Chapter 331: Chapter 331: You Think Your Hydration Technique is Impressive? How About Facing the Lightning Sword?
The appearance of Manda was an unmistakable sign that Takuya had arrived.
And with Manda wreaking havoc, the Mist shinobi showed no signs of retreating.
This puzzled Takuya, making him wonder if his fearsome reputation had somehow been hidden.
It wasn't until he came face-to-face with Hōzuki Jirō that he realized it wasn't about his reputation; their leader was simply that stubborn.
Judging by Hōzuki Jirō's demeanor, even if Orochimaru himself appeared, there would be no thought of withdrawal.
"Are you kidding me?!"
"There are only those who die in battle in the Hōzuki clan, not cowards who flee!"
Hōzuki Jirō shouted angrily at Takuya's suggestion.
He felt insulted, as if his very character had been questioned. Did Takuya really think he could be scared so easily?
Alright, alright, the Hōzuki clan is the most headstrong of all. Even more than the Uchiha, fine.
Takuya was speechless.
It was just a joke, no need to be so serious.
"Die!!"
Seeing Takuya nod nonchalantly with an indifferent expression pushed Hōzuki Jirō over the edge.
He drew the weapon strapped to his back and charged, his sharp blade aimed directly at Takuya's throat.
Going head-on like this?
Takuya was a bit surprised and swung Samehada down heavily.
Thud!
With a loud crash, Hōzuki Jirō's sword shattered under the impact.
Samehada let out a dissatisfied grumble, as if rebuking Takuya for using it so recklessly. Impossible!
Hōzuki Jirō's arms, rendered jelly-like from the force, couldn't believe the raw power Takuya had unleashed.
One direct hit had not only broken his weapon but also sent shockwaves that left his arms useless.
It was only thanks to his clan's Hydration Technique that he hadn't completely lost use of his arms.
Anyone else would have had their arms utterly destroyed.
No wonder this brat could storm in unimpeded, leaving a trail of defeated shinobi in his wake.
Hōzuki Jirō dropped the broken blade and tried to retreat, but Samehada was already descending once more.
Splat!
Samehada struck what seemed to be water as Jiro's body split apart but took no lasting damage due to his unique ability.
"Foolish!"
"Don't you know that such attacks are useless against me?"
The surrounding Mist shinobi panicked, rushing forward to rescue him.
Smirking, Takuya kept his left hand on the Thunder God Blade and wielded Samehada with his
right, effortlessly fending off the advancing shinobi.
Samehada, covered in barbs, tore chunks of flesh from those it hit.
"Takuya!"
Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto appeared with reinforcements.
The battle was nearing its end. Despite the Mist Village's superior numbers, the combined strength of Manda's rampage, Takuya's relentless assault, and the natural prowess of the
Uchiha warriors had tipped the scales.
"Finish off the remaining enemies. Oh, right."
Glancing at the twitching Jiro on the ground, Takuya chuckled.
"Grab a few weapons and have those with lightning chakra carry him. Make sure he gets a
nice, continuous jolt so he doesn't escape using the Hydration Technique." Deidara, who'd someday preach that "art is an explosion," was rendered useless when faced
with lightning chakra.
And members of the Hōzuki clan turned to lifeless puddles when exposed to it.
With such a valuable captive, Takuya wasn't going to let Jirō slip away.
Idiots who delivered themselves to the enemy were rare treasures, and losing one would ruin
Takuya's mood for days.
"Follow me!"
Uchiha Fugaku led the group to pursue the retreating enemies.
Mikoto and two other Uchiha grabbed weapons and stabbed them into Jirō's body.
"Enjoy yourself."
Takuya pulled the Thunder God Blade from the ground and watched as Jiro was "treated" by
Uchiha ninjas, then turned to Mikoto.
"How's the Uchiha holding up?"
With Manda clearing a path and Takuya leading the charge, if the Uchiha still suffered
significant losses, there was nothing more he could do.
"Three dead, most others injured but recoverable with rest. Overall, it's a victory."
Facing hundreds with only a few dozen, even with Manda's assistance and Takuya cutting
through the enemy, zero casualties would have been unrealistic.
Three deaths, with the rest just wounded, was a good outcome.
It was an acceptable cost for such a victory.