Ringo Ameyuri curled the corner of her mouth upward. She was just about to go in to investigate Hatake Sakumo's location.
Then a figure suddenly appeared behind her and patted her on the shoulder. "Little girl, who are you looking for?"
Ringo Ameyuri was greatly startled and kicked backward. But who knew that person would lift a leg to block it!
With just this one probe, Ringo Ameyuri knew this was an expert. Her long-term training had given her physical prowess far surpassing that of an average Jonin. How could someone block her so easily?
She drew her blade, pulling out the Kiba blades. The person looked at these ninja swords, a flash of understanding appearing in his eyes.
"Kiri's Ringo Ameyuri!"
"Hokage, Uchiha Ryun!"
The two spoke each other's names simultaneously. Ringo Ameyuri's momentum visibly weakened. She knew facing this powerhouse, she didn't even have a chance to resist.
"Little girl, you haven't answered my question yet. Who did you come here looking for?" Uchiha Ryun smiled.
Ringo Ameyuri took a deep breath. "I wish to challenge your village's Hatake Sakumo to a swordsmanship match!" Her eyes held desire and courage.
Uchiha Ryun couldn't help but be taken aback, then suddenly laughed out loud. He shouted, "Sakumo, someone's looking for you!"
Hatake Sakumo walked out of the hotel. He looked towards Uchiha Ryun and froze, not understanding why someone would come looking for him so late. But since the Hokage said so, he definitely had to come out and see.
"Hokage-sama," Hatake Sakumo said as he walked. When he got close, he saw a young girl standing opposite Uchiha Ryun.
Uchiha Ryun smiled. "Sakumo, this is Kiri's newest member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, Ringo Ameyuri, the new master of the Kiba blades!"
Ringo Ameyuri was somewhat puzzled. How did Uchiha Ryun know so much?
Uchiha Ryun saw her confusion. "Don't underestimate Konoha's intelligence network!"
Ringo Ameyuri was half believing, half doubting, but it wasn't important. She looked at Hatake Sakumo. "Mr. White Fang, I wish to fight you. We are both Lightning Release swordsmen..."
Hatake Sakumo suddenly understood. This was someone coming to spar with him. But this wasn't a normal time. Normally, he could agree directly. Now, however, he needed the Hokage's permission.
The others, hearing the commotion, also came out one by one, looking at the scene with uncertain expressions. Hatake Kakashi crossed his arms. How long had it been since he'd seen his father go all out? He didn't know how much strength that little girl could force his father to use.
Uchiha Ryun nodded. It had been a long time since he'd fought anyway. Since someone actively sought a spar, it would be good to stretch his limbs a bit.
After receiving Uchiha Ryun's response, Hatake Sakumo's mouth curved upward. "Alright, in that case, Miss Ringo, this way please." Hatake Sakumo pointed towards this hotel's training ground.
Darui had mentioned earlier that this hotel had a private training ground. It was Kumo's highest-class hotel. Therefore, to avoid disturbing the people and to enjoy a full spar with Ringo Ameyuri.
Hatake Sakumo chose this place. Ringo Ameyuri had no objections. As long as she could have a match with Hatake Sakumo, a fellow swordsman and a Lightning Release user, the location didn't matter.
Not long after, everyone followed the two to the training ground. Uchiha Ryun found a lounge chair and was the first to lie down on it. Enjoying the evening breeze, watching the duel, it was quite interesting!
Hatake Sakumo stood on one side of the training ground, and Ringo Ameyuri stood on the other. After they took their positions, neither moved first. A true swordsman often strikes later but arrives first. The one who moves first often falls into a disadvantage.
For some reason, the wind here suddenly stopped. A leaf drifted down leisurely from the air. Tap. A soft sound. Whoosh. Two figures moved simultaneously!
Ringo Ameyuri charged towards Hatake Sakumo holding her swords in a scissor-like posture with both hands. Wherever she passed, it was filled with lightning. Hatake Sakumo was different. Only his blade carried lightning, and only afterimages followed him, very clean.
Uchiha Ryun's eyes lit up. Sakumo was truly Sakumo. The name Konoha's White Fang was truly well-deserved. This move simplified complexity, saving wasted chakra while using every bit of chakra on the blade's edge!
Clang!
Hatake Sakumo's expression was calm. Holding the White Fang Short Sword in his right hand, his blade struck the center where Ringo Ameyuri's crossed swords met. Ringo Ameyuri only felt both her hands tremble.
"What? A casual one-handed strike from him almost made me lose my grip on my swords!" Ringo Ameyuri shouted inwardly. This was the first time she'd encountered such a situation since her debut.
"Damn it! My strength isn't greater than his. Continuing like this is no good!" Ringo Ameyuri's brain worked rapidly. Since swordsmanship wasn't working, then compete with Lightning Release chakra!
"Lightning Blade Art, Modified: Downfall Lightning!" Ringo Ameyuri shouted loudly. Her posture unchanged, her chakra suddenly erupted. Immediately, the sky turned dark and boundless, then began flashing with lightning. Three seconds later, blue lightning began falling from the sky, crashing down towards Hatake Sakumo.
Hatake Sakumo retreated, using a Body Flicker Technique to dodge the falling lightning. Immediately, two more bolts of lightning followed one after another, still targeting Hatake Sakumo.
