52 Chapter 52
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<nanami ><Surge1301 ><D WM><Tob_Gib ><Vishal S.><Thirdy Demaisip><ABold ><jayjayche990 ><Geronimo ><NovelDreamer ><Meylis D.><Golden Mold><Evan R.>
The Guardian Angel's special ability activated, allowing Kyomu not only to escape death but also to restore his condition to full, eliminating all negative effects on his body.
Standing up, Kyomu slung the Yōei (T/N: Dark Shadow, or something like that) diagonally across his right hip, his hand resting on the hilt.
Taking a deep breath, he focused, then suddenly drew his sword!
Hum~
The air around him quivered lightly, ripples surged as Kyomu drew his sword, intensifying with each movement.
Faint sword shadows condensed, followed by a rush of crimson heat wave, the extreme speed and compression brought forth scorching heat, a pure physical manifestation of extraordinary performance.
Iai - Crimson Moon Slash!
A crescent-shaped red moon, carrying heat capable of melting steel, rushed forward, crashing with a force akin to a thousand pounds onto the courtyard wall.
Instantly, a gap the width of a person appeared in the brick wall, smooth and burnt, with molten lava dripping from its edge.
Glancing at the Yōei with its unchanged straight blade, Kyomu felt satisfied, a grin spreading across his face.
Performing a flourishing sword dance, Kyomu reversed the blade with its back down and edge up, his left arm bent to catch it and hold it in the middle, then his right hand drew the blade, slowly wiping the bright and dust-free blade.
Swish, click!
After wiping the blade, Aragami Kyomu deftly sheathed it, then stepped forward, walking to the edge of the courtyard wall.
"Not bad, with the blessings of Yōei, the power of my sword strikes has caught up to the power under the passive skill 'Cold Weapon Proficiency'."
Since the recently obtained passive skill "Living Forging", Aragami Kyomu had been lax in training these days, with almost no growth in his own strength.
But with the blessing of the Yōei, the power and effect of his strikes had already matched his performance from last month.
This indicated that purely in terms of the performance of sword strikes, the Yōei had already compensated for the lack of the passive skill "Cold Weapon Proficiency", permanently granting Aragami Kyomu the effect of 'Cold Weapon Power +200%'.
Even more so!
"And with Yōei, there are many more perks." Kyomu paced back, lying on the rocking chair and looking up at the night sky, "Although I'd like to strengthen Yōei a bit more, it's not so urgent anymore."
His thoughts gradually drifted, Kyomu had to consider the future.
Although the monthly refresh of passive skills was good, the randomness was too heavy. You never knew what the next passive skill would be about, whether it would be helpful or not.
"I must act early, I can't rely entirely on randomness for everything in the future." Kyomu murmured in his heart, thinking of himself, Kakashi, Obito, Rin, and Guy's future encounters.
"I need to make a good plan, make the most of this passive skill, and maximize its potential."
Rubbing his chin with one hand, Kyomu fell into contemplation.
This passive skill "Living Forging", when used properly, could be truly divine.
Even if it relied on external objects, it was a case of having it while others didn't, making oneself divine while others could only serve as fodder.
---
Early the next day, Kyomu woke up.
He had no plans to go out, deciding to continue his seclusion to forge. Kakashi's plan to drag Kyomu along for a D-rank mission for lower-level ninjas was once again thwarted.
Kakashi continued to toil alone, achieving the "results" of three people, while Obito and the others went to school as usual, occasionally coming over in the afternoon.
Although his friends were kind to him, Kyomu wouldn't take advantage of them, but for now, he needed to focus on himself.
Last night, Kyomu had contemplated many thoughts, even thinking about using the artifact property "Guardian Angel" to continue forging artifacts using Yōei as a example.
However, there was a process from death to resurrection, Kyomu just manage to slip away to purgatory and then return. A surprise attack once was fine, but if it happened too many times, he might attract attention.
It's not that he assumed something bad could happen, but Kyomu, who was weak, wouldn't entrust his safety to the goodwill of others.
