Chapter 120: Lighting Blade Contract Success!

After a while.

"Raiga-senpai, how are you feeling about it?"

"I'm sorry for waking you up like this, Raiga-senpai."

Raiga waved his hand.

"It's fine."

Then he looked up, staring intently at Soma.

A glint flashed in his eyes, as if his hope for the future had sparked.

Earlier, Soma had already provided information about the Lighting Blade.

In addition, Ao had supplemented details about Juzo and Fuguki's current situations after obtaining their Zanpakuto.

However, in the end, Raiga still sighed.

"I'm afraid I can't do it."

Ao's brows furrowed even more deeply.

In Ao's view, Raiga was being excessively defeated.

One failure and he completely collapsed? Now that the opportunity to contract with Zanpakuto was right in front of him, he wouldn't even give it a try? Was he going to spend the rest of his life in a haze?

"Raiga-senpai, are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

Raiga nodded.

"Can you tell me the reason?" Soma asked.

Raiga remained silent for a moment.

"Chief Uehara, I appreciate your coming here personally to give me this opportunity," he said.

"I know the Zanpakuto you forge is very powerful," he continued. "I also know there are countless ninjas who would seize this opportunity."

"Chief Uehara, both you and the Zanpakuto are fine. The problem lies with me."

"I can no longer fight."

"Every time I close my eyes, I can't help but recall that day's scene."

"I can only numb myself with alcohol to breathe a little easier."

"I can't even hold a kunai steadily."

"With me in this state, how can I fight?"

"The contract of the Lighting Blade, if used on me, would be a waste."

"I am already a useless person."

"When I heard Chief Uehara mention the news about the Lighting Blade, I did feel a bit tempted."

"But I feel that I can't be like Juzo or Fuguki."

"Even with the Lighting Blade, I would still be the same ordinary me."

"Thunder Swords were like that in my hands."

"I'm sure the Lighting Blade would be the same in my hands."

"Moreover, I am tired of war."

Soma's eyes flickered for a moment.

If Raiga hadn't said that last sentence, Soma would have truly believed that Raiga couldn't dispel the shadows in his heart.

But that last sentence clearly revealed dissatisfaction with the village.

Yet Soma thought about it and found it understandable.

After being defeated, not only was there no one to comfort him, but there were also sneers and ridicule in the village.

Even Juzo has been despondent for a long time until the appearance of the Blue Rose Sword.

Meanwhile, Raiga was deprived of the right to use the Thunder Swords midway.

It could be said that in terms of encountering adversity, it was worse than Juzo.

It's normal to harbor resentment towards the village.

However, Soma couldn't quite understand Raiga's way of dealing with his resentment towards the village.

Soma thought of a word.

Slacking off.

Because of resentment towards the village, he's unwilling to contribute to it directly and decided to slack off.

But is this really the right approach?

Who does this retaliation benefit?

You, Raiga, aren't slacking off on the system.

"Raiga Senpai, what do you think the village is?"

Raiga was taken aback for a moment.

"The village? Why is Chief Uehara suddenly asking this question?"

"Just suddenly thought of this question."

Soma said, "I'm familiar with Juzo-senpai, I've interacted with Fuguki-senpai, and I'm very sorry for the fate of the former Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."

"Many people in the village have not correctly recognized your contributions."

"Instead, they evaluate you purely based on one victory or defeat."

"This is very unfair."

Raiga agreed with this statement.

Things are better now.

During the period immediately after the defeat of the former Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, rumors were rampant, overwhelming everything.

Raiga dared not go out at all.

Every time he went out, he felt drowned in those rumors.

Due to the guilt of failure in his heart, he was immediately overwhelmed by anger towards those rumors.

Afterwards, Raiga also harbored dissatisfaction towards the Third Mizukage.

Alcoholism was just Raiga's way of covering up.

The real issue with Raiga is his dissatisfaction with the village.

He feels that despite his many contributions to the village, it is not valued.

Therefore, he began to ponder what makes a person's life meaningful.

Where does the meaning of life lie?

The concept of being raised from a young age to prioritize the village has collapsed in Raiga's heart.

