A month had passed since I first opened my eyes in this new world. One month of relentless training, absorbing knowledge, and pushing my limits. Everything had changed, my body, my skills, and even my understanding of what was possible. I had surpassed every expectation placed on me, leaving behind the basics that once held me back.
My strength had grown exponentially. Every punch I threw now had the force of a seasoned fighter, and I could feel the solidness of my body, each muscle honed from hours of grueling exercise. Chakra flowed effortlessly through my system now, a well-oiled machine. There was no more resistance, no more roughness in the pathways. It was like breathing, natural, seamless.
My time at the forge had been equally transformative. Goro, the blacksmith, had initially been cautious in teaching me, but after a few weeks, I had absorbed everything he knew and then some. My knowledge from Earth, combined with the techniques of this world, allowed me to innovate in ways no one had seen before. I wasn't just following instructions anymore.
I was creating, experimenting, and pushing the boundaries of forging itself. I even began experimenting with chakra infusion, finding ways to weave my chakra into the metal itself as I hammered, shaping it into something far stronger than anything this village had ever seen.
And then there was medicine. Ayako had been astounded by how quickly I'd picked up her techniques, and even more by the improvements I'd made. The villagers were starting to come to me as much as they did to her. Whether it was for stitching wounds, mixing potent remedies, or dealing with infections, I'd mastered the art of healing to the point where Ayako herself admitted I had surpassed her in many ways.
But today was different. Today, I was at the forge alone, focused on my most ambitious project yet, my katana.
The black blade gleamed under the low light of the forge. Its surface was smooth, almost impossibly so, and the dark hue shimmered like the night sky. This wasn't just any blade. It was the result of weeks of experimentation, merging different metals with chakra, forging something new. I had created this alloy from scratch, combining elements with the precision of a chemist and the intuition of a smith. The result was this black metal, harder and stronger than anything I had worked with before.
I called it Tsumetai Kinzoku... "Cold Steel." A fitting name for something born out of both fire and ice.
With each strike of the hammer, I infused more of my chakra into the blade, weaving it into the very essence of the metal. This wasn't just a weapon, it was an extension of me. I could feel the connection between us, the chakra flowing seamlessly between the katana and my own energy. The weight was perfect, the balance immaculate. The black blade absorbed light, making it seem almost ethereal.
I wiped the sweat from my brow as I finished the final touch, running my finger along the edge of the blade. It was sharp, razor sharp. I knew, even without testing it, that this katana was something different. Something far beyond what this village had ever seen.
Goro walked into the forge just as I was sheathing the katana. He was a man who rarely showed emotion, but when he saw the blade, he stopped in his tracks. His eyes widened as he took in the sight of the black sheath, the subtle shimmer of the blade's edge peeking out.
"Darius…" he said, his voice filled with awe. "That blade… I've never seen anything like it."
I nodded, my hand resting on the hilt. "It's ready."
Goro's respect was evident in his silence. He had watched me surpass him in both technique and innovation over the past few weeks, and while he was the one who had first taught me the basics, I had taken those lessons and transformed them into something else entirely.
I slung the katana over my shoulder, its weight comfortable, almost like it had been made for me, because it had. With Goro walking beside me, we stepped out of the forge and into the village square, where a few curious onlookers had already gathered.
....
The moment I walked out, people turned their heads. The black sheath drew attention instantly, but it was more than that. The katana radiated something, a presence that commanded respect. The villagers, already familiar with my rapid rise in skill, gathered closer, their eyes wide with awe.
"That's Darius's sword?" one man murmured.
"Look at it… It's beautiful," a woman whispered, her voice filled with amazement.
I walked calmly to the center of the square, stopping in front of a thick steel plate that had been set up for testing weapons. The crowd watched in silence, anticipation hanging in the air.
I took a deep breath, feeling the cool metal of the hilt in my hands. I didn't need to channel chakra for this. I wanted to show the sheer quality of the blade itself, first and foremost. In one fluid motion, I unsheathed the katana, the black blade catching the light for just a moment before I raised it high.
With a swift, precise movement, I brought the blade down.
Clang!
The sound of metal slicing through metal echoed through the square. The steel plate split cleanly in two, the edges so sharp they gleamed under the sunlight. The crowd gasped, some of them stepping back in shock. Even Goro, who had seen countless blades in his lifetime, stared at the cut, his mouth slightly open.
I smiled to myself, lifting the katana and holding it in front of me. Now it was time for the real show.
I focused, gathering my chakra and letting it flow through the blade. The katana responded immediately, the black metal humming as it absorbed the energy. A light blue aura began to coat the blade, a thin, almost flame-like glow surrounding the edges.
With another swift motion, I slashed the air in front of me.
A streak of blue chakra shot forward from the blade, flying into the sky and leaving a shockwave in its wake. The force of it blew dust into the air, rippling through the square like a gust of wind. The crowd stood in stunned silence, their eyes following the chakra slash as it disappeared into the distance.
Then the applause started.
The villagers erupted into cheers, their hands clapping as they shouted in awe and excitement. Some of them came forward, eager to see the katana up close. Others simply marveled at the clean cut I had made through the steel plate. Goro gave me a proud nod, his respect evident.
"It's… remarkable," he said, his voice quiet with admiration. "You've created something truly special, Darius."
I smiled, feeling a sense of pride swell in my chest. "It's only the beginning."
....
That night, the village came alive. The square was filled with people celebrating, food laid out on large tables, music playing, and laughter echoing through the streets. They were celebrating my creation, but it felt more like a celebration of community, of the progress we had all made together.
I sat at one of the tables, watching as villagers danced to the lively music, clapping along to the rhythm. Plates of food were passed around, and the smell of grilled fish and roasted vegetables filled the air. It was a night of joy and camaraderie.
A group of girls, no older than me, giggled as they passed by, sneaking glances at me before whispering to each other. Their attention was flattering, and a few of them were quite pretty, but I wasn't here for that, not yet. I had bigger goals.
"Not now," I muttered under my breath, giving them a polite nod but nothing more. I couldn't afford distractions. There was too much ahead of me, too much to learn, too much to conquer.
As the night wore on, the villagers danced and sang, their spirits high from the feast. Goro approached me, a mug of water in his hand, offering me a seat by the fire. "You've done well, Darius. Better than I could've ever imagined."
I smiled, taking the seat beside him. "Thanks, Goro. But there's still more to do. This is only the beginning."
He nodded, his eyes reflecting the flames of the fire. "Aye, but tonight, celebrate. You've earned it."
I raised my water to him in a small toast. "To progress."
"To progress," he echoed, smiling.
As I looked around the square, watching the villagers celebrate, I knew this was just the first step. The black blade was only the start of countless others. And as I sat by the fire, I knew that bigger experiences awaited me.
But damn.. how much i miss my fried chicken!!!
A silent tear descended from my right eye....
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