On the wall hung all kinds of strange and uniquely shaped weapons.
There were even bizarre combinations, like a spiked helmet linked to a sickle-shaped tail blade with iron chains.
Naruto's gaze finally landed on a blade with a pitch-black edge.
The design of this sword resembled a Nichirin Blade.
Its blade wasn't long, but it was just right for Naruto's current size.
Naruto picked up the black sword and gripped it. It felt perfectly balanced in his hand.
But when he saw the price tag attached, he couldn't help but frown.
Price: 500,000 ryō.
With his current weekly allowance of only a thousand ryō, that was a fortune.
After thinking for a moment, Naruto realized there might be someone who could help him.
The next day, after school.
Most of the students from First-Year Class A had already left the classroom. Naruto sat quietly by the window, waiting.
For months now, Hinata always waited until he left before going home herself.
Today was no exception.
But as the classroom emptied one by one, Hinata grew increasingly uneasy.
She stole glances at Naruto, wondering why he was acting differently today.
When Naruto finally stood up and walked over to her, Hinata clenched her small hands tightly under the desk, her heart pounding nervously.
"Hinata, can you help me with something?" Naruto asked directly.
Hinata froze for a moment, then lowered her head, unable to meet his eyes. After summoning her courage, she whispered softly,
"…Yes."
She didn't even ask what he needed—she just agreed immediately.
That unconditional trust brought a smile to Naruto's face.
But the thought of borrowing money from a girl still left him unsure how to phrase it.
"Uh… Hinata, do you… maybe have 500,000 ryō?"
In the end, he asked somewhat awkwardly.
Hinata blinked in surprise, her small face falling into deep thought as if calculating her savings.
After a few seconds, she nodded timidly like a chick pecking at grain.
"Five hundred thousand… I think I might have that much from my allowance."
As expected of a noble clan's daughter, Naruto thought in amazement.
"Naruto-kun, do you need money urgently?" Hinata asked softly, noticing his embarrassed look.
Scratching his head, Naruto admitted awkwardly, "Yeah… I need to buy a sword. Could you lend it to me?"
Hinata nodded without hesitation.
***
Near the Hyūga clan's compound.
Hinata walked out of the gates and came to Naruto, handing him a bulging light-blue purse.
Naruto peeked inside—the purse was stuffed full of bills.
After a quick count, it was certainly over 500,000 ryō.
Naruto nodded earnestly. "I'll pay you back as soon as I can."
Hinata simply shook her head gently with a shy hum. "Mm… It's fine, I don't really need money most of the time."
Looking at her so sweet and innocent, Naruto thought for a moment and said, "Then, as thanks, how about I train with you in the future?"
Hearing that she could train with Naruto, Hinata's cheeks instantly turned red.
Though shy, she nodded eagerly, full of anticipation.
After saying goodbye to Hinata, Naruto returned to the ninja tools shop.
Behind the counter, as always, was Tenten.
Naruto headed straight to the weapon wall, familiar with the layout.
But the sword he wanted was already being held by another boy.
This boy had short black hair, dark shining eyes, and a slightly upturned nose.
On the back of his clothes was a fan-like crest—the symbol of the Uchiha clan.
When their eyes met, the boy gave him a gentle smile, completely unlike the arrogant demeanor most Uchiha were known for.
Seemingly sensing Naruto's desire for the weapon, the boy silently returned the sword to the rack and turned to leave.
Naruto watched his back as he left and instantly guessed his identity.
Uchiha Shisui, known as Shisui of the Body Flicker, currently considered the strongest of the Uchiha in name.
A genius by birth, though unfortunately too gentle and not cunning enough.
Pushing aside the brief encounter, Naruto stepped forward and picked up the black-bladed sword with the red hilt.
The fact that Shisui had chosen it only proved its uniqueness.
Carrying the sword to the counter, Naruto was met with Tenten's uncertain gaze.
"Are you sure you want this one?" she asked.
"What's wrong with it?" Naruto countered.
Tenten shook her head. "Nothing. That'll be 500,000 ryō."
Naruto paid and officially bought the blade.
The moment he did, the Third Hokage received the report.
"So, he borrowed money from Hyūga Hinata to buy a sword, huh…"
Taking a deep drag from his pipe, Hiruzen spoke in a low voice to the masked white-haired ANBU before him.
"Kakashi, keep a closer watch. Don't let Naruto harm any villagers. If necessary, confiscate his sword."
"Yes, sir."
Kakashi accepted the order and withdrew.
Having bought the sword, Naruto was brimming with motivation. He immediately began training the sword forms of Breath of Wind.
Once again, at the Third Training Ground, beside the creek.
Naruto gripped the sword firmly, his breathing steady and rhythmic.
Not far away, hidden in the trees, Kakashi and two ANBU silently observed.
Naruto's eyes sharpened. He raised the sword with both hands, holding a precise stance.
Seeing that posture, Kakashi's eyes softened with nostalgia.
He too had once devoted himself to swordsmanship.
Two and a half hours later.
Naruto stood utterly focused, as though the world had narrowed to just him and the blade.
Wind swirled violently around him, rustling the grass into waves.
Then, with narrowed eyes, Naruto channeled his chakra.
Faint blue wind blades became visible to the naked eye, dancing around his body.
First Form: Dust Whirlwind Slash!
Enveloped by massive azure blades, Naruto slashed in a sweeping arc.
The attack surged forward like a roaring blue dragon, tearing through the distance in an instant.
The tree in its path was shredded into splinters, branches and leaves scattering like rain.
Standing atop a wooden stump, Naruto slowly lowered his sword.
This chakra-infused First Form was indeed formidable!
Even in its preliminary stage, the power rivaled high-level A-rank ninjutsu.
The First Form combined both offensive might and movement—an instant gap-closer that set up the following techniques.
At this strength, few enemies could withstand even the opening strike.
And with no hand seals required, it was all the more practical.
Hidden nearby, Kakashi and his two companions were utterly stunned.
"Kakashi, what was that? He didn't form a single seal. Can pure swordsmanship really do that?" Yamanaka Kei asked with a frown.
Another ANBU muttered in awe, "So cool… I want to learn that…"
Kakashi, descendant of the famed Hatake clan known for swordsmanship, was left speechless.
Even his father, the White Fang of Konoha, had never achieved such destructive power with swordsmanship alone!
Naruto's slash had shattered Kakashi's very perception of swordsmanship.