Sparring

"Yueshu, you haven't been coming by as often lately."

A white-haired man sat in the living room of the Hatake Clan's home. When he saw Yueshu arrive, he spoke up.

"Sorry, White Fang. I've had some things to take care of lately, so I might not have as much time."

Yueshu readily admitted it and apologized, even though he hadn't done anything wrong.

"What are you saying? If you have things to take care of, go take care of them first. There's no rush to train. We can do it anytime."

Though White Fang was a Kage Level powerhouse, he was surprisingly kindhearted, especially when it came to his comrades. There probably weren't many people in all of Konoha who valued their comrades more than White Fang did.

Who would have thought that a powerhouse on par with the Hokage could be softer-hearted than anyone else? Though White Fang showed no mercy to his enemies.

It was precisely because of this that White Fang was set up by the Third Hokage and the others. Overcome by guilt over a failed mission, he was driven to take his own life, which ultimately twisted Kakashi's personality and led to the tragedy of Minato Namikaze's team. It also brought about Obito's birth and, eventually, the Fourth Shinobi World War.

That was the ripple effect: every event could affect countless others. This world was connected, and even the slightest difference could lead to enormous consequences. That was why Yueshu hadn't chosen to interfere too much with the story, but it was already too late. The so-called original storyline had long since gone off the rails.

For example, when Kushina was abducted, Minato Namikaze hadn't known about it, nor had he gone alone to rescue her. Instead, he had joined Konoha's forces to support Yueshu.

If things had gone that way, Minato Namikaze would have had no way to rescue Kushina, and she would have been successfully abducted. The course of the entire Ninja World would have changed once more. It was even possible that the Third Shinobi World War would break out right then and there.

"It's nothing much. I've just been training in ninjutsu with some friends lately. Come on, let's practice our swordsmanship."

Yueshu began to loosen up. He had the Kusanagi Sword strapped behind his waist, and he was ready to do what he usually did: spar with Sakumo Hatake in swordsmanship, though Yueshu used a sword rather than a blade.

Relying solely on swordsmanship and blade technique was a real test of one's skill, as well as one's combat experience.

"So you've come for this after all? I was wondering when you'd bring it up."

Sakumo Hatake smiled. He was used to it by now. Ever since Tsunade had brought Yueshu to visit him, the two had become friends through their shared love of swordsmanship. Yueshu especially enjoyed these straightforward sparring sessions.

What surprised Sakumo Hatake even more was that Yueshu's swordsmanship was quite impressive. Sparring with him had helped Sakumo Hatake improve his own blade technique.

"Today, I'm definitely going to make you feel the bite of this sword."

"Oh? Are you using the real thing today? I don't mind."

Sakumo Hatake and Yueshu usually sparred with wooden swords. After a while, neither of them found that satisfying anymore, and they gradually began sparring with real weapons. As a result, their sessions inevitably left them with a few scrapes and bruises.

They always stopped before anyone was seriously hurt, of course.

After speaking, Yueshu and Sakumo Hatake both began to warm up, their eyes shining with excitement.

In a world full of shinobi, using a blade or a sword was certainly unusual. But the Hatake Clan was famous for its blade techniques, and Yueshu just so happened to be fascinated by swords and blades.

It wasn't only firearms that embodied a man's romance. For some men, cold weapons were the real thing.

Hearing weapons clash at close range was an incredible feeling.

"Ready?"

"Been ready for ages."

Sakumo Hatake and Yueshu exchanged glances, both wearing smiles.

"Then let's go!"

Sakumo Hatake drew his blade and headed into the courtyard, with Yueshu following right behind him.

Though they were more than ten years apart in age, the two unexpectedly got along well.

Was it because of their love of cold weapons? Or was Yueshu simply too mature, or Sakumo Hatake too childish?

No one could say for sure. Perhaps it was all of those things.

The Hatake Clan's courtyard was very spacious, with plenty of wooden posts for practicing swordsmanship.

The wind wasn't blowing gently. Instead, it gusted fiercely, as if setting the mood for the spar between Yueshu and Sakumo Hatake.

A few leaves drifted down. Then another gust swept in, bringing a whole crowd of their companions.

Fallen leaves adorned the sky as Yueshu and Sakumo Hatake stood facing each other.

Their eyes pierced through the drifting leaves, their gazes fixed solely on each other.

The leaves floated lazily down, until at last they could no longer stay aloft.

The instant the first leaf touched the ground, Yueshu and Sakumo Hatake had already placed their hands on their weapons.

With a swish, the blade left its sheath.

Dang.

The two figures rushed toward each other and collided.

The Kusanagi Sword clashed with Sakumo Hatake's Ninja Blade, ringing out with a clear metallic clang.

The sound spread outward, like the waves of air around them, expanding in every direction.

"You've improved again."

"So have you."

Both were skilled with blades and swords, and with just one strike, Sakumo Hatake could already tell that Yueshu had changed.

Yueshu's swordsmanship was several times stronger than it had been just a while ago. He had not only caught up with Sakumo Hatake; he seemed ready to surpass him.

The feeling was truly frightening, and Sakumo Hatake couldn't deny that it made him uneasy.

It was as if something had been chasing him from behind. Now, it seemed to be picking up speed—like a runner behind him suddenly surging forward to overtake him. The thought filled him with fear and unwillingness to accept defeat.

Sakumo Hatake's lips curled into a smile.

The White Fang of the Leaf wasn't afraid of being surpassed by the next generation, nor was he someone they could easily overtake!

He tightened his grip, his gaze turning cold. At that moment, Sakumo Hatake was like a leopard, his eyes full of predatory focus.

His sword was knocked aside, and Yueshu was startled.

Whenever he had sparred with Sakumo Hatake before, he had always been the one to lose. But this time was different.

Yueshu's swordsmanship had advanced from proficient to the Swordmaster level. He had come here today expecting to win.

Anyone would feel proud and accomplished after defeating White Fang of the Leaf, a powerhouse renowned throughout the Ninja World for his blade technique and whose strength rivaled that of a Kage.

But Sakumo Hatake had no intention of letting Yueshu have his way.

The difference in their age and physiques meant there was a huge gap in strength. With a single shove, Sakumo Hatake sent Yueshu stumbling back.

In that instant, Sakumo Hatake's blade came slashing toward him.

Strike when your opponent is down!

Every strong fighter understood that principle, and Sakumo Hatake, the White Fang of the Leaf, understood it better than most.

The moment Yueshu was shoved back, he was left wide open. With that one strike, Sakumo Hatake's blade was almost certain to hit.

But Yueshu wasn't a pushover, and neither was his system-granted Swordmaster-level swordsmanship.

Gripping his sword tightly, Yueshu fixed his eyes on the oncoming blade.

It was as if everything had slowed down as he watched it rush toward him.

Just before the blade struck his body, Yueshu swung his sword.

The Kusanagi Sword struck the side of Sakumo Hatake's blade. Using Sakumo Hatake's force, Yueshu narrowly dodged the slash.

The Ninja Blade passed within a few centimeters of his body. Yueshu had successfully defused the crisis.

But it wasn't over yet!

Combat gave no quarter. Whoever landed effective attacks had a chance to win, so every strike was crucial.

Yueshu didn't celebrate after dodging Sakumo Hatake's strike. He calmly watched him, then kicked toward him with his leg still raised, twisting his body as he did.

As expected, an attack like that was useless against the White Fang of the Leaf. Sakumo Hatake blocked it with ease.

"Tch."

"Still not enough."

Sakumo Hatake smiled, and Yueshu gave an irritated snort.