Jokichi used a sword himself and liked swords very much. Therefore, he had always wanted to forge a formidable sword.
However, the system had its own forging rules; the form of an item would be molded into the most suitable form based on its function. In the 12 years he had the system, including this Sword of Protection, he had only forged four swords, and each one required special conditions to unleash its power.
The Father-Son Sword required killing one's father and mother and bearing massive guilt. The Sword of No Heart and the Sword of Affection required the obliteration of inner emotions or a strong explosion of emotions.
He possessed none of these.
The Sword of Protection similarly required a strong heart of protection to unleash its power. And judging from the note at the end, as long as the heart of protection was strong enough, the sword could exert seemingly unlimited power.
However, up until now, Jokichi did not have anyone or anything he particularly wanted to protect. Naruto, Shikamaru, and the others had a good relationship with him. When they encountered difficulties, he would take the initiative to help, and he generally wouldn't refuse their requests.
But their relationship was only limited to being friends. Jokichi would maintain this relationship, but he wouldn't protect it in that sense.
Konoha was his second home. The ninjas in the village had saved his life, he received a stipend every year, and the Third Hokage treated him quite well. Therefore, when Konoha encountered a crisis, he would also save Konoha. But because he knew about Konoha's darkness, he couldn't completely set his mind at ease regarding Konoha. Naturally, he didn't have the resolve to sacrifice his life to protect it.
Generally speaking, Jokichi had a heart of protection, but it was not particularly strong. If one were to be honest, it would be protecting himself.
Therefore—
"Even if it can't exert unlimited power, at least it can be used!"
Jokichi gripped the hilt, holding it straight in front of him. The blade of the Sword of Protection was forged from a crystal that looked like ice. It was completely transparent, yet it did not emit a chill like ice. Snowflakes were carved on it.
Jokichi injected chakra into the hilt, and the blade immediately erupted with a cold glint and cold air. The temperature in the room plummeted, and frost even formed in some places.
"So strong!"
Jokichi quickly withdrew his chakra. He feared that if he continued for a while, the entire room would turn into an ice cellar. Although it was just a pure ice attribute and not like a Kekkei Genkai that could produce various effects through ninjutsu. But being singular, it was powerful enough.
Jokichi faintly felt that if he struck with all his might, a single slash could freeze the sea. Of course, it was unclear how large an area it could freeze. Perhaps freezing the sea was just an illusion.
The appearance of the Sword of Protection was unique and very eye-catching in his hand. After thinking about it, Jokichi stored the sword in the system space. He prepared to have a sheath tailor-made for the sword after returning to Konoha before taking it out and tying it to his waist.
After putting the sword into the system space, Jokichi poured out Zabuza's blood. His previous gains made him full of expectations for Zabuza's blood.
[Ding! Detected special material "Devil's Cry Blood", can forge special items "Meow Meow Shoes", "Merciful Demon", "Proof of Legend", and "Sealing Bandages".]
As the system's prompt fell, four items appeared in Jokichi's hand. A pair of Meow Meow slippers, an ID-like certificate, a hideous demon mask, and a roll of bandages.
"Meow Meow Slippers: A cat makes no sound when walking. Put on these slippers and you can do the same."
"Proof of Legend: Wear it to grant yourself a legendary aura. (Note: I have defeated the Sixth Hokage, my water clone has thrashed the Seventh Hokage, I have gripped the neck of the 'strongest in the ninja world' with one hand, and scared one of the New Sannin stiff.)"
"Merciful Demon: When the wearer is doing something that goes against their heart, their inner self will become as hard as steel, pushing forward indomitably. (Note: Carry a merciful heart while doing demonic deeds. Life cannot always go as one wishes, so go ahead and change it.)"
"Sealing Bandages: Bandages that possess the power to seal emotions. (Note: Covered in wounds, covered in bandages, wrapping up the wounded heart as well.)"
The Meow Meow Slippers looked like a pair of cotton slippers with a chibi cat head on them, very cute. Jokichi put them on and walked around the room. Indeed, not a single sound was made. However, because they were cotton slippers, it was inconvenient to run in them, so their use wasn't very great.
Since there was no one else in the room to test the effect of the Proof of Legend, Jokichi directly threw it into the system space.
As for the Merciful Demon and Sealing Bandages... Jokichi looked at the descriptions of these two items, his heart feeling a bit heavy.
Kirigakure was once called the Village of the Bloody Mist due to its overly cruel system. In that village, those graduating from the Ninja Academy had to kill their best classmates on the day of the exam. Only those who survived could become official ninjas.
On the day of his graduation, Zabuza killed over a hundred examinees. Because of this, he gained the title of Demon of the Hidden Mist.
However, although his actions were cruel, they caused Kirigakure to reform its graduation system. From then on, graduating ninjas no longer needed to kill each other. Added to his later actions of assassinating the Mizukage and launching a coup, many viewers of the anime in his previous life said that his actions were done to change the village, and that mercy was buried in his heart.
However, this was just speculation. Jokichi didn't know if these two items were forged because of this speculation from his previous life acting as material, or because Zabuza himself possessed such potential.
However, he remembered the words Haku said when he first met Zabuza: "Big brother, you have the same eyes as me." He confirmed that it was the latter.
Jokichi hoped the answer was the latter, yet also didn't want it to be. If it were the latter, then Zabuza was a respectable person, and he didn't want a person worthy of respect to die.
Zabuza was very weak. At least, compared to his ideals, he was truly very weak. It was impossible for him to succeed relying only on himself and Haku. If they continued to walk this path, their ultimate end would still be an unavoidable death.
"I hope Terumi Mei can accept this respectable demon after she reforms the Mist!" Jokichi sighed.
He from these two items once again experienced the helplessness of having no power. He didn't want that kind of annoying feeling to happen to himself.
Knock, knock, knock...
At this time, the door was gently knocked. Jokichi stored the items in the system space, tidied his clothing, and shouted, "Please come in."
Click!
The door lock turned, the door opened, and Yamato walked in. The lowered temperature in the room made him immediately notice the nearby frost. He looked at Jokichi in confusion, "This is...?"
"I was just training," Jokichi said nonchalantly with a smile.
"Training?" Yamato was stunned.
What kind of training would make the temperature so low? However, training is a personal secret. Since Jokichi didn't say, he didn't pursue it.
He coughed and said seriously, "I have something I want to discuss with you."
"What is it?"
"While you and Naruto are guarding Tazuna's home, can you help guide Naruto in his training when you have time?" Yamato said.
"Naruto just came to my room to ask me. However, I don't want to change the work deployment I just set."
"Sure."
"Then I'll leave it to you until the mission is over."
"It's a small matter."