Chapter 134: Soma's Sage's Polishing Technique!

[Congratulations to the host for completing the forging.]

[Peach Hermit Garden Box successfully forged.]

[Completion rate: Good.]

[Congratulations to the host for obtaining Sage's Plant Cultivation technique experience x1000.]

"Sage's Plant Cultivation technique?"

Soma furrowed his brow.

So far, most of Soma's forging had earned him Kenjutsu rewards, except for that time with Dr. Stylish.

That time, he gained experience in Body Modification Technique.

And the time he crafted the Perfect ninja tool, he gained the ability of Underwater Breathing directly.

Now, he's gaining experience outside of Kenjutsu again.

"Sage's Plant Cultivation technique refers to the ability to grow trees?"

"Not ordinary trees, but those related to Senjutsu, certainly related to Peach Hermit's Senjutsu."

"Like the Human-Face Fruit Tree?"

Soma remembered Peach Hermit had several remarkable items:

A wooden staff.

A gourd.

Garden Box.

And the Human-Face Fruit Tree.

These four were all extraordinary.

Except for Garden Box, the other three were typical plants or parts of plants.

The Human-Face Fruit Tree is a complete tree.

The wooden staff is made from tree branches.

The gourd grows from gourd vines.

"Could it be that all these things were grown by Peach Hermit?"

"And with me obtaining the Sage's Plant Cultivation technique, I can also cultivate similar entities."

"But this should be very difficult."

"To cultivate such extraordinary plants, besides skill, the seeds definitely can't be ordinary."

"Perhaps it requires generations of cultivation."

"Or handling the seeds in a special environment."

"Peach Hermit claims to be a Sage and practices Senjutsu, likely living for who knows how long. But he has only those few things proving that cultivating a qualified celestial plant will be extremely difficult."

"And for me, getting 1000 points of experience is just about at the Novice level."

"If I really want to do it, I probably can only improve the taste of the fruits a bit."

"Unless I can obtain special seeds."

Suddenly, Soma thought of something.

In this world, the most special plant is none other than the Divine Tree.

"If I could obtain seeds of the Divine Tree, or perhaps branches, would there be a way to cultivate them?"

"Using those as materials for forging tools, I should be able to create excellent ninja tools."

Soma looked at the Garden Box in front of him.

He reached out and touched it.

Immediately, a rush of information flowed in.

[Peach Hermit Garden Box.]

[Type: Bonsai.]

[Quality: Good.]

[Abilities: Microcosm - This miniature landscape forms its own world, with internal circulation, and can function normally regardless of external conditions.]

[Abilities: Containment - People or objects near the miniature landscape will be affected by its containment force, shrinking in size and subjected to restrictive forces.]

[Abilities: Poisonous Delusion - The water and food within the miniature landscape contain a potent and deadly poison, colorless and tasteless.]

[Note: According to Blacksmith's Third Rule, the power of this ninja tool cannot harm its creator.]

"Three abilities."

"However, the production of this Garden Box consumes much more time and energy compared to other ninja tools."

"It can be used anywhere."

"Even in places like the interior of this volcano, right next to where magma is rolling."

"The containment ability affects anyone or anything nearby."

"It doesn't affect me because I am the forger."

"The containment ability conflicts with the Blacksmith rules."

"But as long as I'm willing, I can be contained, though I can also leave at any time, unlike other people or objects."

"If others or objects are contained in the Garden Box, it would be difficult for them to leave."

"In that case, the poisonous delusion should also have no effect on me."

Immediately after, a voice sounded.

[Monitoring the binding area that meets the conditions, Forging Island.]

[Do you want to proceed with binding?]

When Soma received the Blueprint, he knew that the Garden Box was different from his previous ninja tools.

Previous ninja tools were bound to individuals, but the Garden Box is bound to a specific place.

"Yes!"

In the next moment, Soma saw the Garden Box slowly sinking into the ground. The highest point of the walls was just level with the ground, and the surrounding terrain began to change.

