The only Special Grade Cursed Tool without any technique, renowned purely for physical strength—Ukon.
Just kidding.
Hii Kōri indeed loved that cursed tool. But recreating it here? Premature.
The weapon he forged was indeed a three-section staff. Each section reaching his chest, roughly two adult fingers thick—the ends slightly wider.
The staff's surface was treated to be slightly rough—non-reflective, improving grip. Each section's chains had five links, with special caps forming an integrated structure at the ends.
If needed, releasing mechanisms could launch or extract neither-thin-nor-thick short rods from ends. Adjustable to replace one side with chakra wire-connected hammerheads or spikes.
Compared to sharp-bladed swords, Hii Kōri always prefer plain blunt weapons like staffs.
Though unable to cut, sufficient force enabled piercing like a cone. Mastered, staffs surpassed swords in impact and range.
In some great nation not existing in this world, Wasn't there a saying: "The spear is king of a hundred weapons"?
The foundation of this weapon's unshakable status? The staff supporting the spearhead.
With Wind Release mastered, the cutting flaws were compensated.
Forged from a mixture of chakra metal and high-quality hard steel, this three-section staff smoothly transmits the user's chakra. A specially designed end structure enabled the chakra to extend into various forms—spear tips, blades—without deformation.
Combined with Wind Nature chakra's superior cutting ability, this staff in Hii Kōri's hands can handle almost any situation.
During initial forging, the smithy with the furnace was quite lively.
Present: Chiyo (enthusiastic—making one wonder if she doesn't have a job), Yotsuke (dragged along unwillingly), and Pakura (pulled in to do free work—ah, training).
Not deception—forging demanded precise furnace temperature control. Maintaining a specific temperature for extended periods required blacksmith experience.
Similarly, using Fire Release techniques. Adjusting the furnace temperature demanded considerable chakra manipulation skills.
For Pakura, lacking such ability, this was excellent training.
Wind Country was the world's largest producer of chakra metal. Materials expensive elsewhere were readily accessible to Sunagakure.
Thus, even forging with such materials, Hii Kōri didn't worry about Pakura overheating and wasting material.
With Pakura's "help," he naturally spent an extra half-month after school finishing this weapon.
Expected.
If not for such experience, Pakura's chakra manipulation precision wouldn't have improved so rapidly.
But at the time, Pakura—covered in furnace ash—felt she'd made a complete mess. After forging, she wore an apologetic expression, not daring to wipe her face.
In many ways, she'd indeed messed up multiple times. Even harsh scolding would be expected.
Yet Hii Kōri didn't reprimand her—instead gifting her ankle. and wrist guards. This stubborn, strong girl nearly cried on the spot.
Initially clinging to Hii Kōri out of resentment at defeat, after so long together, she was ultimately attracted to this powerful yet exceptionally mature peer.
Under these circumstances, fearing his dislike was absolutely natural.
Compared to the gentle, skillful, better-bento-making, and unpretentious Karura, Pakura felt she had no advantage.
Even simple "liking" was hard to express.
So when Hii Kōri wiped her face clean and praised her efforts, Pakura completely lost control.
The chimney-emerging kitten-like girl hugged him, crying her heart out.
From Hii Kōri's perspective, he'd done nothing so moving and worthy.
One furnace firing naturally produced more than his weapon—gifts for Chiyo and Yotsuke (finger guards), for Karura (blade set), and Pakura's ankle and wrist guards all forged together.
His Praise was too ordinary—given Pakura's foundation, growing so much in such a short time through sheer effort—she'd done excellently.
Hii Kōri's own extraordinary growth stemmed from previous life's accumulation and inherited legacy. He wouldn't measure others by his standards.
But softened by physical influence, he wouldn't speak words chilling the atmosphere now.
He simply let her tears soak his shoulder, quietly stroking her smooth, delicate back, calming her.
Uzumaki's ultimate perception—Kagura Mind's Eye—could discern lies through chakra. Former Special Grade sorcerer's emotional discernment need not be mentioned.
Hidden beneath her stubborn shell: inferiority complex, accumulated fatigue from competing as a true "amateur," and once-confused but now-clear affection... All laid clear before Hii Kōri.
This wailing was an emotional breakdown and catharsis.
Since his easy defeat, the shell she'd built from the pride accumulated through her relentless efforts... It was riddled with cracks.
Without such a long time together, Pakula would have forced herself to endure it.
But now, she unreservedly revealed her softest, most vulnerable side to him.
Beautiful, delicate, fragile—this heart was like a glass flower.
Now, this glass flower seemed to have taken on its true color—his color.