"Sensei, I'm sorry," Terumi Mei said quietly, looking at Genji.
The atmosphere grew somewhat tense.
Suddenly, Genji waved his hand and smiled.
"No need to apologize, Mei. You did the right thing."
"Since you've decided it shouldn't be disclosed to others, even I, your sensei, can't be an exception."
"This is exactly the kind of person I hope you can become."
"Mei, do you know what I want to mold you into?"
Terumi Mei looked up, a flicker of astonishment on her face.
"What kind of person?"
Genji didn't answer directly. Instead, he glanced around to make sure there was no one else nearby before slowly continuing.
"When I was born, there was no concept of ninja villages. Ninjas either fought for their families or operated in loose groups. The ninja world was in chaos, with almost constant warfare over resources."
"It wasn't until the Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan declared a truce and founded Konoha."
"They received responses from many nearby ninja families."
"Other regions followed suit."
"That was when the ninja world officially entered the era of ninja villages."
"The first Mizukage, Byakuren-sama, was incredibly strong, brave, and radical, with great charisma that won over countless people."
"The Hozuki Clan, Kaguya Clan... all joined the Hidden Mist Village because of Byakuren-sama."
"Second Mizukage, Gengetsu-sama."
"In terms of personal strength, I believe Gengetsu-sama's abilities surpass even Byakuren-sama's."
"But he was too impulsive when facing the Second Tsuchikage and they both perished together."
"If that hadn't happened, the situation behind Hidden Mist Village would have been much better."
"As for the Third Mizukage..."
Genji looked up towards the sky, contemplating something.
"It's not that I disrespect the Third Mizukage, but the fact is, compared to the First and Second, the Third's abilities were somewhat lacking, and the situation in the Hidden Mist Village declined during his tenure."
"As for the candidate to succeed as the Fourth Mizukage, many believed it would be a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist or Yagura."
"However, in my view, none of them had the necessary talent."
"Until I saw you, Mei."
"In you, I see the potential to surpass all those who came before as Mizukage."
Terumi Mei asked a question.
"Because of my Kekkei Genkai?"
"That's only part of it," Genji replied. "Kekkei Genkai, in essence, is just one type of innate talent. Ninjas without Kekkei Genkai can also excel remarkably."
"For example, the Water Release of the Hozuki Clan and the Hoshigaki Clan."
"Besides possessing strong ninja talent, it's your personality that I believe makes you a promising future Mizukage."
"Comparatively, Hoshigaki Kisame also has talent. Among the younger generation, he even subdued Konoha's Hatake Kakashi, albeit with the help of Zanpakuto, which speaks to his own strength."
"However, in my view, Hoshigaki Kisame cannot become an excellent Mizukage."
"He can only be a formidable ninja."
Terumi Mei vaguely felt something was off.
Because she wasn't the only one participating in this mission.
Besides herself, there was Ao, Hozuki Izumo, Kaguya Masui, and Daida.
These people shouldn't leak today's events either.
Even if Hoshigaki Kisame, whom Genji considers unable to become an excellent Mizukage, had participated in this operation, he probably wouldn't leak today's events either, which doesn't prove anything.
The only difference is that others don't have a sensei like Genji.
As a Mist Elder, he holds a position in Hidden Mist Village that is second only to the Mizukage.
Terumi Mei raised her own question.
"Sensei, if it were Hoshigaki Kisame, he probably wouldn't say it either."
Genji smiled.
"Not saying is one thing, but there is still a difference. Others not saying it might be because they received orders not to, but you decided not to say it on your own judgment."
"Based on my understanding of you, I can see this."
"That's the difference between you and them."
"An eligible Mizukage must have strong judgment ability and believe in their own judgment enough to be confident in it."
...
While Soma was conducting smelting, Arafuni began preparing for Blacksmith recruitment. Tanaka Shinnosuke assisted from the sidelines. Soma selected candidates from the list provided by the Third Mizukage last time. He excluded the Blacksmith who had the best Forging Technique last time but did not satisfy Soma during the interview.
