章 90: Chapter 90: New Ability
[Congratulations to the host for completing the forging.]
[Pioggia forging successful.]
[Completion rate, Perfect.]
[Congratulations to the host for acquiring the ability: Underwater Breathing.]
Soma's brows twitched.
"Perfect level of completion!"
"Just as I expected, with a Perfect level of completion, what I gain is not just mere experience."
"But rather, specific abilities."
"Underwater Breathing..."
"For me, this is quite a practical ability."
This is the Hidden Mist Village, the Land of Water.
Just a few steps away, it's either a river or seawater.
Previously, with a Water Release talent at the Perfect level, Soma could stay underwater for a long time.
However, there is a limit to this.
It's not possible to stay indefinitely.
Moreover, with the passage of time, the condition deteriorates, and combat abilities decline.
But having the ability of Underwater Breathing changes everything. You can breathe underwater just like on land, normally.
As long as I want to stay, I can stay indefinitely. A month, a year, two years... even ten years. And it won't affect my strength.
No need to expend extra chakra to ensure I can stay underwater. No need to spend more physical energy.
Coupled with Soma's already impressive swimming and diving abilities, the Perfect level of Water Release, whether in water or on land, makes no difference to Soma.
Just like underwater creatures that naturally live in water.
In fact, Soma can even exert greater strength in the underwater environment.
"This greatly enhances my ability to protect myself."
"For a long time in the future, I won't be leaving the Hidden Mist Village, at least not the Land of Water."
"If someone threatens me, I'll just dive into the water."
"Very few people can keep up with me."
"Even the ninjas of the Hidden Mist Village can't do it."
Soma himself is a Water Release ninja, so he knows a lot about Water Release ninjutsu.
Biwa Juzo, Ao, they can't achieve true Underwater Breathing.
They can only stay underwater for much longer compared to other ninjas.
As for those who can achieve Underwater Breathing, in Soma's view, there's only Hoshigaki Kisame after merging with Samehada.
And then there's the possibility of people from the Hozuki Clan.
However, Soma can't confirm this.
After finishinghis contemplation on how to make use of his new ability, Soma picked up Pioggia.
At this point, the patterns on the box were already glowing.
"At first glance, the shape of these patterns looks like a circuit board and their function is quite similar."
The box isn't large; Soma can fully grip it with one hand.
"To use Pioggia, it needs to be implanted into the body. If it end up having a very high level of compatibility with Hozuki Suigetsu, embedding it into the body of such a small child could be a problem."
A wave of information flooded Soma's mind.
[Pioggia.]
[Type: Box Weapon.]
[Quality: Perfect.]
[Abilities: Asura release form - Fuse with the power of the Shonisaurus and transform into a mermaid, greatly enhancing basic attributes such as strength and speed. Perfect quality make the effect close to the genuine article.]
[Note: According to Blacksmith's Third Rule, the power of this ninja tool cannot harm the forger.]
Soma's attention focused on the phrase "effect close to the genuine article."
"In that case, the power of this ninja tool should be excellent."
Soma left with Pioggia.
"Soma, is it done?"
"Yes."
"What kind of ninjato did you make? Can I see it?"
Ao showed a somewhat expectant expression.
Soma shook his head.
"This time, it's not a ninjato."
Soma took out Pioggia and handed it to Ao.
"The materials obtained this time cannot be crafted into a ninjato, but only into such a ninja tool. However, its abilities are still decent. Ao-senpai, you can give it a try."
Soma knew that Pioggia probably wouldn't match with Ao.
But their relationship had grown close.
During the forging process, Ao stood guard outside, diligent and responsible, without a word of complaint even if it lasted until midnight.
After Biwa Juzo left, Ao took over his position.
In this situation, if Soma didn't let Ao try, it would be disheartening.
As a ninja, besides having sufficient strength, connections and influence are also important aspects.
Especially when individual strength isn't strong enough.
If one were to reach the level of the Sage of Six Paths, that would be a different story.
One person could change the entire ninja world.
Social connections and influence aren't that important.
Ao is now considered part of Soma's social circle, so naturally Soma wouldn't push him away.
