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| Alias(es) | Second Coming of the Demon (, 鬼人の再来, Kijin no Sairai)[1] |
| Kanji | 鬼灯満月 |
| Rōmaji | Hōzuki Mangetsu |
| Debut | |
| Novel | Naruto: A Shinobi Story |
| Appears in | Novel |
| Character Status | |
| Status | Deceased |
| Birthdate |  February 15
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| Gender |  Male
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| Height | Part II: 1.72 m |
| Weight | Part II: 54.7 kg. |
| Blood Type | AB |
| Home Country |  Land of Water
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| Clan |  Hōzuki Clan
|
| Family | Suigetsu Hōzuki (Brother) |
| Affiliation(s) |  Kirigakure
|
| Rank | Part II: Jōnin |
| Team | Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist |
| Nature Type | |
 Water Release
| |
| Jutsu | |
| Crimson Mist Barrier Technique, Hiding in Mist Technique, Hydrification Technique, Silent Killing, Water Gun Technique | |
| Weaponry | |
| Explosive Tag, Hiramekarei, Kabutowari, Kiba, Kubikiribōchō, Nuibari, Samehada, Shibuki | |
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Mangetsu Hōzuki (鬼灯満月, Hōzuki Mangetsu), reputed as the Second Coming of the Demon (鬼人の再来, Kijin no Sairai)[2], was a shinobi from Kirigakure’s Hōzuki clan, and a member of the previous generation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
Background[]
Both Mangetsu and his brother Suigetsu trained with the intention of becoming members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. This dream acted as motivation for them to complete gruesome missions day after day. Mangetsu eventually succeeded in becoming a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen and learned how to wield all seven of the swords.[3] With his premature death, Suigetsu became demotivated from their dream.[4]
Personality[]
As stated by Kisame Hoshigaki, Mangetsu was humbler and more level-headed than his younger brother, Suigetsu.[5]
Appearance[]
Mangetsu’s full appearance.
Mangetsu had purple eyes,[6] shoulder-length, white-colored hair, and pointed, shark-like teeth — a trait that members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist possess. He wore an outfit like his brother’s, which consisted of a black, sleeveless shirt, light-purple-colored pants, and striped leg-warmers typical of his village. Like his brother, he carried a water bottle attached to a belt around his waist and wore bandages around his neck — another trait shared by the Seven Ninja Swordsmen — and the standard Kirigakure forehead protector. Overall, Mangetsu and Suigetsu bore great resemblance to one another.
Abilities[]
As a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist’s strongest generation, Mangetsu was one of the most powerful shinobi ever produced within Kirigakure. Mangetsu was also capable of using Silent Killing, as seen when fighting the Third Division of the Allied Shinobi Forces while under the effect of the Hiding in Mist Technique. As a testament to his skills, he was the last of the Seven Swordsmen standing when his six revived comrades were sealed, even without his sword.[7]
Ninjutsu[]
Nature Transformation[]
Mangetsu killing several shinobi.
As a member of the Hōzuki clan, Mangetsu is proficient in the use of Water Release manipulation and can use his clan’s secret technique to liquefy his body at will. With knowledge and use of this technique, it can also be assumed that he is well-versed in his clan’s other secret techniques that revolve around its use; displaying by his ability to fire high velocity projectiles from his finger.
Kenjutsu[]
Mangetsu was a very gifted swordsman, having been accepted into the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. According to his younger brother, Suigetsu, he was called the “Second Coming of the Demon” (鬼人の再来, Kijin no Sairai).[8] His skill, power, and chakra were such that he was able to wield all seven blades of the swordsmen, including the notoriously picky blade: Samehada. His recognition of wielding the seven famed swords was further shown when he was trusted to carry all of them in a scroll until battling; however, Mangetsu was unable to completely master all the swords before his untimely death.[9]
Part II[]
Fourth Shinobi World War[]
Main article: Naruto: A Shinobi Story/Fourth Shinobi World War (Arc)
Mangetsu and the swordsmen preparing to attack.
Amidst the battle with the Third Division, the reincarnated previous generation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist are summoned by Pakura and Gari, under Orochimaru’s instruction, with the intention of overwhelming the opposition. Amongst their number was Mangetsu, who after being futilely bombarded by various techniques, retrieved four of the swordsmen’s blades from within a scroll in his possession. Entering the fray whilst concealed by a thick mist, Mangetsu began a silent massacre without a weapon, using just his Water Gun Technique to kill his targets. With Zabuza Momochi’s defeat, however, the mist cleared, exposing Mangetsu to the enemy.
Later, he was seen fighting against the Third Division, along with Fuguki Suikazan, Gari, and Pakura. After Fuguki was sealed by Tenzō Iburi’s Sealing Technique: Tiger Vision Staring Bullet, he, Gari, and Pakura retreated into the forest.
By the time Kakashi Hatake and Might Guy departed for Naruto Uzumaki’s location the following day, Mangetsu had been sealed by the Third Division.[10] Later, with the release of the Impure World Reincarnation technique, a light of sorts encased Mangetsu’s sealed body as the technique was dispelled, and his soul was then returned to the afterlife.
Trivia[]
- Mangetsu (満月) means “full moon”, and Hōzuki (鬼灯, Literally meaning: demon lantern) is the Japanese word for the “Chinese lantern” or “winter cherry”, a fruit which resemble Chinese paper lanterns; like all members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, his surname is derived from a type of produce.
- It is likely that Mangetsu Hōzuki might have been the previous owner of the Hiramekarei since he was one of the previous generations of Seven Swordsman but was not seen with a sword like the other reincarnated swordsmen, as it was in Chōjūrō’s possession. This is also seen with Fuguki Suikazan, who was the previous owner of Samehada, and his sword was in the possession of Killer B. In Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4, Mangetsu wields Hiramekarei.
References[]