Uzuki Yugao froze slightly, her brows drawing together.
She hesitated for a moment.
As the Jōnin leading Konoha's team, sparring with the ruler of the Hidden Xuan Village would indeed show the students a high-level battle.
Besides, she had some confidence in her kenjutsu and taijutsu.
"...All right."
In the end, she nodded.
Xuandou stepped back several paces, and they stood facing each other in the center of the Training Ground.
Both sides' students retreated to the sidelines, excited to watch.
Ino whispered:
"Our teacher's going to fight Teacher Yugao? Teacher Yugao's a master of kenjutsu!"
Sakura's eyes sparkled too:
"Our teacher wasn't using any strength against us earlier..."
Hinata clasped her hands together and watched silently.
Uzuki Yugao slowly drew the katana at her waist, its blade gleaming with a cold silver light in the sun.
Her stance shifted, and she became like a drawn blade, her edge fully exposed.
Xuandou held no weapon, simply letting his hands hang naturally at his sides with a smile on his face.
"Lord Xuandou, please."
Uzuki Yugao's voice was cool.
"Please."
As the words fell, Uzuki Yugao abruptly shot forward.
Her katana traced a silver arc through the air, heading straight for Xuandou's shoulder.
Xuandou turned sideways to dodge, the blade sweeping past his collar.
But how could Uzuki Yugao's kenjutsu end with a single strike?
Her blade kept coming, one slash after another, each faster than the last.
Silver blade light wove a net in the sunlight, enveloping Xuandou.
Xuandou retreated and dodged, weaving through the flashing blade.
He did not strike back, only evaded.
Every time the blade drew near, he easily avoided it by the narrowest margin.
Uzuki Yugao's blade grew faster and faster, but Xuandou's evasions grew increasingly effortless.
The two exchanged moves across the Training Ground amid