Chapter 15: I'll Protect You!
"I never expected such secrets hidden behind the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords."
"The materials come from Forging Master Spiritual Land."
"This place will have commissions for external provision."
"Only forging masters with special physiques can enter Forging Master Spiritual Land."
"Completing the commission will earn you special forging materials."
"Soma, are these commissions appearing frequently?"
Uehara Soma shook his head.
"I don't know, so far, only two commissions have appeared."
"One, Kisame and I have already completed, obtaining materials and forging Kiriichimonji."
"The other one, we haven't completed yet."
Biwa Juzo calculated in his mind.
First, Uehara Soma's age.
Biwa Juzo had some understanding of Uehara Soma's information.
But he was barely fifteen.
At this age, there had already been two commissions.
And going to Forging Master Spiritual Land was definitely not something one could do from birth.
Just like a ninja's Kekkei Genkai, it wasn't something you could use as soon as you were born; it required time to grow, practice, to meet the conditions for using Kekkei Genkai.
A typical example is the Sharingan.
Practice is required to awaken it.
Some who lack talent may even practice but still cannot awaken it.
According to Biwa Juzo's guess, Uehara Soma might have only recently gained the qualification to go to Forging Master Spiritual Land.
Suddenly, Biwa Juzo's breathing became rapid.
Because Biwa Juzo realized that in such a short time, Uehara Soma had received two commissions.
In the future, Uehara Soma would definitely receive more than just seven commissions.
So, in the future, how many such ninja tools could Uehara Soma forge?
A dozen?
Several dozen?
Or even more?
His previous estimate had been conservative.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist would probably soon become history.
Replacing them would be an entire school.
In that case, how powerful would this school be?
By then, how strong would the Hidden Mist Village become?
In the mind of Biwa Juzo, a figure appeared.
"Might Duy!"
Previously, the reason why Biwa Juzo mentioned the futility of numbers to Uehara Soma.
One reason is that Biwa Juzo indeed believed so.
The other is Biwa Juzo's self-deprecation.
Clearly, despite the overwhelming numerical advantage of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist against Might Duy.
Yet, Might Duy, just one person, managed to defeat all of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist.
It was a devastating defeat.
Biwa Juzo felt discouraged as a result.
However, now, in Uehara Soma, Biwa Juzo saw hope.
"Even if another Might Duy comes, so what?"
In the depths of Biwa Juzo's mind, that nightmare-like scene faded somewhat.
"The Great Blacksmith, regarding this information, has hidden it well. Apart from himself and a few close associates, probably no one else knows."
"I don't want to leak this information."
"That's normal."
"That's just human nature."
"But Soma..."
Biwa Juzo looked at Uehara Soma.
"Soma can only be described as selfless. He directly told such a secret to someone like me, who he's meeting for the first time."
"But, it's indeed too naive."
"Such precious information shouldn't be disclosed so easily."
Biwa Juzo looked earnestly at Uehara Soma.
"Soma, this information is very important, precious. I appreciate your trust."
"In return, I'll ensure your safety."
"Regardless of Mizukage-sama's orders."
What Biwa Juzo didn't know was that Uehara Soma wasn't actually that naive.
The reason why he told Hoshigaki Kisame that information was because Hoshigaki Kisame was Uehara Soma's only friend.
Uehara Soma also understands Hoshigaki Kisame.
A person with very strong principles.
In the original plot, upon learning that superiors betrayed village information, he killed them.
To protect the village's information, he killed a woman who had feelings for him.
To protect Akatsuki's information, he resorted to extremely cruel suicide methods. Creating Water Release sharks to devour his own body.
It's not just cruel, but tragically so.
Moreover, Uehara Soma needs Hoshigaki Kisame to help him complete missions.
Now, it's similar with Biwa Juzo.
Uehara Soma understands Biwa Juzo.
Someone who joined Akatsuki simply because he became teammates with Uchiha Itachi, willing to sacrifice his own life to protect this teammate.
Another Akatsuki member, Kakuzu, kills his own teammates and enemies together to complete missions quickly.
In comparison, Biwa Juzo is simply a good person through and through.
And of course , there's the confidentiality guarantee after they accept his Thug Token.
Moreover, Uehara Soma currently needs Biwa Juzo to help him complete missions.
To acquire the materials for crafting the Blue Rose Sword.
Biwa Juzo continued, "But, Soma, remember, you really can't casually share this information with others, or else you'll end up in a very dangerous situation."
"There are too many bad people in this world."
"And we have so many hostile villages to the Hidden Mist Village."
Almost every Ninja village has experienced conflicts with others.
Between Hidden Mist Village and Konoha, represented by the Nohara Rin incident.
Between Hidden Mist Village and Hidden Sand Village, represented by the Pakura incident.
Between Hidden Mist Village and Hidden Rock Village, represented by the events involving the Second Mizukage and Second Tsuchikage.
Uehara Soma nodded.
"I understand, Juzo-senpai, thank you for your reminder."
Biwa Juzo hesitated for a moment.
"Soma, even if you don't expose this information, as you continue to forge more Ninjatos in the future, the situations you face will become increasingly dangerous, and more and more people will target you."
"It's not just other Ninja villages."
"Even within the village, it's unstable."
"Oh, by the way, Soma, how is your Ninja strength?"
Uehara Soma replied, "My overall strength is only at the level of a Genin. I know basic Taijutsu, ordinary Ninja Tool Throwing, and for Water Release Ninjutsu, I only know two: Water Clone Jutsu and Hiding in Mist Jutsu."
"That won't do," Biwa Juzo said. "Soma, you need stronger strength."
"You can't rely solely on others to protect your safety."
"You must also have strong enough abilities yourself."
"Forging ninja tools is indeed a very important matter."
"But your own safety, Soma, is even more crucial for you."
"Let's do this: whenever you have free time, I'll give you special training, how about it?"
This is exactly what Uehara Soma wanted.
Having just obtained an Excellent-level Water Release talent, Uehara Soma wants to turn this talent into strength.
However, he lacks the corresponding resources.
Biwa Juzo's proposal is just right for Uehara Soma.
"Then, I'll trouble you, Juzo-senpai."
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