The Land of Iron had no shinobi—only samurai.
While these samurai, like ninja, also possessed chakra of various natures, their way of fighting was entirely different. Ninja transformed chakra into ninjutsu and genjutsu to strike at their enemies. Samurai, on the other hand, channeled their chakra into their blades, producing cutting waves of sword energy.
This fundamental difference meant that samurai were far more limited in power. Especially by the later stages of the shinobi era, when battlefields were dominated by overwhelming barrages of ninjutsu, the samurai's fighting strength seemed almost feeble. Even the Land of Iron's most renowned warrior, Mifune, was impressive only up to a point.
Still… if I could master their fighting style, could I transform my own abilities entirely?
Senju Haruto followed silently behind Ri Kaku, deep in thought. His chakra reserves were larger than most. If he could channel that chakra into his asauchi, producing sword energy… could it reach the destructive level of the legendary Excalibur?
He'd have to test it sometime.
While Haruto was lost in his musings, Ri Kaku led them through the forest until they reached one of the Land of Iron's towns. As Mifune's personal guard, Ri Kaku had already arranged lodgings for the visiting party of Sarutobi Hiruzen and his companions, as per Mifune's orders.
"You've all had a long journey," Ri Kaku said respectfully. "Lord Mifune specifically asked that you rest well tonight. The talks will begin tomorrow."
Though the Land of Iron's national power couldn't compare to great nations like the Land of Fire or the Land of Lightning, it carried a certain unshakable confidence. As the world's only neutral country to have remained untouched through countless wars, they treated even the Kage of great nations without subservience.
Whether receiving the Hokage or the Raikage, Mifune rarely appeared in person—his guards would convey his messages. They would only meet him directly during formal talks.
"I understand," Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. "We'll rest for the night."
"In that case, I'll take my leave. I must report back to Lord Mifune."
Ri Kaku gave Haruto and the others a formal samurai bow before turning on his heel and walking away without looking back.
"Ugh… I'm exhausted. Lord Hokage, I'm going to get some real rest," Haruto yawned lazily as soon as Ri Kaku was gone, looking like he couldn't wait to collapse into bed.
"Of course," Hiruzen replied. "Yamanaka, you've had a long day as well—rest up."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Yamanaka Kaze replied promptly and headed to his own quarters. Haruto didn't linger either—he bid Hiruzen goodnight and went to his room.
The Land of Iron might not be wealthy, but under Mifune's leadership, its people lived in peace and order. The rooms weren't luxurious, but they were clean, orderly, and equipped with all necessities.
Haruto sat cross-legged on the tatami and immediately activated his Byakugan.
Although he now possessed Hashirama's chakra, mastery over all five basic chakra natures, and Wood Release, sensory ability was still his weak point. Even face-to-face, he often struggled to distinguish differences in chakra. The Byakugan compensated for this flaw—once activated, it gave him a full three-hundred-sixty-degree field of vision.
After confirming no one was spying or eavesdropping, Haruto focused his mind and drew his asauchi from his inventory.
He rarely used such weapons, but he wasn't unfamiliar with them.
Gripping the blade, he gave it a horizontal swing.
"The feel… not much different from other swords," he murmured, then began channeling chakra into the blade, wondering if he could transform it into a true zanpakutō.
It didn't work.
"Well, of course. I just got this blade—there's no way it would awaken so soon."
He studied the silver-white edge, stopped feeding it chakra, and rose to his feet. The system's sign-in reward had given him the asauchi but no scabbard.
"Come to think of it, the Land of Iron is a nation of samurai. Every warrior here wears layered armor and carries at least two swords. The blacksmith trade must be highly advanced."
The sky outside was still bright.
"Guess I'll take a walk."
Haruto hung the asauchi at his hip and left the room.
Although countries differed, in the shinobi world everyone spoke the same language.
"The streets are livelier than I expected," he observed.
Even though the Land of Iron was geographically isolated, it didn't feel backward. The streets bustled with merchants and townsfolk, and as a land of warriors, its metalwork was renowned.
He didn't even need to ask for directions—his eyes quickly found a large blacksmith shop in the distance.
Glancing at the blade in his hand, Haruto strode toward it.
"Welcome!"
The blacksmith greeted him warmly—until his gaze fell on the sword Haruto carried.
His eyes widened. His breath caught.
"That blade…" the blacksmith swallowed hard. He considered himself well-traveled within the Land of Iron, having forged weapons even for Mifune's own samurai corps. He almost never used the word "perfect" for a weapon.
To a true smith, the finest blade was always the next one—the next generation. Skill improved with every stroke of hammer and anvil, and the belief in constant refinement had fueled his life's work.
Calling any weapon "perfect" would be like denying that lifelong pursuit, an unbearable blow to a craftsman's pride.
And yet… that belief had existed only before this moment.
"Perfect…"
It was the only word he could find. No other description seemed worthy.
"May I…" He hesitated, hands trembling, wiping them on the front of his apron like a child desperate to touch a treasured toy but afraid to ask. "May I take a closer look?"
Haruto blinked, puzzled. Is this asauchi… really that special?