Konoha's Mission Master

Sakumo Hatake thrust out his short blade, creating a pure white straight line in the air that rapidly approached Yakumo, its target aimed directly at Yakumo's chest.

"Waltz!"

"Ding!" "Ding!"

The twin swords drew near-perfect arcs, and the wind in the air naturally formed an invisible barrier, hindering Hatake Sakumo's attack. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Yakumo used his sword-shaking technique to deflect the short blades that were thrusting at him.

In terms of pure skill, he was confident that he could suppress Hatake Sakumo, after all, he had already reached the master level in terms of technique.

Sakumo Hatake, sword in hand, charged into the circle of the dancers, his murderous aura radiating wildly around him. The raging wind became increasingly unstable as the two engaged in a fierce struggle.

Hold the knife with one blade raised and grip it with both hands.

Sakumo Hatake abandoned technique and chose to tear open the Circus Domain with sheer force. The short blade, which he was skilled at assassination, was used to unleash an incredibly fierce strike in his hands, displaying the power to split a mountain and carrying a chilling pressure, tearing a narrow gap in the Circus Domain.

"Draw Sword Slash!"

In that instant, Hatake Sakumo loosely gripped the short blade with his left hand, the blade poised to be drawn, and a bright white light spread from it!

Yakumo crossed his twin swords in a reverse motion to block Hatake Sakumo's attack. At this moment, both of them had gained a certain understanding of each other's swordsmanship.

Sakumo Hatake's swordsmanship is by no means flashy; it is a meticulously honed killing technique that focuses on concentrating power into a single line. Such a sword is more suitable for close-quarters combat.

"Ding--"

Weapon clash.

The wooden sword creaked under its strain as Sakumo Hatake withdrew it and retreated, searching for another opportunity to attack.

"Ding, ding, ding."

Yakumo kept parrying Hatake Sakumo's attacks, occasionally seizing an opportunity to counterattack. Since it was a friendly sparring match, both of them held back, and for a time it was hard to tell who was better.

Yakumo's skills were superior, but Hatake Sakumo's combat experience was simply too rich. He could always make the most correct judgments in battle, achieving the greatest effect with the least amount of physical exertion.

"Be careful," Hatake Sakumo whispered.

His attack frequency then increased to another level.

"Rebellion - Shaking Blade!"

Yakumo's two swords crossed to create an invisible barrier, with wind swirling around them, occasionally injecting into the wooden swords to enhance their attack.

A sense of pressure quietly rose in his heart. Hatake Sakumo's reminder just now meant that he was going to use his real killing move. If Yakumo couldn't withstand it... he would probably get injured.

"Moon Concealment".

How can the moon be hidden in broad daylight?

A bright, blinding white light burst forth from the short blade in Hatake Sakumo's hand, like the sun descending upon the world. Yakumo instinctively closed his eyes, and at that moment, the whistling sound of a blade cutting through the air filled the air!

Flashbang!

"That's not martial ethics!"

Yakumo quickly regained his composure, and the wind in nature, under his control, swirled around his body as he pushed off with his legs and retreated sharply.

"Waltz!"

The domain reappeared. Compared to the Reversal, which requires precise blocking, the Round Dance was more suitable for the current environment. With the emergence of the Blade Domain, the figure of Hatake Sakumo was accurately imprinted in Yakumo's mind.

"Rebellion!"

Ding--

The double blades blocked Sakumo Hatake's attack perfectly.

This was his first attempt to use a counter-attack technique while using the round dance... and he actually succeeded on his first try.

"Since you lack martial ethics, then don't blame me."

Yakumo opened his eyes and chuckled. Silver arcs of electricity began to appear within the Waltz Domain, and the power of wind and thunder descended.

The combination of the two forces successfully suppressed Hatake Sakumo, and the two became engrossed in their sparring. Through mutual reinforcement, their understanding of swordsmanship was rapidly increasing.

Lightning flashed and the aura of blades filled the air.

Time kept passing by... sweat soaked through my clothes.

Until… a few clicks.

The three wooden swords, unable to bear the weight, turned into flying wood chips.

"Haha, let's fight again next time." Hatake Sakumo laughed heartily, his face full of joy. He hadn't been this happy in a long time.

Hatake Sakumo has been alone on the path of swordsmanship for too long. Finally, someone can stand shoulder to shoulder with him and verify each other's learning... For a sword fanatic, this is a blessing.

"Why do I get the feeling... that Uncle Sakumo wasn't very happy when he first came back?"

Yakumo picked up his hand and pressed it against his body. Sweat gathered on his skin, forming a water sphere that swirled in his hand.

When one has progressed far enough in chakra nature transformation, one can easily manipulate the corresponding element using chakra. The Four Star Alignment and Mist Burial greatly enhanced his mastery of water-based chakra nature transformation.

"The Hokage has been restored... to his position as Elder Danzo, and... appointed as the Vice-Commander of the Anbu." Sakumo Hatake said with a dejected expression.

"The art of checks and balances... a means of restraint."

