Chapter 99: Skeleton Emperor, forging completed!

"Fuguki, you have lost Samehada, but for you, this may not necessarily be a bad thing."

"The Zanpakuto forged by Soma surpasses the work of that Great Blacksmith from years ago."

"Juzo's changes are visible to you."

"Fuguki, if you were wielding Samehada, do you think you would be a match for Pakura?"

Fuguki Suikazan thought for a moment and shook his head.

"I'm afraid not. Pakura's abilities completely counter Water Release. The only things I have against Pakura are Samehada and techniques like Thousands Senbon and Hair Needle Senbon."

"And all of these abilities require getting close to be effective."

"Pakura won't give me that chance."

"Even if Pakura did give me that chance, my methods wouldn't be enough to defeat Pakura."

The Third Mizukage patted Fuguki Suikazan on the shoulder.

"This time Pioggia didn't sync with you, but in the future, Soma will forge more ninja tools. There will surely be one that syncs with you."

"At that time, your strength will be stronger than when you were wielding Samehada."

...

Soma officially began the forging of the Skeleton Emperor.

Using the newly developed Chakra Smelting Jutsu to melt the metal.

The temperature in the entire forging room becomes extremely high.

When Juzo returned, he continued to guard the door.

Ao, on the other hand, periodically used his Byakugan to observe the surroundings.

Juzo leaned against the wall by the door and looked back.

"The ninja tools forged by Soma this time may be different from before."

"After learning Fire Release, Soma spent some time researching in the forging room upon returning to Forging Island. So his Forging Technique is definitely higher than before."

"A higher Forging Technique allows for the creation of better-quality ninja tools."

A large lump of metal was placed into the furnace by Soma, gradually softening under the high temperature.

"Chakra Smelting Jutsu!"

Soma extended his hands, releasing Fire-attribute Chakra.

In order to forge the Skeleton Emperor, Soma has almost halted all other activities.

Daily physical Taijutsu training.

Practice with Water Release.

Practice for real combat.

It can be said that apart from the essential three meals a day and rest, Soma spent the remaining time melting metal and staying in the forging room.

Time passed slowly.

Monotonous work always gives a sense of time dragging on endlessly.

And Soma's work is not only dull but also requires complete concentration.

At the end of the day, he is often extremely tired.

After dinner and a quick bath, he went to sleep. Meanwhile Ao returned from patrol and looked at Soma's room, where the lights were already off.

"Juzo, has Soma rested?"

"He has rested."

Juzo nodded.

"I don't know what kind of ninja tool Soma will forge this time, but it's definitely very complicated. None of Soma's previous forgings have been as exhausting or taken as long as this one," Juzo said.

Ao's eyes flickered.

"It may be related to the Hozuki Clan."

"The Hozuki Clan has already reclaimed all Seven Ninja Swords."

"Even though the Hozuki Clan fabricated reasons and obtained Mizukage-sama's approval, many people in the village are still unhappy with this behavior."

"On one hand, this outcome could have been foreseen by the Hozuki Clan, yet they still proceeded with it."

"They also rejected Soma's Pioggia."

"Additionally, there have been some unpleasant rumors circulating from the Hozuki Clan lately," Juzo frowned.

"What rumors?" Ao inquired.

"The villagers are dissatisfied with the Hozuki Clan, but they can't directly confront them, so they resort to verbal attacks against the Hozuki Clan."

"In this situation, they will think of Soma's ninja tools."

"They will compare Soma's ninja tools to the Seven Ninja Swords."

"They will say that even though the Hozuki Clan reclaimed the Seven Ninja Swords, Soma's crafted ninja tools surpass them. The Seven Ninja Swords are already outdated."

"Naturally, the members of the Hozuki Clan are very unhappy about this."

"They intend to rise to power through the Seven Ninja Swords."

"So they've been saying a lot of unpleasant things."

"They claim that Soma's ninja tools can't compare to the Seven Ninja Swords."

"And that Soma's Forging Technique is far inferior to that of the Great Blacksmith from years ago."

"Having said that," Ao paused and glanced at Juzo.

"They say only the Mist Seven Ninja are weak, not the Seven Ninja Swords."

"The Seven Ninja Swords can only unleash their true power in the hands of the Hozuki Clan."

