Naruto: Becomes a Rebel Ninja After Annihilating the Hyuga Clan - Chapter 97

“Show me something new?”

The young man’s strength was indeed unfathomable, but in his domain of expertise, Suzuki Masahide never admitted defeat. Among the renowned weapon smiths in the world, aside from the samurais of the Land of Iron, who could compare to the masters of Kirigakure? Having lived half his life, Masahide had forged more weapons than this young man had likely ever seen.

Neiki placed his black long sword in front of him.

Masahide glanced at it. It had the shape of a long sword from the Land of Fire, except the blade was black. It didn’t look extraordinary at first glance. His lips curled into a sneer, and he was about to make a mocking remark when Neiki suddenly swung the sword horizontally.

“Boom.”

The massive grindstone in the courtyard split cleanly in half.

“My… my grindstone…” Suzuki Masahide was dumbfounded, then glared angrily at Neiki. “What do you think you’re doing?!”

Realization struck him, and he turned back to the black long sword in Neiki’s hand, now with a look of disbelief.

“What… what material is this made of?”

“I don’t know, which is why I’m asking you.” Neiki responded matter-of-factly.

“You don’t know? You… hey, let me see.” He urgently took the sword from Neiki, but as soon as it was in his hand, his brows furrowed. The fervor on his face quickly faded, replaced by a serious and puzzled expression.

“This weight isn’t right…”

“This material shouldn’t be…”

“What exactly is this structure…”

He murmured, turning back into the cabin, weighing and measuring it meticulously.

Neiki plucked an apple from a tree at the entrance, took a bite, and juice splattered everywhere.

Leaning against the window, he asked with a smile, “Learning something new?”

“What exactly… is this?” Masahide muttered incredulously. “It seems like… two long swords forged into one? But without losing any material or altering the structure…”

“The weight is exactly double that of a standard long sword. The material is the same, and the structure is identical…”

As a professional smith, he was well-acquainted with the standard quality of the weapons made in Konoha. So, the moment he held the sword, he sensed something unusual.

The more he examined it, the more incredible it seemed.

“Is there something added inside the blade to maintain the weight? But how could the added material be so evenly distributed without any visible differences on the outside?”

“What kind of technique is this?”

“How was this done?”

“Who is the master behind this?”

“You ask too many questions,” Neiki said, tossing the apple core behind him. Casually, he added, “If I told you this was made by a sage, using special means to merge two swords into one, would you believe it?”

Suzuki Masahide listened, frowning deeply as he continued to scrutinize the black long sword. When he looked up again, he had a sudden realization: “Two swords merged into one… so that’s it… this must be the work of a sage! Yes, yes, only they, only sages, could use such miraculous means to alter the very fabric of materials, turning two ordinary swords into such an extraordinary weapon!”

“It’s just a pity…” He sighed as he caressed the blade.

“Pity about what?” Neiki prompted.

“This sword must be only a semi-finished product created by the sage.”

Neiki, intrigued, asked, “Why do you say that? Have you seen a finished product made by a sage?”

“I have.” Suzuki Masahide nodded solemnly.

“Once, while journeying to the Land of Iron with my master, we passed through Kusagakure and saw a peculiar, enormous box. The people there said it was called the Box of Ultimate Bliss, capable of granting anyone’s wish, but it couldn’t be opened without a key… I’m certain that was the work of a sage.”

“Just like this strange sword, that box was made from an incomprehensible material.”

“But that Box of Ultimate Bliss held powers beyond our comprehension.”

“And this sword, though its material is unique, is still just a sword at its core…”

Neiki nodded slightly.

Even if the Byakugan reaches its final form, it remains the Byakugan.

And this sword, even after its transformation, is still a sword.

Simplicity has its own merit.

Suzuki Masahide reluctantly handed the black long sword back to Neiki, jokingly saying, “The sage’s methods are beyond imagination. Merging two standard swords into one already elevates this industrially made junk far beyond what I could forge after months of effort. If you could merge four swords into one, it might truly become a sage’s artifact.”

