Famous Blade Kikuchiyo

"Master Suwa, take my sword."

Fujino maintained his pose, with streaks of transparent sword energy flashing around him, and said in a deep voice, "I comprehended this move after I mastered sword energy. When used, the illusory sword energy cherry blossoms are like snowflakes falling from the sky, hence the name Cherry Blossom Blizzard."

"So it's a sword aura technique, you can go ahead..."

Suwa Yuji, remained calm, but suddenly froze halfway through his sentence: "Wait, what did you say, 'ki'?"

Before he could finish speaking, Fujino suddenly became blurry, and his aura suddenly surged, becoming faintly visible to the naked eye.

Immediately afterwards, a pinkish-white light flashed across the blade of the Wooden Sword, like a gust of wind being cleaved and drifting behind...

Cherry blossoms began to flutter and dance in the air from the Wooden Sword.

"..."

Suwa Yuji stared blankly at the falling petals before him.

There's a big tree in this yard, and another big tree too, but there aren't any cherry blossom trees in the yard.

Where did these cherry blossoms come from?

Could it be that this kid secretly administered hallucinogenic drugs?

However, this was just a fleeting thought. Although Fujino's character was still questionable, Suwa Kumaji felt that he would never do something as despicable as drugging himself.

Suddenly, an outrageous idea popped into his mind: Could this be sword energy?

If it's sword energy, then it makes sense for it to condense into cherry blossoms.

Hmm, that makes sense... my foot!

"Rampant Cherry Blossom Flash!"

Just then, a loud shout rang out.

Upon Suwa Yuji looked over and saw that Fujino's figure, who had been standing not far away, had suddenly disappeared, turning into cherry blossoms and scattering among the surrounding cherry blossoms.

'Damn it, this kid actually managed to cultivate sword energy!'

Suwa Yuji, neat eyebrows furrowed, and the two long, sharp whiskers above his mouth twitched involuntarily.

Aside from sword energy, he really couldn't think of any other 'scientific' way to explain this.

As Kendo Master, he also had a keen understanding of the senses in battle. In his observation, the sense of threat emanating from those cherry blossoms was absolutely genuine.

In particular, among those cherry blossoms, there was also a chilling killing intent that made his hair stand on end, as if a sword would strike him at any moment...

"Buzz—"

The sword's edge flashed, slicing off pink petals, like the tolling of a bell.

"They're here!"

Suwa Yuji's ears twitched slightly, his expression darkened, and he felt as if he were facing a formidable enemy. He rolled to the side to dodge the sword energy that flew straight towards him.

But the sword energy did not stop after it was dodged.

After passing Suwa Yuji, it crashed straight into a wooden pillar in the kendo hall corridor behind it, scratching the pillar.

"Buzz—"

Several more sounds, like the tolling of bells, rang out.

Several more cherry blossoms nearby were cut in half.

Suwa Yuji suddenly felt a sense of crisis surge into his heart. He dared not relax and quickly scanned his surroundings. He first leaped up to dodge two sword energies, and then raised the Wooden Sword in his hand to block the last sword energy.

"How was my move, Master Suwa?"

Fujino Misuwa Suwa Yuji began to struggle against the sword energy and stopped launching an attack. The surrounding peach blossoms gradually dissipated, and the figure holding Wooden Sword slowly emerged.

Suwa Yuji raised the Wooden Sword in his hand, glanced at the scratches on it, and was momentarily stunned. "It really is sword energy...?"

"More or less."

Fujino replied, "It's just something I suddenly realized not long ago, and that's how I came up with it. To be specific, I'm not too sure. It's probably about compressing the power of a sword strike and slashing it in one direction. However, the power of the strike is proportional to the distance. Beyond a certain distance, it's not very lethal."

Suwa Yuji: "..."

You've gained some insights, haven't you?

I've practiced swordsmanship for forty years and never felt anything, but you, kid, have grasped sword energy with just a little insight, right?

All I can say is that you've always been good at Versailles, kid.

Suwa Yuji suppressed the urge to hit someone, took a deep breath to calm himself down. "So what's the deal with those cherry blossoms?"

"Nothing."

Fujino chuckled awkwardly, "I had some insights a while ago and also figured it out. It's just an illusion created by the pressure of sword energy on the senses. Staying away is also about using sword energy and pressure to affect people's five senses, which is just as insignificant."

Suwa Yuji: "..."

