Chapter 157 The Choice of the Sword of Wisdom!

Yagura handed the Sword of Wisdom back to Soma.

"Soma, the consciousness of this Ninjato is quite unique."

Soma smiled awkwardly.

Soma couldn't determine the personality of the Dragon Slayer either.

Derfflinger's replica, but it's not Derfflinger.

Instead, a new consciousness was born.

As soon as this consciousness was born, it seemed to be "mature," without the process of nurturing or education.

Therefore, whatever personality the Dragon Slayer is born with, that is its personality.

Soma can't change that either.

"Dragon Slayer, tell me what kind of partner you want."

"Yes, forger sama."

Dragon Slayer thought for a moment and said,

"I go by feeling. Whoever has an aura that makes me feel comfortable, I can partner with them, but I can't say for sure until I meet them."

"If I must say, it would be someone with similar abilities to mine."

Yagura raised an eyebrow and looked at Soma.

"A Ninja skilled in the Chakra Absorption Technique?"

Soma answered.

"The likelihood of success should be higher with someone skilled in this."

Yagura nodded.

"In that case, I'll have ANBU Ninja select a list."

After a pause, Yagura continued, "Soma, about the Kiriichimonji incident, I'm sorry. I didn't expect Kaguya Neko to take such action. I've already dispatched Ninjas to pursue Kaguya Neko."

"We will definitely bring back Kiriichimonji and Dragon-Bone."

Yagura didn't know that Kaguya Neko's actions were ordered by the Third Mizukage.

"Thank you, Mizukage-sama."

Yagura waved his hand.

"As Mizukage, it's my duty. It's not just for you, Soma."

"As Mizukage, I'm very grateful that someone like you has appeared in the Hidden Mist Village."

"Otherwise, the situation in the village would be much worse."

"I still remember the state of the village after the defeat of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."

"But with the Zanpakuto you forged, Soma, we have completely recovered."

Yagura said with some emotion.

Soma and Ao escorted Yagura to the dock.

"Yagura Senpai is pitiful. I wonder what his feelings would be if he knew the truth. Maybe it's better if he never knows."

Ao imagined himself in Yagura's position and felt he would definitely hate the Third Mizukage and the Hidden Mist Village.

Soma didn't respond.

This wasn't a decision made by Soma; he just knew the truth.

"By the way, Soma, given the situation with the Sword of Wisdom, Kisame should be quite suitable, right?"

It was widely known that Kisame excelled in the Chakra Absorption Technique.

Ao knew this too.

Soma nodded.

"Maybe."

...

The next day.

A dozen ninjas arrived at Forging Island.

In front of the Contract House.

They lined up.

Ao came to the front of the group.

"Everyone knows the rules of the Contract House, right? Enter in order and make contact with the Zanpakuto. If anyone is recognized by the Zanpakuto, the contract activity will end."

Everyone exchanged glances.

"Understood."

Last time, there was some discontent because Fuguki, who entered first, completed the contract, leaving no chance for the others to even try, nearly causing a conflict.

However, under Juzo's strong presence, it was suppressed.

This time, the people who came were deliberately reminded by ANBU Ninja beforehand.

"Then, let's begin."

"The first one..."

Ao called out the first person's name.

A middle-aged man walked in.

"Chief Uehara."

Soma pointed to the Sword of Wisdom on the table.

"Pick it up and hold the handle."

"Yes."

The middle-aged man followed the instructions.

No prompt sounded in Soma's mind.

The Dragon Slayer didn't react either.

"Next."

The third, the fourth...

Everyone walked in one by one and left in turn.

All the way to a dozen people.

These people had come with high hopes.

Just being able to come here meant they had stood out from the crowd, extremely eager to gain the Zanpakuto's recognition and become a member of the Shinigami Squad like Biwa Juzo and others.

They wanted to live a "second life."

To have greater strength.

To make a name for themselves in the ninja world.

But now, a dozen people in a row, and not a single one had been recognized by the Zanpakuto.

"Was it like this before?"

"The recognition from these Zanpakuto is too demanding."

Someone couldn't help but complain, but didn't dare to say it too loudly, for fear that Ao might hear.

Another person lowered their head, feeling somewhat self-doubting.

