Naruto: Hidden Mist's Great Blacksmith

In front of Izumo, a large amount of lightning appeared and gathered.

A strong white light burst out, obscuring the surrounding situation.

A sharp thunderous roar echoed.

It was countless times sharper than Chidori.

Extremely piercing.

Some ordinary Hozuki Clan members not far away could only feel that their eyes were unable to open and their ears could not hear.

Just the residual wave alone reached this extent.

Lightning coalesced into a sphere.

Under Izumo's control, the lightning ball slowly floated into the air.

Although it was suspended in mid-air, it gave off an incredibly heavy feeling.

The surrounding space seemed to be collapsing.

Some Hozuki Ninjas instinctively looked up.

"Judge them, Thunder God's Rage!"

Accompanied by Izumo's voice, a beam of light descended.

From the lightning ball, it shot straight downwards.

The light appeared somewhat slow and gentle, but its descent was extremely fast.

The dozens of Hozuki Ninjas were all within the beam of light.

Their figures were covered.

Onlookers could no longer see these dozen people.

Finally, the lightning ball in mid-air dimmed.

The beam of light slowly disappeared.

Countless gazes turned towards this direction.

Not only members of the Hozuki Clan, but also ANBU Ninjas and others, were all watching.

When the light completely vanished, everyone saw that no one was left standing on the ground.

The dozens of Hozuki Ninjas all fell down.

And there was no movement from them.

People's eyes widened.

"Such a powerful attack!"

"Is this Izumo's strength?"

"It's terrifying."

"Incredible."

"When did Izumo become this strong?"

Suddenly, someone noticed something unusual on Izumo's arm.

"What is that on Izumo's arm?"

"It looks like a ninja tool!"

"Could it be Uehara-sama's newly forged Zanpakuto?"

"A new lightning-type Zanpakuto?"

"That's so powerful!"

"Far surpassing Thunder Swords!"

"One strike directly defeated dozens of Ninjas!"

"These Ninjas were not weak!"

"This kind of attack exceeds the level that an elite Jonin can use."

"Extremely fast, impossible to dodge, with a massive coverage area."

Some Hozuki members speculated.

"Did Izumo betray the clan for the Zanpakuto?"

"For personal gain, he sided with Yagura, gained the right to use the Zanpakuto, and turned on his own clan members."

"I remember Izumo used Thunder Swords for a while, but it was taken back due to poor performance."

"This is Izumo's revenge!"

"This bastard!"

The members of the Hozuki Clan cursed Izumo furiously.

However, Izumo's attack was so shocking that, despite their extreme hatred, they were too fearful to approach or attack him. They only dared to hide at a distance and curse him.

Soma, Genji, and other village elders stood on high ground, looking towards Hozuki Island from afar.

"Soma, what is the name of this Zanpakuto?"

Genji turned to Soma.

"Thunder God's Rage."

"Thunder God's Rage, as its name suggests, the power indeed rivals the wrath of the Thunder God."

Genji said, "With Izumo possessing Thunder God's Rage, his overall strength might be comparable to Fuguki, Juzo, or Raiga. Our village has gained another top-tier Ninja."

"In that case, the negative impact on our village from the Hozuki Clan's internal conflict will be somewhat reduced."

Internal conflicts are all about consumption. With one less Hozuki Clan, there are fewer Ninjas available for the front lines. Even if not all of these Ninjas would go to the front, their presence in the village serves as a deterrent to other Ninja villages. Additionally, during an internal conflict, not only does the Hozuki Clan suffer casualties, but the Ninjas attacking the Hozuki Clan also suffer losses.

Moreover, the Hozuki Clan's raid on Forging Island resulted in significant casualties among the guards there. Given this situation, the overall strength of Hidden Mist Village is bound to decrease. Other Ninja villages might see this as an opportunity.

Izumo's outstanding performance could offset some of the negative effects.

At this moment, Yagura, having finished dealing with his tasks, walked over. Soma lowered his voice and asked, "Genji-san, Mizukage-sama is coming over."

Genji nodded.

"Let's go over."

"Although the people I've arranged are very experienced in Bloody Mist and know what to do, we can't let Mizukage-sama get too close."

