GSiN: Ch. 202

Inside the most luxurious inn of Takumi Village, Orochimaru sat alone at a table, quietly leafing through a product catalog. Inside were listed various experimental instruments newly released by the village.

"Transmission Chakra Microscope," "Third-Generation Confocal Microscope," "Advanced Cell Incubator," a dazzling array of device names filled the pages.

As a scientist standing at the very forefront of research in the shinobi world, Orochimaru had extremely high standards for laboratory equipment. His eyes barely spared a glance for any device more than two generations out of date. However, after carefully selecting for a while, his brows faintly knit, and he let out a soft sigh.

"These recent years... Takumi Village truly has grown negligent," he murmured.

Even with just a cursory scan, most of what he saw were last year's, if not even older, models. Setting aside the trivial optimizations, the most crucial functions showed almost no meaningful improvement.

In his view, rather than spend time and money acquiring these "refurbished machines," it would be better to continue using his own older but reliable instruments. They'd even save him the trouble of having to adapt to new tools. Somewhat disappointed, he flipped ahead a few more pages, jumping straight to the "New Products" section at the end. Only then did a different kind of glimmer flash in his eyes.

"This time they didn't pad the list with useless, gimmicky devices like they did last year."

But thinking about it, that was only natural. In the shinobi world, there were many who, like him, were deeply invested in biological research, several of them with no small amount of power. For these researchers, the equipment supplied by Takumi Village was essential for their scientific pursuits. If the village kept cutting corners and rehashing old designs, these researcher-ninjas would surely grow dissatisfied, perhaps even inclined to pay the higher-ups a personal visit for a proper conversation.

After all, the reason they paid for equipment was precisely so they didn't have to waste vast amounts of their own time learning how to build complex machines themselves. But if Takumi Village refused to innovate, then these mad scientists wouldn't mind using their own strength to conduct one final, zero-yen purchase.

Snap.

He closed the catalog.

Tomorrow would be the day the equipment went on sale. After committing a few favored machines to memory, he turned to contact Kura again. He needed to know roughly when Ryouma would arrive. Just as he was about to form the hand seals for the Summoning Technique, the door to the other room of his rented suite opened from the inside. That was the room he had specially prepared for Ryouma. A Flying Thunder God kunai had been placed within.

Ryouma stepped out steadily from the room, his face bright with a warm smile. "Hasn't it been almost a month since we last met?"

A faint curve appeared at the corner of Orochimaru's lips as he returned the greeting. "Yes, it has been quite a while. But you're as quick to act as ever."

Ryouma waved his hand. "Oh please. You're the one helping me this time. As the beneficiary, how could I possibly make you wait?"

"We're partners. This is nothing at all," Orochimaru replied as he took out a scroll from his robe and handed it to Ryouma.

"Well then, shall we go meet that smith now? I haven't given him the Lostvayne nor that chunk of chakra-conducting metal in the scroll."

Hearing this, Ryouma's expression instantly grew more cautious. A thoughtful glint flickered in his eyes. "Do you think this smith is reliable?"

Orochimaru patiently explained, "His name is Chiko Masamune, the current heir of the Chiko clan, a renowned smithing family."

A flash of understanding passed through Ryouma's eyes. "Chiko... the same family that forged the Sword of the Thunder God for the Second Hokage?"

"That's right," Orochimaru nodded. "Though that particular masterpiece was his father's work. He himself has yet to forge a blade famous across the shinobi world."

Seeing Ryouma might think he had been careless and found an unqualified craftsman, he added, "Even though no legendary swords have come from him yet, his forging techniques have been recognized by his clan, and he's earned Takumi Village's 'Unsupervised' distinction."

"Unsupervised?"

"Yes. This so-called Unsupervised status is the highest honor Takumi Village grants to master smiths. Any smith who earns this title can forge weapons without going through official inspections. Anything they produce can immediately be sold as a premium-grade piece."

"I see," Ryouma said, genuinely impressed. "As expected of you, truly knowledgeable."

Orochimaru responded to the praise with a light smile. He had simply lived longer. It was only natural he knew more than Ryouma. After a brief discussion, he mentioned that he would be buying laboratory equipment the next day, and that it was still early today. So without further delay, the two set off for the Chiko family's long-established forge.

The streets of Takumi Village were wide and far livelier than those of most small hidden villages. Looking around, one could see merchants and ninjas from many different nations moving through the streets. Under Orochimaru's guidance, Ryouma eventually arrived at a very traditionally styled shop. The building had an elegant, old-fashioned charm. On a wooden signboard hung above the entrance were the large, forceful words: "Chiko Sword Shop."

After speaking, Orochimaru stepped toward the shop, and the two of them disappeared behind the hanging curtain at the entrance.

Since the forging area wasn't located here, the interior space that met Ryouma's eyes upon entering the sword workshop wasn't very large, roughly three hundred square meters. Though limited in size, the space was arranged compactly and with orderly precision.

A faint scent of wood drifted through the room, easily calming one's mind. The surrounding walls were made of thick, solid timber. Every board retained its natural grain, and on them hung an array of blades, long and short, curved and straight. Some had wide, heavy blades that radiated raw power. Others were narrow, exuding agility and sharpness. Yet under the warm, soft glow of the wooden interior, even these fierce weapons seemed far less intimidating.

