Naruto: Hidden Mist's Great Blacksmith

"From now on, Forging Island will be the village's top priority."

"It's the hope for the village's future!"

"Biwa Juzo's strength has greatly improved. He's in charge of Forging Island's security, and currently, there are no issues."

"Suddenly sending others over there might not be so appropriate."

"However, we can arrange for an ANBU Ninja squad to be stationed nearby."

Furthermore, the Ninjato created by Soma, unlike the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords, has slightly different conditions for use, which are more demanding. In the hands of recognized ninjas, it can unleash greater power.

It's crucial to find suitable users for the Ninjato crafted by Soma in a timely manner.

If the Ninjato is forged but no recognized ninja emerges to wield it, it would reflect poorly on me as the Mizukage, wasting Soma's efforts.

Then, the Third Mizukage shifted his gaze towards Kaguya Island.

"Kaguya Clan..."

The village's situation can only be described as dire. Already at a disadvantage on the battlefield, we suffered further when the Hidden Mist Seven were severely injured.

The entire village's morale has plummeted.

Without Soma, the existence of the Kaguya Clan wouldn't be such a bad thing.

Despite the shortcomings of the Kaguya Clan, they still possess some strength. They can engage in battles on the battlefield against ninjas from other villages.

"Simultaneously, internally, I can increase the activity of my arranged Bloody Mist Policy."

"But Soma can bring a better future to the village."

"However, we must ensure stability within the village."

"And the Kaguya Clan is a very destabilizing factor."

"Especially now, the Kaguya Clan is becoming increasingly detrimental to the village's stability. In such dire external circumstances, they lack any sense of the bigger picture, only thinking about themselves."

"They're not smart, quite foolish, and arrogant."

"It's not just one or two individuals, but the vast majority of this clan."

"This ninja clan is beyond redemption."

The Third Mizukage's eyes flickered for a moment.

...

Night fell.

After handling today's documents, the Third Mizukage made his way to a relatively secluded courtyard in Hidden Mist Village.

Living in this courtyard was one of the Hidden Mist Seven, Kurosuki Raiga.

The Third Mizukage is dissatisfied with the Kaguya Clan.

But, he knows even more about the madness of the Kaguya Clan.

He has already agreed to Kaguya Hikari's conditions, and if they are not fulfilled, who knows what trouble Kaguya Hikari might cause.

The Third Mizukage isn't worried about himself; he's worried that Kaguya Hikari might cause trouble on Forging Island.

For the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords, Kaguya Hikari requested either Twinswords, Samehada, or the Thunder Swords.

Among them, Twinswords is something the Third Mizukage doesn't want to hand over to the Kaguya Clan.

As for Samehada, it's currently being used by Fuguki Suikazan.

In the tragic defeat of the Hidden Mist Seven, only three survived.

Among them, two fell into a state of despair upon returning to the village.

Only Fuguki Suikazan quickly recovered and resumed his duties in the village.

Therefore, after weighing his options, the Third Mizukage believes that the Thunder Swords will be the best choice.

"Mizukage-sama."

"Raiga, how have you been lately?"

Kurosuki Raiga let out a bitter laugh.

"Just barely hanging on."

With that, Kurosuki Raiga picked up the bottle in his hand and took a gulp.

"Mizukage-sama, I'm sorry, but if I don't drink this now, I won't be able to control myself. Every time I close my eyes, all I see are the scenes from that day."

"It's okay."

"Mizukage-sama, did you summon me for something?"

The Third Mizukage stated his purpose.

"Raiga, you can choose one from Sewing Needle, Executioner's Blade, Splash, or Helmet Splitter as your new Ninjato."

Kurosuki Raiga immediately understood the meaning behind the Third Mizukage's words, a self-deprecating expression crossing his face.

"Mizukage-sama, are you here to reclaim the Thunder Swords?"

"No problem."

"I'm already done for now, indeed, I no longer deserve to possess the Thunder Swords."

"But Mizukage-sama, there's no need for you to come in person."

"Just send an ANBU Ninja."

As he spoke, Kurosuki Raiga took out the Thunder Swords.

"Mizukage-sama, here you go."

"As for a new Ninjato, I don't need it. Even if I had a new Ninjato, I couldn't wield it anymore. I can't go to the battlefield again. Give the Ninjato to someone more deserving."

After downing a mouthful of liquor, probably choking on it, Kurosuki Raiga began to cough violently.

"Sorry, Mizukage-sama, I lost control."

"I'll go clean up first."

The Third Mizukage watched Kurosuki Raiga's departing figure, shook his head, and sighed.

As the elite team directly under the Mizukage, the Hidden Mist Seven, besides having extremely strong individual abilities, also held high status in Hidden Mist Village, earning the respect of countless people.

But now, everything has been shattered.

A Konoha Genin completely destroyed the Hidden Mist Seven.

From the mountain peaks, they were directly knocked down into the canyon ravines.

The current state of Kurosuki Raiga deeply saddens the Third Mizukage.

Previously, Biwa Juzo was in a similar state.

Perhaps slightly better off than Kurosuki Raiga, but not by much.

However, now Biwa Juzo has completely recovered.

"The Blue Rose Sword gave Juzo hope."

"If in the future, Soma can forge a Ninjato suitable for Raiga, one stronger than the Thunder Swords, allowing Raiga to gain more power, Raiga might also be able to recover like Juzo."

With the Thunder Swords in hand, the Third Mizukage went to the Kaguya Clan and handed them over to Kaguya En.

He's the current head of the Kaguya Clan.

"En, my promise has been fulfilled. I don't want to see anyone causing trouble on Forging Island anymore."

After speaking, without waiting for Kaguya En's response, the Third Mizukage had already vanished.

Kaguya En watched the direction in which the Third Mizukage left, shaking his head.

"Just as I expected, after this incident, the bond between the Third Mizukage and our Kaguya Clan has almost been entirely depleted."

"If such incidents happen again, only hatred will remain."

"And over these years, the Kaguya Clan has almost offended every other ninja clan, village elders, and even among the civilian ninjas, our reputation is extremely poor."

"The village is becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the Kaguya Clan."

"But the members within the clan show no signs of reflection, instead believing that the village is targeting them."

"If this continues, I'm afraid we'll eventually reach a point of rupture, leading to civil war."

Kaguya En sighed.

"I've heard that the Uchiha Clan has also produced a very promising young generation, named Uchiha Shisui, who is a descendant of Uchiha Kagami from years ago. He might bring change to the Uchiha Clan."

"Some people say they see shades of Uchiha Kagami in Uchiha Shisui."

"And Uchiha Kagami was a special Uchiha, the kind who could change the fate of the Uchiha."

"But in my Kaguya Clan, such a figure has not emerged."

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