12 Chapter 12: First Assistant
"Exquisitely forged, thoroughly hammered, blade sharp, body of the sword pristine... This is the pinnacle among masterpieces."
Arafuni's gaze burned as he looked at Uehara Soma.
"Uehara Soma, is this Ninjato forged by you?"
"But..."
"This Ninjato is indeed good, but at this level alone, can it convince Mizukage-sama to keep Forging Island?"
Hoshigaki Kisame quickly sheathed Kiriichimonji while taking advantage of the opportunity.
"Of course, it's not that simple."
"Kiriichimonji, like the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords, possesses special abilities."
"Kiriichimonji inflicts wounds that cannot be healed."
Arafuni's eyes shone even brighter, eager to see Kiriichimonji again.
But Hoshigaki Kisame didn't allow another look.
Guarding it tightly.
Uehara Soma added, "Mizukage-sama appointed me as the head of the Forging Department, in charge of Forging Island. However, compared to before, both the scale of the Forging Department and Forging Island will be much smaller."
"Mizukage-sama has only allocated four positions for assistant forgers to me."
"This means that, besides me, there can only be four forgers on the entire Forging Island."
"However, Mizukage-sama will also specifically assign an elite team to ensure the security of Forging Island."
"This means that in the future, Forging Island will only pursue the route of excellence."
"Indeed, most of the shinobi tools previously manufactured on Forging Island do not have an advantage compared to those produced in the Land of Iron."
This is the difference in industrial scale.
The primary focus of the Hidden Mist Village is still on completing missions and confronting other ninja villages.
Forging is just a very small industry in the Hidden Mist Village.
It emerged because of the Great Blacksmith from years ago.
As time passed and no achievements were made, the scale of the industry became smaller and smaller.
But it's different in the Land of Iron.
Forging is the cornerstone industry of the Land of Iron.
Therefore, the Land of Iron has invested a lot of resources in this area.
Human resources, materials...
With such a huge scale, talents continue to emerge, and technology continues to innovate, leading to the forging techniques of the Land of Iron getting better and better.
In the aspect of ordinary shinobi tool manufacturing, no one can rival the Land of Iron anymore.
Arafuni looked at Uehara Soma again.
"Uehara... no, Soma... no, Chief Uehara, can I become your forging assistant?"
Arafuni didn't know much about Uehara Soma before.
However, just now Arafuni had seen Kiriichimonji.
Even though Arafuni hadn't seen the special effect of Unhealable wounds mentioned by Hoshigaki Kisame.
But just the static performance of Kiriichimonji alone was enough for Arafuni to be sure that Uehara Soma's forging technique was much stronger than his own.
Even his own sensei couldn't match Uehara Soma.
Moreover, Arafuni didn't think what Hoshigaki Kisame said was false.
Otherwise, Mizukage wouldn't have rescinded the order to ban Forging Island.
An ordinary shinobi tool without special abilities, even if forged excellently, couldn't achieve this.
Uehara Soma thought Arafuni would be a good assistant.
Arafuni's performance now was exactly what Uehara Soma had hoped for.
However, Uehara Soma didn't immediately agree, but said,
"Arafuni, as you know, Mizukage-sama has only given me four assistant positions, so I must be cautious."
Arafuni looked disappointed.
"But..."
Uehara Soma changed the subject.
"I think Arafuni, you are a very good forger, unwilling to give up the identity of a forger even in the face of great pressure, but rather intending to coexist or perish with Forging Island."
"Therefore, I am willing to give you this opportunity."
"For one month, as long as you meet my requirements within the next month, I will give you an official position. Are you willing?"
Arafuni's disappointed expression suddenly turned into delight.
"I am willing!"
Uehara Soma smiled and extended his hand.
"Arafuni, welcome aboard."
"Arafuni greets Chief Uehara!"
Uehara Soma returned to his small dwelling.
There were some people nearby originally, but now they have all left.
The entire Forging Island is left with only three people.
Uehara Soma, Arafuni, and Hoshigaki Kisame.
And Hoshigaki Kisame is about to leave soon.
Hoshigaki Kisame is not a member of Forging Island but a mission ninja, and among the mission ninjas, he is an elite, a genius. Given the current situation in the Hidden Mist Village, Hoshigaki Kisame will be very busy.
In fact, this is the case.
The Third Mizukage has already said that tomorrow morning, Hoshigaki Kisame and Zabuza will go to the Mizukage's Building for mission arrangements.
Uehara Soma glanced at the sky.
"Kisame, you should go back first. You have a mission tomorrow."
Hoshigaki Kisame hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright."
As a mission ninja, prioritizing missions is instinctual for Hoshigaki Kisame.
"Arafuni, choose any nearby cottage as your future residence, and then move your things there."
"Yes, Chief Uehara."
The two left in succession, and Uehara Soma turned and entered his room.
"Water Release, Water Clone Jutsu!"
A surge of chakra emanated from Uehara Soma's body.
The next moment, a figure appeared beside Uehara Soma.
An identical figure to Uehara Soma.
It was Uehara Soma's Water Clone.
Clone-series ninjutsu is widespread in the ninja world.
Apart from the most basic Clone Jutsu, which creates illusory projections, almost every ninja village has its own characteristic Clone Jutsu.
The Water Clone of the Hidden Mist Village.
The Shadow Clone and Multiple Shadow Clone of Konoha.
The Earth Clone of the Hidden Rock Village.
Hidden Sand Village's Sand Clone.
There are also Paper Clone, Snake Clone, Wood Clone, Crow Clone...
As a Genin, Uehara Soma's mastery of Ninjutsu, particularly outside of forging, is not extensive.
Apart from basic Taijutsu and tool usage, he only knows two Ninjutsu.
One is Water Clone Jutsu.
The other is Hiding in Mist Jutsu.
These two Ninjutsu lean towards auxiliary types.
In most cases, a forger doesn't need to engage in combat.
Even if faced with danger, fleeing is often more appropriate than fighting.
And these two Water Release Ninjutsu of Uehara Soma can provide considerable assistance in "fleeing."
Uehara Soma recalled the process of using Water Clone just now, his eyes brightening involuntarily.
He extended his hand, looked at his palm, and condensed Water Release Chakra on it.
"It feels completely different from before."
"Much smoother."
"Less Chakra consumed."
"The time to form hand seals has also shortened."
"And there's still the possibility of further improvement."
"In other terms, previously, Water Release Chakra for me was like an acquaintance."
"But now, it has become my closest kin."
"Is this the talent of Excellent-level Water Release?"
---
You can read up to 50 Advanced chapters and support me at patreon.com/Lookar
