As Soma silently recited in his mind,
In the next moment, Soma, Ao, and the Skeleton Emperor instantly vanished from the Yu Yu Hakusho World.
Soma obtained the materials.
Hiei received the Evil Eye.
Only the master of the palace not only lost the Evil Eye but also saw the palace collapse.
"However, it's only a seed of demonic power..."
Soma looked at the materials in front of him and frowned slightly.
"This means I'll need to add a lot of materials myself to complete the forging of the Sword of the Darkness Flame."
"Just like with the Sword of Wisdom last time."
When forging the Sword of Wisdom previously, Soma had only obtained a fragment from the dimensional materials. The rest was completed by using the Sword of Kusanagi for smelting.
This time, Hiei only provided a seed of demonic power.
"But this time, there is no Sword of Kusanagi."
Ao returned the Skeleton Emperor to the vacant forging room.
Meanwhile, Soma, accompanied by Kaguya Izumi, went to where Genji was located.
"Chief Uehara."
On the other side, Terumi Mei happened to arrive.
"Miss Mei."
"Is Chief Uehara looking for Sensei?"
"Yes."
"Let's go in together. Sensei should be here at this time."
The three entered.
Genji signaled for Terumi Mei to step aside.
"Chief Uehara, is there something you need?"
"Elder Genji, I'm here because I need your assistance."
"What kind of help?"
Soma said, "I'm preparing to forge a Ninjato, but I'm missing some materials. Could you help me with that?"
"Ninjato materials? That's certainly no problem."
Hearing this request, Genji had no intention of refusing.
"Are there any specific requirements?"
"The higher the durability, the better."
"Understood."
Genji nodded.
Soma added, "It doesn't have to be raw materials; finished ninja tools will also work. I can melt down the materials from those tools and use them directly."
Genji instinctively thought of the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords. It has now been proven that the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords are inferior to the Zanpakuto.
If the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords could be dismantled to forge a Zanpakuto, it would certainly be quite advantageous.
However, Genji only thought about it briefly. Given the current situation of the Hozuki Clan, asking them for the Seven Ninja Swords to melt down for Zanpakuto materials might lead to them fighting desperately, potentially causing a major conflict.
"Understood."
"Additionally,"
Soma presented his second request.
"Elder Genji, I hope you can also send some people out to search for talented individuals within the Land of Water and bring them into the village."
"For example, I heard that Ice Release Kekkei Genkai appeared in the northern part of the Land of Water."
"Zanpakuto has strict requirements for its user."
"To be recognized by a Zanpakuto, one must either have extraordinary talent or be a powerful ninja with exceptional abilities."
"Additionally, there are other requirements."
Genji was momentarily taken aback.
"Are there not enough talents?"
At the beginning, when Zanpakuto first appeared, most people held a wait-and-see attitude. Comparing Zanpakuto to the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords, some people believed Zanpakuto was stronger, while others thought the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords were superior.
With the increasing number of Zanpakuto—Kiriichimonji, Blue Rose Sword, Water Dragon Possession...
In most people's minds, the scales had tilted. They had to tilt. The performance of Zanpakuto was indeed far stronger than that of the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords.
Biwa Juzo, Fuguki Suikazan, and Kurosuki Raiga—three of the former Seven Ninja Swords who had experienced a tremendous defeat and had once fallen into despair—had all been rejuvenated. At least it proved that the Zanpakuto in their hands were stronger than the Executioner's Blade, Samehada, and Thunder Swords.
This included two of the top three swords. Therefore, it can be said that except for Hiramekarei, the remaining Seven Ninja Swords no longer hold the same status in the hearts of Hidden Mist Village's people and are far inferior to Zanpakuto.
At this moment, the people of Hidden Mist Village hoped that there could be even more Zanpakuto available, so that more people could possess them. This would significantly strengthen Hidden Mist Village.
But now, with Soma raising this point, Genji suddenly realized that the number of Zanpakuto had, almost unnoticed, already surpassed the number of Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords.
"Sure."
Genji nodded.
"Thank you, Elder Genji."
"You're welcome."
Genji waved his hand.
"It's all for the village."
Back at Forging Island, Soma took out the Cold Dome blueprint. If Soma didn't have reputation or the blueprint at this moment, he would definitely use ordinary materials to complete the forging of the Sword of the Darkness Flame first.
However, with two blueprints already in hand, Soma wanted to ensure the quality of the Sword of the Darkness Flame even more.
If the Sword of the Darkness Flame is damaged, it can indeed be repaired by Soma. As long as Hiei's demonic power seed remains, Soma can continue forging. However, Soma can only receive the forging completion rewards upon finishing the first forge. This is what Soma cares about.
Soma looked at the translucent panel in front of him.
[Name: Soma.]
[Comprehensive Strength: Jonin.]
[Swordsmanship: Skilled (9300).]
[Body Modification Technique: Familiar (2000).]
[Sage's Plant Cultivation Technique: Novice (1000).]
[Abilities: Underwater Breathing, Elemental Energy Absorption Technique.]
[Forging Technique: Excellent (Master—Forging Island bonus, God's Hand bonus).]
[Task Items: Thug Recruitment Token X6.]
[Blacksmith Reputation: 101.]
[Evaluation: An Excellent Blacksmith with his own forging facility and equipment, receiving bonuses to Forging Technique, with a high chance of producing high-quality ninja tools.]
