Chapter 208. Selection

Itachi was as busy preparing the next few days. The Elders were shocked when they heard about Zanpakuto and its uses. All of them immediately classified it as one of the highest grade ability and sorted out the qualifications to have one.

Ryu made Zanpakuto's for the Elders and some core members of ' Shinobi ', Itachi had announced a selection day for choosing individuals with aptitude to become future Blacksmiths.

Shinobi city was bursting with people today. All Elders were present and personally watched over this test. It's not a question of security but just that they were interested on how this selection would turn out. Itachi could only shake his head and laugh at their behaviour.

A huge crowd consisting of young, old, men and women gathered in a square Infront of Shinobi building. People were discussing today's selection.

" Hey why do you think Lord Itachi suddenly declared this selection? "

" Who knows but since it's Lord Itachi it's gotta be something good."

" I heard it's about some kind of occupation."

" Occupation? That can't be right. What occupation needs Lord Itachi to attach such importance."

" Don't know. Anyway if it's about that then I am definitely gonna try and get selected."

" Me too."

People were excited about what Itachi was going to announce.

Hours later, when the square was completely filled without even an inch of space Itachi appeared. All of the crowd respectfully bowed to Itachi, this was not an order or a law. This was something all of them felt from the bottom of their hearts.

Itachi didn't drag on and announced " Today, there will be a selection. A new Occupation will be taught to those with aptitude for it. Be warned the requirements for this occupation is extremely high.

As for the Occupation..... it's that of a Blacksmith."

His words stunned the people.

" Blacksmith? I didn't hear wrong, did I? "

" That can't be right? A Blacksmith? Sure it's a respectable occupation but is there any need for such exaggeration? "

" Idiot!! Think carefully! This is Lord Itachi, there must be something more to it! "

" Right! Right! Lord Itachi is the wisest man I have ever seen, he wouldn't do anything meaningless."

Itachi watched these discussion and continued " Don't jump to conclusions. This occupation is different from the one you know. Let me show you, Ryu."

He called out and Ryu stepped forward. Suddenly seeing Ryu startled everyone, all of them hurriedly bowed to show their respect. No kidding, if Itachi is respected for his past sacrifices, his wise and calm personality then Ryu is respected for bringing about this change, peace.

Ryu held his sword before him

" Awaken....Myriad Creator."

His sword completely changed to that of a black sword with engravings on it. The vision of people below were fully focused on Ryu's sword.

Ryu " Scatter, SenbonSakura."

Pink petals emerged from his sword and formed the word Shinobi in mid air. The petals were so beautiful, every single person was captured by this sight.

Itachi walked up and tossed a huge iron block out of nowhere towards these petals. The moment it made contact with these petals the iron block was sliced in millions of pieces.

Every was shocked to their core. Fine piece of Iron dust fell down from mid air. Itachi didn't speak out, he waited for them to take in this sight and said again

" As you saw, the petals wasn't a Kekkei Genkai nor was it any other Jutsu. It was the ability of that Sword. This sword is called a Zanpakuto, only a special group of Blacksmiths can make this and Ryu is one.

A Zanpakuto is made from a part of a person's soul so it's basically a part of you. These powers are a manifestation of your soul.

But only certain individuals have the aptitude to become a Zanpakuto Blacksmith. Ryu will teach this craft to anyone with aptitude for it. That is why all of you are here today, those of you with the aptitude to become one will be selected and trained."

A commotion broke down instantly. Everyone saw Ryu's display and was shocked, after hearing Itachi's explanation everyones face was red with excitement. Many Blacksmith among the crowd were trembling, their eyes showed blazing fire seeing Ryu's sword.

Without delay Itachi ordered the start of the selection. There were four stages built for selection, an Elder stood at each stage.

Onoki was looking at the soul crystal with Interest, he had checked himself before and found his aptitude to be pitifully weak. Ai had scorned him for hours but then it was Ai's turn and Onoki had a great time returning the favour.

Young men, women, old.... everyone stepped up to see their aptitude but sadly.... even after hundreds have gone through none managed to clear the trial.

The Soul Crystal was divided into ten segments. A person needs to light up atleast Five segments to Pass, six qualifies to be a Average talent,

Seven, Good Talent.

Eight, Grand Talent.

Nine, Outstanding Talent.

Ten, Perfect Talent.

But none had managed to light up even five let alone six and more. Onoki and the other elders were getting bored and worried.

Suddenly a commotion broke out. Onoki looked back and saw Ai's side clammer with people. He was surprised when he saw a boy not over twelve stand on the stage and hold the crystal.

The light inside the crystal slowly light up, it quickly reached the fifth level then to sixth. After that it slowed down but didn't stop. Slowly the seventh one was lit up as well, after several seconds the eighth level lit up and stopped.

" Eighth level, Grand Talent! "

" My god! How strict is the requirements!? Even after a thousand people had tested only one managed to clear!! "

The kids parents were excited. They were ordinary folks without the ability to cultivate or do any other special occupation. They came here with idea of watching from the sidelines but their son wanted to try the test.

Who would have thought that he would clear it and that too with Grand Talent!! They felt proud, their friends and neighbors congratulated them.

Ai showed a smirk at Onoki. Like a cat who had its tail stepped on Onoki flared up.

" The heck you waiting for brats!!? Come up and test!! "

The crowd shook their head bitterly seeing Onoki.

" Haaah, are they children? They are still competing even at this age."

" Let it be, it's been like that for the past couple of years."

" At times they seem like best friends, at times they seem like worst rivals.... seriously! "

" Haha... that's their way of friendship!! "

Onoki wasn't disappointed. He also got a person, he wasn't as talented as the one Ai tested buy he was a Good Grade Talent. So Onoki was comforted.

After everyone was tested, only fifteen people were selected. The crowd sighed seeing this sight.

' The requirements are far too high! '