During the first generation of ninja, a powerful clan ruled over the land, feared and revered for their unmatched strength. The secret to their dominance lay in their weapons, forged by the legendary blacksmith Jinzo, a master craftsman renowned for creating unparalleled steel and deadly blades. He was the backbone of the clan's success.
After years of forging, Jinzo decided to retire—not due to age, but because he realized the clan was becoming corrupted by its own pride and power. However, the clan refused to let him go. Forced to continue his craft, Jinzo saw no escape until one day, he made a daring decision. He fled with his family to a distant land, seeking peace.
But peace was not meant for him. The clan, unwilling to lose their greatest weapon maker, sent assassins to hunt him down. Knowing he could not protect himself and his family alone, Jinzo and his loved ones were forced to live in the shadows, always on the run.
One fateful night, while returning from work, Jinzo discovered that his wife and children had been kidnapped. Desperate and powerless, he had no choice but to surrender himself to the clan. But they no longer needed him. Instead, they sought to make an example of him.
On the day of the execution, the clan leader Heng Shu stood before the gathered warriors and spoke:
"On this day, we shall execute this traitor and his family as a warning to those who dare betray us. Begin with his children so he may watch the consequences of his actions unfold!"
"No! Father! Mother!" His children's cries echoed through the cold air as Jinzo watched helplessly, his heart shattering as his family was slain before his eyes.
When his turn came, Heng Shu suddenly halted the execution.
"Stop," he commanded.
The crowd fell silent.
*"If he dies now, he dies with his pain. But if he lives, he will carry his suffering for eternity. Lock him away—let him mourn in darkness."
Jinzo, broken and filled with despair, pleaded, "Kill me! I have no reason to live!"
Heng Shu smirked. "I am granting you the chance to live and suffer. You should be grateful."
No one dared to question the leader's decision. Such was the power he held.
Jinzo was thrown into a dark dungeon, given no food and only a trickle of water. Death seemed inevitable, but fate had other plans. His jailer, Jiangsu, an old friend, could not bear to watch him waste away. Secretly, he smuggled food to Jinzo.
One night, as Jinzo ravenously devoured his meal, Jiangsu observed him closely.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" Jinzo asked.
"I'm thinking of ways for you to escape."
Jinzo froze.
"Why would you risk your life for me?"*
Jiangsu's eyes burned with determination. "So you can avenge your family."
At those words, something inside Jinzo cracked. His fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his flesh, drawing blood.
"I am nothing but a blacksmith. I forge weapons, but I do not wield them. I was too weak to protect my family."Tears streamed down his face.
Instead of comforting him, Jiangsu sneered. "Do you think your tears will bring them back? If you truly love them, then rise! Even if you die trying, at least you would have fought for them! You are the greatest blacksmith—use that gift to forge an army or learn to wield a blade yourself!"*
Jiangsu then freed Jinzo, and together, they fled the dungeon. Before escaping completely, Jinzo left behind a message for Heng Shu:
"Heng Shu, you spared my life, and for that, I thank you. You have given me a reason to live. I shall return, and when I do, I will destroy your clan and take your life, even if it costs me mine. Your people shall pay in blood."
When Heng Shu read the letter, he laughed mockingly. "This fool doesn't even know how to wield a knife, yet he dares threaten me? Very well, I shall await his return and send him to join his family—in pieces! Hahaha!"
### The Path to Ascension
After escaping, Jinzo dedicated his life to training and forging. He crossed seven great seas, climbed tall mountains, and traveled in secret across the world, gathering knowledge of powerful metals and lost forging techniques. For seven years, he labored tirelessly, crafting a weapon unlike any before it.
At last, in his hidden forge, he held his creation in his hands.
"After all these years of hard work, I have forged the most powerful weapon in existence."
The blade was two meters long, golden with silver runes etched along its surface—an ethereal glow surrounding it. Upon closer inspection, the runes were not mere decoration but contained ancient battle techniques, hidden within the metal itself.
Jiangsu, upon seeing the blade, felt his entire being tremble. His soul quaked as though it had been cleaved in two just by looking at the sword. Sweat dripped down his face as he clenched his teeth.
Jinzo sheathed the blade.
Jiangsu gasped for air. "What… what is its name?"*
he asked.
Jinzo touched his chin in thought. "Golden Sword? No… Dragon Steel? No… Yes! From this day forth, it shall be called "Light Blade."
The Final Battle
After three years of mastering the **Light Blade, Jinzo and Jiangsu returned to fulfill their vengeance. The once-feared Clan of Shadows stood before them, led by
Heng Shu—who now wielded an equally terrifying sword, 'Dark Steel.'
The battle was legendary. Light clashed against darkness, shaking the heavens. But in the end, Jinzo emerged victorious, bringing an end to the dark reign of the Clan.
Rumors claimed that both the Light Blade and Dark Steel were destroyed. But legends knew otherwise.
Jinzo, having transcended his mortal limits, ascended into godhood. Some called him the Master of Ninja**, while others hailed him as the God of Light.
And thus, the legend of the Light God was born.