"Otherwise, it might expose our intentions."

Having said that, Genji looked towards Yagura and took a few steps forward to greet him.

"Mizukage-sama."

Soma followed behind.

"Mizukage-sama."

Yagura nodded slightly.

"Elder Genji, Soma."

"How is the progress?"

Yagura looked towards Hozuki Island and asked Genji.

"Reporting to Mizukage-sama, the progress is going smoothly. The Hozuki Clan has no real resistance."

"In recent years, the Hozuki Clan has declined significantly."

"They forcibly took the Seven Ninja Swords before, which is an embarrassement to Gengetsu-sama."

"However, they haven't been able to make full use of the Seven Ninja Swords."

"Moreover, Izumo has performed exceptionally well. With Soma's newly forged Zanpakuto, no one in the Hozuki Clan can match Izumo, even if they have the advantage in numbers."

Previously, the fact that Izumo was granted the use of Thunder Swords proved that within the Hozuki Clan, his strength and talent were quite impressive. With Thunder God's Rage, he is even stronger than before.

The Hozuki Clan has indeed declined. The only talent worth mentioning, Hozuki Mangetsu, has yet to mature and is still on the front lines, not on Forging Island.

"That's good."

Yagura then looked towards Soma.

"Soma, have you forged another new Zanpakuto?"

"Yes, a lightning attribute one. I remember Izumo previously used Thunder Swords, so he must have good lightning attribute talent. It turned out to be a good match for him."

"Izumo is quite lucky."

Yagura said, "However, between the clan and the village, it's commendable that Izumo was able to choose correctly and justly without being blinded by personal gain, and that the Zanpakuto recognized him."

Genji continued to talk with Yagura, keeping Yagura's attention "occupied" here and preventing him from getting too close.

Meanwhile, Soma shifted his gaze back to Hozuki Island.

"The scene of this night is quite similar to that of the Kaguya Clan's night."

"After all, it's another night of annihilation."

"But the results will be quite different."

"Speaking of which, Kaguya Neko has already carried out one annihilation, and Izumo is playing the role of an annihilator now. In the future, when Uchiha Itachi carries out the Uchiha clan's annihilation, what will people's evaluation of him be?"

"A clumsy imitator of Kaguya Neko?"

"Or a clumsy imitator of Hozuki Izumo?"

The essence of Neko and Izumo is similar.

Both are caught between the clan and the village.

Both made sacrifices for their clan and village.

Neko bore all the sins on himself and left the village.

Izumo did the same.

The difference is that Neko preserved the Kaguya Clan's reputation and left the village.

Izumo did not preserve the reputation of the Hozuki Clan and remains in Hidden Mist Village.

"With Neko and Izumo's actions as precedents, in the future, when Itachi carries out such deeds, it won't shock the ninja world as much."

"Those 'fanatics' who admire Itachi because of the annihilation events might not regard him as highly."

"Instead, they might see Neko and Izumo as totems."

"Is this the path that Itachi must take, leaving him with no way out?"

An elder stood in front of Izumo.

Izumo's eyes flickered slightly.

On one hand, the elder was very powerful.

In the Hozuki Clan, the elder had not acted for a long time, but no one could ignore his strength.

Among the Hozuki Clan, the elder's abilities rank among the top.

Before obtaining Thunder God's Rage, even with Thunder Swords, Izumo did not think he could be a match for the elder.

On the other hand, Izumo knew that the elder was not a member of the radical faction.

In other words, after tonight's events, the elder would be among those who could continue to survive.

"Hiroshi-san."

Izumo maintained a respectful attitude towards Hozuki Hiroshi.

"Izumo!"

Hozuki Hiroshi looked at Izumo and then at the dozens of Hozuki Clan members' corpses on the ground.

A trace of grief and anger appeared on his face.

"Fratricide!"

"Izumo, look at what you have done!"

"What's the difference between such behavior and that of a beast?"

Izumo loudly rebutted.

"Hiroshi-san, they were the ones who raided Forging Island first, killing the Forging Department members, and revolted against the village first. They were in the wrong. I was merely correcting them."

"They committed a grave sin that cannot be forgiven."

