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Nara Shintaku closed his eyes after he finished speaking. Across from him, Orochimaru suddenly looked up, staring at Nara Shintaku with a mix of surprise and awe.

In his perception, Nara Shintaku, who seemed to be resting with his eyes closed, appeared as if he was burning with an intense flame—hot, deep, and agonizing. It was as though he had become fuel for this fire, determined to burn everything away.

Amid this flame, the chakra aura surrounding Nara Shintaku trembled violently. Deep within his soul, the chakra metal recently embedded within it seemed to be thrust into the core of the sun. It melted, tempered, and disintegrated rapidly, eventually transforming into a piece of iron that glowed with a brilliant white light.

"Burn yourself too?" Orochimaru whispered, his eyes widening in shock as he watched the scene unfold before him.

An hour later, Nara Shintaku slowly opened his eyes, revealing a calm and cool expression, as still as a peaceful lake. A sense of clarity had naturally washed over him.

'I poured my experiences and emotions from both of my lives into it,' he thought. 'I wonder what will emerge from the forging process? I'm genuinely looking forward to it.'

Nara Shintaku smiled.

Opposite him, Orochimaru's eyes flickered with hesitation, but after a long pause, he sighed. There was a newfound determination and understanding in his voice as he, too, closed his eyes.

Then, a searing flame ignited within his heart. The hunger and excitement of his youth, his early fascination with ninjutsu, the despair he felt on the battlefield in the Rain Village, the pride of rising to fame, the grief over the death of Nawaki, his desire for the position of Hokage, Danzo's manipulations, and the sorrow at the fragility of life—all of it burned in his mind.

It was as if old wounds had been torn open, and each painful memory surfaced. Orochimaru endured the agony, but within that torment, he found an indescribable sense of calm and relief.

He finally understood why Nara Shintaku had said this process was not only about forging metal but also about forging oneself. Everything he had experienced—the highs, the lows—was just fuel for the fire. What truly mattered was what remained after all of that was burned away.

---

Over an hour later, Orochimaru opened his eyes. They were serene, almost joyful, as if a great burden had been lifted. A quiet sense of relief emanated from him.

"Congratulations on your success," Nara Shintaku said, smiling.

"Thank you," Orochimaru replied, nodding in appreciation.

Neither man asked what the other had witnessed within their hearts during their soul forging. It was a deeply personal experience, a secret they would each carry alone. Although Nara Shintaku had a rough idea of Orochimaru's inner struggles, he knew that due to his influence as a time traveler, Orochimaru would inevitably walk a different path. The original plot could only serve as a reference point.

They resumed their discussion as if nothing had happened, focusing on perfecting the technique they were developing.

---

"Although the forging is complete, this is still only a semi-finished product," Nara Shintaku noted. "A prototype with little value. It lacks the special qualities that should emerge—what do you think, Orochimaru-sensei?"

"It's simple," Nara Shintaku replied. "It lacks spirituality. Up to this point, we've merely tempered the metal but haven't truly awakened it. Have you ever heard the saying, 'A sword becomes a spirit through sacrifice,' Orochimaru-sensei?"

"You mean… a blood sacrifice?" Orochimaru asked.

"No, not a blood sacrifice. It's more like a ritual of spiritualization. It doesn't necessarily require blood."

Orochimaru's eyes lit up. "Ah, the Spiritualization Technique?"

"Exactly!" Nara Shintaku nodded with a smile.

Up to this point, the chakra metal they had tempered was akin to a blank canvas, a "Shādachi"—an unfinished sword that could shift between the tangible and intangible, capable of carrying the will of the soul. But it hadn't yet been brought to life. In other words, they had yet to hear the sword's "voice," the sound that would transform it into a true Zanpakutō.

"The metal essence is in perfect harmony with our souls and already possesses spiritual properties," Nara Shintaku continued. "But it's still just a lifeless object. That's why we need to activate it using the Spiritualization Technique, to imbue it with spirituality! This way, the spiritual will we've instilled into it will emerge, turning it into a unique weapon that reflects our souls."

Orochimaru shook his head in disbelief, sighing. "You really are a genius, Shintaku. I doubt I could have conceived such a magnificent technique on my own."

Nara Shintaku waved off the compliment with a smile.

Without wasting time, both of them began performing the Spiritualization Technique. Because the metal essence was now perfectly attuned to their souls, the moment the technique was initiated, the metal responded in kind.

---

A brilliant white light erupted from the metal, illuminating the room like a vast ocean of energy. A unique spiritual presence emerged from it, gentle and soothing, as though the metal essence had taken on a life of its own. It whirled and danced around them, moving with grace and ease.

Finally, the light settled into their hands, taking shape. Orochimaru's light condensed into a scalpel, while Nara Shintaku's formed into an intricately designed crown.

"Soul Scalpel," Orochimaru whispered, holding the newly-formed weapon in his hand. It glowed with an eerie brilliance, sharp and full of potential.

Nara Shintaku, wearing his crown, smiled faintly. "Soul Crown."

The room was silent as both men stood, contemplating their new soul weapons. Each one was unique, imbued with the reflection of its wielder's soul and bearing exclusive, special abilities.

---

'A crown?' Nara Shintaku pondered, as he connected with the soul weapon in his hand. The Soul Crown exuded a feeling of warmth and attachment, like a loyal puppy curling up next to its master.

Gradually, Nara Shintaku began to understand the power hidden within his Soul Crown.

---