"Chief-sama, the assessment is over."
Soma nodded and looked at Genji.
"Genji-san, can I head back to Forging Island now?"
"Okay."
More than forty new members gathered in the training ground.
Soma walked in and slowly approached the temporarily constructed high platform.
Everyone's gaze immediately focused on Soma.
Their eyes were filled with reverence.
"Is that Chief Uehara?"
"He's really young."
"At this age, he has the talent to forge a Zanpakuto; in terms of blacksmithing, Chief Uehara can definitely be considered a genius among geniuses."
"Our village is incredibly lucky to have Chief Uehara."
"And it's our fortune to follow Chief Uehara."
Through the assessment, these individuals hadn't yet truly felt like they had become part of the forging department.
But upon seeing Soma, that feeling finally surged within them.
For a moment, they were all a bit excited.
Soma looked around.
"Congratulations, everyone, on passing the assessment. From today, you are all members of the forging department's guard."
"There will be a total of six small teams."
"Four squad captain positions will be filled from among you."
Since Ao had gone to the front lines, the previous structure of the forging department had become somewhat unreasonable.
The captain of the first squad is Daida, who is also the Anbu Chief.
The captain of the second squad is Kaguya Izumi, who serves as the vice president of the foundation.
Soma adopted a structure similar to that of the Shinigami Gotei.
"Next, I'll briefly discuss your benefits and treatment..."
"And the foundation."
"Joining the foundation is entirely voluntary; there are no mandatory requirements, and it is not tied to your achievements in any way."
"Additionally, taking this opportunity, I'd like to announce the compensation measures for the guard members who were casualties in the last incident"
The guard members whose names were called stepped forward.
For those whose names were mentioned but who had already passed away, Soma arranged for others to represent them.
After today, the compensation will be delivered to their families.
This made the newly joined guard members feel an immediate sense of closeness to the forging department.
In a department that treats its subordinates so well, the benefits provided are genuine and substantial.
It felt like returning to a "home."
The meeting concluded.
Soma looked at the guard members who were lined up.
The four squad captains had already been chosen during the previous assessment.
They were the four winners from the practical evaluation.
Sixty people stood in neat formation.
"With the increase in the guard members, it's also time to recruit more blacksmiths to hold a Sword Forging Competition, to gain some reputation from these individuals in the forging department."
"We should be able to accumulate nearly 3,000 points of reputation."
Originally, Soma had wanted to slow down the pace and take it a bit easier.
After all, the situation in Hidden Mist Village had stabilized.
Victory in the war was near.
And the Akatsuki Organization wouldn't take action so soon.
However, changes in Konoha gave Soma a strong sense of urgency.
"Hidden Mist Village needs more top ninjas."
"If Konoha revives Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama through Impure World Reincarnation, and even conducts Hashirama cell transplants on many ninjas, then the number of top ninjas in Konoha will reach unprecedented levels."
"Even if the people revived through Impure World Reincarnation are far from their strength in life."
"Especially those who were revived with the unrefined Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu."
"But Konoha's history has too many powerful ninjas."
"I need to forge more ninja tools."
"And they need to be stronger ninja tools."
"Therefore, I must conduct at least forty consecutive draws."
"The chances of selecting compatible ninja tools will be much higher with six choices."
"And I also need to continue enhancing my personal strength."
Soma divided his time into three parts.
One was to study the Water Release ninjutsu that Hozuki Izumo had brought.
Previously, Hozuki Izumo only knew a portion of the Hozuki Clan's secret jutsu.
Now, with the "extinction" of the Hozuki Clan, Hozuki Izumo had brought all of the Water Release secret jutsu to Soma, along with a scroll that could summon ninjato.
"Water Release, Hydrification Healing Technique!"
Soma's arm transformed into a stream of water.
The water wrapped around an injured fish.
The injuries on the fish began to heal at a visibly fast pace under the influence of the water.
"This healing effect is extremely strong!"
"It rivals Konoha's Mystical Palm Jutsu; no, it even surpasses Konoha's Mystical Palm Jutsu in effectiveness."
Soma looked at the fish that had fully recovered and gently tossed it back into the seawater.
