Clan and have its blood running through my veins…"

"But the current Hozuki Clan is no longer the Hozuki Clan of the past."

"The current Hozuki Clan has already fallen and decayed."

"If you, Chief-sama, believe me, I am willing to lead the charge in dealing with the Hozuki Clan!"

As he spoke, Hozuki Izumo seemed to recall the scene where he had been rejected by the entire clan for not meeting their expectations with the Thunder Swords.

"I thought I knew them well."

"But they turned out to be even more ruthless than I had imagined."

"They actually did such a thing."

"It is utterly unforgivable!"

"And since things have reached this point, if we don't take action, they will surely strike first."

"That would lead to the entire village being plunged into internal chaos."

"Our hard-earned advantage over Konoha will collapse instantly."

"Konoha will retaliate against us."

"Hidden Cloud Village, Hidden Rock Village, and Hidden Sand Village will certainly seize this opportunity."

"We must take action in advance to suppress and annihilate the Hozuki Clan."

Hozuki Izumo paused for a moment.

"There are indeed some innocent people among them."

"But it's unavoidable."

"Things have reached this point, and there's no way to salvage it."

"This is war."

"Simple right and wrong cannot encompass it."

"The Hozuki Clan has become the enemy of the village."

"Therefore, exterminating them all at once is the best choice for the village."

"Everything is for the sake of the village!"

Soma looked at Hozuki Izumo, momentarily dazed.

In Hozuki Izumo, Soma saw a shadow of Uchiha Itachi and Kaguya Neko.

Soma hadn't expected Hozuki Izumo to be so "radical."

Yagura looked at Hozuki Izumo with a new hint of admiration.

Previously, when Hozuki Izumo stepped forward, Yagura thought he merely wanted to sever ties with the Hozuki Clan's justice.

But now that Hozuki Izumo himself proposed the "extermination of the clan," Yagura's trust in him increased significantly.

"Hozuki Izumo, you're absolutely right!"

Yagura smiled.

"As a member of the Hozuki Clan, your perspective is not limited to the clan itself. Even if clan members make mistakes, you can analyze the situation impartially and objectively."

"Your vision is for the whole village, not just the clan."

"Soma, Elder Genji."

Yagura looked at Soma and Genji.

"Then it's decided."

"The Hozuki Clan has committed a grave crime; that's one point."

"Secondly, the Hozuki Clan and the village can no longer coexist peacefully. With the village at a critical juncture, we absolutely cannot allow the Hozuki Clan to affect the village."

"The Hozuki Clan must be exterminated!"

Hozuki Izumo's words prompted Yagura to make the decision to exterminate the Hozuki Clan earlier than planned.

Originally, Yagura had wanted to wait until the remaining members of the Hozuki Clan made a "rebellious" move.

"Mizukage-sama, isn't extermination too severe?"

Soma naturally harbored great dissatisfaction with the Hozuki Clan.

He would never forgive those who sought to kill him.

But the problem is that the Hozuki Clan is a clan.

The decision and actions involve only some members, not all.

Like the Kaguya Clan, there are innocent people within the Hozuki Clan.

Extermination… is too harsh.

"Soma, you need not be soft-hearted."

"Moreover, this issue has become a matter for the entire village."

"Only by exterminating the clan can it be resolved."

"I have already decided!"

Soma opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing more.

At this moment, Yagura's state made Soma feel that it was not just Yagura's will but also influenced by the thoughts of others.

"Yes, Mizukage-sama."

Yagura made the decision.

However, Genji did not leave.

Instead, he immediately summoned key personnel of the village, including the ANBU Squad Captain and the mission department chief, to a meeting room he had arranged.

Soma was deep in thought.

"Given the current situation, Yagura-san… no, more precisely, Uchiha Obito controlling Yagura-san, must be hoping for the Hozuki Clan to be exterminated and for an internal conflict within Hidden Mist Village."

"Uchiha Obito loathes Hidden Mist Village."

"He certainly wouldn't miss such an opportunity."

This is why Soma did not suggest having Hozuki Izumo follow Kaguya Neko's example to eliminate only the "radical" members of the Hozuki Clan while sparing the innocent.

Later, the reason for replicating Kaguya Neko's approach and bearing the guilt alone was to allow the innocent members of the Hozuki Clan to continue living in Hidden Mist Village.

This was because Yagura was being controlled by Uchiha Obito.

Everything about Yagura was transparent to Uchiha Obito.

If Soma suggested that Hozuki Izumo follow this approach, Uchiha Obito would inevitably suspect Kaguya Neko.

This would significantly diminish the effectiveness of Kaguya Neko's undercover role in the Akatsuki Organization.

It might even put Kaguya Neko in danger.

Suddenly, Soma considered a possibility.

"Could it be that the Hozuki Clan's actions are also secretly being manipulated by Uchiha Obito?"

Before the meeting started, Genji approached Soma privately.

"Soma…"

Soma noticed that Genji seemed hesitant and immediately understood what Genji wanted to discuss.

"Elder Genji, are you asking me what my stance is on dealing with the Hozuki Clan?"

"Yes."

"If I said that I loathe the entire Hozuki Clan and want them to pay in blood, what would you do?"

Genji was silent for a moment.

"Then I would follow Mizukage-sama's orders. The Hozuki Clan has indeed gone too far."

Genji agreed that the Hozuki Clan must face severe punishment.

But extermination seemed excessive to him.

After all, there are many innocent people within the Hozuki Clan.

Moreover, the Hozuki Clan is the family of Hidden Mist Village's Second Mizukage, Hozuki Gengetsu.