"Speaking of which, what exactly are the standards for the Zanpakuto's recognition?"

"The people who came last time were completely different from those who came this time."

A young man said, "It's based on ability and talent. Before the ANBU Ninja notified me, they checked my abilities and confirmed that I could use the Chakra Absorption Technique before allowing me to come."

"And Raiga-san, who is proficient in Lightning Release, was recognized by the Lightning Blade."

Kisame was in the twelfth position. He arrived relatively late.

Soma didn't let Kisame cut the line.

First, whether it fits or not is ultimately determined by Soma, aside from the Zanpakuto.

Second, Kisame had just recently lost Kiriichimonji.

Even though it wasn't Kisame's fault.

With Kaguya Neko's strength, there were very few ninjas in the entire Hidden Mist Village who could match him.

Especially for a ninja of Kisame's age.

Moreover, Soma knew the truth; the entire plan was arranged by the Third Mizukage.

However, other people in the Hidden Mist Village would somewhat criticize Kisame. They would blame him for losing Kiriichimonji.

At this moment, if Kisame cut the line during the Sword of Wisdom contract process, it would definitely cause even more dissatisfaction among those people. Kisame might not care, but it wasn't necessary.

As a friend, Soma didn't want to put Kisame in that position.

And if a dozen people had already tried and failed before Kisame,

If Kisame succeeded in forming the contract at this time, there would be less criticism.

"Soma."

"Kisame, give it a try."

"Okay."

Kisame looked at the Sword of Wisdom.

Without hesitation, he picked it up directly.

A voice immediately sounded in Soma's mind.

"Detected a compatible contractor for the Sword of Wisdom (Ninja version). (Attribute compatibility: High) Overall compatibility: Excellent. Would you like to guide the contract?"

At the same time, the Dragon Slayer's voice also rang out.

"Boy, you seem pretty good. Do you want to be my partner?"

The sudden voice nearly made Kisame let go.

"Hey, boy, be careful. Don't ruin the good impression I have of you now, or you won't find another partner as good as me."

Kisame's eyes widened.

"Soma, is this the Zanpakuto speaking?"

Before Soma could respond, the Dragon Slayer's voice rang out again.

"Zanpakuto? I have a name. The forger sama gave me a name. I'm called Dragon Slayer!"

Soma explained.

"This Zanpakuto is called the Sword of Wisdom, with self-awareness. I gave it a name. Its main ability is to absorb Ninjutsu and convert it into Chakra to provide for the user."

Kisame's eyes lit up.

"Does that mean it has the same ability as the Ninjato I used during the mission?"

"Exactly."

Soma nodded, looking at the Sword of Wisdom.

"Dragon Slayer, since you think Kisame is good, you will be his partner from now on."

"Kisame is also my friend. I hope you two can get along well."

The Dragon Slayer agreed.

"Yes, Forger-sama."

Then, Soma silently recited.

"Guide!"

[Compatibility: Excellent.]

[Sword of Wisdom's ability has received a certain degree of enhancement.]

[Congratulations, host, for obtaining an Excellent-level Water Release talent.]

[Detected that the host already possesses an Ultimate-level Water Release talent. Fusion of talent abilities has begun.]

[Fusion successful.]

[The host's current Water Release talent is at the Ultimate level. There is still a significant distance to the next level. Please continue to strive.]

Soma raised an eyebrow.

"Is there a higher level beyond Ultimate?"

Soma had speculated about this before.

But hearing these prompts now, Soma was immediately certain.

"With the Ultimate-level Water Release talent already giving me my current performance, what kind of terrifying level will the next one be?"

At present, Soma felt that no one in the entire ninja world could surpass his Water Release talent.

Hoshigaki Kisame can't do it.

Hozuki Mangetsu can't do it.

Terumi Mei can't do it either.

Any Water Release Ninjutsu can be understood and learned quickly.

Water Release hand signs are greatly simplified.

Efficiency is enhanced, surpassing others. Using the same Chakra, the power of the Ninjutsu is stronger.

It can even break through the original limits of Ninjutsu.

Specifically, when Soma uses Water Release, the situation is like this—fewer hand signs than others, much faster usage of Ninjutsu, less Chakra consumption, and stronger Ninjutsu power.

