Chapter 68: Cursed Tool Dragon-Bone, Forging!

Exiting the Dungeon Instance, they returned to Forging Island.

Ao's mood was somewhat excited.

"I never expected Forging Master Spiritual Land to be such a place."

"It's like another world altogether."

"I've heard that the Summoning beasts corresponding to Konoha's Sannin each have their own Summoning sanctuaries, I wonder if it's similar."

"Obtaining materials from Forging Master Spiritual Land, coupled with Soma's superb Forging Technique, can create Ninjato like Kiriichimonji and Blue Rose Sword."

"The Great Blacksmith from back then should be the same."

Ao looked towards Uehara Soma with shining eyes.

"With Soma's efficiency, I'm afraid it's far beyond the level of the Seven Ninja Swords."

"In the future, there may be a Ninjato suitable for me."

Biwa Juzo didn't share Ao's excitement, just pleased to complete the commission.

But at the same time, Biwa Juzo pondered a question.

That is, the matter concerning Zenin Maki and Zenin Mai.

"The true intent of Zenin Ogi is to choose one of the two, breaking the twin entanglement, and the remaining one can become extremely strong."

"In these years, Hidden Mist Village has been doing similar things."

"It's just not as strict."

"It's not parents to children, but village Elders to village descendants."

"It's not about making blood sisters compete and kill each other, but about letting students of the same period, young Ninjas, compete and fight."

"If Zenin Maki seeks revenge on the Zenin family, then what about the Ninjas of Hidden Mist Village?"

"Will there be some Ninjas seeking revenge on Hidden Mist Village?"

"Bloody Mist indeed produced many elite Ninjas."

"But, what if some of these elite Ninjas produced seek revenge on the village, slaughter? What then?"

"Konoha doesn't have a Bloody Mist, yet it can produce such strong Ninjas..."

...

Uehara Soma approached Arafuni.

"Chief Uehara."

"Arafuni, get ready, and come with me to the forging room."

"Yes, Chief!"

The difficulty of forging Dragon-Bone surpasses that of Nikkari Ao's.

Uehara Soma reduced the time spent on his basic physical training.

Instead, he devoted more time to preparing for the forging of Dragon-Bone.

Arafuni acted as his assistant.

The sound of metal being hammered echoed from the forging room.

Accompanied by the scent of magma.

Ameyuri Ringo trained earnestly on the training ground.

Large beads of sweat dripped like rain.

When she felt exhausted, Ameyuri Ringo couldn't help but recall that night when Mayuko Ringo faced Kaguya Tai, feeling powerless against Kaguya Tai's attack and getting severely injured.

Ameyuri Ringo didn't want such a thing to happen again.

"I must become stronger!"

"Not just for myself."

"But also to live up to the Ninjato crafted by Soma-senpai."

Ameyuri Ringo knows that Uehara Soma has only crafted three Ninjato.

Kiriichimonji.

Blue Rose Sword.

And this one, Nikkari Ao'e.

Kiriichimonji, in the hands of Hoshigaki Kisame, has already shone brightly.

On the battlefield, it has gained a notorious reputation.

The evaluations of Hoshigaki Kisame have also made their way back to Hidden Mist Village.

"A Ninjato user of extreme cunning!"

"One absolutely cannot afford to be injured facing him!"

"The bloodthirsty shark!"

"A twisted Ninja, we must not let him see blood."

"Do not engage him up close."

"Remember, keep your distance, keep your distance!"

Under the depiction by Konoha Ninja, Hoshigaki Kisame's image has become that of an extremely fearsome Ninja.

In fact, the fear of Hoshigaki Kisame among Konoha Ninja has indeed surpassed that of many senior Ninjas from Hidden Mist Village.

Because of Hoshigaki Kisame's abilities, he's indeed a tough opponent.

With one hand wielding Kiriichimonji and the other utilizing the Chakra Absorption Technique.

It can be said that once Hoshigaki Kisame gets close, the torment begins. One must constantly guard against both of Kisame's attack methods to avoid being hit.

Once hit, the balance of the battle shifts in Kisame's favor.

Not many Konoha Ninja want to engage in combat with Hoshigaki Kisame.

Moreover, Kisame has already fought Kakashi twice.

The first time, it ended inconclusively because Konoha ANBU Ninja intervened to protect Sarutobi Asuma secretly.

But everyone could see that if the fight had continued, Kisame would have emerged victorious.

The second time, Kakashi was prepared.

Yet, he still didn't gain much advantage.