When the Blacksmiths received the invitations, they were all excited. Unlike last time, the previous Blacksmiths had some doubts about the situation in the Forging Department. But now, all doubts had completely disappeared. The expansion of the Forging Department had become an official authoritative department, and many people were aware of this.
Zanpakuto had been crafted by the current head of the Forging Department, and many people knew about it. With Zanpakuto's current dominance over the Hozuki Seven Ninja Swords, the future of Zanpakuto will only get better, and the surgical knife business has provided an opportunity for ordinary Blacksmiths. It can be said that the future of the Forging Department is bright now, which is completely different from before.
In the past, many people left Forging Island because they couldn't see a future there.
Now, just as many people want to join the Forging Department because they see its future.
Those who didn't leave Forging Island due to lack of talent, but stayed until they heard Third Mizukage's order to disband Forging Island, now want to return.
Even if they aren't given formal Blacksmith positions, they are still willing.
But this is not what Soma wants to see.
Soma needs talents who can contribute to the Forging Department, who can progress in the environment of Forging Island, and grow together with the Forging Department.
Not opportunistic creatures that swarm in for benefits.
Even if those creatures don't need much, they can still make a big impact.
But Soma doesn't like it.
He doesn't want Forging Island to become chaotic because of this.
"In this regard, the decision proposed by Third Mizukage to disband Forging Island has also done me a favor."
"If Forging Island hadn't been disbanded and those people hadn't left, the situation on Forging Island would be much more complicated."
Soma could certainly suppress them with strong measures. But it would add more trouble nonetheless.
Unlike now, those people wouldn't have the qualification to set conditions; they could only plead to come in.
"Chief Uehara."
Arafuni approached Soma.
"Yes?"
"The assessment venue and materials have all been arranged. The ten invited Blacksmiths have also arrived on the island. We are just waiting for you, Chief Uehara."
Soma nodded, setting aside his current task.
"Alright, let's go now."
Similar to the last assessment, materials were provided by the Forging Department. Invited Blacksmiths would forge under specified topics. Later, they would test their creations by chopping sea fish.
The effectiveness of cutting the fish would determine their results.
However, the last assessment was just an impromptu idea from Soma. This time, it had been significantly refined.
At the forefront of it all, this assessment now had an official name.
"Sword Forging Competition!"
A vacant forging room had been transformed into the venue. Ten figures stood at the center, surrounded by members of the Forging Department's guard.
Soma entered through a side passage.
Arafuni followed a half-step behind.
As soon as Soma appeared, the gazes of all ten Blacksmiths turned towards him.
"So, this is the Blacksmith who forged the Zanpakuto."
"He really is as young as rumored."
"Amazing!"
Some Blacksmiths felt complicated emotions, thinking they had wasted their years working with scrap metal. But more Blacksmiths were acutely aware of the gap between themselves and Soma.
They dared not feel jealous, only admiration and awe.
Such dynamics were present among people everywhere.
They feared seeing their peers struggle but also feared them surpassing them.
When two acquaintances have a disparity in success, the one left behind often falls prey to envy.
Some can adjust their inner feelings, perhaps through moral restraint, to dispel these negative emotions.
Some people, however, cannot control themselves. At such times, their relationship can deteriorate.
But if one person is ahead by tens or hundreds of times, then the situation is different. The person left behind is unlikely to harbor jealousy; they can only look up.
Because the gap is too wide.
That's how these Blacksmiths look at Soma now.
Zanpakuto, such powerful Ninjato swords, one after another.
So far, five have appeared openly known to everyone:
Kiriichimonji, Blue Rose Sword, Lightning Blade, Water Dragon Possession, and Dragon-Bone.
Skeleton Emperor, Pioggia, and Nikkari Ao'e are known to fewer people.
