Time passed as Tokiju and Uchiha Hikari sparred day after day.
Before long, it was January 31, the day before the Ninja Academy opened.
Tokiju headed to the dojo as usual, planning to have a thorough sparring match with Uchiha Hikari.
They took their positions. Uchiha Hikari drew the long blade at her waist first and instantly settled into a stance.
Ever since she got the blade, Uchiha Hikari had treasured it and even given it a lovely name: Heart Fate.
Seeing this, Tokiju instantly formed a Moonlight Tang Dao and took up a stance much like Uchiha Hikari's.
Unlike in TV dramas, the two of them didn't spend ages gazing deeply into each other's eyes before making a move.
Instead, the moment they had taken their stances, they immediately attacked each other.
Their figures darted back and forth across the dojo, like two bolts of lightning crossing in midair.
Blades flashed and clashed in the dojo, the ringing of metal on metal filling the air—a feast for the eyes.
Uchiha Hikari's swordsmanship was fierce and ruthless. Every strike carried immense force, leaving Tokiju no choice but to focus completely on their sparring.
Tokiju's swordsmanship, on the other hand, was still a little unpolished. He could only dodge with his footwork while looking for openings to counterattack.
"Hikari, every time I spar with you, I can feel your incredible bloodlust. I have to say, it's no wonder you fought your way through the Warring States era!"
Tokiju was slightly out of breath. He really didn't have much talent for swordsmanship, and he'd spent the entire time they'd been sparring getting beaten up.
Uchiha Hikari smiled faintly, a hint of smugness in her eyes. "Heh, you've actually improved quite a bit, too. You're not the rookie you used to be, unable