Ordinary metals could not solidify instantly like adamantium alloy. They required time to cool, and during that slow process, the lingering heat would continue to burn everything around them.

Takeo's regenerative ability might have been strong, but there was no guarantee he could withstand such extreme temperatures forever.

More importantly… the process would be excruciating. And Takeo could not be certain he would endure that kind of pain.

Tetsudoji pressed the issue. "Moreover, your body is still developing. If molten iron were really injected into your skeleton, your bones would be fixed in place—but your internal organs and the rest of your body would continue to grow. Do you know what would happen then?"

"…My internal organs… would be crushed together."

"You would die in agony, Lord Kamado!!" Tetsudoji's voice rose sharply, almost trembling with anger and fear.

Takeo was only twelve years old, and his body was still in the middle of growth. If his bones were sealed in metal at this age, then as his body matured, his organs would be forced into unnatural positions, compressed together in torment.

It would be unbearable pain, not for a moment, but for the rest of his life.

"So… I only want to turn the bone spurs into metal."

Takeo's voice weakened slightly as he spoke to the furious swordsmith.

He understood the risks well. From the beginning, he had never intended to transform his entire skeleton into metal. All he wanted were the six bone spurs protruding from his hands.

Yes—just like X-23.

Only the bone spurs needed to be reforged into metal.

"That's not possible! There's no way we can inject molten iron into your bones!"

Tetsudoji once again rejected the idea outright. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on novｅlfire.net

The forging and smelting techniques used in the Swordsmith Village were still rooted in ancient tradition. Their methods could refine and shape ore, but they could not truly liquefy it into molten iron.

To melt ore into a liquid state required far higher temperatures than their forges could provide.

With the traditional techniques passed down through generations of swordsmiths, such temperatures were simply impossible to achieve. That kind of work demanded modern industry.

And even if they somehow succeeded, molten iron would be far too thick and heavy to inject into a body.

Takeo's plan was nothing more than a fantasy inspired by Marvel's black technology.

"Then…" Takeo fell silent for a long time, then spoke again, his voice calm but resolute. "…What if we forge my arm like a sword? Would that be possible?"

"!!!"

Tetsudoji froze, utterly stunned.

Takeo's reasoning was simple.

If injection from the inside was impossible, then perhaps reinforcement from the outside could work.

If a layer of metal could be forged around the bone spur itself—if his hands could be shaped like blades—wouldn't that achieve a similar effect?

He wasn't sure whether such a method was truly feasible. But he put the idea forward nonetheless.

The specific method, of course, would depend on the swordsmiths of the village.

When Tetsudoji heard Takeo's idea, he fell uncharacteristically silent.

His fire-shaped mask faced Takeo directly, and though his expression was hidden, Takeo could feel the weight of his gaze beneath it.

After a long pause, Tetsudoji finally asked in a low voice,

"Master Kamado… why must you go to such lengths? You already wield the blade we forged for you. There is no need to turn your very body into a weapon…"

At that point, his voice suddenly broke, and he began to cry. "Could it be… does Master Kamado dislike the blades I've crafted? If that is the case, then I, Tetsudoji, will commit seppuku to atone! Please, find another swordsmith worthy of you!!"

As he shouted, he actually reached for the short rib-blade at his side.

Seeing that he meant it, Takeo quickly grabbed the blade out of his hands and barked,

"No! Calm down! I just want insurance!"

Since gaining the bone spurs, Takeo had never once used them. In battles against demons, they had proven useless so far.

And yet… they were part of his body. To leave them unused felt like a waste.

That was why he had thought of forging them into weapons.

But he had never expected Tetsudoji to misunderstand his intentions so completely.

Tetsudoji was still in tears. A man in his twenties, sobbing like a child, as if Takeo had betrayed him somehow.

It took Takeo considerable effort to finally calm him down. At last, the two sat together again and returned to the matter of the bone spurs in Takeo's hands.

"…If Lord Kamado truly wishes to pursue this," Tetsudoji said at last, "then… please allow me to return and consult with the senior swordsmiths."

Takeo nodded slightly. "Thank you for your hard work."

"No… we are only shaping the iron. You are the one who truly works the hardest." Tetsudoji's voice grew heavy with emotion. "But Lord Kamado, are you certain about this? If your idea does prove feasible, then… the forging process itself will be unbearably painful."

"I don't know," Takeo admitted quietly. "I don't know if I can withstand that kind of pain. But I want to try."

"…I understand. Then please wait patiently, Master Kamado. Once the discussion reaches a conclusion, I will come to inform you."

"Yes. Please do."

Takeo thanked Tetsudoji sincerely, his tone solemn and earnest.

Now that Takeo was assigned to oversee the Swordsmith Village, he would be staying here for some time, unless summoned to a Hashira meeting to redefine his duties.

During this period, the swordsmiths would have ample opportunity to study the matter carefully. And Takeo, in turn, would have time to wait for their decision.

With that, Tetsudoji left to consult the others. In the days that followed, Takeo's life in the Swordsmith Village settled into a steady rhythm.

There were no demons here, and no need to hunt them. Aside from training, Takeo spent most of his days soaking in the hot springs.

From time to time, he would speak with the wolf in his inner consciousness. Though the exchange was always one-sided, Takeo felt lighter afterward, as though releasing the weight of the thoughts that had been piling up in his heart.

During this period, he also heard whispers that the Swordsmith Village possessed some sort of secret weapon—a puppet used for training....

But Takeo paid it no mind.

After all, a puppet was still just a puppet, and this one was said to be an antique from long ago.

Takeo had no desire to damage such a "cultural relic," so after hearing about it once, he dismissed the matter entirely.

That was all.

_________

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