"The Light of the Shinobi World! He's said to have become a Konoha jōnin at just five years old!"
"Five years old? A five-year-old jōnin? Is Konoha joking? Or are you joking with me?!"
"No one is joking! A five-year-old jōnin, and his strength is at least that of an elite jōnin! This is the youngest jōnin in history! Plus, he's the Third Hokage's personal disciple! And he's rumored to possess the Divine Guidance ability!"
"Divine Guidance? What's that?"
"Divine Guidance!? What kind of ability is that?" Uchiha Shigure was equally bewildered. He turned to Hayashi Rei, who only looked helpless.
"It's said to be an incredibly powerful ability that awakens the hidden potential within others! A divine guiding force, like something from a god… That's why everyone calls it the Divine Guidance ability!"
"Alright, alright… enough. You two, quiet." The Takigakure jōnin cut them off and then said, "Mr. Shigure? Why don't you try awakening it in me? That way I can confirm it myself."
"The Divine Guidance ability isn't something that can just be activated on a whim," Rei refused flatly on Shigure's behalf.
"In that case… there's nothing more to be said. Everyone, under no circumstances are they to get close to Lord Takikage!" The Takigakure jōnin barked, adopting a protective stance.
Shigure shook his head. "Are you trying to make enemies of us?"
"Our duty is to guard this place. What happens beyond that isn't our concern," the jōnin replied firmly. "Since you're the so-called Light of the Shinobi World, defeating us should be easy, shouldn't it? Show me."
"We shouldn't waste time here. Let's find another way in," Rei suggested, looking uneasy.
"Rei, this isn't a waste of time. We already have the advantage," Shigure answered calmly.
"Even if you're a jōnin, aren't you getting ahead of yourself? We are all elite jōnin of Takigakure! How can two children like you deal with us?" The Takigakure jōnin flashed hand signals, and within moments, the surrounding ninja had encircled Shigure and Rei.
Rei immediately focused her chakra, lowering into a wary stance. "Looks like we have no choice but to fight!"
But Shigure only shook his head and said wryly, "It seems that while my reputation is famous, I've rarely fought against shinobi from other villages… so no one knows what I'm really capable of."
He gently took Rei's hand, lowering it, then made a casual 'YES' gesture.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Shigure! Now isn't the time to act cool!" Rei scolded, failing to understand.
"I'm not acting cool," Shigure muttered, embarrassed. "All I need is for you to count to two for me."
"Count? Count what?" Rei blinked in confusion. "Two seconds?"
"Yes. Trust me, just say it out loud." Shigure pressed his hands together, channeling chakra.
"One!"
In that instant—"Swish!"—Shigure vanished, the Dragon Fang Blade already drawn in his grip. Wind chakra shimmered along its edge as he moved. His speed was beyond comprehension.
"Swish, swish, swish!" The Dragon Fang flashed again and again. When Shigure finally reappeared, he calmly sheathed the sword, leaving only two inches of the blade visible.
"Two!" Rei finished the count in confusion.
"…Huh? Did something happen?" Rei frowned. The Takigakure jōnin still stood in place, seemingly untouched.
"Impressive speed, but your sword and swordsmanship seem lacking," the lead jōnin sneered.
"So the so-called Light of the Shinobi World is just a name? Now it's our turn!"
The Takigakure ninja laughed heartily and were about to strike.
"It's over…" Rei's chest tightened with despair. Surrounded by so many skilled opponents, they had no chance—or so it seemed.
Just then, Shigure's voice rang out calmly: "Let's go. Let's meet the Takikage."
"What…?" Rei gave him a baffled look—then: "Swish." Shigure fully slid the Dragon Fang Blade back into its sheath.
The Takigakure jōnin froze. "No… impossible…" One by one, they collapsed to the ground, paralyzed from head to toe. Every single one of them was alive, yet totally unable to move.
Rei was left in shock.
"What's happening? Why are they… Could it be, just now… did your blade really cut them?" she asked, astonished.
"That's right," Shigure replied matter-of-factly. "I already severed the chakra meridians in their limbs. They could still talk and laugh because the blade moved too quickly for their nervous systems to register it."
"Because the sword work is so fast, it takes a few seconds for the body to feel the damage. By the time they realize it, we're already long gone."
"Two seconds… Using continuous Body Flicker combined with sword strikes to neutralize dozens of Takigakure jōnin in two seconds? This power… Shigure, I never imagined…" Rei's voice trailed off. Against Shigure's strength, her own felt pitifully small.
Shigure gave her a reassuring look. "Don't belittle yourself. You're strong. Besides, those weren't true elite jōnin—barely qualified. And I only succeeded with your help."
"My help?" Rei tilted her head, surprised.
"You helped me count the time. Now I know my current limit."
Rei felt utterly at a loss. "This guy… he really can't hold a normal conversation…"
After effortlessly incapacitating Takigakure's guards, Shigure strode forward into the heart of the compound. There, he found the Takikage slumped and struggling to breathe.
The village leader was an old man, his body clearly failing.
"You… You're a Konoha shinobi? How did you get here… I should have said before, my body is no longer well… Where are the guards…?" His voice trembled in pain, the weight of injury heavy upon him.
Shigure's sharp gaze took it all in. "…These injuries. The paralysis. This is the result of the Seven-Tails' scale-powder concealment technique, isn't it? So… the Seven-Tails is on a rampage?"
The Takikage's eyes widened. "You—! Who are you?! How do you know this?!"
"I am Uchiha Shigure of Konoha," he answered steadily. "I came to investigate the underground exchange and hoped you might provide me with the information I need. Forcing my way in was not my original plan."
"I see… The disciple of Lord Third Hokage Sarutobi himself… Then perhaps there is still hope… Regarding the underground exchange, I do have intelligence…" The old man coughed, struggling for breath, then asked, "Do you mean to help us suppress the rampaging Seven-Tails?"
Shigure smiled faintly.
"Haha! You are a truly clever fellow!"