After lunch, Shiratori Rin returned to the training ground.
When he arrived, Hanzo had already been standing there, waiting for him for an unknown amount of time.
Shiratori Rin gained a new understanding of Hanzo's strictness.
In the afternoon, Shiratori Rin only Cultivated Ninjutsu with Hanzo for two hours.
After witnessing Shiratori Rin's speed in learning Ninjutsu, Hanzo no longer forced Shiratori Rin into high-intensity Ninjutsu Cultivation.
In Hanzo's eyes, Shiratori Rin's Cultivation of Curse Power was more important than any other Cultivation.
So, Hanzo left the remaining time entirely for Shiratori Rin to explore his Curse Power.
Hanzo himself returned to his office to handle the affairs of the Amegakure.
As the leader of the Amegakure, Hanzo naturally could not spend the entire day guiding Shiratori Rin.
As soon as Hanzo left, Shiratori Rin's heart grew wild.
As the Curse Spirit Mother, why would she need to practice Curse Power?
[Host, I'm truly relieved; you're becoming more and more like a mother...]
Shiratori Rin: "..."
After confirming that Hanzo had completely left, Shiratori Rin also left the training ground.
He wanted to wander around the Amegakure to see if he could find crows; he was eager to try out his Black Bird Manipulation Technique.
Rain fell on the steel pipes of the Amegakure, and on the pristine streets.
Shiratori Rin, wrapped in a dark raincoat, looked up at the lead-grey Sky.
The rain in the Amegakure was too frequent; living in such a cold and damp environment year-round must affect people's mental health!
Refer to the later twisted mental states of Hanzo and Nagato.
Shiratori Rin walked through the steel forest, touching the cold metal forehead protector on his head.
Just this afternoon, Hanzo personally placed the forehead protector on his head, officially announcing his becoming a Ninja of the Amegakure.
Shiratori Rin's gaze moved around; he clearly noticed that the number of people in the Amegakure had increased.
More than when he first arrived here.
The streets were no longer deserted and empty.
Occasionally, two figures would walk past Shiratori Rin.
A vigorous furnace fire suddenly shot out from a nearby house.
The sparks were quickly extinguished by the continuously falling rain.
Shiratori Rin stopped and looked at the house from which crisp hammering sounds emanated.
It looked like a blacksmith's shop... Shiratori Rin walked into the house, and a warmth rushed over him, making his face feel tight.
"Who's there?"
A shirtless man appeared before Shiratori Rin.
Sweat dripped from his bulging muscles; he held a hammer in one hand and a long saber in the other.
His gaze fell on Shiratori Rin, and he widened his eyes in surprise, shouting, "Rin?"
Shiratori Rin looked at the familiar face of the man before him. Isn't this Iron Hail?
He also works as a blacksmith?
He's too hardworking!
"Why are you here?"
Iron Hail squatted down in front of Shiratori Rin, looking at him.
Since it was an acquaintance, things would be easier to handle, and he might even make some money.
Shiratori Rin said to him, "I want to ask you for a favor."
Iron Hail agreed without even asking.
"No problem."
Shiratori Rin had saved him countless times; no matter what the favor, he would do his utmost for Shiratori Rin.
Shiratori Rin scratched his head sheepishly: "I want to ask you to take a look at my saber!"
Upon hearing this, Iron Hail smiled helplessly. He thought it was some big favor, but it turned out to be such a small matter!
"Bring the saber over, and I'll take a look first!"
Iron Hail put down the saber in his hand and said to Shiratori Rin.
Shiratori Rin nodded, turned, and ran towards the door, shouting as he ran, "I'll bring the saber right away!"
Iron Hail stood up, nodded at him, and opened his mouth as if to say something, but Shiratori Rin's figure quickly disappeared from his sight.
"Be careful on the way."
The four words spilled from Iron Hail's mouth, audible only to himself.
He picked up the saber from the ground and placed it aside; the weapons hanging on the wall were all repaired.
After every battle, the Ninja in the Village would bring their damaged weapons to him for repair.
Shiratori Rin quickly brought his saber.
Iron Hail drew the saber from its sheath, and seeing the cold, dark blue gleam reflected from it, he couldn't help but exclaim, "What a fine saber!"
Nonsense!
This was a real saber that Shiratori Rin had bought with real silver and gold!
Shiratori Rin looked up, expectantly at Iron Hail: "Really? I picked it up on my escape, and I thought it couldn't be used!"
Iron Hail shook his head and explained to Shiratori Rin: "It's not that it can't be used, it just hasn't been sharpened! It can be used after I sharpen it for you!"
Shiratori Rin smiled brightly, saying in surprise, "That's great! Now I can practice swordsmanship!"
Iron Hail looked at the long saber in his hand, then at the cheerful Shiratori Rin, and frowned: "It's too early for you to practice with this saber at your age; you might get injured during practice!"
"It's fine!"
"I'm not afraid!"
Shiratori Rin's eyes sparkled with firm and fearless light.
Iron Hail paused; he advised, "Cultivation shouldn't be rushed..."
His words were interrupted by Shiratori Rin before he could finish.
"I want to grow up quickly!"
Shiratori Rin looked at Iron Hail intently, saying word by word, "I not only want to heal everyone in the rear, but I also want to protect everyone on the front lines!"
[Ding!]
[System detected Iron Hail's affection value +2000]
[Your Accompanying Cursed Spirit Rika Orimoto's Rank has increased to 59.7%]
Iron Hail was moved.
Even though he already knew what a sensible child Shiratori Rin was, he was still touched by this child every time.
He also couldn't bring himself to pour cold water on Shiratori Rin's enthusiasm.
Even though he was very worried about Shiratori Rin's safety.
"Alright, come and pick it up at dinner time."
Iron Hail said to Shiratori Rin.
"Thank you!"
Shiratori Rin smiled at Iron Hail.
Iron Hail shook his head.
He should be the one saying thank you.
No matter how much he did for Shiratori Rin, it could not repay Shiratori Rin's life-saving grace.
After entrusting the saber sharpening to Iron Hail, Shiratori Rin continued his search for crows.
Knowing that it would be difficult to find crows within the central area of the Amegakure, he walked towards the barren mountains behind the Amegakure.
He had to find crows today!
This was the most important thing for him today!
Just thinking about the crows soaring through the steel forest of the Amegakure made Shiratori Rin's breathing quicken.
Black Bird Manipulation Technique could not only compensate for his inability to scout from a distance but also increase Shiratori Rin's prestige!
[That's the most important thing, isn't it...?]
Shiratori Rin was about to open her mouth to teach the System how to be a System when a rapid and powerful flapping sound echoed above his head.
Flap, flap!
Shiratori Rin's movements suddenly paused, his heart almost leaping out of his throat.
He suddenly looked up.
A crow circled above his head.
He finally found it!
Shiratori Rin wished he could just sit down on the ground.
To find a crow, he had crossed mountains and rivers, keeping his eyes and ears open.
A diligent person will eventually succeed!
Now that he had found one crow, were more crows far behind?
The crow's feathers were as black as ink, and its bean-like eyes stared at Shiratori Rin below, sparkling with intelligent and nimble light.
It swooped down towards Shiratori Rin like a black lightning bolt.
Shiratori Rin, as if having muscle memory, automatically extended his arm towards the crow.
Curse Power enveloped his entire arm, continuously flowing on it.
The crow landed on his arm, and Shiratori Rin's Curse Power instantly surged into the crow's body.
The crow's body stiffened, and it raised its head high towards the Sky.