Clearly, the scene inside the Garden Box and the interior of this volcano's cave had completely different styles. However, somehow, the two merged in a subtle form that didn't appear abrupt at first glance.

[Peach Hermit Garden Box binding successful.]

[The abilities of the Garden Box have been somewhat enhanced.]

The next moment, Soma saw that the scene inside the Garden Box seemed to have expanded somewhat.

No, it hadn't expanded.

Instead, the things inside had shrunk again, and something new that Soma hadn't created appeared—an entity resembling a volcano in a corner.

At the same time, Soma noticed that the natural energy around him suddenly became more concentrated.

It's like something is attracting these natural energies. In just a short while, it has become almost as deep as the innermost part of Forging Island's volcano.

"That's not bad. I can research the Earth Core Polishing Technique here without having to endure the heat of the volcano's depths."

"But there's no need to call it the Earth Core Polishing Technique anymore. That Great Blacksmith named it because he thought that place was deep, hence calling it the Earth Core."

"But in reality, it uses natural energy."

"If we refer to Senjutsu in this world..."

"Let's call it the Sage's Polishing Technique."

Soma tried to attract the surrounding natural energy. Unlike the natural energy in the Inuyasha World, it was gentler than the natural energy in the depths of the volcano.

"I'll go inside the Garden Box and take a rest. Once I've regained my energy and spirit, I'll begin researching the Sage's Polishing Technique and quickly elevate my own Forging Technique to the Excellent level."

Soma approached the Garden Box without resisting its containment force. In the next moment, he saw his own figure shrinking visibly to the naked eye, entering into the Garden Box.

When Soma's feet touched the ground, he had already resized to fit the internal world of the Garden Box. A large river flowed, with dozens of houses gathered nearby. Across the river were mountains, and lush green trees surrounded the area.

"It truly is miraculous."

"It's like an entirely different world."

"On the outside, the Garden Box is very small."

"But inside, it can accommodate hundreds of people comfortably."

Soma looked around.

"If Uchiha Shisui had something similar, would he have contained the entire Uchiha clan?"

"Living in such a place, there would be no conflicts with Konoha's Elders."

Soma left the Garden Box.

Immediately, not far away, he set up a grinding workbench.

He took a Ninjato.

A regular Ninjato, the kind that hadn't been sharpened yet.

Soma closed his eyes and carefully used Peach Hermit's Senjutsu to draw in natural energy.

Then, he controlled these natural energies and attached them to the Ninjato.

"Let's begin polishing!"

As the polishing progressed, those natural energies seemed to rub against the Ninjato.

Soma could see the changes in the Ninjato.

"Just incorporating natural energy already makes it different from ordinary polishing effects."

"But it's still not enough."

Soma furrowed his brow.

"This thing gives me a sense of disorder."

"It's like rubbing randomly."

"Natural energy is involved in the polishing process, but it hasn't produced positive effects, and there's even a counterproductive aspect."

Soma looked at the Ninjato in his hand.

After polishing, the Ninjato was worse than before.

"I need a regular direction and rhythm."

One day passed, Soma finished his research and walked out of the forging room.

[Name: Soma]

[Comprehensive Strength: Special Jonin]

[Swordsmanship: Skilled (9300)]

[Body Modification Technique: Familiar (2000)]

[Sage's Plant Cultivation Technique: Novice (1000)]

[Abilities: Underwater Breathing]

[Forging Technique: Very Good (Proficient — Enhanced by Forging Island, Enhanced by God's Hand)]

[Mission Items: Thug Recruitment Token X3]

[Blacksmith Reputation: 60]

[Evaluation: As a Blacksmith, the foundation is quite good. Having one's own forging site and equipment, the Forging Technique is enhanced, with a chance to create superior-grade ninja tools.]

[As a Ninja, possesses a certain level of strength, stronger than cannon fodder.]

"Soma, Mizukage-sama is coming."

"Mizukage-sama?"