Genji had many ties with Hozuki Gengetsu.

However, if Soma insisted on exterminating the Hozuki Clan as a form of revenge, Genji would not oppose Soma's decision on behalf of the Hozuki Clan.

Soma smiled and shook his head.

"Elder Genji, do you see me as someone so ruthlessly murderous?"

"Wrongs have their origins, and debts have their owners."

"Of course, I don't want to see those who want to kill me continue to live."

"But among the many members of the Hozuki Clan, not everyone is at fault."

"For dealing with the Hozuki Clan, let's use our previous strategy for Bloody Mist."

"Kill those who should be killed."

"For those who should not be killed, we'll fabricate a scene of their death and then send them to a place outside the village."

...

Soon after everyone gathered.

Genji and Soma entered the meeting room.

"Everyone, even though Soma, as a victim, has expressed that exterminating the Hozuki Clan is too extreme, Yagura still insists on it. This must be the work of the person controlling Yagura behind the scenes."

"We are not yet at the stage where we should alarm the enemy, so we cannot disobey Yagura's orders."

"On the surface, the Hozuki Clan will be exterminated."

"However, for the innocent among them, those who did not participate in the attack on Forging Island and have no ill intentions towards Forging Island or the village, we want to relocate them to a small island outside the village."

"This matter requires everyone's cooperation to completely deceive Yagura."

"Does anyone have any other opinions?"

The group exchanged glances and shook their heads.

Genji and Soma had entered together.

Since Genji had said this, it was clear he had reached a consensus with Soma.

They had no compelling reason to exterminate the Hozuki Clan.

"Hozuki Izumo, come in."

At Genji's command, Hozuki Izumo entered.

Genji looked at Hozuki Izumo and said, "You will lead this operation. After it's completed, you will go to Mizukage-sama for an appointment. Mizukage-sama will make good use of you."

"Yes, Genji-sama."

Hozuki Izumo nodded solemnly.

The others left one by one.

After everyone else had gone, Hozuki Izumo turned back to Genji and Soma.

"Genji-sama, thank you."

"Uehara-sama, thank you."

Hozuki Izumo bowed deeply to both of them.

Soma looked at Hozuki Izumo.

"Your earlier proposal to exterminate the Hozuki Clan and your harsh criticism of their crimes was actually a tactic to gain an advantage, wasn't it?"

Earlier, when Soma observed Hozuki Izumo and felt a resemblance to Kaguya Neko, but with some differences, he now understood.

Kaguya Neko truly intended to exterminate the Kaguya Clan.

In contrast, Hozuki Izumo wanted to use a retreating strategy to show others that not everyone in the Hozuki Clan was "bad"—that there are still "good" people within the clan.

It's true that Hozuki Izumo harbors resentment towards the Hozuki Clan.

He dislikes many people in the Hozuki Clan.

But Hozuki Izumo still has feelings for the clan.

However, Yagura's immediate decision to exterminate the Hozuki Clan, following Hozuki Izumo's lead, exceeded his expectations.

In a state of despair, Hozuki Izumo was both surprised and delighted by the meeting organized by Genji.

Hozuki Izumo was surprised that Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage, was actually being controlled and reduced to a puppet.

He was pleased to realize that the village Elders were aware of this and had chosen not to expose it to avoid alarming the person behind the scenes, thus cooperating with Yagura's pretense.

He was even more pleased to find that the village Elders, including Soma, had no intention of exterminating the Hozuki Clan.

This made Hozuki Izumo feel both guilty and grateful towards Soma.

Furthermore, he harbored even more resentment towards the Hozuki Clan members involved in the raid on Forging Island.

"Uehara-sama, I'm sorry."

Soma waved his hand.

"You don't need to apologize. It's not your fault. Those Hozuki Clan members are not you, and you are not them. I wouldn't equate you with them just because you share the same surname."

"It's their fault."

Pausing for a moment, Soma added, "By the way, I have a Zanpakuto in hand that is about to be completed."

"Lightning affinity should suit you well."

"You can come with me to Forging Island later to forge a ninja tool contract."

"If you can contract with the Zanpakuto, it should make the upcoming operations smoother."

Hozuki Izumo's pupils contracted sharply.

"Uehara-sama?"

In an instant, Hozuki Izumo's eyes reddened.

Feelings of intense guilt and gratitude intermingled.

The Hozuki Clan had committed a grave mistake.

Hozuki Izumo had thought that Soma would blame him.

But to his surprise, Soma showed no anger towards him and even offered him the chance to contract with the newly forged Zanpakuto.

"Thud!"

Hozuki Izumo knelt directly in front of Soma.

A standard seiza bow.

"Bang!"

The sound of his forehead hitting the ground echoed.

"Uehara-sama, not only have you not held my actions against me because of the Hozuki Clan, but you've also been so kind to me. From now on, my life belongs to you, Uehara-sama."

Soma helped Hozuki Izumo up and smiled.

"Izumo, don't underestimate me. I wouldn't let personal grudges dictate my actions."

"However, whent you contract with the Zanpakuto, I hope you won't let it down."

"Make full use of its abilities."

"Be loyal to the village."

"Fight for the village."

Hozuki Izumo nodded firmly.

"Yes, Uehara-sama!"

"I will certainly do my utmost!"

Then, Soma turned to Genji.

"Genji-san, thank you."

"Izumo and I will head back to Forging Island now."

Genji accompanied them to the door.

"Be careful and take care."

...

Two figures approached.

Daida and Kaguya Izumi.

"Chief-sama."

The two stepped forward and followed closely behind Soma.

Hozuki Izumo deliberately fell back a bit.

"Let's head back."

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