Mangetsu's POV (Trial of Nio - Land of Iron)
Mangetsu was a man who was anything but normal. He had been born a freak with an unwanted bloodline. He had been born in the land where nature ruled over nature. He had even excelled in such a cruel land. He had been determined to become a Mist shinobi using his unique abilities. But even with that in mind, the first test had been grueling. Like many before him, he had become close to his classmates. Enjoyed the best childhood a child born in the war-torn land could hope for until the Graduation Exam. They had been tasked with one mission: to become Genin. Be the last one alive.
Calling it a bloodbath was a disservice. It had been a slaughter; his unique bloodline had kept him safe. His natural proclivity for the blade had ensured the others weren't. Some would call it traumatic or unfair, but he had realized something in the wanton slaughter. People were simply violent, oh, they pretended not to be. They were civil, obedient, and somewhat kind. But in truth, they were never far from killing one another. With that in mind, he had decided to kill as he needed. He had excitedly signed up to be a Genin. Then the civil war started. Yagura had risen to Mizukage quickly, being only eighteen years old. He united the islands of the Mist purely with his power. No one could stand in his way soon, though the position of Yagura had affected him. He started to worry about a revolt. He started fearing those who wielded incredible power, otherwise known as any shinobi who were powerful enough to be a threat.
He had started by disbanding the current version of the Seven Deadly Swordsman of the Mist. Several members died, others defected, and some went missing. They had been Mangetsu's goal, but he had accepted it. Then, several notables in the Anbu and Jounin forces went missing. Finally and arguably most cruelly, Yagura had ordered the gathering and extermination of all those who opposed him. Most were bloodline clan members, the only ones who could oppose Yagura.
Luckily or unluckily, depending on how you viewed it, he and Suigetsu had been out on a mission. When they returned, they discovered that many of the major clans had been crushed or had left. Even more concerning was the fate of the Hozuki clan. The two young boys were never ones to follow the rules closely, and as such, once they heard their clan had been imprisoned like many others, they moved to free them. Even at their young age, with their powerful bloodline ability, they had gotten much further than most Genin could hope. They cut their way through the prison, searching for their lost brethren.
Indeed, they were unlucky, and they encountered an Anbu team led by Yagura. The two boys, never genuinely being fearful of death, had been unflinching in their assault. They were crushed, of course. A single Anbu would've likely been enough to stop them. A Kage and a whole squad had proved too much for them. Once Mangetsu and Suigetsu had been defeated, they had been imprisoned for weeks. It had been a complex process, and Mangetsu was sure it had affected them both mentally. Oddly, this was merely a prelude to their future. After they had both nearly given up, Yagura had called for a meeting with them.
In this meeting, he had offered them a deal neither could refuse. It had turned out during the little assault that they had impressed Yagura. The man offered them to serve under him as his dogs. If they did as he said when he said it, they were offered to earn the freedom of their clan. The two boys, knowing death had awaited them, had joined Yagura. They committed assassinations, theft, blackmail, and any number of morally compromised missions.
While the two did as they were told, they realized the evil that was Yagura. He ruled over the village almost as some kind of deity, killing any who opposed him and doing whatever he pleased. Mangetsu and Suigetsu had slowly resented their careers. They had no choice, of course. Even if they hated him, they would serve honorably to gain the freedom of their loved ones. As such, he needed to ensure he passed.
He had planned to attack the team who had managed to get the better of them. But to his shock, they had entirely escaped. The unfamiliar land acted as a natural deterrent to tracking. He had been prepared to hold back before he saw a lone shinobi trotting through the woods on a horse. Mangetsu had to admit that the guy had a decent idea of avoiding the paths. But here, it had led to his misfortune. Mangetsu nearly giggled as he dropped below, wielding his blade.
The hooded boy looked up, having sensed him somehow. He jumped off his horse and threw several pellets at him. The pellets burst, cloaking the area in smoke. Mangetsu merely smiled, opening his eyes and body flickering towards the sound of the guy. He popped in front of him, kicking him back into the smoke.
"Poor Choice!" He called arrogantly. "Prepare to die blind!" He charged into the smoke, sheathing his blade for now. He unleashed a kick for his head, but the man ducked the kick, landing on his own in response. The hit flew through his liquefying body. Mangetsu smiled as he grabbed him by the throat. "Sorry, I guess you're an amateur." He said cruelly as he prepared to crush his throat. Before he could, he had his head removed. Akamaru popped into himself. Freeing the dog, both of them merely attempted to retreat.
"Run, buddy! This guy is some freak!" Kiba said to Akamaru, leaving him open to a kick in his midsection. The decisive blow sent him flying back. Akamaru attempted to bite his throat but was smacked down cruelly. The dog yelped as it fell into the snow.
"That makes two points!" Mangetsu said cruelly as he stooped down to pick up the downed Kiba. "Now, for the third, I'll take your life-" Mangetsu was interrupted as he was suddenly pierced with a kunai. Luckily, it missed his vital organs, but it somehow was bleeding blood. "H-How?!" Mangetsu asked as Yuno pulled the kunai out cruelly. Magetsu fell as Yuno's band glowed. Before he could recover, Kiba suddenly rushed forward and kicked Mangetsu in the head, sending him collapsing into the ground. Before he could recover, Yuno stabbed him in the leg. Now that Mangetsu was facing the woman, he saw her Sharingan eyes. He also felt the lightning nature chakra flowing into his body.
"Ran into your creep of a brother!" 'Thanks, Karui; without you using lightning, I would never have been able to copy it.' Yuno yelled angrily as she gained her second point. Kiba realized the chance he had and wailed at the man viciously. Akamaru, having recovered, joined in biting anywhere exposed, a left, a right, a stomp. His anger at being helpless and the bastard enjoying it being unleashed. Yuno smiled as she allowed him to get his revenge. Mangetsu looked about done. Yuno merely smirked as she tapped him once more. At the end of Kiba's wrath, the two Leaf Genin stared at the beaten-down Mangetsu. Before they could ponder what to do with him, he suddenly poofed, a black mannequin taking his place.
"Get back here, you damn bastard!" Kiba roared before Yuno suddenly covered his mouth. The two made eye contact for a second before jumping back. They stared each other down before Kiba nodded. Displaying Kiba thanks for the save without risking each other's company. They parted ways on horses, both knowing that the Trial of Nio wasn't quite finished for them.