Neiki raised an eyebrow, “Four swords would make it a sage’s artifact?”

Suzuki Masahide patiently explained, “If you merge one drop of water with another, it doesn’t become two drops but one heavy drop that sinks to the bottom.”

“Merge one grain of sand with another, and it doesn’t become two grains but one grain that’s unmovable by wind or rain.”

“In the same way, if merging two standard swords creates this strange, heavy, and sharp black sword…”

“Then merging four swords would likely imbue it with powers beyond our understanding. This is the inevitable result of changing the essence of the material while maintaining its structure. Of course, if it only becomes heavier and sharper without any other changes, that would also be normal, given that it’s ‘beyond our understanding.'”

“But that’s unlikely.”

“Why do you say that?” Neiki asked.

Suzuki Masahide smiled, looking into the distance.

Following his gaze, Neiki saw nothing that could answer his questions.

There were only towering mountains, majestic and tall.

Only snow-capped peaks, white as silver pins.

Only rolling clouds, green pines beneath them, springs flowing through the mountains, and streams running between them, where countless creatures quietly drank.

### Chapter 99: Impossible

—

“So that’s it…”

Neiki understood what Suzuki Masahide meant: the solution to his question lay right here in this world, this very place.

“This world is made from the fusion of life force and spiritual energy.”

“There is no life force that can exist independently of spiritual energy.”

“Life force and spiritual energy can be temporarily imbalanced in specific areas or individuals, but they cannot remain imbalanced forever.”

“I don’t know if sages need to forge weapons with hammer and fire, but if fusion is the method of sage weapon forging, then they certainly haven’t balanced the natural forces within the blade.”

“The stronger the life force, the less likely it is to remain just an empty shell,” Suzuki Masahide said, his voice low as he looked at the black long sword in Neiki’s hand. “In our world, natural force is something even sages cannot ignore…”

“You ninjas see weapons as tools for killing, meant to slay living beings because you believe nature is geared towards life.”

“But I think differently. I believe nature leans towards death, and weapons are tools for suicide—both for humans and for nature itself.”

“From the moment a weapon is forged, it’s meant for killing—killing people, animals, plants, and even itself.”

“Just as humans, from the moment nature creates them, are meant to kill—killing people, animals, plants, and nature itself.”

“A sword is a tool for human suicide, and humans are tools for nature’s suicide. As smiths, we cannot only consider the material combination and ignore the influence of humans and nature.”

“You think this sword might give birth to life?” Neiki asked thoughtfully.

“I’m just a smith. How could I possibly know? I can’t fuse two swords into one without leftover materials… But according to the life and spirit theory, that’s generally the logic,” Suzuki Masahide said, scratching his head and laughing. His eyes were complex and obscure. “Extreme material power tends to attract natural forces, leading to a certain degree of ‘animation.’ We dream of having such capabilities…”

After pondering for a moment, Neiki suddenly spoke, “Is the Thunder Sword: Kiba the result of attracting lightning’s natural attribute?”

“That’s just a small trick of forging, completely incomparable to the sage’s power of fusing materials,” Suzuki Masahide shook his head vigorously.

“Thank you for your explanation.” Noticing something, Neiki turned his head to look at the surging clouds below the mountain, a slight smile forming on his lips.

“I should be thanking you for opening my eyes,” Suzuki Masahide sighed. He hadn’t noticed Neiki’s changing expression. “I indeed learned a lot today.”

“By the way, what’s the name of this sword?” Suzuki Masahide asked curiously.

“Oh, I haven’t named it yet,” Neiki replied indifferently, as he drew the sword.

“Then you must have gotten it not long ago…” Suzuki Masahide guessed, looking at Neiki with flickering eyes. “Doesn’t Konohagakure have any smiths?”

Neiki turned back to him and nodded slightly, “It does.”

