Chapter 146: Chapter 146: Chance for Thirty Consecutive Draws!
"Kakashi, it's you again!" Kisame grinned as he looked at the figure in front of him.
"By my count, this makes it the fourth time," he continued.
"In the previous three times, you were defeated."
"Are you going to try again this time?"
A Konoha ninja not far away heard Kisame's words and cursed him shamelessly.
In the previous encounters, this guy only slightly gained the upper hand against Kakashi, with each ending inconclusively, without a clear winner.
And now he has the audacity to claim he won the previous three times?
In ninja battles, until the final moment, the outcome cannot be determined!
How shameless.
Kakashi looked at Kisame without arguing, just calmly observing.
In Kakashi's mind, the image of Rin's death surfaced.
In the next moment, Kakashi's eyes turned red.
A killing intent brewed around Kakashi.
Kisame noticed Kakashi's change and narrowed his eyes.
"This guy!"
A sharp voice rang out.
"Chidori!"
In an instant, Kakashi rushed in front of Kisame.
Chakra gathered on his feet, Lightning Release Chakra, making Kakashi's speed reach its peak.
Ding!
Kisame raised Kiriichimonji.
Kiriichimonji clashed with the Kunai in Kakashi's hand.
But the lightning on it aimed to spread to Kisame's hand.
Kisame's wrist twisted.
The blade of Kiriichimonji swept toward the back of Kakashi's hand.
Kakashi could only step back.
One attack failed, the second round of attacks immediately followed.
Kisame fought on, frowning.
"This guy is different from before."
"Not in terms of strength, but in mentality."
"If before he was like a ninja, now he's like an assassin."
"But..."
Kisame restrained his expression.
"Like this, you haven't become stronger, instead, you've become weaker."
"Kakashi, you disappoint me!"
"I'm progressing, how can you regress?"
"Like this, you can't be my opponent!"
"You have too many openings."
Kiriichimonji in Kisame's hand rotated, slashing towards Kakashi and his other hand clenched into a fist.
Kakashi used his palm to receive it.
Kisame's fist fell, but it didn't carry much strength.
"Water Release, Water Fang Blade Jutsu!"
Along with a sound.
"Puchi!"
A wound appeared on Kakashi's arm.
Immediately after, Kiriichimonji cleverly slashed across Kakashi's shoulder.
A wound appeared, blood flowing incessantly.
Without giving Kakashi any chance, Kisame seized upon the opening and launched a series of fierce attacks against Kakashi, who found himself in a worse position than ever before.
Kisame swung his blade fiercely.
"Kakashi, is this your current level?"
"You're too weak."
Suddenly.
"Shoo!"
A Kunai flew from the side, thrown towards Kisame.
A figure flashed and appeared beside Kakashi.
A female ninja.
Kisame scrutinized her, frowning.
The female ninja glared angrily at Kisame.
"If it weren't for your Hidden Mist Village using such shameless methods, would Kakashi have suffered this blow?"
"A blow?"
The female ninja snorted coldly.
"Don't you know that Rin was Kakashi's teammate?"
"It's because of your Hidden Mist Village's shameless actions that Kakashi had to kill Rin with his own hands. Do you understand this pain? Your Hidden Mist Village is too shameless."
Kisame showed a sudden realization.
Immediately, he recalled.
"You're talking about the tailed beast release plan in Konoha?"
"I see."
"But who said that operation was arranged by our Hidden Mist Village?"
"Who doesn't know that Konoha inherited the powerful Sealing Jutsu legacy of the Uzumaki Clan, which is effective against the tailed beasts?"
"And Konoha also has a formidable ninja from the Uzumaki Clan."
"Minato Namikaze is also extremely skilled in dealing with tailed beasts."
"Would our Hidden Mist Village make such a plan?"
Kisame's initial reaction to hearing this was suspicious.
But at the time, due to being influenced by Uchiha Madara's Genjutsu, the Third Mizukage took a stance of default acknowledgment of these events.
Therefore, most people in the Hidden Mist Village believed that it was orchestrated by the Third Mizukage.
After the death of the Third Mizukage, the effect of Uchiha Madara's Genjutsu disappeared. Only then did the Third Mizukage realize that he had been under the influence of Genjutsu during his lifetime, leading him to commit such actions.
