"Welcome!"
In a simple yet far from shabby temporary residence located in a somewhat secluded part of the village, a sturdy, stocky middle-aged man tore his gaze from the walls covered in weapons, turned around, and looked toward the softly opening door.
"Excuse me, can weapons be forged here?"
Along with those words and the sound of the door closing, a young voice rang out in the room, which was so steamed by the heat from the inner workshop that it seemed ready to give off heat even in the depths of winter.
As the door closed, a rather handsome young man stepped inside. He stopped before the stocky middle-aged man, his gaze roaming over the weapon-covered walls.
"Lord Chiba?"
Although the youth spoke politely and looked quite ordinary aside from being more handsome than most, the stocky middle-aged man turned pale in shock upon seeing him, nearly crying out.
Though he had devoted himself wholeheartedly to smithing and rarely left the house, seeing few people apart from several acquaintances, and though his family was a supplier of weapons to the village and thus usually had no customers beyond the village's orders, he could never mistake the youth before him.
Probably no one in the entire village—no, in the entire ninja world—would fail to recognize this young man now.
"Uh..."
Seeing the stocky man's shocked expression, the youth—Chiba—pulled the corner of his mouth into a slightly awkward smile and said, "I'd like to have a sword forged."
Now that he had an idea, the first thing Chiba naturally did after leaving home was commission a weapon. Swordsmanship was useless without a sword.
It seemed Kento's sword had not been forged here.
These weapons were probably displayed by the shop owner to showcase his forging skills. Although they were mostly swords