Sword Dao

"Teach you my Ninja Way?"

Kanna was stunned by this statement. In this world, a concept like a Ninja Way was not something to be taken lightly.

Moreover, in a sense, no one could truly bear the burden of another's Ninja Way. It was a collection of one's faith, philosophy, truth, and understanding of the world; others could at most comprehend it, but never truly touch it.

"The sword is the sword, the hand is the sword, the body is the sword, and the heart is also the sword." A flush appeared on Shinnosuke's face, and he seemed somewhat agitated. "Those who practice the Way of the Sword should forge ahead! Cut through thorns and brambles! Cut through everything! Break through everything!"

Kanna nodded silently. He had some understanding of the philosophy of the sword. It upheld the character of "courage," using the sword to examine the heart and cultivate the self. Therefore, there were two attitudes practitioners took toward life: one was to be sharp and exposed, the other was to hide one's light under a bushel, all depending on individual temperament.

As for Shinnosuke now, in Kanna's view, he was the latter—gradually shedding his sharpness and turning his spirit inward.

"Is your Ninja Way referring to your Way of the Sword?" Kanna asked, seemingly having realized something.

"Exactly, it is my Way of the Sword." Shinnosuke sighed with emotion. "I have studied many sword techniques, which contain the thoughts of countless masters. In the process of learning, do not just focus on the combat techniques; you must think more. That is the most important and precious thing."

However, what I want to learn is exactly those combat techniques, Kanna kept this thought to himself.

"Then when do we start?" Kanna asked.

"No rush," Shinnosuke thought for a moment and said. "Wait until that child, Ringo Ameyuri, is also sent to solitary confinement."

Kanna almost laughed out loud. It seemed that Shinnosuke, like him, did not think highly of that girl's temper either.

Three days later, in the afternoon, the people sent by the Hayashinaka Clan arrived at the Juvenile Correction Center. Then, near dinner time, Kanna heard the news that Ringo Ameyuri had been locked in solitary confinement.

"Hahaha!"

In a small, crude room, Kanna laughed heartily.

"So fast! Is the Hayashinaka Clan that impatient?"

A man in his twenties opposite him shook his head helplessly and said, "You really are a wicked friend. Aren't you worried about your friend? I heard that regarding the child from the Hayashinaka Clan, it was Ringo Ameyuri who provoked him first. However, according to our investigation, Ringo Ameyuri merely glanced at him. We find this very difficult to handle."

"Hahahahaha!" Kanna burst into an even more exaggerated laugh.

Are you kidding me? Kanna could imagine the scene: Ringo Ameyuri must have looked at the Hayashinaka clansman with her indifferent, hollow eyes, which was then mistaken for contempt. The other party flew into a rage and attacked, and because both sides held their own versions of the story, the Juvenile Correction Center had no choice but to punish both of them equally.

I suppose the Hayashinaka clansman must be feeling incredibly stifled right now, right? I haven't even provoked you yet, and you look at me with those eyes? What does that mean? Looking down on me?

Finally, someone else had experienced the feeling Kanna had when he first met Ameyuri. Kanna felt quite gratified; he had been infuriated back then, and now it was finally someone else's turn.

"If you can't even endure this little bit of pressure, what kind of ninja are you!" Kanna said these insincere words, mocking the other party inside and out, before asking, "So, Mr. Shichigatsu, when will the Director start coming to teach us?"

Uji Shichigatsu, a Chunin of Kirigakure, was the administrator overseeing the solitary confinement area of the Juvenile Correction Center. He was a capable subordinate and confidant of Gotō Shinnosuke and took quite good care of Kanna, though he had one flaw: he was a chatterbox.

But being a chatterbox was fine; the solitary confinement room was so lonely and desolate that one might go crazy without someone to talk to.

Because the Juvenile Correction Center conducted inspections every so often, Kanna dared not risk exposing himself by practicing the Flying Thunder God. Aside from his daily training using that chakra refinement technique, he spent the rest of his time trying to comprehend the Shinra Tensei. He was bored to death, and Shichigatsu's appearance had just solved that problem.

"Director Shinnosuke already knows. As for exactly when he will come, it will probably have to wait until he has some free time. After all, although there isn't much business at the Juvenile Correction Center, he cannot slack off. How about this: today is the day your confinement ends, so you can just come with me to find the Director now."

Immediately, Shichigatsu lifted Kanna's ban and took him toward the Director's office.

At this moment, Shinnosuke was talking to Hozuki Mangetsu, who had only arrived a few days ago.

"First, each solitary confinement room can only accommodate one person. No matter how intentionally you violate the rules, it is impossible for you to be assigned to Kanna's room," Shinnosuke said sternly. "Second, I have received news that the investigation into your assault case is complete. All the responsibility lies with the other party, and the Security Force made a misjudgment. They will be punished soon. Therefore, once the official notice is issued, you can leave. Of course, I have no objection if you want to leave now."

"Is that so?" Hozuki Mangetsu smiled faintly and said, "They really move fast. Even though I was the one who intentionally attacked first, I am now judged innocent. Mr. Shinnosuke, what do you think?"

