Chapter 24: Biwa Juzo vs Third Mizukage!

Biwa Juzo suddenly felt a strong sense of familiarity surging from the Blue Rose Sword.

Instinctively, Biwa Juzo looked towards Uehara Soma.

"Juzo-senpai, has the Blue Rose Sword acknowledged you?"

"It seems so..."

"After Kiriichimonji acknowledged Kisame, Kisame's consumption of Kiriichimonji decreased significantly. Juzo-senpai, you can try using the Blue Rose Sword again."

"Okay."

Biwa Juzo once again condensed Chakra on his arm and infused it into the Blue Rose Sword.

Then he swung forward.

Immediately, the same scene as before appeared ahead.

No, it was even more powerful than before.

The Third Mizukage, who had arrived at Forging Island, just happened to witness this scene.

"Is this the second Ninjato forged by Soma?"

Biwa Juzo showed a surprised expression.

"The same move, this time I used it, the consumption of Chakra is much less than before, but the power of the move has not decreased, and even slightly increased."

Uehara Soma smiled.

"Then it's correct, Juzo-senpai, congratulations."

Biwa Juzo looked earnestly at Uehara Soma.

"Soma, thank you!"

Biwa Juzo gripped the hilt of the Blue Rose Sword tightly.

Although he had only tried it twice, Biwa Juzo could clearly feel that the Blue Rose Sword was indeed much stronger than the Executioner's Blade, not even in the same league.

The Executioner's Blade, it's just a blade that absorbs blood.

In battle, it's practically useless.

But the Blue Rose Sword gives oneself an additional means.

Equivalent to a series of skills.

And it's even a Kekkei Genkai-level Ninjutsu.

This is a huge improvement for a ninja.

Biwa Juzo didn't know exactly how much his strength had increased.

But Biwa Juzo felt that his strength had increased by at least thirty percent compared to before.

"Soma, is this the second Ninjato you forged?"

The voice of the Third Mizukage rang out.

"Mizukage-sama, yes."

Biwa Juzo and Arafuni quickly bowed to the Third Mizukage.

"Mizukage-sama."

Uehara Soma introduced, "This sword, named the Blue Rose Sword, has the ability of ice control."

"I see, it looks very good."

The Third Mizukage's gaze turned to Biwa Juzo.

"Juzo, has the Blue Rose Sword acknowledged you?"

"Yes, Mizukage-sama."

"Good."

The Third Mizukage nodded and said, "Since the Blue Rose Sword has acknowledged you, then make sure to familiarize yourself with its use and be sure to protect Soma."

"Mizukage-sama, please rest assured."

Biwa Juzo promised, "Until my death, no one will be able to harm Soma."

Even without the Third Mizukage's instruction, Biwa Juzo would do this.

Firstly, because of the information Uehara Soma disclosed about the Forging Master Spiritual Land. Upon their first meeting, Uehara Soma directly revealed such important confidential information to him, so Biwa Juzo felt obligated to repay Soma's trust.

Secondly, Biwa Juzo keenly felt the increase in his own strength thanks to the Blue Rose Sword.

This allowed Biwa Juzo to see the possibility of revenge against that Genin from Konoha.

Defeating Might Duy, turning the situation around, breaking that nightmarish memory, that's Biwa Juzo's current obsession.

The gaze of the Third Mizukage returned to Uehara Soma.

"Previously, did Kaguya Hikari cause you any substantial trouble, Soma?"

Uehara Soma shook his head.

"That's good."

The Third Mizukage said, "The situation with the Kaguya Clan is quite complicated, but I can assure you that the Kaguya Clan won't cause any more trouble for Forging Island in the future. Soma, you can rest assured."

"In the future, just focus on forging."

Uehara Soma nodded and shivered slightly when he noticed the clear darkness in the Mizukage's eyes... 

'Clearly the Kaguya clan's fate in the story wasn't an accident'

Suddenly, Biwa Juzo looked up at the Third Mizukage.

"Mizukage-sama, may I make a request?"

"What request?"

"I would like Mizukage-sama to have a match with me."

The Third Mizukage raised an eyebrow slightly.

"It seems you're quite satisfied with the Blue Rose Sword, Juzo, and you've only just obtained it, yet you already have a good grasp? Alright, let's go above the sea, so as not to disturb Forging Island."

"Yes, Mizukage-sama."

With a flicker of their figures, they were already above the sea in the next moment.

For ninjas from the Hidden Mist Village, the ability to condense Chakra on their feet and walk on the sea's surface is basically a necessary skill, especially for strong individuals like Biwa Juzo and the Third Mizukage.

The two headed in the direction away from Forging Island.

Uehara Soma glanced in the direction the two had gone, then withdrew his gaze.

"Arafuni, tidy up the forging room. I'm going to the training ground."

"Yes, Chief Uehara."

Arafuni didn't express any dissatisfaction with the miscellaneous tasks assigned by Uehara Soma. On the contrary, once inside the forging room, Arafuni was quite excited, looking around eagerly.

"Blue Rose Sword!"

"Truly a powerful Ninjato."

"I'm afraid it surpasses even the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords."

Arafuni could see Biwa Juzo's excitement.

And Biwa Juzo already possessed one of the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords, the Executioner's Blade.

In this situation, for Biwa Juzo to be so excited upon obtaining the Blue Rose Sword, it can only prove that the Blue Rose Sword is far superior to the Executioner's Blade for him.

"To what extent has Chief Uehara's Forging Technique reached?"

"Is it stronger than the Great Blacksmith of the past?"

"If only I could reach Chief Uehara's Forging Technique."

"No, if I could achieve half of Chief Uehara's Forging Technique, I would have no regrets in this lifetime."

Arafuni is a pure blacksmith.

He can coexist or perish with Forging Island.

His pursuit of Forging Technique surpasses everything.

It is precisely because of this that Uehara Soma assigned Arafuni one of the four positions of blacksmith assistant.

"This is where Chief Uehara forged the Blue Rose Sword!"

...

Uehara Soma entered the training ground.

"Water Clone Jutsu!"

A clone identical to Uehara Soma appeared.

Uehara Soma carefully felt it, his eyes lighting up.

"The Water Release talent at the Perfect level is indeed different from that at the Excellent level."

"It consumes less chakra."

"The Ninjutsu's intensity is higher."

Uehara Soma felt that when he started forming seals, the Water Release Chakra in his body actively came together to form the Ninjutsu he wanted to use.

If you were to talk about Excellent level talent, Uehara Soma and Water Release Chakra would be closely related.

So now, with the talent at the Perfect level, the relationship between Uehara Soma and Water Release Chakra has become like that of a superior and a subordinate, where the superior's orders must be obeyed by the subordinate.

"And, it seems that now I can simplify the hand seals."

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