At that moment, Mifune noticed the Chakra Blade at Neji's waist and asked curiously, "Young man, are you good with swords, too?"
"Senior Mifune, I've only just started training with a sword. I'm nowhere near good enough to show off."
Neji replied somewhat sheepishly.
Mifune had once defeated Edo Hanzō. When it came to swordsmanship, he was a master who had reached the pinnacle.
There were plenty of people stronger than Mifune, but few could surpass him in swordsmanship.
"Let me see how your training is going."
Neji didn't refuse.
If Mifune could offer him some pointers, his swordsmanship would surely improve greatly.
In the original story's later stages, against the Otsutsuki from outer space, genjutsu and ninjutsu were far less effective. Taijutsu was one of the few abilities that could hurt them.
Swordsmanship was also Taijutsu.
Neji walked into the courtyard and, beneath the moon hanging in the sky, slowly practiced his swordsmanship.
Two minutes later, Neji sheathed his sword and stood at ease. He turned to look at Mifune, waiting for his assessment.
Mifune said with a peculiar expression, "Young man, your swordsmanship is mainly based on the Cloud Hidden Style Sword Technique, but it seems to incorporate the Hyuga clan's Gentle Fist Style Footwork as well."
Neji's brows lifted slightly.
As expected of Mifune. He'd spotted the details at a glance.
His swordsmanship was indeed based on the Cloud Hidden Style Sword Technique, with the essentials of Gentle Fist woven into it.
He'd made some progress so far, but he was still a long way from mastering it.
Noticing Neji's expression, Mifune decisively refrained from probing further and changed the subject.
"For someone your age, reaching this level is already remarkable. But your sword lacks conviction. If you keep training without it, all you'll have is a blunt blade."
"Conviction?"
"Precisely."
Mifune recalled Hanzō's words of advice from years ago: A person's end isn't death, but the moment he loses his conviction. Even if you die on the spot, you won't be a blunt blade.
Those words had always inspired him to study hard, train diligently, and hone himself.
"The conviction of a blade can only be understood, not explained. Once you truly grasp it, you'll understand."
"..."
Mifune's words were cryptic, and Neji couldn't make head or tail of them.
"Young man, I'll perform the sword technique you just demonstrated. Watch closely."
"Thank you, Senior!"
Neji's eyes lit up, and he immediately activated his Tenseigan.
Mifune's swordsmanship was so fast that a ninja couldn't form Hand Seals in time.
He had no Kekkei Genkai, no special physique, and didn't even know ninjutsu. How could he possibly be faster than a ninja?
Neji wanted to see what was behind it.
Mifune drew the samurai sword at his waist and practiced the sword technique Neji had just used beneath the moon.
[You watched Mifune demonstrate swordsmanship. Your related insights increased. Experience +1]
Neji noticed nothing unusual about the chakra flowing through Mifune's body.
But with the same sword technique, Mifune carried an added air of benevolence.
That presence enhanced his speed and strength alike, putting them far beyond Neji's.
Was this the conviction of a blade?
A few minutes later, Mifune sheathed his sword and asked, "Young man, that's the difference between a blade with conviction and one without."
After a moment's thought, Neji replied, "Senior Mifune's swordsmanship is breathtaking. I could vaguely sense an indescribable spiritual will woven into it."
Mifune laughed heartily. "Young man, you spotted the clue the first time you watched. You truly have remarkable talent. That spiritual will you mentioned is the blade's conviction. I believe you'll master it in just a few years."
"Senior Mifune, you flatter me."
Neji's conversation with Mifune continued late into the night, and he gained a great deal from it.
The next day at noon, after lunch, Neji said goodbye to Mifune and set off for Kumogakure.
He pushed on without stopping.
That night, Neji camped in a secluded, deserted mountain that looked like a place where people were murdered and their bodies dumped.
Before going to sleep, as usual, Neji found an open patch of ground and practiced with his Tenseigan and sword.
[You practiced with the Tenseigan. Your related insights increased. Experience +1]
[You practiced swordsmanship. Your related insights increased. Experience +1]
Two hours later, Neji sheathed his sword and crawled into his tent to rest.
The night grew deeper, and the mountain grew quieter still. He couldn't even hear the insects chirping; only the wind howled.
Then Neji's eyes snapped open. Through his Tenseigan, he saw figures wearing all kinds of masks closing in from nearby.
"They're here."
Neji's expression remained unchanged as he drew the long sword at his waist.
At that moment, Yugito's voice suddenly sounded in his mind. "Neji, I want out."
"Wait a moment."
Neji took a red scroll from the Ninja Tool Pouch at his waist and unfurled it with both hands, summoning the Amber Purifying Pot.
After opening its lid, Yugito emerged from inside as a ball of light.
Snap!
Cat claws shot from Yugito's fingertips. Without a shred of decorum, she cursed, "Four days! If these bastards didn't show up soon, I'd go crazy from being cooped up in there!"
"Let's finish this once and for all. Take them all out."
Electricity crackled around Neji's palm.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
A huge orange-red fireball came roaring toward him. Even inside the tent, the heat was scorching.
Neji quickly drew the blade at his waist. Wrapped in lightning, its gleaming edge came crashing down.
The four- or five-meter-wide Great Fireball split in two vertically and shot past on either side.
A Root ninja appeared in front of Neji with the Body Flicker Technique, kunai in hand, slashing toward his neck.
"Pfft!"
Yugito was faster. Without warning, she appeared behind the Root ninja and lightly thrust out her cat claws, piercing the ninja's chest.
Only then did the Root ninja notice Yugito.
"Something's wrong. The target has an ally!"
"The captain ordered us to fight to the death. No retreat!"
In the blink of an eye, Root ninja poured in from all directions.
Neji's Tenseigan picked up over twenty chakra signatures, and even more ninja were rushing in from farther away.
Someone shouted, "Split the battlefield! Take out the Byakugan brat first!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, the Root ninja skilled in Earth Release formed Hand Seals and slapped the ground.
Earth Release: Earth Flow Divide!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The earth shook violently. The ground rose rapidly, reaching five or six meters high, then suddenly split down the middle.
Just like that, Neji and Yugito were separated into two areas.
"Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Technique!"
"Wind Release: Wind Scythe Jutsu!"
Two Root ninja formed Hand Seals toward Neji and unleashed a combined ninjutsu.
The fire surged with the wind, engulfing Neji in a terrifying blaze.
Chirp! Chirp!
The cries of hundreds, even thousands, of birds rang out. Neji suddenly appeared behind the two Root ninja.
Stab! Stab!
The sounds of blades piercing flesh rang out twice.
The bodies collapsed limply to the ground, blood spilling out and forming a pool.
"Now!"
A roar rang out. Four Root ninja had somehow appeared around Neji and completed their Hand Seals.
Lightning Release: Four Pillars Binding Technique!
The next instant, huge stone pillars burst from four spots. Flickering lightning enveloped Neji in an instant.
Neji glanced at the lightning around him, raised his brows slightly, then looked up at the sky.
Earth Release: Falling Lid!
A green circular lid dropped from above and slammed over the four pillars with a crash.
"This technique couldn't even restrain the Hellhound, and you're using it on me?"
As he spoke, Neji entered Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
This time, his Lightning Release Chakra Mode was different from before. The lightning enveloping his entire body wasn't azure blue, but a deep black.
Before you continue