For Kiriichimonji, Zabuza knows he's out of chances to get it.
But Zabuza thinks, since Uehara Soma could forge Kiriichimonji, maybe in the future he could forge another Ninjato of the same level.
If he becomes a member of the Forging Island security team, he can be close to the Mizukage.
The Third Mizukage looked at Zabuza and shook his head.
"The selection for the Forging Island security, I've already decided. There happens to be a mission here, I need you and Kisame to complete it. Come to the Mizukage's Building tomorrow morning."
After saying this, the Third Mizukage turned and left.
Zabuza glanced enviously at Hoshigaki Kisame, then shifted his gaze to Uehara Soma.
"Soma-senpai, I'll take my leave."
Uehara Soma nodded.
Watching Zabuza's back, Hoshigaki Kisame snorted.
"This brat really has no shame."
"Before, his attitude was so tough, even saying he'd kill me here. Now that he knows you can forge a Ninjato of Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords level, his attitude has completely changed."
Uehara Soma recalled information about Zabuza.
During his youth, Uehara Soma didn't understand Zabuza.
He only knew that Zabuza, like Hoshigaki Kisame, was a genius from the Hidden Mist Village, who emerged from among the rest through extremely harsh and cruel elimination.
Failed to assassinate the Fourth Mizukage in the future, becoming a rogue ninja.
Cruel, ruthless, murderous, ambitious.
But also has a compassionate side, namely the friendship with Haku.
Uehara Soma's impression of Zabuza wasn't as bad as Hoshigaki Kisame's.
Moreover, in Uehara Soma's view, with Zabuza's talent, he would be a good candidate as a Ninjato contractor in the future.
The better the talent of the Ninjato contractor, the better the rewards after Uehara Soma guides them through the contract.
"Soma, thank you."
Hoshigaki Kisame withdrew his gaze, sheathing Kiriichimonji at his waist.
Uehara Soma smiled.
"You're welcome. You helped me complete Akame's commission, obtained the materials, and also stood guard at the entrance of the forging room for so long while I was forging. This is what I promised you before."
"And besides, we're friends. Friends don't need to say thank you."
Hoshigaki Kisame nodded.
"Next time you go to the Forging Master Spiritual Land, if you need help, just call me anytime."
"Okay."
Entering Forging Island.
Compared to the previous two days, the mood of the two was completely different.
The news brought by Hoshigaki Kisame worried Uehara Soma greatly.
Coming to such a dangerous village, the system had just been activated, and Forging Island had just been bound. Now, Forging Island was about to be disbanded. For Uehara Soma, this was undoubtedly a huge blow.
But fortunately, Uehara Soma successfully completed the forging of Kiriichimonji.
Not only did he save Forging Island.
He also solved the problem that had been bothering him.
Uehara Soma also obtained the position of Chief of the Forging Department. Control of Forging Island. Protection from a security team and quotas for four subordinate forging artisans.
As for Hoshigaki Kisame, just two days ago he was deeply worried about Uehara Soma, planning to use his family's resources to arrange a relatively easy and safe position for him.
Now, those worries were completely unnecessary. Hoshigaki Kisame also obtained the Ninjato of his dreams.
It wasn't the Mist Seven, but Hoshigaki Kisame felt that with Kiriichimonji in hand, he would surely become the eighth member of the Hidden Mist Village Seven.
Hoshigaki Kisame was eager to go and fight the enemy, to prove himself, to prove Kiriichimonji.
But the atmosphere of Forging Island became even more desolate.
The few remaining blacksmiths seemed to have also moved away from Forging Island.
Perfectly illustrating the saying: when the tree falls, the birds scatter.
Hoshigaki Kisame raised his fist.
"Soma, with you here, Forging Island will surely return to its former prosperity sooner or later."
Uehara Soma nodded, and bumped fists with Hoshigaki Kisame.
At that moment, a figure entered the view of the two.
A young man.
The young man sat cross-legged with his eyes closed on the ground, next to a small table where a knife lay. He was bare-chested. Upon hearing the footsteps of Uehara Soma and Hoshigaki Kisame, he lifted his head.
But he didn't open his eyes.
"Have you come?"
"I will not leave Forging Island."
"I was born to be a blacksmith."
"To try to disband Forging Island, to try to strip me of my identity as a blacksmith, is something I absolutely cannot accept."
"Either give up."
"Or kill me!"
The young man opened his hands.
"Come on!"
Hoshigaki Kisame showed a strange expression.
Uehara Soma recognized the young man.
Like Uehara Soma, he was also a blacksmith. Their situations were somewhat similar, both being orphans from the Hidden Mist Village, and both of their sensei had passed away.
Named Arafuni.
There wasn't much communication between them.
Uehara Soma didn't expect that the last blacksmith to remain on Forging Island would be Arafuni, rather than one of the senior blacksmiths who had been working in forging for decades.
"Arafuni's dedication to forging is commendable, preferring to live and die with Forging Island."
"And I indeed need an assistant."
Uehara Soma made a decision.
"Arafuni, it's me, Uehara Soma."
Arafuni opened his eyes, looked at Uehara Soma, glanced at Hoshigaki Kisame, but didn't pay much attention.
"Uehara Soma, you haven't left either?"
"Soma doesn't need to leave."
Hoshigaki Kisame proudly spoke for Uehara Soma, "Just now, Mizukage-sama has appointed Soma as the Chief of the Forging Department, fully in charge of Forging Island affairs."
Arafuni was stunned.
"Chief of the Forging Department?"
"Wasn't the plan to disband Forging Island?"
"Weren't they going to dissolve the Forging Department?"
"Wasn't that Mizukage-sama's order?"
"Are you serious?"
Hoshigaki Kisame lifted his chin slightly.
"Of course it's true. Mizukage-sama's orders are genuine, as is Soma's appointment. Because before Mizukage-sama's orders were officially carried out, Soma forged a Ninjato of Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords level."
"That's why Mizukage-sama ordered the cancellation of the order to disband Forging Island."
"Furthermore, Forging Island is now fully entrusted to Soma for management."
Arafuni's eyes widened.
"A Ninjato of Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Sword level?"
"This is it."
Hoshigaki Kisame grasped the hilt of Kiriichimonji and drew the sword.
"Kiriichimonji, forged by Soma's own hands!"
Arafuni's gaze immediately fell on Kiriichimonji.
Taking a step forward.
The sudden burst of speed surprised even Hoshigaki Kisame.
Arafuni stared fixedly at Kiriichimonji, as if appraising a work of art.
His eyes were filled with fascination.
Like an infatuated fanatic.
This made Hoshigaki Kisame instinctively alert.
"Arafuni, you can look at Kiriichimonji, but don't touch. Otherwise..."
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