Chapter 168: Chakra Smelting Technique - Lightning Transformation!

Losing the Sharingan made Kakashi develop a desire to prove himself. To some extent, it gave him the courage to face the darkness of the past. Kakashi mustered his courage to take up the Hatake-style Kenjutsu. He hoped that in the future, he could stand in front of the Uchiha Clan and declare loudly, "I wield the Sharingan not to take advantage of your Uchiha Clan."

"I'm just commemorating Obito."

"Even without the Sharingan, I would still be strong."

"You Uchiha Clan cannot judge me and Obito with such a narrow perspective."

For the sake of friendship, dare to break the fear of past darkness. To become stronger, to gain fame, to stand before the Uchiha Clan and prove one's own thoughts and those of Obito. To show these narrow-minded Uchiha just how narrow-minded they are. On the battlefield, fighting against the Mist Ninjas is the best way to achieve this.

Additionally, after becoming stronger, Kakashi wanted to investigate the truth behind the Mist Village's Three-Tails destruction plan against Konoha. After hearing Kisame's remarks, Kakashi became suspicious. Hearing Danzo's response fueled even more doubts. But at the same time, Kakashi understood one thing clearly: no matter whom he asked, he would not get the true facts. Only by investigating personally could he uncover the real situation. Multiple reasons urged Kakashi to become stronger.

Originally, Kakashi thought that after Kisame lost Kiriichimonji, reclaiming the title of the strongest among the younger generation would be a foregone conclusion, and Ameyuri would not be his opponent.

But the sudden news left Kakashi stunned.

"Kisame has obtained a new Zanpakuto?"

"Named Sword of Wisdom?"

"It has self-awareness?"

"It can absorb all Ninjutsu?"

"Even Shinnosuke-san and Elder Danzo were defeated by Kisame?"

"Kisame's strength has become this formidable?"

Kakashi had originally felt that he had improved and gained freedom compared to before. However, he didn't expect that Kisame's growth was far greater than his own. Defeating Shinnosuke? Kakashi felt he had no hope but still dared to imagine it. But defeating Shimura Danzo? Kakashi now didn't even dare to think about it.

"Right now, I'm afraid I'm no longer qualified to be Kisame's opponent…"

Kakashi lowered his head and fell into silence.

Hyuga Clan.

A woman, seeing Hyuga Hiashi enter, showed a trace of panic on her face and hurriedly greeted him.

"Clan Head."

Hyuga Hiashi looked at the woman with a complex expression.

In terms of family relations, this woman is his younger brother's wife. But under the distorted relationships within the Hyuga Clan, this woman is from the branch family, while he is from the main family. There is a complete disparity between them.

Hyuga Hiashi nodded slightly.

"I came to see if Neji is alright?"

"He's fine."

The woman glanced back, her eyes showing a hint of softness.

"There's some bad news."

"What news?"

The woman was taken aback, her heart sinking.

"Hizashi… he's gone."

Hyuga Hiashi sighed.

"During the recent battle between the village and the Mist Ninjas, Hizashi was attacked by Kurosuki Raiga. Ameyuri Ringo took the opportunity to use Nikkari Ao'e and killed Hizashi."

"Because the situation was too chaotic at the time, we couldn't even recover the body."

"My condolences."

The woman's eyes widened. The news was a heavy blow to her. She had not been married to Hyuga Hizashi for long.

Neji is only just over a year old now. The sudden news of Hyuga Hizashi's death left the family wondering how to move forward without their pillar.

The woman was confused and at a loss. 

Hyuga Hiashi soon left. 

The woman returned to her room, her eyes reddening as tears fall uncontrollably.

Neji, babbling, crawls toward her, not understanding anything.

For this family, such an event is undoubtedly a tragedy. However, this tragedy does not only fall upon this woman. It happens in countless places throughout the ninja world. This is the ninja world. This is war.

...

"Earth Release: Earth Spear Jutsu!"

Soma concentrates earth chakra on his arm. In the next moment, Soma's arm turned black, as if covered by a layer of armor.

Soma clenched his fist and thrusts it forward.

"Boom!"

Immediately, with the support of immense power, the rocks in front of him shattered.