Soma instinctively turned to look in the direction of the empty forging room.

Afterward, he realized that Ao was not referring to the Third Mizukage, but rather the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura.

"Mizukage-sama."

Soma approached Yagura.

"Chief Uehara."

Yagura looked at Soma and nodded.

"I've heard Chief Uehara's name before. Chief Uehara is indeed as young and promising as I imagined."

"By forging Zanpakuto and creating the Shinigami Squad. Chief Uehara, you have made significant contributions to the strength of our Hidden Mist Village."

"On behalf of everyone in the village, I express my gratitude to Chief Uehara."

Soma waved his hand.

"Mizukage-sama, you're too kind. As a member of the Hidden Mist Village, it's what I should do."

"Chief Uehara, the disappearance of Lord Third is a huge loss for the village, something none of us wanted to see happen. But now that it has, we can only look forward."

Yagura said, "I will uphold the promises Lord Third made regarding Forging Island. If Chief Uehara has any needs, feel free to mention them."

Soma smiled. "Mizukage-sama, rest assured. If there's anything I need, I won't hesitate. I also hope to forge more and better Zanpakuto to enhance the village's strength."

Yagura's purpose in coming was evident. Soma had been close to the Third Mizukage before. Now, with the change in Mizukage, Yagura hoped to gain Soma's support, considering him an important figure in the village.

Soma had no objections to Yagura. Yagura was someone who, in the original storyline, was quite pitiful. In this world, there were similarly pitiful individuals. Therefore, Soma directly stated his own demands. 

This would reassure Yagura more. For those in positions of authority, it was easier to control those below when they had requests. Someone who asked for nothing would make people wary of his intentions.

Upon hearing Soma's response, Yagura breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "Then I look forward to Chief Uehara bringing more Zanpakuto to the village." 

Watching Yagura leave, Soma entered where the Skeleton Emperor was located. 

"Mizukage-sama, the Fourth Mizukage just visited." 

The apparition of the Third Mizukage appeared. "How does it seem?" 

"Very tired, but seemingly enjoying it. The Fourth Mizukage seems to like the job of Mizukage." 

The Third Mizukage asked again. "How is the village?" 

"Relatively stable." Soma continued, "There haven't been major changes in the village. On the battlefield of Hidden Sand, Juzo-senpai has restrained Pakura, preventing Pakura from causing further harm to our ninjas."

"Over at Konoha, because the Fourth Mizukage has returned to the village, Konoha has gained a slight advantage." 

Third Mizukage nodded. "That should suffice. There's no need to have Fuguki and the others continue to retreat. Otherwise, it might arouse suspicion from Konoha. Yagura's orders should be along these lines as well, right?"

"Yes."

"Have those four who attacked me shown up again?"

"No."

"It seems my outburst before my death has made them somewhat wary."

With that, Third Mizukage's expression turned serious.

"Lord Mizukage, this is exactly the question I came here to ask."

Soma said, "Given the current situation of Hidden Mist Village, should I continue to strive to forge Zanpakuto at the previous rate, or should I slow down?"

Third Mizukage pondered for a moment.

"Let's continue as before."

"People who want to target you will continue to target you even if you stop forging ninja tools. It's better to forge as many weapons as possible. This will enhance Hidden Mist Village's strength. Konoha has hidden so much power and has grand schemes, but without openly dominating the ninja world, it proves they lack that capability. The improvement of Hidden Mist Village's strength is beneficial for the village."

Soma nodded. "Understood, Mizukage-sama. I understand."

The apparition of Third Mizukage didn't immediately disappear but watched Soma depart.

There was one more thing Third Mizukage didn't say just now.

"Soma, the more you can prove your worth, then, no matter how much Konoha hates Zanpakuto and the Shinigami Squad, even if the Hidden Mist Village is completely defeated, Konoha will not kill you."

"You are different from a simple ninja."

"Therefore, there is no need to worry about this."

---

You can read up to 50 Advanced chapters and support me at patreon.com/Lookar