Jiraiya's lips twitched as he stared at Shigure, whose long gray-black hair had expanded into savage lion heads that tore apart a massive boulder with ease. Dust and stone splintered across the cavern floor.
This brat… on the first attempt?!
"This must be a lie…" Jiraiya muttered, frozen as the sight imprinted itself in his mind. "Even Minato wouldn't… Even Orochimaru never… Am I dreaming?"
Shigure released the technique calmly, brushing dust off his shoulder as if nothing had happened. "Senior Brother Jiraiya, does this count as learning it? You said if I succeeded you'd teach me another ninjutsu. Well?"
Jiraiya snapped back, coughing into his fist to hide his trembling frustration. "W-well, your mastery's… acceptable. Heh. Not bad, for a junior. Fine. I'll keep my word and show you something else."
Shigure nearly smiled at the forced calm but kept quiet.
"The next one is the Chaotic Lion's Mane Technique. More aggressive, much harder than Needle Jizo. It'll take at least a month to master," Jiraiya explained, his eyes flicking toward Shigure as if daring him to defy expectations again.
Thirty minutes later—Shigure had grounded the stone floor in rubble.
Jiraiya rubbed his face with both hands. "I'm going crazy… this kid, even Orochimaru at his peak wasn't this fast."
Flustered and defeated, the Toad Sage waved roughly at Hizashi. "I'll let you handle your team, sensei. This boy… I need air." His clogs clacked quickly as he backed out of the cavern, leaving them stunned in silence.
Hizashi could only sigh, eyes complicated as he looked toward Shigure.
The Road Back
When the group returned to the Craftsmen Village, Mr. Noguchi greeted them, eyes bright with relief. He bowed deeply.
"If not for you… none of us would be alive. Please accept my thanks."
He vanished into his forge and returned carrying a long black blade, its surface gleaming like captured starlight.
"This is the Meteor Blade, forged from the meteorite iron we discovered. The only one of its kind. I offer it to you as my eternal gratitude."
Shigure blinked, taken aback. Hizashi immediately shook his head. "That's too precious. We only fulfilled our duty."
But Noguchi thrust the blade firmly forward. "No. My mission was only successful because of you. Ninja protect others; craftsmen repay their debts. Let me."
Kusuo admired the sword but said firmly, "I already have Gray Fang—it's more suited to Hatake swordsmanship."
Hongdie pressed her lips together and smiled softly. "With Gentle Fist, I have no need for blades."
Hizashi nodded at Shigure. "Then, it should be you. Accept it, and honor his will."
Shigure reached out, his hand brushing the hilt.
A pulse.
The cold metal seemed to beat like a heart, sending a cool current through his arm and into his body. His meridians expanded, his chakra flowed smoother, clearer. His thoughts sharpened like diamond edges.
He breathed slowly. "…This sword is alive."
Noguchi's proud grin widened. "Harder and sharper than any blade alive. Even against the fabled Seven Ninja Swords, this one will prevail. It deserves only one title: The Strongest."
Shigure drew the blade, admiring the obsidian sheen. "…From today, this sword will walk my path with me."
Noguchi laughed. "You must name it, then!"
"One with water, cutting like waves—'Fish in Water,'" Noguchi offered.
"…Terrible," Shigure said bluntly.
"The Hardest Sword!" Kusuo barked with stubborn pride.
"…Equally bad." Hizashi smirked.
Hongdie blushed softly. "Then… what about 'The Peace Sword'? A name that prays for a world without war."
Kusuo teased gently, "Of course you'd choose the most beautiful name, Red Butterfly."
Shigure hesitated, then looked down at the weapon, its black gleam reflecting his pale Sharingan. "…No. Its name will be mine. Meteor Blade—Shigure."
The others fell silent.
"…Naming it after yourself?" Kusuo muttered.
"Yes," Shigure said firmly. "Because like me, this blade will be the strongest in the world."
The sword slid into a black scabbard that seemed forged from the same otherworldly iron. It pulsed faintly at his side, as if acknowledging him.
Shigure wrapped his hand once around the hilt. The connection was undeniable.
Born from the stars. Carried by me.
"From now on…" Shigure's eyes gleamed with quiet fire, "…this world will remember the name Shigure."
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