Harvest

"That guy! What's going on? Could he have awakened the Sharingan and copied the ninjutsu?!"

"What terrifying talent! Even my genius student Minato doesn't have as much talent as he does!"

"Senior Jiraiya? Don't just stand there! Does this mean I've learned it? What was that other ninjutsu you mentioned? What is it?" Shiyu pressed.

"Uh, I'm your senior, of course I wouldn't lie to you. You've only got a passable grasp of it. Since you really have learned this technique, I'll teach you another one!"

The way Jiraiya forced himself to look calm made Shiyu want to laugh, but in the end, he managed to hold it in.

"This move is called Lion Attack Technique! It works on the same principle, but it's much harder than Needle Jizo! It might take you at least a month to master!"

"This move uses chakra to stimulate hair growth and control it, turning it into a ferocious lion's head that wraps around your opponent. Then the chakra in the hair instantly cuts them to pieces. It's a ninjutsu better suited for offense than Needle Jizo. Of course, if you need to, you can also use it to restrain someone you need to rescue. Just don't squeeze them to death."

"Oh." Shiyu awkwardly echoed him after Jiraiya unwittingly cracked a bad joke.

"Uh, let me demonstrate. Ninjutsu: Lion Attack Technique!"

Jiraiya formed Hand Seals once more and performed the ninjutsu. His hair instantly grew long, forming a lion's head that snapped at the air.

Shiyu's eyes lit up. This technique was truly impressive.

"As expected of Jiraiya, one of the Sannin! He came up with the idea of using hair to change shape!" Shiyu carefully observed him with his White Rinnegan.

Through his White Rinnegan, Shiyu took in every detail: Jiraiya's Hand Seals, the flow of chakra throughout his body, how he controlled it, and the ratio of chakra he released. Once Jiraiya finished, Shiyu immediately reproduced the ninjutsu he had just learned to perfection.

"Lion Attack Technique!" Shiyu unleashed the ninjutsu with tremendous force. His hair instantly grew, spreading out over a vast area and transforming into nine enormous lion heads. They surged forward like giant snakes, bit down on a boulder nearby, and effortlessly crushed it into powder.

Shiyu wasn't simply copying ninjutsu. He observed and copied it, then studied it until he'd thoroughly mastered it. This was thanks not only to his White Rinnegan, but also to his immense chakra reserves and the chakra affinity granted by his Otsutsuki bloodline.

Jiraiya's mouth fell open. He fell silent, then stared at Shiyu and said something unforgettable: "This has to be a joke. Am I dreaming?"

"I'm going crazy."

Jiraiya then awkwardly changed the subject, said goodbye to Hizashi, and hurried off.

He'd probably been shaken by Shiyu.

"Thank you, all four of you! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be standing here in front of everyone now," Mr. Noguchi said gratefully.

"Now that the mission is complete, we should head back." Hizashi turned to leave.

"Wait a moment! I'll go get something!" Mr. Noguchi went into Artisan Village and seemed to gather a few things before returning to them.

Noguchi held out a pitch-black blade and said, "This is the Meteorite Iron Blade I forged using the techniques of the Land of Artisans. It's the only one in the world. I'd like to give it to you as a token of my gratitude!"

"This is far too valuable. We can't accept it. We only did the job we were supposed to do," Hizashi said.

"No. Your mission was already complete after we were surrounded by bandits. You completed a ninja's mission, while I completed a mission to help ninjas!" Mr. Noguchi declared emphatically.

"Who knew this big-bearded guy had such a strong sense of loyalty!" Kakashi Nao said. "But I already have the Gray Fang Blade. The Hatake Clan's Kakashi Sword Style is better suited to our own blades."

Hinata Kurenai added, "The Hyuga Clan uses Gentle Fist, so I wouldn't get much use out of this blade either."

"I have even less use for it. Shiyu, since Mr. Noguchi is so insistent, take it. You have plenty of potential and you're already quite strong. With this blade, you'll do it justice."

Hizashi had spoken, so Shiyu smoothly accepted the Meteorite Iron Blade.

"The hardness and sharpness of this Meteorite Iron Blade are the greatest in the world. I guarantee that no other blade could match it in a clash! And despite its incredible hardness, it's also extremely flexible. I daresay it could even beat the legendary Seven Swords of the Shinobi World! This blade deserves to be called the strongest!" The bearded Noguchi spoke with conviction.

As the saying went, a fine sword belonged with a hero. By this point, Shiyu naturally reached out and accepted the blade.

The moment he took hold of it, Shiyu felt a pulse coming from the blade, as if it had come alive. A cool sensation then spread from its length, and Shiyu felt his mind grow clearer.

"Now that's a fine blade! Meteorite iron from beyond the heavens... Could it be connected to the Otsutsuki bloodline?"

As soon as Shiyu thought this, the blade seemed to respond, sending another cool sensation through him. It felt wonderful, as if the meridians throughout his body had become more open.

"Now that's a fine blade! Looks like we were made for each other." Shiyu nodded and slid the blade into the sheath at his waist.

"Oh, right. This blade doesn't have a name yet. How about 'Fish in Water'?" Noguchi suggested.

Shiyu turned green and replied, "Beardy, that name's awful."

"Since it's the hardest blade, how about we call it the Hardest Blade?" Kakashi Nao suggested.

"Hatake, that name of yours is pretty awful too," Hizashi teased.

"Why not call it the Peace Blade? May there be no more war in this world!" Hinata Kurenai suggested.

"Hm!? Not bad, not bad. Kurenai's name is still the best!" Nao teased.

"Uh..."

After all that, Shiyu finally decided on a name for the blade himself: "Shiyu!"

"Shiyu?"

"Meteorite Iron Blade: Shiyu!"

"Not bad. It shares my name, and I hope I can become the strongest of my era, just like this blade!" Shiyu said firmly.

"Not bad. But I still think 'Fish in Water' was much better."

"My Hardest Blade wasn't bad either."

The Meteorite Iron Blade came in an equally exquisite black scabbard, which seemed to be made of the same meteorite iron. It was black all over, and its hilt appeared to be made from a rare material. It felt wonderful to hold.