Following Sulfur, Shinji Hyuga quickly passed through the workshop in the backyard used for forging ninja tools and arrived at the display room where the smith kept his collection.
As they walked, Sulfur remarked, "I never imagined that in this day and age, there would still be ninjas who would think of commissioning such a weapon."
Nitro, standing to the side, perked up, looking somewhat confused yet eager to see what the ninja tool, which had taken eight years to forge, looked like.
At this moment, Shinji Hyuga shook his head and said:
"Although the materials are not exceptionally valuable,the production process is particularly complicated. It requires balancing sturdiness for close combat with flexibility for optimal use. After much consideration, I believed that in Konoha at that time, only Master Sulfur could craft such a ninja tool."
"After all,it's a weapon that's been largely phased out by the times."
"Haha, only an old-timer like me would take pleasure in making such a 'toy'... I'll accept your compliment!"
Sulfur laughed loudly, took out his key, opened the door to the showroom, and led Shinji inside.
On the rather spacious display shelves, a uniquely designed ninja tool was placed at regular intervals.
Ninja sword, iron staff, machete, wire, crutch, chain-sickle, iron chain, explosive tags, spiked iron ball, giant chained iron ball, Fūma Shuriken, explosive shuriken...
Various common and uncommon ninja tools were displayed here. The collection was so extensive it could be considered a small museum of ninja equipment.
Soon,
The three of them arrived at the end of the exhibition hall.Sulfur took down a large wooden box, about 2.5 meters long, from the innermost shelf.
He opened the wooden box.
Inside lay a large Japanese longbow, taller than Shinji Hyuga himself.
The entire bow was approximately 2.2 meters long,asymmetrical with a longer upper limb and shorter lower limb, resembling a ceremonial demon-slaying bow. It was crafted entirely from rounded wood.
It was complete, with a white hemp string. Several key parts, such as the upper nock, grip, and lower nock, were fitted with modular components that could be spring-loaded using chakra. For close combat, a matching iron bow-stave could be attached to a slot to strike an opponent. (This was generally not recommended.)
Sulfur took out the bow, proudly showing his apprentice Nitro the four characters 'Crafted by Sulfur' inscribed on the bow stave. Then, looking at Shinji, he explained:
"This bow has a draw weight of 150 pounds,an effective range of 150 meters, and a maximum range of 300 meters. It's not heavy, but its length makes it cumbersome to carry. Furthermore, it can only be strung with hemp. Arrows shot at this draw weight... are very difficult to recover and reuse."
Shinji Hyuga nodded and estimated:
"So,in other words, the string will become unusable after about 100 to 200 arrows?"
"That's correct. Using treated ninja tool wire is an alternative, but it will affect the bow's handling. Since you commissioned this type of bow, you should understand that, right?"
Shinji Hyuga nodded.
The Japanese longbow has its own specific shooting techniques; the archer's hand holding the bow must control the amplitude of the bow's vibration upon release.
One must predict the reactive force generated by the asymmetrical upper and lower limbs and use this force to calculate the arrow's launch direction and applied power.
If this reactive force is utilized properly,the arrow's trajectory can be manipulated in various ways, such as controlling range or creating parabolic arcs.
Therefore,only specially made hemp strings are suitable.
That is to say,
This weapon has a long production time,high maintenance costs, and a short bowstring lifespan.
Furthermore, the speed at which ninjas engage in battle is comparable to locomotives. Once combat begins, distances close rapidly, rendering bows and arrows quickly ineffective and even becoming a hindrance.
Thus,the bow and arrow became a weapon of a bygone era.
Throughout the entireNaruto series, the only named character who wields a bow is Kidomaru, who was killed by Hyuga Neji.
For ordinary ninjas, it would be more practical to practice the Body Flicker Technique than to spend time mastering such a labor-intensive and niche ninja tool.
But,
If one adds the Byakugan's ability to see for kilometers and the Wind Release:Vacuum Blade, which can be attached to projectiles to increase their range and penetration...
Then the equation changes completely.
With this thought, Shinji Hyuga took the bow, a sense of anticipation growing within him.
Of course, the method of "bow + Byakugan + ninja tool enhancement ninjutsu" is just a theory he deduced based on his knowledge. Its actual combat effectiveness still needs to be tested.
Moreover,the Wind Release: Vacuum Blade ninjutsu is not yet in his possession.
Although he has decided to contact Shimura Danzo, it remains to be seen whether Danzo will accept him, a member of the Hyuga branch family.
Shinji Hyuga'scurrent position is awkward.
Unlike Might Guy, who once tried to join Root for Kakashi's sake but was rejected with the reason that "there is no darkness in your heart,"
He is at the opposite extreme.
AlthoughShinji Hyuga is intermittently filled with ambition—or rather, the desire to live a life of dignity is admirable—he is still essentially a "Caged Bird," practically a bound servant of the Hyuga clan. The main family could force him to leak information at any time.
Given Danzo's suspicious, cautious nature, his complete distrust even of his subordinates, and his preference for using only those marked with a cursed seal... it would probably be difficult for him to accept Shinji.
But then again,
People's circumstances and needs change over time.Just as in youth one yearns for adulthood, but in adulthood often longs for the careless days of childhood.
Shimura Danzo himself is currently in a period even more awkward thanShinji Hyuga's.
Perhaps... he can be persuaded, even if Danzo has to hold his nose while doing so?
Meanwhile, on the other side, as Shinji Hyuga prepared for the battlefield,
The information about the S-rank mission he posted began to circulate and was prioritized for delivery to Jonin teams,Anbu, and their affiliated organizations.
Setting aside the debate over whether the mission's rating was appropriate,
Judging solely by the mission content,some astute and well-informed ninjas had already noticed something unusual about this request—
Wind Release: Vacuum Blade.
Currently, only two individuals in the entire Hidden Leaf Village were known to possess this ninjutsu.
First,the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had mastered over a thousand techniques and was known as the "Professor."
Second,the high-ranking Konoha elder, leader of Root, and Hokage Advisor, Shimura Danzo.
Of the two, it was widely understood that Shimura Danzo was the more proficient user of this technique; it was, in effect, a secret Wind Release ninjutsu of the Shimura clan.
Similar techniques certainly existed, such as the Wind Release: Vacuum Sword of the Kamizuru clan, the Wind Release: Shuriken Creation mastered by some minor clans, or the Wind Release: Emerald Gale of the Sarutobi clan, all with somewhat analogous effects.
However,this mission specifically requested the Wind Release: Vacuum Blade by name.
The implications of this led to inevitable speculation among those who noticed.
However,
Before the information could spread further,as the mission assignment process reached the Hokage's desk, the few ninjas who were paying attention to the matter were astonished to discover that...
The mission had been deleted.
And soon, all documents and records related to the mission, and even the information about the employer, Shinji Hyuga, appearing in the Hokage Building, were erased.
It was as if this mission had never existed at all.