Chapter 27 - preparation, revelation, and awakening

In a dimly lit forge, Ryu stood before his roaring furnace. The heat emanating from it embraced his strong, experienced hands. He conjured several pieces of high-quality steel, carefully inspecting each piece to ensure they were suitable for forging his short sword, a longer version on a Tanto. Sparks danced in the air as the coal and steel melted together in the furnace, casting an ethereal glow over the workshop.

With a set of tongs in hand, Ryu removed the now glowing steel from the furnace and placed it upon his anvil. With fluid and precise motions, he began hammering the steel, folding and welding the layers together. Each strike was a testament to his mastery, as he expertly manipulated the metal into a single, solid billet. As Ryu continued to fold and hammer, he looked behind him, checking how many swords he had already made. With an exhausted sigh, Ryu realized that his work was far from done.

The forge roared with life, its flames flickering and sending sparks into the air like fireworks. Ryu then began shaping the billet into the blade of the Tanto, paying close attention to its thickness, curvature, and geometry. With each strike of his hammer, the metal obeyed his will, taking on the desired form.

Once satisfied with the shape, Ryu coated the blade with a thin layer of clay, ensuring the edge remained exposed. This step was crucial in creating the differential hardening effect which allowed for a harder edge and a more flexible spine. He returned the coated blade to the furnace, its fiery embrace warming the steel once more.

The moment had come for the blade to be quenched. Ryu removed the heated blade from the furnace, and in a flash, plunged it into a barrel of oil. Steam billowed around him as the oil hissed angrily, rapidly cooling the steel and hardening it. The clay coating cracked and fell away, revealing the beautiful Hamon, the sword's temper line, a mark of its resilience and strength.

Ryu carefully reheated the blade at a lower temperature, relieving the internal stresses and ensuring its toughness. He then began the meticulous process of polishing and sharpening the blade. He utilized various polishing stones, starting with a coarse one, and gradually progressing to finer stones. The blade's surface became smoother and more refined, and its edge razor-sharp.

As Ryu put the finishing touches on the blade, it gleamed in the dim light of the forge, the Damascus pattern and Hamon on full display, a testament to his skill and dedication. The sword was now ready for its fittings and handle.

Ryu crafted the Tsuba, the sword's guard, from blackened steel. The flowing lines of its design subtly mimicked the Hamon's pattern, providing excellent balance and protection without detracting from the blade's elegance. The Fuchi and Kashira, the collar and pommel, were forged from the same blackened steel, featuring matching patterns that brought a cohesive look to the Tanto.

Finally, Ryu wrapped the handle in black silk, the Tsuka-ito, that ensured a comfortable, non-slip grip. Beneath the silk lay a layer of leather, which provided added durability and grip. With the handle secured, Ryu slid the blade into a deep black, lacquered wooden scabbard, the Saya, completing the Tanto's mesmerizing appearance.

"*Phew* another one done," Ryu let out a breath of relief as he chucked the masterfully crafted over his shoulder to the stack of other swords like a bag of trash.

---

Daisuke couldn't help but marvel at the masterfully crafted weapons Ryu had just finished forging. "Wow, these are incredible, Ryu. I told you that your bounty needs to be higher," he said with awe.

Ryu, however, couldn't shake his impatience. "Thanks, but it doesn't change the fact that we're still waiting. I can't stand this," he sighed, rubbing his hands together nervously.

Daisuke nodded, sharing Ryu's concern. "I know, but it's been four days already. They should be arriving any time now, I'd say within a day at most."

Ryu paced back and forth, clearly restless. "It's driving me crazy, especially since there's nothing else to do. All the patients have been moved to the bunker."

"I get it," Daisuke agreed. "But we can still check the intel our men have gathered. It's better than just waiting around, right?"

"Yeah, you're right. Let's do that," Ryu replied, the suggestion bringing a glimmer of relief to his face.

Together, Ryu and Daisuke walked to the lobby where all the reports were stored in a hidden drawer within Akina's reception table. Daisuke opened the drawer and rummaged through the contents until his eyes lit up upon finding an unopened letter.

"Here's one we haven't seen yet!" he said, excitement in his voice as he tore open the envelope.

Ryu leaned in, eager to hear any new information. Daisuke began to read aloud, "It looks like some bandits took advantage of the Jonin and Anbu being away on a mission outside the Mist's territory. They decided to go on a looting spree. The Mist caught wind of it and dealt with them, that's probably why they haven't shown up here yet."