Because by then, Kisame had further enhanced his Chakra Absorption Technique.

Not only could he absorb the opponent's Chakra upon physical contact, but he could also absorb Chakra remotely through Water Release.

Even if Hoshigaki Kisame's use of the Chakra Absorption Technique and Water Release combination isn't very skilled, it still brought Kakashi significant trouble.

But fortunately, Kakashi hasn't had Sharingan implanted yet.

Thus, even if some of his Chakra is absorbed by Hoshigaki Kisame, he doesn't lose the ability to fight back.

Their second encounter still ended with Kakashi at a slight disadvantage.

Konoha found a reason for it.

"Hidden Mist Village only pits older Ninja against younger Ninja."

"Momochi Zabuza is the only Ninja of Kakashi's age."

"Momochi Zabuza is nowhere near as skilled as Kakashi."

Not many people know about the Blue Rose Sword.

But Biwa Juzo is one of the former Seven Swordsmen of the Mist.

An elite Jonin of Hidden Mist Village.

Directly affiliated with the Mizukage.

In contrast, Ameyuri Ringo is just a young Ninja who recently shifted from medical to combat duties.

Therefore, Ameyuri Ringo feels a strong sense of urgency.

She hopes to quickly prove herself worthy of the Nikkari Ao'e crafted by Uehara Soma.

After finishing basic training and Water Release training, Ameyuri Ringo began swinging her sword.

Each strike landed on the target.

...

With Arafuni's assistance and Uehara Soma's preparation, the efficiency increased significantly.

Two people are definitely faster than one.

Even though Arafuni's abilities are surely not as good as Uehara Soma's.

But the tasks Uehara Soma assigned to Arafuni are within Arafuni's capabilities.

Two days later, Uehara Soma completed the simulated forging.

Uehara Soma entered the forging room alone.

After all, there's only one set of materials.

Uehara Soma must ensure that he is not disturbed during the forging process.

Obtaining these materials was not easy at all.

Escaping from the Cursed Energy users of those Zenin families is not an easy task, but rather extremely perilous.

"Juzo-senpai, I'm counting on you."

"It's my duty."

Biwa Juzo stood guard at the entrance of the forging room, not allowing anyone to approach.

Ao's eyes showed a hint of anticipation.

"I wonder what kind of Ninjato Soma will forge this time."

"Will it suit me?"

Previously, Ao didn't pay much attention to Ninjato.

However, after acquiring the Byakugan, even though he underwent Uehara Soma's Body Modification Technique, the existence of the Byakugan still burdened Ao slightly. These burdens affected Ao's combat abilities to some extent.

Therefore, Ao hopes to obtain a Ninjato to supplement his strength.

And as a Ninja, who would complain about having stronger abilities?

Uehara Soma brought metal blocks.

After melting them with lava and charcoal, he proceeded to fold and forge them using the Lava Forging method.

Different from the previous Ninjato.

The main material used is not just one type of metal, but multiple.

Using the folding and forging method not only increases the toughness of the blade but also creates special patterns, contributing significantly to aesthetics.

Then, a core material is brought out.

It's not metal, but more like the bone of some creature.

After Uehara Soma completes the folding and forging, he wraps this bone in the forged steel.

This is also a technique called "sandwiching steel".

It's just that the inside isn't steel, but a bone.

But this is the key to Dragon-Bone being able to possess special abilities.

In the nearby forging room, Arafuni is practicing folding and forging.

Mixing various metals together for forging.

Continuously hammering while continuing to refine.

The number of times it can be forged not only depends on the materials but also on the blacksmith.

To forge a surgical knife that will have a significant advantage compared to now, undergoing Ten forgings is the most basic requirement.

This is the short-term goal set by Uehara Soma for Arafuni.

Unconsciously, the sky darkened.

Ameyuri Ringo finished her training.

"Grandma, hasn't Soma-senpai's forging finished yet?"

Mayuko Ringo shook her head.

"Not yet, forging isn't an easy task, and forging a powerful Ninjato is even more difficult, so Nikkari Ao'e is really precious, Ameyuri."

"Yeah, I know, grandma."

Midnight.

Dots of starlight adorned the night sky.

Ameyuri Ringo, Mayuko Ringo, and Ao have already gone to rest.

But Biwa Juzo still stands guard at the entrance of the forging room.

"Creak!"

Uehara Soma opened the door and walked out.

Biwa Juzo quickly looked over.

"Soma, how is it?"

Before Uehara Soma could answer, a series of hurried footsteps came rushing toward the direction of Forging Island.

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