《Mara-struck》

Black Blade of Konoha

A/N: Naruto is owned by Masashi Kishimoto.

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[Jin's first person PoV]

[One month before academy graduation.]

*Tink.* *tink.* *tink.*

There is something very meditative about forging.

*tink.* *tink.*

Hammering the slab of glowing iron brings me a feeling of serenity.

*tink.* *tink.* *tink.* *tink.*

The bell like clanking of hammer molding metal and the dry smell of burned alloy soothes my soul and calms my mind of all the bullshit the world throws in my way.

*Zsssiiiissshhhh.....*

Cooling down the hot tempered blade in the cool water is music to my ears. At moments like these, everything is perfect.

Taking out another slab of metal from the smoldering forge. I noticed that the flames had dropped in temperature. That won't do. Adding some more coal into the hot simmering fire, I went through two one handed seals and released a gentle yet steady stream of air into the forge. Soon searing heat emanate within the confines of the construct meant to temper metal. And so the process continued.

*tink.* *tink.* *tink.*

Humming a tune that was sang during the warring states period to the rhythm of sound of metal hitting metal. I felt a pair of eyes observing me from not so far away.

I spotted a wild Kobeni peeping on me from one of the open windows. Yep, for the sake of my inner peace, I'm going to ignore that and continue my peaceful meditation.

Turns out Toujiya had been an avid collector of things related to the warring clan periods. Surprisingly he even had a few writings that were considered banned in present day konoha, due to them being written by previous Uchiha clan heads of that time.

Studying a few of those scrolls had been interesting to say the least. Especially the battle tactics and under handed tactics of the Uchiha clan to gain an edge over their enemies. Toujiya even had a scroll that documented the gruesome acts of Sasuke Sarutobi who the emo is named after. Sick bastard went so far to capture childrens of other clans only to use them as human shields. I don't know if the shit flinger knows about this or not, but I can see why many of these texts should be kept in the dark for the sake of Konoha's higher ups reputation.

Son of a child crucifier became the head of a village that mainly is made up of clans whose his father kill the children of.

Immersed in these thoughts I noticed that I have finished my work for the day. Looking out the window, I see that Kobeni had left at some point in time. That Uchiha is giving me mixed signals. I don't know if she is doing it intentionally or not, but that is a bridge I will cross in the future or burn it down. 'Just as the founding fathers intended.' I thought to myself with humor.

Just as I am on my way returning to my cozy appartment, I felt numbing pain beneath my skull, givingme a migraine. Wiping my thumb under my nose, there was a bit of blood.

[Scene change]

Arriving at home, I threw myself on the bed and stared at the ceiling. With a mental command, I opened up my system window to check for abnormalities.

■■■■■■■

"Blade: Legacy template"

[Unlocked main legacy: 10.01%]

[Congratulations to host for reaching 10%. Condition known as "Mara struck" has been successfully installed. Be at ease. Due to this version of Mara-Struck is supplied by your great patron the one and only Sovereign of sin. You will not need to worry about the disease spreading to anyone.☆]

"Status"

Name: Jin Kurama

Titles: Inheritor of Blade's legacy, Weapon smith helper, working class civilian, academy student

Sin Mastery: Wrath Lvl 4 (main sin), Pride Lvl 1, Greed Lvl 1

"Perks"

• Mara struck (Infected phase)

(You are now infected with the undying disease known as Mara struck. Your healing factor is boosted, but you can still die if your injuries are too severe.)

• 30% Senju body

(One of your grandparents is a senju. slightly improved stamina and regeneration factor.)

• Tall physique

(You are considered tall in comparison to those of your age.)

• Intimidating presence

(weaker individuals or those younger than you will be intimidated by your presence.)

• Weapon crafting talent

(weapons made by you will be better in quality and learning any crafting techniques will be easier to comprehend and learn for you.)

• Genjutsu restriction [Supreme] (loosened)

(You can only cast one type of AoE genjutsu known as "unreachable paradise" This genjutsu is currently locked due to host's meager amount of Unlocked legacy. Base academy jutsu such as the Transformation jutsu and the illusionary clone jutsu are now available.)

• Kotomine's Mapo tofu cooking talent [New]

(You can cook Mapo tofu flawlessly with minimum resources.)

"Traces"

• Shard Sword

(1/6)

• Karma wind

(0/1)

• Hellscape

(0/10)

• Death Sentence

(0/10)

• Shuhu's Gift

(0/10)

"Eidolons"

0/6

"Quests"

• Get a Sword. (complete)

• Gain physical fitness at the level of a peak human. (ongoing)

• Become a renowned weapon Smith. (ongoing)

• Kill a being of abundance. (Still unavailable)

• Get your drip. (Any time)

•Emergency Quest: Reach 20% Legacy unlock in three years.