Hatake Sakumo narrowed his eyes. "Lightning Release: Fang Light!" A lightning blade was gathered by Hatake Sakumo on the White Fang and flung with force. The lightning blade shot up into the sky, heading straight for the thundercloud.
Crack. The thundercloud was split in two. The falling lightning also turned into nothingness.
Hatake Sakumo looked at the thundercloud in the sky, narrowed his eyes, and finally smiled. "Just that."
Ringo Ameyuri's small mouth opened, her expression complex. Seeing Hatake Sakumo's single slash shatter her thundercloud, she felt a sense of defeat. Although she had prepared from the start that she was no match for Hatake Sakumo, she hadn't expected the gap to be this large.
Hatake Sakumo glanced at her. "Your ninjutsu is strong, but your sword technique is just so-so. A true swordsman does not rely heavily on chakra."
"If you diligently practice swordsmanship, even relying solely on taijutsu strength, you can cut through chakra and kill the enemy." Hatake Sakumo spoke slowly.
In his eyes, Ringo Ameyuri had some talent, but she had taken the wrong path. Although relying on chakra could increase the power of sword techniques, this was not the right way.
True swordsmanship required long-term accumulation to reach its peak.
Ringo Ameyuri was first stunned. In Kiri, no one had ever told her this. Today was the first time she had heard such a thing.
But she seemed to grasp something vaguely. Her eyes lit up. "Lord Sakumo, after your guidance, I've comprehended a move. Please give me more advice."
Her momentum changed at this moment, her chakra restrained. She took a deep breath. Hatake Sakumo, seeing this, smiled. "Come at me. Let me see what progress you've made."
After speaking, Hatake Sakumo flipped his short sword, drawing a circle in the air with the blade, then waited intently.
Ringo Ameyuri gathered strength in both hands. Her left hand shot out. Hatake Sakumo raised his sword to block. Clang. Not finished yet! Ringo Ameyuri's right hand chopped out in a dream-like beheading strike.
Fast and slow sword!
Hatake Sakumo's pupils contracted. He pulled back his sword to block again. The second strike was heavy and powerful. Even Hatake Sakumo felt a slight pressure.
"Good one!" Hatake Sakumo laughed heartily. "Hatake Swordsmanship: Tremor!"
Hatake Sakumo's wrist moved. Clang! He knocked Ringo Ameyuri's twin swords away!
Ringo Ameyuri was stunned for a moment. Her twin swords were then taken by Hatake Sakumo.
"Not bad. You are the second person to make me use the Hatake Swordsmanship Tremor technique!" Hatake Sakumo smiled slightly.
The first was Uchiha Izuna. Back then, Uchiha Izuna was caught off guard by this move, but he reacted quickly. The moment his sword left his hand, he used his body technique to retrieve it.
The Hatake Swordsmanship Tremor technique targeted those who also used sword techniques. If an enemy saw this move for the first time, they would be confused. This was also a core move of the Hatake Swordsmanship.
Ringo Ameyuri sighed. "Senior Hatake, I've lost!"
Hatake Sakumo shook his head, then handed the Kiba blades back.
"Today, I am happy to have met a talented sword technique genius. Even if you are an enemy, it is enough to make me feel joy. Go back and practice more. If you want to fight me, as long as the Hokage agrees, I am ready anytime!"
Ringo Ameyuri's eyes flashed. She was just about to agree, but the next moment, Yagura's face appeared in her mind.
Ringo Ameyuri shook her head. "Never mind. This time has already benefited me immensely. Ringo Ameyuri hereby thanks Lord Uchiha Ryun and thanks Lord Hatake Sakumo!"
After saying this, Ringo Ameyuri sheathed her twin swords, transformed into a streak of light, and left the scene.
Uchiha Ryun stood up at this time and smiled. "Truly Sakumo, the number one in swordsmanship!"
Hatake Sakumo sheathed his sword and bowed respectfully. "The Hokage praises me too highly. Compared to the Hokage, Sakumo's meager skills are not worth mentioning."
Uchiha Ryun shook his head. "You, still so modest. I am not Hiruzen Sarutobi. You don't need to be so nervous."
Hatake Sakumo said, "This is what a subject should do."
Uchiha Ryun, seeing this, didn't press further. "Alright, go take a bath. The weather is so hot, and you just had a fight!"
Hatake Sakumo nodded, then walked towards the hotel interior.
Uchiha Ryun spoke. "I'm going to stroll around Kumo. Do as you please."
"Yes!" Several people cupped their hands in acknowledgment.
Uchiha Ryun smiled, transformed into a streak of light, and headed towards the Fourth Raikage's location.
Soul Perception Technique had already detected his chakra. Since he came to Kumo, how could he not meet him?
At this moment, the Fourth Raikage sat in the Raikage office, contemplating what to do next. Just then, his intuition told him a powerful individual had arrived!
He narrowed his eyes, opened the window, and a flash of golden light passed by, entering his room.
"Long time no see, Lord A, or should I say, the Fourth Raikage!" The voice sounded. The Fourth Raikage's body stiffened. He was too familiar with it. It was Uchiha Ryun's voice.
He slowly turned around and saw Uchiha Ryun sitting on the Raikage's throne, looking at him with a smile.
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