Chapter 122 – The Weight of Steel

The clang of metal rang through the air, sharp and rhythmic, as Ren stepped onto the familiar stone path leading to Takeshi's forge. The usual thick scent of molten iron and burning coal lingered, mixing with the ever-present dampness of Kirigakure's mist.

He reached for the door, his movements instinctive—ready to push past the wooden bar trap that Takeshi always left in place.

But his hand met nothing.

Ren frowned. The bar wasn't there.

That was strange.

Takeshi was obsessive about his little security measures. He always insisted it was necessary—"A good blacksmith never lets just anyone wander into their forge." Even when it was just Ren, he never failed to reset it.

Yet today, the door swung open without resistance.

A quiet unease settled in Ren's chest as he stepped inside.

The forge was as sweltering as ever, the heat wrapping around him in thick waves. Sparks flew from the central workspace, where Takeshi stood with his back turned, hammering away at something half-hidden in the dim light.

The rhythmic clang of metal on metal should have been familiar. But there was something off about it.

Ren couldn't quite place it at first. The way Takeshi moved—his usual controlled, deliberate strikes seemed… rushed. He was working fast, almost too fast, his shoulders tense, his grip tighter than usual.

Ren leaned against a nearby workbench, arms crossed.

"Did I finally catch you in a good mood, or did you forget to set the trap?"

Takeshi didn't look up.

"Didn't feel like setting it," he muttered, bringing the hammer down again.

Ren raised an eyebrow. Didn't feel like it? That was new.

"You? Ignoring your own security rules? That's a first," he commented, eyeing the scattered tools around the forge. It wasn't messy, not exactly, but there was an urgency in the way things were placed—like someone had been too preoccupied to care about organization.

Takeshi exhaled, finally pausing for a brief second. Sweat glistened on his arms, his hair sticking slightly to his forehead from the heat.

"Not in the mood for games today, Mizutani," he said, voice gruff but lacking its usual teasing edge.

Ren studied him for a moment. His friend was acting off, and not just because of the missing door trap.

"You working on something important?" Ren asked, nodding toward the half-forged weapon Takeshi was hunched over.

Takeshi's hammer hesitated for just a fraction of a second before continuing.

"Yeah."

The answer was short. Clipped.

Ren waited, expecting him to elaborate—but Takeshi didn't. He just kept working, his expression unreadable, his posture stiff.

Ren glanced at the forge's anvil, catching a brief glimpse of the blade Takeshi was shaping. The metal was still raw, unfinished, but something about it felt different.

It wasn't the usual type of weapon Takeshi enjoyed making.

Normally, his craftsmanship had a certain care to it.

But this?

This felt… monotony. Like Takeshi wanted to be done with it as soon as possible.

Ren narrowed his eyes slightly. "You don't seem too happy about it."

Takeshi grunted, not meeting his gaze.

"Doesn't matter how I feel. Just need to finish it."

Something about the way he said it—flat, detached—made Ren's instincts flicker. Takeshi always took pride in his work, even when he complained. But right now, he sounded like someone carrying a weight they didn't want.

Ren thought about pushing further, but something in Takeshi's stance told him he wouldn't get any answers.

So, instead, he shrugged.

"Well, if it's a commission, at least make it good. I don't want to hear about some idiot breaking your sword in a fight and blaming you for it."

Takeshi exhaled sharply, but it wasn't quite a laugh. More like an acknowledgment.

Ren let the silence linger for a bit before changing the topic.

"You been out much? Haven't seen you in a while."

"Busy," Takeshi replied, not missing a beat.

"Yeah, I can tell," Ren muttered, watching as Takeshi's hammer came down again—harder this time.

The tension in the room didn't fade, but Ren let it slide for now.

There was something happening here.

But Takeshi wasn't ready to talk about it.

Not yet.

- - -

The rustling of paper was the only sound in the dimly lit office. Mizukage Yagura slowly flipped through a file in his hands, the flickering candlelight casting shifting shadows over the dark inked lines.

