Yueshu, you've been coming less often lately."
Inside the Hatake home, a white-haired man sat in the living room and spoke as soon as Yueshu arrived.
"Sorry, Konoha White Fang, I've been a bit busy lately and might not have as much time."
Yueshu readily admitted and apologized, even though he hadn't done anything wrong.
"What are you talking about? If you have something to do, go do it first. Training isn't urgent; you can do it anytime."
Although Konoha White Fang was a Kage-level expert, he was unexpectedly kind, especially towards his comrades. Perhaps there were few in the entire Konoha who valued their comrades more than Konoha White Fang.
Who would have thought that this expert, comparable to the Hokage, had a heart softer than anyone else? Though Konoha White Fang was still merciless towards his enemies.
It was precisely because of this aspect that Konoha White Fang was manipulated by the Third Hokage and others, leading him to commit suicide out of guilt from a failed mission, which ultimately caused Kakashi's personality to become twisted, and subsequently led to the tragedy of Minato Namikaze's team, as well as the birth of Tobi, and the Fourth Shinobi World War.
This is a chain reaction; every event affects countless others. This world is inherently interconnected, and even slight differences can lead to significant consequences. This is why Yueshu chose not to interfere too much with the plot, but it was already too late; the so-called original plot had long since gone awry.
For example, when Kushina was kidnapped, Minato Namikaze was not aware of it and did not go to rescue Kushina alone. Instead, he followed the Konoha troops to support Yueshu.
According to this, Minato Namikaze would have absolutely no way to rescue Kushina, and Kushina would be successfully kidnapped, thereby changing the entire Ninja World's trajectory. The Third Shinobi World War might even break out directly now.
"It's nothing, just training Ninjutsu with friends recently, that's all. Come on, let's practice our blades."
Yueshu began to stretch his body, the Kusanagi Sword strapped to his back. He was preparing to spar with Hatake Sakumo in blade arts, as usual, even though Yueshu's was sword arts.
Mastering only sword arts and blade arts is a great test of one's swordsmanship, and beyond that, a test of combat experience.
"You finally came? I was wondering when you'd speak."
Hatake Sakumo smiled. He was already used to it. Ever since Tsunade brought Yueshu to him last time, the two had become friends in blade arts, especially since this kid Yueshu loved to engage in such pure blade art sparring.
What surprised Hatake Sakumo even more was that Yueshu's blade mastery was not bad, which allowed Hatake Sakumo to make significant progress in his own blade arts during their spars.
"Today, I must let you truly experience the taste of this sword."
"Oh, are we using real weapons today? I don't mind at all."
Hatake Sakumo and Yueshu usually sparred with wooden blades. After a while, neither of them was satisfied, and they gradually began to spar with real weapons. This also led to a few minor cuts and scrapes after each sparring session.
Sparring was to the point, so serious injuries were naturally impossible.
After Hatake Sakumo and Yueshu finished speaking, they both began to move, their eyes filled with excitement.
In a world full of Ninja, using a blade or sword is certainly strange, but the Hatake family is precisely famous for their blade arts, and Yueshu happens to be very interested in swords and blades.
It's not just firearms that are a man's romance; for some men, cold weapons are the true romance.
Listening to the clang of weapons colliding at close range, that feeling was simply too wonderful.
"Are you ready?"
"Already ready."
Hatake Sakumo and Yueshu exchanged glances, both smiling.
"Then let's go!"
Hatake Sakumo drew his Ninja Blade and walked towards the courtyard, with Yueshu naturally following behind.
Although they were more than ten years apart in age, they were surprisingly compatible.
Should it be attributed to cold weapons? Or because Yueshu was too mature, or Hatake Sakumo was too childish?
No one could say for sure; perhaps it was a bit of everything.
The Hatake family's courtyard was very large, with many wooden stakes for sword practice.
The wind was not gently blowing; instead, it blew somewhat fiercely, as if setting the atmosphere for Yueshu and Hatake Sakumo.
A few fallen leaves drifted down, and then another gust of wind came, bringing a pile of their companions.
Fallen leaves adorned the sky, as Yueshu and Hatake Sakumo stood opposite each other, gazing.
Their gazes pierced through the leaves, focusing only on the opponent.
The fallen leaves drifted leisurely, finally descending powerlessly.
And at the exact moment the first leaf touched the ground, Yueshu and Hatake Sakumo had already placed their hands on their respective blades and sword hilts.
With a whoosh, the sharp sword was unsheathed.
Clang!
Two figures charged at each other, finally colliding.
The Kusanagi Sword and the Hatake Ninja Blade clashed, emitting a crisp metallic sound.
This sound, like the surrounding air currents, continuously spread outwards.
"You've improved again."
"You too."
Both being masters of the blade, Hatake Sakumo detected Yueshu's change with just one strike.
His swordsmanship was several times stronger than before, not only catching up to him but even seemingly surpassing him.
This feeling, it must be said, was truly terrifying. Hatake Sakumo also felt this fear.
Something was constantly chasing him from behind, and at this moment, the thing behind him seemed to be exerting force, like in a race, where the person behind is about to accelerate and overtake him—that feeling of fear and unwillingness.
Hatake Sakumo raised the corner of his mouth.
The Konoha White Fang was not someone who feared his juniors, nor was he someone who could be easily surpassed by them!
He exerted force in his hand, his eyes chilling. At this moment, Hatake Sakumo was like a cheetah, his eyes filled with a predatory gaze.
His sword was pushed aside, and Yueshu was shocked.
Whenever he sparred with Hatake Sakumo before, he was always the one to lose, but this time was different.
Because Yueshu's swordsmanship had advanced from mastery to the grandmaster realm, Yueshu came here today to spar with the intention of winning.
Defeating the Konoha White Fang, an expert renowned throughout the Ninja World for his blade techniques and whose strength rivaled that of a Kage, would make anyone feel proud and accomplished.
However, Hatake Sakumo seemed to have no intention of letting Yueshu's wishes come true.
The difference in age and physical build caused a significant disparity in strength between Yueshu and Hatake Sakumo. With just one push, Yueshu's body was directly forced back.
In that instant, Hatake Sakumo's blade struck.
Strike while the iron is hot!
This is a truth understood by every expert, and Hatake Sakumo, as the Konoha White Fang, understood it even more clearly.
The moment Yueshu was pushed back, there was naturally a significant opening. With just that, Hatake Sakumo's blade was almost certain to strike.
But Yueshu was no pushover, and the system's Sword Grandmaster wasn't either.
Gripping his sword tightly, Yueshu's eyes were fixed on the incoming blade.
As if in slow motion, Yueshu watched the approaching blade.
Just before the blade struck his body, Yueshu's sword also swung out.
The Kusanagi Sword collided with the side of the blade, and Yueshu, using Hatake Sakumo's momentum, perfectly dodged Hatake Sakumo's strike.
The Ninja Blade grazed past him, missing by only a few centimeters, and Yueshu successfully resolved this crisis.
But it wasn't over yet!
Combat does not let go of any opportunity; those who attack effectively have a chance to win, so every attack is crucial.
Yueshu did not gloat after dodging Hatake Sakumo's attack; he calmly observed Hatake Sakumo, and his airborne foot kicked towards Hatake Sakumo, his body inverted.
As expected, such an attack had no effect on the Konoha White Fang and was easily blocked by Hatake Sakumo.
"Tch."
"Not enough yet."
Hatake Sakumo smiled, and Yueshu snorted in displeasure.