[Congratulations to the host for completing the forging.]
[Cold Dome forging successful.]
[Completion: Excellent.]
[Congratulations to the host for gaining Swordsmanship experience x2000.]
Soma looked at the translucent panel in front of him.
[Name: Uehara Soma.]
[Comprehensive Strength: Jonin.]
[Swordsmanship: Good (11300).]
[Body Modification Technique: Familiar (2000).]
[Sage's Plant Cultivation Technique: Novice (1000).]
[Abilities: Underwater Breathing.]
[Abilities: Elemental Energy Absorption Technique.]
[Forging Technique: Excellent (Master—Forging Island bonus, God's Hand bonus).]
[Task Items: Thug Recruitment Token x6.]
[Blacksmith Reputation: 2455.]
[Evaluation: An Excellent Blacksmith with his own forging site and equipment, benefiting from bonuses to Forging Technique, with a higher chance of crafting high-quality ninja tools.]
[As a Ninja, he has reached an intermediate level.]
"Good-level Kenjutsu."
Soma hesitated for a moment, then took out the Cold Dome again.
"It really is a different feeling."
"It's like when my Forging Technique went from Good to Excellent."
"There is a qualitative change in between."
"According to the system's rating standards."
"Good-level talent can grow to a Jonin limit."
"Excellent-level talent can grow to an Elite Jonin limit."
"Perfect-level talent can grow to a Kage limit."
"Then, does Good-level Kenjutsu mean that, with my basic attributes up to standard, I can achieve Jonin-level comprehensive strength just with this Kenjutsu alone?"
Soma swung the Cold Dome.
Immediately, a chilling aura appeared, condensed into sharp ice spikes, and was thrown forward.
Just like ice Senbon.
"Ding!"
"Ding!"
"Ding!"
Each one accurately pierced into the wooden target opposite.
"The appearance of Ice Senbon is due to the Cold Dome's ability."
"But besides Ice Senbon, my swordplay now feels different from before."
"It's like there's an additional muscle memory."
"It's as if the muscle memory of others practicing Kenjutsu has been transferred into my body."
"Faster, more precise, more refined..."
"I wonder how it compares to Kakashi's new Hatake Style."
"If it's not enough, I still have the Breathing Forging Technique."
"Water Drop Sword, stab."
"Water Flow Sword, slash."
"Water Fall Sword, chop."
"…"
"If that's still not enough, there's also Stable Rock Style."
"My true Kenjutsu level is not just Good."
"It's stronger!"
Soma briefly summarized his current strength.
"Water Release, needless to say."
"Lightning Release, well mastered."
"Earth Release, Fire Release, have some knowledge."
"Close-range Taijutsu and Kenjutsu, not lacking."
"Overall, no obvious weaknesses."
"If I had to mention one, it would be Genjutsu resistance."
"That is, Uchiha..."
"Obito, due to being injured by Skeleton Emperor, might be reluctant to personally visit Forging Island."
"But, the Uchiha of Konoha are different."
"Ao-senpai was sent to the front line by Yagura, so he won't find an excuse to return to the village for a while."
"Currently, the Third Mizukage's state has extremely strong resistance to Genjutsu."
"However, the Third Mizukage spends a lot of time in a deep sleep."
"Besides the Byakugan, there's also the Akagan."
"Ranmaru."
"Considering the timeline, Ranmaru is even younger than Naruto."
"Ranmaru has not been born yet."
"But, since there is Ranmaru, there might also be others with this Kekkei Genkai."
"Such as Ranmaru's father or mother."
Soma put away the Cold Dome and returned it to the Garden Box.
[Cold Dome.]
[Type: Longsword.]
[Quality: Excellent.]
[Abilities: Ice Cold Power — Infused with the Sword Princess's special ability, gaining unique power.]
[Note: According to the Blacksmith's third rule, this ninja tool's power cannot be used on the forger.]
Arriving at the training ground.
Ameyuri was training on one side.
On the other side were Izumi and Mashiro.
The three women each had their own characteristics.
The young girl's cuteness and charm.
The gentle and soft demeanor of a refined young woman.
And Izumi's seriousness.
"Chief-sama."
"Uehara-san."
Soma waved his hand.
"Continue."
Soma sat down and observed.
Ameyuri's training progress was rapid; she was now almost at a Skilled level with Chidori.
