"Alright."
The two quickly packed up and headed towards the direction of the Hidden Mist Village.
The ANBU ninjas who followed them also set off on the same journey.
In less than a day, the two returned to Forging Island.
"Soma-senpai, Juzo sensei."
Ameyuri Ringo hurried over upon hearing the news.
"Ameyuri."
Next to her was Ao, who had used the Byakugan to see Soma and Biwa Juzo returning.
"Ameyuri, how was the training during this time?"
As soon as Biwa Juzo returned, he immediately asked about the "homework" he left her.
But for Ameyuri Ringo, this was not something to be resentful of.
On the contrary, Ameyuri Ringo was very concerned about the "homework."
She reported in detail.
"Ao-senpai."
Soma looked at Ao.
"During this time, was there anything happening on Forging Island?"
"No."
Ao shook his head.
"It's just that Arafuni has been a bit busy, couldn't manage to come over to greet you. Oh, by the way, someone came to Forging Island, saying they wanted to see you to apologize in person, but I didn't let him enter"
"Who?"
"Hozuki Mangetsu."
Soma raised an eyebrow.
"He wants to apologize to me?"
Hozuki Kazuhiko's performance during the Pioggia incident did indeed displease Soma, but did Hozuki Mangetsu really need to apologize? In what capacity did Hozuki Mangetsu act?
Representing whom?
From what standpoint?
Why apologize?
Suddenly, Soma thought of something, and an idea formed in his mind.
It seemed like this provided him with an opportunity.
Given the current situation, Soma would certainly not let anyone from the Hozuki Clan use his ninja tools.
But not allowing their use didn't mean they couldn't make a contract.
Within the Hidden Mist Village, it was almost impossible to find ninjas with compatibility and a level above "Good" with Pioggia.
And Soma was aware that leading a contract himself with someone below "Good" compatibility wouldn't yield any good rewards.
Then there's no need for a contract.
If Pioggia and Hozuki Suigetsu have high compatibility, I can guide Pioggia and Hozuki Suigetsu to make a contract.
After the contract is completed, I can just retrieve Pioggia.
This way, I can get rewards for a contract with compatibility above "Good."
And I don't need to actually let anyone from the Hozuki Clan use my ninja tools.
To achieve this, I just need to make contact with Hozuki Suigetsu.
Without Mangetsu coming to me, it might not be easy for Soma to make contact, as there wouldn't be a suitable excuse.
But if Mangetsu comes to me on his own initiative, then it's different.
Soma said,
"Ao-senpai, even the Kaguya Clan has remarkable individuals with figures like Kaguya Masui and Kaguya Neko. So, perhaps Mangetsu isn't as narrow-minded as other members of the Hozuki Clan."
"Since he wants to see me, let him come."
"And, strictly speaking, the Hozuki Clan isn't targeting me. They have their own thoughts. It's just that, in handling this matter, they could have done better."
Ao nodded.
"Alright, the next time he comes, I'll talk to him."
After a pause, Ao added, "Soma, you're too generous. In the Hidden Mist Village, you can easily be taken advantage of like this. If I were treated like that by the Hozuki Clan, I would never treat them kindly."
Soma smiled.
"With you, Ao-senpai, and Juzo-senpai around, I won't be at a disadvantage."
Ao paused for a moment, then smiled as well.
"That's true. Soma, rest assured, as long as Juzo and I are alive and here, no one can take advantage of you."
Back on Forging Island, Soma immediately began researching the Chakra Smelting Technique.
Apart from the usual training, he stayed in the forging room.
It's worth mentioning that a new member joined Forging Island.
Biwa Haruko.
Biwa Juzo's wife.
She used to be a ninja, but she hasn't been one for many years.
She appears slightly chubby, somewhat like Mitarashi Anko after retirement.
But it's evident she has a good personality.
Arriving at Forging Island, she took charge of meal preparations.
Soma was a bit surprised to hear that Biwa Juzo had a wife.
Because in the original storyline, Biwa Juzo defected.
It's unlikely for a ninja with a wife to abandon both the village and his wife just because of disappointment.
