Tenbu Shinzo

Sasuke went to bed early after training and slept again. Then, at midnight, he got up, gathered his things, climbed out through the window, and raced across the rooftops. Before long, he reached Blacksmith Street. Following the location indicated by the innkeeper, he found Tenbu Shinzo's smithy, landed on its roof, and carefully listened to the sounds inside.

"Shinzo, can you enter the tournament this year?" a woman asked.

"Miko, I can't enter this year. I only paid off my debts a few days ago. I don't have the money to buy materials now," a man replied in a low, hoarse voice.

"Can't you enter with ordinary materials? You might still have a chance to become a master. Even if you don't, people will see your craftsmanship. You'll be able to forge weapons for others."

"That isn't what I want. The technique I developed is absolutely better than anyone else's. As long as I succeed in the Forging Tournament, I can use the blades I forge to cut through all their weapons. Then I can establish my own family, a truly unique one. I'll surpass every other family. This was my father's dream."

"Then what about me? I've already waited for you for four years. If you can't enter this time, my father will make me marry someone else." After saying that, the woman began to sob.

Sasuke looked down through a gap in the roof boards. A man sat beside the furnace with his head lowered in silence, while a woman sat behind him and cried. Sasuke did not really understand how the tournament worked. Did all the smiths have to take the blades they forged and slash at one another's weapons in the end?

Sasuke had no interest in studying it too closely. He wanted to speak with this man and see what his forging philosophy was like. If he really was as capable as he claimed, Sasuke could have him forge weapons for him and pay him more. A powerful weapon could greatly increase his combat strength.

With that thought, Sasuke flipped down in front of the door and knocked on the wooden panels. The people inside heard him, and someone came out. With a creak, the wooden door opened.

"Ninja-sama, what brings you here so late?" Tenbu Shinzo asked when he saw the Forehead Protector around Sasuke's neck.

"Are you Tenbu Shinzo?" Sasuke asked, looking at the burly man.

"That's right, I am. What can I do for you, Ninja-sama?" Tenbu Shinzo was curious. What was a ninja doing at his little shop?

"I heard your forging skills are quite good, so I came to hear about your techniques. If I'm satisfied, I'll have you forge specialized weapons for me."

"Um..." Tenbu Shinzo seemed to hesitate over something. He looked back at the woman, then said, "All right. Please come in." Sasuke entered the smithy. It truly was not large, with barely enough room to sit. Tools and ironware were scattered everywhere.

"Tell me about this new technique of yours," Sasuke said directly, with no intention of sitting down.

"I'm sure you've heard some of this before. I believe Chakra Metal is extremely hard, resistant to high temperatures, and capable of conducting a ninja's Chakra, especially when it comes to applying nature transformations. After being forged through countless hammer blows by a blacksmith, it can become an exceptionally sharp weapon, while also remaining sturdy and durable."

Sasuke nodded, fully agreeing with that statement. Chakra Metal was indeed excellent and highly suitable for ninja combat.

Seeing Sasuke nod, Tenbu Shinzo continued, "But I don't think that is enough. These blades lack a certain degree of flexibility. They're too rigid." Sasuke froze when he heard that. He seemed to have heard something like this before. In the anime, the Kubikiribōchō had broken as well—though it had first been cracked by the Eight-Tails before the Raikage cut through it.

"Then what is your solution?" Sasuke asked.

"My method is to use another metal as the blade's inner core, then wrap it in Chakra Metal on the outside. This metal needs excellent flexibility so it can absorb the impact from outside forces. Do you understand what I mean?" After speaking, Tenbu Shinzo looked at Sasuke cautiously. Sasuke might be young, but he was still a ninja.

"I understand. Do you have a successful finished product?" Sasuke asked. He still wanted to know more specifics.

"Um... I don't have a successful finished product. Ordinary blades won't do, after all. This is something specially forged for an individual. Even if I forge one with ordinary metal, it would be useless. I experimented before, and the blades I made were indeed stronger than ordinary ones, but they couldn't be sold. They were still ordinary blades. Rich people wouldn't buy them, while poor people couldn't afford them. In the end, I had no choice but to melt them down," Tenbu Shinzo said helplessly.

"Didn't you have a half-finished product during the last tournament? You never completed it?"

"After it was melted down, I used it to pay off my debts." Tenbu Shinzo spoke with some resignation. If he had a finished product, he would not be in this situation. But after he failed, his creditors came knocking. He had no choice but to melt it down and use it to repay part of what he owed. The money he borrowed was not only for metal, but also for the furnace and charcoal. Smelting ore was also a skill a Forging Master had to master. Without high-purity materials, it was impossible to forge blades.

"All right, I'll believe you for now. Starting tomorrow, forge weapons for me. Buy whatever materials you need. Money isn't a problem. I want the best blade."

"Really? That's wonderful!" Tenbu Shinzo shouted excitedly. But he seemed to remember something, and once again looked back at the woman behind him. She was looking at him too, her eyes full of expectation. Struggling, Tenbu Shinzo turned back. After hesitating for a moment, he asked, "Could I use your materials to enter the Forging Tournament?"

"Hm?" Sasuke was taken aback. He had not expected that request. If Tenbu Shinzo succeeded, wouldn't many people know about Sasuke's weapon? How would that affect him? He hesitated.

"I know this request is excessive, but I need to prove myself. And... I also want to become a Forging Master. I believe I can do it. As long as you're willing to help me, once I become a master, I'll forge weapons for you or anyone from your clan without conditions," Tenbu Shinzo said, awaiting Sasuke's answer.

Sasuke was tempted by his words. If Tenbu Shinzo became a Forging Master, then he—or the Uchiha Clan in the future—would have the best possible choice whenever they needed weapons forged. Tenbu Shinzo might even establish a new forging family.

"All right, I agree. Remember what you said." Sasuke looked at Tenbu Shinzo.