For the moment, Hoshiyomi had no time to worry about the shifting tides of the shinobi world. All of his focus was fixed on his Sword Heart System.
After defeating the Third Raikage, his swordsmanship level had—unsurprisingly—leveled up.
On the system log, one message stood out prominently:
Host has defeated the Third Raikage. EXP +15.
Immediately following was another message:Due to host's swordsmanship rank advancing, the growth-type skill Dance of the Startled Swan has increased its maximum charges.
Current maximum charges: 5
Recharge time: 4 hours
Sword Shadow duration: 3 hours
Just reading that alone, Hoshiyomi felt the upgrade was already worth it. With this many charges, as long as he timed them with the Sword Shadow's duration, Dance of the Startled Swan would be almost continuous.
It was certain—the improvement would make his combat mobility even more overwhelming.
Closing the log, he opened the Sword Heart System's main page. His stats now read:
Current Swordsmanship Level: Grandmaster-Level Swordsmanship – 10/500 EXP
Beneath the EXP bar was the classic swordsmanship description:
"Your swordsmanship has reached the pinnacle. You are a true Master of the sword, beyond question."
Seeing such glowing praise, Hoshiyomi couldn't help but recall the system's insult back when he was still at "Novice Level"—"Your skill is worse than a sewer rat's."
The contrast made his heart swell with smug satisfaction.
Tsk, tsk, tsk. To think this system would one day actually flatter me like this. Legendary moment achieved!
After a moment of basking in that joy, Hoshiyomi didn't hesitate even a fraction of a second—he immediately switched over to the Skill Draw Interface.
On the display, the words "Available Skill Draws: 1" were highlighted in bold, and that sight alone filled him with deep satisfaction.
The Third Raikage really was a true brother-in-arms. Not only had he delivered experience points, but he'd also go on to weaken Iwagakure's forces. Thanks to him, Konoha could stand firmly as the victor of the Third Shinobi War.
Third Raikage, the ultimate tool-man—absolute legend!
Rubbing his hands together with excitement, Hoshiyomi solemnly selected the skill draw option.
The system's light screen flickered rapidly, shifting through countless possibilities. Hoshiyomi's breathing quickened as the flickering slowed… until finally, one skill solidified before his eyes.
**Congratulations, host has obtained the skill: Ultimate Slash (Gokui-Zan). **
Skill Description: Consumes 30% of the user's chakra to achieve a state of pure focus—casting aside all distractions—and delivers the ultimate strike that embodies the essence of swordsmanship beyond instinct!
The Ultimate Slash can empower existing sword skills, pushing them beyond their natural limits. Enhancements include:
Ultimate: Attack (Shū) – Grants +200% strength bonus, and invisibility will not be interrupted.
Ultimate: Crescent Moon Slash (Ichisen Getsukō) – During use, a second phantom strike is released in the opposite direction, sealing off the enemy's escape route.
Ultimate: Swallow Reversal (Tsubame Gaeshi) – The forward charge is replaced with Dance of the Startled Swan without consuming its charges. The triple strike becomes true space-cutting slashes (no delay between the three).
Ultimate: Nature Transformation – Releases an enhanced elemental sword energy. The added elemental effect is also amplified.
Ultimate: Heaven-Soaring Dragon Flash (Tenshō Ryūsen) – The first slash creates a vacuum shockwave that freezes time around the target for one second. Enemies caught within cannot act (except for space-time abilities).
Ultimate: Oboro Urazuki: Eleven Forms – Before fading, this technique can unleash a collective Crescent Moon Slash attack.
Ultimate: Soul-Devouring Demon-Sealing Slash – The suction force and strike range of this technique are enhanced, and the inflicted damage is doubled.
(Note: Ultimate Slash can only be used once per day, and its cooldown cannot be shortened by increasing swordsmanship rank.)
Reading this description, Hoshiyomi was momentarily dumbfounded. This skill could no longer be described as just "god-tier." If anything, it was a true "berserk mode" ability.
A buff that consumes 30% of total chakra to unleash—this meant it was destined to be used only at decisive moments. It was the kind of explosive skill that exists solely to let a protagonist break through limits and turn the tide in desperate situations.
The thought alone made Hoshiyomi's hands itch with eagerness. He landed in a remote area with no people around. After confirming with his sensory abilities that no one was within several miles, he activated the Ultimate Slash.
The instant he used it, he felt nearly one-third of his chakra vanish into thin air. At the same time, the effect of Ultimate Slash surged through him.
Hoshiyomi's entire being was immersed in the state.
Originally, he had only planned to casually test his blade against the small mountain before him. But under the influence of Ultimate Slash, that casual feeling evaporated. It was as if time and the world itself had disappeared.
In the whole universe, only he and the mountain remained. And there was just one thing he had to do—draw his blade and cut it down.
Hoshiyomi did not stack techniques like Heaven-Soaring Dragon Flash. He merely activated Ultimate: Nature Transformation, coating his strike with his most familiar Wind Release chakra. Drawing his sword in one fluid motion, he released what appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary wind blade.
Clang!
The pale green sword energy shimmered faintly, but under the effect of Ultimate Slash, it carried a blue-silver chakra mantle—just like the glowing motes in Sage Mode, but now enveloping the entire attack as a radiant shell.
The sword energy struck the mountain—then vanished without a trace.
Hoshiyomi calmly sheathed his blade. Only then did he notice that the effect of Ultimate Slash had already ended. He subconsciously looked up at the small mountain… and froze.
Because the hundred-meter-tall mountain before him had been cleaved clean in two!
Yes—directly split apart, forming a gap like Crevice of Sky, where he could see straight through to the scenery on the other side.
The only difference was that naturally formed valleys had jagged, uneven cliffs. Hoshiyomi's sword cut, however, left behind an incision that was unnaturally smooth and perfectly even.
Staring at his own handiwork, Hoshiyomi's eyes widened.
He was certain: with his previous Master-level swordsmanship, this would have been impossible. Even if he poured one-third of his chakra into a Wind Release slash, at best it would have gouged a massive scar into the mountain. To cut all the way through a hundred-meter mountain? Pure fantasy.
But now, with the all-around boost of Grandmaster-level swordsmanship combined with Ultimate Slash, he had actually accomplished it.
The power of Ultimate Slash was enough to truly split mountains and sever seas.