Chapter 88 The Eighty-Eighth White Fang Will Be Drawn

The Hatake residence, the training ground.

"How did you guess the Hokage's thoughts?"

Sakumo Hatake stared at Yakumo with a scrutinizing gaze. This junior had given him so many surprises... powerful strength, keen combat skills, terrifying learning ability, and even more commendable was his willingness to risk his life to protect his teammates.

"I often read books in the library, which contain records about ancient times. Back then, before the Goddess of the Rabbit descended, warriors were still the main force in battles on the continent. At that time, kings would usually support two powerful ministers to compete with and check each other, thus maintaining the stability of their monarchy."

"And then... what became of those countries?" Hatake Sakumo asked hastily, just as a servant brought in some herbal tea.

Ya Yun picked up her teacup, took a sip to moisten her throat, and then continued speaking.

"The two powerful ministers no longer thought about how to benefit the country, but how to gain an advantage in the struggle. They began to use money to buy off their subordinates. The source of the money was naturally embezzlement or bribery. In the end, those countries perished within a few decades."

"I will certainly not fight with Danzo and affect the overall interests of Konoha Village," Sakumo Hatake shook his head and said righteously.

“But he’ll find a way to ruin you completely.” Yakumo said, swirling his teacup, his face relaxed and casual.

A look of bewilderment appeared on Hatake Sakumo's face. He analyzed the situation according to Yakumo's line of thought and found that his position was actually extremely dangerous, but within the rules, he could not think of a way to break the deadlock.

Yakumo remained silent. Saying too much about such things might backfire. Hatake Sakumo was wise and intelligent enough to figure it out, but he just needed time.

Some things, if done too deliberately, will arouse suspicion because the traces are too obvious. He only needs to give a gentle push at the crucial moment.

Two hours later, Yakumo had dinner at the Hatake family's house.

Sakumo Hatake, Kakashi, and Yakumo sat around the sukiyaki, the white steam spreading and making their faces glow red.

This was a very simple dinner. There were no servants to serve us. The table was full of vegetables and meats, and we could add our favorite ingredients whenever we wanted.

Even during family gatherings, Kakashi still wears a black mask and shoves food into his mouth at lightning speed while eating.

“Father, today my homeroom teacher suggested that I apply for early graduation. He said that the ninja academy has nothing left to teach me.”

At the dinner table, Kakashi suddenly spoke up.

Upon hearing this, Yakumo's eyes lit up...

An opportunity has arrived! Let's give it a push.

"What are your thoughts?" Sakumo Hatake asked.

"I want to graduate with Obito..."

After a moment's thought, Kakashi answered.

As expected, Kakashi and Obito were the true love, and Rin Nohara was just an accident caught in the middle.

Sakumo Hatake poured the broth over the rice with a ladle and began to eat, while Kakashi sat upright, waiting for his father's instructions.

Yakumo suddenly straightened his chopsticks, looked at Kakashi Hatake, and asked.

"Didn't the previous homeroom teacher... Keisuke Shimizu also suggest... graduating early?"

“That’s right…” Kakashi Hatake recalled briefly that it was shortly after the start of the semester when Keisuke Shimizu approached him and suggested graduating early. But at that time, his father had ordered him to teach Yakumo swordsmanship, so he only said… he would consider it.

"Keisuke Shimizu is a Root ninja who once tried to assassinate me," Yakumo said slowly, taking a sip of tea.

Hatake Sakumo put down his chopsticks. Yakumo wouldn't joke about something like this, and as for Shimizu Keisuke's fate, Hatake Sakumo could guess without even asking.

For a moment, there was a quiet silence at the dinner table.

The Root ninja became a teacher, encouraging Kakashi to graduate early. Sakumo Hatake thought a lot in his mind. In this world, Kakashi was definitely his Achilles' heel.

Danzo was targeting him... He could back down for the sake of Konoha's stability, but Danzo's plan even included his six-year-old son, so sorry... he was still capable of wielding a knife.

A dozen minutes later.

"I'll visit Kakashi, your current homeroom teacher, at school tomorrow," Sakumo Hatake said.

“Yes… Father.”

If it really is Genren... hehe.

Even the White Fang of the Leaf Village can draw his sword!

After dinner, Yakumo and Kakashi went to the training ground to spar. Of course, he held back the whole time, keeping his technique and strength at the same level as Kakashi's. The two fought for half an hour and ended in a draw.

"You've gotten stronger again..." Kakashi sheathed his short sword and exclaimed to Yakumo, panting heavily.

In the previous battle, he increased his attack speed and power several times, but Yakumo was always only slightly stronger than him.

The line seemed within reach, repeatedly stimulating his potential to unleash even stronger attacks, only to discover then that the line was still there.

Though it's just one step, it feels like an insurmountable chasm!

“I’ve made a slight breakthrough recently…” Yakumo scratched his head.

Do you think I should apply for early graduation?

“No, we shouldn’t,” Yakumo replied immediately.

Why…

"As the saying goes... the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind. In the current situation... a tall tree will only attract more wind," Yakumo replied.

"Why do you say that?" Kakashi asked.