Now it seems to Soma that something must have happened in the original storyline that led to Haruko's death, prompting Juzo to completely cut ties with the Hidden Mist Village.
"But coming to Forging Island, as long as it's not some incurable ailment, there won't be any life-threatening danger."
Juzo, upon hearing that Forging Island lacked a chef, voluntarily suggested bringing his wife over.
Soma naturally had no objections.
Having someone familiar is more trustworthy than randomly finding someone from outside.
Even if Haruko's cooking skills weren't very good.
But they weren't bad either.
Soma didn't expect to find someone whose cooking skills could rival Ichiraku's.
Entering the forging room, Soma lifted the lid. A blast of heat emerged, carrying the scent of sulfur.
Magma flowed below.
Soma took a piece of metal.
"The so-called Chakra Smelting Technique involves infusing Chakra into the metal during the smelting process, which strengthens the metal during smelting."
"It's not an ordinary smelting technique"
Soma mobilized his fire attribute chakra. But he didn't directly send it into the smelting furnace. Doing so would be too dangerous.
If not done properly, it could result in an explosion. The resulting power would be very strong. Far beyond what a few explosive tags could compare to. It would be much stronger.
Even for a Special Jonin like Soma, it would be extremely dangerous.
Soma took a piece of charcoal and infused it with his fire attribute chakra. As the chakra entered, the temperature of the charcoal gradually increased, and its color turned red. It looked somewhat mottled.
This was because Soma's control over his fire attribute chakra was not very good. But for now, it would suffice.
As the charcoal was placed, the situation inside the furnace slowly changed.
The power of Chakra seeped out from the charcoal.
Soma, combining his existing smelting skills, adjusted the situation inside the furnace.
This so-called smelting isn't just about mastering Fire Release Chakra.
It's about combining Fire Release Chakra with smelting techniques.
Time passed bit by bit.
Finally, with Soma's efforts, some Chakra entered the metal.
It strengthened and altered the metal.
"Success."
Soma's eyes brightened slightly.
This meant that the time and money spent on learning Fire Release over the past period were worth it.
But soon, he calmed down.
"However, merely adding it in the smelting successfully. The efficiency is very low. At this rate, completing the smelting of the metal needed for a Ninjato will take at least two or three months, if not more."
"This, for me, is very impractical. It's like a deadweight. Moreover, it will contain impurities."
"This will require constant experimentation and adjustment. Just like when I developed the Breathing Forging Method."
Soma would record the process after each attempt.
Making changes bit by bit, if the results improved, he would continue in that direction.
If the results worsened, he would immediately change course.
Because there's no clear direction, this process won't be quick.
But with Soma's patience, progress wasn't slow either.
After all, Soma was already a seasoned blacksmith. He had his own understanding of smelting
A few days later, Hozuki Mangetsu came again.
This time, Ao, who received Soma's attitude, didn't drive Hozuki Mangetsu away. Instead, he allowed him onto the island, but only arranged for him to be at the edge of Forging Island at a small wooden house overlooking the pier.
"Soma, Hozuki Mangetsu is here again."
Soma nodded.
"Okay, Ao-senpai, where is he now?"
"He's over by the pier."
Soma glanced at what he had in hand.
"Ao-senpai, could you tell him I have some things to take care of? Once I'm done, I'll come over."
"Sure."
Ao returned to the wooden house, walked in, and looked at Hozuki Mangetsu across from him.
"Soma has some things to attend to before he can come over. Please, have a seat."
"Alright, thank you, Ao-senpai."
Hozuki Mangetsu slowly sat down, sitting upright, showing great respect towards Ao.
This slightly improved Ao's impression of Hozuki Mangetsu.
But only slightly.
Ao's dissatisfaction with the Hozuki Clan stemmed from Hozuki Kazuhiko's attitude and choices before.
At first, Ao had no particular feelings towards the Hozuki Clan.
Because with Hozuki Gengetsu's death and the ascent of the Third Mizukage, the presence of the Hozuki Clan gradually diminished, their influence contracting within the family, as if they were "retreating."
However, the family's businesses continued, and village missions were still being carried out.
They simply didn't interact much with other people or forces in the village. They gave off an air of aloofness.
