บท 35: Chapter 35: Swordsmanship Expert!
The three-day vacation flew by in the blink of an eye.
April 19th, Konoha Year 39.
Shūichi Hoshita and Uchiha Shisui met up at their usual spot. After waiting for a moment, Minato Namikaze appeared.
"Shūichi!" Minato called out as he handed over a scroll.
"Minato-sensei, this is..." Shūichi reached out and took the scroll.
Minato smiled and said, "This is a special request I made to the Third Hokage, Konoha's Swordsmanship style."
"I've noticed that you've become proficient in using short swords, so I thought this would be perfect for you."
Shūichi was immediately overjoyed and quickly bowed. "Thank you, Minato-sensei."
Minato laughed and said, "I haven't trained in swordsmanship specifically, so I can't guide you in the details of your practice. However, the Uchiha clan's swordsmanship is also quite formidable within Konoha's style, so Shisui will be an excellent sparring partner for you."
Uchiha Shisui smiled right away, "If you need any help, Shūichi, just let me know."
Shūichi thanked them both repeatedly. He certainly wouldn't be shy about asking for help.
After giving away the scroll, Minato announced, "This mission will take us to the Daimyō's residence. It should take about seven days, so make your preparations and meet at the village gate in half an hour."
"Understood!"
The three of them immediately dispersed.
Returning home, Shūichi began packing his things while also checking the tags in his mind's Tag Tree.
On the tag tree, the Swordsmanship Expert tag had appeared.
Despite becoming proficient with the short sword earlier, it hadn't triggered—until now.
Tag: Swordsmanship Expert
Condition to Obtain: Master the Konoha Swordsmanship style assigned by Minato Namikaze and win a swordsmanship duel against Kakashi Hatake.
Effect: Swordsmanship talent increased by 100%, and the designated weapon's quality improved by 100%.
Looking at the unlock conditions, Shūichi couldn't help but laugh wryly.
Kakashi again!
"Fortunately, though it's a swordsmanship duel, it won't be purely about swordsmanship."
Shūichi knew that if it were purely about swordsmanship, he wouldn't have much confidence in beating Kakashi.
After all, Kakashi had been trained by Sakumo Hatake and possessed extraordinary natural talent.
As for why it was called "swordsmanship" when it involved a sword, in the ninja world, the term "sword" encompasses swords and is often referred to as "true sword." Therefore, whether it's a knife or a sword, it's generally referred to as swordsmanship.
The Konoha Swordsmanship style is quite comprehensive and serves as an umbrella term for various techniques. For instance, the Uchiha clan's swordsmanship, the Hatake style, and even the Flying Thunder God Slash of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, are all included.
Additionally, techniques like the Dance of the Crescent Moon, Moon Shadow, and Leaf-Style Willow are all highly representative.
After placing the scroll into his backpack, Shūichi headed out to the village gate, where he met up with Minato and the others before setting off towards the Daimyō's residence.
This mission allowed plenty of time, so they didn't travel at a fast pace.
Along the way, Minato briefed the team on their mission: "This time, we're going at the invitation of the Daimyō."
"The Daimyō?" Kurama Sanyō's eyes widened with excitement. "Does that mean the Daimyō has heard of us?"
Minato smiled, "No, the Daimyō wants to form his own ninja guard and has already recruited a few people. He requested that the village send some ninja to exchange ideas with them, so the Third Hokage assigned this mission to us."
Kurama Sanyō was a bit disappointed but then asked with some confusion, "But isn't Konoha the ninja village of the Land of Fire? Why would the Daimyō need to form his own ninja guard when he could just have the village send people?"
This was also something Uchiha Shisui was curious about, so he looked toward Minato.
Minato, however, turned to Shūichi, "Shūichi, what do you think?"
Shūichi pretended to think for a moment before responding, "The Hokage is the Hokage, and the Daimyō is the Daimyō!"
"The Land of Fire is the Land of Fire, and the Daimyō is the Daimyō!"
Kurama Sanyō looked confused.
Uchiha Shisui seemed deep in thought.
Minato explained, "While the village can dispatch ninja squads to guard the Daimyō in rotation, for the Daimyō, having his own ninja who answer directly to him is more practical."
Shūichi added, "It's like how the Hokage has his own ANBU, rather than giving orders to use Root."
Kurama Sanyō suddenly understood. "I see!"
Minato, however, was inwardly impressed, "Such sharp intuition..."
Before the Second Shinobi World War, there wasn't much of an issue, but after the war ended, the Hokage indeed only issued orders to Root through Danzo, the leader of Root, rather than directly.
Of course, under normal circumstances, this was standard practice.
Just as the Hokage wouldn't directly command Shūichi Hoshita, Uchiha Shisui, or Kurama Sanyō to carry out a mission but would instead give orders to him as the Jonin commander—unless the Jonin commander was unavailable.
But now, Root and Danzo...
Minato furrowed his brow in thought.
At this moment, Uchiha Shisui mused aloud, "It's like ninja tools—borrowing someone else's is naturally not as good as having your own."
Shūichi nodded, "Exactly, and since people have thoughts of their own, they're even harder to control than tools."
Minato smiled and shifted the topic, "Alright, that's the mission briefing. When we arrive at the Daimyō's residence, do your best to make a good impression. We want the Daimyō to know that Konoha's ninja are the best."
"Understood!"
"Don't worry, Minato-sensei, we won't let anyone underestimate us!"
...
Although the topic had shifted, Shūichi Hoshita's thoughts remained focused.
The Daimyō wants to form ninja directly under his command. Is this the beginning of the Twelve Guardian Ninja?
This made Shūichi think of Sarutobi Asuma.
Then he remembered Sarutobi Shinnosuke.
Compared to his older brother, Sarutobi Asuma indeed seemed quite rebellious.
Back in the Ninja Academy, when Hiruzen Sarutobi came to lecture on the Will of Fire, this guy challenged him several times.
But at only five or six years old, that was understandable.
Wasn't Kakashi also a bit arrogant?
"Maybe I'm the odd one out," Shūichi thought with an inward smile.
…
By noon, the four of them had arrived at the Daimyō's residence in the largest and most bustling city in the Land of Fire.
The weather was clear, and the streets were lively, offering a feast for the eyes.
Minato Namikaze wasn't in a hurry to meet the Daimyō and took the time to stroll around with Shūichi and the others, even buying various snacks.
At 2 PM, the four of them entered the Daimyō's mansion and were introduced to the Daimyō of the Land of Fire.
Upon seeing the four of them, the Daimyō appeared slightly displeased. "Did the Hokage only send you?"
A young man who looked no older than twenty, along with three children. Was the Hokage underestimating him? Brushing him off?
At this moment, all four of them were kneeling on one knee. Upon hearing this, Minato Namikaze slightly raised his head and said, "Rest assured, Lord Daimyo. Shisui and the others are exceptionally skilled Genin, who have previously defeated enemies in the Land of Rain that far outnumbered them."
"As for me, I am a Jonin of Konoha and am willing to undergo any test Daimyo-sama deems fit. I assure you, we will not disappoint."
The Daimyō of the Land of Fire remained noncommittal, responding coolly, "Very well then, let's put that to the test."
With that, he covered his mouth with his fan and whispered some instructions to a nearby attendant.
(End of Chapter)
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