Little White's scales were smooth and slightly cool to the touch. It rubbed comfortably against her finger, then slowly climbed up her wrist, eventually coiling itself expertly around her hand before closing its eyes to take a nap.
The temperature of Hinata's body was clearly more comfortable, and there was also Spiritual Energy.
A breeze blew, and leaves fell. Hinata cleared her mind, not thinking about Sasuke's affairs; this was a path he had to take to grow, and there was no need to interfere.
The courtyard was quiet and peaceful, with only the distant, faint shouts from the clan's training grounds highlighting the tranquility here. Hinata picked up the book on Artifact Refining and flipped through it casually, while Little White slept soundly on her wrist.
Hinata stood up and walked to the corner. Hiashi had already arranged for people to deliver weapons and Materials, which were now in several large extra boxes.
The boxes contained a variety of items: two full boxes of neatly bundled, old standard-issue Kunai and shuriken with varying degrees of blade wear.
There was half a box of common metals in various colors, all well-wrapped in oil paper.
There was even a box of old ninja tools, clearly dug out from a corner of the warehouse, with strange shapes or slight defects—probably "antiques" phased out over the years.
"Did they sweep every corner of the clan's abandoned armory?"
Hinata shook her head, but this was fine; there were plenty of Materials to practice with.
She didn't rush to start. First, she directed several Branch House Members who had come upon hearing the news to move the boxes to a temporarily cleared empty room in the side courtyard.
This room was originally used for storage, but now it was perfect for converting into a temporary workshop.
"Alright, let's get to work."
*Poof, poof, poof, poof!* Four clouds of white smoke dissipated, and four identical Hinatas appeared in the room. Hinata then began assigning tasks one by one.
"You're in charge of basic material purification and rough forging. Use those scraps and old Kunai. The goal is to refine at least thirty catties of Refined Iron Ingots, following the standards of the last success."
"Got it, meow." The Clone playfully winked at the main body and turned to begin.
"You explore on your own according to the advanced content described in the book."
"OK."
"You're in charge of Alchemy. Use the previous method and see if you can enhance the effects."
"Finally, you're in charge of researching Runes."
After the tasks were assigned, the room began to bustle with activity.
Little White had woken up at some point. It seemed very interested in this bustling scene, its small head turning back and forth following the light of the flames and the fluctuations of Spiritual Power from different directions. Especially when a pleasant medicinal fragrance wafted from Clone No. 3, it couldn't help but flick its tongue. However, it was soon attracted by the points of light from the collapsing Runes at Clone No. 4, hissing a couple of times as if finding it amusing.
Presumably, it was the fluctuations of Spiritual Power that attracted it.
Inside the entire temporary workshop, the temperature was much higher than outside, and the air was mixed with various scents like metal, herbs, and Spiritual Power.
Research efficiency was incredibly fast this way, but there weren't enough Materials to burn through; otherwise, Hinata could have summoned even more Clones to go even faster.
Time flew by in focused busyness.
The sun gradually dipped toward the west, but the scene in the workshop remained unchanged. Only the steadily accumulating Refined Iron Ingots, scrolls recording data, occasional successful or failed semi-finished Medicinal Pills, and the increasingly skilled feel for Rune carving proved the passage of time and effort.
Until Hanabi's footsteps, which she tried to keep light but were still filled with excitement, and her calls were heard from outside the courtyard.
"Sister! I've finished my cultivation! Are you in there?"
The five Hinatas stopped their movements simultaneously and exchanged looks.
*Poof! Poof! Poof! Poof!*
The four clouds of white smoke dissipated as the Shadow Clones were all released. Instantly, a massive amount of information and experience regarding material purification, alloy ratios, Medicinal Pill heat control, and Rune carving—along with the frustration of failures and the sudden realizations of success—surged back into Hinata's main body's mind like a tide.
Now, she could be considered to have entered the craft.
Hinata closed her eyes and concentrated for a few seconds before finishing digesting the information.
She waved her hand to disperse the odors and excess heat in the room and pulled open the door.
Outside, the sunset was perfect, and the cherry blossoms remained. Hanabi was wearing her training clothes, her small face flushed red and her eyes sparkling as she looked at her.
"Sister, what have you been doing shut in the room all afternoon? I think I smelled something strange..."
"Nothing, just researching some... little crafts."
Hinata rubbed her sister's hair and casually pulled a small jade bottle from her sleeve, tucking it into Hanabi's hand.
"Here, try this; it's for refreshing your mind."
Hanabi curiously opened the stopper, and a cool, refreshing fragrance wafted out. She took a deep breath and immediately felt much of the fatigue from her afternoon cultivation dissipate.
"Wow! Thank you, sister! What is this? A new snack?"
"Something like that." Hinata smiled.
------------------------
There are already 70+ chapters available on my Patreon!
The story will continue to update 1 chapter per day on Webnovel,
while early access chapters are posted on Patreon.
Maybe it's not worth it today but it could be later
[email protected]/Kazenova223
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"