A voice sounded just as the heavy firework explosions were still raging.
[Task completed!]
[Do you wish to leave the instance?]
"Leave!"
In the next moment.
A force of attraction fell on Soma, Kisame, and Ameyuri.
The three figures vanished from the Star-stealing Girl's world.
Forging Island.
Forge room.
"Soma, did you succeed?"
Kisame stared intently at Soma.
Soma nodded.
"That's good."
Kisame smiled, though the smile looked somewhat grim.
Those unfamiliar with Kisame might think he harbored ill intentions.
Ameyuri, on the other hand, was still in shock at Soma's use of such a powerful attack.
"Such an attack, even elite Jonin couldn't use it, right?"
Ameyuri looked at Soma with mixed feelings.
"Uehara-san, is he really that strong?"
"Indeed, impressive."
"Previously, Juzo-sensei said Uehara-san was a genius, but he never mentioned that his genius was to this extent."
"Looks like Chidori was indeed something Uehara-san saw and then copied."
"Uehara-san's Lightning Release talent is even stronger than mine."
"That forging hammer is also very powerful."
"It can become so huge."
"Even without Lightning Release power, a single blow can cause massive damage."
"It can pose a threat even to Jiraiya and Orochimaru when they summon giant beasts."
Kisame wasn't as shocked as Ameyuri.
However, he continuously compared Soma's Heavy Hammer Spark with his own A Thousand Feeding Sharks in his mind.
"In terms of scale, my A Thousand Feeding Sharks is superior."
"But in terms of single-target destructive power, Heavy Hammer Spark is stronger."
"In terms of the younger generation on the battlefield, there is indeed no one who can compare with me."
"However, outside the battlefield, Soma's strength might not be weaker than mine."
Because he stands out among his peers.
Kisame mentioned that he no longer compares himself with his peers but rather wants to measure himself against figures like Orochimaru and Jiraiya, and he is unhappy about losing to them.
He wanted to work hard, to catch up with and even surpass the two of them as soon as possible.
But in reality, there was still a bit of complacency in Kisame's heart.
Now, after seeing Soma's displayed strength, Kisame couldn't help but feel guilty about the complacency that had appeared in his heart.
"Soma only spent a little time on Ninja strength training and has reached this level."
"Forging Technique, Ninja training... Soma hasn't been slack in any of these, so what right do I have to be complacent?"
"I need to work even harder."
"I can't stay in the village any longer."
"I need to hurry to the front lines."
"To improve through actual combat."
"To enhance the coordination with the guard team."
That day, Kisame left Hidden Mist Village with three members of the guard team.
Ameyuri did not go. She had not yet finished learning Lightning Release.
Soma looked at the materials in front of him.
Some metals, wooden blocks...
And the most important item was a crystal-like object.
"Ability Seed."
"From this perspective, the Cold Dome on the Blueprint corresponds to a sword, with the Sword Princess's unique power infused into it, forming an Ice Blade that might be stronger than I initially expected."
"Similar to the Lightning Blade and Sword of the Darkness Flame."
"Each has additional power."
"Not just an attribute transformation of the Thunder Swords among the Seven Ninja Swords."
Soma nodded.
"In that case, even if Mashiro's talent and strength are a bit lacking, after obtaining the Cold Dome, her overall strength should reach a decent level."
"I can create the Cold Dome first."
"When Mashiro completes her Ninja training, I will contract the Cold Dome to her Mashiro."
Mashiro is an outsider sold to Hidden Mist Village.
Hidden Mist Village then assigned Mashiro and Haku to Soma.
However, Soma is not worried about Mashiro trying to escape. For Mashiro, Haku is very important.
In the face of Hidden Mist Village's recruitment, Mashiro chose to refuse due to their attachment to family and the village, demonstrating that Mashiro values familial bonds immensely.
After losing their family, Haku is the only remaining family member for Mashiro.
For Mashiro, Haku is everything.
As long as Haku is in Hidden Mist Village, Mashiro cannot leave the village.
This is Mashiro's lifeline.
"Begin forging!"
After carefully studying the Blueprint and running some simulations in his mind, Soma started the forging process.
"For metal melting, use Lightning Transformation."
