Returning to Forging Island.
Soma looked at the materials in front of him.
Compared to any previous materials, there were fewer. After all, Water Dragon Possession is just a ring.
The material were two types of metal, a gemstone, and something that looks like a biological organ.
And in fact, it really is an organ of a living creature.
In the World of Akame Ga Kill, many of the Teigu are made from materials taken from dangerous creatures.
Water Dragon Possession is one, Demon's Extract is another, and Cross Tail as well.
"In terms of forging difficulty, nothing is higher than the Skeleton Emperor."
"It's just that it requires a certain level of precision."
"Similar to God's Hand."
"I had no problem making God's Hand, so making Water Dragon Possession shouldn't be a problem either."
"Now that I have God's Hand, my precision abilities are way stronger"
Soma took out the blueprint and looked at it carefully.
While looking at the blueprint, he simulated the process in his mind.
"The difficulty isn't very high."
"This Dungeon Instance task is relatively simple, and my current energy level is good."
"So let's start forging right away."
Soma first took out two pieces of metal.
"Chakra Smelting Technique!"
After smelting, he began to forge them.
"Ding!"
"Ding!"
"Ding!"
A series of hammering sounds rang out.
"The key to Water Dragon Possession lies in the organ of the dangerous creature."
"The metal ring to be forged needs to have special patterns engraved on it, somewhat similar to Pioggia's situation. But not as complex."
"In addition to the patterns, the gemstone also assists in control."
A piece of metal was forged into a container.
Soma placed the organ of the dangerous creature into the container and sealed it.
Then, he forged the other piece of metal into the shape of a ring base.
Petal-like patterns were carved out.
Connecting it with the previous metal container.
At this point, Soma could already feel the power emanating from the incomplete ring.
Even the surrounding moisture seemed to become more dense.
"Only the gemstone setting is left!"
Soma took the gemstone and placed it in the center of the ring base.
He gently pressed it into the reserved space.
A sound was heard.
[Congratulations to the host for completing the forging.]
[Water Dragon Possession successfully forged.]
[Completion level: Excellent.]
[Congratulations to the host for gaining 2000 Swordsmanship experience.]
"An Excellent level of completion, not bad."
At the same time, a stream of information flooded into Soma's mind.
[Water Dragon Possession.]
[Type: Ring.]
[Quality: Excellent.]
[Abilities: Water Flow Control—An Excellent-level replica, capable of manipulating liquids in objects it touches, transforming them into weapons or defenses. The effect is enhanced when using the wearer's blood as material.]
[Note: According to the Third Rule of the Blacksmith, the power of this ninja tool cannot harm the forger.]
Soma put on the Water Dragon Possession.
"Rise!"
The water in the cup moved out as Soma's finger moved.
It changed shapes.
"It certainly can control water flow quite well."
"However, for my strength, it won't be a significant boost, just more attack methods."
"Because I already have a Perfect-level Water Release talent."
"What I lack are not methods, but basic attributes."
"If the Water Dragon Possession completes the contract, my Water Release talent will likely be elevated to an even higher level."
"It doesn't enhance my overall strength as much as Pioggia does."
"A contract would be a better choice. Pioggia didn't earn me much reputation."
"Skeleton Emperor gained some, but not a lot. After all, the Third Mizukage can't be fighting on the front lines at this time."
Soma took off the Water Dragon Possession.
"But this ring-shaped Water Dragon Possession isn't conspicuous enough to earn me reputation."
"A ring is hard for people to notice. Unless the user mentions it themselves. But the user can't go around introducing it to everyone."
"I need to make this ninja tool more noticeable. For example, by adding an outer casing."
Soma took some already forged metal from the side.
This was leftover from the axe he made as a demonstration for the new blacksmith.
"I can forge a sword and hide the ring inside the hilt."
"This way, it will look much more noticeable and won't compromise its structure or functionality."
Soma immediately started working on it.
Since the materials were ready, only the shaping step remained.
For Soma, this was no challenge.
The sounds of hammering echoed in the forge again.
Unnoticed, the sky grew dark.
