Mangetsu Hōzuki

, reputed as the, 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 their motivation for them to complete gruesome missions day after day. Mangetsu eventually succeeded in becoming a member of the Seven Swordsmen and learned how to wield all seven of the swords. With his premature death Suigetsu seemingly became demotivated from their dream.

Personality
As stated by Kisame Hoshigaki, Mangetsu was more humble and level-headed than his younger brother, Suigetsu.

Appearance
Mangetsu had purple eyes, shoulder-length, white-coloured hair and pointed, shark-like teeth — a trait which members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist possess. He wore an outfit very similar to his brother's, which consisted of a black, sleeveless shirt, light-purple-coloured 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 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. In the anime, as a testament of his skills, he was the last of the Seven Swordsmen standing when his six revived comrades were sealed, even without his sword.

Nature Transformation
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; showcased 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. 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 from him being trusted to carry all them in a scroll until battling. However, Mangetsu was unable to completely master all the swords before his untimely death.

Fourth Shinobi World War: Confrontation
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 Kabuto Yakushi'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.

In the anime, he was seen fighting against the Third Division, along with Fuguki Suikazan, Gari and Pakura. After Fuguki was sealed by Sai's Sealing Technique: Tiger Vision Staring Bullet, he, Gari and Pakura retreated into the forest.

Fourth Shinobi World War: Climax
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. 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

 * means "full moon", and 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 generation 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 is currently in the possession of Killer B. In Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4, Mangetsu wields Hiramekarei.