"The Cold Dome is an Ice Blade, and infusing it with ice attribute energy will make it relatively more brittle. By applying a protective shell formed through Lightning Transformation, the likelihood of damage will be reduced."
Ameyuri arrived at the training ground and continued practicing Chidori.
Two figures approached.
"Izumi-nee."
"Ameyuri."
"Izumi-nee, who is this?"
Ameyuri looked over at Mashiro.
Ameyuri had been at Forging Island for quite some time after returning.
Mashiro had also been at Forging Island for several days.
But this was the first time they were meeting.
"This is Mashiro, a new member of our forging department," Kaguya Izumi introduced.
"Since Mashiro hasn't had any Ninja training before, Chief-sama asked me to take Mashiro through basic training to meet Ninja standards as soon as possible."
Ameyuri nodded but found it somewhat strange.
Mashiro was not young.
For someone of that age who had never undergone Ninja training before, starting Ninja training now to become a Ninja?
It seemed a bit frivolous.
How could they catch up after missing out on years of accumulation and the best growth period?
But soon, Ameyuri understood.
A wave of icy coldness emanated from Mashiro.
During the practical training with Kaguya Izumi, Mashiro extended a hand, and several sharp ice spikes appeared beside her.
Under Mashiro's control, the ice spikes flew toward Kaguya Izumi.
"Ice Release Kekkei Genkai?"
"Is it the same ability as Juzo-sensei?"
"No, Juzo-sensei doesn't have Ice Release Kekkei Genkai. He can use Ice Release because of the Blue Rose Sword."
"Mashiro... possesses the Ice Shield Kekkei Genkai inherently."
"No wonder."
Now Ameyuri understood why Mashiro needed Ninja training.
This is a Kekkei Genkai, an innate talent that surpasses that of others.
Even with a short training period and missing the optimal growth phase, one can still achieve a decent level.
This is the difference between a Bloodline Ability user and an ordinary Ninja.
An ordinary Ninja might spend their whole life just becoming a Chunin.
But a Bloodline Ability user can easily reach that level and then surpass it.
The world of Ninjas is quite unfair.
Geniuses, Bloodline abilities, Secret Jutsu... and even some who rely on external aids.
"Does this mean that Mashiro might be more suited for the Blue Rose Sword than Juzo-sensei?"
For Soma, Zanpakuto contracts sometimes involve both aspects and sometimes are purely based on attributes.
But to others, it is not so.
Because they are completely unaware of the former.
They tend to judge purely by attributes.
"But Uehara-san wouldn't do that."
"Uehara-san isn't that kind of person."
"Uehara-san is very gentle and sentimental."
"It's just that there might be some unusual opinions in the village."
Ameyuri snapped back to reality, looked at Mashiro, and showed a trace of envy in her eyes.
"Kekkei Genkai, it's really enviable."
On the front lines, in the battlefield, Ameyuri has interacted with many Kekkei Genkai users.
Sand hero, Pakura.
Konoha's Hyuga Clan.
Konoha's Uchiha Clan.
And then there's Terumi Mei from her own village.
"If Pakura didn't have Scorch Release, she would not be a match for Juzo-sensei."
This statement is somewhat hypocritical.
Without Scorch Release for Pakura and without the Blue Rose Sword for Juzo, the outcome would be completely unpredictable.
However, Kekkei Genkai does provide a significant advantage for a Ninja.
The Byakugan has x-ray vision, long-range vision, and a 360-degree observation angle.
The Sharingan has ultimate dynamic vision, can observe Chakra flow, and can use Genjutsu.
"Mei-san, even without a Zanpakuto, is the only young Ninja in the village who can be compared to Kisame-san."
"Two Kekkei Genkai provide Mei-san with considerable strength enhancements."
"Once Mei-san obtains a Zanpakuto, her strength might surpass Kisame-san."
Ameyuri suddenly considered a possibility.
"Then, could Hidden Mist Village have its first female Mizukage in the future?"
"If that's the case, Mei-san would truly make history."
In Hidden Mist Village, Hidden Cloud Village, Konoha, Hidden Sand Village, and Hidden Rock Village, no female Hokage or Mizukage has ever appeared up until now.
