Sword Bestowed Upon a Fated Person

Upon hearing Sasuke's words, disappointment instantly washed over the faces of Gekko Hayate and Uzuki Yugao.

The expressions on their faces were as unsightly as if they had just missed out on a fortune.

However, Sasuke had no intention of saying anything further.

After all, when it came to strength.

Although Gekko Hayate was not bad as an elite jonin.

He was still far inferior compared to Kakashi.

Both sides remained silent for a long time.

Just as Sasuke, assuming they were unwilling to lend the sword, prepared to take his leave.

Gekko Hayate, who seemed to have only just recovered from his shock, suddenly looked at Sasuke and asked excitedly:

"By the way, have you mastered the Transparent Release?"

"Transparent Release?..."

A strange look appeared on Sasuke's face.

He then scratched his head and feigned ignorance as he responded:

"I really don't know about that..."

"How is that possible?..."

To Sasuke's surprise.

Gekko Hayate was not ready to give up; he frowned and muttered to himself:

"Since you have already reached the minor accomplishment stage of the first form of Wind Slash, how could you have not yet grasped the Transparent Release?..."

After a long while, he seemed to realize something, turned to look at Sasuke, who was standing there with a peculiar expression, and responded:

"I understand now. You must have progressed so quickly that you haven't fully mastered the Dance of the Crescent Moon yet."

"Here, I will demonstrate the Transparent Release for you now. Watch closely."

"Who knows, this might be of decisive help in unlocking the Transparent Release for you..."

Demonstrate the Transparent Release?...

Sasuke murmured to himself.

He then glanced at the beautiful Uzuki Yugao standing to the side, and as if thinking of something, he quickly raised his hand to stop him:

"There is no need, Senior Hayate. It wouldn't look good in broad daylight, really..."

Whether it was because Sasuke was too slow to stop him.

Or because Gekko Hayate had no intention of heeding his advice.

Gekko Hayate simply changed his hand seals.

The next moment.

Under Sasuke's gaze, his figure seemed to be erased, slowly vanishing into thin air!

"This..."

Seeing this, Sasuke's pupils constricted sharply.

It wasn't that he was making a fuss or lacked experience.

It was just the current situation.

Rather than saying Gekko Hayate had suddenly disappeared.

It was more accurate to say that he had merged perfectly with the surrounding environment!

Less than three seconds later.

Gekko Hayate's figure reappeared before Sasuke.

He looked at Sasuke's shocked expression and explained with a smile:

"Actually, I just wanted to know, for a genius like you."

"How long can you maintain the Transparent Release?"

How long?...

Sasuke understood.

No wonder Gekko Hayate became an elite jonin, he thought.

Regardless of his combat strength.

Just this ability to turn invisible alone—wouldn't intelligence gathering be a piece of cake for him?...

"So I misunderstood earlier. I thought it meant 'penetrating' transparency, not 'invisible' transparency..."

Thinking this, Sasuke breathed a sigh of relief.

He did not know whether he felt disappointed or relieved at this moment...

Turning, he shook his head with a smile and said:

"Gekko Hayate, actually, I really haven't grasped Transparent Release."

He paused:

"Because aside from grasping Wind Slash, I haven't grasped even half of anything else yet..."

"What!..."

As soon as Sasuke said this, Gekko Hayate and Uzuki Yugao were shocked in unison once again!

"Could it be that the Dance of the Crescent Moon must be grasped one style at a time?..."

In turn, Gekko Hayate fell directly into a state of self-doubt.

At this moment, hearing Sasuke's words, he even began to suspect that his own training steps had been wrong.

Sasuke had not expected that simply telling the truth would cause an elite jonin's ninja path to collapse.

Suddenly, he asked tentatively:

"Um... two seniors, since it's getting late, I won't disturb you any further."

Saying this, Sasuke turned and walked away without a second thought.

It seemed he couldn't have the ninja sword after all.

He hadn't even asked for their help yet, and he had already managed to make them doubt their entire existence.