While Ryouma was still curiously surveying the surroundings, a girl in a dark indigo kimono emerged from behind the counter. She looked to be only fifteen or sixteen. The girl gave Orochimaru and Ryouma a small bow, her twin ponytails drooping gently with the motion. "Welcome to the Chiko Sword Shop. Um... may I ask if the two of you have an appointment?"

In contrast to her traditional, formal attire, the girl's voice sounded sleepy and soft. Orochimaru lifted his gaze slightly, letting it sweep over her as a faint, unreadable smile appeared on his lips. "Have you forgotten me already?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly extended his long tongue and circled it over his lips like a snake tasting the air.

The girl was so startled that she jumped back a full step. She remembered now, this man had come by two days earlier. She vaguely recalled that things hadn't ended in a successful deal.

"Well? Do you remember who I am now?"

Orochimaru advanced on her, step by step. His slit pupils locked onto her like a starving beast eyeing its prey.

"Waaah! I'm really slow, I really can't remember!"

She whimpered, hugging her head and crouching, not willing to meet Orochimaru's eyes.

Orochimaru rasped toward the crouching girl, "We're here to see your father. About that order from last time."

The girl froze for a moment, finally realizing what was going on. She scrambled to her feet, nodding frantically. "Ah, my father, he's... he's in the back organizing the blades. Please, both of you, wait in the guest room over there for a moment. I'll go call him right away!"

She turned and hurried toward the inner courtyard. In her haste, she accidentally bumped her forehead hard against a display rack. With a small cry of pain, she barely managed to steady herself before falling. She looked back with an embarrassed smile, then continued to dash off.

"Just as clumsy as last time. Come, let's wait in the guest room."

Orochimaru shook his head, then led Ryouma past a folding screen into the guest room on the right.

Once seated cross-legged on the tatami, Ryouma spoke with a hint of puzzlement, "For such a famous smithing clan, the foot traffic here seems surprisingly low."

"That's because this isn't the Chiko clan's shop for selling finished ninja blades. This place only handles custom commissions. The prices are very high, so naturally there aren't many customers on a daily basis."

"I see."

In Ryouma's mind appeared the weapons he had noticed upon entering, so that's why every type was on display. They were basically there to show off craftsmanship.

They didn't have to wait long, just a few minutes, before a series of heavy footsteps sounded from outside, accompanied by the girl's startled cry. "Father! Slow down! I can't keep up!"

With a loud creak, the door to the guest room was flung open, and a tall man with a sharp crew cut strode inside. He was burly and powerfully built. Even through the loose folds of his kimono, his bulging muscles were impossible to hide. He looked every bit the walking embodiment of brute strength.

"Orochimaru, you're finally back!"

The moment Masamune stepped inside, he enthusiastically reached out and clasped Orochimaru's hands in both of his.

"Masamune-san, it's been a while. I trust you've been well."

Orochimaru subtly withdrew his hand. He never knew how to handle the current head of the Chiko clan. Every time they spoke, he felt as though he were dealing with Jiraiya.

"Hahaha! No need to be so formal between the two of us!"

Masamune boomed with laughter. After greeting Orochimaru, his gaze immediately shifted to Ryouma beside him.

"This must be the Leaf's Gale! Such disrespect on my part. If I'd known you were coming, I would've waited at the door myself."

Ryouma raised a brow. This Chiko clan head... something was off. According to his own philosophy, strangers who approached with this much enthusiasm were, ninety-nine percent of the time, after something.

Masamune had no idea he had already been mentally filed under "people with ulterior motives." Still flushed with excitement, he shouted, "Kirin! Tea! Bring the best we have!"

"Yes!"

Kirin, who had been kneeling at the doorway, answered immediately. Carrying a kettle of hot water, she wobbled into the room, fetched tea leaves from the cupboard, and busied herself preparing everything.

The three men sat down on one side of the tea table. Watching Kirin scramble around, Ryouma didn't bother waiting for tea. He cut straight to the point.

"Masamune-san, the reason I came today is to ask for your help repairing a ninja blade. I've already prepared the main materials."

As soon as he finished speaking, Ryouma placed the scroll Orochimaru had returned to him on the table and formed a hand seal. With a puff, a broken blade and a piece of chakra-conducting metal ore emitting a faint glow appeared before them. Masamune had already seen these items a few days ago when Orochimaru showed them to him. He slapped a palm against his massive chest, and let out a hearty laugh.

"No problem at all! Reforging will be a bit more troublesome, but coming to me means you've come to the right man. No one understands chakra-conducting metal better than I do!"

Oh? Quite confident. But since even Orochimaru praised this smithing clan, it would be stranger if they didn't have the skills to back it up.

Thinking this, Ryouma tapped his finger lightly against the table. "Then about the commission fee..."

"No, no fee is necessary!"

Masamune wore an expression of delight, waving both hands rapidly. "For you to choose our workshop for forging a blade is already the greatest honor of my life. If anything, I actually have a small request of my own."