The Hidden Mist Blacksmith, forging the glory of the Ninja Sword Style!

"As expected of the ruthless person who wiped out the bamboo plucker clan."

"What abilities does that dragon bone possess?"

A war is about to break out.

Orochimaru quickly joined the attack on the Taketori Neko.

In terms of numbers, the Bamboo Cat is at a significant disadvantage.

However, Taketori Neko believed that if he were to fight to the death, Orochimaru and the other Konoha ninjas would definitely not come out on top.

"Besides, if I want to escape, they can't do anything to me."

The cat-like creature, Taketori, is quite confident in its abilities in this area.

As a taijutsu ninja, they are naturally adept at prolonged battles.

Their physical strength and endurance are unmatched by any other type of ninja.

In addition, the Corpse Bone Bloodline Limit allows for both offense and defense.

Even if you run blindfolded, the bone armor made by the Corpse Bone Vein is enough to defend you.

The surprise attack by the Bamboo Cat immediately created a breakthrough among the Konoha ninja.

However, when the cat broke through this opening, it found that the difficulty was much lower than it had expected, and it broke through very easily.

The cat-like creature looked back; the Konoha ninja behind it were getting further and further away.

"???"

The bamboo cat is confident that it can break through.

However, its simplicity made the Taketori Neko somewhat suspicious.

Something's not right.

However, no matter how much the bamboo cat sensed something was wrong, it was impossible for it to turn back.

After a long while, the bamboo cat stopped.

A figure appeared not far in front of the bamboo cutter cat.

A snake, with its head raised, speaks in human language.

"The Cat Taker".

The cat-like creature raised an eyebrow.

Now the cat-like creature understands why it broke through so easily just now.

It turns out Orochimaru went easy on them.

This amused the Taketori Neko.

As a ninja of Konoha, how could he betray even his own village's people in order to obtain information about Kirigakure?

"Orochimaru?"

“Yes, it’s me. I agree to your terms. Let’s cooperate. I can provide you with information about the Hyuga clan, and in exchange, I need information about the Zanpakuto, the Shinigami squad, and the blacksmith.”

"can."

After confirming his cooperation with the Taketori Neko, Orochimaru returned to Konoha.

It was only then that Orochimaru heard those rumors.

"The Third Mizukage has disappeared?"

"I did it?"

"I do not know how?"

Orochimaru found it absurd.

These people spoke with absolute certainty, as if they had witnessed it themselves.

If he really did it, Orochimaru would definitely admit it.

This is a great achievement for the Konoha ninja.

The problem is, Orochimaru knows very well that he didn't do it.

"Should we acknowledge it?"

By accepting it, one can gain a great deal of merit and fame.

One person, infiltrating Kirigakure alone, causing the Third Mizukage to disappear, could instantly help Orochimaru recover from the incident where he was defeated by the Fugu Demon.

Most people are very forgetful.

The more criticism Orochimaru received before, the more praise he received after he admitted to the matter.

However, there are also very high risks involved.

Once the secret is exposed, he will be utterly disgraced.

"Perhaps I can get some information about the disappearance of the Third Mizukage from the Taketori Neko."

"If I could 'take the place of the murderer,' that would be more helpful to me than obtaining information about the Zanpakuto, the Shinigami squad, and the blacksmith."

Uehara Shu, who was working on refining his immortal techniques, noticed that the number in his reputation bar had suddenly changed twice.

It increased by more than a hundred at once.

Another time, it increased by more than two hundred.

With other miscellaneous increases, Uehara Osamu's reputation has reached over 400 points.

"In that case, a small blacksmith recruitment event is all it takes to raise it to over 1000 points."

"It will be quite difficult to raise it to 2000 points."

"Recruiting too many blacksmiths at once is not good for the blacksmithing department."

"I also cannot gain the greatest benefit from reputation as a blacksmith."

Uehara Osamu made a decision.

Enter the polishing chamber.

Uehara Osamu arrived at the specially made polishing table.

A stream of water, which Uehara Osamu had diverted, flowed through the area.

There was a huge rock next to it.

A rock that has been eroded by water for a long time, incredibly tough.

Above it, there was a whetstone.

Here, the natural energy is abundant due to the influence of the Garden Box.

Uehara Shu stepped forward, closed his eyes, and silently sensed it.

It was a long time before he opened his eyes.

Uehara Shu took out a ninja sword.

"The Immortal Refinement Technique!"

"start!"

Uehara Shu picked up the ninja sword and placed it above the whetstone. Then, he drew upon natural energy, causing it to condense on the whetstone and flow slowly like water.

Uehara Shu held the ninja sword to the side, pushed it forward gently.

Push it to a certain distance.

Retracted.

Push it forward again.

And so it goes, in a cycle.

"This time, I feel much better than before. I've found the right direction."

"that's it."

Uehara Osamu quickened his pace.

"The correct approach actually consumes less natural energy."

"It's equivalent to reducing losses and optimizing efficiency."

"And I can use less force."

"Without any effort at all."

The sound of polishing echoed in the polishing room.

Not long after.

"All right!"

Uehara Shu picked up the ninja sword.

Upon seeing the state of the ninja sword, Uehara Shu smiled.

"good."

"It's much better than any of my previous polishing attempts."

"Not only have the characteristics of smoothness and sharpness reached an excellent level or above."

"Moreover, it is infused with the characteristics of natural energy."

"It's not polishing, it's enchanting."

Suddenly, Uehara Shu frowned.

"This corner wasn't handled well; it was a mistake."

"Although it was only a small detail, it affected the overall feel of the ninja sword, directly reducing it from a 90-point sword to a 70-point sword. This polishing was not completed."

"This ninja sword isn't even a finished product."

Uehara Shu walked to the next room.