Pakura was the closest one.
But she still lost in the competition with Rasa.
There could be many reasons for the failure.
However, Pakura being female certainly played a significant role in it.
"However, if Uehara-san is interested in the Mizukage position, no one should be able to compete with Uehara-san."
"The Shinigami Squad would all stand on Uehara-san's side."
"And also the users of the Great Grade Swords and Skillful Grade Swords."
"It's just unknown whether Uehara-san would be interested."
...
Mizukage's Building.
Obito's figure appeared behind Yagura.
Yagura's expression became vacant.
He sat dazedly in his chair.
Obito stood behind Yagura.
In his eyes, the Sharingan pattern spun rapidly.
"Kakuzu coming to Hidden Mist Village, what is his purpose?"
Obito asked.
Soon, Yagura responded.
Obito's expression darkened, and he snorted coldly.
"It's Soma again!"
"To enhance Forging Technique, he wanted to learn Lightning Release. Since there are no experts in Lightning Release within Hidden Mist Village, they hired Kakuzu from outside as part of a deal."
Obito narrowed his eyes.
"Has Kakuzu benefited from this transaction with Hidden Mist Village?"
"Or is he craving a Zanpakuto? Does he want to improve his relationship with Hidden Mist Village and therefore not join the Akatsuki Organization?"
"Or does he think he has a chance to join Hidden Mist Village?"
"After being betrayed by Hidden Waterfall Village, does he still dare to have expectations of these Ninja villages?"
But in reality, Kakuzu did not think that much.
Kakuzu simply felt that the benefits proposed by Konan were insufficient.
Joining Hidden Mist Village?
Kakuzu never considered that.
Getting a Zanpakuto?
Such a Ninjato would definitely not be given to outsiders by Hidden Mist Village.
After leaving Hidden Waterfall Village, Kakuzu's sole focus became profit.
This is why, even though Kakuzu felt terribly uncomfortable while teaching Soma Earth Release, he was still reluctant to give up the commission he had already earned.
"Soma still wants to improve his Forging Techniques? What kind of Ninjato does he want to create?"
"Creating so many Ninjato... I have to admit, these Ninjato are indeed very powerful."
"They have provided considerable help to Hidden Mist Village."
"Does he intend to forge a Ninjato that could directly elevate an average Ninja to Kage level?"
"How strong would Hidden Mist Village become?"
"Doesn't that mean the future Ninja world will be dictated by Hidden Mist Village?"
"Hidden Mist Village will become the greatest obstacle to my plans."
"Soma, your goals are truly ambitious!"
"Your ambition is too great."
"Absolutely not!"
"I must kill Soma as soon as possible."
"The world has suffered so many disastrous events because of ambitious people like him"
"I need to urge the Hozuki Clan to speed up their actions."
"Coincidentally, Konoha is currently under pressure from three Ninja villages and is close to being overwhelmed. They are considering conceding some benefits and initiating peace talks."
"But the war cannot end like this."
"By causing internal strife within Hidden Mist Village through Soma's death, Konoha's pressure can be alleviated."
"Konoha will not be quick to soften, and the war will continue."
Obito's eyes flickered.
"My original plan was to wait until Konoha showed signs of softening, then use Kushina-san's delivery as a starting point, to make other Ninja villages see the opportunity to conquer Konoha and reject Konoha's concession."
"But, during this process, inserting internal strife into Hidden Mist Village is also an option."
"It could make the war even more intense."
...
Three days later.
In the polishing room.
Soma looked at the Cold Dome in front of him and smiled.
"Finished!"
"It looks pretty good."
"It is indeed just as I expected; besides the attribute transformation, it also has additional ice attribute energy."
"It can enhance a Ninja's upper limits."
"Next, we just need to wait for Mashiro to complete her training."
Soma did not take the Cold Dome out but placed it inside the Peach Hermit Garden Box.
A force of attraction settled on the Cold Dome.
Immediately, the Cold Dome began to shrink rapidly.
It entered the Garden Box.
People outside could neither see nor sense the presence of the Cold Dome.
At this moment, a voice echoed in Soma's mind.
---
You can read up to 50 Advanced chapters and support me at patreon.com/Lookar