Hoshigaki Kisame hurriedly caught Kiriichimonji, grasping the handle, feeling it carefully.
In the next moment, he looked towards the sea.
"Water Release, Water Prison Jutsu!"
A huge Water Prison sphere appeared.
And within the Water Prison was a fish, a large fish.
Hoshigaki Kisame raised Kiriichimonji and stabbed straight towards the big fish.
"Hu-chi!"
A blade fell.
Immediately, a wound appeared on the back of the big fish, blood flowing continuously without any sign of slowing down, even though much time had passed.
Suddenly, Hoshigaki Kisame felt a slight vibration, emanating from Kiriichimonji.
A strange sense of closeness surged up.
Hoshigaki Kisame was somewhat puzzled.
"What is this?"
A voice sounded in Uehara Soma's mind.
[A contractee who matches Kiriichimonji has been detected, (Akame approval: High, attribute matching: Upper Mid) Degree of fit, Excellent, should guidance be given for a contract?]
Uehara Soma's eyebrows twitched slightly.
"To receive a contract prompt, a certain degree of compatibility must be reached. When Third Mizukage used Kiriichimonji just now, there was no such prompt, proving that the compatibility between Kiriichimonji and Third Mizukage is insufficient."
"However, Kisame and Kiriichimonji not only match, but their compatibility level also reaches the Excellent level."
Uehara Soma didn't hesitate.
"Yes!"
[Kiriichimonji contract successful.]
[Compatibility, Excellent.]
[Kiriichimonji has obtained a certain degree of amplification, the duration of the Unhealable effect has been increased to 15 days, and the consumption when used by the contractor is reduced to a certain extent.]
"Completing the contract, and still getting amplification?"
"That's a pleasant surprise."
"But it's also reasonable."
"If making a contract brings no change, then the contract would be meaningless."
"Ninja tools are not only for the contractors to use."
Kiriichimonji can be used by Hoshigaki Kisame, Third Mizukage, and even Zabuza.
"But with this effect, Kiriichimonji in the hands of Third Mizukage is completely different from in the hands of Kisame."
Another voice sounded.
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining Excellent level Water Release Ninjutsu talent.]
Uehara Soma felt delighted, quickly looking at the semi-transparent screen in front of him. This was what Uehara Soma truly anticipated.
One forging, two rewards.
Completing forging earns one reward.
Guiding contracts earns another reward.
These rewards are the key to Uehara Soma's strength.
[Name: Uehara Soma.]
[Comprehensive Strength: Genin.]
[Swordsmanship: Novice (300).]
[Water Release Ninjutsu Talent: Excellent.]
[Forging Technique: Good (Excellent——Forging Island bonus).]
[Mission items: None.]
[Blacksmith Reputation: 169.]
[Evaluation: As a blacksmith, the foundation is decent. Because of owning a forging site, the Forging Technique receives a bonus, with a chance of crafting ninja tools above fine quality.]
[As a ninja, the strength is worrisome; in times of war, can only be considered cannon fodder.]
Uehara Soma's eyes lit up.
Uehara Soma looked towards Hoshigaki Kisame.
Uehara Soma hesitated to request Third Mizukage to let Hoshigaki Kisame try Kiriichimonji.
Because Uehara Soma felt Kiriichimonji wasn't good enough.
He was confident in forging a better Ninjato in the future, and Hoshigaki Kisame deserved a better Ninjato.
Firstly, Hoshigaki Kisame was currently Uehara Soma's only friend.
Secondly, when Uehara Soma forged Kiriichimonji, Hoshigaki Kisame had also helped a lot.
He entered the Dungeon Instance, assisted Uehara Soma in completing tasks, and obtained materials.
Later, he stood guard at the entrance of the forging room.
For this, he even confronted Zabuza, who came with orders from Third Mizukage.
It was a very dangerous situation.
