Chapter 49: Ambush on the Road Home
Just then, Mifune noticed the chakra blade at Neji's waist. "You're a swordsman as well, young man?"
"I've only just begun my training, Mifune-senpai," Neji said, a little sheepishly. "I'm not very good."
Mifune had defeated a reincarnated Hanzō. In terms of pure swordsmanship, he was a grandmaster. There were plenty of shinobi stronger than him, but very few who were better swordsmen.
"Let's see what you've learned."
Neji didn't refuse. If he could get a few pointers from Mifune, his own swordsmanship would surely improve. In the later stages of the original story, against the Ōtsutsuki from space, genjutsu and ninjutsu were largely ineffective. Taijutsu was one of the few things that could harm them. And kenjutsu was a form of taijutsu.
Neji walked into the courtyard and, under the light of the moon, began to go through his sword forms.
Two minutes later, he sheathed his blade and looked at Mifune, waiting for his critique.
"Your style is based on the Cloud's school of swordsmanship," Mifune said, a strange look on his face, "but it seems to incorporate the footwork of the Hyūga clan's Gentle Fist."
Neji's eyebrow rose. As expected of Mifune, he had seen it at a glance. His style was indeed a fusion of the two. He had made some progress, but he was still a long way from mastering it.
Noticing Neji's expression, Mifune wisely changed the subject. "To have reached this level at your age is a remarkable achievement. But your sword has no conviction. If you continue on this path, it will only ever be a dull blade."
"Conviction?"
"That's right." Mifune recalled the words Hanzō had spoken to him all those years ago: A man's end is not when he dies, but when he loses his conviction. Even if you die here, you will not have been a dull blade.
Those words had inspired him to train relentlessly, to constantly hone his skills.
"The conviction of a sword is something that can only be understood, not explained. When you truly grasp it, you will know."
"..."
Mifune's words were cryptic. Neji didn't understand.
"Young man, let me perform the forms you just did. Watch closely."
"Thank you, Senpai!"
Neji's eyes lit up, and he activated his Tenseigan. Mifune's swordsmanship was said to be so fast that a ninja wouldn't even have time to form hand signs. Without a Kekkei Genkai, a special physical constitution, or even ninjutsu, how could he be faster than a shinobi? He wanted to see for himself.
Mifune drew the katana from his waist and, under the moonlight, began to go through the same forms Neji had just performed.
[You have observed Mifune's swordsmanship. Your understanding has increased. EXP +1]
Neji saw that the flow of chakra in Mifune's body was nothing special. And yet, when he performed the same techniques, they were imbued with a certain noble aura. And with that aura, both his speed and power were far greater than Neji's.
Is this the conviction of a sword?
A few minutes later, Mifune sheathed his blade. "That, young man, is the difference between a sword with conviction and one without."
"Your swordsmanship is breathtaking, Mifune-senpai," Neji said after a moment of thought. "I could feel a certain... indescribable spiritual will in your movements."
"Hahaha!" Mifune laughed. "To have noticed that on your first viewing... you have a remarkable talent, young man. That spirit you felt is the conviction of the sword. I'm sure you'll be able to grasp it in a few years."
"You flatter me, Senpai."
Their conversation lasted late into the night. Neji had learned a great deal.
The next day, after lunch, he bid farewell to Mifune and began his journey back to the Hidden Cloud.
That evening, he made camp in a deserted, desolate mountain area, the kind of place where one might dump a body.
Before turning in for the night, as was his habit, he found an open space to practice with his Tenseigan and his sword.
[You have practiced with the Tenseigan. Your understanding has increased. EXP +1]
[You have practiced your swordsmanship. Your understanding has increased. EXP +1]
Two hours later, he sheathed his blade and retired to his tent.
As the night grew deeper, the mountain grew quieter. Even the sound of the crickets had faded, leaving only the whistling of the wind.
Just then, Neji's eyes snapped open. In his Tenseigan vision, he saw a group of figures in various masks surrounding him.
"They're here."
His expression was calm as he drew his long sword.
Just then, Yugito's voice echoed in his mind. "Neji, let me out."
"Just a moment."
Neji took a red scroll from his ninja pouch, unrolled it, and summoned the Kohaku no Jōhei. He opened the lid, and Yugito emerged in a flash of light.
Shing!
She extended her long cat's claws and let out a string of curses. "Four days! If these bastards hadn't shown up, I would have gone crazy in there!"
"Let's end this once and for all," Neji said, electricity crackling in his palm.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
A massive, orange-red fireball shot toward them. Even inside the tent, they could feel the intense heat.
Neji drew his blade, which was now wreathed in lightning, and swung it down in a powerful arc. The four-meter-wide fireball was split in two, the two halves flying off to either side.
A Root ninja with a kunai in his hand appeared in front of Neji in a Body Flicker and slashed at his neck.
Shlick!
Yugito was faster. She appeared behind the Root ninja, and her claws pierced through his chest.
Only then did the man notice her.
"Something's wrong! The target has backup!"
"The captain's orders are to fight to the death!"
In an instant, a swarm of Root ninja descended upon them from all directions.
Neji's Tenseigan detected more than twenty chakra signatures, with more on the way.
"Split them up!" someone shouted. "Take out the Byakugan brat first!"
The earth-style users in the group formed hand signs and slammed their palms on the ground.
Earth Release: Earth Flow Divide!
Rumble!
The ground shook violently. A wall of earth, five or six meters high, shot up from the ground and then split down the middle, separating Neji and Yugito.
"Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique!"
"Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique!"
Two Root ninja formed hand signs and unleashed a combination jutsu at Neji.
The wind fueled the flames, and a terrifying inferno engulfed him.
Chirp! Chirp!
With a sound like the cry of a thousand birds, Neji suddenly appeared behind the two Root ninja.
Shlick! Shlick!
Two bodies fell to the ground, their blood forming a pool on the forest floor.
"Now!" a voice roared. Four more Root ninja, who had appeared around Neji at some unknown point, had already completed their hand signs.
Lightning Release: Four-Pillar Bind!
Four massive stone pillars shot up from the ground, crackling with electricity, and enclosed him.
Neji looked at the lightning cage, then up at the sky.
Earth Release: Dropping Lid!
A green, circular lid descended from above and slammed shut on top of the four pillars.
"You can't even hold back Cerberus with this trick," Neji said, a smirk on his face as he activated his Lightning Release Chakra Mode. "And you think you can hold me?"
But this time, the lightning that enveloped his body was not the usual brilliant blue, but a deep, dark black.