Plotting to Learn the Hatake Sword Style

Seeing how sincere and determined Shangguan Yue was, Hatake Sakumo didn't know what to say. He took Shangguan Yue to the Hatake Clan's training ground, the place his clan loved most—the training ground where they raised the next generation.

Following Hatake Sakumo there, Shangguan Yue noticed the thick ironwood trees. They really did look like iron, even in color.

A bunch of children, none too big or small, were constantly swinging the swords in their hands, chopping at the tree trunks in front of them.

Sparks flew, but the trunks showed few marks. Only the older-looking children had managed to hack tiny notches into the trees before them.

Everyone was busy with their own training. The place was lively, filled with shouts of exertion.

Hatake Sakumo stepped in front of the crowd and clapped his hands. Once he had everyone's attention, he spoke.

"Listen up, everyone. I brought a little fellow with me today.

"I promised to teach him swordsmanship, and now he wants to challenge the younger generation.

"He wants to see our Hatake Sword Style. Is there anyone among you little brats brave enough to take him on?"

As soon as Hatake Sakumo finished speaking, the little members of the Hatake Clan couldn't help themselves. They all shouted, full of youthful arrogance.

"No problem! Bring it on! Let's show him how powerful our clan's swordsmanship is.

"Then he can go back and study properly, patiently, without getting distracted. He shouldn't be so impatient.

"We've all been building our foundations since we were little. He needs to take it slow. There's no need to rush."

Hearing their lecturing tone, Shangguan Yue scoffed.

"Please. What a bunch of fools. Do you think I really want to challenge you?

"This is ridiculous. Looks like I'll have to hit them hard later and teach them that swordsmanship depends on who's wielding the blade.

"After all, if it weren't for Hatake Sakumo, would anyone even care about the Hatake Clan's swordsmanship?"

Hatake Sakumo was already just shy of reaching the Kage level, having advanced beyond elite status at a speed that left people speechless. The power of his swordsmanship was fearsome.

So the Hatake Clan had directly made Hatake Sakumo their clan head. Strength was what determined status, after all.

The Hatake Clan was on the verge of decline. If Hatake Sakumo hadn't suddenly appeared, who knew what would have happened?

Seeing this, Hatake Sakumo burst out laughing. "All right, make some room so they can spar."

Hatake Sakumo didn't object to Shangguan Yue's actions. After all, reading a hundred books was no match for traveling ten thousand miles.

Letting him get some firsthand experience couldn't hurt. It would also be good practice for the Hatake Clan. After all, Shangguan Yue's reputation at the Ninja Academy had spread far and wide.

A little fellow who didn't look much older than Shangguan Yue stepped forward first. Once the two were ready, Hatake Sakumo took on the role of referee and shouted, "Begin!"

They formed the Seal of Confrontation. Then the other boy charged at Shangguan Yue with his wooden sword. Shangguan Yue could clearly tell that their swordsmanship was different.

The boy had a solid foundation; it was obvious he'd trained since childhood. But his attacks weren't very dangerous.

Shangguan Yue's own attributes were already off the charts. His reflexes were more than enough to deal with anyone weaker than him.

If someone thought they could beat him with such basic swordsmanship, rigidly copying set moves without any flexibility, they were dreaming. They wouldn't even be able to hit him.

And that was exactly what happened. The first boy who charged at him couldn't do a thing to Shangguan Yue. He dodged every single slash with perfect timing.

Before long, everyone realized Shangguan Yue was far from ordinary. He hadn't even drawn his sword, yet he could dodge every strike. That alone was impressive.

The little fellow who had charged in soon ran out of strength. His sword was wooden, but he'd gotten so worked up from missing every time that he kept hacking away with all his might.

The more anxious he got, the harder he swung—and the more openings he left. When Shangguan Yue finally saw the notification that the skill had been recorded successfully, he stopped dragging things out.

He drew his sword, then struck with precision at the boy's weak point, knocking his sword away. Then he thrust the wooden sword forward and stopped when it hit the boy in the chest.

"You've lost," Shangguan Yue said calmly. "Next."

Hatake Sakumo could see what was going on.

"Yue is very capable. His swordsmanship foundation isn't solid yet, but he has the natural ability to make up for it.

"Even a casual move from him is far better than theirs. These little fellows are in for a rough time."

Seeing their friend lose, the other children were dumbfounded. He was one of the strongest among them, after all.

But even he hadn't managed to scratch Shangguan Yue. None of them dared step forward. Finally, a boy who looked around eleven or twelve came out.

He was wearing shinobi gear. He took a step, leaped forward, and asked calmly, "Do you dare accept my challenge?"

"What's your name? How strong are you?"

"I'm Hatake Taro, a Genin."

"I'm Shangguan Yue, a trainee shinobi. Please, teach me."

The little fellows were thrilled to see Hatake Taro step forward.

"Brother Taro, teach him a lesson! He's such a show-off. He's even more handsome than us. Unforgivable!"

Hatake Taro dropped his serious expression and turned back with a cheeky grin. "Yoshi! Leave it to me."

Then he turned back and stared seriously at Shangguan Yue. Shangguan Yue curled his lip. "Come on."