Chapter 30: Yatsufusa Appraisal, Spider Demon Refinement, and Iron Earth Clash
Ding...
[Congratulations, Forger has crafted an A-grade weapon: March of the Dead [Yatsufusa]!]
Naraku habitually checked the blade's stats:
[March of the Dead [Yatsufusa]: A-grade weapon! This blade was forged using extremely fresh biological material along with a large amount of precious resources: Oriharukon, Monkey Scarlet Iron Sand, Monkey Scarlet Ore, and fine iron. Standard blade-type Teigu secret techniques were employed over one full day of forging! The final result slightly surpasses the original version!
Single-edged long sword, 1.3 meters long. Possesses "Durability" and "Sharpness" traits. Strong chakra conductivity!
Abilities:
Can control people killed by this blade through curse manipulation—up to eight corpse puppets at once. Puppets retain their appearance and full mobility from life; control is precise and natural. When the ability is released, they revert to ordinary corpses.
Provides reinforcement to single-attribute chakra.
Debuff: The more corpses controlled during activation, the greater the reduction in the wielder's own abilities.]
Naraku looked at the March of the Dead [Yatsufusa] in his hand with a touch of helplessness.
He had originally wanted to add other biological materials to this blade, but for some reason—perhaps due to erosion from the special dangerous species—it proved impossible to incorporate abilities from ordinary dangerous species.
Still, it wasn't completely without room for further strengthening. If he obtained other rare ore materials or biological components in the future, this blade could still be improved.
At that moment, on the battlefield in the Land of Rain, Konoha's ninjas were locked in a standoff against Iwa ninjas.
Leading Konoha was Orochimaru—yet to receive his "Sannin" title—while Iwa was led by the man known as "Iron Earth," Hagane Ritsuo.
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes and carefully sized up Iwa's commanding officer—Iron Earth.
He noticed that Iron Earth's physique was completely different from Ōnoki's. Ōnoki was short and wiry; Iron Earth was tall and powerfully built. His frame was massive, muscles bulging, exuding overwhelming pressure.
Iron Earth's face was exceptionally fierce, his brow carrying an air of authority. Compared to the typical honest, rugged look of most Iwa ninjas, his features were sharper and more resolute.
Orochimaru thought to himself: This Iron Earth doesn't seem easy to deal with. His appearance and aura show he's not to be underestimated. I must be careful.
Orochimaru recalled the limited intelligence on Iron Earth: the only notable detail was that this man had trained Earth Release: Hardening Technique to a very high level.
Earth Release: Hardening Technique hardened the user's body to be tougher than rock, drastically reducing physical damage.
Iron Earth sneered at Orochimaru and shouted: "Has Konoha run out of people? Sending some unknown small fry to the battlefield!"
Orochimaru's lips curled into a faint, eerie smile. He replied coldly: "Quite the opposite. I plan to use your head to make my name famous!"
Iron Earth glared furiously and roared: "Then let's see if you have the strength for it!"
Without another word, he charged at Orochimaru like a raging tiger. The Iwa ninjas behind him saw their leader's ferocity and surged forward with him, roaring with high morale.
"Attack!" Orochimaru ordered, his voice cold and resolute. Konoha's ninjas responded without hesitation, charging forward with weapons in hand, eyes burning with battle spirit. The battlefield crackled with tension and rising momentum on both sides.
Orochimaru bit his thumb without hesitation, dropped blood to the ground, and swiftly formed seals—"Summoning Technique!"
In an instant, smoke billowed, and a gigantic snake head emerged. The massive serpent opened its bloody maw and let out a deafening hiss.
"It's Lord Orochimaru's summoned beast—Manda!"
"Iwa, prepare to be swallowed whole!"
Seeing Orochimaru summon Manda, Konoha's ninjas' confidence surged. Large summoned beasts were extremely useful in war; even a single movement could inflict massive damage.
Manda didn't care about the ninjas' opinions. It coldly said: "Orochimaru! I want 100 sacrifices!"
"You can eat your fill of Iwa ninjas!"
After receiving Orochimaru's affirmative answer, Manda began moving toward the Iwa formation.
Every movement Manda made caused devastating damage to the Iwa ninjas in its path.
Iron Earth saw this and flew into a rage!
He formed seals—Earth Release: Earth Spear!
Sharp rock spikes erupted from the ground along Manda's path, attacking the serpent.
Manda screamed in pain and thrashed violently on the battlefield.
Orochimaru knew his summoned beast well. If Manda didn't get substantial benefits—or if it took heavy damage—it would flee back to the summon realm without a second thought.
It might even shout "Don't forget my sacrifices!" on the way out.
Orochimaru drew the treasured sword Kirikabe Ichimonji gifted by Naraku and prepared to slash at Iron Earth. Iron Earth sensed the danger.
But he pretended not to notice and secretly activated Earth Release: Earth Spear Technique.
This technique hardened the body to diamond-like toughness. By circulating chakra throughout the body, it maximized defense while simultaneously enhancing the destructive power of taijutsu attacks—a highly versatile technique.
It could convert defense into offense, damaging attackers in return.
Orochimaru knew the man was likely using some kind of hardening technique, but he showed no hesitation.
He placed all his confidence in this blade. Orochimaru frantically poured Yang-attribute chakra into Kirikabe Ichimonji, then unleashed a full-powered slash.
Iron Earth, who had been brimming with confidence, saw the eerie black glow on Orochimaru's sword.
His hair stood on end. Instinct screamed that he couldn't block this strike.
He frantically reinforced his body's hardening while retreating at top speed.
It had to be said—ninjas were different from pirates. A pirate using Iron Body would never back down so easily!
Orochimaru's sword ultimately struck Iron Earth's raised arm. But the tremendous kinetic energy attached to Kirikabe Ichimonji didn't dissipate—it instantly poured into Iron Earth's arm.
Even with skin hardened to diamond-like toughness, Iron Earth could only barely withstand it. Moments later, his skin split open in a deep gash, and blood poured out.
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