"Done!"

Soma's eyes lit up.

"This Earth Spear Jutsu is great!"

Normally, when a ninja's fist strikes a rock, it would cause immense pain. However, just now, Soma did not experience severe pain. It was at a tolerable level. With the support of Earth Spear Jutsu, Soma's fist was not injured at all.

"Finally learned it."

Kakuzu let out a long breath.

The past period had been very tough for Kakuzu. Soma's talent in Earth Release was comparable to his talent in Fire Release. Moreover, the last time Soma learned Fire Release, he started with a simpler ninjutsu. This time, he started directly with the high-difficulty Earth Release, which took much more time. Kakuzu felt that if it took any longer, he might end up bald.

"The transaction is complete. Pay me, and I'll leave today."

Soma smiled and gave a nod to Ao.

Ao immediately handed the prepared money to Kakuzu.

"Kakuzu-san, aren't you continuing?"

"No, no, goodbye."

Kakuzu fled in a hurry.

"No, never again."

In the blink of an eye, he disappeared without a trace.

Soma shook his head.

"Ao-senpai, let's head back too."

"Alright."

The team made their way towards the Hidden Mist Village.

With the protection of the forging department's guards and the ANBU ninja team dispatched by Yagura, Soma's entire process of learning ninjutsu proceeded smoothly without any disturbances.

As they walked, Soma reviewed his current ninjutsu status.

First, Water Release.

He had basically learned all the common Water Release techniques of the Hidden Mist Village, including Water Dragon Bullet, Water Prison, Water Whip, Mist Rain, Exploding Water Colliding Wave, and Water Wall.

Next were Hydrification Jutsu and the newly learned Water Curtain Jutsu.

For Fire Release, there were Crimson Earth Spider and Flame Whirlwind.

For Earth Release, there was Earth Spear Jutsu.

For Lightning Release, there were False Darkness Jutsu and Lightning Whip Jutsu.

Lightning Whip Jutsu was essentially Kakuzu's Lightning Hand Jutsu, but Soma changed its name. To him, this ninjutsu was very similar to Water Release's Water Whip Jutsu. Both techniques produce a whip-like effect from the hand.

Additionally, the combination of Breath Forging and Zudomon's Hammer was also categorized as one of Soma's ninjutsu.

Upon returning to Forging Island, Soma immediately focused on upgrading the Chakra Smelting Technique.

In front of the furnace, he placed a piece of metal inside.

"Chakra Smelting Technique!"

Soma extended both hands.

One hand held fire attribute chakra.

The other hand held lightning attribute chakra.

Both types of chakra were directed into the furnace.

Under Soma's control, they blended into the metal as the smelting process continued.

Soma did not directly mix the two different types of chakra into the same area. Instead, he directed them into two adjacent areas. This approach slightly reduced the difficulty. After the chakra entered, he would then fuse the two parts of the metal together.

In terms of efficiency, this method was less effective, but by lowering the difficulty, the probability of success increased.

"Failed."

Soma watched as the metal in front of him suddenly exploded, with a large amount of magma mixing in. The impact almost shattered the furnace, leaving a significant crack, although it did not completely break.

Despite this, Soma was not angry; instead, he smiled. Although the smelting process had failed, he had seen how success could be achieved. In other words, the path had been discovered; it was just a misstep.

"Try again."

Without hesitation, Soma retrieved another piece of metal. With no issues regarding stamina or chakra, Soma did not want to waste any more time.

"Chakra Smelting Technique!"

Two masses of chakra flowed into the metal. A wave of intense heat emanated from the smelting process. Soma could see flames and lightning intertwining within. Under the influence of these two types of chakra, the metal seemed to be undergoing a gradual qualitative change.

After a while, Soma stopped and removed the metal from the smelting process, placing it on the forging table.

"The quality of the metal seems to have improved."

"From a scientific perspective, the internal arrangement of the metal must have changed."

"But the exact changes will only be evident once it is forged into a ninjato."

Soma took out Zudomon's Hammer.

"Breath Forging Technique!"

"Water Flow Hammer!"

"Ding!"

