Chapter 58: Is This Guy Going to Betray the Village?
Ten-fold forging can be called Ten-fold Steel.
But it's not just a simple repetition ten times. After each forging, the properties of the metal ingot need to be improved, otherwise, it's just meaningless repetition.
Arafuni remembers that throughout the history of Forging Island, the number of craftsmen capable of forging Ten-fold Steel can be counted on one's fingers.
"Next, it's shaping!"
Still heating, still forging.
But the process has changed.
This time, Uehara Soma no longer uses magma, only pure charcoal.
The forging technique is also different from before.
Under Uehara Soma's hammer blows, the metal ingot begins to change shape.
From a round ingot, it transforms into the shape of a knife.
Unlike a Ninjato, a scalpel doesn't need to be large, it's better to be small, delicate, sharp, and agile.
Compared to before, the shaping process takes a little more time.
"Juzo-senpai, I need your help."
Biwa Juzo walks in.
"What do you need me to do?"
"Use the Blue Rose Sword to create frost."
"Got it."
Biwa Juzo places his hand on the hilt of the sword and draws it out.
A surge of Chakra flows in.
"Bloom, Blue Rose!"
Immediately, a wave of icy coldness emanates from the Blue Rose Sword.
Uehara Soma thrusts the red blade blank into the icy aura.
"Hiss!"
Instantly, the power of frost from the Blue Rose Sword enters the blade blank.
The power of frost intertwines with the magma power within the blade itself.
A strange transformation erupts within the blade.
Arafuni can feel that at this moment, the blade in Uehara Soma's hand seems to undergo a qualitative change.
"Directly quenching with the ice?"
Arafuni looks at the Blue Rose Sword in Biwa Juzo's hand.
"If one doesn't have enough confidence in the blade they forged, they wouldn't dare to use this quenching method."
"No wonder you're Chief Uehara."
One by one, two by two, three by three...
Until all nine blades are quenched, Uehara Soma proceeds to the polishing step.
Polishing the blade body, creating the edge.
"Done!"
Nine scalpels arranged in sequence.
Uehara Soma turns to Arafuni.
"Arafuni, any gains?"
"A great deal."
Arafuni nods.
"Chief Uehara, thank you very much."
Normally, the Forging Technique is not taught widely; it's only exchanged between sensei and disciples, especially considering the tradition of self-reliance on Forging Island.
But for Uehara Soma, there's no need to worry about teaching his disciples and then being surpassed by them.
Because the Blacksmith system is something others cannot possess.
To create powerful Ninjato, ninja tools, Forging Technique is undoubtedly crucial.
But materials are also indispensable.
No one can cook without rice.
Uehara Soma smiled.
"I've seen your performance during this period. Congratulations, you've successfully completed the internship. From now on, you'll be the official assistant Blacksmith of Forging Island."
"You can receive the benefits of an assistant Blacksmith."
This reward isn't provided by Uehara Soma but by the village.
It's different from the past assistant Blacksmiths on Forging Island.
This assistant Blacksmith position isn't just a title, it's an official position.
Just like ANBU Ninjas.
"Thank you, Chief Uehara. I will definitely work even harder."
Arafuni pursues Forging Technique diligently, but he also understands how much benefit an official position will bring him. At least, his future life will be secure.
Uehara Soma hopes that Arafuni's Forging Technique can improve even more.
In the future, when recruiting assistant Blacksmiths, they'll try to enhance their Forging Technique as much as possible.
That's the only way to create something valuable.
Instead of the whole Forging Island relying on Uehara Soma's Ninjato for sustenance.
Otherwise, Forging Island wouldn't need any assistants.
Uehara Soma hopes that the entire Forging Island can become valuable in the future.
Because that would benefit Uehara Soma's reputation.
The difficulty of gaining reputation as a single Blacksmith compared to leading many assistant Blacksmiths is different.
"Keep it up!"
Immediately, Uehara Soma looked at Biwa Juzo again.
"Juzo-senpai, could you please deliver this set of scalpels to Mayuko-senpai?"
"Sure."
Uehara Soma packed the scalpels into a prepared wooden box.
Biwa Juzo picked it up.
Later, after stopping by Ao's hospital room to ensure everything is fine, Biwa Juzo left Forging Island and went towards the direction of the medical department.
Biwa Juzo isn't as worried about Forging Island's safety anymore.
On one hand, Forging Island now has Ao.
The Byakugan's presence not only enhances combat capability but also boosts surveillance, and Biwa Juzo is aware of the covert ANBU Ninja squad.
On the other hand, Uehara Soma's strength has improved significantly.
His basic attributes are still lacking.
However, Uehara Soma has mastered several Water Release techniques, especially high-level ones.
In prolonged battles, Uehara Soma is only at Chunin level.
But in moments of burst, he far exceeds Chunin level.
A single Water Release Water Formation Pillar attack would be too much for an ordinary Chunin to withstand.
Currently, Uehara Soma resembles Kakashi in terms of Ninjutsu.
His Ninjutsu is powerful, but his Chakra is limited.
Uehara Soma looks again at the semi-transparent screen in front of him.
"My reputation has increased by a few points, not much, but it's there."
"When Juzo-senpai delivers that set of scalpels to Mayuko-senpai, it should also bring me some reputation."
Biwa Juzo arrived at the medical department.
But Mayuko Ringo wasn't there at that time.
Biwa Juzo learned Mayuko Ringo's whereabouts from a medical ninja and quickly rushed over.
He didn't want to make two trips for one thing.
A separate small courtyard.
Biwa Juzo approached, preparing to knock on the door.
However, at that moment, Biwa Juzo suddenly smelled blood.
Biwa Juzo frowned instinctively.
Sounds of a struggle came from inside.
Without hesitation, Biwa Juzo climbed over the wall.
Soon, following the sounds, he arrived in the backyard.
Two figures entered Biwa Juzo's sight.
One was Mayuko Ringo.
The other was a member of the Kaguya Clan.
At that moment, the Kaguya Clan ninja was restraining Mayuko Ringo.
Mayuko Ringo is already seriously injured and in critical condition.
Mayuko Ringo has exceptional Medical Ninjutsu skills, but her combat strength is lacking.
Not all medical ninjas are like Tsunade.
Even if they were Tsunade, their combat strength might be slightly insufficient when facing ninjas of the same level.
"Ding!"
Biwa Juzo's figure flashed, standing in front of Mayuko Ringo.
"Mayuko-senpai, what's going on?"
"This madman from the Kaguya Clan is asking me about Ao and the Byakugan's whereabouts."
Biwa Juzo's expression immediately became extremely grim.
"Does this guy want to betray the village?"
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