"With this Hydrification Healing Technique in terms of healing ninjutsu, I've actually reached a pretty good level in external injury healing. I could be considered a high-ranking medical ninja if I went to the medical department now."
"Next is Water Release, Oil Transformation."
Hydrification Jutsu turns the body into water.
Water Release: Oil Transformation involves turning the body, which has already become water, into oil.
This is a prerequisite ninjutsu that must be learned before mastering the Steaming Danger Tyranny Jutsu.
Soma carefully examined the ninjutsu scroll.
Then, he closed his eyes and began to simulate it in his mind.
The next moment, he opened his eyes and formed the hand seals.
"Water Release, Oil Transformation."
Soma looked at his hands.
"Compared to other Water Release techniques, this one is significantly more difficult, much like when I first learned the Hydrification Jutsu; it requires time to progress."
"It's not just about having an Ultimate-level Water Release talent that allows me to master it instantly."
"But now, I can confidently say that I am already a Water Release Master."
Soma summarized his Water Release ninjutsu.
He had learned all the standard Water Release techniques in Hidden Mist Village: Water Dragon Bullet, Water Prison, Water Clone, Hiding in Mist Jutsu, Exploding Water Colliding Wave, Water Wall, Water Formation Pillar, Mist Rain, Water Whip, Water Fang Blade Jutsu, and Water Fang Bullet Jutsu.
Next were the Hozuki Clan's secret jutsu.
Hydrification Jutsu, Water Gun Jutsu, Double Water Gun, Rapid Fire Water Gun, Water Gun Shotgun, Oil Transformation Jutsu, Water Balloon Jutsu, Great Water Arm Jutsu, Hydrification Healing Jutsu.
"There are still two Hozuki Water Release secret jutsu that I haven't learned."
"One is Steaming Danger Tyranny."
"An extremely powerful destructive ninjutsu."
"The other is Tate Eboshi."
"A defensive type of ninjutsu."
Tate Eboshi involves performing Hydrification on the entire body, then using chakra to create a large amount of water, or directly drawing from the natural water already present, to cover oneself.
It's like wearing a massive armor.
It transforms the user into a giant beast-like existence.
In a sense, it is similar to the Uchiha Clan's Susanoo,
but it is somewhat weaker in intensity.
The shape is also not as regular, but rather flows and changes.
"Visually, it resembles a slime."
"In the original plot, Hozuki Suigetsu used this ninjutsu to briefly contend with the Eight-Tails."
"When facing a giant creature, this ninjutsu has some room for effectiveness."
The second part is still focused on improving Forging Techniques.
This is a long-term goal for Soma.
The third part is the Sword Forging Competition.
"Once the Sword Forging Competition is over, I can start working on the Dungeon Instance for the Soul Reaping Sword."
Soon, Arafuni completed the preparations for the forging competition.
A list appeared in Soma's hands.
Soma gathered several blacksmiths from Forging Island.
"Chief-sama."
Soma nodded slightly.
"For this Sword Forging Competition, I plan to recruit three blacksmiths at once. With the expansion of the Broad Sword business, the forging department's manpower is completely insufficient and urgently needs to be supplemented."
"Moreover, the income from this expanded business can support the expenses of the forging department."
"The larger the number, the stricter the rules must be."
Soma said, "Regarding blacksmiths, I've decided to establish a rating system."
"They will be classified as Intern Blacksmith, Low-Level Blacksmith, Mid-Level Blacksmith, and High-Level Blacksmith."
"Blacksmiths who just joined the forging department will start as Intern Blacksmiths. Once they complete their internship, they become Low-Level Blacksmiths."
"If they achieve Novice level in either Chakra Smelting Technique or Breathing Forging Method, they will be classified as Mid-Level Blacksmiths."
"At least one complete mastery will qualify them as High-Level Blacksmiths."
For now, Soma only categorized them this way.
After all, aside from Arafuni, there weren't any who had reached Mid-Level.
Arafuni could only be considered to have reached Novice level in the Breathing Forging Method.
Different levels come with different benefits and statuses.
This serves as a catalyst to motivate the blacksmiths.
Two days later, nine blacksmiths arrived at Forging Island.
"The third Sword Forging Competition officially begins!"