Actions that, in the Third Mizukage's view, should not have been taken.
Due to fear of people like Uchiha Obito, the Third Mizukage concealed information that he was still "alive". However, the Third Mizukage also arranged for Genji to slowly manipulate the Rin incident from behind the scenes.
Previously, the widely accepted explanation in the Hidden Mist Village was:
"The Rin incident was a coordinated operation led by the Hidden Mist Village, but unfortunately it failed."
Now, the narrative circulating in the Hidden Mist Village is:
"The Rin incident was a sudden decision made by the Third Mizukage. The vast majority of the Elders in the Hidden Mist Village do not agree, believing it may have been Konoha's own conspiracy."
"Through the Sharingan's Genjutsu, Third Mizukage was influenced to make such a decision."
"The purpose was to obtain the Three-Tails."
"With Konoha's situation, if they can control the Three-Tails, Konoha will gain another Jinchuriki-level combatant."
The primary responsibility was shifted onto Konoha.
And onto the Third Mizukage.
The Third Mizukage's idea was:
"—Rather than admitting that this foolish plan was his own, it would be better for his reputation to tell the truth that he was manipulated."
Additionally, presenting it this way would be better for the Hidden Mist Village.
During that operation, many ninjas from the Hidden Mist Village died.
By adopting this narrative, the deaths of these individuals could be blamed on Konoha.
This would strengthen the hatred of the people of the Hidden Mist Village towards Konoha and boost morale.
If the previous narrative had been used, the deaths of those Mist ninjas would have only been blamed on the Hidden Mist Village Elders.
This would have caused internal strife within the Hidden Mist Village.
For Konoha, the previous narrative was obviously better.
It portrayed Rin and Kakashi as heroic figures who sacrificed themselves to save the village.
But under the current narrative, Kakashi and Rin would appear like clowns.
People would say:
"It was clearly Konoha's scheme to obtain the tailed beast, yet these Rin and Kakashi were too foolish, actively ending Rin's life and wasting the efforts of those in Konoha."
Of course, this narrative has many loopholes.
For example, if it was Konoha's plan, why didn't they inform Rin?
But the key point is, the previous narrative also has issues.
Because neither of these is the true fact.
Therefore, whichever narrative is adopted, it cannot completely convince everyone.
At this point, the truth no longer matters.
Whichever narrative is more advantageous to oneself, that is the one to adopt.
Kakashi stared intently at Kisame.
"What do you mean?" Kakashi said.
"Do you really think our Hidden Mist Village would be so foolish as to willingly hand over the tailed beast to you Konoha, when you have so many means to control them?"
"What's the difference between that and just giving it to you?"
"This was your own doing!"
"It was your use of Genjutsu that influenced Lord Third."
Kakashi instinctively countered.
"No, that's impossible!"
But there was one point raised by Kisame that Kakashi couldn't refute.
Would the Hidden Mist Village really knowingly send the Three-Tails over to Konoha, knowing that Konoha has so many means to control tailed beasts? Did the Hidden Mist Village have confidence that Konoha couldn't control the Three-Tails?
Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzo, Minato Namikaze, Jiraiya, Orochimaru... Each of them is skilled in Sealing Jutsu.
Not to mention the existence of Kushina Uzumaki.
Indeed, there is a chance that Konoha might not be able to control the Three-Tails, which could cause massive destruction to Konoha in that scenario.
But the question is, would the Hidden Mist Village dare to gamble?
Would they sacrifice the lives of so many Mist ninjas for a possibility with unknown chances of success?
That wouldn't make sense.
Unless the Hidden Mist Village was truly foolish to the extreme.
But a ninja village couldn't possibly be this stupid.
Upon realizing this issue, the killing intent on Kakashi dissipated all at once.
Even his fighting spirit directly dispersed.
The current Kakashi had no intention to continue the fight at all.
With a swift movement backwards, Kakashi retreated directly.
...
"The smelting is completed!"
Soma exhaled a long breath.
There were too many materials for Zudomon's Hammer.
Even though not all materials needed smelting, only the main ones.
Still, Soma buried himself in smelting for a long time.
This was an experience Soma had never had before.
