Uchiha Shigure loosened the weapon at his waist and, with a sharp motion, lifted it free. He held the gleaming blade outward for all to see.
"Senior Hatake," Shigure said respectfully, "what do you think of this sword?"
With a quick flick of his wrist, he tossed the meteorite-forged katana toward Hatake Sau, Kusuo's father.
The older man reacted instantly. His palm darted forward, catching the blade in midair as if it were no heavier than a twig. His eyes regarded the weapon with a seasoned calm, sharp as the edge he now held.
"I've already heard from Kusuo," Sau murmured as he examined the weapon. "He said our young teammate Shigure had acquired a blade forged from iron fallen from the heavens. I assume this… is that very sword."
He slipped the weapon from its sheath, and for several long moments the only sound was the rasp of steel. His gaze traced the polished edge, the faint celestial patterns running deep within the grain.
"…A fine blade," Sau admitted at last, and even his rigid tone carried a trace of admiration.
The others edged closer as Sau began his assessment.
"This steel is both unyielding and flexible. Its sharpness is incredible, rivaling even the works of the master smiths of history. Look at the delicate etchings, almost too precise to be carved by human hands!" His thumb brushed across the hilt, and a faint chill seemed to pass into his palm.
"It breathes, almost. As if the sword itself has a pulse. Even the coolness off the grip clears the head… yes, there is no mistaking it. This is a once-in-a-lifetime blade."
Even Hinata Hizashi, who usually carried himself with an aloof Hyūga pride, inclined his head faintly in agreement.
Shigure grinned faintly, though he tempered it with a careful sigh. "Such a refined sword in the hands of one who has no swordsmanship to match it—what a pity."
His words were deliberate and baiting, the type of prod that Shigure hoped might stir instruction from the senior swordsman.
Hatake Sau's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Ha! So that's your angle. You hope I'll teach you, do you?" His voice carried both amusement and challenge. "But let me tell you something, boy—even an Uchiha's Sharingan cannot copy my blade forms. Do you know why?"
Shigure's brow furrowed. He had assumed anything short of a bloodline limit could be replicated by his clan's dōjutsu. "Why not?"
Sau's gaze sharpened, his expression suddenly stern. "Because a Sharingan can only mimic. It can reproduce movement. But my swordsmanship is not merely a sequence to copy—it is a part of me. The way I grip, the way I move, the timing I use. My sword—Gray Fang—is short, a dagger born for assassinations and lightning-fast ambushes. Your blade, however, is as long as a katana. Copying my movements with your sword would only get you killed quicker."
Shigure absorbed the words. Sau was warning him that technique and tool had to be matched.
"So," Shigure said humbly, "you mean I need to find a style that fits my blade. Only then can I bring out the sword's full strength?"
Sau burst into hearty laughter. "You're clever, but you're still off the mark." His eyes glinted. "It isn't you who finds a style suited to your sword. It is the sword that decides if you are suited to it. The same is true for swordsmanship. Man and blade choose each other. That is the essence."
Across the courtyard, Hizashi gave a dismissive snort. "Ridiculous. Are you saying a lifeless sword chooses the wielder? Does the man wield the blade, or does the blade wield the man?" His words dripped with Hyūga hauteur.
Sau snapped around, scowling. "What is 'sword'? What is 'swordsmanship'? To speak of them as man above blade, or blade above man, is the argument of a fool. Sword and man are balanced. One does not dominate the other. If you cannot grasp this, keep your mouth shut."
The Hyūga branch head stiffened in embarrassment, but fell silent, glaring at the ground while Sau turned back to Shigure.
"It may be too early for you to fully grasp," the Hatake veteran admitted. "So let me change the question. Do you know who the great swordsmen of Konoha are?"
Shigure considered. "The Hatake clan itself. White Fang Sakumo and your Gray Fang are said to be legends of the blade."
Sau nodded with satisfaction. "Correct. And who else?"
"The Uchiha clan has always prized swordsmanship. Even Uchiha Shisui was hailed a master while still a boy."
"The Uchiha arts are fading," Sau predicted bluntly. "In less than ten years, their swordsmanship will vanish into dust."
Shigure felt a cold chill at the words. He already knew through grim destiny that the clan's fall would be far worse than Sau even imagined.
He shook the thought aside. "Beyond that… I can't think of any family known specifically for swordsmanship."
"As expected," Sau said flatly. "Few remember the truth. The Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, created a style known as Konoha-ryū. Where other sword lineages specialized in stealth or duel, his was meant for direct battlefield combat. Its formations were made for facing armies head-on."
Shigure's eyes widened. "Senju Tobirama…? And you said you improved his style?"
Sau smirked. "That's right. If Hiruzen hadn't personally begged, I wouldn't be sharing it with the likes of you."
Hizashi sneered. "The Hokage himself begged you? Absurd."
"I wasn't speaking to you!" Sau snapped, his temper flaring again.
Turning back, he resumed his explanation with the fierce pride of a teacher recounting tradition.
"The Hatake clan's sword school is Ittō-ryū. We use short blades—compact, swift, merciless. Our strength is speed, assassination. But with speed comes fragility.
"Konoha-ryū, by contrast, is built for endurance. Longer weapons, sustained guard-breaking, raw power. Each has strengths and flaws. The Second Hokage rejected both upper and lower stances—the former too sluggish, the latter too weak. He chose the middle stance, refining it with his Flying Thunder God Technique, creating the dreaded Flying Thunder God Slash."
Sau's eyes gleamed as he continued. "But I found fault in this narrowing. Upper stance carries overwhelming destructive force, lower stance unparalleled speed. Why forsake them? By merging Hatake speed and Konoha balance, I forged a new path: Hatake-Konoha-ryū—an integration of all stances, seamless offense and defense. Adaptable. Lethal."
The courtyard fell silent. Even Shigure, usually steady, felt a rush of awe. To think Kusuo's father, a man long overshadowed by Sakumo's fame, had created something so deep—an evolution of sword arts worthy of legends.
Sau's voice lowered, growling like distant thunder. "So hear me, Shigure: when man and sword are one, when neither bends the other but they meet as equals… that is the summit. If you grasp this truth, and if your sword accepts you, then you will surpass even masters."
A thrill raced down Shigure's spine. He bowed sharply.
"If you've the courage, come to the Hatake household," Sau added. "I will test you, and teach you this path. But…"
His gaze hardened suddenly. "Do not forget our bargain. In the Chūnin Exams, you will defeat Kakashi. And more than that—you and Kusuo will both rise as Chūnin. Fail me in this, and do not show your face again."
Shigure tightened his grip on his meteorite sword, its weight heavier now with destiny.
Before he could answer, a quiet female voice echoed from within the Hyūga branch compound.
"Have you forgotten about me?"
The words carried a dangerous lilt, like silk hiding a blade.
Shigure turned sharply. His instincts flared—who was she?
--
Unlock 50 exclusive advanced chapters for just $10 – don't miss out! Check the synopsis/description for the link! 🚀
Loved this fic? 🔥 Then you'll absolutely binge my other hits — "Douluo Dalu: Ten Thousand Years Early System!" & "Douluo Dalu: The Godly Drunkard System" — don't miss out!