"Mizukage-sama knows what to do."
Soma could also see that Raiga's condition was not quite right.
Is this conversation helpful so far?
Previously, it was blatant retaliation against the village. Now it seems he no longer wants to retaliate, but to say he would be wholeheartedly devoted to the village like Juzo or Fuguki, Soma finds it unlikely.
However, for Soma, as long as Raiga can provide him with reputation, that's enough. It's impossible to expect everyone to maintain absolute loyalty to the Hidden Mist Village. Even Soma himself cannot achieve that. Between the village and himself, Soma places himself above the village.
Moreover, having obtained the Lightning Blade, even if Raiga is dissatisfied with some people in the village, he wouldn't defect from the Hidden Mist Village; that's not a good option. There are many ways to seek revenge, and defecting is just the worst way.
"Raiga, have you gained the approval of the Lightning Blade?" The Third Mizukage looked at the Lightning Blade in Raiga's hand.
"Yes, Mizukage-sama."
"Congratulations."
"Thank you Mizukage-sama for giving me this opportunity."
The Third Mizukage nodded slightly.
"Now that you have the Lightning Blade, Raiga, do you have confidence in your current strength?"
"Mizukage-sama, what do you mean?" Raiga was momentarily stunned.
The Third Mizukage said, "Our village is currently engaged in battles with Konoha and the Hidden Sand Village, divided into two fronts. If you are confident in your abilities, I will assign you to the Hidden Sand Village battlefield."
"The Hidden Sand Village... has Pakura returned to the battlefield?"
The Third Mizukage nodded.
"In our village, Raiga, your strength is most suitable for confronting Pakura."
However, Raiga was not keen on facing Pakura. Juzo had already fought with Pakura, seriously injuring her and forcing her to retreat from the battlefield.
Now that he had the Lightning Blade, Raiga could clearly feel that the Lightning Blade was much stronger than the Thunder Swords. His overall strength was certainly greater than before.
But Raiga was not confident he could defeat Pakura or seriously injure her.
If he were to suffer a severe defeat at Pakura's hands, Raiga could imagine the many mocking rumors that would target him. In the past, Raiga wouldn't hesitate to follow the Third Mizukage's orders. But now, Raiga thought more about himself. Before doing anything, he considered his own interests rather than the village's.
"Mizukage-sama, I'm afraid I can't do it." Raiga shook his head and said, "I've just obtained the Lightning Blade and haven't adapted to it yet. I'm not confident in facing Pakura."
The Third Mizukage squinted his eyes slightly. "Alright, then you will go to the Konoha battlefield. As for Pakura, I'll still send Juzo."
"Yes, Mizukage-sama."
After Raiga left, the Third Mizukage's face turned cold. "This Raiga is dissatisfied with me as the Mizukage."
"Is it because of the Thunder Swords?"
"The Kaguya Clan and the Hozuki Clan are both problematic, prioritizing their self-interest over the village. Even I, as the Mizukage, am extremely passive. Can't you see that, Raiga?"
"He's dissatisfied with me because of this?"
"Does he think I, the Mizukage, am omnipotent?"
"Even someone like the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, had to bow his head."
"So ignorant."
"So selfish."
"Fine."
"If you're only dissatisfied with me, then so be it."
"But if you have even the slightest thought of betraying the village, then I'll have no choice but to let Kaguya Neko kill you."
The Third Mizukage withdrew his gaze. If an act of betrayal had already been committed, the Third Mizukage could directly have the Hidden Mist Village's ninja take action. But if it was just a thought, having the Hidden Mist Village's ninja act directly would be inappropriate. However, the Third Mizukage's tolerance for Raiga was not high.
In situations where the Hidden Mist Village's ninja couldn't act, Kaguya Neko became a suitable candidate to take action. On the surface, he was a rogue ninja, but in reality, he remained loyal to the Hidden Mist Village.
Moreover, he possesses considerable strength. Kaguya Neko has always maintained contact with the Hidden Mist Village, communicating with the Third Mizukage through ANBU ninja. The Third Mizukage knows that Kaguya Neko has now awakened the Shikotsumyaku Kekkei Genkai, significantly increasing his power compared to before. Coupled with the abilities of Dragon-Bone, in terms of Taijutsu, the Third Mizukage believes that even if Kaguya Neko hasn't reached Kage level, he's not far off.