Devoting himself entirely to smelting, apart from essential daily tasks, he had hardly any time for anything else.
However, for Soma, such intense smelting also brought certain benefits.
It improved his mastery of the Chakra Smelting Technique.
It even enhanced Soma's understanding of the Lightning and Fire Attribute Fusion Chakra Smelting Technique.
He reached a Novice level.
Because among the main materials of Zudomon's Hammer, there was a certain amount of lightning power contained within.
During the smelting process, Soma felt the changes in these lightning powers within the flames, their presence in the smelting.
"By involving both lightning and fire attributes in the smelting process, the metal after smelting can possess additional properties."
Soma pondered for a moment.
"Using only fire attribute chakra is called the Basic Chakra Smelting Technique."
"Simultaneously using lightning and fire attribute chakra is called the Lightning and Fire Smelting Technique."
Soma glanced at the large metal ingots beside him.
They were massive.
Both the hammerhead and the handle were made from a single type of material.
Compared to before smelting, they had already been reduced significantly in size.
In a corner further away lay the leftover slag after smelting.
It served no purpose.
"I should rest for a few days and adjust my condition."
"Afterwards, proceed with the formal forging of Zudomon's Hammer."
Soma walked out of the forging room.
Standing at the doorway was Ameyuri, who seemed to have been waiting for a long time.
"Uehara Senpai."
"Ameyuri, what's the matter?"
"Uehara Senpai, I want to leave Forging Island," Ameyuri said. "I've already completed my transition from a medical ninja to a combat ninja. I've learned a lot from Sensei Juzo and Sister Izumi."
"I feel that I'm now qualified to go to the battlefield."
"I want to fight alongside everyone."
"I want to defeat Konoha's ninja."
Ameyuri harbored a deep hatred towards Konoha, especially the Hyuga Clan. She would never forget the night Mayuko was attacked, and in Ameyuri's eyes, the main culprits were the Hyuga Clan of Konoha.
Ameyuri lowered her head, looking at the Nikkari Ao'e in her hand.
"Uehara Senpai, I think Nikkari Ao'e feels the same way. Nikkari Ao'e surely wants to fight too."
Soma had anticipated Ameyuri's decision.
Given Ameyuri's personality and situation, it's impossible for her to stay on Forging Island "learning" forever.
Heading to the battlefield is the path Ameyuri must inevitably take.
Furthermore, Ameyuri going to the battlefield also has significant benefits for Soma.
Without Nikkari Ao'e engaging in combat, Soma wouldn't gain much reputation.
Nikkari Ao'e was crafted before Dragon-Bone, Water Dragon Possession, and Lightning Blade.
Not to mention the shinobi world, few people in the Hidden Mist Village even know about Nikkari Ao'e.
"Does Mayuko-san know?"
"I've already talked to Grandma, and she's agreed."
"What about Juzo-senpai?"
"Juzo sensei also replied to my letter. He said if I go to the battlefield, I should go to the Hidden Sand's battlefield first, get used to the situation there, and then go to Konoha's battlefield."
Upon hearing these two responses, Soma nodded.
"Okay."
"Since you're ready, then go."
Ameyuri smiled.
"Yes, Uehara Senpai. I will make sure everyone knows Nikkari Ao'e's name. Just like Kiriichimonji and the Blue Rose Sword, Nikkari Ao'e will shake the entire shinobi world."
"Go for it."
Ameyuri excitedly packed her belongings.
Soma took a moment to accompany Ameyuri to the dock on Forging Island.
Watching Ameyuri leave, Soma looked at the semi-transparent screen in front of him.
"1836!"
"Just over 100 points away from 2000."
"If Ameyuri goes to the front lines with Nikkari Ao'e in the spotlight, it will definitely boost my reputation quickly to over 2000 points."
"Maybe reaching 3000 points won't be far off."
"So, should I wait until 3000 points to do a thirty-pull?"
"A ten-pull guarantees a normal blueprint."
"Twenty-pull guarantees a green blueprint."
"So, what about a thirty-pull?"
"Will higher-level blueprints appear?"
Soma was eager about this.
"Let's see how things go after Ameyuri heads to the battlefield."
"If I'm not far from 3000 reputation points, then I'll wait!"
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