"These people enjoy the convenience brought to them by sacrifices without realizing it."

"They are self-centered."

"They truly do not deserve to be members of the village."

Raiga's expression changed slightly.

What Soma said is exactly what Raiga had been thinking.

As a ninja of the village, they fight tirelessly outside, risking their lives.

Just because of one failure, they are completely denied by all of you.

Is such a village worthy of their efforts?

However, Soma's final sentence made Raiga realize a problem.

Namely, what is the village?

Can those who mock and ridicule oneself represent the village?

Will his own dereliction really harm these people?

Even without oneself, there will still be a steady stream of ninjas heading to the battlefield to fight against Konoha ninjas.

These ninjas are also members of the village.

Those who previously mocked and ridiculed him still do so now.

The only one being punished seems to be himself.

This is not the meaning his life should have.

It's not worth dereliction and self-punishment for those who don't deserve to be members of the village.

"What did Juzo and Fuguki think?"

Both being former members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Raiga easily refers to Biwa Juzo and Fuguki Suikazan.

The reason Raiga refuses to try Lighting Blade, besides dereliction, is another reason.

That is, Raiga is worried that obtaining Lighting Blade will not bring about a significant change in his strength.

After Juzo and Fuguki obtained their Zanpakuto, everyone could see that their strength had improved significantly compared to before.

It's not an exaggeration to say it was a qualitative change.

But that's exactly Raiga's concern.

The Blue Rose Sword gave Juzo additional Ice Release abilities.

Before Seversword, Raiga also knew it wasn't a powerful ninjato.

Therefore, Juzo's change in strength was normal.

As for Fugukis Samehada.

Raiga remembers that in Fuguki's hands, it had only the ability to absorb chakra, stronger than Seversword, but with limited strength.

And it didn't suit Fuguki's style.

Now with Water Dragon Possession, it matches Fuguki's abilities much better.

Therefore, Fuguki's change in strength was also normal.

But Raiga isn't sure he can have such a change himself.

Before, he used Thunder Swords.

And he's already adapted to them.

Lighting Blade, another lightning attribute ninjato, how is it different from Thunder Swords?

If he uses Lighting Blade, his strength probably won't change much compared to using Thunder Swords.

When that time comes, if someone compares him to Juzo and Fuguki they will surely say he is the weakest talent among the former Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.

And giving up would avoid such comparisons.

This is a thought many people with strong self-esteem would have.

Raiga has this kind of mindset now.

"You can say I'm worse than Juzo and Fuguki because I didn't work hard enough."

"But I can't let others say my talent is inferior to Juzo and Fuguki with proof."

Soma stood up.

"Raiga Senpai, think about it carefully. I'll leave first."

Just as Soma stood up, Raiga spoke.

"Chief Uehara."

"Raiga Senpai?"

"I've thought about it. I've decided to give it a try."

Soma's eyebrows twitched slightly.

"Then let's go to the forging department."

Before long, the four of them arrived at Forging Island.

Soma led Raiga to the Contract House.

Afterward, he took out the Lighting Blade.

"Raiga Senpai, just pick it up and infuse it with Chakra."

"Okay."

Raiga examined the Lighting Blade.

In his mind, he compared it with the Thunder Swords.

Just from its appearance, the Lighting Blade that Soma had reinforced and enhanced was clearly much sturdier than the Thunder Swords.

"I wonder how efficient it will be in converting Lightning Release."

Raiga reached out his hand and looked at the Lighting Blade, saying to himself,

"I still don't know the meaning of life, but at least I can't continue to give up."

"Those people won't be hurt because of my giving up; others will be hurt."

"Those people won't feel guilty because of my giving up; they will just mock me."

"That kind of person doesn't deserve to be a member of the village."

"I don't need to hurt myself because of them."

"Now I can no longer possess Thunder Swords."

"Trying out this Lighting Blade isn't a bad thing for me."

"As for others comparing me to Juzo and Fuguki, maybe I can find a way to deal with that."

Raiga's mindset underwent a change.

A surge of chakra flowed into the Lighting Blade.

Instantly, a strong flash of lightning shimmered on the blade of the Lighting Blade.