Forging Island.
Soma glanced at the semi-transparent screen in front of him.
"The process of making the contract has brought some reputation—not much, but if there's no unexpected event, Raiga should soon head to the front lines of the battlefield."
"At that time, it will bring me a lot of reputation feedback."
[Name: Soma.]
[Comprehensive Strength: Special Jonin.]
[Swordsmanship: Skilled (9300).]
[Body Modification Technique: Familiar (2000).]
[Abilities: Underwater Breathing.]
[Forging Technique: Very Good (Proficient—Forging Island Bonus, God's Hand Bonus).]
[Mission Items: Thug Recruitment Token x2.]
[Blacksmith Reputation: 205.]
[Evaluation: As a blacksmith, the foundation is decent. Due to having your own forging space and equipment, Forging Technique receives bonuses, with a chance to craft superior-grade ninja tools or better.]
[As a ninja, possesses certain strength, stronger than cannon fodder.]
"Now I have a total of 5 henchmen."
"Kisame, Juzo, Ao, Daida, Third Mizukage."
"And 2 Thug Recruitment Tokens."
"It will take some time for Raiga to head to the front lines."
"Therefore, it will also take some time for my reputation to reach over 1000 points."
"During this time, I can improve my Forging Techniques."
Soma already has a plan.
First is the Chakra Smelting Technique.
Currently, what Soma is doing is incorporating Fire Release Chakra into the smelting process. By using this method of smelting, he enhances the quality of metals. This is just the beginning of the Chakra Smelting Technique. For better smelting results, he can incorporate Chakra of other attributes alongside Fire Release Chakra. Fire Release Chakra serves as the foundation. In a sense, it's somewhat similar to Combination Ninjutsu.
"My best innate talent right now is Water Release."
"However, it's difficult to simultaneously use Fire Release and Water Release Chakra in the smelting process."
"Water and fire are incompatible, even if Chakra isn't completely so, there's still a repulsion."
"Comparatively, starting with a fusion of Lightning Release and Fire Release would be a better attempt."
"My talent in Lightning Release has also reached an Excellent level."
Secondly, there's the Breathing Forging Method.
Taking inspiration from the Water Breathing technique in Demon Slayer, and combining it with his own Forging Technique, Soma has made improvements while observing the forms found in nature.
"Water Drop Hammer."
"Water Flow Hammer."
"If water flow becomes stronger, would it then become a river? A waterfall?"
Rivers and waterfalls can be seen as two directions, similar to the relationship between Exploding Water Colliding Wave and Water Formation Pillar. One emphasizes water volume, while the other emphasizes impact force.
"I can try both of these directions."
Soma took out pen and paper.
In the complete forging process of ninja tools, everything is written down.
Material selection.
Smelting (including refining).
Forging.
Shaping.
Quenching (including tempering).
Polishing (including grinding, sharpening).
Regarding material selection, it's about the ability to judge the quality of materials.
Soma mostly relies on experience.
In theory, there are techniques and corresponding skills.
But regarding Forging Island, there's no such inheritance.
Not even a name.
Chakra Smelting Technique can be used in smelting.
Breathing Forging Method can be used in forging and shaping processes.
Quenching is closely related to materials. Different materials can produce different quenching effects—water, ice, oil...
Tempering is reheating ninja tools after quenching to reduce brittleness and increase toughness. The Chakra Smelting Technique can also be used here.
Polishing and grinding include a technique on Forging Island that no one controls, but it has a name: Earth Core Polishing Technique, similar to Chakra Smelting Technique and Breathing Forging Method.
The "earth core" here doesn't refer to the actual core of the earth but rather deep within Forging Island. Forging Island is a volcanic island with a hollow interior that descends hundreds of meters below sea level.
In that area, due to its depth below sea level, it's called the "earth core." According to legend, at the earth core, one can sense certain fluctuations. By following these fluctuations, additional effects can be achieved when sharpening, grinding, and polishing ninja tools.
Soma glanced at the flowing magma.
"Previously, it was difficult for me to venture deep into the earth's core."
"The temperature at the earth's core is too high."
"But now, my strength has improved."
