115
"You used to be a battalion captain in the Anbu. You have the prestige, strength, and reputation. I'm confident in you."
Hatake Sakumo promptly bowed his head.
"Thank you for thinking so highly of me, Lord Hokage. I won't let you down."
He hadn't expected Xunjing to give him the position of Anbu Director.
He had thought that, given Xunjing's relationship with the Uchiha, the position would most likely go to one of them.
That was how the Third Generation had always done things-the Anbu Director was either his confidant or one of his own people from the Sarutobi Clan.
There had never been an exception.
"Yes, I believe in you."
Xunjing smiled, then suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, right. I almost forgot about our swordsmanship exchange."
"How about this? I'll make some time tomorrow afternoon and handle the exchange with you personally."
"You teach me your swordsmanship, and I'll pass on the sword techniques I know."
He couldn't put this off any longer.
The sooner he learned those sword techniques, the sooner he could arrange for Sakumo to teach Ninja Swordsmanship over at Uchiha Hatake's place.
He also had to find time to teach Koshiro himself.
Hatake Sakumo froze for a moment, then his face immediately lit up.
"Thank you very much, Lord Hokage!"
He didn't stand on ceremony or offer to teach him for free without an exchange.
That wasn't just because he had always been straightforward, never one for beating around the bush.
More importantly, he had long been itching to learn Xunjing's completely different approach to swordsmanship.
How could he possibly pass up an opportunity like this?
He was a ninja to his core, but at the end of the day, he was also an unyielding swordsman.
"All right, it's settled."
Xunjing smiled faintly and casually