Forging

Hashirama kept his word. On the way back to the clan, he still sent someone to deliver ten percent of the Chakra Conducting Metal to the Sarutobi Clan. As for how the various Small Clans divided it up, that was no longer their concern.

Tobirama was unwilling, while Masahiko was beaming with joy.

After the Chakra Conducting Metal was delivered to the Sarutobi Clan, a familiar line of Chinese characters flashed before Masahiko's eyes: "Witnessed and participated in a Naruto World side storyline: The Origin of Flying Swallow. Obtained 2 Witness Points."

Masahiko thought for quite a while before remembering that Flying Swallow was Asuma Sarutobi's weapon in the Naruto storyline. So that blade had actually been forged from the Chakra Conducting Metal acquired this time. What an unexpected delight.

Asuma Sarutobi was the great-grandson of the Sarutobi Clan Head, wasn't he...? This weapon had truly been passed down for a long time.

They had been away for a month. Masahiko had spent 1 Witness Point on Mining, then gained another 2 this time. All in all, he had made a profit of 1 point.

"We were out for a month and only earned one Witness Point, and that was an unexpected gain. There are far too few Witness Points to obtain during the Warring States..."

Masahiko was not very satisfied with this harvest, but there was nothing he could do about it.

Upon returning to the Senju Clan Compound, they reached Masahiko's favorite part: the victory banquet.

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, Hashirama spoke. "We acquired a great deal of Chakra Conducting Metal during this campaign. Any clansmen who need some can register with Tobirama."

The Senju clansmen looked at one another, and no one was embarrassed enough to speak first.

Masahiko stepped forward with a smile. "Tobirama, I need two Shuriken."

Tobirama nodded, indicating that he had noted it down.

With Masahiko taking the lead, the Senju clansmen immediately became enthusiastic.

Do not think that less than a hundred jin of Chakra Conducting Metal was a small amount. A weapon could not possibly be forged entirely from this metal; iron still had to make up the main body. Thus, this haul was substantial enough for every Senju Clan ninja of Jonin rank or above to receive at least one Kunai.

The next day, Masahiko and Tobirama went to the Senju Clan's Forge.

The place was piled high with Iron Ore and various supplementary ores. The blacksmiths were all working hard to forge weapon blanks. Only after the blanks took shape would the master blacksmith mix Chakra Conducting Metal into the weapons.

That was right. Chakra Conducting Metal was extremely rare even in the Warring States. Within the Senju Clan, only the master blacksmith had experience using it.

"Second Grandfather, too many weapons need to be forged this time." Watching the Forge bustle with activity, Tobirama said, "I'm afraid our weapons will have to be made last by the master blacksmith. You're not in a hurry, are you?"

"I'm not. You said our weapons—do you need a weapon too?" Masahiko asked doubtfully.

"That's right. I need a sword to use together with Flying Thunder God," Tobirama replied.

Masahiko looked thoughtful. Tobirama's sword... could it be the Thunder God Sword from the storyline?

If I participate in this, won't it be another side storyline? I could get at least 2 Witness Points...

Masahiko's eyes shifted as he said to Tobirama, "No need to wait that long. I'll forge them myself. I'll make you a treasured sword too."

"Second Grandfather, you know Forging?" Tobirama had noticed days ago that Masahiko was quite skilled at Mining, but he had never dared believe Masahiko could forge weapons.

Masahiko glared at him. "Your Second Grandfather can do anything!"

Entering the Forge, Masahiko grabbed a hammer and began hammering iron.

Tobirama's face darkened. This was called knowing how to forge? There was clearly no method to it—he was just banging away at random.

Masahiko hammered for a full half an hour. The iron block became an iron disc, yet Forging still had not appeared on the Attribute Panel.

Masahiko glanced at Tobirama, looking embarrassed. "It's been many years since I last worked iron. I'm a little rusty."

Tobirama rolled his eyes, thinking, He's obviously never worked iron before. He no longer held any hope for Masahiko and turned to attend to other matters.

Masahiko's face darkened. This was a little embarrassing... It should not have been like this. Based on his experience with Mining, Forging should have appeared on the Attribute Panel after half an hour of hammering iron.

He worked in the Forge for an entire day, tending the fire and adding charcoal. Finally, before work ended, after following a blacksmith and completing the forging of a Kunai, Masahiko finally found Forging on the Attribute Panel.

Forging LV1 (0/100)

"Whew, that was really troublesome. I actually had to forge a finished weapon before it could be activated." Masahiko let out a sigh of relief. He had briefly considered giving up, but if he did, he would lose far too much face in front of Tobirama.

Once Forging had finally appeared, Masahiko added 1 point without hesitation.

Forging LV6 (10000/20000)

This point allocation really isn't very scientific. It can actually directly pour Forging experience into my mind... Masahiko thought.

He had wanted to immediately try forging two Kunai, but the blacksmiths had already extinguished the charcoal fire and were preparing to close up. Masahiko felt hungry as well, only then remembering that he had not even eaten dinner.

After dinner, Masahiko searched through the Forging experience he had just gained in his mind.

"So that's how it is... Is LV6 Forging basically the limit of an ordinary person? In other words, a forging master. The Senju Clan's master blacksmith is probably at this level too."

Masahiko looked at his remaining Witness Points. He still had 4.

"The two Kunai I forge for myself will probably be used for a long time, and forging the Thunder God Sword for Tobirama should earn some Witness Points too."

Gritting his teeth, Masahiko added another 3 points to his Forging attribute.

Forging LV8 (40000/60000)

"With this, I should be able to forge two divine weapons tomorrow... Divine artifacts? I wonder how they compare to the Kusanagi Sword..." Thinking about this, Masahiko gradually drifted off to sleep.

Early the next morning, Masahiko eagerly rushed to the Forge.

In only half a day, Masahiko forged two Shuriken. LV8 Forging technique was indeed different. The Shuriken did not look particularly remarkable, but when Masahiko casually ran one across the forge, it immediately sliced a crack into it.

"Oh no, I've caused trouble!" Masahiko's expression changed, and he quickly left with the two Shuriken.

After giving it some thought, he headed for the Senju Clan's Second Training Ground to test the two Shuriken.

Because they contained Chakra Conducting Metal, Masahiko immediately tried infusing them with Chakra.

"Uh..." Masahiko narrowed his eyes slightly as the Shuriken in his hand emitted a dazzling light after being infused with Chakra.

"That makes them unsuitable for sneak attacks. If I pour in more Chakra, will it blind the enemy?" Masahiko muttered inwardly.

Masahiko weighed the Shuriken in his hand, then hurled it out with force.

He had just been about to form hand seals and use the Shuriken Substitution Technique when his expression changed. The next instant, Masahiko switched places with the Shuriken.

"It doesn't even require hand seals..." Masahiko nearly laughed aloud. "Isn't this the Flying Thunder God Technique?"

He turned to look at the spot where he had originally been standing, then shook his head. "Compared to Flying Thunder God, it's still somewhat inconvenient. These two Shuriken can't be used as disposable items... It seems I need to put Sealing Scrolls on the agenda. It would be great if I could make a Summoning Scroll like the one for the Seven Ninja Swords..."

"Tomorrow, I'll let Tobirama witness his Second Grandfather's Forging technique!"