"What."
"Crack."A tree as thick as half a man was cleaved cleanly in half by Haruto. The cut surface shone like polished glass. Haruto stared at it with satisfaction.
Straightening his clothes, Haruto began imagining his ideal fighting style. Thunder Release to boost speed, Flying Thunder God to flash behind the enemy, and chakra flowing along the blade to slice through everything.
"If I can unlock the secrets of physical regeneration too, even injuries won't stop me… Isn't this basically the Raikiri Swordsman?"Haruto chuckled."Just like in that game from my past life... skill, stats, now I only need gear."
White Fang had a great sword. But Haruto? Not yet. A good sword wasn't optional — it was a necessity.
"Konoha's been around for so long, there's got to be hidden weapons or artifacts lying around… but who to ask?"His eyes lit up."Got it."
"Grandpa Kosuke! I'm here to play with you!"Haruto burst in without knocking.
An old man turned around with a warm smile."Oh, Haruto. Long time no see."
Don't let the gentle look fool you — this man was a living legend.Fought with the Second Hokage, lost an eye for the Third, a leg for the Fourth, and even in his old age, killed multiple enemy shinobi alone.The definition of "retired, but still terrifying."
Haruto knew from the original timeline — this was no ordinary old man.And if you were looking for something ancient or hidden, he was the right person to ask.
"Grandpa Kosuke, do you know what famous swords Konoha has?" Time to activate: S-Rank Forbidden Jutsu — Cuteness Technique.
Kosuke chuckled. "Why the sudden interest in swords?"
"I've inherited Master White Fang's swordsmanship. But… I'm still missing a good blade."
At the mention of White Fang, Kosuke's eyes softened. "Ah… White Fang. We used to fight together back in the day."
Kosuke drifted into memory for a moment, then snapped back. "Well, if it's famous swords you're after, there are quite a few in Konoha."
Haruto's eyes sparkled. "Really??"
Kosuke nodded."Though… most of them are only 'famous' because of who wielded them. The blades themselves were pretty normal. The truly powerful ones… like the Thunder God Sword, or the Kusanagi, have mostly been lost.""I remember fighting beside their wielders…" Kosuke's voice trailed off again, slipping into nostalgia.
Suddenly, he snapped his fingers. "Wait. There is one. One truly powerful sword that I think is still in the village."
Haruto leaned in. "What sword is it?"
Some time later....
"Boss! Boss! Come look, I invented a new ninjutsu!"Naruto spotted Haruto from a distance and yelled while running over.
Haruto raised an eyebrow. Since when did Naruto start inventing ninjutsu? …Wait. It must be that technique.
With a "bang", and a puff of white smoke—A naked female version of Naruto appeared in front of Haruto.
Haruto's face instantly dropped. This guy really just did that… right here on the street… unbelievable. "Boss! What do you think of my technique? Totally unexpected, right?!"Naruto beamed with pride.
Haruto's mouth twitched. "Yeah… I think Sasuke would love it."
"Really? I'll try it on him later!" Naruto replied innocently.
Haruto thought. You'll understand one day, kid...
"Like I'd fall for something that stupid." A cold voice came from behind — it was Sasuke.
"What do you mean stupid, you smug Sasuke!"
"A useless technique like that is obviously stupid. Bottom of the class."
"Stinky Sasuke!"
"Dead-last idiot."
The two began bickering instantly.
After going through training together under Itachi a few times, the group had gotten familiar with each other.But for some reason — maybe fate or their zodiac signs — Naruto and Sasuke still argued every time they met.
Haruto watched with amusement. "You two sure are close."
"Who's close with him?!" x2
"Anyway, I've got things to do. Later." Haruto turned to leave, clearly preoccupied.He was still thinking about that legendary sword Kosuke mentioned earlier.
"Wait, boss! Take me with you! I can help!"
"Not this time. You can't help with this." Haruto waved them off.
"Why's boss always being mysterious? Tch— I'm following him today no matter what." Naruto's curiosity had been set on fire.
"Sasuke, you coming?"
"Hmph. Boring." Sasuke turned and walked off.
As Haruto approached his destination, he sighed.
(Two little shadows again…)"Alright, enough. Sasuke's hiding isn't bad, but Naruto—putting a piece of cloth on your head doesn't make you invisible. You think I can't see you?"
"Idiot.""Asshole."
"Alright, alright. You two can come, just don't cause trouble." Haruto sighed, looking at the two live wires in front of him.
"Boss, what are we doing here?" Naruto asked curiously.
"We're looking for a legendary sword." Haruto replied, stepping ahead.
A small, run-down hut stood before them, looking like it hadn't been lived in for years.
Haruto narrowed his eyes. Is this place really inhabited?
"Hello? Anyone here?"
He pushed open the creaky door. The smell of alcohol hit instantly. A drunken old man was sprawled on the bed inside.
The old man cracked open one eye. "Brats? Go play somewhere else before I get pissed off."
"What did you say, old man?!" Naruto snapped, stepping forward.
Haruto quickly grabbed his collar. "Stop it. I knew I shouldn't have brought you."
He turned back toward the man and bowed slightly. "Excuse me. Are you Senior Inuzuka Shino?"
The old man blinked, then slowly sat up. Haruto noticed that his right sleeve hung empty — his arm was gone.
"Huh... Someone still remembers my name?" "Who sent you here?"
"Senior Kosuke."
"Kosuke? That old goat's still alive?" Shino chuckled and then drifted into silent memory. After a moment, he looked back at them.