With Soma's declaration, the nine blacksmiths got busy.
"Ding!"
"Ding!"
"Ding!"
The sound of hammering echoed back and forth.
Soma glanced over.
The blacksmiths who came for the assessment this time were notably different from those who had come before; the biggest difference was their attitude. They were very serious, with solemn expressions, not daring to show any signs of slackness.
They cherished this opportunity immensely.
Moreover, they had high hopes for the future of the forging department.
Now, everyone in Hidden Mist Village knew that no matter what challenges arose, the forging department would not decline.
It wasn't solely reliant on Soma.
The scalpel and Broad Sword could not be replicated in a short period under the circumstances of the Land of Iron.
Even if the war had ended and peace was achieved, the forging department would still not lack for business.
"I've finished!"
A middle-aged blacksmith, having just completed his forging, eagerly raised his hand.
However, the blacksmith next to him seemed to be affected by this excitement.
His progress was already unsatisfactory, and under this pressure, he made a mistake, causing his entire work to be ruined in an instant, leaving him without a chance to participate in the final blade test.
The young man squatted on the ground, holding his head, with an expression of extreme frustration.
"I finished too!"
The blacksmiths completed their tasks one after another.
Soma signaled to Arafuni.
Immediately, members of the guard team helped bring in fish, hanging them on racks. The blue scales of the fish looked extraordinary, unlike ordinary fish.
"Begin the blade test!"
With Soma's command, the blacksmiths stepped forward.
They swung their blades fiercely, chopping down at the fish in front of them.
"Thud!"
"Thud!"
"Thud!"
"Clang!"
Suddenly, when one blade made contact with the fish, the enormous force of the collision caused the blade, which lacked toughness, to snap in half, sending a portion of the blade flying out.
The Sword Forging Competition once again turned into a breaking Sword Contest.
"Chief-sama, watch out!"
One guard member saw the flying piece of blade heading toward Soma's position and quickly shouted a warning.
Meanwhile, the blacksmith who's sword broke was extremely worried.
Injuring Soma was a serious matter. Whether there would be punishment or not was another question.
The blacksmith worried that Soma would come to dislike him and he would lose the chance to join Forging Island forever.
This was something he could not accept.
Soma looked at the incoming blade without any change in expression.
If such an attack could even be considered an attack, it was too weak.
Soma's base attributes had reached the Jonin level.
With all the factors considered, his overall strength could definitely be classified as elite Jonin level.
Soma flicked his fingers.
Immediately, a droplet of water shot forward to meet the blade.
The blade was knocked away.
"Continue!"
It was just a minor accident; Soma wouldn't make a fuss over it.
"Yes, Chief-sama!"
After the interview, three blacksmiths stayed on Forging Island.
Soma led all the blacksmiths into the forging room.
"Shinnosuke-san, what is Chief-sama doing?"
An intern blacksmith, who recognized Tanaka Shinnosuke, couldn't help but ask.
"Chief-sama is going to demonstrate the entire process of forging a Skillful Grade Sword. This is a rare opportunity. We really are benefiting from you."
"Only with new blacksmiths joining would Chief-sama demonstrate it once."
"However, Chief-sama's time is extremely precious."
"There are too many things that require Chief-sama to do personally."
"Since coming to Forging Island, I haven't really seen Chief-sama take a break."
"Moreover, Chief-sama is completely open and doesn't hold anything back, which is entirely different from those blacksmiths who were here before."
Soma doesn't hold back because he isn't worried about anyone catching up to him.
These people are learning Soma's techniques.
And since Soma is tied to Forging Island, it means he will always be one level above the skills he already possesses.
There's also the enhancement from God's Hand.
Even if these people learn everything from Soma, they still won't surpass him.
The previous blacksmiths on Forging Island were different.
"Pay close attention; how much you can learn depends on your own comprehension."
"I understand, thank you, Shinnosuke-san!"
...
"Finally, I've done enough research."
Orochimaru rubbed his temples, his face showing signs of fatigue.
In these days, others in Konoha have been risking their lives to block the attacks of the three major ninja villages.
And Orochimaru has been giving his all, hardly resting.
"Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu!"
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