Reborn in Konoha; I Think I’m Cultivating Immortality

In a weapons shop in the Land of Iron, Hui, whose presence had made the entire ninja world uneasy, was browsing the various weapons on display with great interest.

The Land of Iron, a nation of samurai, lived up to its name by being abundant in weapons. Inside this particular shop, Hui saw a vast array of weapons: swords and blades, axes and hammers, spears and iron rods.

The collection was extensive and diverse, and the craftsmanship appeared decent enough.

Hui casually picked up a sword, weighed it in his hand, and lightly ran his fingers along the blade. 

Then he shook his head in disappointment and put it back.

"Is there something the customer finds unsatisfactory? Perhaps the weapons in my humble shop fail to meet your expectations?" the shopkeeper asked, approaching Hui after noticing his reaction.

This was one of the unique aspects of the Land of Iron. 

The people here had a distinctive air about them, in both their actions and words. The way the shopkeeper spoke reminded Hui of the old eras from his previous life, giving him a fleeting sense of nostalgia.

This atmosphere gave a good impression of the Land of Iron to Hui. The people here also earned his favor, they carried themselves with discipline, a quality that Hui respected.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Hui nodded at the shopkeeper and said, "The craftsmanship of this sword is decent, but the materials are lacking. It's too light and brittle."

The shopkeeper was taken aback.

Too light...?

The sword in question wasn't light at all by ordinary standards. Samurai often commented on its weight, finding it heavy to wield.

While pondering this odd critique, the shopkeeper said, "What a pity. In that case, may I suggest some other swords? I have more in the back that might suit your needs."

"Sure, let's take a look," Hui agreed. 

He followed the shopkeeper into another room in the shop. This room contained several racks with various weapons designed for special orders.

The shopkeeper gestured to a rack and said, "These are all swords. Please, take your pick."

Hui examined each sword in turn, weighing and inspecting them before putting them back. When he had gone through all of them, he shook his head and said, "No good. These are all too light."

The shopkeeper was not offended by Hui's dissatisfaction. On the contrary, he seemed pleased. 

If none of the existing stock met the customer's needs, a custom order would be required, and custom orders came with higher costs for materials and labour, meaning higher profits.

Smiling, the shopkeeper suggested, "If the customer finds none of these suitable, why not have one custom-made?"

Hui's eyes lit up. "That's a good idea. Let's do that."

The shopkeeper's face brightened as well. This deal was as good as sealed.

"What kind of sword would you like? Do you have specific requirements for its style, weight, or material? Should it be capable of channeling chakra?"

Hui replied without hesitation, "Use the best materials available. The heavier, the better. Preferably ten times the weight of this sword. The blade must be extremely durable. In short, everything should be of the highest quality, comparable to the legendary Kusanagi Sword. And don't worry about the price, I have plenty of money."

The shopkeeper gasped at Hui's audacious request.

A sword comparable to the Kusanagi Sword? That was a mythical weapon, the stuff of legends. Only a handful had ever existed in history, each shrouded in its own lore.

Yet this young man was asking to have one forged on demand.

"Well... sir, your request is rather ambitious. A sword like the Kusanagi is not something that can be made on a whim. Even if we possessed the techniques required, we lack materials comparable to those used in such legendary weapons. Perhaps you might consider lowering your expectations?"

Hui raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying that if the right materials were available, you could forge a sword as good as the Kusanagi?"

The shopkeeper hesitated, then nodded firmly. "Yes. My ancestor once attempted to create such a sword and tried many times. Unfortunately, every effort failed due to inadequate materials, not because of flawed craftsmanship.

"I've inherited those forging techniques and have spent my life mastering them. If I had materials of legendary quality, I am confident I could forge a blade worthy of being called a divine weapon."

Hui could see the determination in the shopkeeper's eyes. He believed the man.

"Do you have any leads on such materials?" Hui asked. 

A family so dedicated to forging a legendary blade would surely have information on potential sources. If not, Hui would abandon the idea and seek out the Kusanagi Sword itself.

The shopkeeper hesitated before answering, "We do have information, but the material in question is beyond reach. It's in the hands of someone we cannot challenge."

"Who might that be?" Hui asked curiously.

"The material is with Hegiri. Even our Land of Iron general cannot defeat him."

Hegiri. The name rang a bell.

Once, when Hui was still in Konoha, he had his ANBU collect intelligence on powerful individuals across the ninja world. Hegiri was known as one of the strongest samurai in the Land of Iron, though he was not its general. Instead, he ruled as a tyrant over part of the country.

"If it's Hegiri, that makes things easier," Hui said, a smirk forming on his lips.

Unlike most people in the Land of Iron, Hegiri had no redeeming qualities. He possessed strength comparable to the general but lacked the discipline and honor expected of someone in his position. According to Hui's investigations, Hegiri was unrepentantly wicked.

Hui had already decided to deal with him.

"Shopkeeper, are you free tomorrow?" Hui asked.

The shopkeeper, startled by the sudden question, replied, "Yes, I am. Why do you ask?"

"Good. I'll bring you the materials and the design for the sword tomorrow morning at eight. Please prepare to forge a masterpiece."

Hui's words left the shopkeeper dumbfounded. Before he could protest, Hui turned and walked away.

By the time the shopkeeper snapped out of his shock and tried to follow, Hui had already vanished. Even after rushing out onto the street, there was no trace of him.

The shopkeeper was left in a daze, half convinced he had encountered a ghost.

The store owner was absent minded for the rest of the day. 

The next morning at eight sharp, Hui returned as promised, carrying a blueprint—and the material taken from Hegiri.

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