Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
The incessant clanging of metal rose and fell, like a strange, rhythmic melody being played.
As Araki stepped into the Hozuki Clan's Forging Workshop, the first thing he saw was several white-haired, powerfully built middle-aged men. They wielded hammers large and small, striking the anvils with heavy blows again and again.
Their white hair was not a sign of old age, but simply the Hozuki Clan's natural hair color.
Araki swept his gaze around and spotted a familiar figure with white hair and beard in a relatively open corner.
"Senior Ryuzuki!"
He hurried over and called out softly.
"Oh, little Araki, you're here."
Hozuki Ryuzuki turned back and gave him a brief glance before quickly turning around again to stare at the mysterious pool before him.
Seeing how focused he was and how unwilling he seemed to be disturbed, Araki did not ask right away. Instead, he moved closer to the pool, wanting to see what had captured the attention of the Hozuki Clan's chief smith so completely.
He vaguely remembered that the last time he had come here, the Water Refining Pool had contained his Wind Sword and the Sword of the Thunder God brought back from Konoha.
This time, after leaving the Mizukage Building, the Hozuki Clan had specifically sent word for him to come over at once. Could it be that his new sword had already been forged?
With a trace of anticipation and delight, Araki craned his neck and looked ahead.
Hmm...
At the center of the slightly murky water floated an unidentified object about the size of a knuckle.
Its colors intertwined in azure and gold, yet they did not appear chaotic. Azure formed the base, while faint golden patterns, like flying feathers or rippling water, traced across its surface, giving it