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26.31% Naruto: The Wandering Blacksmith / Chapter 40: Chapter 40 - An offer

บท 40: Chapter 40 - An offer

Alright, so this is a head's up. I'm going on a vacation with my family for about two and a half weeks, and due to our planned course, I won't be able to write any new chapters. Basically, until the 14/8 I won't be able to upload again.

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In the bustling streets of the Hidden Leaf Village, a young boy with spiky blond hair desperately sprinted, trying to escape a pack of older teens armed with rocks. The village was lively and full of color, with people going about their daily activities, creating a stark contrast between the vibrant environment and the cruel actions of the villagers.

"Catch him! Father will be proud of us if we hit him, maybe we'll even receive a prize!" one of the teens yelled, spurring on the others with a malicious gleam in his eyes.

Despite the commotion, the other citizens in the streets did nothing but step aside for the boys, leaving the young child to fend for himself. Everything continued as usual, and no one batted an eye toward the small blond kid who was running as if his life depended on it.

The bleak situation of the boy only got worse, as the impatient teens started to hurl their rocks with increasing force and accuracy. The chase intensified, with the older boys narrowing the gap between them and their prey.

Miss, hit, miss, miss, miss, hit. The young boy managed to dodge most of the rocks, his body moving with practiced agility as if he had been in this situation countless times before. Still, he couldn't evade them all, and dark bruises began to form on his skin at an alarming rate.

As the chase wore on, the boy's breath grew ragged, and sweat trickled down his face. He gritted his teeth, determined not to let the pain slow him down. Glancing back, he saw that the older boys were relentless, their faces twisted into cruel sneers. Panic surged within him, urging him to run faster.

With a final burst of speed, the boy managed to exit the tightly packed streets and entered the lush forest at the edge of the village. The vibrant greens of the foliage and the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees provided a stark contrast to the scene he had just left behind.

Darting between the trees, the boy used his knowledge of the forest to his advantage. He twisted and turned, doubling back on his path and weaving through the undergrowth. The sounds of the pursuing teens grew fainter and fainter until, at last, they were lost in the distance.

Finally, feeling the weight of his exhaustion, the boy allowed himself to slow down, his chest heaving with each ragged breath.

"Ow... The day has barely started, and they're already so full of energy?" Naruto complained, rubbing his sore limbs as he threw his hands up in exasperation. "That's saying something, coming from me!" Despite his pain, he managed a lighthearted tone. "Well, since I'm already here, I might as well go fishing." He scratched his head, trying to recall where he had hidden his fishing rod. With a determined nod, Naruto headed to the nearby lake where he usually caught his meals.

"Ah-ha!" Naruto exclaimed as he discovered his prized possession tucked away in a small crevice. After scouting the area for a bit, he found a tranquil pond and sat down on its grassy bank. Casting his fishing line into the water, he watched the ripples created by the impact with fascination.

"Maybe if I give that seller a big fish, he'll give me some food without a fuss this time," Naruto mused aloud. "Though, it is fun to see his face when I snatch it!" He giggled, letting his thoughts wander.

"A thief, are you?" A voice suddenly came from his side, startling the young boy. "Ah!" Naruto yelped, his heart racing.

"Heh, were you scared?" Ryu asked, smirking as he sat down beside Naruto. "No! I was just surprised!" Naruto retorted defensively.

"Who are you? Are you here to steal my fish?!" Naruto inquired cautiously, eyeing the stranger with suspicion. Ryu shook his head, chuckling softly. "You haven't even caught any yet. What would I have to steal? Even if you did catch something, I'm not here for your fish. I wanted to become your friend. Can you tell me about yourself?" Ryu asked, his tone sincere and inviting.

"You want to be my friend?! Really?!" Naruto's eyes widened in surprise and happiness. "Yup," Ryu confirmed with a smile. "How about we share some stories while we catch some fish? After all, I want to get to know my new friend better."

"Um, do you have a fishing rod? If not, you can use mine," Naruto offered, noticing that Ryu didn't have one.

"Don't worry about it," Ryu replied, picking up a small pebble and transforming it into a fishing rod. "Wow!" Naruto exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with amazement.

"Now, tell me about yourself. What do you like to do?" Ryu asked, genuinely curious. He had some understanding of Naruto's situation from Hiruzen's memories, but he wanted to hear the details directly from the boy.

"I like fishing, camping, and pranking those annoying villagers!" Naruto smirked proudly. "Oh? How do you prank them?" Ryu questioned, intrigued.

"I paint their stores and houses, sometimes I take a mask or two from a store. They throw them at me anyway if I bug them for it, so I enjoy it more this way. Then I use those masks to jumpscare people!" Naruto explained, his eyes shining with excitement.