It was lucky enough that they weren't settling scores with him.

What more could he ask for?

Better leave quickly!

But just as Sasuke reached the door, Gekko Hayate seemed to wake up from a nightmare and called out:

"Sasuke, wait!..."

Sigh... still a step too slow...

He sighed inwardly, turned around, and looked at Gekko Hayate:

"Do you have any other questions, senior?..."

At this moment, Sasuke had already secretly mobilized all the chakra in his body, ready to use a jutsu to escape at any moment before Gekko Hayate could act against him!

However, Gekko Hayate did not move, but instead responded:

"Right, you wanted a ninja sword to perform the Dance of the Crescent Moon, didn't you?..."

"Oh? Does senior intend to lend me your ninja sword?..."

As he said this, Sasuke was already prepared to strike first. This was his first time facing a jonin head-on, and he dared not be careless in the slightest.

Lend him a sword?

What a joke. He probably said that to lower his guard, fearing he might try to escape.

But at this moment, Gekko Hayate did not draw the ninja sword from his back. Instead, he gestured to Uzuki Yugao beside him.

This immediately caused a look of shock to appear on Uzuki Yugao's face:

"Hayate, are we really going to give him Master's sword?..."

"Master once said that it was left for you, you..."

Before she could finish, Gekko Hayate waved his hand to interrupt her:

"With my talent, I doubt I'll ever be able to use that sword in my lifetime."

"You know that the only ninja tool we currently know of that can withstand a minor-success Wind Slash is the sword left behind by our master."

"But..."

"There are no 'buts'."

"A ninja sword should be gifted to those destined for it. It doesn't belong to me; keeping it by force will only let its brilliance fade in the dust."

"It would be better to let it shine with Sasuke. I believe that one day, with Sasuke's talent, he will surely carry forward Konoha-Style Swordsmanship!"

"I will let the entire ninja world know that besides Taijutsu, Genjutsu, and Ninjutsu, there exists a peerless style of swordsmanship! Cough, cough, cough..."

Seemingly overcome by his own fervor, Gekko Hayate was interrupted by another fit of coughing.

In a flash, Uzuki Yugao followed Gekko Hayate's instructions.

She retrieved the Ninja Sword from inside the house.

Gekko Hayate held the Ninja Sword in his hands, gazing at it for a long time.

At one moment, he let out a long roar toward the sky!

Then, he threw it through the air toward the person standing at the doorway:

"Sasuke, this Ninja Sword shall be yours in the future!"

"You must never let it suffer any grievances! ...Cough, cough..."

The long sword transformed into a streak of light as it shot toward Sasuke.

Sasuke's eyes lit up; without a word, he leaped into the air and, in the blink of an eye, grasped the Ninja Sword in his hand!

As the long sword left its scabbard, a sudden, inexplicable chill washed over the area!

Sasuke didn't even think!

"Dance of the Crescent Moon, First Form: Wind Slash!"

With a fierce shout, Sasuke leaped into the air, brandishing the Ninja Sword!

His body moved like a meteor, his blade like a gentle breeze.

One sword, one thought!

The next moment.

Sasuke swung the blade casually, and a cherry blossom tree nearby, thick enough for several men to wrap their arms around, was instantly severed at the waist, silent and soundless!

"What a fine sword!"

Landing gracefully, Sasuke looked at the Ninja Sword in his hand.

At this moment, a layer of iron filings, resembling peeling wall plaster, was clinging to the blade.

With a slight shake, the filings scattered into the wind.

Immediately, a piercing sword hum tore through the sky!

"This... what is this..."

Sasuke stared at the Ninja Sword in his hand, stunned.

His face was filled with confusion and bewilderment.

He then looked up at Gekko Hayate and Uzuki Yugao, who had approached his side, and asked:

"This Ninja Sword, it's so strange?..."

"Two seniors, could it be that this Ninja Sword is called the Sword of Zhi?..."