On the wall of the blacksmith workshop hung rows of thick working clothes.
Naruto glanced over them and finally chose one that looked relatively clean. He took it down and prepared to change into it. However, just as he lifted it, a strong, unpleasant smell rushed into his nose.
"Oh my…"
Naruto nearly gagged.
Since this was a blacksmith workshop, the temperature inside was extremely high. Heavy sweating was unavoidable. Therefore, most of the blacksmiths' clothes were made of cowhide, which was durable and resistant to sparks.
When it became unbearably hot, the workers would scoop water from a nearby wooden barrel and pour it directly over themselves.
Over time, sweat soaked deep into the cowhide. Even after washing, the smell never truly disappeared.
Naruto glanced at Palu, then at the surrounding Tsuchigen clan members who were already wearing similar clothes without complaint.
He sighed inwardly.
There was no choice.
He could only grit his teeth and endure it.
After changing, Naruto walked back to Palu.
At that moment, Palu had just finished forging a long sword. After quenching it in water, the blade shone brilliantly.
"Alright, Naruto," Palu said. "It's your turn now. If you have any questions, I'll guide you."
Naruto nodded seriously.
"Okay!"
He began practicing immediately.
Unlike chopping wood or carrying water, forging required extreme focus and precision. Palu stood beside him the entire time, never leaving his side, guiding him step by step.
Originally, Naruto thought Palu would demonstrate once and then let him practice alone.
Just like before, he had expected to observe, imitate, and comprehend on his own.
But here, Palu taught him in detail, almost hand-holding him through every step.
"Brother Palu, can I put it into the furnace now?" Naruto asked.
Palu shook his head.
"No. The surface oxide layer hasn't been fully removed yet. You need to hammer it more."
"Oh, okay."
Naruto nodded twice and continued hammering.
Clang! Clang!
Suddenly, a small fragment of hot iron skin flew off and landed on Naruto's hand.
"Ah!"
He instinctively brushed it away.
His skin instantly turned red.
Palu sighed lightly.
"It's just a spark. No big deal."
Naruto looked at his hand and grimaced.
It hurt.
Palu pointed to a wooden bucket nearby.
"Go soak it."
Naruto walked over and immersed his hand in cold water for several minutes. When he took it out, a blister had already formed.
Palu gestured for him to come closer.
He picked up a pair of scissors, carefully cut the blister, and then handed Naruto a clean cloth.
"Wrap it."
Naruto clenched his teeth.
It hurt badly.
Seeing this, Palu stepped forward and helped him wrap the wound.
Throughout the entire process, Naruto never uttered a sound.
He just endured silently.
Palu observed him quietly and nodded inwardly.
Not bad.
In a blacksmith shop, who didn't have burn scars?
If someone couldn't even endure this, they had no qualification to stand here.
"Alright," Palu said. "Keep going. It'll be time to eat soon. Try to finish this piece."
Naruto took a deep breath.
Then exhaled slowly.
"Got it!"
Palu suddenly scooped a bucket of water and poured it directly over Naruto.
Splash!
Cold water soaked him instantly.
Naruto shivered, then laughed loudly.
"Refreshing!"
As if all the heat and exhaustion had been washed away, Naruto roared and swung the hammer harder.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Sparks flew everywhere.
With every strike, Naruto felt his consciousness become clearer.
A strange rhythm began forming in his body.
His breathing, heartbeat, and movements slowly synchronized.
Gradually, he felt a faint dizziness.
But instead of panic, it felt… natural.
Palu noticed it and smiled faintly.
"As expected of the clan leader's guest," he thought.
"His comprehension is terrifying."
In such a short time, Naruto had already begun sensing the harmony of fire and metal—something many apprentices took years to grasp.
The surrounding blacksmiths also noticed.
They paused briefly and stared in surprise.
This outsider… was learning too fast.
At noon, Palu and Naruto ate together.
Even while eating, they discussed forging techniques.
Naruto asked questions.
Palu answered patiently.
After resting, Naruto returned to work in the afternoon.
This time, he was more confident.
His hammer strikes became steadier.
His breathing became deeper.
His body seemed to naturally absorb the surrounding heat and metal energy.
By sunset, after hours of effort, Naruto finally completed his first sword.
He held it up in disbelief.
"Wow… it's really… so bright!"
The blade reflected light brilliantly.
Though still crude compared to Palu's works, it was undeniably a real sword.
Palu nodded.
"Not bad. But it's not finished yet."
"Give it to me."
Naruto handed it over.
Palu coated the blade with a layer of special clay, then placed it back into the furnace.
He worked the bellows continuously.
"Brother Palu, what's that?" Naruto asked.
Palu smiled.
"This is tempering clay."
"If you want the sword to be sharp and flexible, you must use it."
"After burning, it can be hammered again."
"Only then is it complete."
Naruto watched carefully.
After a long time, Palu pulled out the glowing blade.
"Watch closely," Palu said seriously.
"I'll only do this once."
Everyone nearby stopped working.
All eyes focused on Palu.
He took a deep breath.
Then slowly exhaled.
Dark matter energy surged faintly around him.
He raised the hammer.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Each strike seemed to resonate with the surrounding space.
Naruto felt as if invisible energy was flowing into the sword.
"What… is that?" he wondered.
After thousands of strikes, Palu finally stopped.
He plunged the blade into water.
Sizzle!
Steam exploded.
The sound echoed throughout the workshop.
Palu nodded in satisfaction.
Then he passed it to a worker.
"Xiao Wang, finish it."
"No problem, Brother Lu!"
Xiao Wang quickly polished the blade, attached the hilt, and fitted it into a scabbard.
Finally, he handed it to Naruto.
"Naruto, you've graduated."
Naruto froze.
"Graduated… already?"
He had only learned forging for one day.
What kind of graduation was this?
Palu smiled.
"You've passed."
After changing clothes, Palu led Naruto outside.
The cool wind felt heavenly.
"Naruto," Palu said seriously, "I know you have many doubts."
"Don't worry. Everything will become clear after you enter the academy."
After handing Naruto to Tomu, Palu left.
Although they had only spent one day together, Naruto felt he had gained a lot.
Tomu walked beside him.
Naruto looked at the sword in his hand, silent.
"Don't rush," Tomu said. "Grow step by step."
Naruto finally asked,
"Brother Tomu… it feels like everyone knows something and is hiding it from me."
Tomu smiled.
"It's not hiding."
"You just haven't reached that level yet."
"Everything needs a process."
"I'll send you here."
Before he finished speaking, a figure descended from the sky.
"Naruto! I'm here!"
Ichiro Tsuchigen landed lightly.
Seeing the sword, he laughed.
"Not bad! You're fast. You're already a master!"
Naruto was completely confused.
"Master… what?"
"Come on!" Ichiro said happily. "I'll treat you to a meal. Huizi is here too. Let's celebrate!"
He grabbed Naruto and flew toward the market.
On the way, Naruto asked,
"Brother Ichiro, what does becoming an apprentice mean?"
Ichiro explained,
"All Tsuchigen clan members must train on the farm when they reach a certain age."
"There are four awakening paths."
"As long as you pass one, you can enter the academy."
"There, you'll learn dark matter techniques."
"Fire, water, wood, earth, metal."
Naruto frowned.
"No ice?"
"Yes," Ichiro nodded. "Ice is a variant of water."
"If you master water energy, you can create ice and boiling water."
Naruto nodded thoughtfully.
"It's just like Kekkei Genkai…" he thought.
Similar to Ice Release in the Hidden Mist.
"Enough talking," Ichiro laughed. "Let's eat first!"
With that, he landed with Naruto in the bustling market below.