It turned out that the Third Hokage's faction was not entirely inactive. Upon realizing that certain clans wanted to target Kanna and Ringo Ameyuri, they had deliberately altered the judgment results, declaring Hozuki Mangetsu innocent and even going so far as to give the Security Force a verbal reprimand for poor oversight and gullibility, all to get Hozuki Mangetsu out of the Juvenile Correction Center quickly so he wouldn't cause trouble for Kanna.

"I was able to break the rules by assaulting someone without cause this time, and naturally, there will be other ways next time," Hozuki Mangetsu muttered to himself. "If one is determined to break the rules, who can stop them?"

Shinnosuke was neither happy nor angry. "As you please."

"Heh." Hozuki Mangetsu waved his hand and walked toward the door. "Since that guy Kanna is just avoiding me, there's nothing I can do. It seems this place has no value in staying any longer. I'll go back and report."

"Also, one more thing. Actually, I have no interest in the affairs within the clan. Whether it's Kanna or Ringo Ameyuri, in my eyes, they are just children. They are all unfortunate sacrifices of the struggle. How pathetic."

"What do you think? Kanna?"

Pushing the door open, Kanna stood outside, looking down at Hozuki Mangetsu.

"Just empty words," Kanna said, walking straight past Hozuki Mangetsu. "If you are determined to have a contest with me, I certainly won't refuse. But not here. Once I get out, there will be opportunities."

Having said that, Kanna gave Shinnosuke a wink and then let out a loud roar.

"Shinnosuke! You guy! I've been annoyed with you for a long time! Take this!"

Head held high, Kanna stepped into a Bagua stance and threw a palm strike at Shinnosuke!

"My..." Shinnosuke's face darkened. Helplessly, he raised his single arm, grabbed Kanna's arm with his large hand, and twisted it over, locking him in a submission hold.

"Ah, it hurts, it hurts!" Kanna bared his teeth and cried out loudly.

"That's enough out of you!" Shinnosuke whispered into Kanna's ear. "Can't you think of a better way?"

"Sorry, sorry, but this way is the simplest and clearest," Kanna replied with a grin, then continued to howl, "Ah, it hurts, it hurts! It's going to break!"

Pushing Kanna away, Shinnosuke's eyelid twitched. He said stiffly, "Using abusive language and attacking the Director. Two weeks of solitary confinement, effective immediately."

"I'll be back!" Kanna shouted as he was dragged away again to solitary confinement by a pained-looking Shichigatsu.

"Heh, interesting." Watching this farce, Hozuki Mangetsu revealed a smile.

At seven in the evening, Kanna and Ringo Ameyuri were secretly brought to a training room by Shichigatsu.

This was a room decorated primarily in white. In the center of the wall hung a scroll with the character "Quiet," and on both sides were weapons commonly used by ninjas, as well as some props for physical training. Shinnosuke sat cross-legged on the floor, waiting for them.

Seeing the two arrive, Shinnosuke did not waste time and went straight to the point.

"From tonight on, I will teach you swordsmanship every evening. During the day, you will practice by yourselves in the confinement room, and if you have any questions at night, you can ask me. Alright, time is tight, let's begin."

"I am well-versed in all the swordsmanship of Kirigakure, and I have practiced and comprehended the vast majority of sword styles circulating within the samurai world. Some schools have become obsolete and fallen into decline—it is enough for you to simply know of them—but there are other mainstream styles that you must learn and master."

"Among them, the swordsmanship of Kirigakure includes the Silent Killing Technique, Inchi Style, Inso Style, Meiso Style, and Seimusō Style. As for the way of the samurai, I will only teach you the styles that hold a foundational position: Ittō-ryū, Shintō-ryū, In-ryū, Nen-ryū, Nii-ryū, Iai-ryū, and the Mutō-ryū that is involved in the secret techniques of every school."

As soon as Shinnosuke finished speaking, Ringo Ameyuri stated firmly, "I choose Nii-ryū!"

Nii-ryū, also known as the two-sword style, is a school of swordsmanship developed from the primitive dual-wielding techniques. The "two" represents "Yin" and "Yang," symbolizing opposition, and it develops from that opposition into a state of unity; it is a sword path that encompasses the principles of heaven and earth.

"Very good!" Shinnosuke nodded in approval, then looked at Kanna. "And what about you? What will you choose?"

Kanna was a bit dumbfounded. Ringo Ameyuri already had a certain level of attainment in swordsmanship, so she knew what she needed, but how was he supposed to know which sword style suited him?

Inchi Style, Inso Style, Meiso Style, Seimusō Style, In-ryū, Nen-ryū, Shintō-ryū—who the hell knew what those things even were!

Seeing Kanna's conflicted expression, Shinnosuke smiled slightly.

"You don't know? Forget it. It seems you haven't had any contact with swordsmanship before, so I will teach you the sword style most suitable for a ninja: the Silent Killing Technique. How about that? This is the very swordsmanship practiced by the Anbu."

Actually, I wanted to pick one with a cooler name, Kanna thought to himself. Seimusō Style—tsk, tsk, that name leaves the Silent Killing Technique in the dust.

However, it was better for a layman not to run his mouth. In any case, Kanna didn't expect to train until he reached the level of Killer B's heaven-defying eight-sword style; he only sought to absorb the underlying concepts. Since he would rely on ninjutsu for actual combat, the Silent Killing Technique would do just fine.

"No problem! The Silent Killing Technique it is!"