The Land of Crafts, much like the Land of Whirlpools, is a small island nation. It serves as a gathering place for master weapon-smiths, and countless legendary weapons are born here. Naturally, many tales have grown around it.
The most famous legend tells how the first-generation Ninja craftsman, Seimei, forged a set of ultimate weapons in an attempt to immortalize his skill. Like the Land of Whirlpools, the Land of Crafts once had its own Ninja village. After Seimei's death, however, the village declined, and today few even know whether it still exists.
The Land of Crafts has since become a weapons-production hub under the control of the great nations. In peacetime it supplies them with elite armaments, yet fortune and danger are intertwined—during every Ninja World War, the nations quietly ensured that the island remained untouched by battle.
After reaching the Land of Fire, Hayashi and Kushina restocked supplies, then immediately set sail for the Land of Crafts. The reason was simple: the island was home to many of the Ninja World's greatest master craftsmen, making it the perfect place to completely reforged the lightning blade.
In both material and potential, the lightning blade ranked among the finest of Ninja tools. Without such craftsmanship, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist could never have existed. Yet the weapon had clear shortcomings. Its unusual shape clashed with Hayashi's aesthetic, and the Hidden Mist Village could summon the blades at will. Hohzuki Mangetsu, in the original story, could perform this technique. Even though he was still a child, there was no guarantee another skilled Ninja wouldn't have the same ability. Hayashi did not want Kakashi, while blocking with a Kunai, to have the lightning blade suddenly summoned and split in half.
As for how much of its original power could be preserved… that was up to fate.
A famed contemporary Ninjutsu critic, known as the "Ninja World's Wang Yuyan," once observed:
"A master can flick a pebble and knock an enemy's shuriken out of the air."
Examples were countless: Madara could snatch Sasuke's sword barehanded, Might Duy could sacrifice himself and cripple the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, and the White Fang's short sword, a mere fire poker in Kakashi's hands, became a terror in Sakumo's grip. Ultimately, it depended on the wielder. Even giving a perfect weapon to someone unwilling to master it rendered it useless.
After four days, Hayashi and Kushina arrived in a small city of the Land of Crafts. Along the way, they saw carriages loaded with ore entering the town and empty carts leaving. At least a quarter of the street-front shops sold arms or gear. The constant clang of forges mixed with hawkers' cries, creating a cacophony that dazzled them.
Prices here, as expected for a primary source of weapons, were far lower than in Konoha. Yet the island's isolation meant few Ninja traveled here just for a handful of Kunai.
Hayashi's destination was the renowned master Tanmu Kazuichiro. Recognized as a grandmaster by other smiths, Tanmu was eccentric: if a client did not bring rare ore or Chakra-conductive material, even a blade at his neck would not convince him to work. But if the material pleased him, he would forge it for free.
After navigating the streets, they finally reached the master's residence—a blistering hill. Inside a large cavern, a magma pool periodically flared with subterranean flame, providing an ideal forging ground. Tanmu had once forged here regularly and eventually moved in, consumed by obsession. Even the outer slope radiated heat, making short visits uncomfortable, let alone the cavern interior.
Upon entering, a wave of heat hit them like a blast from a furnace. Hayashi shaped a small Wind Release to disperse the surrounding heat. Glancing around the cavern, he saw a ragged old man crouched before a meter-high mound of ore, picking through it and arranging pieces on empty patches of ground.
"Excuse me, are you Master Tanmu Kazuichiro?" Hayashi called.
Without looking up, the tattered elder replied, "If you've come for a weapon, show me your material. You know my rules."
Hayashi noted the man's Chakra was about Chunin level and nodded. "Of course." He produced a storage scroll, undid its seal, and presented the lightning blade.
"Eh?" The old man's eyes widened. "The famous lightning blade? How did it end up here?"
"I killed Kurotsuchi Raiga. Naturally, the blade is now mine."
Tanmu Kazuichiro examined the weapon, channeling Lightning Release through it. Sparks danced in the air. He was astonished; anyone capable of slaying a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen must be formidable, and yet this youth appeared barely fifteen or sixteen. True to form, the master asked no more and would forge whatever material was brought to him.
"This blade is already remarkable. How do you want it remade?"
"I'd like you to fuse the two into one, following this blueprint. Can it be done?" Hayashi handed over his design.
The master studied it, excitement flashing in his eyes. "Odd shape, but doable. About twenty days."
"Still, such a superb weapon… are you sure you want to redo it? A pity."
"I'm sure."
Tanmu felt a mix of regret and thrill; he had never handled material of this quality before.
"Then half a month from now I'll collect it. Here's the deposit."
"Fine. See you in half a month!"
"I'll leave it in your hands."
After leaving the cave, Hayashi and Kushina walked through the city.
"Where to next?" Kushina asked.
"Let's eat first. After that, we'll tour the rest of the Land of Crafts."
Kushina's face lit up. "Great! I want to buy local specialties to bring back for Mikoto and the others."
"No problem," Hayashi replied.
"By the way, have you thought of a name? Will it still be called the lightning blade?"
Hayashi shook his head. A brand-new weapon deserved a brand-new name. Over the past two days, he had considered names like Black Blade Yoru, Shuusui, Onibari, even Wado Ichimonji. None satisfied him.
A grin spread across his face. "I've decided. Endless Blade."
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Powerstones?? (´ε｀ )
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Patreon = _Zeph