Konoha's Mission Master

The group returned to the courtyard.

Fugaku Uchiha's complexion had returned to normal, and although his eye power was somewhat depleted, it was gradually recovering.

The two fought for a very short time.

The entire match lasted no more than ten seconds, yet he was utterly defeated. The good news is... this duel did not cause any side effect of vision deterioration.

"This is the weapon I prepared for Itachi."

Fugaku Uchiha handed over a short blade.

Yakumo took it first; the jet-black scabbard exuded nobility and extraordinary quality, and a red gemstone was inlaid at the junction of the hilt and the blade.

This is not just decoration...

Within this ruby, Yakumo sensed a dangerous, flame-like burning chakra.

This gem is a solid chakra crystal that can enhance the strength of fire-type chakra that passes through it.

The blade was slowly drawn from its sheath.

On that forty-centimeter blade, most of it was the color of flames, and the texture on the surface of the blade resembled a burning flame.

The blade is straight and single-edged... but at the tip, there is a double edge about five centimeters long, with five triangular serrations.

Clearly, stabbing better demonstrates the weapon's ferocity; its triangular serrations can easily tear flesh when pulled out.

"This weapon is excellent at transmitting fire-type chakra, and it's called Fire Blossom," Fugaku Uchiha explained carefully.

Yakumo infused fire-type chakra, and a flame about two centimeters long ignited on the blade, radiating a temperature close to one hundred degrees Celsius.

"This weapon is not bad."

The short blade was sheathed and handed to Itachi Uchiha.

"From now on, you must carry this weapon with you at all times."

"Understood." Itachi Uchiha nodded.

"Learn from me."

Yakumo took out the Demon-Subduing Sword from the Glory Sword Box and sat down cross-legged.

On the other side, Uchiha Fugakuma Yakumo, intending to give a lesson, got up and made an excuse to leave, as stealing someone else's teachings in the ninja world is a major taboo.

"Place the weapon on your lap, then close your eyes."

Uchiha Itachi imitated Yakumo in a very convincing way.

"What you need to do next is... feel the presence of the weapon between your legs, and imagine its length and hardness in your mind."

"You need to be familiar with everything about the weapon."

"Imagine weapons as extensions of the body."

"Imagine the scene of swinging a knife, and gradually adjust your breathing to match the movement of swinging the knife."

"Place your breath in the intervals between swings of the sword."

"You must believe that the blade in your hand can cut through anything!"

……

PS: Requesting monthly votes.

Chapter 295 Minato Namikaze's Wedding

"Master, I can't imagine it."

A few minutes later, Itachi Uchiha opened his eyes, his tone somewhat dejected.

"It's alright, this was expected."

Yakumo stood up and walked into the courtyard.

"This is basic swordsmanship. I'll demonstrate it once."

Yakumo slowly swung his weapon, executing slashes, parries, and horizontal blocks.

"These are the three most basic types, but when combined with footwork, they can create new variations, such as... the advancing swing!"

Yakumo stepped forward and suddenly swung his blade.

"You must use the momentum of your forward movement, combined with the strength of your waist and arms, to swing the knife!"

The blade shape immediately activated...

Yakumo retreated half a step and parried with his sword.

"The key to this move is to keep your legs stable and your arms strong."

However, if the enemy's strength far exceeds one's own, this move can easily be overwhelmed. Its advantage lies in its ability to block surprise attacks.

Yakumo slowly swung his sword, while Uchiha Itachi carefully took notes beside him.

"Every sword technique has its weaknesses unless you can link them into a continuous offensive, like a seamless flow of water."

Only in this way can we ensure that nothing is spilled, leaving no leaks or gaps.

Uchiha Itachi stood up and, somewhat clumsily, brandished his short sword, mimicking Yakumo's movements.

The two danced in the courtyard, and as time passed, Itachi Uchiha's sword-wielding movements became more and more skillful.

"Alright, next... you need to adjust the interval of your breathing during meditation to make the transitions between sword moves more natural and eliminate any gaps."

Yakumo took out "Detailed Explanation of Basic Sword Techniques" from his bosom.

This is his reorganization of his own system after he was promoted to the level of a swordsmanship master, and then he improved the basic swordsmanship and transformed it into a basic introductory sword technique, which is equivalent to a simplified version of the Hatake Secret Manual.

"This scroll is for you. You can read it often in the future, but don't get too caught up in the practice and harm your health." Yakumo handed the scroll to Uchiha Itachi. Basic swordsmanship does not involve the coordination of the chakra system.

In this way, Itachi Uchiha was able to avoid developing a physical deficiency due to premature chakra extraction.

"clear."

Itachi Uchiha extended his hands and respectfully accepted the scroll.

"Now let's try meditation again."

The two sat cross-legged, and Yakumo spoke softly.

"Concentrate your mind and calm your spirit, and put away your distracting thoughts."

"Focus all your energy on imagining the sharpness of the short blade on your knee."

Itachi Uchiha's tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed as he began to understand the state Yakumo had described, his mind filled with countless images of himself wielding a sword.

"Remember, weapons are extensions of the body, not external objects."

Yakumo stood up, though he wasn't sure if this meditation could lay the perfect foundation for Itachi Uchiha.

But he was certain that this meditation would make the coordination of breathing and techniques in the Hatake Secret Manual more skillful.

This is a huge benefit...

"Yakumo-sama."

Fugaku Uchiha approached and continued speaking.

"I'll see you off."

"okay."

As the two walked along the road, Fugaku Uchiha hesitated several times before speaking.

They waited until they reached the very edge of the Uchiha clan's territory.

Finally, I stopped hesitating.

"Lord Yakumo, how is Itachi's talent?"

Back then, his risky decision to have Itachi Uchiha become Yakumo's apprentice was indeed a gamble, but the result was unexpectedly perfect.

He successfully deterred the voices of opposition from the Uchiha clan and completely integrated the clan. However, the most important factor in establishing this master-disciple relationship was whether Itachi's talent could be inherited from Yakumo's swordsmanship.

"Itachi's talent surpasses Kakashi's."

Fugaku Uchiha's face lit up with ecstasy. In Konoha's nearly twenty-year history, Kakashi Hatake could be considered the number one genius in Konoha.

Nine-year-old Jonin.

If Itachi Uchiha is stronger than Kakashi…

An eight-year-old... or even a seven-year-old Jonin?

"That's fine, that's fine."

"Don't let him learn chakra refinement for now, and if he practices swordsmanship, don't let him overexert himself. He's still young... Balance work and rest."

"Understood. After Itachi practices his swordsmanship, I will use a medicinal bath to treat his body and replenish his depleted energy."

"Oh, right..." Yakumo thought for a moment and decided to be honest.

"If I am not perceiving an error."

"...Misaka-neechan must be pregnant."

"...!"

Sunlight filters through the gaps in the leaves, turning into dappled patches of light on the ground. A few withered yellow leaves detach from the tree and drift down in the wind.

It symbolizes the subtle changes of the four seasons.

A few days later, Yakumo received another piece of good news.

Kushina Uzumaki is also pregnant.

Two destined protagonists are about to be born.

Yakumo and Jiraiya went to visit Minato Namikaze's family, mainly to congratulate him on Kushina Uzumaki's pregnancy.

Several people gathered in the courtyard and lit a bonfire.

Less than fifteen minutes, perhaps even less.

Kushina Uzumaki then carried over various kinds of marinated meats. Because she was only recently pregnant, there was no visible change in her appearance. Her figure was still shapely and her complexion was rosy, and her temperament was like a burning flame.