Just as Zabuza said, for those who disobey Third Mizukage's orders, according to the rules of the Hidden Mist Village, Zabuza could execute Hoshigaki Kisame on the spot.
Of course, whether he could or not was another matter.
However, after careful consideration, Uehara Soma still voiced this request to Third Mizukage.
Firstly, because Uehara Soma had made a promise before.
Secondly, Uehara Soma knew that he could forge better Ninjato in the future, but Hoshigaki Kisame didn't.
Though Kiriichimonji was lacking, nobody said that a Ninjato user could only use one Ninjato.
The Three Sword Style from Zoro was a typical example.
Thirdly, Uehara Soma believed that Hoshigaki Kisame would be an Excellent Ninjato contractee. Contracting Kiriichimonji with Hoshigaki Kisame would surely bring him good rewards.
After all, Hoshigaki Kisame's talent could be considered very strong.
And the result was just as Uehara Soma expected.
Hoshigaki Kisame felt that Kiriichimonji in his hand, though it was his first time using it, felt as if he had used it countless times before, very familiar.
Hoshigaki Kisame's expression, Third Mizukage also noticed.
At the same time, Third Mizukage also sensed the changes in Kiriichimonji in Hoshigaki Kisame's hands.
Third Mizukage remembered that previously, Kiriichimonji asame didn't exhibit such behavior in his own hands.
"Soma, what is this?" He asked.
"Mizukage-sama, this proves that Kiriichimonji and Kisame have a good level of compatibility. Kiriichimonji has acknowledged Kisame," replied Uehara Soma.
Third Mizukage raised an eyebrow slightly. "Kiriichimonji has such an effect? What changes occur after acknowledgment?"
"The specifics would be clear only to Kisame."
Hoshigaki Kisame stabbed again at the large fish trapped by the Water Prison Jutsu.
This time, Hoshigaki Kisame clearly felt that the sensation was different from before.
The duration of the Unhealable effect had extended, although Hoshigaki Kisame couldn't feel it temporarily.
But Hoshigaki Kisame could sense that the consumption when using Kiriichimonji had decreased.
This greatly surprised Hoshigaki Kisame.
The effect of Kiriichimonji already satisfied Hoshigaki Kisame greatly.
And now, with reduced consumption, it meant that Hoshigaki Kisame could fight for a longer time or allocate this portion of chakra to other aspects.
Overall strength had been improved.
"Mizukage-sama, this time I used Kiriichimonji, and the chakra consumption was even less," Hoshigaki Kisame reported.
"Oh, is that so?" Third Mizukage glanced at Kiriichimonji in Hoshigaki Kisame's hand.
"Since Kiriichimonji has chosen you, Kisame, then you should use it for now."
"However, make sure not to disappoint Kiriichimonji."
"Don't let down Soma's trust in you."
Hoshigaki Kisame restrained his excitement and nodded seriously.
"Yes, Mizukage-sama."
Zabuza looked at Hoshigaki Kisame with even more envy in his eyes.
"I hope you can make the name of the Hidden Mist's Eighth Blade known to the ninja world as soon as possible."
Hoshigaki Kisame nodded heavily.
"I will not disappoint Mizukage-sama's expectations!" he declared.
Hoshigaki Kisame was well aware that, just like becoming one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, being a Ninjato owner required not only essential strength but also significant achievements for the village.
And currently, he did not meet this criterion.
The reason Third Mizukage agreed was twofold.
One, he and Kiriichimonji indeed had a good fit.
The other was out of respect for Uehara Soma.
However, this would surely invite gossip.
Therefore, what he needed to do was to quickly become worthy of Kiriichimonji.
He needed to enhance his strength.
He needed to contribute more to the village.
Zabuza, unable to contain his burning gaze towards Kiriichimonji any longer, stepped forward.
"Mizukage-sama."
"Zabuza?"
"Mizukage-sama, I wish to apply to join the Forging Island guard."
---
You can read up to 50 Advanced chapters and support me at patreon.com/Lookar