God's Hand and Peach Hermit Garden Box are known to even fewer.
As Soma looks down at the Blacksmiths below and then at the semi-transparent screen in front of him, the number in the reputation column slowly increases. The numbers aren't very large, but the consistency is what counts.
"Everyone, I'm glad you could accept the invitation."
"Let me introduce myself first. My name is Soma, currently serving as the head of the Forging Department."
"This assessment is divided into two parts..."
Unconsciously, Soma found himself saying a lot of things he hadn't prepared before. It was mainly because he saw the reputation score increasing, which made him lose control a bit.
He didn't notice it at first and ended up going on a bit longer than intended.
It wasn't until the reputation growth slowed down that Soma realized and stopped.
"Once again, welcome everyone. Now, I announce that the Sword Forging Competition has officially begun!"
Beside him, Tanaka Shinnosuke led the applause.
Unlike Arafuni, who was purely a Blacksmith and somewhat inexperienced in social matters but talented and diligent, Soma felt Arafuni was worth trusting and could be highly valued.
On the other hand, Tanaka Shinnosuke, being older, understood more about social etiquette.
Soma raised an eyebrow.
Because he noticed that this round of applause, although the reputation column had already stopped, caused it to jump several digits again.
Soma reached out and pressed down.
Immediately, he signaled Arafuni.
Arafuni approached the ten candidates awaiting assessment.
"I am Arafuni, official Blacksmith of the Forging Department. I will be presiding over the first assessment. I hope everyone can listen carefully to the rules I announce and perform well."
Arafuni led the candidates into the forging area.
Soma looked over and found the scene before him quite familiar.
"It's like the Chunin Exams."
"Especially the third round of the Chunin Exams."
The first round was a written exam.
The second round was the Forest of Death.
The third round was originally meant to be the finals, but because too many participants advanced, a preliminary round was held instead. The finals became the fourth round. Some would refer to the third round as the second half of the second round.
Soma felt like Sarutobi Hiruzen from that time.
Arafuni was like Gekko Hayate back then.
"Shinnosuke."
"Chief-sama."
"Here, you keep an eye with Arafuni. This assessment primarily focuses on Forging Technique. However, if anyone's character doesn't meet our Forging Department's standards, make sure to take note."
"Yes, Chief-sama."
Soma returned to his own forging room.
He approached the smelting furnace.
"Chakra Smelting Technique."
A large amount of Fire Release Chakra entered the furnace.
"The scale of this recruitment is larger than last time. In theory, it should bring me more reputation."
As soon as the ten candidates heard Arafuni start speaking, they immediately began to act. They rushed towards the Materials area to make their selections, even competing and scrambling for resources. However, with Arafuni present and the guards from the Forging Department around, they didn't dare to escalate into a real fight. Nevertheless, it was clear how much they cherished this opportunity.
Ten people vying for one spot.
Once successful, given the current situation of the Forging Department, it would effectively change their future.
Arafuni looked at all this with some emotion.
Initially, Arafuni watched as one Blacksmith after another left Forging Island.
But now, he could see these Blacksmiths eagerly competing for a spot in the Forging Department.
"Forging Island is back!"
"No, it's even better than before!"
Tanaka Shinnosuke felt a sense of urgency. The last recruitment by the Forging Department was somewhat rough. Combined with the fact that the department's reputation was not as good as it is now, many excellent Blacksmiths did not accept the invitation.
Tanaka Shinnosuke knew that his own skills were not excellent among these people. It could be said that the last time was his only chance. If he missed it, there would definitely be no chance to join the Forging Department again.
"Fortunately, I seized the opportunity last time."
"I wonder why that guy was eliminated."
Tanaka Shinnosuke recalled the Blacksmith who had performed the best in the forging process at that time.
"But no matter what the reason, I have to thank him."
"If not for him, I wouldn't have had this opportunity."
---
You can read up to 50 Advanced chapters and support me at patreon.com/Lookar