Chapter 58: First Weapon (1)

After getting the necessary utilities and foodstuff, we gave Anko another punishment before falling asleep for the night.

The next day I woke early and prepared a small breakfast, before going out to check the market.

I was looking specifically at the weapons and the Chakra Metal.

Depending on the price, we could be here for under a month, or we could be here longer. Considering the house and taxes were covered for at least three, I was willing to take as much time as we needed; after all, that metal could give Konoha quite the edge in any upcoming engagements.

The metal would likely be used to forge weapons for specific people; most definitely Kakashi, with the rest being divided among Clan Heads or other strong Jonin.

Just like in Konoha the market was bustling at dawn, the civilians hoping for a good deal from the sleepy vendors and the warriors purchasing any supplies they would need for that days task.

Browsing the various wares being peddled, I managed to find an average price of an ingot of Chakra Metal; 40 Silvers for one ingot.

As for weapons themselves, it depended on not only the craftsman but also the other materials used.

The sword that was made with a bone handle was more expensive than the sword of similar size made with just a wooden handle, costing around 52 Silvers with, and 48 Silvers without.

I was slightly giddy, as just a few good hauls would net us enough for everyone to get a weapon, allowing us to go on the hunt for this 'Basan' more comfortably.

Returning home, I saw Anko furtively peering at Kurenai, who was taking her time as she ate.

Hearing me enter Anko jumped, turning a slightly fearful gaze my way.

Grinning at my wife, I chuckled as she shivered, only to sit down beside her.

"Well, I found the prices for Chakra Metal and weapons; 40 Silvers for an ingot, and 50 Silvers for a weapon. Which means..."

"We need to get a few good hunts done, so that we can get a weapon each."

I nodded at Kurenai, who then asked "Should we go out individually again? Or make our way out together a bit deeper into the forest?"

I pursed my lips, looking at Anko, who was tapping her finger on the table.

"Together."

Hearing her confident answer, I just shrugged, not caring either way.

"Well, let's finish and get going!"

~~~

We had traveled north of the village, away from where we had seen that... thing, but still deep enough that strong Chakra Beasts might lurk.

In fact, we were looking for one such beast now; the price on their pelts must be high, and when we paired Kurenai's genjutsu with the precision Anko and I attacked with, we could get ourselves a relatively clean pelt.

"There are claw marks on the tree, way above our heads... likely a bear..."

We were on the ground, looking up at the three long, deep gouges in the trunk of the tree.

Turning my gaze to observe our surroundings, I found the snapped branches of some foliage, and gestured for my wives to follow.

I continued following the tracks left behind; a marked trunk here, footprints there, stripped bark that way...

Though the most telling signs that we were closing in were the strewn bones of various animals; which we stored in a scroll just in case.

Hearing the loud roar from just ahead, we stiffened before climbing into the trees.

Taking out my bow, I led the way further in, before widening my eyes as I took in the sight of the bear.

A normal bear stands at around 5 feet tall when on all fours; just under double that when standing up.

This one was double the size of a normal bear; however, besides the obvious strength and lethality that would come with that size, the main concern lied in the fact that the bears pelt was releasing a mist of earth chakra, the pelt a deep brown.

Pursing my lips, I watched the large bear slam into a tree, causing the bark to shatter under the impact.

"I'll place it under a genjutsu; you two take care of it quickly. The chakra pouring off its pelt will disrupt the genjutsu rather fast..."

Anko and I nodded, and I said "I can get an arrow into one eye; could you get the other, Anko? Use a kunai or a senbon from afar, since one hit from that thing will turn you to paste."

Anko chuckled, pulling out a kunai as she said "Ready."

Looking between Anko and I, Kurenai took a breath before dropping down, her eyes glowing red as she started powering her genjutsu.

Nocking the arrow, I slowly coated it with wind chakra, attaching a chakra string to it as well to guide it through the air.

Anko dropped lower, staying hidden as she waited for Kurenai to succeed.

Hearing Kurenai drop, the bear sniffed the air before turning, snarling as it saw the woman staring at it.

Shaking its large head, the bear stumbled the side, snarling again as it slammed its paw down.

The earth shook slightly from the blow, and I bit my lip with worry as it staggered closer to Kurenai.

Except, I had no need to worry, as the bears large body went slack.

Panting, Kurenai raised her hand, signaling for us to attack.

Releasing the arrow, I gently guided it though the air towards the unfocused eyes of the bear, the wind chakra whistling as it flew.

As for Anko, she had coated her kunai with fire chakra, the flaming blade hurtling across the clearing as it sunk into the soft flesh of the bear.

As for my arrow, I watched as the wind chakra helped the arrow pierce deep into the eye, before bursting from the other side, coated in a pink gooey substance.

Grinning, I dropped down with Anko, moving to stand beside Kurenai, who panted slightly at the large use of chakra.

"This has to be worth at least one weapon, right?"

Anko looked at me, hope in her eyes.

I chuckled, nodding.

"The bear Kurenai caught yesterday was under half the price of one; this should at least be enough for one, especially considering the 20 some odd Silvers we have remaining."

Anko and Kurenai smiled, happy with that, watching me place the corpse in a storage scroll.

Making our way back, we ran into another lone wolf, quickly bagging that as well before returning to the village.

Showing the medallions to the guards, Anko and Kurenai went home, trusting me to get a good deal.

Entering the market again, I spotted Yunache in the same spot as yesterday, still bored.

"Priestess Yunache! How have you been?"

She gave me a dry look, sighing as she got up.

"If it wasn't for her being my mate, I wouldn't be spending the day here... hah, well, how can I help you, Kokoro?"

Chuckling at her despondent tone, I said "Caught a large bear earlier, as well as a wolf; thought I might be able to turn it in for a blade or two? Know any smiths?"

Yunache nodded, gesturing for me to follow.

We walked through the crowded market, Yunache smiling politely to the people as we passed, before stopping at the door of a simple brick building.

A large chimney spewed smoke, and I could hear the sound of a hammer striking metal inside.

"This is the smithy of the woman who made my spear; she forges good blades, and charges a fair price. However... she is a little eccentric..."

Giving me a small smile, Yunache knocked on the door three times.

The hammering stopped, and I could hear it be replaced by low cursing.

"For the love of... Yunache! What've I told you about interrupting my work!"

Swinging open the door was a tall, muscular woman, her black hair pulled into a bun as she used a pin and bandana to keep it from spilling into her green eyes.

Wearing just a cloth binding on her ample chest, she revealed her sculpted eight pack with pride.

Turning her gaze from the gloomy Fire Priestess, she narrowed her eyes at me, looking me up and down.