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

After watching Ringo Mayuko leave, Uehara Osamu immediately found Arafune.

Uehara Osamu doesn't intend to personally handle things like crafting surgical scalpels.

Firstly, Uehara Shu's time was limited, and he had more important things to do.

Secondly, the forging of scalpels does not require special materials, nor does it necessarily require forging skills at the level of Osamu Uehara.

As of now, the forging technology of the second ship is still somewhat lacking.

However, Arafune II could accomplish most of the work that the scalpel could do.

“Initially, I was able to participate in a small, key step of it.”

"Once Arasen-II's forging technology improves, we'll hand it all over to Arasen-II."

This was Uehara Osamu's idea.

"Minister Uehara."

Arafune stood respectfully before Uehara Osamu.

Uehara Osamu said, "Arafune Two, I have a task for you."

"What mission?"

"Forging Island has received a batch of orders."

"Order?"

Arafune's eyes lit up.

This term is a sore point for Forging Island.

Why did Forging Island decline?

It's because we're not getting any orders.

The forging island adopts the traditional individual precision forging mode.

The advantage of this model is that skilled blacksmiths can create ninja tools of higher quality.

However, the downside is that it is costly.

High costs naturally lead to higher selling prices.

When the mass-produced ninja tools from the Land of Iron were put on the market, Forging Island suffered an unprecedented blow.

Initially, Kirigakure supported the Forging Island.

However, as the war progressed, the economic situation of Kirigakure deteriorated.

Faced with the cheap ninja tools from the Land of Iron, Kirigakure had no choice but to abandon the Forging Island and choose the Land of Iron.

The forging island is now entirely supported by Uehara Osamu.

It is a ninja sword of the same level as the Seven Ninja Swords of the Mist, forged by Uehara Shu.

However, this only proves Uehara Osamu's value.

However, this does not prove the value of the forging island.

That's why Arasenji was so pleasantly surprised when he heard that Forging Island had received an order.

This means that Forging Island may very well have value and significance in continuing to exist.

It's not simply dependent on Uehara Osamu.

The forging island will likely recover gradually.

As a blacksmith born and raised on Forging Island, Arafune II hopes to see such a scene.

"We can't compete with the Land of Iron for ordinary ninja tools on our Forging Island, so my choice is to give up on them. Our next direction is to develop scalpels."

"Compared to ordinary ninja tools, surgical scalpels have much higher requirements for the quality of the blade."

"Given the situation in the Iron Country, it's impossible for them to catch up with the quality of the scalpels we produce in a short period of time."

"However, my energy is limited."

"Therefore, Arafune II, I hope that you can take the lead in forging the scalpels."

Are you confident?

The two men on the deserted boat straightened their chests.

"Minister Uehara, I will do everything in my power."

Uehara Osamu nodded.

"Come with me to the forging room."

Chapter 82 Water Breathing Second Form: Water Hammer

"I won't go into detail about the method of smelting charcoal and lava, as most blacksmiths on Forging Island know it."

“I saw it when you used it before.”

"You've got it down well."

"The key lies in the art of lava forging, which requires at least the level of ten-fold steel forging, and at an excellent level."

"Can you do it, Aragami II?"

Huangchuan Er shook his head.

"Minister Uehara, I can only reach the level of eighth-grade forging."

"Then practice more. There's not much difference between the eighth and tenth levels of training. Your talent is not bad."

Uehara Shu was aware of Arafune's forging skills and talent.

He is quite good among the younger generation on Forging Island.

According to the blacksmith system's rating standards, Uehara Osamu felt that Arafune's forging skills were only one level below good, and that they had improved during this period of forging under his guidance.

The distance is now good, not much difference is needed.

However, this is a hurdle, and it won't be easy to overcome.

"Yes, Minister Uehara."

"After forging is complete, the next steps are shaping, quenching, and sharpening."

Uehara Osamu said, "Compared to ninja tools, scalpels are sharper and thinner, so the shaping and sharpening must be done well, and cold water can be used for quenching."

"However, the water should be as clean as possible."

"Wilderness Ship Two, can you calculate the approximate cost?"

Arasenji quickly began to calculate in his mind.

Before long, the two people on the deserted boat looked up.

"Minister Uehara, excluding manpower, the cost of a scalpel is probably around 200 taels, including high-quality metal materials, smokeless charcoal consumption, and fresh water for quenching, etc."

"If I were to forge them all by myself, I could forge about twenty in three days."

"That translates to a little over an hour's worth of manpower."

Uehara Osamu also did some mental calculations.

A bowl of ramen costs 60 liang (approximately 300 grams).

Naruto could eat his way through an entire street with just 300 ryo.

A D-level mission pays between 5000 and 50000 taels.

Taking Iruka as an example, considering the number of missions he completed over 14 years, his average annual reward for a Chunin is approximately 100 million ryo. However, the missions are not done by Iruka alone; they are shared with his comrades.

Most ninja missions involve multiple ninjas working together.

For Iruka, we'll calculate it as one-third.

That leaves 33 taels.

Since this 33 taels of silver was transferred through the village's platform, it's not unreasonable for the village to take half of it, right?

Therefore, less than 17 taels remained.

Arafune II follows a technical approach. Once he can forge a complete scalpel all by himself, then Arafune II will certainly have reached a high level of blacksmithing.

At this point, it would be unreasonable for Arafune's income to be lower than that of an ordinary Chunin.

17 taels a year.

Excluding holidays and rest days, based on 250 working days, the daily income of Huangchuan Er is 700 taels.

One hour is about 100 taels.

That is, the total cost of a single scalpel is around 300 taels.

But there is still a problem: taxes need to be paid to the village.

Unlike ninja missions, the tax won't be as high, but 10 is the minimum.

Then charge an additional 20% profit.

Therefore, all things considered, a scalpel would normally cost over 400 taels of silver.

That's equivalent to the price of 7 bowls of ramen.

Uehara Shu began to consider it.

"Is this price a bit too high for the medical department?"

"After all, scalpels are consumables."

In terms of size, a scalpel is not as good as a kunai; it's just that it requires more technical skill.

"Perhaps, we can use razor blades now."

Uehara Osamu originally planned to forge a single, integrated scalpel instead of using blades initially, and then proceed that way once there were more blacksmiths on the forging island.

That would be easier to do.

After all, right now, the main person in charge is just Arafune Er.