"Okay, then I'll give it a try."
Soma handed Pioggia to Ao.
As Soma anticipated, Pioggia and Ao's compatibility didn't even reach an eligible level.
It was like when the Third Mizukage got Kiriichimonji before.
There were no prompts in Soma's mind.
Ao attempted to infuse his chakra, but it was like throwing a stone into the ocean, no response.
Pioggia was different from the ninjatos Soma had forged before.
"It seems like it's not working."
Ao showed a somewhat disappointed expression as he handed Pioggia back to Soma.
"I didn't feel a connection similar to what Ameyuri and Juzo had."
Soma took Pioggia back.
"That indeed didn't match. Forcing its use will only consume extra chakra, not enhance strength, and might even affect one's own abilities."
Ao nodded.
"That's true."
Soma said, "It's a bit regrettable. If you could have matched with it, Ao-senpai, we wouldn't have to make another trip to the Mizukage's Building. Now we'll just have to go to Mizukage-sama's place."
"Ao-senpai, shall we go there now?"
Ao didn't have any objections.
"Okay."
The two of them boarded a small boat and left Forging Island, heading towards the direction of Mizukage Island.
Ao quickly adjusted his mood.
Not being able to synchronize with the ninja tool left Ao somewhat disappointed.
He had seen Biwa Juzo's transformation with the Blue Rose Sword and couldn't help feeling envious.
However, Ao was only slightly disappointed.
He knew very well that it wasn't anyone's fault.
It just didn't synchronize.
Ao harbored no resentment towards Soma.
In fact, when Soma first handed Pioggia to Ao to try, Ao was already very grateful to him.
...
"We need to see Mizukage-sama."
"Chief Uehara, please wait a moment, let me inform him."
The attitude of the guards at the gate towards Soma was completely different from before.
Even though Soma hadn't shown his face much in the entire village.
However, as the head of the forging department, he was truly one of the village elders.
If there were any village meetings, Soma could make suggestions and vote.
"Alright."
Soon, the guard returned.
"Chief Uehara, Mizukage-sama is in his office. You can go up directly."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome, Chief Uehara."
Ao followed closely behind Soma.
One eye was covered with an eyepatch, concealing even the scars from surgery completely.
"Mizukage-sama."
The Third Mizukage closed the document in his hand and smiled at Soma.
"Soma, is there something you need?"
Soma took out Pioggia.
"Mizukage-sama, I've crafted a new ninja tool named Pioggia. I want to find a suitable user for it in the village. The higher the Water Release talent, the higher the likelihood of compatibility."
Soma couldn't directly mention the Hozuki Clan, so he referred to Water Release talent.
"A new ninja tool?"
The Third Mizukage showed a surprised expression.
"Kiriichimonji, Blue Rose Sword, Nikkari Ao'e, Dragon-Bone, and now this one..."
"Soma, you are now truly worthy of the name Great Blacksmith."
Soma modestly responded, "Mizukage-sama, you are too kind."
"No, in fact, the title of Great Blacksmith alone is insufficient to describe you."
The Third Mizukage continued, "The Unhealable effect of Kiriichimonji, the Ice Release of Blue Rose Sword, the control of Nikkari Ao'e, the borrowed power of Dragon-Bone, all of them are comparable to the top three blades among the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords."
"In other words, the ninjatos you've crafted now, Soma, have surpassed the true value of the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords."
"This ninjato, no, ninja tool?"
At this moment, the Third Mizukage finally looked at the box in Soma's hand.
Soma placed Pioggia on the Third Mizukage's desk.
"In regards to Mizukage-sama, Pioggia contains the power of the Shonisaurus. By infusing chakra, one can gain the power of the Shonisaurus, thereby obtaining various enhancements. Including but not limited to strength, speed..."
The Third Mizukage raised an eyebrow slightly.
"So it's like a strengthening type of ability?"
"Yes."
"Are there any side effects?"
"There are no permanent side effects."
There are bound to be some side effects.
After all, even excessive use of ninjutsu has its drawbacks.
But temporary side effects, as long as they're not too severe, are acceptable for a ninja.
The Third Mizukage nodded.