"They claim Soma is just a mediocre newcomer."

Juzo's expression became grim.

These words from the Hozuki Clan not only targeted Soma but also attacked everything associated with him: Soma himself, the ninja tools he crafted, and even the previous Mist Seven Ninja.

Juzo was one of the previous Mist Seven Ninja.

"The Hozuki Clan doesn't know anything!"

"Soma's Forging Technique has long surpassed that of the Great Blacksmith from years ago."

"The Blue Rose Sword is far superior to the Executioner's Blade I once wielded."

"Even if they obtain the Seven Ninja Swords, his Hozuki Clan won't rise."

"In the future, the ninja tools forged by Soma will surpass the Seven Ninja Swords by far, both in quantity and strength."

Juzo, who seldom used foul language, couldn't help but burst into angry curses.

As for the villagers' verbal attacks against the Hozuki Clan, Juzo didn't see any issue with it.

After all, the Seven Ninja Swords originally belonged to the village.

The Hozuki Clan forcibly taking possession of them caused even Hozuki Gengetsu's reputation to be affected as a result.

In this situation, if the other villagers didn't take action against the Hozuki Clan but merely engaged in verbal attacks, what's the harm?

The Hozuki Clan gained such great benefits, yet they don't allow others to speak out?

Even the neighboring Uchiha Clan isn't so domineering.

"In the future, the Hozuki Clan will surely regret this," Juzo said. "To be honest, it's not that I don't respect the Seven Ninja Swords, but those seven Ninjato are indeed limited in their strength."

"Take me, for example; it's evident."

"When I wielded the Executioner's Blade compared to when I wield the Blue Rose Sword, it's like two completely different levels," Juzo remarked.

Ao nodded.

"I agree with you, Juzo. I also believe that Soma's Forging Technique has surpassed that of the Great Blacksmith, and Soma's ninja tools are superior to the Seven Ninja Swords. Perhaps Mizukage-sama agreed to the Hozuki Clan's request for this reason."

"However, in the future, both sides will surely continue to be compared."

"Zanpakuto and the Hozuki Seven Ninja Swords."

"Shinigami Squad and the Hozuki Seven Ninja."

Juzo looked towards the house where the lights had long been extinguished.

"I believe Soma's Zanpakuto will completely overshadow the Seven Ninja Swords."

Ten days later, Soma finally completed the first process of forging the Skeleton Emperor: smelting.

As Chakra infused into it, the metal ingot seemed to undergo some qualitative change.

"The appearance and glossiness seem noticeably different from before."

"Even with eyes closed, one can feel the difference in aura."

"Next, it's the forging process."

Soma started swinging the hammer again.

"Lava Forging!"

Regular rhythmic hammering sounds emanated from the forging room.

Ameyuri, who has just returned from training at the training ground, heard the noise and looked towards the direction of the forging room.

"Sensei."

"Hmm?"

"How much longer will Soma-senpai's forging take?"

"I don't know either," Juzo shook his head.

"Juzo-senpai, Chief Uehara probably just finished the smelting process not long ago and has started forging now. Given this progress, it'll probably take quite some time," Arafuni, passing by, overheared Ameyuri and Juzo's conversation and paused.

Compared to Juzo and others, Arafuni is more interested in Soma's forging this time.

However, what Juzo and others are interested in is what kind of ninja tool Soma will create.

Arafuni, on the other hand, is more interested in Soma's forging process.

"It took so long just for the smelting process."

"Chief Uehara definitely didn't use the Charcoal Lava Smelting Method."

"Could it be the Chakra Smelting Technique?"

Arafuni thought of a possibility.

"Yes, it should be that. Chief Uehara has already mastered the Breathing Forging Method, so there's no reason he couldn't master the Chakra Smelting Technique. The metal after Chakra Smelting will be different."

"All aspects of its attributes will be enhanced."

"Lava Forging, thirty forgings!"

"Water Breathing, Water Drop Hammer, sixty forgings!"

"Water Breathing, Water Flow Hammer, one hundred forgings!"

Compared to the time spent smelting, Soma spent less time forging.

It took four days to complete.

However, the Chakra Smelting Technique brought pressure solely to Soma's Chakra Control.

This forging process exerted pressure on Soma's physical strength and muscles.

