章節 14: Chapter 14: The Rengoku
The faint hum of activity from the village seeped through the walls of the workshop, mingling with the soft creak of the oil lamp above Hiroshi's worktable. The plans for Rengoku lay sprawled before him, the culmination of weeks of effort. With the materials assembled and his vision clear, it was finally time to bring his creation to life.
Hiroshi reached out, his hand brushing against the smooth surface of the desert ironwood slabs. "This is it," he murmured, steadying himself. He felt the familiar thrill of creation bubbling in his chest, but it was tempered by the precision demanded of him. A misstep here could mean failure, he thought. "But failure's never been my thing."
The torso came first. He cut and sanded each piece of ironwood, his movements deliberate as he assembled the puppet's core frame. This was the skeleton that would bear the weight of his dreams. The wood was dense and sturdy, a perfect counter to the fiery chaos Rengoku was designed to unleash.
Hiroshi worked tirelessly, chiseling grooves for the joints and hollowing compartments for the flamethrower mechanisms. His sensei's workshop filled with the rhythmic sounds of tools meeting wood, punctuated by his occasional mutters of frustration.
"The sockets need to be flawless," Hiroshi reminded himself. His hands moved with precision as he carved spaces for the arm mechanisms and ball-bearing joints. The fuel containers, made of reinforced ceramics, were carefully integrated into the torso and arms, their snug fit a testament to Hiroshi's planning.
When he tested the spring-loaded ignition systems, they sparked to life with a satisfying click. A grin tugged at his lips. "Perfect," he whispered. The sound of progress was music to his ears.
By the time the skeletal frame stood upright, Hiroshi's hands ached from hours of meticulous work. He leaned back, admiring the base of Rengoku.
"Not bad for a day's work," he said to himself, though the ache in his muscles reminded him just how much effort it had taken. The sockets for the retractable blades were empty for now, waiting for the final piece that would complete the design.
The next day, as soon as school ended, Hiroshi practically sprinted home. A package awaited him—carefully wrapped and left in his mother's care. Inside were the retractable blades he had commissioned weeks ago.
The sharp glint of the blades caught the light as Hiroshi unwrapped them in his workshop. His heart raced as he held one up, running his fingers along its fine edge. Each blade was dotted with tiny pores designed to emit flames along its surface.
"They're better than I imagined," he said, marveling at the craftsmanship.
The blacksmith had followed his instructions to perfection, using a reinforced steel alloy coated with a fire-resistant layer. The blades were slightly curved, optimized for slashing and thrusting. They were heavy enough to feel substantial but light enough for seamless movement.
Installing the blades was delicate work. Hiroshi carefully inserted them into the grooves of Rengoku's forearms, testing the retractable mechanisms with chakra threads. The blades slid out smoothly, locking into place with a sharp click.
When the flamethrower system was connected, Hiroshi ignited the oil through the blade's pores. A controlled flame danced along the edges, casting an orange glow across the workshop.
"Beautiful," Hiroshi whispered, pride swelling in his chest.
With the blades installed, Hiroshi turned his attention to the fireproof coating. He applied the paste-like mixture across Rengoku's frame, ensuring every inch was protected. The coating dried quickly under the heat of the desert air, leaving a matte, textured finish.
Next, he installed the spring mechanisms in the legs, adjusting the tension for precise movements. Testing the system, Hiroshi commanded the puppet to leap forward. The springs responded with a metallic clang, propelling Rengoku across the workshop.
"Fast," Hiroshi noted with a grin. The springs gave Rengoku a level of mobility that would make it a nightmare to catch in combat.
As he stepped back to admire his work, something gnawed at him. The puppet was complete—its weapons ready, its mobility fine-tuned—but it felt...unfinished.
The next morning, Hiroshi stood in Nakamura's workshop, staring at Rengoku.
"It looks too bare," Hiroshi muttered.
Nakamura glanced up from his tea, raising an eyebrow. "What now?"
"It needs clothes," Hiroshi said, gesturing vaguely. "Something to tie it all together. Right now, it looks like a skeleton. It's intimidating, sure, but not...iconic."
"Iconic?" Nakamura repeated, nearly choking on his tea. "What are you making, a puppet or a fashion statement?"
"I'm serious, Sensei," Hiroshi shot back. "A hooded cloak. It'll make Rengoku look mysterious. And it'll help conceal its weapons until the last moment."
Nakamura set his tea down, fighting back a smirk. "So, let me get this straight. You want your puppet to be mysterious, shadowy, and dramatic?" He leaned forward, eyes twinkling with mischief. "Hiroshi, you're six years old. Are you sure this isn't just your edgy phase talking?"
"It's not edgy," Hiroshi muttered, though his reddening ears betrayed him.
Nakamura laughed, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. But seriously, a cloak isn't a bad idea. It'll add an element of surprise. Just make sure it's functional."
Hiroshi rummaged through the workshop, pulling out a roll of sturdy, dark fabric. "This will work," he said, draping it over Rengoku's frame.
The cloak flowed over the puppet's shoulders, its deep hood shrouding the face. Hiroshi added slits along the sides for mobility and stitched a reinforced hem to prevent tearing.
"It's almost perfect," he said. "It just needs the fireproof coating."
Applying the diluted coating was painstaking work. Hiroshi brushed it onto the fabric layer by layer, careful not to saturate it too much. As the cloak dried, it gained a dark, matte finish that matched Rengoku's frame.
When he finally draped it over the puppet, the transformation was complete. The hooded figure stood tall, its face shadowed, its blades hidden beneath the flowing fabric.
Nakamura stepped back, nodding in approval. "You've outdone yourself, kid. It's not just a puppet—it's a statement."
創作者的想法 
diguru
diguru I don't have any image for reference. Anyone can add if you find.
I know chapter was short but I do not want to add anything thing here. I am kind of lost about how to continue this story. I have plans for puppets but I don't know how should I continue other than that.
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票