"Creak!"
Soma walked out with the sword.
He saw Ao and Juzo intensely discussing something.
"Juzo-senpai, Ao-senpai, what's going on?"
"Soma."
Ao sighed and said,
"Bad news from the Land of Fire battlefield. Mizukage-sama's team captured a medical ninja from Konoha, named Rin."
"Then they implanted the Three-Tails into Rin's body. They planned to use Rin as a living bomb. The idea was to send Rin to Konoha, release the Three-Tails there, and let it wreak havoc on Konoha.
But the plan failed. Rin deliberately ran into Kakashi's kunai. As a result, the Three-Tails died too. No one knows when it will revive, or where it will reappear."
Soma's heart sank.
This was not what Soma wanted to see happen.
A mad dog like Uchiha Obito was too troublesome.
Soma had already tried to take action through the Third Mizukage.
He had made several attempts without putting himself in danger.
And Soma remembered very clearly from the last time.
The Third Mizukage himself had said that Konoha had many ways to counter the Tailed Beasts and that he had arranged for the protection of the jinchūriki.
This indicates that this indeed wasn't the Third Mizukage's plan.
"To be honest, I don't quite understand why Mizukage-sama would make such an arrangement," Soma said.
Ao continued, "It's not very wise."
"Everyone knows that the Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Jutsu is in Konoha's hands."
"This greatly restrains the Tailed Beasts."
"Otherwise, the Uzumaki Clan wouldn't have been besieged and destroyed back then."
"Moreover, Konoha currently has an Uzumaki Clan member skilled in Sealing Jutsu."
"Kushina Uzumaki's strength is certainly not weak."
"If she weren't a jinchūriki and Konoha wasn't reluctant to send her to the battlefield, her reputation might be as high as the Yellow Flash."
Kushina Uzumaki's strength may not be on par with Minato Namikaze.
However, in the ninja world, top-tier female ninjas are relatively few.
Therefore, top-tier female ninjas of the same strength as male ninjas tend to become more famous.
Just like Hidden Sand Village's Rasa and Pakura.
Even though Rasa is now the acting Kazekage, and even though Rasa's strength is not below Pakura's,
Pakura's reputation in the ninja world is not any less than Rasa's.
Among the Three Sannin, Tsunade's combat strength is also weaker than Orochimaru and Jiraiya, but her fame is not.
However, Tsunade's reputation is also bolstered by her status as a Senju princess.
"Sending the Three-Tails jinchūriki to Konoha, it wouldn't be difficult for Konoha to seal it."
"In that case, wouldn't it be like giving Konoha a Tailed Beast for free?"
"And with the jinchuriki's death."
"No matter how you look at it, this isn't a reasonable plan."
Juzo couldn't understand either.
Soma believed that there were not many ninjas in Hidden Mist Village who would think this action is rational.
Because this wasn't a well-thought-out plan by the Third Mizukage.
The probability of success is low, and even if successful, the effect may not be very good.
Hidden Mist Village has much better methods to deal with Konoha.
This is simply a plan arranged by Madara to nurture Obito's growth.
Through such pain, Obito will unlock the Mangekyo Sharingan.
At the same time, it disappoints the ninja world, particularly Konoha.
In this way, Obito can become an eligible pawn in the eyes of Madara.
Madara can then confidently entrust future plans to Obito.
Madara can then rest assured and pass away peacefully.
"But fortunately, the worst-case scenario didn't happen," Juzo said.
Ao snorted.
"This situation is already bad enough. The Three-Tails died, and so many ninjas in the village died for nothing. It's a useless sacrifice that didn't even cause any harm to Konoha."
"And fr what? for a Nohara Rin's death,? It's hardly worth mentioning."
"If it were Hatake Kakashi who died, then it would have some value."
Soma looked up, gazing towards the distant direction of the Land of Fire, across the vast ocean.
He sighed inwardly.
"With my current situation, it's indeed difficult to stop this."
"There are too many restrictions from all sides."
"After all, the one who orchestrated this plan is Madara."
