"Let's go, Asuma."
Akimichi Domaru ambled over, munching on potato chips.
He wore an oversized coat, his cheeks were plump, and crumbs clung to the corners of his mouth.
"Mm."
Sarutobi Asuma answered, his gaze still fixed on Yūhi Kurenai's retreating figure.
Akimichi Domaru followed his gaze for a moment, then looked away and crunched on his chips, wearing an expression that said, "I don't get it."
He couldn't understand it. How could any girl compare to potato chips?
What was the point of always chasing after her?
"Coming."
Sarutobi Asuma finally tore his gaze away, sighed, and followed Akimichi Domaru toward the school gate.
The relationship between the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans and the Sarutobi Clan could be traced back to the Warring States Era, before the village was founded.
The three clans had established an alliance passed down through the generations, marked by their earrings, while the Sarutobi Clan served as witnesses to the pact.
That was why the round earring on Akimichi Domaru's ear was a token personally given to him at birth by an elder of the Sarutobi Clan.
The bond that had endured from the Warring States Era into the age of the hidden villages ran deep, and outsiders could hardly understand it.
As a result, Sarutobi Asuma got along well with his classmates from the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans.
Or rather, with their parents' encouragement, even the younger generation quickly grew familiar with one another.
The Hatake Clan.
Hatake Sakumo sat beneath the eaves outside the paper sliding doors, polishing a short blade. Hearing the courtyard gate swing open, he looked up and saw Kakashi leading several people inside.
His gaze swept over Qingyu, Rin Nohara, and Obito before he gave them a warm smile.
"You've brought friends home today, Kakashi."
Kakashi nodded.
"Father, Qingyu and I are going to practice swordsmanship together."
"Are you interested in swordsmanship too, Qingyu?"
Hatake Sakumo looked at Qingyu.
Qingyu nodded.
"Yes."
Qingyu answered.
In the original story, Hatake Sakumo was a tragic figure. After abandoning a mission to save his comrades, he was ruthlessly hounded by the very people he had saved and by the village's public opinion until he died.
You could question Hatake Sakumo's mental fortitude, but there was no denying his strength.
Chiyo and her grandson Sasori were both geniuses. Clearly, Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law were nothing special, and in the end, Hatake Sakumo killed them both.
Chiyo had failed to avenge them even after all those years, which was proof enough of Hatake Sakumo's strength.
"Is that so?"
Hatake Sakumo looked a little surprised.
After all, he had thought Qingyu could easily follow the path Tsunade had taken.
"I've always been interested in swordsmanship, Lord Sakumo."
Swordsmanship was certainly a path worth pursuing in depth for Qingyu.
A kunai was essentially a double-edged dagger. It was nimble in close combat, but at a disadvantage against longer weapons.
A sword was different. With a good blade in hand, you could even channel Ninjutsu through it.
Many of the Water Release Ninjutsu developed by Senju Tobirama were designed to be used with a short blade.
The longer the weapon, the greater its advantage. That was true in any world.
"I see."
Hatake Sakumo nodded, the smile in his eyes growing warmer.
"I'm grateful for your company."
He was often away on missions, and rarely had time to practice swordsmanship with Kakashi, even when he wanted to.
Now that Kakashi had found someone his own age who shared his interests and could practice with him, Hatake Sakumo was genuinely happy.
With that thought, Hatake Sakumo rose and walked over to the weapon rack by the courtyard. He took down four wooden swords.
He handed one to Kakashi and kept another for himself.
"Since you're here, I'll teach you a few tricks of the trade."
He beckoned to Rin Nohara and Obito on the other side of the courtyard and handed them the remaining two swords.
"You two should come listen as well. It never hurts to learn a little more."
Rin Nohara was both surprised and flattered.
She knew Kakashi's father was a big name. Hatake Sakumo was renowned throughout Konoha.
She hurried over and sat neatly beside them.
Obito wasn't nearly as eager.
He shuffled over and sat cross-legged beside Rin Nohara, grumbling inwardly that there was nothing worth learning about swordsmanship. He was going to awaken the Sharingan one day, after all.
Why learn swordsmanship when he could learn a new Ninjutsu every time he came across one?
Obito's opinion was that he'd be better off polishing the yellow goggles he wore.
Hatake Sakumo stood before Qingyu and the others, wooden sword in hand. He seemed like a completely different person from the warm man of a moment ago.
"The heart of swordsmanship lies not in the techniques, but in judgment: judging distance, timing, and even your opponent's intentions."
"My family's Hatake Style Swordsmanship emphasizes speed and precision. The blade doesn't need to be long. A shorter reach means greater danger, but absolute speed and accuracy can make up for the difference in arm's length."
Hatake Sakumo spoke calmly.
Although this was his family's swordsmanship, the principles were basic. Many styles shared the same fundamentals, so there was nothing particularly special about them.
The most distinctive aspect of his swordsmanship was a unique method of channeling chakra into a sword. When used, it produced a flash of white light.
That was also how he had earned his nickname, the White Fang of the Leaf.
Rin Nohara listened attentively, but her thoughts had already started to wander.
She understood every word Hatake Sakumo said, but somehow, the whole explanation left her a little dazed.
Swordsmanship clearly wasn't her talent.
As for Obito, it might as well have been another language.
If Rin Nohara hadn't been there, Obito would probably have fallen asleep.
[Detected collectible trait: Sword Fanatic] [D-Rank Trait: Sword Fanatic] [Effect: You have an innate sensitivity to swordsmanship. Even the dullest training is music to your ears. Swordsmanship talent increased by 20%.] [Synthesis: Two evolution paths] [First: Add "E-rank trait: Swordsmanship Foundation" and "E-rank trait: Sword Sense Awakening" to synthesize the D-Rank Trait: Sword Affinity.] [Second: Add "D-Rank Trait: Counter-Attack Intuition" and "D-Rank Trait: Sword Path Mastery" to synthesize the C-rank trait: Sword Bone.]
A new prompt appeared before Qingyu's eyes.
Sword Fanatic...
Qingyu looked at the trait, a little surprised.
Was it something like perfect pitch?
And this [Sword Fanatic] was actually D-rank.
So far, nearly every trait he had obtained from someone else had been E-rank. The only exception was the D-rank [Great Strength] he had gotten when Tsunade was drunk.
Hatake Sakumo had casually taught him a D-rank trait. He really did live up to the name "White Fang of the Leaf."
"Rather than explain all that, I'll show you."
Hatake Sakumo walked over to a wooden post target in the courtyard, wooden sword in hand.
"I'll get it after watching a few times."
Kakashi sounded confident.
Hatake Sakumo said nothing. He simply tightened his grip on the wooden sword and lowered his wrist slightly.
Then he struck.
The movement was simple, almost plain.
The wooden sword whistled through the air and hit the target.
Qingyu realized this was a perfect opportunity to observe the Hatake Clan's swordsmanship up close. He immediately focused and entered a state of concentration.
[Persistent Perseverance] activated!
Before you continue