Seems like nothing unusual, he thought, his eyes scanning the detailed reports. He leads a very monotonous life… almost too much so.

He closed his eyes for a moment, tapping his fingers lightly against the desk. The information was thorough, but nothing stood out immediately. And yet… something felt off.

He turned another page in the report, pausing as his gaze settled on a note in the margins.

But ever since I started having him tailed, even his 'advice' has decreased.

He remained still for a few moments, contemplating the connection. There wasn't enough evidence yet to draw any conclusions, but it was a coincidence too significant to ignore.

After a long silence, he placed the file down, closing it with a measured movement.

Better to let the ANBU continue the mission for now.

Without changing expression, he picked up another file from the stack beside him. The title on the cover was marked clearly: "Promising Ninja."

He flipped through the first pages quickly, scanning the names and their detailed evaluations.

Good, he mused with a faint sense of satisfaction. By investing in the future, we can restore Kirigakure's former status within the next 5-10 years.

His eyes lingered on several names highlighted among the most promising young talents.

There are many strong prospects. This Terumi Mei in particular… as well as Mangetsu. Soon, we will have the successors of the Seven Swordsmen.

He continued reading, moving on to the next section: "Promising Students."

Even the academy is producing good results, he noted with a subtle nod of approval.

He turned another page and found himself staring at a detailed dossier on Ren Mizutani.

The information was neatly compiled—academic records, training progress, instructor evaluations, and reports on his development.

Just at that moment, a knock echoed against the office door.

- - -

Ren had just left the forge, making his way through the mist-laden streets of Kirigakure, heading home.

There's definitely something bothering him…

His thoughts kept circling back to his encounter with Takeshi, lingering like a shadow in his mind.

Ah, but there's nothing I can do about it. He shook his head slightly, trying to push the thought aside. Better to focus on what Ao told me yesterday. If this opportunity is real, I could climb the ranks faster and increase my influence in the village.

The memory of last night's conversation surfaced vividly, as if it had just happened.

- The Night Before-

Ao had studied him for a long moment, his piercing gaze unreadable. Then, calmly, he crossed his arms and lowered his voice slightly.

"By order of the Mizukage, I'm selecting promising young ninjas for an elite squad to be nurtured in Kirigakure."

A barely noticeable shiver ran down Ren's spine.

"I can't give you many details," Ao continued, his tone firm and measured, "but know that you're among the potential candidates."

Ren's heartbeat quickened for an instant.

"If you truly want a chance, you'll need to give it your all." Ao's voice held no hesitation, his gaze sharp as a blade. "Keep training, refine every aspect of your abilities. Don't waste this opportunity."

Ren clenched his fists, the fire of determination flickering in his eyes. "Understood."

Ao said nothing more. No encouragement, no sign of approval. But Ren had perfectly grasped the hidden meaning behind his words.

- Present-

Lost in thought, Ren almost didn't notice the figure that had materialized in front of him in the labyrinth of misty streets.

Only when his mind snapped back to the present did he register the young man standing before him, his lighthearted smile carrying an air of ease.

Ren came to an abrupt halt, his pulse skipping for just an instant.

There was no mistaking him.

Utakata had returned.

[Thanks everyone specially Jayroy_63 ,Sami_Alfoheday, BagusPardana, thefarmerboy007_7, Darkosiris_Lopez, Alexx_Sejas, Yasmin_Silva_3876, RyuB201, DaoistVVm1Vi, DaoistDW5XU4,DstarS, MonsterX, Acnol,DaoistSEsItM,bndr, RyuB201, VanHellsing6969, Daoist710883, LevinCloth, Daoist0thxiB, bndr, AKIB19,LevinCloth, Nonymous_H,silverkage, DaoistAZmi17,Alexx_Sejas, Morgoph, void_space_1915, Strandarn, AKIB19, Abdul_Salam_FASAMI, shadowborn, DarkGambit, and Miguel_024!

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