As a Water Release Ninja, even if the opponent has stronger basic attributes than Soma, they would not be able to match him in a Water Release battle.

Unless their basic attributes are significantly stronger.

But Soma also has the Elemental Energy Absorption Technique.

In fact, it can be said that a Kage-level Ninja, if they rely solely on Ninjutsu and have no other means, would have no way to defeat Soma.

This is Soma's current overall strength.

"According to previous patterns, it's highly likely that two Ultimates will merge into the next level."

"So now I'm missing one Excellent and one Perfect."

"Converted to Excellent, I'm short three Excellent."

"Not too many."

Soma didn't find it very difficult.

Simply put, it could be a matter of acquiring three more Ninjato.

And there are still Excellent-level Water Release talents within Hidden Mist Village.

Soma summarized his talents:

Ultimate-level Water Release talent.

Good-level Taijutsu talent.

Excellent-level Lightning Release talent.

At this moment, Hoshigaki Kisame, holding the Sword of Wisdom, felt the same sensation he had when he held Kiriichimonji.

Kisame knew that this meant the Sword of Wisdom had recognized him.

He had lost Kiriichimonji, but now he had obtained the Sword of Wisdom.

He had once again become a member of the Shinigami Squad.

"Soma, thank you."

Kisame looked at Soma. He didn't know much about materials, crafting, and how tasks were assigned or selected by Soma.

However, Kisame felt that Soma creating another Ninjato that recognized him so soon after he lost Kiriichimonji was not just good luck.

"You're welcome."

Soma smiled.

"In terms of ability, the Sword of Wisdom is even superior to Kiriichimonji, and its quality is likewise."

"With the Sword of Wisdom, Kisame, your strength will definitely be greater than before."

Kisame nodded.

"I'm skilled in Chakra Absorption Technique, and the Sword of Wisdom can also absorb Ninjutsu. Combined, except for Taijutsu Ninja and Genjutsu Ninja, almost no other Ninja can pose a threat to me."

But suddenly, Kisame thought of something.

Since Kaguya Neko is a typical Taijutsu Ninja.

This means that if Kaguya Neko comes again next time, he is very likely still not to be Kaguya Neko's match.

This made Kisame, who was previously excited, feel down.

"Kisame, are you worried about Kaguya Neko?"

"Yes, Kaguya Neko happens to be a Taijutsu Ninja, and now he has also obtained Kiriichimonji. Even if he hasn't gained Kiriichimonji's recognition, he can still use it."

Hoshigaki Kisame's mood was a bit low.

"I really don't want to admit it, but I have to acknowledge that I'm not a match for that guy right now."

Soma patted Hoshigaki Kisame on the shoulder.

"Don't worry about Kaguya Neko. Mizukage-sama already told me before that he has sent Ninja to pursue Kaguya Neko, and he won't have time to come back."

"Moreover, he's already been to the battlefield once. Fuguki Senpai and the others will definitely be on guard."

"Additionally, the Sword of Wisdom's abilities won't be of much help to Kaguya Neko."

"So he has no reason to strike at you again."

"Currently, Kisame, your strength is indeed not as good as Kaguya Neko's, but you still have plenty of time to grow. I believe you will eventually become stronger than Kaguya Neko."

In the original storyline, Kaguya Neko was not prominent and wasn't even mentioned by name.

Hoshigaki Kisame, on the other hand, became one of the top-tier powerhouses.

He was defeated only by Guy using the Eighth Inner Gates, specifically the Seventh Gate.

Even though Kaguya Neko's fate changed due to Soma's appearance, gaining Dragon-Bone and awakening Shikotsumyaku Kekkei Genkai, Kisame has also obtained the Sword of Wisdom.

"He will undoubtedly be stronger than in the original storyline."

"Go to the battlefield."

"I've heard quite a few voices recently. Not lacking in negative comments about you, Kisame. But I believe in your talent and strength."

"Don't think too much about it. Prove to those who talk nonsense who the true top young ninja of this era is."

Hoshigaki Kisame's gaze became resolute, and he nodded firmly.

"Okay."

Dragon Slayer's voice sounded.

"Young man, your eyes are good. Keep it up and make good use of my abilities. We will surely become the strongest partners in the world!"

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