Enlightenment of the Sword Heart, Ascending to Swordmaster

Three Anbu members launched a frontal assault while another three flanked from the sides, instantly unleashing a barrage of three ninjutsu.

"Using genjutsu in front of an Uchiha? I don't know if that's confidence or stupidity."

Uchiha Shisui's lips curled upward as he activated his Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

Genjutsu Rebound!

The Anbu operative who had cast the genjutsu was instantly ensnared by his own Bringer-of-Darkness Technique.

One of the Anbu teammates, assuming Shisui had been controlled, lunged forward with a Earth Release: Double Suicide Decapitation Technique. Just as he poked his head out of the ground, he was met face-to-face with a pair of scarlet Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

Another Anbu operative utilized a Water Release ninjutsu to extinguish Shisui's Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique.

Out of the six Anbu, three were already being held at bay by Shisui the moment the skirmish began.

This alone was enough to demonstrate a fraction of Shisui's true strength.

"Time to steal the kill!"

Baiyu had been lying in wait for a long time, specifically for an opportunity like this.

He rushed toward the Anbu member trapped in the genjutsu first. By the time that operative broke free from his own technique, he was met with the edge of a sharp blade.

"Killed one Jonin, rewarded with 5,000 draws."

The draw reward dropped. Is it because my strength has increased?

Last time, the Mist Anbu had granted a reward of ten thousand.

Or were these Anbu simply weaker than the previous enemies?

Seeing the system notification, Baiyu frowned, a flurry of doubts surfacing in his mind.

Killing a Jonin only yielded five thousand; it wasn't even as good as a morning of training.

While Baiyu pondered, his hands remained swift.

"Advanced Iaijutsu!"

After acquiring the full set of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu sword techniques, Baiyu had been so excited to test the ultimate move, Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki, that he had cast the other technique, Advanced Iaijutsu, aside.

Now, with new enemies present, it was the perfect time to experiment with its power.

Godspeed!

The nimble footwork of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu.

Baiyu's figure suddenly appeared beside the Anbu operative who had been casting ninjutsu.

A flash of cold light streaked through the air.

In that moment, the Anbu died without feeling a shred of pain; he only felt time freeze, and by the moment he lost consciousness, he still didn't know what had happened.

Speed doubled, enough to achieve four strikes in one second! But my chakra and body can't withstand the toll of such speed. I need to enhance my physique as soon as possible to keep up with the improvement of my swordsmanship.

The system rewards were progressing rapidly, but they needed to be accompanied by corresponding physical cultivation.

With this draw, his body felt a tearing sensation for the first time.

What he had just displayed was not yet the peak speed of the Iai-style: Advanced Iaijutsu.

"Ding, task completion count: 18,024/1,000,000."

Baiyu returned the Kusanagi Sword to its scabbard.

The blade and scabbard were a poor fit, causing friction between the two that also hampered his draw speed.

Judging by the wear, this scabbard would likely shatter after three or four more uses of the technique.

Once he improved his physique, utilized the breathing techniques of his exclusive sword style, and replaced the scabbard with a proper one, his speed would be even greater and his power even more devastating!

He couldn't steal the kill on the Anbu operative at Uchiha Shisui's feet.

Before Baiyu could even reach him, the man's throat had already been slit by Shisui's short blade.

The other three Anbu who had flanked them saw the extent of their strength and decisively chose to abandon the mission and flee.

Their speed in retreat was far greater than their speed in the attack.

Shisui did not pursue, choosing instead to begin clearing the battlefield.

He seemed to know the Anbu's objective.

Baiyu noticed Shisui's expression; it seemed the Uchiha had received some intelligence. Sending Root ninjas capable of using the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique—the goal of these people was clearly the Uchiha clansmen...

He walked silently to the side of the two, noticing a familiar spark of light in Itachi's eyes.

This kid isn't idolizing me, is he?

A thought suddenly flashed through Baiyu's mind.

A little fangirl is fine, but a little fanboy? No thanks.

Baiyu shook his head, thinking to himself.

In his eyes, Uchiha Itachi was just a rebellious, bratty kid, perhaps a bit chuunibyou.

He hadn't yet reached the point like Uchiha Shisui, where he spent his days agonizing over the clan and world peace.

Rejected because of gender.

Uchiha Shisui was quite attentive to this successor, sharing many ninjutsu and training experiences with Itachi.

He included quite a bit of personal insight, not avoiding Baiyu while explaining.

Baiyu had no interest; the path of ninjutsu was also a way to become stronger.

But practicing swordsmanship was faster for him, and it brought him joy.

