After lunch, Haruki returned to the training ground.
When he arrived, Hanzo was already standing there, having waited for him for an unknown period.
Haruki gained a new understanding of Hanzo's strictness.
In the afternoon, Haruki only learned ninjutsu with Hanzo for two hours.
After personally witnessing Haruki's speed in learning ninjutsu, Hanzo no longer forced Haruki into high-intensity ninjutsu training.
In Hanzo's eyes, Haruki's training of Curses was more important than all other things. So, Hanzo left the remaining time entirely for Haruki to explore his personal power.
Hanzo himself returned to his office to handle the affairs of Amegakure. As the leader of Amegakure, Hanzo naturally could not spend an entire day instructing Haruki.
As soon as Hanzo left, Haruki's heart grew wild. As the Cursed Spirit Mother, why would he need to practice with Curses?
[Host, I am truly relieved, you are becoming more and more like a mother...]
Haruki: "..."
After confirming Hanzo had left, Haruki also left the training ground.
He wanted to explore Amegakure and see if he could find crows. He was eager to try out his Black Bird Manipulation Technique.
Rain fell on the steel pipes of Amegakure and on the pristine streets.
Haruki, wrapped in a dark raincoat, looked up at the lead-gray sky.
The rain in Amegakure was too frequent. Living in such a cold, damp environment year-round must affect one's mental health. This was evident from the later twisted mindsets of Hanzo and Nagato.
Haruki walked through the steel forest, touching the cold metal forehead protector on his head.
Just this afternoon, Hanzo had personally placed the forehead protector on his head, officially declaring him a ninja of Amegakure.
Haruki's gaze shifted around. He clearly noticed that the number of people in Amegakure had increased. It was more than when he had first arrived here.
The streets were no longer deserted and empty. Occasionally, two figures walked past Haruki.
A vigorous furnace fire suddenly shot out from a nearby house. The sparks were quickly extinguished by the continuously falling rain.
Haruki stopped and looked at the house from which crisp hammering sounds emanated. It looked like a blacksmith's shop.
Haruki walked into the house, and a wave of warmth washed over him, making his face feel tight.
"Who is it?"
A shirtless man appeared before Haruki. Sweat dripped from his bulging muscles. He held a hammer in one hand and a long sword in the other.
His gaze fell on Haruki, and he widened his eyes in surprise, shouting, "Haruki?"
Haruki looked at the familiar face of the man before him. Wasn't this Yuma?
He also worked as a blacksmith? He was too diligent.
"Why are you here?" Yuma knelt before Haruki, looking at him.
Since it was an acquaintance, it would be easier to handle things, and he might even earn something.
Haruki said to him, "I want to ask you for a favor."
Yuma agreed without even asking. "No problem."
Haruki had saved him countless times. No matter what the favor, he would do his best for Haruki.
Haruki scratched his head awkwardly and said, "I want to ask you to help me look at my sword."
Yuma smiled helplessly when he heard this. He thought it was some big favor, but it turns out it was just such a small matter.
"Bring the sword over. I'll take a look for you first." Yuma put down the sword in his hand and said to Haruki.
Haruki nodded, turned, and ran towards the door, shouting as he ran, "I'll bring the sword right away."
Yuma stood up, nodded at him, and opened his mouth as if to say something, but Haruki's figure quickly disappeared from his sight.
"Be careful on the way."
These five words flowed from Yuma's mouth, and only he could hear them.
He picked up the sword from the ground and placed it aside, the weapons hanging on the wall were all repaired.
After each battle, the ninjas in the village would bring their damaged weapons to him for repair.
Haruki quickly brought his sword over.
Yuma drew the sword from its sheath, and when he saw the cold, deep blue light reflected on the sword, he exclaimed, "What a fine sword!"
Haruki looked up, expectantly at Yuma. "Really? I picked this up on my escape, and I thought it was unusable."
Yuma shook his head and explained to Haruki, "It's not unusable, it just hasn't been sharpened yet. After I sharpen it for you, it can be used."
Haruki smiled brightly and said in surprise, "That's great! This way I can practice my sword skills."
Yuma looked at the long sword in his hand, then at the cheerful Haruki, and he frowned. "It's too early for you to train with this sword at your current age, you might get injured during practice."
"It's okay. I'm not afraid." Haruki's eyes sparkled with firm and fearless light.
Yuma paused, and he advised, "Training cannot be rushed..."
His words were interrupted by Haruki before he could finish. "I want to grow up quickly."
Haruki looked at Yuma intently, saying each word clearly, "I not only want to heal everyone in the rear, but I also want to protect everyone on the front lines."
[Ding!]
[System detected Yuma's affection value +2000.]
[Your accompanying Cursed Spirit Rika's rank has increased to 59.7%.]
Yuma was touched. Even though he already knew what a sensible child Haruki was, he was still moved by him every time.
He couldn't bring himself to pour cold water on Haruki's enthusiasm even though he was very worried about Haruki's safety.
"Okay, come pick it up at dinner time." Yuma said to Haruki.
"Thank you." Haruki smiled at Yuma.
Yuma shook his head.
He was the one who should be thanking him. No matter how much he did for Haruki, he could not repay Haruki's life-saving grace.
After entrusting the sharpening of the sword to Yuma, Haruki continued his search for crows.
Knowing that it would be difficult to find crows within the central area of Amegakure, he walked towards the barren mountain behind Amegakure.
He had to find crows today. This was his most important task today.
Just thinking about the crows soaring through the steel forest of Amegakure made Haruki's breathing quicken.
The Black Bird Manipulation Technique could not only compensate for his inability to scout from afar but also increase his prestige.
This is the most important thing, isn't it?
Just then, a rapid and powerful flapping sound echoed above his head.
Flap, flap!
Haruki's movements suddenly paused, his heart almost leaping out of his throat.
He abruptly looked up. A crow circled above his head. He finally found it.
Haruki almost wanted to sit down on the ground.
To find a crow, he had traversed mountains and valleys, keeping his eyes and ears open.
Hard work pays off!
Now that one crow had been found, were more crows far behind?
The crow's feathers were as black as ink, and its bean-like eyes stared at Haruki below, sparkling with intelligent and agile light.
It swooped down towards Haruki like a black lightning bolt.
Haruki, as if possessing muscle memory, automatically extended his arm towards the crow.
Cursed Energy enveloped his entire arm, flowing continuously over it.
The crow landed on his arm, and Haruki's Cursed Energy instantly surged into the crow's body.
The crow's body stiffened, and it raised its head high towards the sky.