Holy crap, how can this be so awesome?

Suwa Yuji a deep breath and barely suppressed the urge to grab his iron sword and go clean up the mess, "Stop messing around, tell me what's going on."

"Ahem, I only recently came to understand sword energy. When swordsmen duel, they exude a sense of oppression. I briefly sensed that oppressive feeling and then condensed that 'qi' to create this effect. As for the sword energy that is unleashed, it should be something like the external release of sword energy. I'm not too sure about the specifics, but it's become common knowledge just like eating and drinking."

Fujino gave a serious explanation, but only gave a general description and did not offer a detailed explanation of Kyogoku Makoto.

After all, Suwa is a true Kendo Master.

Kyogoku Makoto.

He felt it was a bit troublesome to try and fool the Kendo Master.

After all, the other party could be considered half a teacher to him.

"I've heard my father talk about sword energy before, but it's all just legend. Legend has it that the sword saints of yesteryear used it, but it's just a rumor... However, it seems that sword energy does exist. The sense of pressure and fear that I give people when I swing my sword must be what is called sword energy."

Upon Suwa Yuji pondered for a moment, "As for suddenly being able to do it... it's probably because your level is high enough. Legend has it that Miyamoto Musashi fought entirely using his talent. Talent is like a carp leaping over the Dragon Gate. Once you cross that threshold, it's as natural as a dragon soaring through the sky. I've vaguely sensed that too, and I've heard this saying before. Speaking of which, when you first fought me, it seemed like you were also using your talent."

Fujino: "..."

I just don't know how I could make something up, but it actually happened to me?

Are you going to blurt out "Grandmaster Realm" later?

The idea that even falling leaves or petals can cause injury...

Seeing Suwa Yuji Fujino suddenly spoke up again, "By the way, could you show me those cherry blossoms again, the ones from before?"

"No problem."

Fujino snapped his fingers, and cherry blossom petals began to drift around. Although they didn't spread as quickly as they did from the sword, they soon filled the sky.

"I thought it was just a legend, but I never thought I would see such a realm in my lifetime."

Suwa Yuji looked up, squinting as he gazed at the cherry blossoms filling the sky. "Cherry Blossom Blizzard, no wonder it's called Cherry Blossom Blizzard, the cherry blossoms filling the sky are like snowflakes being blown by the wind?"

"Actually, you don't need cherry blossoms. You can use Momiji, rainwater, anything. It just takes some practice to master it."

Fujino snapped his fingers again, and the cherry blossoms suddenly turned into Momiji, which then turned into a misty drizzle.

Suwa Yuji was speechless for a moment, then couldn't help but retort, "Can you please not embarrass me at a time like this? I have my pride too, you know?"

Fujino: "Definitely next time."

Suwa Yuji: I really want to clean house!

That's what he said, but he only thought about it; he wouldn't dare to be so reckless as to fight someone who wields sword energy to the death.

One is a ranged warrior skilled in both physical and magical attacks, and the other is a melee physical warrior.

This isn't like an old man hanging himself, going up there to die.

He wants to live a few more years!

Moreover, Fujino was, after all, half of his apprentice, and he was already used to his behavior.

"Wait here for me a moment."

Suwa Yuji remained silent for a moment, seemingly lost in thought, before suddenly turning and walking into the kendo dojo. "I have something to give you."

"What is that?"

You'll find out soon enough.

Under Fujino's questioning gaze, Suwa Yuji quickly entered the kendo dojo, and soon after, he walked out of it.

He was also carrying a long, narrow object wrapped in silk.

Suwa Yuji up to Fujino, removed the silk wrapping to reveal a red-wrapped hilt and a golden tsuba. "You should still remember this sword, right?"

"I remember."

Fujino looked her over carefully. "Isn't that Kikuchiyo?"

Suwa Yuji, a look of reminiscence flashing in his eyes. "This sword is the heirloom of my Suwa family, the Kikuchiyo that you helped me take back from that guy. It feels like ages ago."

Fujino echoed, "Yes, it seems like it was a long time ago."

"Kikuchiyo is a famous sword passed down through generations of our Suwa family. I received it from my father, who in turn received it from my grandfather. It has been passed down in our family for who knows how long. I mortgaged this sword to keep the kendo dojo afloat. Now that I think about it, I have long since lost the right to own this sword."

