Chapter 36: Blade Selection Continues – Uchiha Struggles and First True Match
Naraku watched Danzō gripping March of the Dead [Yatsufusa] tightly, refusing to let go.
Naraku felt quite helpless inside but didn't want to speak up. So he tried using his eyes to signal Danzō, hoping he would release it voluntarily.
However, the old fox Danzō either didn't see or pretended not to notice—he showed no intention of loosening his grip.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, standing beside Naraku, saw this scene and felt deeply dissatisfied. He thought Danzō was going too far, and this would delay the later testing progress. Or was Danzō simply trying to prevent others from trying?
Finally, he had no choice but to speak up: "Danzō! Put the blade down. There are still people waiting to test!"
Danzō of course understood. In this situation, he absolutely couldn't just snatch March of the Dead [Yatsufusa] and leave the scene. Doing so would only humiliate him further—with so many eyes watching. Moreover, he didn't need to turn around to know the Uchiha clansmen were currently staring at him with malice and mockery.
Thinking of this, Danzō could only shoot Hiruzen a vicious glare to express his dissatisfaction. But in the end, he helplessly let go, carefully placing March of the Dead [Yatsufusa] back on the table as if it were an priceless treasure.
With Danzō's Root group finished, next came the Uchiha clan.
By now the Uchiha were extremely eager—even the hawk and dove faction leaders had ordered everyone to try their hardest. They absolutely could not let these two treasured blades fall easily into outsider hands.
First to step up was Uchiha Min. Before taking the blade, Naraku exchanged a look with him.
Uchiha Min thought: This future grandson-in-law still knows how to show consideration. But a mere ninja blade—I don't need any under-the-table help. After all, I've rolled through blades and guns; my will is extremely strong. How could I fail to master a trifling ninja blade?
Uchiha Min first picked up One-Cut Killer [Muramasa]. His entire expression instantly turned grave.
It felt as though a terrifying power was surging from the blade through his hand, attacking him. If he could use chakra he might suppress it—but without chakra allowed, he was instantly repelled by the ninja blade.
Only then did Uchiha Min realize mastering these two blades might not be so simple. But he wasn't disappointed—there was still the other one.
Surely his grandson-in-law had already arranged things for him. He just needed to pick up the second blade and then, in the second round of selection, thoroughly crush that old thief Danzō's arrogance!
But when he took March of the Dead [Yatsufusa], he found it was the same as the previous blade. Uchiha Min even felt this ninja blade was about to shake him off immediately.
Taking advantage of the brief moment, Uchiha Min hurriedly shot Naraku a look. Naraku responded with an expression that said: Good luck to you.
Uchiha Min could only glare at Naraku and release the blade—because he felt if he held on any longer it wouldn't just be a simple rejection.
Naraku was speechless. That look was to tell you to just give it a try—don't force it. And you're glaring at me? Wait until the blade sees your true nature—you won't be glaring anymore.
Danzō, seeing even Uchiha Min—the one he disliked most among the Uchiha—fail miserably, suddenly felt today's mood greatly improved!
After Danzō set the blade down, next came the Uchiha, then the Sarutobi clan.
Uchiha Mikoto smiled sweetly at Naraku: "Naraku, can I master the ninja blade?"
Naraku looked at Uchiha Mikoto with deep affection: "Give it a try. If you can master it, great. If not, in the future I'll forge weapons perfectly suited to you—and I'll protect you well!" Naraku's words made Mikoto blush deeply.
Watching this, Uchiha Min's veins bulged with anger. Damn brat! Just now you didn't give me any face, making me lose dignity in front of that cursed Danzō. Now you're openly flirting with my granddaughter! If I don't teach you a lesson later, I won't be called Uchiha!
Later, Uchiha Mikoto tried, but left with a small look of disappointment.
...
Next came Uchiha Chikara and his son. This was the first time Naraku had seen this clan head since his rebirth. He looked almost identical to how Fugaku would look when grown up—thick law lines.
Uchiha Chikara politely said to Naraku: "My son offended you before—please don't hold it against him!"
Naraku generously replied: "I won't hold grudges against children!"
But in his heart Naraku thought: Sorry, Clan Head position—I must take it! Your son can just obediently serve as my subordinate and work hard to shine for the Uchiha!
Uchiha Chikara was quite speechless hearing Naraku's reply. If he remembered correctly, Naraku was several years younger than his son Fugaku.
...
Naraku watched the Uchiha queue growing shorter and shorter, feeling somewhat disappointed. Could it be that the mighty Uchiha truly had no one compatible with these two ninja blades?
Naraku had originally planned that if the second-round test results weren't too far apart, he would rig it a little. But so far not a single person had passed even the first round.
Until, at the very end of the line, a black long-haired girl appeared—her face carrying a natural airheaded expression. Naraku's heart stirred; he felt this little girl might be very suitable.
Sure enough, the girl slowly picked up One-Cut Killer [Muramasa]. One second… two seconds… three seconds…
One-Cut Killer [Muramasa] remained steadily held in her hand.
A wave of quiet discussion immediately rose from the crowd—after all, compared to Yatsufusa, Muramasa's ability was clearly more shocking.
Naraku asked the girl in front of him her name: "What's your name? Stand beside me for now."
The girl replied in a soft, glutinous voice: "I'm Uchiha Hiiro." Then she obediently set the ninja blade down and walked to Naraku's side.
Uchiha Hiiro's successful grip brought a slight sigh of relief to the Uchiha clan. Next came Hiruzen Sarutobi and his ANBU—but the results were disappointing. Not a single ANBU member was compatible with either blade.
Especially Hiruzen himself, who went up to test and found no fit.
Danzō spoke with sarcastic tone toward Hiruzen: "Hiruzen! Put the blade down. There are still people waiting to test!"
The testing continued all the way into the afternoon. Many familiar faces appeared on stage during the process.
For example, Yūhi Kurenai, Moonlight clan's Moonlight Hayate.
Later even Tsunade and Jiraiya came up to try—unfortunately neither was selected.
The biggest surprise for Naraku was that Gai actually showed up. But Gai wasn't here for the blades—he came to request Naraku forge some training-assistance equipment.
Naraku naturally agreed happily—he still greatly admired the spirit of Gai and his father.
...
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