Mangetsu Hōzuki

was a shinobi from Kirigakure's Hōzuki clan. He was also a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.

Background
Both Mangetsu and Suigetsu trained with the intention of becoming members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist together. This dream acted as their motivation for them both to complete cruel missions day by day. Mangetsu was the first to become a member of the Seven Swordsmen, mastering all seven of the swords before his death. His premature death seemingly demotivated Suigetsu.

Appearance
Mangetsu has relatively long white hair and pointed, shark-like teeth, a trait that the members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist possess. He wears an outfit very similar to his brother's, which consists of a dark sleeveless shirt, light-coloured pants and striped leg-warmers typical of his village. Like his brother, he carries a water bottle in a belt around his waist. He wears bandages around his neck, another trait shared by the seven swordsmen, and a standard Kirigakure forehead protector. Overall, Mangetsu and Suigetsu bear great resemblance to one another.

Abilities
As one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Mangetsu was one of the most powerful shinobi produced within Kirigakure. Mangetsu's generation of swordsmen was even noted to be the strongest in the village's history. 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 Zabuza Momochi's Hiding in Mist Technique.

Hōzuki Clan Techniques and Nature Transformation
Little else is known about his techniques, but he seems to be a Water Release user like his brother. As a member of the Hōzuki clan it is assumed that he is well verse in his clan's secret techniques. He was shown using what appeared to be the Hydrification Technique, which allows the user to turn his body into water, against an Allied Shinobi Forces ninja.

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, which so happens to be the same nickname that Suigetsu himself shares. 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. He was also seemingly entrusted with the scroll which contained all of the other swords.

Shinobi World War Arc
Amidst the battle with the Third Division, the resurrected 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 is Mangetsu, who after being futilely bombarded by various techniques, retrieves four of the swordsmen's blades from within a scroll in his possession. Entering the fray whilst concealed by a thick mist, Mangetsu begins a silent massacre without a weapon, using just his Hydrification Technique to kill his adversaries. With Zabuza Momochi's defeat, the mist clears, exposing Mangetsu to the enemy. By the time Kakashi Hatake and Guy departed for Naruto Uzumaki's location the following day, Mangetsu had been sealed by the Third Division.

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 revived 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.