Chapter 62: A Trap Within a Trap
No, it's completely different! It's not that Hozuki Shoji possesses some kind of immortality; rather, Koshino and his team used the wrong method to try to kill him!
In fact, from Hozuki Shoji's surname, one can see that he is a member of the Hozuki clan from the Hidden Mist Village.
In the original storyline, members of the Hozuki clan like Hozuki Mangetsu and Hozuki Suigetsu have a unique ability.
They can instantly liquefy their bodies when attacked, allowing them to withstand fatal blows from enemies.
As a member of the Hozuki clan and a Jonin of the Hidden Mist Village, Hozuki Shoji has naturally mastered the ability to liquefy his body to perfection.
Therefore, if Koshino and his team rely on physical attacks without understanding Hozuki Shoji's weaknesses, they won't be able to kill this Mist Village Jonin at all.
Because of this, Hozuki Shoji, using his clan's Kekkei Genkai, not only escaped from Koshino and his team's grasp but also obtained a crucial piece of information from them!
That is, the identity of Asuma Sarutobi as the son of the Third Hokage!
In the Hidden Leaf Village, although the Third Hokage has stepped down and the Fourth Hokage has taken over,
everyone in the ninja world knows that the Fourth Hokage's power in the village is far less than that of the Third Hokage.
So, with the Third Hokage's son in their hands, the Hidden Mist Village can use Asuma Sarutobi's identity to make a statement, overpowering the Hidden Leaf Village in terms of momentum.
Additionally, they can use Asuma Sarutobi's life to threaten the Third Hokage, which is extremely valuable.
Even if they can't overpower the Hidden Leaf Village, and even if the Third Hokage isn't threatened,
they can still use Asuma Sarutobi as a prisoner of war to exchange for some useful war resources from the Hidden Leaf Village, right?
The Third Hokage wouldn't just watch his son die in battle for the sake of some war resources, would he?
Therefore, after learning about Asuma Sarutobi's identity from Koshino and his team, Hozuki Shoji's mind became fervent.
After all, with all his subordinates dead in the skirmish, as a Mist Village Jonin, he would face certain punishment upon returning to the village.
However, with Asuma Sarutobi as a trump card, Hozuki Shoji not only doesn't have to worry about being punished, but he also has a greater chance of being rewarded upon returning to the village.
Then, after carefully observing that no one was tracking him, Hozuki Shoji slowly retracted his cruel smile, took a moment to rest, and headed towards the Hidden Mist Village's camp.
At this time, Hozuki Shoji's destination was precisely where Asuma Sarutobi was being held.
Previously, not knowing Asuma Sarutobi's identity, Hozuki Shoji treated him as an ordinary prisoner of war.
Now that he knows Asuma Sarutobi's identity, to make amends and for a generous reward, Hozuki Shoji is certainly heading to where Asuma Sarutobi is held to ensure his survival first!
"Little brat with the Sarutobi name, I hope you kept your mouth shut and didn't reveal too much information."
"Otherwise, if you really die in the Mist camp, we'll be in real trouble!"
"Whoosh!"
Thinking to himself, Hozuki Shoji knew that time was of the essence. His figure vanished from the dense forest where the battle had taken place.
Even while rushing, as an experienced Mist Jonin, Hozuki Shoji remained wary of Koshino and his team playing tricks.
Only after returning to the Mist camp did Hozuki Shoji take a deep breath, his expression relaxing.
It was clear that the previous skirmish had left a shadow on him.
Especially Koshino's seemingly childish yet ruthless Anbu tactics, which had secretly alarmed Hozuki Shoji.
However, upon returning to the Mist camp and finding only a few Chunin and Genin guarding it, Hozuki Shoji couldn't help but furrow his brows and ask a nearby Genin:
"Why is the camp's defense so weak?"
"Where is Lord Biwa? Where have they gone?"
Hearing Hozuki Shoji's question, the Mist Genin respectfully replied, "Sir, the Leaf forces we surrounded have started to counterattack. Lord Biwa led the troops to encircle them."
"Lord Biwa mentioned that if you returned, you should quickly take your team to assist."
Hearing this, the Mist Genin hesitated for a moment before asking, "Sir, your team?"
"Hmph, is that something you should be asking about? Get lost!"