"That sounds pretty good. I'm just not sure what the extent of this enhancement is. But for elite ninjas, even a slight improvement can bring about significant changes in strength."
"Does it demand a high level of Water Release talent from the user..."
The Third Mizukage held Pioggia in his hand.
No response.
The Third Mizukage set Pioggia down.
"Soma, as far as Water Release talent goes, mine is considered decent in the Hidden Mist Village."
That's a fact.
The Third Mizukage's strength is not considered strong among the Kage ninja.
Some people even consider the Third Mizukage to be the weakest among the historical Mizukages.
It wasn't until the Sixth Mizukage appeared and took the mantle of being the weakest Mizukage.
But even a less impressive Kage is still a Kage.
Even if the Third Mizukage's life was quite dismal.
Controlled by Genjutsu and implementing policies like the Bloody Mist, which received mixed reviews, yet as a ninja without Kekkei Genkai or special abilities, he managed to ascend to the position of Mizukage.
The Third Mizukage's talent in Water Release is undoubtedly not lacking.
"Entities with higher Water Release talent than mine are rare, even within the Hidden Mist Village."
The Third Mizukage pondered.
"Unless it's... the Hozuki Clan."
Unlike the Third Mizukage's "mediocrity" and "obscurity",
the Second Mizukage was much more extravagant.
In both Water Release and Genjutsu, he was extremely powerful.
Without Kekkei Genkai, he managed to match and perish along with the Second Tsuchikage.
This illustrates the strength of the Second Mizukage.
Moreover, the Hozuki Clan has unique physical characteristics.
In addition, they possess a very excellent and complete Water Release system.
A Water Release ninja, when using Water Release for a long time, is likely to produce offspring with excellent Water Release talent. Talent determines a ninja's attributes, but a ninja can also influence talent inheritance.
"Hozuki Clan..."
Ao's expression changed slightly.
Soma noticed Ao's change in expression.
"Ao-senpai, if it's the Hozuki Clan, is there anything inconvenient about it?"
"Let me explain."
The Third Mizukage answered the question.
"There's nothing particularly inconvenient, it's just that the current situation of the Hozuki Clan isn't great."
"The name Hozuki Gengetsu, you're surely familiar with it, Soma."
"Gengetsu-senpai was an incredibly strong ninja. Initially, he was meant to guard the First Mizukage-sama at the First Kage Summit But because Gengetsu Senpai was attacked and fell into a coma, that's when I took over."
"In terms of strength, I am far inferior to Gengetsu-senpai who became the Second Mizukage of our village"
"The Hozuki Clan is also one of the founding families of the Hidden Mist Village, and their strength is extremely formidable."
"However, during the Second Great Ninja War, Gengetsu-senpai clashed with the Second Tsuchikage of the Hidden Rock Village during an operation, leading to a battle where both perished."
"That battle brought immense losses to the Hidden Mist Village."
"As a result, many people in the village harbor resentment towards Gengetsu-senpai. This resentment also affected the Hozuki Clan. It's something I can't change."
"Speaking of which, the concept of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist was proposed by Gengetsu-senpai."
"My proposal of the Bloody Mist Policy was also influenced by Gengetsu -senpai to some extent."
Soma refrained from commenting on this.
After all, he didn't know much about Hozuki Gengetsu.
According to the information revealed in the original plot, Hozuki Gengetsu's policy and the Bloody Mist Policy are completely different.
If anything is similar, it might only be in the pursuit of elitism.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were originally a product of elitism, not just because of the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords.
However, Third Mizukage's Bloody Mist Policy is still more reasonable compared to the Fourth Mizukage's era.
The Bloody Mist during the Fourth Mizukage's era became somewhat extreme.
Third Mizukage's proposition is to prioritize the pursuit of elitism, in this process, bloodshed and sacrifice can be ignored.
While during the Fourth Mizukage's era, it became focused on bloodshed and sacrifice.
However, that wasn't solely the fault of the Fourth Mizukage.
The main reason can be attributed to the fact that behind the scenes, Uchiha Obito manipulated the Fourth Mizukage using a Genjutsu.
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