To be honest, Soma was looking forward to seeing the expressions of surprise on Konoha's Ninjas' faces when Ameyuri used Chidori on the battlefield.
"But truly powerful Lightning Release techniques are still found in the Hidden Cloud Village."
"And as for the original plot, Uchiha Sasuke's Lightning Release Kirin is, strictly speaking, a combination-type Ninjutsu, a combination of Fire Release and Lightning Release."
Soma looked toward the other side.
Izumi was very diligent and responsible.
Mashiro was also working hard. However, her foundation was still too weak.
Previously, Mashiro hadn't received any proper Ninja training. Instead, she had spent a long time as a housewife.
"Given the current situation, even if we just make Mashiro a Genin, it would take at least half a month or more."
"This is still considering that her strength has been enhanced by the Kekkei Genkai."
"A Genin wielding a Zanpakuto seems somewhat inappropriate."
"But I've already forged the Cold Dome."
"I don't want to wait too long to gain the reputation from forging the Cold Dome."
Suddenly, Soma thought of something.
"Perhaps Mashiro could first go to the front lines and pretend to be a Medical Ninja?"
Mashiro naturally didn't know Medical Ninjutsu.
But due to her Ice Release, Mashiro could have a very good effect when assisting Medical Ninjas in surgeries.
For example, freezing wounds to stop bleeding.
And applying ice to relieve pain, etc.
Even providing a cup of ice water to front-line Ninjas who are overheated from overexertion could be beneficial.
"With this, Genin-level Mashiro should be able to go to the front lines."
"Disguising as a Medical Ninja will be beneficial for both Cold Dome and Mashiro."
"And I will also gain some reputation."
Soma made his decision.
...
Land of Fire.
With Jiraiya's command to retreat, the territory of Konoha's forces was sharply reduced.
The Mist Army not only returned to the Land of Fire but also advanced further compared to before.
Some Hidden Mist Village scouts had even ventured so far that they could see Konoha from a distance.
"Fuguki-san."
"Kisame, you're back."
Fuguki smiled upon seeing Kisame.
"How is your recovery?"
"It's completely fine now."
Kisame patted his chest.
"What's this?"
Fuguki looked at the three people behind Kisame.
"These are my team members."
Kisame explained, "Following Soma's advice, I will be fighting in a team from now on. These three are all Stable Rock Style Ninjas, personally chosen by Mizukage-sama."
"Regarding the enemy's attacks, I'll handle the Ninjutsu aspect."
"They will handle the Taijutsu close combat."
Fuguki asked.
"Is it the Stable Rock Style used by Ryukame?"
"Yes."
Fuguki nodded.
"That's indeed a good idea. Kisame, do you want to give it a try? Our scouts have just discovered a Konoha Ninja outpost nearby and are preparing to eliminate them."
Kisame's eyes lit up.
He had already fought with Yagura when forming this team.
But after all, Yagura is the Mizukage of the Hidden Mist Village.
When Kisame and his team engaged, they felt somewhat restricted.
Additionally, Yagura's Water Mirror Jutsu made Kisame feel like he couldn't fully utilize his abilities.
Thus, Kisame was eager for a real battle.
"Fuguki-san, leave it to me."
"Alright, then I'll arrange for you to lead the team."
A Ninja team quickly assembled.
It wasn't a very large Konoha Ninja outpost.
Thus, the number of Mist Ninjas required isn't very large.
In addition, with the presence of Ao and the Byakugan, the Hidden Mist Village is no longer far behind Konoha in terms of intelligence.
Of course, a pair of Byakugan can't match the numerous Byakugan of Konoha.
However, the Hidden Mist Village currently holds the advantage.
"Let's go!"
Soon, *Kisame and his team arrived near the Konoha Ninja outpost.
...
- In a cave -
The surroundings were quite concealed.
Two Konoha Ninjas on patrol came into Kisame's view.
Kisame didn't hesitate, his figure flashing.
He approached the two Konoha Ninjas at a very fast speed.
"What?"
Before the two Konoha Ninjas could react, Kisame was already upon them.
"Pfft!"
The blade in his hand pierced directly through.
But this was not the end.
As the Sword of Wisdom's blade struck one of the Konoha Ninjas, the blade abruptly extended and, in an unforeseen situation, also pierced into the other Konoha Ninja's body.