"I see," Ryu nodded. "And how often do you go camping? Do you have any equipment, like a tent?"

"No," Naruto admitted, his voice growing louder. "I asked the shop owner, and he said it cost a couple of thousand Ryo. When I finally saved up that much, he said the price went up. I came back later, and someone else bought it. But I don't need it! I love sleeping on the grass and gazing at the stars more anyway, ya know?"

"Heh, I bet you do. But you still haven't answered my first question. How often do you go camping?" Ryu asked.

"About two times a week," Naruto replied. "It's peaceful here, and I don't have to worry about someone throwing stones at me or something," he added, his face taking on a gloomy expression.

"Is that so? Well, Naruto, it seems that what you want is a quiet environment, right? As it turns out, I'm building a smithy at the edge of the village. Would you like to move near me? I can build a house for you," Ryu offered.

"No thanks," Naruto declined firmly. "I'll fight through this, and one day they'll acknowledge me as the greatest Hokage!" His determination surprised Ryu.

"Do you want to be Hokage for the acknowledgment of others? Or is it because 𝐲𝐨𝐮 truly want to be Hokage?" Ryu asked pointedly. "It's because I want it!" Naruto responded without hesitation.

"Then don't do it for the acknowledgment of those who abandoned you. I think I understand why you pull your pranks; it's for attention, right? You want them to treat you in some way, any way, just not to ignore you. But that's not the way to go about it. If you want them to treat you right, take that motivation and use it to better yourself instead of resorting to pranks. Work on yourself, and they'll have no choice but to admit they were wrong once they see what you've become," Ryu advised.

"...But how will I do it?" Naruto asked after thinking for a bit. Ryu's words made sense, but he didn't know what to do next.

"Come to my smithy from time to time. I may not look like it, but I'm one of the strongest in this village. I might even be stronger than the Hokage," Ryu said with a wink, leaving the young boy astonished.

"No way! The Hokage is the strongest in the village!" Naruto shouted, unable to believe Ryu's claim.

"Well, as you can see, it's not always so clear-cut. If you come to my smithy, I'll help you become a fine shinobi. How about you drop by tomorrow at noon?" Ryu suggested before suddenly vanishing from his spot, leaving Naruto to ponder his unexpected offer.

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Alright, so just to clear out some stuff since I saw some concern about it in the last chapter. Ryu won't turn into a babysitter or something, he'll just help Naruto from time to time.


บท 41: Chapter 41 - Visitors

I'm back!!!

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"So this is the place, huh?" Ryu mused, his eyes taking in the two structures before him. A smithy Hiruzen made for him and a small shack beside it, presumingly his residence.

Ryu's new smithy was an impressive structure, built with sturdy gray stones that seemed to have been chiseled from the very earth itself. The three walls stood tall, with the open front providing ample ventilation and natural light, and fresh air. The interior of the smithy was meticulously organized, with various tools and equipment hung on the walls or resting on sturdy wooden benches. The forge, the heart of the smithy, was a large, well-built contraption.

Beside the smithy was Ryu's humble home, a small wooden hut that exuded a sense of warmth and coziness. The exterior was made of weathered wooden planks, aged by the elements but still sturdy and reliable. A sloping roof of thatch covered the hut, providing ample protection from the elements. A single wooden door, slightly ajar, revealed a modest but comfortable living space within. Simple furnishings adorned the interior, including a bed, a table, and a few chairs, creating a welcoming atmosphere.

The area surrounding Ryu's smithy was enveloped in a lush forest, an idyllic scene with towering trees that stretched towards the sky, their leaves forming a thick canopy above. Sunlight filtered through the foliage, casting dappled patterns on the moss-covered ground below. A chorus of birdsong filled the air, accompanied by the gentle rustling of leaves as a soft breeze meandered through the woods. The scent of damp earth and fresh greenery hung heavily in the air, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere.

"I guess this is where I'll be living from now on," Ryu thought, already making plans to remodel it later. "But for now, how should I pass the time? Making a few swords seems like a good idea, especially since I promised the Hokage I would."

Ryu wasted no time igniting the forge within the stone smithy. He conjured a block of steel and placed it into the forge, watching as the fire slowly engulfed the metal. The flames danced hypnotically within the forge, their bewitching movements captivating Ryu's gaze. He found the sight oddly relaxing, the stress of the day slowly dissipating as he became engrossed in his work.

As the metal began to glow with a dim, yellow light, Ryu summoned his hammer, eager to begin shaping the heated steel into a finely crafted sword. The rhythmic sound of his hammer striking the metal soon joined the symphony of the forest, and Ryu felt a sense of happiness as he immersed himself in his art.

