Chapter 14: The Hōzuki Clan — Hōzuki Kōgetsu
Although the Mist ninja did everything he could to block it, it was already too late. In an instant, the sharp scalpel in Jack's hand pierced straight through his body.
But Jack's expression showed not the slightest bit of relief—if anything, it grew even more serious. The sensation in her hand did not feel like stabbing into a human body. It felt more like plunging into water.
Splash!
Sure enough, the Mist ninja's body, which had just been pierced, instantly dissolved into something like flowing water.
"A Water Clone?"
Seeing this, Chizuki was startled. He had just opened his mouth to warn her when he saw that the stream of water seemed almost alive, flowing upward against the edge of Jack's blade.
"Jack, get back! That's not a Water Clone—it's Kirigakure's Hydrification Technique!"
At the sight of the Mist ninja turning his body into water, there was no way Chizuki could fail to recognize the technique. If he still couldn't identify it now, then he had no right to call himself an anime fan. Realizing this, he hurriedly shouted a warning to Jack.
"Too late! Die, brat!"
Along with an enraged roar, the Mist ninja's upper body—now transformed into water—silently appeared behind Jack. His right hand drew a small, razor-sharp dagger from his body and thrust it toward the back of her head.
In an instant, offense and defense were reversed.
Swish—!
A streak of bright red blood sprayed into the air, glittering under the sunlight before quietly splattering onto the ground.
But contrary to what he had expected, the Mist ninja did not see the white-haired child die beneath his blade. Instead, another person had suddenly appeared and blocked the dagger.
"Wh-What?!"
At the critical moment, just as Jack was about to lose her head, Chizuki used the Substitution Technique to switch places with her and took the fatal stab in her stead.
Honestly, the Substitution Technique being classified as one of the basic Three Body Techniques was almost an insult to it.
Among the three, the Clone Technique only created illusions rather than real bodies, so aside from academy students and genin, hardly anyone used it. The Transformation Technique merely changed one's appearance; no matter how good it was, it was still just disguise. But the Substitution Technique? From Kage-level shinobi all the way down to academy kids, everyone studied and used it. It was an absolute god-tier technique—not only could it save your life in a critical moment, it could also make you look ridiculously cool doing it. It was basically a powerful ninjutsu you could use for life.
Normally, the Substitution Technique used logs, animals, or shadow clones to exchange positions. But Jack, as a Servant, was essentially the same in nature as one of Chizuki's extensions. That meant Chizuki could use Substitution with her freely. And not only that—any Servant he summoned could also be treated as a substitute target.
But how could a jōnin's attack be that easy to take head-on?
Under the force of the clash, Chizuki felt a tremendous impact slam into him, sending his body flying backward through the air. The strength of the blow was so great that he couldn't even keep hold of the kunai in his hand. A savage wound, over ten centimeters long, was torn across his left arm.
"Damn it… it's actually the Hydrification Technique. Is he from the Hōzuki Clan…?"
Only after stumbling back several steps did Chizuki finally manage to steady himself. Smacking his lips in frustration, he clutched the wound on his left arm and spoke through gritted teeth.
"Heh, hahahaha! Never thought I'd see the day—even a brat from Konoha knows of the Hōzuki Clan. Looks like our family still has quite the reputation."
At his words, the Mist ninja bared his teeth in a grin. His body of flowing water re-formed into a human shape. Then he licked the blood smeared on his dagger and said:
"That's right. I am a jōnin of Kirigakure's Hōzuki Clan—Hōzuki Kōgetsu."
The Hōzuki Clan was one of the most powerful clans in the Land of Water. Not only were they exceptional swordsmen, they also possessed a unique ninjutsu—the Hydrification Technique—a secret art that allowed them to turn their bodies into water and negate most physical damage.
That said, the technique was difficult to master, so not many people could use it. Even so, the Hōzuki Clan had produced quite a few powerful shinobi.
When talking about the Hōzuki, the first person who came to mind was the Second Mizukage of Kirigakure, Hōzuki Gengetsu. He possessed not only the Hydrification Technique, but an even stronger Oil Transformation Technique—and, of course, that sexy little mustache of his. In the end, he died in battle against the Second Tsuchikage, with both perishing together.
Then there were the Hōzuki brothers, Mangetsu and Suigetsu—both prodigies of the clan. One became the second wielder of the twin swords Hiramekarei, while the other inherited the Kubikiribōchō, the Executioner's Blade. Both were masters capable of handling all seven of the legendary ninja swords.
But enough digression.
Looking at the pressure steadily pouring off Hōzuki Kōgetsu, Chizuki couldn't help but feel like he was riding a tiger he couldn't dismount from.
Because he couldn't bear to watch Pakura die right in front of him, his head had heated up and he'd rushed out impulsively. Of course, if this had been an ordinary ninja, they would have already died to Jack's sneak attack. But unfortunately, this opponent just happened to be a member of the Hōzuki Clan—the most troublesome kind to deal with. The Hydrification Technique was absurdly overpowered, not just in the early stages, but even later on.
Looking at it that way, the reason this Mist ninja named Hōzuki Kōgetsu had been able to survive Pakura's Scorch Release: Extremely Steaming Murder earlier must have been because of the Hydrification Technique.
At that thought, Chizuki almost wanted to slap himself.
Why the hell did you have to show off? Now look at you—you're not happy at all.
What do I do? What's the weakness of the Hydrification Technique? The official material never really said. It seems like it should be weak against Lightning Release, but I don't know Chidori. And other lightning techniques probably wouldn't do much damage either. How the hell do you fight someone who just turns into water whenever he wants? He just goes elemental at the drop of a hat. It's not like I know Armament Haki. How is this even playable?
Chizuki swallowed a soldier pill to replenish his body, feeling the chakra inside him stir with renewed activity. He quickly ran through every possible counter to the Hydrification Technique in his mind, but came up with nothing useful.
And it was obvious—he didn't have much time left.
Forming several hand seals at high speed, Chizuki opened his mouth and spat toward Hōzuki Kōgetsu.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
Jack refused to be outdone. She swept her scalpel across her chest and charged forward in a blur, clashing directly with Hōzuki Kōgetsu as he dodged the massive fireball.
Though the Hōzuki Clan was famed for their swordsmanship, when it came to assassination, sneak attacks, and close-quarters combat, Jack was no pushover either. For a time, the two were evenly matched.
Chizuki turned to glance back at the weakened Pakura and let out a helpless sigh.
He was already thinking about running away.
Compared to other transmigrator seniors, Chizuki himself didn't like getting involved in fighting or killing. On the contrary, he preferred standing to the side and watching the show. He had never seen himself as a soldier, and he was terribly afraid of dying. Even if he was now standing on a battlefield, there was no way he would bury himself here for someone else's sake.
With that thought, Chizuki gritted his teeth, preparing to find a chance to escape. But then, a voice suddenly sounded in his ear, making him halt in place.
After a pause, he thought to himself:
"I can only gamble on this."
Chizuki turned around and looked Pakura straight in the eyes. Then, enunciating every word with utmost seriousness, he asked:
"Hey, big sister—against a member of the Hōzuki Clan, how much of a chance do you have?"