"I was acting under Mizukage-sama's orders to annihilate the Hozuki Clan. What's wrong with that?"

As Izumo spoke, he moved closer to Hozuki Hiroshi.

When he was close enough, Izumo lowered his voice significantly.

"Hiroshi-san, Mizukage-sama's order is to annihilate the Hozuki Clan."

"But actually, you don't have to die."

"When I attack you later, you can feign death."

"After that, I'll handle the rest."

"Not just you."

"Any Hozuki Clan member who did not participate in the Forging Island operation, is not a member of the Hozuki radical faction, and does not wish to rebel against the village can remain safe tonight."

Hozuki Hiroshi frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"Just the literal meaning."

Izumo said.

"Elder Hiroshi, you just need to understand that the village does not have a grudge against our Hozuki Clan."

"Tonight, only the criminals will be dealt with."

"The village will not spare any criminals."

"But it will not wrongfully kill any innocent person."

Hozuki Hiroshi was silent for a moment.

"Using the annihilation of the clan to punish the Hozuki Clan?"

"For true criminals, impose severe punishment."

"For the innocent, create a false image of death."

"…"

"I don't know what you want to do."

"But after tonight, the name of Hozuki will surely be erased by Hidden Mist Village. In that case, even if I survive, what meaning is there in it? And I am already tired."

"Izumo, I will only ask you one thing: do you still have the Hozuki Clan in your heart?"

Izumo nodded.

"Of course."

"Alright, I will take your word for it. Since you have a plan, you should proceed according to your plan. I am old and tired."

Hozuki Hiroshi sighed.

"Those who have committed capital offenses according to your words are still my clansmen."

"I cannot watch them die and do nothing."

"Nor can I seek the future of the Hozuki Clan with their blood."

"So let me end it here."

"Izumo, attack me."

"Use all your strength."

"If possible, I would rather die at your hands."

Izumo furrowed his brows.

"Hiroshi-san?"

Izumo was puzzled by Hozuki Hiroshi's choice.

He had already made things very clear.

Why was Hozuki Hiroshi still like this?

Feigning death and escaping—wasn't living better?

Even if dissatisfied with the village, only by living could one continue to contribute to the future of the Hozuki Clan.

Always talking about being old and tired.

Isn't he tired?

Hasn't he made enough sacrifices for the Hozuki Clan?

How much scorn would he have to bear in the future?

"Hiroshi-san."

Izumo's gaze toward Hozuki Hiroshi changed.

"You are too cowardly."

"If that's the case, there's nothing more to say. I don't know if your dissatisfaction is with the village or with me. If you want to be killed by me, then I'll grant your wish."

Izumo had indeed respected Hozuki Hiroshi before.

But that was in the past.

Now, Hozuki Hiroshi's "pretentious" behavior suddenly made Izumo realize that Hozuki Hiroshi might not be as he had previously imagined, but rather, had too little stature.

Moreover, time was tight tonight.

Izumo did not want to waste too much time on Hozuki Hiroshi.

"Lightning Release, Lightning Net!"

The powerful lightning energy appeared in Izumo's hands, forming into a net.

In the next moment, the net was cast toward Hozuki Hiroshi.

At the same time.

"Lightning Release, Lightning Cannon!"

In this situation, Hozuki Hiroshi was unable to use Hydrification Jutsu.

"Water Release, Water Dragon Bullet Jutsu!"

A water dragon charged straight at the Lightning Net.

"Bang!"

A huge explosion sounded.

Water splashed and lightning flickered.

The two figures moved rapidly, and the scene was very intense.

One was a new Shinigami Squad member who had obtained Thunder God's Rage.

One was a seasoned Ninja of the Hozuki Clan.

Both had considerable strength.

But in the end, it was Izumo who emerged victorious.

"Judge him, Thunder God's Rage!"

A beam of lightning descended from the sky, piercing through Hozuki Hiroshi, electrocuting him thoroughly. His skin turned black, his organs shattered, and blood flowed from his mouth, ears, and other parts of his body in a spray.

...

Dawn broke.

Soma returned to Forging Island.

Immediately, he entered the Garden Box.

Previously, Soma had noticed an anomaly with a tree inside. Now he finally had time to investigate the situation.

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