[As a Ninja, he has already reached a solid level of proficiency.]
"With Elder Genji's resources, finding metals that are more durable than ordinary materials shouldn't take too much time. We should see results quickly."
"I can wait a few days."
"If Elder Genji finds suitable auxiliary materials within this time, I'll proceed with forging the Sword of the Darkness Flame. If not, I'll enter the Cold Dome Dungeon Instance."
"In the meantime, I can use the time to study the Water Release of the Hozuki Clan."
The Water Release of the Hozuki Clan is quite remarkable. Besides enhancing Soma's strength, it also helps with his breathing techniques.
After all, Soma's breathing techniques are based on water techniques. Drops of water, flowing water, waterfalls...
The more Water Release techniques he learns and understands, the easier it will be to develop higher-level water breathing techniques.
Soma found Hozuki Izumo.
"Chief Uehara."
"Izumo, I've nearly mastered Hydrification Jutsu. Shall we continue with the next content?"
Hozuki Izumo had already been impressed by Soma's Water Release talent during their last meeting. So, hearing that Soma had quickly mastered Hydrification Jutsu this time, he only showed a hint of surprise before accepting it.
Hozuki Izumo then introduced all the Water Release techniques of the Hozuki Clan.
"Chief Uehara, the Water Release Ninjutsu of our Hozuki Clan, derived from Hydrification Jutsu, includes Water Gun Jutsu, Water Balloon Jutsu, Oil Transformation Jutsu, Great Water Arm Jutsu, Tate Eboshi, and Hydrification Healing Technique."
"And based on these Ninjutsu, we have Double Water Gun, Rapid Fire Water Gun, and Steaming Danger Tyranny Jutsu."
"However, I don't know many of these techniques myself."
Soma: "…"
"I only know Water Gun Jutsu, Water Balloon Jutsu, Great Water Arm Jutsu, and Double Water Gun."
Hozuki Izumo asked, "Chief Uehara, which one would you like to learn first?"
"Water Gun Jutsu."
The Water Release techniques mastered by Hozuki Izumo are all considered basic types among the Hozuki Clan's Secret Jutsu. Among them, Water Gun Jutsu seems to have more versatile applications for Soma.
Water Balloon Jutsu creates bubbles that can explode violently. It is somewhat similar to the bubbles blown by Utakata in the original storyline. However, the power of Water Balloon Jutsu is slightly greater than Utakata's bubbles. The downside is that it is relatively slow and might be more suitable for defense rather than offense.
Great Water Arm Jutsu, on the other hand, involves mobilizing a large portion of the water in the body into one arm, allowing that arm to temporarily generate power far beyond normal levels.
Similar Ninjutsu include Tsunade's Enhanced Strength. Though it is called Ninjutsu, its effects are more akin to Taijutsu. If Soma wants to enhance his Taijutsu ability, using Pioggia directly would be better.
Double Water Gun is an upgraded version of Water Gun Jutsu. It turns one shot into two.
"Okay."
Hozuki Izumo began the demonstration.
Soon, the explanation was complete.
"Chief Uehara, please observe."
Hozuki Izumo raised his hand and aimed at the target across from him.
In the next moment, a drop of water appeared in front of Hozuki Izumo's fingers. It looked like an ordinary drop of water, but the moment it was thrown, it transformed.
The speed was extremely fast. The power was immense.
"This power is not inferior to Water Curtain, but the speed is faster, and it's more concealed. In terms of cost-effectiveness, it's much better than Water Curtain Jutsu."
"This is due to the foundation laid by Hydrification Jutsu."
"It's as if part of the preparation work has already been done by Hydrification Jutsu."
"It's much stronger than Water Fang Bullet Jutsu."
Soma closed his eyes, carefully recalling Hozuki Izumo's movements and the explanation of Chakra flow.
Soon, Soma reopened his eyes.
"Water Release, Water Gun Jutsu!"
Soma lifted a finger. A drop of water appeared at his fingertip.
"Bang!"
Accompanied by a loud sound, the target, dozens of meters away, was instantly shattered.
Hozuki Izumo looked at the target, then at Soma.
"Is the power of the Water Gun Jutsu he used for the first time already above what I demonstrated?"
"Am I teaching Chief Uehara, or is Chief Uehara teaching me?"
Water Gun Jutsu does not have a fixed power. The power of the Ninjutsu is related to the user's control of Water Release and the amount of Chakra invested. This is somewhat similar to Fire Release's Great Fireball Jutsu.
But only in this respect.
In terms of hand seals, execution, and power, Water Gun Jutsu is much stronger than Great Fireball Jutsu.
Hozuki Izumo looked at Soma with a complex expression.
"Even if Chief Uehara's Water Release talent surpasses mine, this is still too exaggerated."
"Am I from the Hozuki Clan, or is Chief Uehara from the Hozuki Clan?"
A hurried sound of footsteps interrupted Hozuki Izumo's thoughts and brought him back to his senses. He saw Kaguya Izumi approaching Soma at high speed.
"Chief-sama."
"Izumi, what's the matter?"
"Elder Genji has already sent someone with the materials."
"So soon?"
Soma was delighted. With the materials complete, the forging of the Sword of the Darkness Flame could begin.
"Where are they?"
Kaguya Izumi replied, "They were just delivered to the dock and have just been unloaded."
"Let's go over there."
"Yes, Chief-sama."
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