What could be more important than happiness?

"Your swordsmanship has improved again!"

Uchiha Shisui sighed in admiration. When he first witnessed Baiyu's swordsmanship, he was merely amazed, but now it was enough to make him feel shocked.

The speed Baiyu displayed just now was comparable to the Body Flicker Technique.

Previously, Baiyu was only fast at swinging his blade, but now his physical speed approached the Body Flicker Technique itself...

Such a surge in strength was unheard of.

Baiyu shook his head, offering no reply.

He knew very well that he was still far from his peak.

Within the vast ocean of the Way of the Sword, Baiyu had caught a glimpse of the truth through the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu.

After using the Advanced Iaijutsu once, he discovered that the Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki was actually a variation of iaijutsu; the ultimate secret of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu was the super-godspeed iaijutsu.

Then, what about other schools?

What position did the Iai Slash occupy among the sword techniques of other schools!?

Ever since Baiyu became a master swordsman of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu, he began to think independently about the connections between sword techniques for the first time, starting to touch upon the true essence of the Way of the Sword.

The Iai Style introduced by the system was one of the ancient Japanese sword arts, incorporating the essence of various major schools.

A sword god's moves are simple: training begins from the moment the sword leaves the scabbard and ends after it is sheathed.

A complete process of drawing the sword!

The killing moves that fill the gaps during this process are what constitute sword techniques.

Drawing the sword is the beginning of the Way of the Sword, and sheathing it is the result.

Every action taken after drawing the sword, excluding the act of sheathing, is a sword technique...

The combination of these individual techniques forms a school.

Having acquired the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu, Baiyu experienced his first moment of epiphany.

A dialogue between the sword techniques of various schools, and between sword techniques and the world itself, flashed wildly through his mind.

It was as if he were standing in a world filled with flying swords!

Countless divine blades danced around him, every sliding trajectory perfect and flawless.

The divine blades were self-directing a dance composed of sword techniques.

Baiyu tried desperately to get closer, yet he drifted further and further away.

Just as he felt lost, two cyan blades collided with him, one edge facing forward and the other backward.

This was—the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu.

Countless memories of the lineage surfaced once more.

The divine sword seemed human, and it actually spoke:

"The Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu originated in the early Edo period, initially as a unique sword technique focused on defense.

Later, through the development of various master swordsmen of the school, it gradually evolved into a unique style of swordsmanship known for its speed and ruthlessness.

The most famous technique in this school is the ultimate secret: the super-godspeed iaijutsu, which evolved from the Iai Style's drawing technique.

The sword techniques of the entire school, from easiest to hardest, are the Ryuso Sen, Doryu Sen, Ryukan Sen, Ryutsui Sen, Ryusho Sen, Soryu Sen, Hiryu Sen, Ryumei Sen, Kuzuryu Sen, and the final ultimate secret, the Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki.

It is rumored that after breaking through the realm of a master swordsman, there is an even stronger move beyond the ultimate secret."

The moment the voice faded, the vision shattered.

The twin blades representing the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu merged into his body.

In this moment, from the Iai Slash of the Iai Style to the ultimate secret of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu, Baiyu recalled all the dilemmas and difficulties he had faced in the world of Naruto.

Enlightenment came in an instant.

No external matter could affect his pursuit of the Way of the Sword!

From this point on, Baiyu faced his inner goals squarely, believing in them with clear and firm conviction.

"Follow your heart, and listen to the whisper of the wind!"

Baiyu chuckled softly.

The path of the sword is a life of freedom.

If the heart of the sword is lost, the laws have no spirit.

Where the heart points, the path of the sword reaches the divine!

"Ding-dong, congratulations to the host for advancing to the Swordsman realm. Reward: one lucky draw."

"Ding-dong, congratulations to the host for entering the Swordsman realm for the first time and comprehending the Heart of the Sword—Wanderer. Reward: Wind-Riding Sword Technique! Note: To wander is to press ever forward, to seek life within the jaws of death, and to cycle endlessly."

"Ding-dong, the Wind-Riding Sword Technique is the legacy of Yasuo the Unforgiven. One must comprehend the trajectory of the wind to truly wield it. Follow the wind, but keep watch over your back—Yasuo!"

"Ding-dong, because the host has comprehended the first layer of the Sword Heart, the advanced quest has been unlocked: Path of the Great Swordsman. Master three or more types of Sword Hearts. (1/3)"

"Ding-dong, comprehended Swordsman exclusive skill: Mind's Eye. Sense all emotional fluctuations within a hundred-meter radius. Note: Look directly into your own heart; the sword moves as the heart dictates."