With the artifact's property of accelerating healing and replenishing chakra five times faster, Kyomu could create a large number of rare equipment quickly and without risk.
Although the quality might be lower, carefully refining and distributing rare attributes could make up for the gap between them and artifacts.
After a busy period, Kyomu entered a high productivity state, forging at least two pieces of rare equipment a day.
Although tired, he found joy in it. He even restored the passive skill functions previously refreshed on the rare equipment properties.
Memory Headgear: Wearing it increases the wearer's mental recovery speed by 1x.
Recovery Vest: Wearing it increases the wearer's physical recovery speed by 1x.
Resilient Belt: Wearing it increases the wearer's resistance to physical attacks and ninjutsu defense by 1x.
Swift Shoes: Wearing them increases the wearer's movement speed by 1x.
Mighty Wristguards: Wearing them increases the wearer's physical strength by 1x.
Warning Necklace: Wearing it increases the wearer's perception and sixth sense warning efficiency by 1x.
Energy Storage Ring: Wearing it allows the wearer to store and access chakra and other energy at any time (storage limit is twice the wearer's capacity), whenever needed.
"This set of rare equipment is basically suitable for most training and combat scenarios."
Kyomu dressed neatly, standing in front of the mirror, striking various poses. "And it doesn't look out of place. Who would have thought that what I wear would have such a big effect?"
But the joy didn't last long; Kyomu continued to immerse himself in his hard work.
Working for himself was truly motivating. Kyomu once again strengthened each piece of rare equipment he wore.
However, he didn't give new rare equipment properties; instead, he strengthened existing properties to the extreme.
All each of them specializing in one attribute is way better, right?
Coming back and forth to the end of the month, Kyomu finally finished sorting out the equipment on his body. At this moment, the rare equipments on his body were only a step away from artifacts, strengthened by four times, bringing Kyomu four times the amplifications, and the stock of chakra in the storage ring also reached eight times.
Once filled to the limit, Kyomu would have the equivalent of a power bank with eight times his own chakra capacity, allowing him to go out without any worry, ready to be fully charged at any time.
"It's a pity that this is Konoha, not an online game." Kyomu lay on the rocking chair and rested, "Otherwise, I would have forged a full set of equipment of the god-grade for myself."
Considering the remaining time of the passive skill, Kyomu finally remembered Kakashi and the others.
As an adoptive father, you have to let the children have some soup to go along with the meat.
And it's good to be prepared in advance for the future, even if accidents don't happen or there are other opportunities, it's better than being rushed and flustered when they do come.
---
The last day of the month.
Kyomu wore his new vest, shoes, and jewelry, with Yōei attached to his waist, his hand resting on the hilt, confidently walked out of the house.
"Hey, isn't this Kyomu who has been lying dead for a month?"
Kakashi greeted him with a strange tone, "Been fattening up at home, unlike me, toiling away every day."
"You're exaggerating." Kyomu approached and punched Kakashi's shoulder, "Come, give it to me."
"What for?!" Kakashi stepped back, "You bastard, don't think you can threaten me with Yukihime. You gave it to me, so it's mine, don't think about taking it back."
"Yukihime still has flaws. I plan to have Grandpa fix it up again, after all, it's the last day."
"You, being so kind?" Kakashi looked skeptical.
"Give it here!" Kyomu grabbed Kakashi's neck and took Yukihime from behind him, "Come to me tomorrow morning to pick it up, and bring Obito and the others along, there's a surprise."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow, "Can you introduce me to that old man you mentioned?"
"As a master blacksmith, do you think just anyone can see him?" Kyomu tilted his head up, "It's only because I have such good connections that I can get his attention, others... forget it."
Kakashi pondered, looking at Kyomu's expression and Yukihime, both cool and imposing, so he somewhat believed it.
And a "social butterfly" like Kyomu, finding a skilled blacksmith from outside, although a bit far-fetched, with so much physical evidence, it had some credibility.
As for himself, why didn't he have Kyomu's good luck and good connections?
Touching his cheek, Kakashi contemplated whether he should take off his mask; looking too edgy wasn't that good anymore...
(End of Chapter)
