Chapter 265: Kazekage Ninja- - 54: The Fire Eight Pillars
"This combustion needs coke—nothing else will get you the heat you need. And the iron ore has to be smelted with dolomite and limestone if you want real pig iron."
Kazama Xu stood beside a compact blast furnace, instructing her apprentices with the stern authority of a true smith. Around her, a cluster of eager students scribbled notes, hanging on every word.
"But this just gives us pig iron, right? That’s not steel yet, is it?" Yahiko, observing and learning at the side, chimed in.
"Pig iron’s only the first step," Kazama Xu explained patiently. "Next, you have to refine it—smelting and forging to burn off impurities. That’s how you get high-quality steel billets."
Iwagakure, with its rich mineral veins, had always boasted advanced metallurgy. Before Sunagakure cracked the secret of Damascus steel, Iwagakure was second only to the Land of Craftsmen in the ninja world’s forging arts. In the village, old-school shinobi made their own weapons. And though Kazama Xu was a woman, she was every bit as skilled as any man at steelmaking.
"Got any finished products?" Yahiko asked.
"This one’s from last night’s batch—pretty decent quality." Kazama Xu produced a ninja blade, handing it over.
Yahiko hefted the blade, gave it a few experimental swings, then flexed it gently. The balance and resilience felt just right.
"Catch!" he called, tossing the blade to Aotu Tailuo. Then, drawing his own sword—a Damascus steel ninja blade—he grinned. "Let’s give it a real test."
He slashed at Aotu Tailuo, who met the blow with his new blade.
Clang!
Steel rang against steel.