Soma only felt his arms sore and swollen.

"The shaping process afterward also needs to be completed by pounding."

"It has to be a unified formation."

Soma looked at the metal ingot in front of him.

"I hope this Skeleton Emperor won't disappoint me."

"A high-level blueprint, advanced Forging Technique, and it still took me so much time..."

"Continue!"

Soma picked up the hammer again.

However, it was slightly different from the forging process.

Soma took out another set of materials.

A white bone.

Using tools, Soma first smashed the bone, then finely ground it into white powder.

During the process of shaping the metal ingot, these white powders need to be pounded in.

As Soma ground them, scenes from the Skeleton Emperor Dungeon Instance involuntarily came to his mind.

"Could this bone be from Baraggan's body?"

The more Soma looked, the more it seemed like it.

"Ding!"

"Ding!"

"Ding!"

...

...

Hozuki Island.

The Hozuki Clan Elders gathered together and in front of Hozuki Kazuhiko lay a scroll.

"Everyone, the Seven Ninja Swords have been retrieved."

"It went smoother than we anticipated."

"There have been some unpleasant rumors in the village, but they are inconsequential."

"As long as our Hozuki Clan becomes stronger, these rumors will disappear."

"Starting today, these seven Ninjato are officially named the Hozuki Seven Ninja Swords."

"And the Ninjas using these seven Ninjato are officially named the Hozuki Seven."

"I hope the selected members of our Hozuki Clan will spare no effort to fully unleash the power of the Ninjatos, aiming to be stronger than the previous Mist Seven."

"Next, I will arrange a competition."

"Only the winner will have the qualification to choose a Ninjato."

"For the glory of our Hozuki Clan."

The members below became excited and thrilled.

Hozuki Mangetsu was among them.

With Hozuki Mangetsu's current strength, he definitely wouldn't be a match for those seasoned adult Ninjas.

However, the test arranged by Hozuki Kazuhiko is not just about testing current strength.

It will also evaluate potential and compatibility with the Ninjato.

Externally, the Hozuki Clan claims that the Mist Seven tarnished the Seven Ninja Swords by not fully unleashing their power.

However, Hozuki Kazuhiko was well aware.

The strength of the Mist Seven is impressive within the Hidden Mist Village.

For the Hozuki Seven to surpass the Mist Seven is not an easy task.

"But..."

Hozuki Kazuhiko glanced at Hozuki Mangetsu in the corner.

"With Mangetsu here, at least Mangetsu in the future will surely surpass the Mist Seven."

The internal selection of the Hozuki Clan has officially begun.

However, this is not a one-time selection, but a long-term one.

Hozuki Kazuhiko doesn't want to rush the selection, lest the chosen elite Seven turn out to be weak. At that point, the Hozuki Clan would become a laughingstock throughout the Hidden Mist Village.

Instead, he plans for a long-term selection.

If the standard is not met, the position will remain vacant.

During this selection process, elite Ninjas of the clan will undergo special training.

Until someone meets the standard.

This will consume a lot of resources.

However, Hozuki Kazuhiko believes that compared to acquiring a formidable Hozuki Seven team, this effort is completely worthwhile.

The first to meet Hozuki Kazuhiko's standards was none other than Hozuki Mangetsu.

In terms of talent, Hozuki Mangetsu surpassed all other members of the Hozuki Clan.

Moreover, in terms of skills, he is stronger than most members of the Hozuki Clan.

Due to age restrictions, his strength is not yet at its peak, currently only at the level of a Chunin.

However, Hozuki Kazuhiko believes that with a few more years given to Hozuki Mangetsu, he will grow into a very powerful presence.

"He won't be inferior to Hoshigaki Kisame or Zabuza!"

Hozuki Kazuhiko looked towards Forgiving Island.

"The tools forged by that Blacksmith are at most on par with the Seven Ninja Swords."

"In the matter of Ninjato, my choice is not wrong."

"Hozuki Clan and the tools of that Blacksmith are now estranged, but we can permanently keep the Seven Ninja Swords within the Hozuki Clan, which is a better choice for the HozukiClan."

Suddenly, Hozuki Kazuhiko saw a vague shadow appearing over the direction of Forgiving Island.

A sudden feeling of palpitations surged into Hozuki Kazuhiko's heart.

---

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