บท 43: Chapter 43 - Surprise
Hey, how are you all doing? So I just wanted to ask that if you enjoy reading this fan-fic could you consider leaving a review? I want to get an official rating but that's only when this story gets ten reviews and I'm a bit short of that. Thank you all.
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'This is great!' Ryu thought, savoring a glass of juice he had made while watching Naruto train.
"Is this the place?" A voice emerged from the forest, capturing Ryu's attention. Two people stepped out from the lush greenery, covered in scratches—an unsurprising sight. However, their white eyes caught Ryu off guard.
'Could they be Hyuga?' Ryu wondered as the two approached, casting wary glances at Naruto, who was in the middle of doing push-ups.
"Excuse me," one of the Hyugas, a muscular man with a green X on his forehead, said. "Yes?" Ryu responded, tilting the juice cup above his mouth to catch any remaining drops.
"Are you Ryu Uchiha? The blacksmith who forged swords for Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui?" The man inquired, prompting Ryu to set his glass down and adopt a stern expression.
"Let me clarify—I'm Ryu Kajiya, not Ryu Uchiha. Don't make that mistake again," Ryu stated firmly, causing the two men to gulp nervously.
"My apologies, Ryu Kajiya. We meant no harm," the man said, his voice full of remorse. Ryu's stern expression vanished as quickly as it had appeared. "Apology accepted. Now, what can I do for you two?" Ryu asked.
"We'd like to order a decorative katana," the man said. "A decorative one? Is it meant to be a gift for someone?" Ryu inquired. "Yes, our clan's main branch has a daughter celebrating her birthday in two weeks. We'd like to present her with the sword as a gift," the man explained.
"Alright, what design did you have in mind?" Ryu asked. "We'd like the blade to feature a row of lotus flowers etched into it, with the guard shaped like a rose and the hilt adorned with a sunflower at its end," the man requested. Ryu chuckled at the elaborate request, knowing that it would be almost impossible for any regular blacksmith to complete it. "Do you want me to make it fly, too?"
"W-well, we know this is a difficult request, and we understand that the flowers might not be perfect. But we've seen the remarkable work you did for the two Uchihas, so we thought that maybe..." The man's voice trailed off as he tried to explain his reasoning.
"I never said I couldn't do it. Give me a day, and I'll have it ready for you. By the way, what should the sheath look like? You never mentioned that," Ryu asked. "We thought a simple design would create a nice contrast with the intricate sword," the man replied, receiving a nod of agreement from Ryu.
"While we're on the topic, do you want me to do something about that seal? It would cost a bit extra, but I can remove that cursed mark for you," Ryu offered after examining the duo with his Mangekyo abilities.
Ryu had made a promise to himself: after achieving his revenge, he would find a way to atone. In the past, he had taken many innocent lives when he destroyed the mist and plunged an entire country into chaos. This left countless people to suffer.
Ryu now understood his purpose - to help others. He wouldn't do so obsessively, as he knew that there would always be trouble and evil in the world, and he couldn't change that. But he could offer assistance to those who sought him out. Even if they didn't realize he could help them, Ryu would present them with the option. That was the path he chose to follow.
"Y-you can do that?!" The two men exclaimed in shock. "Yes, but I'll have to charge you, let's say, 100 Ryo," Ryu stated. {It's about 1.3 dollars if anyone's curious}
"That's all?!" The two were astonished once more. "Yes, so do you want me to remove the seal?" Ryu barely finished his sentence before the two shouted their agreement.
"Alright, done!" Ryu declared as he snapped his fingers and utilized the Transformation Jutsu to alter their bodies into identical versions, but without the seal. "There you have it. The seal is gone. If you want to check, there's a mirror inside my house." Ryu couldn't even blink before the two rushed indoors to see for themselves.
"I-it's gone! It's really gone! I can't believe this, thank you!" One of the men exclaimed as tears of joy filled their eyes. "Hold on, you probably don't want to draw attention by suddenly not having that green symbol on your head. Let me replace it with a harmless version instead," Ryu suggested as he transformed the duo's bodies once more.
"Now that that's taken care of, let's discuss the sword. Honestly, what you requested isn't too complicated. I think 80,000 Ryo should be enough. Is that acceptable?" Ryu asked as the two men nodded vigorously. "Great, then we're all set. Bring the payment when you come to pick up the sword," Ryu concluded, bidding the duo farewell.
