Blade and Sword

Clang.

Another clash between blades rang out, the crisp sound echoing through the surroundings.

Fallen leaves drifted lazily, only to be swept up once more by the air currents generated by the colliding steel.

Is it really like this?

Sakumo Hatake watched Yueshu, who had retreated to face him.

This was no illusion.

The feeling Sakumo had sensed from the start—that Yueshu's swordsmanship was beginning to catch up to his own—was not false.

It had to be said, it was truly terrifying; Sakumo felt it more keenly than anyone.

A brat of just over eight years old; not long ago, he had been nothing special, at least to the point where Sakumo could firmly suppress him in swordsmanship.

But who could have imagined that in just a few days of absence, such a little brat would have begun to keep pace with a master swordsman like himself?

This was simply the stuff of fantasy. Mastery of the blade naturally relied on talent; some people spent their entire lives unable to reach the realm of a master.

Yet, Yueshu had surprised Sakumo more than once.

To possess such swordsmanship at eight years old was already enough to call him a prodigy, but now he had reached the level of a master, a realm few in the entire ninja world had attained.

Sakumo wanted to say something, and he did indeed say it aloud.

"You brat, are you some kind of monster?"

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

Yueshu was slightly bewildered; he couldn't understand why Sakumo had suddenly started acting strange.

"It's nothing, just a thought that crossed my mind. Let's continue, let's continue."

Sakumo gave a dry laugh, swung his ninja blade twice, and his gaze turned cold once again.

Although Yueshu was confused, he had no choice but to throw his heart and soul back into the battle.

Sakumo felt the aura radiating from Yueshu—it was the absolute, genuine aura of a master, without a hint of falsehood.

I'm counting on you, partner.

Sakumo glanced at the ninja blade in his hand; it was the heirloom of the Hatake Clan, passed down only to each generation's clan head.

The Hatake Clan was a family of swordsmen, and by Sakumo's generation, they had reached their peak. Sakumo's swordsmanship alone was enough to make the White Fang of the Leaf stand among the Kage-level elite.

As if sensing Sakumo's gaze, the edge of the blade in his hand grew even sharper.

They say blades have spirits; perhaps every weapon cherished by its wielder hides a soul within.

Breathing softly, the figures of Yueshu and Sakumo moved simultaneously the next second.

Their light footsteps hit the ground without making a sound; the scene seemed to have been put on mute, with only the sound of the wind remaining.

Clang.

The blades clashed, and sparks flew.

Clang.

Clang.

Clang.

In just a moment, the blades in Yueshu and Sakumo's hands were constantly shifting their attacks.

Slashes, chops, thrusts, and parries.

The most basic techniques of the blade were used to perfection by Yueshu and Sakumo.

With sparks flying from their steel, the speed of their exchanges grew faster and faster.

The metallic sounds layered over one another, converging into a symphony that sang of the romance and passion of the blade.

"White Fang!"

Yueshu's eyes widened, his sword cutting through the wind as he struck.

Sakumo wore a faint smile, his face filled with the expression of one enjoying the battle.

"Kid Yueshu!"

Sakumo pulled his blade back in an instant, blocking Yueshu's sword directly.

"Hey!"

Yueshu smiled as their blades locked in a stalemate.

"How about I show you something good?"

Something good?

Sakumo was slightly stunned, his eyes fixed on Yueshu, who was locked in the struggle with him.

Their attainments in swordsmanship were nearly equal—perhaps Sakumo held a slight edge—but such a gap could not be exploited in a short time.

"Watch closely!"

Yueshu's aura climbed steadily, causing the surrounding winds to howl.

The wind whistled as Yueshu's sword intent gathered continuously.

"Focus on one point!"

Yueshu shouted, and the rising sword intent surged toward the Kusanagi Sword in his hand.

The sword intent flowed like chakra, pouring from Yueshu's body into the Kusanagi Sword, causing the blade to emit a faint glow.

"Hah!"

Yueshu let out a sharp cry.

Sakumo Hatake sensed a dangerous aura.

He saw that Yueshu, who was physically inferior to him, had actually managed to force him back.

The sword intent radiating from the faintly glowing Kusanagi Sword pressed outward, even grazing Sakumo Hatake's arm.

A powerful force surged through his hands, and Sakumo Hatake felt himself being pushed back step by step.

The most critical part was not this, but that Sakumo Hatake had no way to counter it, forced to let himself be pushed back.

"It's over!"

Like a streak of light, the Kusanagi Sword sent Sakumo Hatake flying, leaving him with a massive opening.

Seizing this split-second opportunity, Yueshu pivoted; the Kusanagi Sword he had just thrust forward changed direction to slash at Sakumo Hatake.

As the Kusanagi Sword drew closer, victory appeared within Yueshu's reach.

Dang.

A light metallic sound rang out. Sakumo Hatake's white hair fluttered before Yueshu's eyes, and Yueshu's eyes widened.

Sakumo Hatake had used his ninja blade to lightly parry the Kusanagi Sword, seemingly using the momentum to pivot his body while releasing his grip on the blade.

Sakumo Hatake adjusted his posture in an instant, his ninja blade appearing frozen in mid-air, completely motionless.

In reality, this all happened in a heartbeat, faster than gravity could even take hold.

Snap.

For a moment, the world seemed to stop, with only Yueshu's vision still in motion.

In those bright eyes, a lock of white hair drifted by.

Sakumo Hatake's hand reached back toward the blade suspended in the air—the blade that symbolized Sakumo Hatake himself.

Move!

Move!

In Yueshu's eyes, that figure was slowly closing in.

It was like a slow-motion film; Sakumo Hatake's eyes held a sharp, cold glint.

Gritting his teeth, veins bulged on Yueshu's hand as he gripped the swinging Kusanagi Sword tightly.

As the flash of the ninja blade's strike crossed his vision, Yueshu turned the Kusanagi Sword to meet it.

Swish!

A gust of wind blew, lifting a few strands of hair from his forehead.

"I win."

Sakumo Hatake's blade had reached Yueshu's throat, while Yueshu's Kusanagi Sword had only made it halfway.

There was no doubt that Yueshu had fallen short; it was Sakumo Hatake's victory.

"Damn it!"

Yueshu was not a person who cared much about winning; he simply preferred to give his all in every aspect, and if it didn't work out, so be it.

However, when it came to swordsmanship, Yueshu felt a sense of unwillingness.

Yueshu couldn't quite explain it, but he loved the feeling of holding a blade in his hand—perhaps an influence from the martial arts craze of his childhood.

After all, what man didn't have a dream of being a martial arts hero?

Yueshu wouldn't claim to understand the romance of the sword, but he certainly loved the feeling.

"Well, you still need some training."

Sakumo Hatake lowered his ninja blade, revealing a smile that rivaled Minato Namikaze's.

Come to think of it, both men were gentle souls, like little suns; it was a pity that they shared similar fates—both geniuses, and both destined to die young.

"Next time, I won't lose!"

Yueshu sighed, then spoke with determination.

"Mm, I'll be waiting."

Sakumo Hatake smiled as well.