NARUTO: GOD LEVEL FORGING SYSTEM

Of course, at the same time,

In the Hidden Leaf Village, an event that might seem insignificant to most was unfolding.

But to Kazuki, it was of great importance.

That event was…

The Konoha Ninja Academy Entrance Exam had begun!

It was the summer of Konoha Year 54, a pivotal moment in the timeline of the original series—

The year Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and the other members of the Konoha 11 began their ninja training at the Academy!

For Kazuki, Sasuke Uchiha's enrollment served as a significant temporal marker.

Because that meant—

The Uchiha Clan Downfall was imminent!

---

[Ding! Forging successful! Forged item: Nichirin Blade!]

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully crafting a sun-patterned blade. System reward: +1 comprehension of the Breathing Law!]

A month later,

After numerous failed attempts,

Kazuki finally forged his first weapon with a three-star difficulty rating—the Nichirin Blade!

His eyes gleamed with excitement.

He fixed his gaze on the blade, where a dark blue sheen shimmered faintly across the surface.

Kazuki opened his system interface,

And the details of the Nichirin Blade appeared before him.

[Nichirin Blade]

Rank: Three-Star Weapon

Attribute: Water

Skill: Grants insight into the Water Breathing technique

Contract Status: Unbound

Water Breathing technique?

Kazuki pondered,

Could it mean that wielding this blade in combat would naturally grant him a deeper understanding of Water Breathing?

His anticipation grew.

He wanted to take the blade outside immediately to test its strength.

But first, he needed to bind the contract.

Kazuki bit his finger, smearing his blood onto the blade.

A surge of connection flooded his mind as the Nichirin Blade accepted the contract.

Only then did he place the blade inside his storage ring.

That was when he realized—

His space ring was already full!

Over the past few months, he had been so focused on forging that every completed weapon was tossed into storage without a second thought.

Unknowingly, he had amassed an entire arsenal.

Reflecting on the sheer amount of materials consumed,

It must have cost nearly 10 million ryō… practically an entire year's worth of his family's business revenue.

No wonder, whenever he retrieved items from the family warehouse,

His father's eye would twitch slightly—

The man must have felt the financial pain.

And yet, despite the expense,

His parents had never once complained.

They had always believed in supporting their children's dream of becoming great ninjas,

Even if Kazuki's blacksmithing pursuits drained a fortune.

Thankfully, decades of business had made their family wealthy—

On par with some of Konoha's prominent shinobi clans.

So, even with the exorbitant costs, they could sustain his ambitions.

Kazuki opened his ring and counted his current arsenal of forged ninja tools.

He hadn't realized how many he had made until now.

The total number of weapons he had crafted was staggering:

One-Star Weapons: 500 Shadow Clone Kunai, 500 Substitution Kunai, 500 Transformation Kunai.

Two-Star Weapons: 5 Basic Storage Space Rings, 10 Primary Kusanagi Swords, 5 Feathered Sky Cloaks, 5 pairs of Lightfoot Boots.

Three-Star Weapons: 1 Nichirin Blade.

Over time, his forging ability had advanced significantly.

His system status had changed drastically:

[Host: Kazuki]

[Age: 7 years old]

[Forging Level: Beginner]

[Unlocked Weapons:**

Tier 1: Shadow Clone Kunai (100%), Substitution Kunai (100%), Transformation Kunai (100%).

Tier 2: Basic Storage Space Ring (100%), Grasscutter Sword (100%), Feathered Sky Cloak (100%), Lightfoot Boots (100%).

Tier 3: Nichirin Blade (26%).

Self-Created Weapons: None.

---

At the Konoha training ground,

Kazuki gripped the Nichirin Blade in his hands.

With a gentle swing toward the wooden training post—

"Shhhhhhh!"

A streak of white light flashed.

The wooden post split cleanly into two, as if sliced by the sharpest of razors.

Such an action, he had repeated hundreds of times today.

"Wheww…"

Kazuki halted the swing of his sword, its edge glinting under the dim light.

"Although I haven't fully mastered the Water Breathing technique, this Sun Blade—crafted from Scarlet Ore—still proves to be an exceptional weapon," he evaluated silently, feeling the weight of the blade in his grip.

Afterward, Kazuki sat cross-legged on the training ground, resting the Sun Blade on his lap. Slowly, he closed his eyes, synchronizing his breathing with the still air around him. His breaths lengthened, steady and deep, mimicking the flow of a tranquil stream.

As if asleep.

This was the Zen of the sword—Mushin—the mental state swordsmen used to refine their technique and elevate their spirit.

At this moment, Kazuki employed this method to further grasp the intricacies of Water Breathing.

In this stance,

Kazuki's heart grew serene.

The world around him hushed, save for the rhythmic inhale and exhale of unseen life.

Breath of All Things.

Time slipped away unnoticed until Kazuki finally opened his eyes. A sharper glint reflected in them, his understanding of Water Breathing deepening with each session.

He estimated three more days of dedicated practice.

Soon, he would touch the threshold of true mastery.

[Ding! Mission Released: Collect Fire Release Ninjutsu Energy.

System Reward: Hidden Mask Blueprint]

Kazuki inquired, "How do I gather this Fire Release energy?"

The system promptly responded:

[The host may use any kunai and expose it to Fire Release jutsu. Once fully absorbed, the kunai will shatter.]

Kazuki nodded.

Though the system's mechanics for absorbing chakra nature energy remained unclear, he resolved to follow its guidance.

But… Fire Release techniques? He lacked proficiency in such jutsu.

It seemed he needed to find another way.

After closing the system interface,

Kazuki decided to conclude his training and depart from the secluded training ground.

At that moment—

A figure in Konoha's ANBU attire materialized before him, their presence sudden yet measured.

The agent wore a porcelain mask, a hallmark of the Third Hokage's elite black ops.

How had they found him?

Kazuki's instincts sharpened, his body silently preparing for the unexpected.

Without hesitation, the masked figure removed their disguise, revealing the face beneath.

Uchiha Itachi.

Kazuki's eyes narrowed.

Why had Itachi sought him out?

"Is something the matter?" Kazuki asked, brows slightly furrowed.

At this time, Uchiha Itachi was even more dangerous than other ANBU operatives.

While Kazuki observed him, Itachi was also studying Kazuki—his expression calm, but his mind filled with analysis.

The rhythm of Kazuki's breathing, the circulation of his chakra, the latent power within his muscles—each minute detail painted a picture of hidden strength.

No wonder Shisui had mentioned him before.

Shisui had once spoken of a young genius in the village.

This composed demeanor and mature mindset… Even among prodigies, Kazuki stood apart.

For the first time, Uchiha Itachi found himself unable to view someone as a mere junior. Instead, he regarded Kazuki as a peer.

"I sought you out today because I have a question," Itachi stated, his tone steady and devoid of emotion.

Kazuki remained motionless, offering no response.

He simply waited.

A moment of silence stretched between them, dense and heavy.

Finally, realizing Kazuki would not prompt him, Itachi exhaled lightly before continuing.

"I won't be cryptic. The reason I came today involves Uchiha Shisui."

A flicker of something passed through Kazuki's eyes.

"You must have heard about Shisui's passing."

Kazuki remained silent.

"The last time I spoke to him, he mentioned you."

Itachi's gaze bore into Kazuki's.

"He said he was grateful to you… What did he mean by that?"

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