---

"Is this really the guy?" Itachi whispered, watching Ryu hammer at the metal with a wide grin. It was hard for him to believe that someone who appeared so carefree could be the S-class Shinobi who had bested Jiraiya in battle. Even if he did watch him fight before, it wasn't at that high of a level.

"I'm positive," Shisui replied, his eyes never leaving Ryu as he monitored him with caution. Despite Ryu's innocent demeanor, Shisui was well aware of the danger he could pose.

The two young Shinobi had received Ryu's location from the Hokage, who had also endorsed the idea of keeping an eye on him. However, unbeknownst to them, they had greatly underestimated Ryu's abilities. Through the use of his Mangekyo, Ryu had spotted them the moment they entered his detection area.

Ryu considered testing their persistence, curious to see how long they would continue to supervise him. But recalling Shisui's memories, he knew that Shisui would likely never leave him alone, given the potential threat he posed to the village. The unwavering loyalty and determination displayed by the young Shinobi were truly admirable, and Ryu couldn't help but respect him for it.

After several hours of focused work, Ryu placed the finely sharpened blade he had crafted onto a mat and wiped the sweat from his brow. Having created multiple weapons, he decided it was time to confront the two hidden observers.

"It's pretty hot today, don't you think? You two must be parched after spending hours hiding in those trees," Ryu teased, looking Shisui in the eyes and startling the young Shinobi.

Silence filled the air as Itachi and Shisui exchanged awkward glances.

"Come on, there's no need to be shy. I knew you were there from the start. If you want to spy on me, you might as well do it comfortably from down here," Ryu said, letting out a resigned sigh.

"...I'd like some water," Itachi said calmly, stepping closer to Ryu. "Great!" Ryu exclaimed, creating a cup filled with water by transforming the air, and handing it to Itachi. "And what about you?" he asked Shisui, who was still trying to wrap his head around how Ryu detected them.

Shisui let out a sigh of defeat. "I'd appreciate some water too," he conceded, joining Itachi at Ryu's side.

"Alright, then. If you still want to keep an eye on me, feel free to do so from here. I honestly feel bad for making you two stay hidden in those uncomfortable trees for so long," Ryu said, a hint of humor in his voice.

Shisui chuckled drily, shaking his head. "I'll let you figure out what's wrong with what you just said," he replied.

"I'm serious, though," Ryu insisted. "Not even Jiraiya, the spymaster himself, can go undetected around me. No offense, but you'll see the same things whether you're up in a tree or sitting comfortably on my chairs." With that, he gestured to a couple of chairs that he conjured.

"I'll... take that into consideration," Shisui responded, unable to argue with Ryu's reasoning. He couldn't be sure if Ryu was being completely honest, but he decided he'd consult Jiraiya before abandoning their covert approach altogether. "Do whatever you like; I'm just sharing the facts," Ryu said, nonchalantly shrugging his shoulders.

As Ryu turned around, he noticed Itachi carefully examining one of the blades he had crafted. A glint of admiration was visible on Itachi's typically stoic face. "They're impressive, huh?" Ryu said, allowing a small smile to form.

"Can you make one for me?" Itachi asked after scrutinizing the blade a bit further.

"Normally, I don't accept commissions, but I'll make an exception for you. What kind of weapon are you interested in?" Ryu inquired, summoning a notepad and pen before adopting a more serious demeanor. He knew of Itachi's character through Shisui's memories and believed that if anyone deserved his exceptional craftsmanship, it would be these two.

"I don't have any specific design in mind; I just need a sharp and reliable sword," Itachi replied. "Alright. I actually crafted some shortswords with similar requirements not long ago, so I have a design in mind. It'll be a minimalist yet effective blade, suitable for an Anbu member. How about you, Shisui? Do you have any requests?" Ryu asked, turning his attention to the other young Shinobi.

"Hmm... Shortswords are my specialty, so I'd like to request one as well," Shisui said. 'Although his loyalties are uncertain, his skill is unquestionable. It would be foolish to pass up this opportunity,' Shisui thought to himself.

"How much will these commissions cost?" Itachi inquired. "Well, considering you two are my first actual customers, I'll make these for you free of charge. However, I'd appreciate it if you could spread the word about my work, since I doubt many people will stumble upon this place by accident," Ryu responded, receiving affirmative nods from both Shinobi.

"Alright, then it's settled. I'll have your weapons ready by tomorrow, so be sure to come by and give them a test run. And if you're thinking of attempting to spy on me again, don't bother; I'll just call you out. Now, off you go," Ryu said, watching as the two vanished in a flicker.

"I said 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲, Shisui," Ryu called out loudly, causing the branches of a nearby tree to rustle as someone hastily jumped away. "He has to give up eventually... right?" Ryu mused, hoping for some peace and quiet.


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