Hardy paid no attention to this Nichirin Blade.
The pitch-black Nichirin Blade wasn't suitable for him; it was only meant for users of the Sun Breathing technique. After being reforged, it could be given to Tanjiro, or perhaps to Rengoku Kyojuro, who had barely managed to learn a few forms of Sun Breathing.
"The gears are worn, the replacement spring hasn't been calibrated properly, the connecting rods are loose, causing sluggish hand movements, and the joints and bearings all need maintenance or replacement."
Under Kotetsu's puzzled gaze, Hardy reassembled the Yoriichi Zero Type, then sat down at a nearby table, resting his chin in his hand and spacing out.
At this moment, Hardy was brainstorming while staring at the data on his panel.
[Puppet Name]: Yoriichi Zero Type
[Comprehensive Parameters]:
Height: 1.93 meters
Weight: 522.33 kilograms
Materials: Refined steel, reinforced wood, etc.
Power Source: Mechanical
Control Method: None
[Puppet Rating]: B+ (A-)
[Overall Evaluation]: A humanoid puppet modeled after an exceptionally powerful swordsman, with formidable combat ability. It is nearly the pinnacle of ancient mechanical craftsmanship. Its drawbacks are excessive weight, poor mobility, and significant performance degradation due to years of neglect.
On the panel, Hardy quickly made modifications and test runs based on the Yoriichi Zero Type model.
Kotetsu watched Hardy in a daze, wanting to call out to him, but was stopped by Haganezuka. The latter shook his head.
He could tell that Hardy was deep in thought.
No one knew how long Hardy would need. After a brief discussion with Haganezuka, the village chief estimated Hardy's height and build with his eyes and then left.
He was going to forge new Nichirin Blades for Hardy and Kanroji Mitsuri, leaving Haganezuka to look after things here for the time being.
After a while, Hardy snapped out of his thoughts and called over Kotetsu, asking for paper and pen, and began to write and draw.
The reason it took so long was that Hardy had devoted most of his energy to understanding some of the ingenious mechanisms within.
The puppet techniques in the Naruto world followed a different path from those here. Influenced by chakra, Naruto's puppets focused on maximizing stats, and their operation depended entirely on the puppet master's skill.
But here, pure mechanical physics was pushed to the extreme. The intricacy of the design impressed even Hardy, who found it highly enlightening.
*Swish swish... swish swish swish.*
The pencil moved rapidly across the paper.
Kotetsu stood on tiptoe, peeking at Hardy's drawings on the table, and was shocked.
The Pillar was actually restoring the missing parts of the Yoriichi Zero Type.
Very soon, Hardy picked up a new sheet of paper and began drawing again.
This new blueprint was about seventy percent similar to the previous one.
Hardy had been struck by inspiration and was attempting to replicate some of the ingenious mechanisms from the Yoriichi Zero Type, combining them with puppet techniques he'd learned in the Naruto world to create a new puppet.
When completed, this puppet, under his control, would have even greater overall combat power than the Yoriichi Zero Type.
Moreover, unlike the swordsmith three hundred years ago, Hardy didn't need to recreate the sword techniques by giving the puppet six arms.
That was only necessary because the puppet's performance was limited by materials and power sources.
But at this point in the early twentieth century, human industrialization had reached a certain level. The materials and tools available were vastly superior to those of three hundred years ago.
Hardy could build a Yoriichi Zero Type puppet with far better performance, and if he combined it with chakra thread control, its combat power would far surpass the original.
"Haganezuka-senpai, could I trouble you to help me make these parts according to the quantities listed? Besides replacing some components of the Yoriichi Zero Type, I'd like to try improving and creating a stronger new puppet."
Hardy handed the two blueprints to Haganezuka.
"Hm... It's pretty complex, but aside from the village chief, Steel and I are the most skilled craftsmen here. Fortunately, things aren't too busy lately. If I call him over, we should be able to make everything within three days," Haganezuka said, examining the parts on the blueprints.
Hardy nodded slightly.
Actually, these were only some of the parts.
The most complicated components, he planned to manufacture himself using his own lathe.
Within three days, the Yoriichi Zero Type should be repaired, and the Yoriichi Type One would be completed.
"Then, I'll leave it to you."
...
...
Haganezuka worked even faster than expected.
In just two days, all the parts were finished.
Hardy's progress was also nearly complete.
*Click!*
With the installation of a left arm, the Yoriichi Type One was basically finished.
As for the Yoriichi Zero Type, Kotetsu had moved it to the center of the yard, tirelessly controlling it to perform various actions.
After repairs, the Yoriichi Zero Type's puppet rating had stabilized at A-, and it could now fight continuously for half an hour.
As for the Yoriichi Type One...
Hardy stuffed two ammo cartridges into a slot in the left arm and nodded in satisfaction.
[Puppet Name]: Yoriichi Type One
[Comprehensive Parameters]:
Height: 1.93 meters
Weight: 533.63 kilograms
Materials: Refined steel, reinforced wood, etc.
Power Source: None (Mechanical)
Control Method: Chakra threads
[Puppet Rating]: A- (A)
[Overall Evaluation]: A humanoid puppet modeled after an exceptionally powerful swordsman, with formidable power. It combines ingenious ancient mechanical craftsmanship with puppet techniques, and is enhanced with firearms. Its combat power is formidable, and even without chakra thread control, it can still perform certain combat actions according to preset mechanical programs.
After one final check of the gun barrel on the Yoriichi Type One's left arm, Hardy nodded in satisfaction and synchronized the memory with his main body and his avatar in the DC world.
He had learned a lot from the Yoriichi Zero Type this time.
The fundamental rules of physics and mechanics are right there—they don't change. There are many clever constructions and techniques within them that can be integrated into White Knight and Ivan the Great, taking the overall performance of these two puppets to the next level.
Looking at the tall puppet warrior before him, with its head of red hair, Hardy carefully hung the specially prepared earrings on it and draped a red ancient-style robe over its shoulders.
"Hmm, not bad. I wonder how that stingy boss would react when he sees the First Form of Yoriichi?"
Hardy stroked his chin, imagining the scenario as he shifted his gaze to the sword gripped in Yoriichi-First-Form's hand.
*Click.*
Hardy pressed the button on the back of Yoriichi-First-Form's right hand, and the battery hidden inside quickly channeled electricity into the Nichirin blade.
As time passed and the current heated the blade, the Nichirin sword soon turned red.
"Very good. Now, this is a one hundred percent faithful recreation."
A faint smile curved Hardy's lips.
Meanwhile, just a mountain away from the Swordsmith Village, a finely crafted porcelain jar rolled to a stop beneath a tree...
...
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