He continued, "Now, they've called back all their forces, anticipating that a more formidable enemy might try to exploit the situation. What else have we got here... some supply routes, a few hired mercenaries... wait, what's this?" Daisuke furrowed his brow, confusion spreading across his face as he read further.

Ryu's confusion was evident as he asked, "What happened? What's wrong with the intel?"

Daisuke hesitated for a moment before replying, "There seems to be a discrepancy here. The intel says the Mist didn't take anyone named Haru hostage."

Ryu's expression froze in surprise, "What? That doesn't make any sense... If that's true, then what does it say?"

Daisuke looked at the paper again, his voice perplexed, "It says they killed him on the spot. But if you were certain he was taken alive, then this doesn't add up. Could it be a lie they spread to motivate the Shinobi to pursue you?"

Ryu's face paled, the blood draining from his cheeks as he processed this new information. Daisuke noticed his friend's reaction and felt a growing dread in the pit of his stomach. "Ryu, you 𝐝𝐨 know for sure that Haru was taken alive, right?" he asked, concern lacing his voice.

Ryu stammered, his voice desperate and full of hope, "N-no, but Dad was so sure of it! It could be like you said, a lie to deceive the Shinobi!"

Daisuke took a deep breath and said, "Ryu, that was just a guess based on the assumption that Haru was alive. For the Mist to use such a tactic would be foolish. Besides, the person I had investigating this intel is the Captain of the Anbu. He owes me a few favors from when I was his captain. There are only a few secrets he's not aware of, and if I give him a lead, he can uncover even them. I'm so, 𝐬𝐨, sorry..."

The weight of the truth seemed to crash down on them as Daisuke walked over to Ryu. He knelt down to be at eye level with his friend and pulled him into a tight, comforting embrace. The air around them felt heavy as Ryu grappled with the overwhelming despair and loss of his father. It was a crushing realization that threatened to consume him entirely.

"NO! YOU'RE LYING! IT CAN'T BE TRUE!" Ryu's voice cracked as he screamed, tears streaming down his face. In his anguish, he lashed out at Daisuke with wild, uncontrolled punches, scratches, kicks, and knees. He desperately sought to release the torrent of anger and sorrow engulfing him.

Daisuke remained silent, enduring Ryu's onslaught while holding him close. He refused to let go or even make a sound, offering his unwavering support in the face of Ryu's grief.

Ryu's unchecked chakra erupted, creating a palpable tension in the air. The floor and walls around them cracked and buckled under the force of his emotional storm. His tears mixed with blood as his eyes began to rotate.

"I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!" Ryu screamed, his voice filled with despair. His blows, now infused with chakra, landed with bone-shattering force. Deep down, he knew it wasn't Daisuke's fault, but that didn't matter. His emotions surged, a flood of rage and hatred reminiscent of the day he lost his mother. He had vowed never to feel this way again, but the bitter sting of loss had returned with a vengeance. Ryu, who had always been capable of such great love, found himself consumed by hate as his world crumbled around him.

Blood poured from Ryu's eyes as they spun faster and faster, undergoing a transformation. Instinctively, Ryu channeled his chakra into his newly altered eyes. The wild chakra that had been wreaking havoc around him was suddenly focused, first into his left eye.

An odd sensation came over Ryu as he found himself observing his own body from a third-person perspective. He saw the disarray of his clothes, his unkempt hair, and even his scars. But it didn't stop there – he could see inside himself, too. His organs, muscles, and bones were all visible, layered yet distinct. Ryu was seeing himself down to the molecular level. The view expanded, and he could see the entire clinic, its structure, and its inhabitants. Nothing was hidden from his sight.

Overwhelmed by the flood of information, Ryu instinctively shifted his chakra to his right eye. Suddenly, he knew everything about the clinic – its construction, the materials used, and the details of every object within it, down to the atomic level. Then, the knowledge about the people entered his mind. Every cell in their bodies, their memories, opinions, and thought processes – all of it rushed into Ryu's consciousness, overloading his senses and causing him to pass out from mental exhaustion.

Ryu's chakra, once a force of raw power and devastation, dissipated as if it had never existed. The chakra outburst ceased, and Ryu slumped, unconscious, in Daisuke's arms.

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THE MANGEKYO HAS APPEARED! If I didn't make it clear, one eye sees all and the other knows all. I think it's a pretty cool dynamic and it really compliments his Transformation Jutsu. I feel like they're broken enough to be Mangekyo abilities, especially the right eye, but they don't go beyond that. I mean with Ryu they will, but that's thanks to the combination with his Transformation Jutsu, so I feel pretty good about the power of his abilities. What do you think? Do you like it?