"Tch. I don't have anything worth stealing. Are you here for him?" Without another word, Inuzuka Shino reached behind the bed and pulled out a blade.
It gleamed coldly even in the dim light. As it rested in his hands, a thin mist formed around the blade.Moments later, condensation gathered and dripped to the floor — like dew sliding off leaves.
Haruto's eyes lit up.
"This is… Murasame, right?" "Grandpa Kosuke said when it draws blood, water runs from the blade to wash it clean — like it's cleansing leaves. That's why it's called Murasame."
Shino didn't answer immediately. Instead, he stared at the sword, stroking its side like it was an old friend. "Murasame isn't just any sword." "It's a spirit blade. If you can't meet its expectations, it won't accept you. It won't let you wield it."
The three of them looked on, eyes wide with anticipation.
Shino gave a deep sigh. "Fine. You can try." He handed the blade to Haruto.
The moment Haruto took hold, a chill crept into his fingers. It felt cool at first — even refreshing. Then it turned cold… then icy. A freezing weight spread up his arm. He gritted his teeth but eventually had to hand it off.
"Tch… too cold." Haruto passed it to Naruto.
"Aghhh! What is this? It's freezing!" Naruto yelped, holding it for a few seconds before thrusting it at Sasuke.
Sasuke, who originally wanted to hold on for a while, couldn't hold on for a while, so he could only abandon the knife. Seeing that the knife was about to fall to the ground, Inuzuka Shino caught the knife back into his hand at a speed that the three of them couldn't see clearly.
"Now you know, you can't handle this knife at all." Inuzuka Shino sighed for some reason, looked at the few children and said, "Go, maybe you can get his approval in a few years, now you guys are too young."
"Please let me try again." Haruto suddenly looked up at Shino Inuzuka firmly.
"What?" Shino Inuzuka sighed helplessly. "Try a few more times and the result is the same."
Haruto didn't speak but just looked at him firmly.
After a moment. "Okay, then let you try again."
The feeling of picking up Murasame again was exactly the same as before, and within a few seconds Haruto was so cold that he could hardly hold the knife.
I can only try that, and Haruto suddenly remembered the scene of Zoro choosing a knife in One Piece that he had seen in his previous life.
Haruto spin the knife and throw it high, and then stretched out his right hand to block the path of the knife falling.
Several people were taken aback.
"Boss, this is you."
"Haruto you—"
Haruto said with a bright smile: "I'm letting Murasame choose. If he thinks I'm not worthy to be his master, then please cut off my arm."
Naruto World is different from Pirate World. If you lose it here, you can grow it again. What's more, it's just a simple cut. It takes less than two days to pick up the broken arm and run to the hospital. Compared with a famous knife what is the risk that Haruto took, he must seize every opportunity to become stronger. Haruto thought.
Everyone saw the knife falling from the sky, and stared at the knife without blinking. After a while, when Murasame was about to cut Haruto's arm, it miraculously circled and fell to the ground, and inserted straight into the ground.
Everyone let out a breath they hadn't realized they were holding.
Haruto stepped forward and picked up the blade again.
"Did it work?" Naruto asked quickly.
Haruto's eyes lit up. He smiled. "Yeah. It worked. Murasame accepted me."
As he gripped the hilt again, he felt a strange warmth. The cold was gone.
It's like... it's part of my body. Like a missing limb finally returned.
Haruto could feel something else, too—joy from the sword.
Inuzuka Shino stared at the boy in silence for a long while. Finally, he gave a slight nod.
"Muramaru has chosen his master." "Take him. But don't ever tarnish his name."
Haruto bowed deeply. "Thank you, Senior Inuzuka Shino."
"Thank you, this is Murasame's choice. Now go, the old man's gonna rest," Inuzuka Shino muttered quietly, his eyes lost in thought, his expression distant.
Haruto nodded quickly, sensing the gravity of the moment."We'll be leaving now, Senior. Thanks again. I'll make sure Murasame gets the recognition it deserves in the ninja world," Haruto said, determination in his voice. With that, he motioned for Sasuke and Naruto to follow, and they exited the room.
As they stepped outside, Haruto could feel the subtle shift in Murasame's chakra, a faint sense of reluctance."Don't worry, I'll bring you to visit him again soon," Haruto murmured, gently patting the blade.
Naruto and Sasuke, still awestruck, followed behind, but Haruto couldn't help but feel a small sense of pride.He had felt it—the respect from his companions, the admiration for the blade, and for himself.For a moment, he smirked to himself, I guess I'm getting better at this whole 'impressing people' thing.
Inside the house, Inuzuka Shino sat motionless, as if the weight of the moment had aged him further.His eyes seemed empty, lost in the past, haunted by memories of the battles fought with Murasame at his side.
For a long time, Shino was silent. Then, he spoke softly, as though the words were meant for Murasame alone."Murasame... I know you've been aching for the battlefield. It's a pity I can't accompany you anymore.I know you've found a worthy master in him, though. He will make you known throughout the ninja world.But I won't get to see it. I lost my arm years ago, and now I've lost you... there's nothing left for me."
After a long pause, Shino's gaze grew distant, his hand slowly lowering. The old man's breathing slowed, his body limp, as if he had simply fallen into a deep sleep.
Meanwhile, Haruto, who had just walked away, suddenly felt a strange tremor from Murasame, a cold, heavy pulse that echoed the sadness of the sword itself. The blade almost seemed to cry out as Haruto gripped it again.
"Don't be sad, Murasame," Haruto whispered, his voice barely audible, "I'll make sure your legacy lives on, and I'll visit him again, I promise."