In the anime.
Both were absolute geniuses, yet both died young.
Therefore, they could only appear before the audience in Reanimated forms.
They were unable to display their full strength from when they were alive.
Especially Mangetsu.
As someone capable of proficiently wielding all seven ninja swords.
Logically speaking, he should have been a much stronger ninja than Kisame.
Yet, on the battlefield of the Fourth Shinobi World War, he did not even have a single sword.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist underwent training in the use of ninja swords from a young age.
At least half their strength relied on the ninja swords.
Without a single ninja sword, Mangetsu did not even possess half his true strength on that battlefield.
However, even so, relying on the Hozuki clan's secret techniques to move around.
He left Kakashi and Might Guy helpless against him.
He only returned to the Pure Land of his own accord after Yakushi Kabuto released the Impure World Reincarnation.
His strength was evident from this.
While Jokichi was observing them, they were also observing him.
Tall and slender figure, handsome face, holding a birdcage in his left hand, and gripping a sword resting on his right shoulder.
Even surrounded by so many people, his face showed not the slightest panic.
The confidence and nonchalance exuding from his entire being made them not dare to underestimate him.
However, as ninjas possessing both genius and strength, they were also brimming with confidence.
Even though the opponent clearly looked like someone out of the ordinary, they had no worries whatsoever.
"Hey handsome, you're pretty good-looking, where are you from?"
Ringo Ameyuri gripped a sword resting on her right shoulder.
Her left hand held the other sword pointing downwards, a teasing smile on her face.
It is worth mentioning that although Ringo Ameyuri was flat-chested and dressed very much like a man.
She was actually a teenage girl.
While inheriting the cruel and bloodthirsty nature of the Village of the Bloody Mist.
She also hid a cute, girlish side deep within her heart.
Enemies she encountered were killed without mercy.
But toward those she found pleasing to the eye or acknowledged, she would show that cute side.
To her, Jokichi was both an enemy and someone she found pleasing to the eye.
Therefore, while gathering intelligence and deciding whether to kill him based on the severity of the matter.
She could also joke around amiably.
However, compared to Ringo Ameyuri's casualness, Hozuki Mangetsu was much more serious.
He remained expressionless, glanced at his companion beside him.
Then he lifted the weapon that looked to be over 50 kilograms heavy with one hand.
He pointed the tip straight at Jokichi.
"Swaggering around our territory asking for news about Utakata, who the hell are you? Why do you know about Utakata? How deep is your understanding of him?"
Ringo Ameyuri spread her hands helplessly, indicating she could not do anything about it.
Jokichi smiled slightly at her and looked at Mangetsu.
"Probably, besides his current whereabouts, I know pretty much everything else!"
"What do you want him for?"
"To ask for something."
"What thing?"
Jokichi answered unhurriedly.
Upon hearing this question, the smile on his face widened.
"That, I cannot disclose."
"Thud!"
Mangetsu stabbed Hiramekarei into the ground, saying indifferently.
"Are you going to answer me now, or let professionals pry it out of your mouth in Kirigakure's interrogation room?"
"Handsome, I advise you to speak up yourself. If it doesn't involve the village's secrets, we won't do anything to you."
Ringo Ameyuri kindly advised from the side.
"You just said you wouldn't do anything to me if it doesn't involve the village's secrets. Wouldn't I be stupid to tell you, then?"
As soon as these words came out, both Mangetsu and Ringo Ameyuri's expressions changed.
They became grave.
"Looks like we can't let you off."
Ringo Ameyuri said seriously.
Mangetsu was even more direct.
He grabbed Hiramekarei and charged forward, with the other Anbu also closing in.
"Hah!"
Closing the distance, Mangetsu brought the blade down in a vertical cleave.
The violent power generated a hurricane, blowing Jokichi's kimono wildly.
With such might, this strike probably carried immense force.
Heavy weapons are cumbersome.
Striking with one leaves a large opening.
Therefore, users of heavy weapons put immense power into every strike.
Even if it cannot hit the enemy, it must force them back.
They cannot let the enemy seize the opening to counterattack.
Even if Jokichi managed to dodge this strike, he would be forced back by the massive wave kicked up by the giant sword hitting the ground.
This would allow Mangetsu to gain the initiative time and time again.
However, Jokichi had never thought of dodging.
Facing this cumbersome giant sword, Jokichi raised his long sword to block horizontally!
Seeing this, the others stopped their movements to help.
Foolish, foolish, absolutely foolish.
A thin, sharp katana attempting a head-on horizontal block against a heavy slash from a weapon weighing over 50 kilograms, powered by a sprinting jump.
No matter how you thought about it, the result would be a broken sword and a dead man.
Mangetsu even thought he had won and let out a loud roar.
However, things did not go as they imagined.
When the blades met and bore the force, Jokichi leaned his body to the left.
The edge of his blade pressed against Hiramekarei's edge and deflected it.
It slid all the way from the front to the side.
With a swipe of the sharp blade, the tip pressed against Hiramekarei's blade body.
Generating metallic sparks, it slashed toward Mangetsu, wrapped in electrical arcs.
All of this happened in a flash.
The surrounding people, apart from Ringo Ameyuri, had not even reacted.
The electrified blade was already closing in on Mangetsu's chest.
"Pfft!"
The sword slashed horizontally, piercing through his chest.
It was accompanied by splashes of water.
Mangetsu's body, split in two, fell to the ground.
There was no fresh blood at the severed ends, only water.
Even his severed lower half turned into a puddle of water after a few seconds.
This was the Hozuki clan's secret technique, the Hydrification Technique.
It allows the body to freely switch between a physical form and water.
However, although turning into water avoided death, it also rendered him immobile due to the electrical arcs.
Jokichi's slash carried Lightning Release chakra.
And Lightning Release was exactly the bane of the Hydrification Technique.
Mangetsu's body was severed by this electrified slash.
His entire body was numb, unable to exert any strength.
Then, without giving Mangetsu a chance to catch his breath.
Jokichi increased the output of Lightning Release chakra.
Lightning crackled brightly on the blade, and with a backhand strike, he pinned Mangetsu to the ground.
Electricity surged down the blade into Mangetsu's body.
It rendered him completely paralyzed.
"How is this possible!?"
Only then did Ringo Ameyuri and the Anbu react.
Their eyes widening in disbelief.
The foremost member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist was instantly killed by an unknown youth with a single strike.
Jokichi turned around.
Three tomoe slowly rotated in his scarlet eyes.
"The Uchiha Clan!"
Someone among the Anbu cried out in alarm.
Ringo Ameyuri frowned deeply, deep in thought.
Looking at the stunned crowd, Jokichi could not help but smile slightly.
"When victory is in sight, no matter how vigilant a person is, they will relax their guard."
Mangetsu was very strong and should not have been instantly killed so easily.
But he assumed victory was in his grasp.
Not only did he relax his guard, but he also underestimated Jokichi.
After all, anyone with common sense would not use a thin katana to face a heavy slash from a heavy weapon head-on.
Unexpectedly, Jokichi had the Sharingan.
He could seize opportunities ordinary people could not, resulting in a complete reversal of the situation.
The Second Hokage frequently used this tactic.
Even Uchiha Izuna, who was cautious by nature and known for never showing an opening, was killed by this very move.