The two people were strung up like skewers.
Kenjutsu and Taijutsu— Kisame was no slouch.
He just seemed weaker compared to Orochimaru and Jiraiya.
But he had an overwhelming advantage over ordinary Konoha Chunin.
"Enemy attack!"
With the fall of the two Konoha Chunin, the Konoha Ninjas inside the cave were quickly alerted.
Kisame had initially planned to silently eliminate these two and then launch a surprise attack on the Ninjas inside the cave.
Eliminating these two was indeed done silently by Kisame.
However, something on the two of them must have triggered the alert for the Konoha Ninjas inside the cave.
A trace of disappointment appeared in Kisame's eyes.
But it was only a trace.
A surprise attack was naturally preferable.
It was expected that the surprise attack would be detected.
After all, Konoha's sensing and intelligence capabilities were among the best of the many Ninja villages.
A large number of Konoha Ninjas emerged from the cave.
"Mist Ninjas?"
"Hoshigaki Kisame!"
A Konoha Ninja recognized Kisame and showed great apprehension.
He's the only one among the younger generation who can fight against Orochimaru and Jiraiya.
An old man's eyes flickered.
"Is that person over there Kisame?"
"Yes, Setsuna-sama."
"He doesn't look like much. Can he really be compared to Orochimaru and Jiraiya?"
"Setsuna-sama, Hoshigaki Kisame isn't quite on the same level, but he has withstood the pressure against Orochimaru and Jiraiya for a long time without being killed, which is quite impressive."
Uchiha Setsuna glanced over dismissively.
"Just because he wasn't killed by those two juniors doesn't make it an honor."
"He didn't win."
As someone who has lived since the Second Hokage's era, Jiraiya and Orochimaru are just juniors to Uchiha Setsuna.
Due to inciting rebellion, Uchiha Setsuna had been imprisoned a long time ago.
He was only recently released.
The reason for his release was indeed that Konoha was short on manpower.
Facing enemies on three fronts, the pressure was immense.
Sarutobi Hiruzen personally came to the underground prison to communicate with Uchiha Setsuna.
Uchiha Setsuna was the one emerging from the underground prison to fight for Konoha.
A long time had passed, but Uchiha Setsuna's mindset seemed unchanged.
Uchiha Setsuna looked down on Sarutobi Hiruzen and scorned Shimura Danzo.
He even regarded Orochimaru as just a junior.
Even though Uchiha Setsuna knew that their strength might surpass his own, he would never admit it.
He was very stubborn.
Prideful and arrogant to the extreme.
Radical and extreme.
To the people of Konoha, the Uchiha Clan's character was seen as malicious and terrible.
Uchiha Setsuna was the epitome and representative of this view.
Many within the Uchiha Clan believed that Uchiha Setsuna was a significant problem.
"Elder Setsuna, don't underestimate Hoshigaki Kisame."
"The Sword of Wisdom in his hand is a Zanpakuto with special abilities. It can absorb all Ninjutsu, rendering Ninjutsu attacks ineffective against him and providing him with Chakra replenishment."
"Additionally, visual-based Genjutsu is ineffective against him."
"That Sword of Wisdom has self-awareness and can alert Hoshigaki Kisame even when his eyes are closed."
"To defeat Hoshigaki Kisame, one would need to rely on close-combat Taijutsu or Kenjutsu."
Uchiha Setsuna frowned.
"Zanpakuto? I remember that Hidden Mist Village used to have the Seven Ninja Swords. When did Zanpakuto appear?"
"Elder Setsuna, Hidden Mist Village recently had a new Great Blacksmith who forged many new and powerful Ninjato, categorized into Zanpakuto, Great Grade Sword, and Skillful Grade Sword."
A nearby Ninja explained, "These Ninjato are quite impressive."
"Especially the Zanpakuto, which is much stronger than the previous Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords."
Uchiha Setsuna's expression became a bit more serious.
"I see…"
"Genjutsu and Ninjutsu are ineffective, which is indeed a bit troublesome."
"But this time, he's not so lucky."
"Just so happens, among the Uchiha, I'm the kind who's good at Kenjutsu, unmatched by anyone."
"If that Zanpakuto is good, then it should fall into the hands of a more capable Ninja."
"I'll take it!
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