After the battle with Koshino and the others, losing all his subordinates, Hozuki Shoji was still fuming with anger.
Naturally, he couldn't show any kindness to the Mist ninja genin who was present.
Then, after inquiring about the whereabouts of Sarutobi Asuma's camp, Hozuki Shoji stormed into the prisoner camp, immediately spotting Sarutobi Asuma.
To say that falling into the hands of the Mist ninja was unfortunate for Sarutobi Asuma would be an understatement.
Even though there were only a few Mist chunin and genin left in the camp, as the first prisoner of war, the Mist ninja still sent interrogation experts to question Sarutobi Asuma.
Not long after falling into their hands, under severe punishment, Sarutobi Asuma's spirit was on the verge of collapse.
If Hozuki Shoji had returned any later, Sarutobi Asuma might have revealed the secret of Koshino and the others'
breakout under mental collapse, becoming useless and meeting a tragic end at the hands of the Mist ninja.
Fortunately, as the son of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Asuma's mouth was still tightly sealed.
Seeing that Sarutobi Asuma was unharmed, Hozuki Shoji took a deep breath and addressed the Anbu interrogating Sarutobi Asuma:
"You all stand down. The prisoner is mine, and by rights, I should handle him personally."
"Yes, sir!"
Upon hearing Hozuki Shoji's order, the Mist chunin who came to interrogate Sarutobi Asuma quickly withdrew, leaving only Hozuki Shoji and Sarutobi Asuma in the camp.
Then, looking at Sarutobi Asuma, whose eyes had become dull and unfocused, Hozuki Shoji couldn't help but smile smugly.
Recalling Sarutobi Asuma's identity and the humiliation he suffered at the hands of Koshino and the others, Hozuki Shoji gripped his katana tightly, a cruel smile playing on his lips.
"Kid, I heard you're the son of the Third Hokage, is that right?"
"No, it's not."
Despite not being mentally broken, Sarutobi Asuma was still clear about what could be said and what couldn't.
However, Hozuki Shoji's sudden question caused Sarutobi Asuma to become momentarily dazed.
Coupled with the previous torture, a strange look flashed in his eyes, which made Hozuki Shoji smirk secretly.
He slowly approached Sarutobi Asuma, pressing the katana against his neck, and sneered:
"Kid, your comrades have already spilled your secrets, so there's no need to pretend anymore!
Your little friends were quite impressive, making me suffer losses!
Hmph, once I hand you over to Lord Zabuza, I'll naturally seek revenge on your little friends!"
"But before that, I'm going to collect some interest from you!"
"Hahaha! Wouldn't it be interesting if the Third Hokage's son lost a leg?"
"Kid, do you want to lose your right leg or your left leg?"
"No, please don't!"
Faced with Hozuki Shoji's cruel and somewhat sinister smile, Sarutobi Asuma was truly frightened.
As the son of the Third Hokage and a ninja who had sneaked out of the camp without following Koshino's orders, if Sarutobi Asuma were to die in battle, both he and the Third Hokage could still save face.
But if he returned to Konoha Village with injuries and as a prisoner of war, not only would the Third Hokage lose face, but Sarutobi Asuma himself would be so ashamed that he might consider suicide.
However, in front of Hozuki Shoji, Sarutobi Asuma was like fish on a chopping board, powerless to resist.
So, watching Hozuki Shoji inch closer, Sarutobi Asuma was genuinely terrified, tears welling up in his eyes, fearing he would end up disabled at Hozuki Shoji's hands.
Yet, since Hozuki Shoji had resolved to torment Sarutobi Asuma, having undergone "Bloody Mist" training, he wouldn't hesitate.
The more he heard Sarutobi Asuma's cries, the more excited Hozuki Shoji felt.
Especially when Sarutobi Asuma started to cry, Hozuki Shoji's eyes gleamed with excitement as he swung his katana.
But just as Hozuki Shoji's katana was about to strike Sarutobi Asuma's leg, and Sarutobi Asuma was about to cry out in pain, suddenly there was a "whoosh" sound!
Immediately, to Hozuki Shoji's astonishment, a familiar voice echoed in the ears of both Hozuki Shoji and Sarutobi Asuma!
"Shadow Imitation, success!"
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