"He's the only one in recent ninja history who can rival the god of the ninja world, Senju Hashirama, and he has the assistance of Black Zetsu and so many White Zetsu."
"Even if the Third Mizukage dies, Madara will find a way to complete this plan."
"From now on, Hidden Mist Village will face the crazed retaliation of Obito."
"But there's also some good news."
Soma's eyes flickered.
"That is, not long from now, Madara will die. Obito is insane, but he's not as terrifying as Madara in every aspect."
"Among the Akatsuki Organization, Nagato is the only one whose strength surpasses Hidden Mist Village's capabilities to resist."
"But Obito won't directly use Nagato's power for revenge against Hidden Mist Village."
"Compared to revenge, Obito would rather create a perfect world for Rin."
"Therefore, if I'm targeted by Madara, I'll likely be done for."
"Being targeted by Obito is more troublesome, but there are still ways to resist."
"At this point, what I need to do is gain more reputation, forge more ninja tools, enhance the strength of Hidden Mist Village, and at the same time, elevate my own abilities."
Soma withdrew his gaze and looked at Ao.
"Ao-senpai, do you want to give it a try?"
With that, he handed over the packaged version of the Water Dragon Possession long sword.
Ao paused for a moment.
"Is this a new ninja tool you crafted, Soma?"
"That's right."
Soma nodded.
"So fast?"
Soma smiled.
"This ninja tool I made this time is relatively simpler."
"This long sword, named Water Dragon Possession, can enhance control over water flow. It also works on other liquids and allow you to manipulate them into various forms."
Juzo raised an eyebrow.
"Similar to my Blue Rose Sword?"
Juzo developed Ice Release with his Blue Rose Sword, focusing on shaping Ice Release.
"You could say that," Soma said. "But water and ice are still different. Water tends to have less destructive power relatively, weaker defense, and lacks the chilling effect of ice."
"However, Water Dragon Possession has another ability: when controlled using the user's own blood, it will unleash a very strong destructive power."
Ao took over the Water Dragon Possession.
A voice sounded in Soma's mind.
[Detected the appearance of a contractee suitable for Water Dragon Possession, (Liver approval: Mid, attribute compatibility: Mid) Comprehensive compatibility: Eligible, shall we proceed with the contract?]
"Just Eligible level..."
Soma frowned.
Liver's approval was at a medium level.
In "Akame Ga Kill," Liver was falsely accused, imprisoned, and then saved by Esdeath. Besides extreme admiration for Esdeath, he also developed an intense desire for power.
If we consider Ao's experiences in "Boruto: Naruto Next Generations," his situation bears some resemblance to Liver's.
During the Fourth Shinobi World War, Ao lost his Byakugan and suffered severe injuries. Thanks to Katasuke Tono's assistance, he miraculously survived.
Losing his Byakugan, coupled with the deaths of many comrades, left Ao feeling helpless for a while. Soon after, he developed a strong obsession with power. This led him to join the Kara organization. However, his attribute compatibility was only at a medium level.
"Doesn't this mean that Ao-senpai's talent in Water Release isn't high?"
"Well, before obtaining the Byakugan, Ao-senpai's identity was that of a Sensory Ninja."
"Compared to Water Release, he's more proficient in Sensory Ninjutsu."
"During his time in the Kara organization, it seems that Ao-senpai didn't use Water Release much."
Ao infused chakra into the Water Dragon Possession. Then, he looked towards the nearby sea. In the next moment, a mass of seawater surged towards them, changing shape under Ao's control. However, Ao didn't feel any changes in the Water Dragon Possession. He knew very well what that meant.
"Soma, here you go." Ao handed the Water Dragon Possession back to Soma. With so many failed attempts at contracting, Ao had almost become accustomed to it. Juzo stood up. "I'll go to the Mizukage's Building. Soma, you don't need to come. Mizukage-sama already has a contracted Zanpakuto, so there's no need for further contract attempts. They must have arranged for someone else. I will just have those people come to the Forging Island."
Soma nodded. "Alright, thanks, Juzo-senpai."
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