Uchiha Style Swordsmanship

C-rank missions generally involved escorting merchant caravans, transporting supplies or documents, or clearing out bandits. The enemies encountered were mostly ordinary people who could not use ninjutsu, at most sturdy guards or warriors.

Once it was confirmed that the opponent possessed Chakra and could wield it skillfully as a ninja, the mission would be raised to B-rank.

Ordinarily, Kato Squad had only been established for three months and had not yet reached the point of taking C-rank missions. Even if they did, they would most likely be simple escort or transport assignments.

However, most of Konoha's forces were currently at the front lines, leaving them short-handed. On the other hand, Dan Katō personally believed that his students were unlike ordinary students. Not only had their strength reached a respectable level, but their ability to work as a team was more than sufficient. It was time to let them see some blood.

"Great, a C-rank mission! Finally, no more pulling weeds!"

Inuzuka Ryo was so excited that he sprang up from the ground, instantly full of life again. Tetsu Maru, who had also been lying on the ground, made the exact same movement in perfect sync.

"Master Dan."

Meikyō shifted his gaze from the mission scroll and looked at Dan Katō.

"According to the information on the mission, Suna's elite squad attacked this place four months ago. Is it possible that they might still be there or return? They were able to cross the long border defenses at the front lines and penetrate deep into the Land of Fire. Their strength definitely isn't something the three of us can contend with."

"That isn't much of a problem."

Dan Katō smiled and said,

"First, Tetsuseki Town's mines produce materials vital for forging ninja tools, so the village placed great importance on this group. Three months ago, Minato Namikaze, the youngest Jonin in the village, led a team to defeat them and wipe out their main force. The area is relatively safe now."

"Even if we really do run into them, you have a Jonin like me to cover you. As long as we don't encounter a powerhouse on the level of the Five Kage, I'm confident I can keep you safe."

The opponents were not very strong—just bandits who had once been miners. At most, they knew some martial arts and were physically sturdier. They were no match for ninjas and were perfect for newly minted Genin to test themselves against.

Meikyō nodded, indicating that he had no further questions.

After asking Inuzuka Ryo and Aburame Nami as well and receiving the same answer, Dan Katō immediately announced that they would have Two hours to prepare. They would meet at the village gate in Two hours and set out.

"Are you going out on a mission?"

Uchiha Yu sat seiza-style on a cushion, looking at the fully armed Meikyō before him. In his hands, he was still wiping down a well-maintained ninja blade that gleamed with a cold light.

"Yes. Teacher Kato is taking us on a mission to eliminate bandits."

After hearing that, Uchiha Yu stroked his beard and continued.

"I have heard a little about Jonin Kato's reputation. Among Konoha's younger Jonin, he is one of the few outstanding ninjas capable of competing with White Fang and the Third Hokage's three disciples. He has unique expertise in Sensory Ninjutsu and secret techniques of the mind. If you can learn some ninjutsu in those areas from him, it will be greatly beneficial when you use the Sharingan in the future."

"Also, how well have you mastered Uchiha Style Swordsmanship?"

"I've learned the basic sword forms. As for the sword techniques that combine it with Fire Style, I've only learned half of them."

Meikyō truthfully reported his progress.

Uchiha Style Swordsmanship was a sword art passed down through the Uchiha Clan for generations. Centuries of inheritance and refinement had made its system extraordinarily complete, and it meshed perfectly with the Uchiha's Sharingan and Fire Style. It was divided into an upper and lower volume.

What Meikyō was learning now was the upper volume.

Although it only recorded the foundational portion of Uchiha Style Swordsmanship, according to Uchiha Yu, fully mastering the upper volume alongside the Sharingan would be enough to become a Special Jonin specializing in swordsmanship.

Uchiha Meikyō had not even finished learning it yet, much less mastered it.

"Although you can only be considered a beginner in the clan's swordsmanship and have merely laid down a certain foundation, Uchiha Style Fire Style and swordsmanship are both among the finest inheritances. Even if you have only learned their surface, it is enough to widen the gap between you and other Genin at your current stage."

Uchiha Yu's words were calm, so calm that they sounded like a matter of course.

As an Uchiha, Uchiha Yu naturally believed that his clan's ninjutsu, swordsmanship, and bloodline limit were the best in the Ninja World. Achieving something in even one of those areas was enough to become a renowned powerhouse in the Ninja World.

This was perhaps the pride unique to members of the Uchiha Clan. Sometimes, that sense of certainty was seen by others as arrogance.

Though the Uchiha were indeed an exceedingly arrogant clan. For the past thousand years, they had always stood at the pinnacle of the Ninja World. No matter the era during the Sengoku Period, the strongest figures in the Ninja World always included Uchiha. On the land of the Land of Fire, the struggle between the Senju and the Uchiha had also been an unending main theme for a thousand years.

"However, that is far from enough. At the very least, it does not meet my expectations of you."

Uchiha Yu took a scroll from his sleeve and handed it to Meikyō.

"Since Fugaku, you are the most talented Uchiha in the clan so far, and the one most likely to push the Sharingan to its highest realm. Adolescence is not only the period when ordinary ninjas improve the fastest, but also the period when the Sharingan has the greatest chance of evolving. Compared with when I was young, the greatest difference in today's Uchiha is the lack of a top-tier powerhouse capable of intimidating the Ninja World. You must grow strong as quickly as possible!"

Seeming to realize that he had gone a little too far off topic, Uchiha Yu changed the subject and turned to the scroll he had just taken out.

"This scroll records several relatively simple genjutsu. Many ninjas in the village have learned them as well, but as an Uchiha who has awakened the Sharingan, you can cast them instantly with your Sharingan. In battle, especially when you are using Uchiha Style Swordsmanship to fight an enemy at close quarters, using the Sharingan to unleash unexpected genjutsu can often turn the tide of battle."

"I have also recorded some of my own insights into genjutsu here. Once you can use these genjutsu proficiently and have built a sufficient foundation, you can begin learning the more special and difficult powerful genjutsu that only the Sharingan can cast."

Meikyō respectfully accepted the scroll from the old man's hand.

"Thank you, Grandpa Yu."

Uchiha Yu waved his hand dismissively.

"Grow strong as soon as possible, become someone capable of protecting the clan and the village, and live up to my cultivation of you—that would be the best way to repay me. I just do not know whether, at my age, I will still be able to see that day."