(Failure will result in you losing control over the plague in your body and you will become a mindless monster)

[Rewards will be revealed after quest has been completed.]

"Gatcha"

• Pulls: 5 times

• Results:

- Iron ingot ×1

- Kotomine's Mapo tofu cooking talent.

- Medical Incense candle (red) ×1

- Trace upgrade ×1

- small pack of fire salt cubes ×1

■■■■■■■

Lighting on the Incense candle that I got from the Gatcha section of my system. I inhaled the fragrance and felt how my headache is receding. According to the in depth item description, the candle had properties that remedying the symptoms of mara-struck. This include the regenerative boons I get from being infected with mara-struck.

Taking another deep breath of the Incense, I had mixed feeling about my current predicament. On one hand, I now have a better regeneration factor than before and my body can handle more stress. On the other hand, I am going to f■cking die in three years if I don't accomplish another 10% of that dammed template in half the time I worked till now.

For F■cks sakes, I was only able to make any progress with that dammed template since I was five! Now I have to do all that grind in half the time or I'm going to become the first walking corpse of the shinobi world. And probably end up on one of Danzo the grafted lab tables.

With these thoughts running through my head, I feel my anger spiking up once again.

Getting up from my bed. I grabbed my training sword that I forged from scrap metals, and marched out towards the training grounds to blow up some steam. I'm not coming back before I killed a tree in cold blood.

[Uchiha Kobeni's PoV]

Looking at Jin kun working at the forge. I couldn't help but to admire the person I had a crush on. Every time when he is angry, that piercing stare makes my heart run so fast that it's painful. In a good way. He is like Madara from the stories grandpa told me about when he was still alive. That cold yet firm look he had looks so cool~.

Although he isn't looking at me right now. His relaxed face while hammering at the forge is equally cool. Seeing a side of the person I admired that no one knows make me feel very giddy inside my heart. Jin kun is so diligent. After school he comes here to work at the shop and later in the evening goes to training every day.

Why no one understands his coolness, I can't understand. Jin kun is the smartest in class, the strongest in our age group and especially the most hardworking person I know. Why no one can see how great jin kun is is beyond me. He is everything grandma told me to look in a husband when I made chūnin. Picturing the thought, I wiggled around with a furious blush on my face.

Sadly I had to stop for today. My poor heart can't handle too much Jin for one day. At least for now. I will have to go back to the compound and ask Uncle Fugaku sama for training if he has time. For Jin kun's sake, I can't fall behind in strength. Only then will he acknowledge me, so grandma said. Only the strong have the right to choose their partner. It is the rule of the strong and as a Uchiha, strength is important. With new found determination, I silently walked away. And when I ran out of determination, I can always recharge my determination by watching Jin.

[Time skip: A few days later.]

Walking into the Higurashi weapon shop, Hiruzen Sarutobi the third hokage casually browsed through the Ninja tools and equipments on display. "Young Jin kun's skills had improved quite a bit." Looking at the tanto's on display, the later aged hokage said to no one in particular.

It has been a few years since Hiruzen had been "helping" (investing in) Jin Kurama. Despite his age and the ridicule he faced from his own clan, the third can see the boy's potential to be a formidable shinobi in the future. So he approached the boy in hopes of securing another loyal supporter and carrier of the will of fire.

Unexpectedly, it ended up in him helping the boy in leaving the Kurama clan. Despite all the inconvenient it turned out to be, Hiruzen Sarutobi choose to stay optimistic. 'He is just a child, he doesn't know better.' this was his justification.

Looking at the fine crafted kunais and other ninja tools that Jin forged during his time with the Higurashis, the third began to see his investments paying off.

Konoha had produced many excellent shinobis throughout it's time, such as the sannin and Minato the new rising star. Hiruzen is certain that Jin, who is both talented and diligent in his studies and trainings would be one of these talents in his own right. From his observation, Jin even practiced the leaf sticking exercise in class while scoring high in his studies. This kind of talent is rare to come by even in konoha.

If Minato wasn't currently under his student Jiraiya's tutelage, he would had assigned him to be his Jonin sensei. Unfortunately, minato is still too young and inexperienced for that role.

Then a brilliant idea flash in his head. 'Why not have that person be his Jonin sensei?' With a smile Hiruzen bought a set of shurikens and a Tanto made by Jin and left the shop.

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AN: Took me some time to finish, I was a bit indecisive regarding a few things.

This chapter is a filler episode. No good Naruto series is anything without its filler episodes supporting its foundation.

This Story is basically a part time hobby of mine based on my mood swings.

Regarding the Jonin teacher Hiruzen is going to assign to Jin's team. I'm still indecisive about chosing a canon character or make an OC for the role.

Chapters will be uploaded as soon as they are finished. There is no pay wall or P@trïön. You all get the newest content fresh from the oven.