Chapter 30: Dyed in His Color
The Special Grade Cursed Tool Playful Cloud—renowned for its pure physical power, with no Cursed Technique attached... Just kidding. Hiiro Rinko did love that Cursed Tool, but it was still too early for him to replicate it here.
However, the weapon Hiiro Rinko did forge was indeed a three-section staff. Each section was chest-high and about as thick as an adult's two fingers, though the ends were slightly wider.
The staff's body was treated with a non-reflective, slightly rough finish to improve grip. The chains connecting each section were five links long, and like the special caps on the ends, were part of an integrated structure.
If needed, unlocking a catch mechanism could deploy or launch short, sturdy rods from either end. With adjustments, one side could also be swapped for a chain-linked hammer or spike.
Compared to weapons with sharp tips and edges like swords, Rinko had always preferred unadorned blunt weapons like staffs.
Although they couldn't cut, with enough force, they could pierce just like a 'chisel.' And when used properly, in striking power and range, staffs held a far greater advantage over swords.
In a certain great nation that doesn't exist in this world, isn't there a saying, "The spear is the king of all weapons"? What gives the spear its unshakeable status is the staff that supports the head.
And after mastering Wind Release (Fūton), the 'no-cutting' defect was overcome. The three-section staff, forged from a mix of Chakra Metal and high-quality steel, could smoothly conduct the user's Chakra. The specially designed head structure could, without any transformation, extend his Chakra into various forms, such as a spear tip or a blade.
Combined with the excellent cutting power of Wind-nature Chakra, this three-section staff in Rinko's hands could handle almost any situation.
When he first forged this weapon, the forge was a lively place.
Chiyo was there, looking enthusiastic (making one wonder if she ever worked), as was a reluctant Yūsa she had dragged along. And, of course, Pakura, who Rinko had roped into free labor—ah, no, training.
This wasn't a lie. Forging requires high precision with the forge temperature. Accurately maintaining a specific temperature for a long time demands significant experience from a blacksmith.
Similarly, to use Fire Release (Katon) to adjust the forge temperature also required significant Chakra control.
For Pakura, who lacked that ability at the time, this was an excellent training opportunity.
The Land of Wind is the world's largest producer of Chakra Metal. The precious material, expensive in the outside world, was not hard to come by for Sunagakure.
Therefore, even when using this material to forge a weapon, Rinko wasn't worried about Pakura overheating and wasting it.
So, with Pakura's 'help,' he 'logically' ended up spending an extra half-month of after-school time to forge the weapon.
This was expected.
If not for this experience, Pakura's Chakra control wouldn't have improved so quickly.
But at the time, Pakura, covered in soot, only felt she had messed everything up. After the forging was complete, she wore an expression of guilt, not even daring to wipe her face.
From every angle, she had messed up many times. It would have been natural to be harshly reprimanded.
In the end, Rinko didn't blame her. Instead, he gave her a set of bracers and anklets as a gift. The usually stubborn and strong girl almost burst into tears on the spot.
Although she had latched onto Rinko out of frustration from her defeat (or so she told herself), after spending so much time with him, she was, in the end, attracted to this peer who was so strong and exceptionally mature.
In this situation, it was impossible to say she wasn't worried he'd hate her.
Compared to Karura—who was gentle, skillful, made better bentos, and didn't hide her feelings—Pakura felt she had no advantages.
She couldn't even say a simple 'I like you.'
So, afterward, when Rinko wiped her face clean and praised her for doing a good job, Pakura just couldn't hold back anymore.
The girl, looking like a little kitten that had just crawled out of a chimney, threw her arms around Rinko and cried a river of tears.
From Rinko's perspective, he didn't think he had done anything to make her that emotional.
When he fired up the forge, he obviously didn't just make his own weapon. He'd also made the finger-guards for Chiyo and Yūsa, the blade set for Karura, and the bracers/anklets for Pakura all at the same time.
And his praise for Pakura was just... normal? Given her foundation, her ability to grow so much in such a short time was excellent. She had worked very hard.
Rinko knew his own growth was superhuman, a result of his past life's accumulation and his 'inherited' assets. He would never use his own standards to judge others.
However, the boy, who had already been softened and calmed by the influence of his new body, wouldn't say such cold, atmosphere-killing things out loud at a time like this.
Rinko just let the girl's tears soak his shoulder, quietly stroking her smooth back to calm her emotions.
The Uzumaki Clan's sensory abilities could discern lies through Chakra, and a former Special Grade Cursed User's ability to discern emotions was even more needless to say.
The inferiority complex hidden under her stubborn shell, the fatigue from competing as a true 'civilian' among her classmates, and the "goodwill" that was once confused but was now crystal clear... all the girl's feelings were laid bare for Hiiro Rinko to see.
This breakdown was, in truth, just an emotional release.
After being so easily defeated by him, the shell of pride she had built with all her might was already covered in cracks.
If they hadn't spent this time together, Pakura probably would have just kept forcing herself to be strong.
But now, she had, without reservation, shown him her softest, most vulnerable side.
Beautiful, delicate, and fragile. Her heart was just like a glass flower.
And at this moment, that glass flower seemed to have been dyed... with his color.