NARUTO: GOD LEVEL FORGING SYSTEM

"Breath of Water Three Forms of the Flowing Dance!"

A sharp, controlled breath cut through the misty air.

A silver-white afterimage flickered as a figure blurred past the surging Suiton: Suiryūdan no Jutsu (Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet).

The body moved with the blade, the sword danced with the water.

The katana in Kazuki's grasp, infused with chakra flow, lost its rigid sharpness and became fluid—like a silken ribbon twisting gracefully through the air, encircling the towering water dragon.

Kazuki's movements flowed like the currents of a raging river.

In a single step, he swept his blade in a seamless arc—executing a technique akin to the Silent Killing style of the Hidden Mist.

"Cut!"

A quiet command left his lips.

The water dragon fractured instantly, splitting into countless streams that crashed down in a torrential downpour.

Yet, as the rain cascaded, Kazuki's white haori shimmered faintly—chakra repulsion ensuring the fabric remained untouched by the falling water.

Zabuza Momochi's dark eyes narrowed.

For the first time since his days in the Bloody Mist, an unsettling chill crept into his heart.

"Ridiculous! Am I really feeling fear… from a child who doesn't even wear a forehead protector?!"

The Demon of the Hidden Mist clenched his jaw. He had survived the brutal Kirigakure Academy's death trials and slaughtered over a hundred candidates before even becoming a shinobi.

He did not fear.

And yet—

The sheer killing intent radiating from this boy… it was suffocating.

Was it his youth? His swordsmanship? No—this was something else entirely.

A human with power so monstrous, it resembled a Bijū.

Gritting his teeth, Zabuza lifted the Kubikiribōchō (Decapitating Cleaver) and charged.

"Enough! Die!"

He swung down with full force.

Kazuki's lips curled into an unreadable smile.

"Futile. You were never my equal."

His right hand rested lightly on his hilt.

His feet, clad in reinforced shinobi sandals, pulsed with chakra-enhanced speed.

"Breath of Water—First Form: Water Slash!"

A simple yet devastating cut.

Years ago, Kazuki had used this very technique to force Might Guy into opening the Eight Gates.

But now—

He had far surpassed his past self.

A sharp crack echoed.

In an instant, Kazuki disappeared—his chakra blade slicing through the air like a falling star.

By the time he reappeared, five meters behind Zabuza, the battle was already over.

The Kubikiribōchō slipped from Zabuza's grasp, breaking into two jagged halves as it struck the ground.

A stunned silence.

Then—

"Pfft—!"

A crimson arc sprayed into the air.

Zabuza dropped to his knees. A deep gash, stretching from shoulder to hip, left his ribs exposed.

Even with his infamous endurance, no shinobi could survive such a wound.

Not even Tsunade's Yin Seal could mend this.

"It's over, Zabuza."

Kazuki slid his blade into its sheath without sparing a glance.

"You, hiding in the shadows… Are you coming out?"

Without turning, Kazuki's gaze settled on the dense foliage ahead.

"Are there are more enemies?"

Tazuna was startled when he heard those words, but he quickly calmed down.

Just now, he had witnessed this young man named Kazuki effortlessly kill a Jōnin-level shinobi—Momochi Zabuza, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. This alone proved the terrifying extent of his true strength.

He recalled how he had initially looked down on this young man, underestimating him as just another genin.

A chill ran down Tazuna's spine.

Had he provoked Kazuki back then, he might not even have realized how he had died.

"Hey, is there really someone?"

Upon Kazuki's warning, Might Guy, ever brimming with enthusiasm but sometimes lacking in vigilance, suddenly became aware of another presence.

Whoosh!

A figure appeared before them in an instant.

It was a beautiful youth with delicate, almost androgynous features—Haku.

With an expression both serene and sorrowful, Haku bowed respectfully to Kazuki, his voice calm yet laced with grief.

"We surrender this mission. My lord, please allow me to take Zabuza-sama's body. I am willing to agree to any conditions you set."

Kazuki's gaze swept over Haku's face—more striking than many women's—before nodding.

"You may take his body, but the Kubikiribōchō stays."

For a brief moment, hesitation flickered across Haku's expression, but it quickly vanished.

He nodded politely.

"Thank you, my lord."

Then, without another word, he stepped forward, moving toward Zabuza's corpse.

His movements were precise, unwavering, as if he held no fear that Kazuki might change his mind.

In those dark eyes, Kazuki caught a glimpse of something deeper—a quiet resolve, perhaps even an acceptance of death itself.

Did he truly hold no desire for revenge?

Or had witnessing Kazuki's overwhelming power made retaliation seem impossible?

Was it a kind heart that stayed his hand, unwilling to kill now that the mission was abandoned?

Or did Zabuza mean so much to him that he would forsake everything, just to ensure his master was laid to rest with dignity?

Kazuki, however, did not dwell on it.

He sensed no killing intent from Haku, and so, he permitted him to take Zabuza's body.

As Haku passed Kazuki, the latter whispered something in a low voice.

Haku hesitated, then lowered his gaze and nodded softly.

"Yes, Lord Kazuki."

Without another word, Haku lifted Zabuza's lifeless form and disappeared into the mist.

Kazuki bent down and retrieved the Kubikiribōchō, the massive executioner's blade gleaming with residual chakra.

He had completed the mission.

Ding!

[Congratulations, host! Mission complete!]

[Mission Reward: Zanpakutō Blueprint – Daiguren Hyōrinmaru!]

Hearing the system's voice in his mind, Kazuki's eyes flashed with excitement.

A six-star blueprint!

Even in his previous missions, the highest-grade weapon blueprint he had obtained had only reached five stars.

For the first time in four years, his system interface displayed an immense leap in progress:

[Host: Kazuki]

[Age: 12]

[Forging Level: Intermediate]

[Unlocked Weapons:]

Six-Star: Zanpakutō – Daiguren Hyōrinmaru!

Five-Star: Intermediate Storage Space Ring, White Mist Sword, Ten Flames Needles…

Four-Star: Mechanical Bird, Sharingan Eye, Nine-Dragon Pearl Crown, Eight-Treasure Dark Night Helmet…

Three-Star: Nichirin Blade…

Two-Star: Heavenly Feather Cloak…

One-Star: …

After reviewing the system panel, Kazuki closed it for now.

Forging a six-star Zanpakutō required an immense variety of rare materials—over a hundred different components.

Though he had gathered many special metals and ores over the years, he was still missing a few crucial materials that could only be found within the Land of Fire.

He would not be able to forge Daiguren Hyōrinmaru until every last material was secured.

"Kazuki, you've grown even stronger!"

Might Guy approached him, grinning widely, his energy as boundless as ever.

He clapped a firm hand on Kazuki's shoulder, his eyes brimming with passion.

"See? Hard work always pays off! I've watched you train relentlessly, and now, your youthful power burns brighter than ever!"

Kazuki laughed.

"Haha, sorry, Guy-sensei. I kind of stole your opponent."

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