“Then why come all the way to Kirigakure? If it’s just to ask these questions and to open my eyes, it’s a bit too risky,” Suzuki Masahide shook his head. “Aren’t you afraid of losing your life here?”

Neiki was not surprised that he had been identified, and his smile remained gentle, “Don’t misunderstand, I just came here in passing.”

“I thought so…” The smith said dryly, his gaze fixed on the black long sword in Neiki’s hand, unable to look away, his mind in turmoil.

“Hades.”

Masahide blinked, “What?”

“I just thought of it. The sword’s name is Hades,” Neiki explained casually.

“Hades… Hades… Good name,” Masahide sighed and said to Neiki, “That about does it. You should go. Kirigakure has strict protocols for protecting its swords. A craftsman like me is under close surveillance by Kirigakure’s Anbu. Even moving here didn’t escape their watch. Go now, before it’s too late.”

“It’s already too late.” Neiki’s Byakugan pierced through the void, and he said calmly.

“Discovered by Kirigakure’s Anbu?” Suzuki Masahide’s expression changed slightly.

“No, but ever since I entered Kirigakure, I was discovered by a blade of grass,” Neiki shook his head. “He’s been speculating about my intentions. He didn’t organize an interception because he thought I was here for you, but he doesn’t realize that I’m actually here for them.”

Suzuki Masahide didn’t understand what Neiki was saying, nor did he care. He looked at Neiki helplessly… This guy, clearly confident in his skills, didn’t need others to worry about him.

Down the mountain, figures had already broken through the mist. Suzuki Masahide could now see their blurred silhouettes.

Suzuki Masahide pressed his lips together, seemingly making a decision. He retrieved something from his small cabin and hurriedly handed it to Neiki while saying, “I don’t want to make ceremonial weapons for those big clans and powerful families.”

“But I don’t get to decide what I can do.”

“Weapons of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen require massive resources, and with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen defecting from Kirigakure, the village lost interest in continuing such departments. Otherwise, why would craftsmen like us give up our skills in forging ninja swords?”

“Making these ceremonial weapons brings more funding for Kirigakure, which is our greatest value to the village.”

“I’m not complaining, just stating that I know Kirigakure seems to be undergoing some changes recently. I don’t know if it’s because of you, but I think it’s good.”

“Kirigakure can’t continue like this. It needs change.”

“This is my gift to you, as a token of my support.”

Neiki looked at the item in his hand—a red dagger with a blade covered in flowing flames. As he held it, he felt the heat and the surging chakra within it.

“This was made from the remaining materials of the ninja swords. Although it’s not on par with the Seven Ninja Swords, it’s the only thing in my workshop that’s fit for combat.”

“It’s called Crimson Lotus. Though not as impressive as Hades, it’s equally dangerous, filled with deadly poison.”

Though it seemed unnecessary, Neiki nodded, “Thank you.”

In front, the enemies from Kirigakure had arrived.

“Neiki!” A baby-faced man with pink eyes, dark green hair, and a scar resembling stitches under his left eye stood at the front, holding a staff-like weapon. His face, innocent as a child’s, was actually stained with his comrades’ blood. This was Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage, and creator of the Bloody Mist.

“You killed so many Kirigakure ninjas in the Land of Waves, and now you dare invade Kirigakure?!” Yagura snarled, showing no signs of being controlled.

Naturally, otherwise, how could Tobi manipulate him for so long? Obvious signs of genjutsu would never escape the scrutiny of many in Kirigakure, especially with so many opponents in the village.

But just as Ao, with his Byakugan, ultimately broke Yagura’s genjutsu in the original story, Neiki’s Byakugan could see the genjutsu flickering in Yagura’s eyes.

That guy… he dared to let Yagura face him directly.

“So what?” Neiki glanced at the dozen or so Kirigakure ninjas present and said indifferently, “What do you plan to do?”

“Lay down your weapon and surrender, or leave your life!”

“Impossible,” Neiki said with a grin.

Become a Patron to read chapters ahead of public release and support me 😉

Read up to 40 chapters ahead on p atreon.