Ninja Blade Aspirations (Please Bookmark~ Please Vote~)

"A taijutsu ninja who mainly used blades and swords as weapons?"

Hearing Kisame's question, Araki's expression turned rather strange.

That title was too long and unpleasant. He refused to accept it!

"I want to become a great sword master!"

For the first time, Araki seriously told someone about his dream.

"A sword master? Like those from the Land of Iron?"

At that moment, Zabuza also leaned over, his voice curious.

At those words, Araki wore an expression of utter disdain and mocked them mercilessly:

"They can only be called samurai who use blades and swords. They're completely unworthy of the title sword master!"

"That's true. I heard their strongest is called the Sword Saint, so he really isn't a sword master."

Zabuza looked as though he had suddenly understood.

Araki was too annoyed to pay him any attention.

The power system of the Naruto World was indeed incredibly powerful. Especially in the later stages, humans could master methods involving time, space, souls, life, and death. The strong could summon wind and rain, and calling down meteors was practically commonplace.

Yet at the pinnacle of this world, there was no place for the sword. That had to be called a regret. (P.S.: Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion didn't count as swordsmanship XD.)

Since Araki had come here with the Book of Sword Masters at his side, he wanted to fill that gap in this world. He wanted to tell everyone that, no matter the world, those strong in the way of the sword were qualified to stand at the peak!

"Did you want to specialize in swordsmanship because you had your eye on one of the ninja blades?"

Kisame Hoshigaki asked with great interest.

In his view, for Araki to have independently researched something akin to chakra nature transformation at such a young age, saying he had the potential to become a jonin would not be an exaggeration.

A jonin specializing in swordsmanship was already qualified to compete for the seven ninja blades passed down by Kirigakure.

But after he mentioned ninja blades, before Araki could speak, Zabuza beside him had already grown excited.

"Ninja blades? The legendary Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist?"

"That's right!"

Since Zabuza was interested, Kisame did not mind introducing them in greater detail.

"Ninety percent of the ninjas born in Kirigakure are proficient in Water Release, but low-level Water Release ninjutsu lacks killing power. So, training with blades and swords as a supplement is the most common approach.

"During the reign of the Second Mizukage, he ordered the Hozuki Clan to forge seven ninja blades with special powers and bestowed them upon the powerful men under his command. Those people were already strong, and with the ninja blades' abilities, they quickly made a name for themselves and became known as the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. After they died, those special ninja blades were passed down generation after generation as treasures of the village. Many ninjas regarded inheriting one of them as their ultimate dream."

"I've heard of the Seven Swordsmen, but which seven blades are they exactly?" Zabuza pressed.

"Great Sword Samehada, Kubikiribōchō, Twin Blades: Hiramekarei, Lightning Blade: Kiba, Kabutowari, Exploding Blade Shibuki, and Nuibari. Those are the seven ninja blades passed down by Kirigakure."

Kisame grinned ferociously. "So? Which one caught your eye?"

"Kubikiribōchō."

Zabuza quietly repeated the name, feeling as though this blade held some inexplicable attraction for him.

"Captain, why is it called a broken blade?"

"Because Kubikiribōchō can regenerate by absorbing blood. It isn't afraid of being broken, so it is called a broken blade."

"Regenerates by absorbing blood? It isn't afraid of being broken?"

Zabuza recalled the kunai he had worn down beyond use during the graduation exam while killing all his classmates. He shouted, "I've decided! That Kubikiribōchō will definitely be mine someday!"

Kisame did not pay much attention to his declaration. Zabuza's current strength was still far from enough to obtain a ninja blade. He turned to Araki and asked, "What about you? Which one do you like?"

"Inheriting a ninja blade is merely repeating a path others have already walked. I'm confident I can forge my own path and make the sword in my hand a new legend of Kirigakure!"

Araki's voice was not loud, but his tone was firm and deeply stirring.

"Is that so? What... grand ambition!"

Kisame bared his teeth, using a smile to hide the brief moment of distraction he had just felt.

Three days later, the ship had approached the waters near Seven Grass Island. They could occasionally see many merchant ships passing by.

"My lords, we have arrived. Please follow me ashore."

The youth Bando came before Araki's group of three and spoke respectfully.

Although Seven Grass Island was not large, it was well known for its abundant medicinal herbs. As a result, many people had gathered on the island, scattered about in twos and threes as they collected herbs.

Araki even saw several people in green ninja flak jackets crouched on the ground, busily at work, and could not help feeling curious.

Seeming to notice Araki's gaze, Bando turned to look as well, his expression growing slightly annoyed. "Those are ninjas from our Red Province Island. They call themselves Merchant Ninja. Normally, we hire them to help us gather herbs, but this time, they refused to accept my mission no matter what I said, so I..."

Bando suddenly stopped halfway through, realizing he seemed to have said something wrong. Wasn't that basically treating Kirigakure's ninjas as backups? His voice grew softer and softer until he awkwardly fell silent.

However, Kisame and the other two did not feel offended. Instead, Zabuza looked rather proud. "We take the missions they don't dare accept. We go where they don't dare go. Upon these seas, you can always trust Kirigakure!"

"Yes, yes. We have all heard of Mist Village's great reputation."

Itakura hurriedly nodded.

Because their destination was clear, they did not stop for the precious herbs carpeting the ground. Instead, they crossed mountains and bridges without pause, heading straight for Hell Valley.

After they left, several Merchant Ninjas who had been scattered around gathering herbs with their heads lowered quickly gathered together.

"I truly didn't expect that brat from the Kamizumi Clan would actually bring in Kirigakure ninjas for help!"

A middle-aged ninja wearing a green flak jacket and a forehead protector bearing the character "Merchant" spoke with some emotion.

"The boss really is wise. He had us wait here in advance. This time, Kirigakure's people can clear the obstacles for us. If we really obtain the Universal Mud, we'll be rich!"

The youth beside him, who looked like Watermelon Taro, flattered him.

"Don't let your guard down. We all know how dangerous Hell Valley is. Kirigakure only sent three people this time, and two of them are children. It's hard to say how many obstacles they can clear for us!"

The middle-aged Merchant Ninja shook his head, looking as though he did not trust the strength of Kirigakure's ninjas.

"Hehe, but no matter what, having someone act as cannon fodder to test Hell Valley's dangers is a good thing. We only need to follow behind and reap the benefits. Even if they fail, we won't lose anything!"