"Go!"

Raiga aimed the blade at the sea surface.

In an instant, the sea surface exploded.

Electric currents scattered in the seawater.

Before long, some fish corpses floated up.

"Such power!"

Raiga looked at the sea surface, showing an expression of disbelief, then looked down at the Lighting Blade in his hand.

"It's not an illusion!"

"Under the same chakra usage, the Lightning Release emitted by this Lighting Blade is obviously stronger than Thunder Swords."

"And not just a little bit stronger."

"Could it be that Thunder Swords were limiting my potential?"

"Is my talent actually greater than that?"

"No, that's not it. It seems like within this Lighting Blade, there's inherent power of lightning."

"When my chakra is infused, this part of the lightning power combines with the lightning power formed by my chakra changes, hence producing such strong attacks."

Raiga's eyes lit up.

"In that case, holding the Lighting Blade, could I be much stronger than when I held Thunder Swords?"

"With the Lighting Blade in hand, would I not be weaker than Juzo with the Blue Rose Sword or Fuguki with Water Dragon Possession?"

Suddenly, one of Raiga's major concerns disappeared.

Raiga felt his heart beating rapidly.

He was very excited.

He still harbored dissatisfaction towards the village.

It was impossible for him to sacrifice his life for the village as before.

However, Raiga did desire to improve his strength.

With improved strength, he could fend off the rumors and mockery directed at him.

He could defeat those damned Konoha ninjas and restore his reputation.

He could regain respect.

And he could better understand the meaning of life.

A voice echoed in Soma's mind.

"[Detected appearance of a Lightning Blade-compatible contractor, (Attribute Compatibility: High) Comprehensive Compatibility: Excellent, initiate contract guidance?]"

Soma was intrigued.

"Excellent level, just like Ameyuri."

"This proves that Raiga's Lightning Release talent, even if it's not as good as Ameyuri's, isn't far behind."

"After all, in the system's view, they are of the same level."

"Perhaps one is an outstanding figure in the Excellent category, while the other barely reaches Excellent."

"In the original storyline, being defeated by Naruto and other Genin likely was caused by a breakdown in mentality, leading to neglect in training."

"As a result, strength didn't improve but rather declined."

"Similar to Mitarashi Anko during the Boruto period."

Since he and Ameyuri are of the same Excellent level, Soma had no reason to hesitate.

Ameyuri couldn't rapidly gain him a large amount of reputation.

Raiga, on the other hand, was more likely to do so with his desire to get back at those mocking him.

"Initiate!"

The next moment.

[Lightning Blade contract successful.]

[Compatibility, Excellent.]

[The abilities of Lightning Blade have been enhanced to a certain extent.]

[Congratulations to the host for acquiring Lightning Release talent at the Excellent level.]

[Host detected to already possess Lightning Release talent at the Good level; talent synthesis initiation in progress.]

[Congratulations to the host for acquiring Lightning Release talent at the Excellent level; only one step away from reaching the next level with a Good level Lightning Release talent.]

Raiga felt a surge of closeness.

"This is?"

"Is this Zanpakuto?"

"It feels completely different from Thunder Swords."

"Stronger power than Thunder Swords."

"More resilient."

"The handling feels much better."

"Perfect."

Raiga gripped Lightning Blade tightly, afraid that it would disappear if he loosened his grip. At this moment, Thunder Swords were completely out of Raiga's mind.

Thunder Swords?

What's that?

A trashy Ninjato!

Can't compare to my Lightning Blade at all.

"Raiga Senpai, congratulations."

"Chief Uehara, thank you very much."

"Raiga Senpai, Mizukage-sama said that if you successfully contract with Lightning Blade, then after the contract, please visit the Mizukage's Building. He has something he wants to discuss with you."

"Mizukage-sama?"

Raiga's eyes flickered.

"Alright, I understand. I'll head over now."

Watching Raiga's figure depart,

Until he completely disappeared from view, Ao furrowed his brow.

"Soma, I'm a bit worried."

"Ao-senpai, what are you worried about?"

"This Raiga gives me a bad feeling, as if he doesn't care much about the village anymore."

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