Sword of Indra

"Te... test-naming? It's actually test-naming!..."

Sasuke was caught completely off guard.

Upon hearing his question, Gekko Hayate and Uzuki Yugao were even more excited than he was, even though he was the one who had obtained the sword...

"No, seniors, what does test-naming mean?..."

If you don't know, ask.

Knowing that Gekko Hayate had no intention of harming him, Su Jian simply let go of his reservations and asked directly.

"Test-naming means this ninja sword has acknowledged you and is willing to let you give it a new name."

"What?..."

Sasuke was shocked by Gekko Hayate's explanation.

He never expected that the ninja sword he was holding in his hand could actually recognize a master.

Could it be a ninja tool on the same level as Jiaoji?...

"Senior, how exactly do I name the ninja sword?..."

"It's very simple. You just need to use your own chakra to write the name you want to give it on the [Sword of]!..."

Gekko Hayate became more and more excited as he spoke, eventually even gesturing wildly with his hands.

"Is it that simple?..."

Sasuke muttered to himself upon hearing this.

At this moment, Gekko Hayate beside him straightened his expression and said:

"No, Sasuke, you're wrong. A ninja sword has a spirit. Even if it is capable of test-naming, it requires you to do it; others shouldn't even think about it!..."

"Is it really that magical?..."

Sasuke was a bit skeptical. After all, if Konoha had a ninja tool like Jiaoji, how could he not have known about it from the anime in his past life?

Seeming to see the hesitation in Sasuke's eyes, Gekko Hayate did not hesitate. He pointed his fingers together, condensing a burst of chakra between them.

The next moment, he carved his own name directly onto the ninja sword.

The name had just been carved, but before Sasuke could even get a clear look at the guy's handwriting, the name that had just been inscribed miraculously vanished into thin air...

"Damn, it's actually real!..."

Seeing this, Sasuke felt ecstatic.

He never imagined that he would stumble upon a treasure on the same level as Jiaoji right at the start of his time in Konoha!

But upon second thought, he immediately found himself in a dilemma!

"What kind of name should I give this heaven-defying ninja sword?..."

"Sword of..."

A flash of inspiration struck, and Sasuke suddenly thought of the Sword of Shinobi Love belonging to Naruto's father...

Shinobi Love is impossible. In this life, I am clear about my debts and grievances. I won't go around harming people, and of course, I won't just casually do anything grand for the sake of 'justice'...

"How about... how about I give it a more imposing name? Let's call you the Awesome Sword?..."

Before he could finish, the ninja sword in his hand shook violently.

Sasuke almost accidentally let it slip from his grasp...

"Alright, alright, I won't call you the Awesome Sword, just calm down, calm down..."

With a twitch of his lips, Sasuke immediately found himself in a bind again.

He knew that if he came up with another unreliable name, this sword in his hand might just turn against him.

And as for such a good thing that had fallen into his hands, how could Sasuke let it fly away right under his nose?...

"What kind of name should I choose so this ninja sword won't turn against me?..."

After thinking for a long time, at a certain moment, Sasuke's eyes suddenly lit up.

Without a second thought, he pressed his fingers together, condensed his chakra, and pointed at the blade to write:

[Indra]

"Sword of Indra?..."

Seeing Sasuke carve the three characters [Indra] onto the blade without a moment's hesitation.

Gekko Hayate and Uzuki Yugao exchanged glances, both wearing expressions of confusion.

It did not seem to hold any special meaning.

It did not sound particularly impressive either; in fact, it sounded rather like a person's name, plain and unremarkable...

Turning, Gekko Hayate asked in bewilderment:

"Sasuke, is Indra your nickname?..."

Hearing this, Sasuke laughed heartily and replied with deep meaning:

"You could say that..."

"You could say that?..."

This ambiguous answer only deepened the confusion for Gekko Hayate and his companion.

Either it was or it wasn't; how could a nickname be something you "could say" it was?

But just as Gekko Hayate and Uzuki Yugao were lost in their doubts.

The sky above Konoha suddenly darkened!

The next moment.

Dark clouds billowed, and thunder rumbled.

Bolts of lightning, like jagged fissures, tore through the overcast sky!

"Why is it suddenly going to rain?..."

Uzuki Yugao looked up and stared at the sky.

But at that very moment.

The Sword of Indra in Sasuke's hand suddenly began to tremble incessantly, as if it had come to life!

"Are you excited?..."

With a sharp "clang"!

As if responding to Sasuke's question.

The next moment, the Sword of Indra flew from his hand, shooting straight toward the clouds!

With a deafening "crack"!

The leaden clouds tore apart, and a thousand-foot arc of lightning struck the blade fiercely!

The black clouds pressed down upon the village as if to crush it, while the sword's light illuminated the heavens!

Though wrapped in arcs of lightning, the sword's hum grew even louder!

As if refusing to yield, it let out a shrill cry and struck toward the sky once more!

"This... what is this... Hayate, do you know what is going on?..."

Uzuki Yugao asked tentatively, her beautiful eyes filled with shock.

Gekko Hayate did not turn his head to look at her, but instead replied gloomily:

"Perhaps only Master would know what is truly happening here..."

Konoha, Root.

"Hmm?... This familiar aura?..."

"Could it be... could it be the power of the Six Paths?... But how is this possible?..."

Danzo looked out the window toward the nearby area wreathed in lightning.

His single visible eye, etched with scars, suddenly revealed a look of utter disbelief!

He glanced at his left forearm, which was already tightly wrapped in bandages, and muttered to himself.

It was as if he were speaking to someone else.

Or perhaps, as if he were explaining it to himself.

After a long while, he regained his composure and shouted toward the door:

"Yamanaka Fu! Quickly send men to capture everyone in that area wreathed in lightning and bring them to Root!"

"Remember, do not let anyone discover you, especially the Anbu, do you understand?..."

"Yes! Lord Danzo..."

Only a single response came from outside the door, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps that soon faded away...

"Clang!"

It was unknown how much time had passed.

At a certain moment, the Sword of Indra descended, embedding itself horizontally into the ground before Sasuke.

Lightning crackled, and a cold, sharp glint ran wild.

It was like a beast poised to hunt, waiting only for Sasuke's command to leap into action!

"A fine sword!"

Sasuke gripped the Sword of Indra and pulled it free.

As the longsword left the ground, it faintly stirred the whistling sounds of wind and thunder!

"Sasuke, I can already sense it—a large group of Konoha Anbu and Root ninja are rushing toward this location!"

"You must seal this sword quickly to avoid any complications!..."

"Understood!..."

Gekko Hayate was truly worthy of his reputation for reconnaissance.

Before the other ninja had even drawn near, he had already sensed the situation with remarkable accuracy.

Seeing this, Sasuke dared not delay any longer.

With a flick at his waist, a scroll appeared out of thin air.

The next moment.

He whipped his brush across the parchment in a flurry of strokes, and with a simple sealing incantation, the aura of the Sword of Indra in his hand was completely concealed!