The sound of metal clashing echoed as Zudomon's Hammer struck the forging table. The metal continued to change shape with each impact.

"Not just thirty forging."

"The limit of forging has increased."

It was not until forty forgings that Soma stopped.

Shaping was done in the form of a small Tachi. This type of ninjato, which Soma had crafted many times, was his most skilled. Additionally, its smaller size allowed for quicker completion.

"Pfft!"

A burst of steam emerged. Soma, holding the completed quenched ninjato, left the forging room and entered the polishing room.

"Sage's Polishing Technique!"

Under Soma's guidance, natural energy cleansed the ninjato.

"Done!"

Soma picked up the ninjato and carefully examined it.

"Just the sheen alone shows the difference."

Soma took the ninjato to the testing equipment for evaluation. The attributes of a standard ninjato are generally limited to a few aspects:

Toughness.

Hardness.

Sharpness.

(Note: Hardness and toughness are two distinct but interconnected properties of a material. Hardness is the resistance to deformation, indentation, or scratching, while toughness is the material's ability to absorb energy and plastically deform without fracturing.)

...

Normally forged ninjatos often excel in one area but sacrifice another. For instance, if toughness is emphasized, sharpness cannot be very high, unless different materials are used for the blade and the body.

However, when pursuing ultimate sharpness for the blade, it is destined to be less durable.

The conventional forging method that Soma uses can enhance the upper limit of the metal in certain aspects. It cannot turn the rotten into the magical. For instance, turning ordinary metal into a fire-breathing dagger is impossible. Soma feels that even if he mastered a higher level, it wouldn't be achievable.

But it can indeed raise the upper limit of ordinary metal.

"Toughness hasn't improved."

"Sharpness hasn't improved."

"Hardness is similar to before."

"However, the blade's surface seems to have developed a thin, special layer."

"This layer acts like a protective shell."

"It doesn't reduce the ninjato's sharpness but enhances its ability to withstand impacts."

"Before the protective shell breaks, the ninjato won't fracture."

"In other words, it has increased toughness without reducing sharpness or hardness."

"With this, when I forge a Skillful Grade Sword, even if it's not a heavy ninjato like an axe or a broad sword, but a long sword or Tachi, it will still be noticeably superior to the ninja tools of the Land of Iron."

Soma tossed the ninjato towards the Garden Box. The ninjato was immediately attracted by the Garden Box, shrinking at a visible rate and falling inside.

"I'll name this technique Lightning Transformation."

"I wonder what changes will occur in the metal if earth, water, and wind attributes are added."

"Once I master Lightning Transformation, I'll try using earth attribute chakra."

Soma did not choose water attribute chakra because he had already attempted it. It was extremely difficult. Even though Soma's Water Release talent is the best, the conflict between water and fire attributes is too severe. Soma plans to develop the water and fire attribute Chakra Smelting Techniques last.

Gaining enough experience from the fusion of the first three attribute chakras before attempting further.

"Soma."

Ao approached Soma as he walked out of the forging room.

"Ao-senpai, what's the matter?"

"Soma, while you were learning ninjutsu, a major battle broke out between the village and Konoha. The village achieved a great victory."

Ao continued, "Kisame and the Sword of Wisdom first defeated Kurenai, then severed Sarutobi Shinnosuke's arm, and later defeated Shimura Danzo, also using a very powerful ninjutsu."

"The number of ninja casualties on Konoha's side reached several hundred."

"Additionally, Ameyuri, with the aid of Raiga's attacks, killed Hyuga Hizashi."

Soma's brow slightly furrowed.

Ameyuri actually killed Hyuga Hizashi? According to the timeline, Neji must have already been born by now. So, will Neji regard Ameyuri as a sworn enemy in the future?

Soma wasn't particularly concerned about this. Hidden Mist Village and Konoha were already two opposing factions.

Because of the issues with the Kaguya Clan, the relationship between the Hyuga Clan and Hidden Mist Village cannot be eased.

What Soma was concerned about was another point. With Hyuga Hizashi gone, when Hidden Cloud Village puts pressure on Konoha, who will the Hyuga Clan send out to replace Hyuga Hiashi?

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