With that, Suwa Yuji completely removed the silk wrapping, held the Kikuchiyo in both hands, and handed it to Fujino: "Now I'm entrusting this Kikuchiyo to you for safekeeping."

Fujino looked completely bewildered. "Leave it to me?"

Speaking of which, he remembered that it was because of this knife that the Mikasa swordsman wanted to kill that guy named Maru something.

So now that he's shown off, the knife is his?

Good heavens, isn't this a family heirloom sword?

"I think there is no one more suitable than you. At this age, you have already reached this level. There is no one like you before, and I am afraid there will be no one like you in the future."

Suwa Yuji voice, "The level of skill you have in using sword energy is something I can never hope to reach in my lifetime. Compared to me, this sword is truly a match for you."

"It can't be that bad."

Fujino hesitated and said, "I think you can still do it if you try."

"I am well aware of my own capabilities."

Suwa Yuji shook his head slightly. "I'm already forty-six years old. In a few more years I'll be over fifty. Although I might reach that level, it's still nothing special."

As he spoke, he looked at Fujino and said seriously, "Compared to middle-aged people like me, the future of kendo should be placed on young people like you. At your age, you have already reached such a level. The future still depends on young people like you."

"A famous sword is a famous sword. No matter how good the sword itself is, only a sword that has been used by a famous swordsman can be called a famous sword. Kikuchiyo is only the most suitable in your hands. In fact, if you were in ancient times, you would definitely become a sword saint on par with Miyamoto Musashi and Tsukahara Bokuden."

Suwa Yuji Kikuchiyo forward, saying, "This sword has been passed down in our Suwa family for too long and has long lost its former glory. Only in your hands can it unleash the true power of this famous sword."

He paused, then continued, "Besides, it was all thanks to you that I stopped myself back then, otherwise I wouldn't be able to train the next generation in the kendo dojo like I am now... Both in terms of sentiment and reason, this Kikuchiyo should be handed over to you."

"Thank you, Master."

Fujino hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took Kikuchiyo: "Then I'll take it."

"You little brat, are you trying to scare me?"

Suwa Yuji frowned and said resentfully, "I don't even dare to accept your call of 'Master.' Before, I could accept your call of 'Grandmaster,' since you couldn't beat me. But now you can kill me with a single sword strike. In terms of cultivation level, it's more appropriate for me to call you 'Master.'"

Fujino held Kikuchiyo and chuckled, "After spending so much time at the Konoha Kendo Hall, all those disciples call me Senior Brother. It's not unjust for them to call me Master."

Fujino was somewhat puzzled, yet also somewhat understanding, about Suwa Yuji giving him his family's heirloom sword.

Family heirloom swords are usually passed down to one's own children or apprentices. Although this may happen, it is indeed a very selfless act.

He even said things like entrusting the future to young people.

To be honest, Fujino felt that he hadn't wasted his time as a master.

Well, from now on, it won't be considered lying when I tell others that Suwa Yuji is my master.

Regardless of what Fujino thought, Suwa Yuji, but he didn't say much. He then looked at the straw mat on the grass next to him and said, "Try it out. You rarely wield an iron sword, so you might feel a little uncomfortable if you suddenly start using it."

"Good."

Fujino nodded, looked at the straw mat beside him, held his breath, and swung his sword.

A flash of light appeared, and a sword aura was unleashed, leaving a slash mark on the straw mat not far away.

"Even though I've seen it before, it still feels a bit unbelievable to see it again."

Suwa Yuji pondered, "To concentrate the power of a chopping strike into a single point and achieve such an effect is simply defying the laws of physics. Even if one knew the principle, no normal person could master it. To have progressed to this level in such a short time and even comprehended this realm—you really are an unscientific prodigy..."

"Ha ha..."

Fujino chuckled dryly, saying nothing more.

The way you're saying that makes it sound like you're talking about science.

However, the system and such are indeed unscientific and not scientific at all.

Fujino asked Suwa Yuji, "So even you, Kendo 8th Dan, have never heard of anyone using sword energy?"

"To my knowledge, no."

Suwa Yuji in agreement, saying, "Right now, you're probably the only one who can use sword energy."

"Is it that rare?!"

"What do you think? Now that it's the only one, it's even rarer than a panda."

Fujino thought for a moment and said, "What if they put me in a cage and put me on display in a zoo? Wouldn't that be a huge profit?"

"How did you come up with that thought process?"