Chapter 53: The Ideal Wielder of the Explosive Blade: Droplets
Chōjūrō stared at the figure standing over two meters tall before him, gripping Hiramekarei a little tighter. He couldn't help it—such size and presence carried an undeniable pressure.
"Though I don't want to sound patronizing, I should remind you—the Explosive Blade's blast is powerful. If you're not careful, you might end up hurting yourself."
The Hōzuki clan jōnin standing to the side spoke in a calm, warning tone toward Ranmaru.
"Thank you, senior."
Hearing this, Ranmaru looked slightly nervous and quickly bowed in respect.
After that, he turned his gaze back toward Chōjūrō, determination flickering in his eyes. For Lord Yūto, I must become one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen!
"Begin!"
A low voice called out from the side.
Bang!
Chōjūrō swiftly leapt backward, forming hand seals as he retreated.
"Water Release — Water Formation Wall!"
Water surged from his mouth like a waterfall, forming a spinning circular barrier that surrounded him completely, creating a defense with no openings.
Without pause, Chōjūrō formed another set of hand seals—Water Clone Technique!
An identical figure appeared in front of him. The two spread out, watching the area outside the water wall cautiously.
Boom!
A violent crash erupted outside the water barrier. Moving at tremendous speed, Ranmaru's figure slammed into the wall, shaking the entire formation.
Chōjūrō's eyelids twitched slightly. As expected. At that speed, ordinary offensive ninjutsu won't even touch him.
Ranmaru steadied himself, eyeing the swirling wall of water before him. He raised the Explosive Blade and, using the normal edge of the sword, slashed down directly.
Boom!
The blade cut through effortlessly. Under Ranmaru's terrifying strength, the Water Formation Wall split apart, revealing Chōjūrō's figure inside.
A glint of delight flashed across Ranmaru's face—until he noticed two Chōjūrōs standing there.
For an instant, he hesitated. Then his grayish-brown pupils turned crimson.
In Ranmaru's eyes, the two figures instantly separated—one real, one false.
"So this is the red eye Ameyuri mentioned?"
Recalling what Ameyuri had said earlier, Chōjūrō murmured to himself.
"Water Release — Surging Step!"
Water gathered beneath his feet, allowing him to glide rapidly across the surface.
Just as he finished the seals, Ranmaru dashed past the clone, appearing before him in an instant. The heavy Explosive Blade came crashing down.
"Water Release — Great Water Arm Technique!"
With a shout, Chōjūrō's slender arms swelled to more than twice their normal size. He gripped Hiramekarei with both hands and blocked the descending blade head-on.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A series of dull impacts echoed throughout the training field.
Even with ninjutsu reinforcing him, Chōjūrō was forced down by Ranmaru's overwhelming power, unable to lift his head.
"As expected of the Mizukage's trusted aide—he's even mastered the Great Water Arm Technique. Unfortunately, without the Hōzuki clan's secret Hydrification Technique to support it, he won't be able to maintain that form for long. Still, this fight is almost over."
The Hōzuki clan jōnin spoke softly, eyes filled with mild astonishment as he observed the battle.
The experienced shinobi among the spectators had already discerned how the fight would end.
Though Chōjūrō appeared to be on the defensive, it was clear he would be the victor.
The boy named Ranmaru simply lacked battle experience.
In a ninja's duel, unless one possessed overwhelming strength, even a stronger fighter could still lose.
Feeling the pain spreading through his arms, Chōjūrō knew the Great Water Arm Technique wouldn't hold much longer.
But this position—this distance—was enough.
He glanced at Ranmaru's crimson eyes out of the corner of his vision. If Ameyuri hadn't briefed him beforehand about their abilities, he might have already lost this match.
"Hiramekarei—Release!"
As their blades clashed once more, Chōjūrō finally unleashed Hiramekarei's full power. A massive beam of light erupted, blasting straight toward Ranmaru.
The light cannon didn't injure Ranmaru, but the sheer force drove him several steps backward.
Now!
The water clone that Ranmaru had ignored all along suddenly appeared behind him.
"Water Release — Water Prison Technique!"
Before Ranmaru could react, a massive sphere of water enveloped his entire body.
Inside the swirling sphere, Ranmaru felt the crushing pressure of the water and the suffocating weight against his chest. His eyes flickered with astonishment.
"What a powerful technique… guh—"
He barely got the words out before water rushed into his mouth, choking him mid-sentence.
"Hah…"
Chōjūrō let out a soft breath. Escaping the Water Prison Technique required more than brute strength.
Standing not far away, Ameyuri's eyes shone with admiration. To think that with only a bit of information, Chōjūrō-senpai had already devised his entire strategy before the battle even began.
The Red Eye could see through all deception, meaning illusions or distraction-based ninjutsu were useless against Ranmaru.
But because of Ranmaru's lack of experience, he had instinctively bypassed the water clone and attacked Chōjūrō's real body. The plan was simple—but it revealed Chōjūrō's precise understanding of both Ranmaru's psychology and his abilities.
Just as Chōjūrō thought the battle was over, a deafening explosion tore through the training field. The Water Prison burst apart, along with the water clone inside it.
The onlookers widened their eyes in shock. "That brat… did he just make the Explosive Blade detonate at point-blank range? He was right inside the blast!"
When the smoke cleared, Ranmaru stood completely unharmed before them.
Chōjūrō, Ameyuri, the Hōzuki clan jōnin, and every watching shinobi's pupils contracted in disbelief.
Such incredible durability!
The Explosive Blade was known as the most dangerous of the Seven Swords precisely because its detonations spared no one—foe or wielder alike.
"That was close… I almost drowned," Ranmaru said breathlessly, holding the Explosive Blade: Droplets in one hand while patting his chest with the other, his expression one of genuine fright.
Chōjūrō blinked, momentarily stunned, then quickly raised a hand to stop him as Ranmaru prepared to continue fighting.
"That's enough. The match is over."
Feeling the ache and trembling in his own arms, Chōjūrō silently thought, If this kept going, one of us really would've died.
"Um… so… did I pass?"
Ranmaru looked up at him expectantly, eyes wide with a hopeful innocence that didn't match his hulking frame.
The sight sent a collective chill down the spines of everyone watching.
"You're not a qualified wielder of the Explosive Blade: Droplets," Chōjūrō said quietly, his tone steady but solemn. "But you are, without question, its most suitable wielder."
Inwardly, Chōjūrō couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.
Once Ranmaru completely mastered the Explosive Blade, his strength might very well rival that of Kisame Hoshigaki—the most powerful of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen in their prime.
With a body that could withstand its own explosions, close combat with Ranmaru would be a death sentence. His enemies would be blown apart—while he himself would remain completely unharmed.
(End of Chapter)
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