Chapter 13: Chapter 13: One Person is a Whole Guard Team!
Uehara Soma flashed a smile.
"My Water Release talent now is much stronger than before."
"With this situation, if I focus on Water Release next, I'm sure I can become a very skilled Water Release ninja."
"Becoming a Jonin might not be a problem."
This gave Uehara Soma a bit more confidence in facing the "cruel" Hidden Mist Village.
If before, Uehara Soma had this Water Release talent, he would definitely do everything possible to improve his proficiency in Water Release.
But now, the Forging System undoubtedly offers greater prospects.
"But I still need to learn Water Release."
The Forging System can give Uehara Soma a bigger future.
However, learning some Water Release to enhance his self-defense power is absolutely correct.
Especially for the current Uehara Soma.
Uehara Soma's current strength is still not enough.
Moreover, with an Excellent-level Water Release talent, learning Water Release should be efficient.
Uehara Soma remembers that in the original plot, Uchiha Itachi, when he first learned the Fire Release Great Fireball, only needed to hear Uchiha Fugaku explain it once to master it.
Some ninjas need to spend several tens of days, or even longer, to learn a ninjutsu.
But Uehara Soma isn't sure if Uchiha Itachi's Fire Release talent is Excellent or above Excellent.
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
A series of knocking sounds echoed.
Uehara Soma opened the door.
A figure stood at the door.
Middle-aged.
A fierce appearance.
A cross-shaped scar adorned his right cheek.
Dressed in a sharp ninja attire.
One hand gripped the hilt of a ninjato.
The blade was huge, resting on his shoulder.
Possessing jagged teeth similar to Hoshigaki Kisame's.
A violent aura emanated from the middle-aged man.
A name flashed in Uehara Soma's mind.
Biwa Juzo.
"Uehara Soma?"
"Juzo-senpai."
Biwa Juzo set down the Executioner's Blade.
Due to its heaviness, it pierced straight through the ground.
A section of the blade was embedded.
"Mizukage-sama has tasked me with guarding Forging Island. From today onwards, your safety, as well as Forging Island's security, will be my responsibility. Until my death, nothing will happen to you."
This was somewhat unexpected for Uehara Soma.
Previously, Third Mizukage mentioned arranging a guard team to come over.
Uehara Soma thought it would just be one or two ninjas from ANBU, along with a few others.
Unexpectedly, it was Biwa Juzo who arrived.
Uehara Soma had a decent impression of Biwa Juzo.
This person was somewhat similar to Hoshigaki Kisame.
Their fates also bore some resemblance.
As a survivor facing the failure of Might Duy, Biwa Juzo faced much criticism upon returning to Hidden Mist Village.
Many viewed him and the other members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist as a disgrace to the village.
But now that the four deceased members were gone, such matters seemed less relevant.
But those who are alive have to endure those rumors.
In this situation, Biwa Juzo and others are actually somewhat similar to Konoha's Sakumo Hatake.
The specific events differ, but the outcomes are similar.
One is a failure in a mission.
One is a failure on the battlefield.
Both brought significant negative impact to the village.
Both faced criticism from the villagers.
Rumors spread.
Uehara Soma remembers that when Hoshigaki Kisame mentioned Forging Island before, he also brought up the situation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
Hoshigaki Kisame was very displeased with this, considering it nonsense.
In the original plot, Biwa Juzo, disappointed with the village, left Hidden Mist Village and joined the Akatsuki organization.
He became teammates with Uchiha Itachi.
Biwa Juzo died protecting Uchiha Itachi, confronting Yagura, under the influence of the Tailed Beast Bomb.
He faced the Tailed Beast Bomb head-on with the Executioner's Blade.
It can be considered one of the memorable scenes.
Comparable to Danzo's Kunai against the Susano'o.
The blade broke into two pieces.
And Biwa Juzo, pierced by one half of the Executioner's Blade, fatally wounded in the abdomen, met his end.
Given Uehara Soma's low opinion of the Executioner's Blade, this incident weighed heavily on his mind.
After Biwa Juzo's death, Hoshigaki Kisame became Uchiha Itachi's next teammate.
"Juzo-senpai, please come in and have a seat."
Uehara Soma sat opposite Biwa Juzo.
"Juzo-senpai, I didn't expect Mizukage-sama to appoint you as the Squad Captain of this guard team. Senpai, I'll be relying on you from now on. Do you know when the other team members will arrive?"
"There are no other team members."
Uehara Soma paused for a moment.
"None?"
"Yes, none," Biwa Juzo replied. "I am the guard team for Forging Island, and the guard team for Forging Island is me. Having so many people won't make a difference."
Uehara Soma pondered.
Biwa Juzo's words were true.
Initially, when Third Mizukage mentioned arranging a guard team, Uehara Soma instinctively thought it would be a small team.
But one Biwa Juzo was much stronger than an ordinary ninja team.
Especially for Uehara Soma.
Uehara Soma needed muscle.
Hoshigaki Kisame's missions often involved unpredictable timeframes. If Uehara Soma had to rely solely on Hoshigaki Kisame as muscle for Dungeon Instances, it would be a waste of time.
Now that Biwa Juzo had arrived, it was just right for Uehara Soma.
Using the "white lie" of goodwill to deceive Biwa Juzo become his muscle.
As a member of Forging Island's guard team, Biwa Juzo could coordinate with him at any time.
Uehara Soma didn't need to worry about timing at all.
Moreover, based on the original plot, Hoshigaki Kisame's potential ceiling is higher than Biwa Juzo's.
But currently, Biwa Juzo's strength is definitely stronger than Hoshigaki Kisame's.
Hoshigaki Kisame is still in his growth phase.
Biwa Juzo, on the other hand, has already reached his peak.
What Uehara Soma needs is immediate combat power.
"Juzo-senpai makes sense," Uehara Soma said, and with that, he had an idea.
A semi-transparent screen appeared in front of Uehara Soma.
Uehara Soma looked at his figure.
More precisely, it was the reputation points.
378!
This means that, compared to before, even more people now know that Uehara Soma successfully forged a Ninjato at the level of the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Sword, such as Arafuni and Biwa Juzo.
Just at this moment, the number on the reputation column suddenly jumped.
Directly from 378, it leaped to over 900.
And it kept increasing.
It didn't stop until it passed 1000.
"Is someone helping spread my reputation?"
"Who?"
"Kisame?"
"Third Mizukage?"
"Or Zabuza?"
Uehara Soma's eyes lit up.
Then he turned his gaze to the lottery machine.
"Lottery!"
"Ten draws!"
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