Chapter 6: First Rewards

Zabuza noticed Hoshigaki Kisame, clearly somewhat surprised.

"Kisame Senpai."

Both are excellent ninjas of the younger generation from the Hidden Mist Village, aware of each other's presence.

Hoshigaki Kisame is older.

Therefore, Zabuza addresses Hoshigaki Kisame as "Senpai."

"Has Mizukage-sama's order arrived?"

Hoshigaki Kisame inquired.

But Zabuza didn't answer, instead asking in return, "What is Kisame Senpai doing here?"

Hoshigaki Kisame fell silent for a moment.

"You should go elsewhere first. There's someone forging here, and they shouldn't be disturbed."

"Forging?" Zabuza narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Mizukage-sama's order has come down. From now on, there's no more Forging Island in the Hidden Mist Village, no more blacksmiths."

"So?" Hoshigaki Kisame narrowed his eyes.

Zabuza shrugged, saying, "So, those inside should stop, leave Forging Island, and follow Mizukage-sama's order to go to the Mizukage's Building and register as mission ninjas."

"Brat, are you sure?" Hoshigaki Kisame stood up.

A sense of killing intent emanated from Hoshigaki Kisame.

The ninjas behind Zabuza instinctively took a few steps back.

But Zabuza did not.

There was even a hint of excitement in his eyes.

"Hoshigaki Kisame, do you know the consequences of defying Mizukage-sama's orders?"

"I have the right to cut you down on the spot here."

Both are geniuses from the Hidden Mist Village.

Hoshigaki Kisame is a few years older than Zabuza.

So in terms of reputation, Hoshigaki Kisame is now much stronger than Zabuza.

But Zabuza is not convinced by Hoshigaki Kisame.

Now, in Zabuza's view, it's an opportunity to prove himself.

A legitimate battle with Hoshigaki Kisame.

Such opportunities don't come often.

Zabuza's hand reached for the hilt of his sword.

Hoshigaki Kisame noticed Zabuza's movement, his gaze becoming sharper.

"Then let's see if you have what it takes!"

Just at that moment.

Crack!

The door to the forging room opened from inside.

"Kisame, it's done!"

Uehara Soma walked out from inside, slightly taken aback when he saw the situation outside.

The atmosphere was very tense.

Hoshigaki Kisame was confronting a young ninja, and behind the young ninja, several others stood somewhat awkwardly, unsure whether to help Zabuza or to stop the two.

Until Uehara Soma emerged.

Upon hearing Uehara Soma's voice, Hoshigaki Kisame's face lit up suddenly.

"Great, Soma, I knew you could do it."

Zabuza frowned, looking at the ninjato in Uehara Soma's hand.

In terms of ninjato, Zabuza is actually similar to Hoshigaki Kisame.

Both aspire to have their own ninjato and to become one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.

When Zabuza looked at the ninjato in Uehara Soma's hand, he immediately sensed that it seemed different from a regular ninjato.

Thinking back to Hoshigaki Kisame's previous words,

a guess arose in Zabuza's mind.

The next moment, as Zabuza looked at the ninjato in Uehara Soma's hand, a burning determination flickered in his eyes.

Uehara Soma glanced at Zabuza.

"Kisame, what's this about?"

"Momochi Zabuza, under Mizukage-sama's orders, has come to execute the command of Forging Island, to abolish Forging Island, and to bring all remaining blacksmiths to the Mizukage's Building."

Hoshigaki Kisame grinned.

"But now, Forging Island definitely can't be abolished."

"Soma, let's go to the Mizukage's Building together."

"Let's go and deliver this good news to Mizukage-sama."

Uehara Soma hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

The reason for his hesitation was that Uehara Soma had calculated that the current Third Mizukage was likely already under the control of Uchiha Madara and had become a puppet of Uchiha Madara.

However, Uehara Soma thought carefully.

If he wanted to keep Forging Island and maintain the identity of a blacksmith, then exposing Kiriichimonji was inevitable.

The Third Mizukage would definitely find out.

Whether he went to the Mizukage's Building now or not, the result would be the same.

Furthermore, with Uchiha Madara's power, he probably wouldn't care much about just a ninjato.

He was an existence even that didn't even regard the tailed beasts highly.

Uehara Soma was somewhat relieved that the Hidden Mist Village was not in the era when Yagura was controlled by Uchiha Obito.

Compared to Uchiha Madara's exploitation of the Hidden Mist Village, Uchiha Obito's hatred for the Hidden Mist Village was genuine.

Even if there were any signs of resurgence in the Hidden Mist Village, with Uchiha Obito's character, he would definitely find a way to annihilate it in its infancy, not giving the Hidden Mist Village any chance.

Hoshigaki Kisame and Uehara Soma left Forging Island, heading towards Mizukage Island.

"Zabuza, Squad Captain, what about us?"

"Follow them."

[Congratulations, host, on completing the forging.]

[Kiriichimonji successfully forged.]

[Completion level: ordinary.]

[Congratulations, host, on gaining Swordsmanship experience x300.]

This was the feedback reward Uehara Soma received upon completing the forging of Kiriichimonji.

At this moment, the information flooding Uehara Soma's mind was about Kiriichimonji.

[Kiriichimonji.]

[Type: long sword.]

[Quality: ordinary.]

[Abilities: Unhealable—Injuries caused by Kiriichimonji cannot be healed, but due to its ordinary quality, the effect is weakened, lasting for 10 days.]

[Note: According to the third rule of the blacksmith, this ninjato cannot harm its creator.]

Just being of ordinary quality made Uehara Soma somewhat regretful.

However, being able to successfully create Kiriichimonji on the first attempt, Uehara Soma was still quite satisfied.

This was at least a successful beginning.

Moreover, an ordinary quality Kiriichimonji was already a very good ninjato compared to the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords.

In Uehara Soma's view, even the long sword (Nuibari) , the blunt sword (Kabutowari), and even the Executioner's Blade were not as good as Kiriichimonji .

Furthermore, the fact that it couldn't harm the creator was a pleasant surprise for Uehara Soma.

At least there was no possibility of being "backstabbed."

Uehara Soma looked at the semi-transparent screen in front of him.

[Name: Uehara Soma.]

[Comprehensive Strength: Genin.]

[Swordsmanship: Novice (300).]

[Forging Technique: Good (Excellent—enhanced by Forging Island).]

[Mission Items: None.]

[Blacksmith Reputation: 39.]

[Evaluation: As a blacksmith, the foundation is quite good. Due to having your own forging site, the Forging Technique has been enhanced, with a chance of producing ninja tools of superior quality or above.]

[As a ninja, the strength is worrying, and in war, one can only be considered cannon fodder.]

The two arrived at the entrance of the Mizukage's Building.

"We need to see Mizukage-sama; it's very important," Hoshigaki Kisame said to the guard ninja at the door.

The guard ninja gave Hoshigaki Kisame a brief glance.

"Mizukage-sama is busy."