All that remained was to complete the final, third stage of training: making a precise cut to the nerves inside a target's body. Once he managed that, he would have mastered the technique.
"I'll have to eat a whole fish feast tonight."
Looking at the ten dead fish, Qingshui shook his head helplessly.
At least he was a Ninja. It was perfectly normal for him to eat a little more than ordinary people.
The night passed.
Qingshui still arrived at Konoha Hospital early the next morning. He had wanted to ask Tsunade about the problems he'd run into during yesterday's training, but she hadn't arrived yet.
There was nothing he could do but wait.
He ended up waiting until eleven.
In the meantime, he had treated three patients and received two Explosive Tags and a Ration Pill.
"Lord Tsunade, you're really late today."
Hearing Qingshui's complaint, Tsunade looked a little embarrassed.
After gambling yesterday, she had gone out drinking and stayed up late, so she hadn't been able to get up that morning.
"All right, hurry up and ask whatever you need to. It'll be lunchtime soon."
Tsunade quickly changed the subject.
So you do know it'll be lunchtime soon.
Of course, Qingshui didn't dare say that out loud.
He didn't want to experience the power of Monster Strength firsthand.
After one punch, Tsunade would be on her knees begging him not to die.
More likely, though, Tsunade would trigger her Hemophobia and end up unable to move on the ground.
Qingshui didn't have many questions, so they finished quickly.
"Thank you very much, Lord Tsunade."
After leaving Tsunade's office, Qingshui ran into Kosuke, who was getting ready to leave the hospital.
"Uncle Kosuke, are you being discharged?"
Kosuke nodded.
"By the way, do you have time after work today? I'll wait for you at our usual place."
The place he meant was where he had taught Qingshui swordsmanship before.
"I do."
Although he still had to train with the Chakra Scalpel, after consulting Tsunade just now, Qingshui felt much more confident about completing the third stage of his training.
He could practice after finishing his swordsmanship lesson with Kosuke.
[Completed treatment of Saionji Naohito. Reward: one Blue Orb.]
[Congratulations! You have received 100 Chakra.]
After completing another treatment, Qingshui's Chakra increased again.
[Chakra: D-Rank (1400/10000)]
Looking at his current Chakra total of 1,400, he finished work for the day, satisfied.
He didn't go straight to meet Kosuke, though. Instead, he first returned home to retrieve the Ninja Sword he'd left there.
By the time Qingshui arrived at their meeting spot with the Ninja Sword on his back, Kosuke had already been waiting for a while.
"Sorry I'm late, Uncle Kosuke."
Kosuke smiled. "It's fine. I only just got here myself."
"It's been several years since I last taught you swordsmanship."
During the Second Shinobi World War, neither Qingshui nor Kosuke had any free time.
After the war ended, Qingshui had started studying Medical Ninjutsu.
"So, to see how good you are now, let's have a match first. Of course, I'll use my Shadow Clone."
As he spoke, Kosuke formed hand seals and created a Shadow Clone, which faced Qingshui with a Ninja Sword in hand.
The Shadow Clone Technique was a B-Rank Ninjutsu. The clones it created were physical, shared the caster's thoughts, and had a degree of combat ability.
"I'll limit this clone to Chunin level. You'd better give it everything you've got, or you'll lose."
In the past, when Kosuke had tested Qingshui's abilities, he had limited his Shadow Clone to Genin level.
But that had been several years ago. After going through a war, Qingshui had surely grown stronger.
Kosuke didn't need to remind him. Qingshui would take the match seriously.
It was the perfect chance to test his current strength.
"Please go easy on me, Uncle Kosuke."
He drew his own Ninja Sword and attacked first.
Although he had spent the past year studying Medical Ninjutsu, he hadn't neglected his swordsmanship.
Qingshui shot toward Kagemane Kosuke's Shadow Clone like an arrow loosed from a bow, covering more than ten meters in the blink of an eye.
Gripping his Ninja Sword in both hands, he swung down from above.
An attack like this would instantly take out a Genin at Qingshui's level.
Even a Chunin would have to take it seriously.
Yet Kagemane Kosuke's Shadow Clone remained completely calm.
Clang!
Qingshui was already moving quickly, but his opponent was faster.
Facing Qingshui's attack, he simply raised his Ninja Sword across his chest and stopped the blow with ease.
Qingshui wasn't disappointed that his first strike had failed.
He knew how big the gap between them was.
Although this was only Kosuke's Shadow Clone, and its strength was limited to Chunin level, Kosuke himself had the skill and experience of an Elite Jonin. So even this clone could hold its own against a Special Jonin.
Qingshui swiftly changed his move, slashing horizontally at Kagemane Kosuke's Shadow Clone.
Ninjas wielded Chakra, a supernatural power, but they were still made of flesh and blood.
Even a Kunai could kill them if it struck true, let alone a Ninja Sword with even greater lethality.
Shadow Clones were even more fragile; one hit would make them vanish in a puff of smoke.
So Kagemane Kosuke's Shadow Clone dodged this attack by retreating.
But even as he dodged, he didn't give up the chance to counterattack.
A flash of white, and his Ninja Sword swept toward Qingshui as well, moving even faster.
If Qingshui didn't dodge, he would be the first one injured.
Qingshui couldn't help admiring him. As expected of Uncle Kosuke—his responses were extremely seasoned.
But don't underestimate me.
Just as Kagemane Kosuke's Ninja Sword was about to hit Qingshui, his figure suddenly vanished.
Body Flicker Technique!
In the Ninja World, any technique that achieved the effect of a Body Flicker could be called a Body Flicker Technique.
There were many variations, such as Water Body Flicker and Konoha Body Flicker.
Qingshui was using the most basic D-Rank Body Flicker Technique.
It worked by gathering Chakra in the feet to gain an instant burst of speed, creating the effect of teleportation.
In essence, this technique fell under the category of Taijutsu.
After evading his opponent's attack, Qingshui used Body Flicker to appear behind Kagemane Kosuke's Shadow Clone, then thrust his blade forward.
If the attack landed, Kagemane Kosuke's Shadow Clone would disappear.
Seeing that his opponent hadn't reacted in time, Qingshui's lips curled upward.
Got him.
"How naive."
Kagemane Kosuke's Shadow Clone spoke with a mocking tone.
As if he had eyes in the back of his head, he twisted aside and dodged Qingshui's thrust without even turning around.
The excitement on Qingshui's face froze instantly.
But Kagemane Kosuke's Shadow Clone didn't stop moving. His Ninja Sword flashed white as he slashed at Qingshui at incredible speed.
Clang!
At the crucial moment, Qingshui pulled back his thrusting Ninja Sword and blocked the attack.
But he had clearly underestimated Kagemane Kosuke's Shadow Clone's strength. Though he stopped the blow, the force sent him staggering backward several steps.
"As expected of you, Uncle Kosuke. Even as a Shadow Clone, you're still so strong."
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