Ao had great respect for Hozuki Gengetsu. But he didn't have much contact with members of the Hozuki Clan.
However, Hozuki Kazuhiko's behavior that night immediately tarnished Ao's impression of the Hozuki Clan.
Hozuki Kazuhiko was too arrogant. The Kaguya Clan was also arrogant.
But there was a slight difference between the two.
The Kaguya behaved more wildly, speaking rudely, behaving crudely, and looking down on those who were not as strong or influential as them.
The Hozuki Clan, on the surface, may not be as brazen, but deep down, they still look down on others.
Now, Hozuki Mangetsu's behavior made Ao change his evaluation slightly.
Before long, Soma arrived.
"Soma-senpai."
Hozuki Mangetsu quickly stood up.
"Hozuki Mangetsu?"
Soma sized up Hozuki Mangetsu.
He looked about eight or nine years old, perhaps even younger than ten. In another world, he might still be considered a child, but in this world and at this time, he was already a ninja.
Next door in Konoha, Uchiha Itachi was on the battlefield at the age of four or five.
He bore some resemblance to Hozuki Suigetsu from Soma's memory.
However, his hair color was slightly different.
Moreover, he seemed much more composed in character.
"Yes, I'm Hozuki Mangetsu."
"Please, have a seat."
Soma gestured for Hozuki Mangetsu to sit down, and he himself sat down as well.
But Hozuki Mangetsu bowed his head and apologized to Soma.
"Soma-senpai, I'm truly sorry. The Hozuki Clan has done something very wrong. I'm here to apologize on behalf of the Hozuki Clan to you, Soma-senpai. I'm really sorry."
Soma waved his hand.
"No need to rush with the apologies. The Hozuki Clan just made the choices they wanted. My ninja tools don't have to be used by people from the Hozuki Clan."
"And, Mangetsu, forgive me for being blunt, but can you really represent the Hozuki Clan?"
Mangetsu's expression stiffened, then his face darkened.
Soma continued, "At this point, there's no need to say too much."
"Given the current situation, if the Hozuki Clan insists on reclaiming the Seven Ninja Swords and forming the Hozuki Seven, it basically means severing ties with my ninja tools."
"For me, it's not really a loss."
"It's just that in the future, the Zanpakuto I forge will compete to some extent with your Hozuki Clan's Seven Ninja Swords."
"The Shinigami Squad and your Hozuki Seven will also have a certain level of competition."
"But, that's the freedom of your Hozuki Clan."
"No need to apologize to me."
"If you really think that what the Hozuki Clan did was wrong, and you want to express some remorse to me, to make it up to me, then do me a favor."
Hozuki Mangetsu paused.
"Soma-senpai, what favor?"
"The new ninja tool I've crafted, according to my estimation, might be quite suitable for ninjas from your Hozuki Clan, but your clan declined."
Soma continued, "So, I can't give the ninja tool to ninjas from your Hozuki Clan anymore. However, I want to test my estimation to see if it's correct."
"I need a few members from the Hozuki Clan to conduct this test."
Mangetsu hesitated.
"Soma-senpai, the test is fine, but given the current situation, I think I can only participate by myself. By the way, Soma-senpai, may I ask how the test will be conducted?"
Soma responded.
"Just need to touch my ninja tool."
Mangetsu's eyes flickered.
"Do they have to be ninjas?"
"No, non-ninjas are fine too."
"Besides me, I can bring my brother. I can't bring anyone else."
Mangetsu continued, "Most members within the Hozuki Clan share the same mindset as the Clan Head. They all want to rebuild the family's glory by relying on the Seven Ninja Swords."
"And if the Hozuki Clan further interacts with you, Soma-senpai, or your ninja tools, the Hozuki Clan might become a target of criticism. Therefore, they have some resistance towards you, Soma-senpai, and your ninja tools."
Soma nodded.
"Alright, just you two then, I'll just conduct a test."
"When will you come? I'm quite busy these days. If we don't set a time in advance, you might have to wait longer than today."
Mangetsu thought for a moment.
"Soma-senpai, let's do it today. I'll bring my brother over later."
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