"Hey, Naruto!" Ryu called out, catching the boy's attention. "I have to work on an order, but I can see that your current training is a bit too easy for you. Increase the number of your reps by fifty percent!" Ryu instructed in a firm tone, causing the young boy to nod reluctantly, his enthusiasm dampened by the increased workload.
And as Ryu entered his smithy, he began to work on the new order.
Ryu began by igniting the forge, stoking the fire until the flames danced like a dragon's breath. He then conjured a beautiful block of steel, it's quality evident in the mesmerizing patterns that swirled within the metal. With practiced hands, he placed the steel into the blazing forge, allowing it to become flexible in the intense heat.
As the steel began to glow red-hot, Ryu pulled it from the forge with his tongs. He raised his hammer, and with a series of precise, forceful blows, he folded the steel over itself again and again. Sparks flew as he worked, each strike bringing forth a brilliant cascade of fiery light. In this rhythm of fire and hammer, the layers of steel multiplied, creating the base for a blade that would be both strong and flexible.
Now came Ryu's favorite part, making the blade itself.
With his tongs, Ryu gripped the heated steel one more, placing it on the anvil before him. He raised his hammer before bringing it down with a measured force. The ringing of metal on metal filled the workshop, a symphony of creation that echoed through the space.
Ryu's hammer strikes were precise, each one carefully planned and executed to shape the steel into the elegant curve of the katana. As he hammered, the metal seemed to sing beneath his blows, responding to his masterful touch as if it were alive. With every strike, the glowing steel stretched and thinned, gradually taking on the distinctive form of the sword.
As the blade began to take shape, Ryu adjusted his technique, shifting from forceful blows to more delicate, calculated taps. He worked with unrivaled skill, shaping the cutting edge and spine of the sword with finesse and expertise. The rhythm of his hammering changed, a dance of power and control that revealed the intricate balance within the weapon.
As the blade began to near completion, Ryu moved to refine the shape of the tip. With a series of gentle, yet decisive blows, he crafted the graceful point that marked the end of the cutting edge. The balance between the curve of the blade and the angle of the tip was exquisite.
Once the forging was complete, Ryu moved on to the delicate task of shaping the blade. He used a series of files and sharpening stones, each one finer than the last. The edge of the blade was sharpened to a razor's edge, its cutting prowess misrepresenting the beauty that was soon to be etched upon its surface.
Ryu then turned his attention to the intricate lotus flower design. With the utmost care, he used chisels and engraving tools to carve the delicate petals and winding stems into the metal. His movements were fluid, almost like a dance, as he brought the flowers to life upon the blade. The etchings caught the light, creating a stunning interplay of shadow and brilliance that seemed to breathe life into the flowers.
With the blade complete, Ryu focused on the creation of the golden rose guard. He used a combination of casting and metalworking techniques to shape the precious metal into the exquisite form of a rose. Each petal was carefully crafted, the folds and curves so lifelike that it seemed as though the rose might release its sweet scent into the workshop.
Next, Ryu crafted the handle, skillfully carving the wood to fit the hand like a glove. He then wrapped it in white wool, as soft as a cloud, before meticulously embroidering the intricate flower design upon it. Each stitch was a testament to his skill and dedication, a symphony of color and form that would dazzle all who beheld it.
The golden sunflower pommel was forged with the same care and precision as the rose guard. Its petals seemed to reach for the sun, a celebration of light and life in the heart of the katana. Ryu carefully affixed the sunflower to the end of the hilt, ensuring a flawless union of form and function.
As Ryu assembled the katana, each component fit together seamlessly, as if they had been destined to be joined since the beginning of time. The blade, guard, handle, and pommel came together to form a work of art that seemed to defy logic in its beauty and craftsmanship.
Finally, Ryu turned his attention to the sheath. He carved the wood with the same care and precision he had given to the handle, ensuring a perfect fit for the blade. The sheath was then adorned with lacquer and flower-themed decorations, a fitting home for the masterpiece that lay within.
Ryu was so engrossed in his work that he didn't realize he had worked all night. As he raised his gaze from the sword, he caught sight of the rising sun, its warm hues painting the sky. He blinked in surprise, realizing that a new day had begun.
"I worked all night, huh? I didn't even notice... But this is good, I'm happy with how it turned out!" Ryu thought cheerfully as he examined the sword he had just crafted.
"They will certainly be pleased with this," Ryu mused. Just then, he noticed the two men approaching, accompanied by a larger group. Activating his Mangekyo ability, he surveyed the area and wondered, "Why did they bring so many people with them?"
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