"And I have also learned Fire Release, perhaps I can go take a look."
"I can't persist for too long, but a short visit should be fine."
"If I want to elevate the overall level of my Forging Technique to Excellent, this aspect is necessary to improve."
Soma walked out of the forging room and arrived at the passage leading to the earth's core.
Step by step, descending.
The further down he went, the higher the temperature around him became.
Even without doing anything, the high temperature caused Soma to sweat profusely.
"Drip!"
The sweat fell to the ground and immediately evaporated, turning into water vapor.
A white mark was left where the sweat landed.
It was the salt from the sweat.
"Half an hour."
"I can't stay any longer than that."
"It will cause severe dehydration."
Soma's expression became somewhat serious. Finally, a platform entered Soma's sight.
Here was the deepest part of Forging Island. A circular platform located right at the center.
Intense heat waves gathered here, almost solidifying into substance.
Soma stepped onto the platform.
"A special fluctuation?"
When it came to "fluctuation," the first thing Soma thought of was the Ripple in the world of JOJO.
But in this world, obviously, there couldn't be any Stands.
"Besides Chakra and heat, it seems there's another type of energy."
Upon sensing, a name automatically surfaced in Soma's mind.
"Natural energy."
In the ninja world of Naruto, there were only two extraordinary energies.
One was Chakra, and the other was natural energy.
Since what Soma sensed wasn't Chakra, it was very likely natural energy.
"If natural energy is mixed into this polishing jutsu, it indeed is extraordinary and can bring additional effects."
"But natural energy is very dangerous."
Soma had no intention of trying it easily.
Even places like Mount Myoboku, which have studied natural energy for a long time and have inheritances where frogs absorb natural energy, have had many accidents where they turned into stone.
This shows the level of danger natural energy poses.
"But if it's not absorbed into the body, it should be fine."
"I can study it first."
Soma closed his eyes and began to concentrate seriously.
...
A ninja entered the tent.
"Danzo-sama."
Danzo sat upright in his chair, wearing the expression of a strategist who decides victories from within his tent.
"How are things?"
The ninja below responded.
"Reporting to Danzo-sama, Biwa Juzo has left Kirigakure. According to the intelligence from Hidden Sand Village, Juzo is likely heading there to confront Pakura."
"Yagura and Fuguki are still here."
Danzo's eyes flickered.
"What about Hoshigaki Kisame?"
"Hoshigaki Kisame is together with Fuguki."
This was arranged by Yagura.
On the Land of Fire battlefield, Yagura serves as the commander, much like Danzo on the opposing side.
Yagura sees Kisame's abilities and Fuguki's abilities as highly complementary, so he arranged for the two to work together.
Danzo frowned slightly.
"I need to figure out a way to separate them."
"Obtaining the Ninjato, Kiriichimonji, from Kisame's hands is the easiest way."
"After all, among the current members of Hidden Mist Village's Shinigami Squad, Kisame is the weakest."
Danzo is very interested in the Ninjato. He wants to acquire one for research purposes and also capture a Shinigami Squad member to gather information on the blacksmith behind them.
On the other side,
Orochimaru also has a keen interest in Ninjato.
After all, Orochimaru's defeat was largely due to the appearance of Zanpakuto.
If it's just Yagura alone, Orochimaru wouldn't have lost.
"Kiriichimonji, Water Dragon Possession, Blue Rose Sword..."
Orochimaru's concern for Zanpakuto had surpassed his interest in experiments for the time being.
Orochimaru arrived at the Hokage Building.
"Sarutobi-sensei, I want to go out for a bit."
"Go out? Where are you going?"
"I want to find Kaguya Neko."
Orochimaru continued, "Kaguya Neko stole the Zanpakuto Dragon-Bone, killed many members of the Kaguya Clan, was branded a rogue by the Hidden Mist Village, and certainly harbors resentment towards them."
"Perhaps I can obtain information about Zanpakuto, the Shinigami Squad, and the blacksmith from Kaguya Neko."
"To defeat the Hidden Mist Village, solving the Zanpakuto issue is necessary."
Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered for a moment.
"That could work."
"But Kaguya Neko is extremely dangerous, and his strength is considerable. Orochimaru, be careful. You won't be able to summon Manda to fight for you in such a short time, right?"
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