Breaking Free – A True Swordsman Knows No Shackles
Satoru slowly removed his cloak, letting the fabric slip off effortlessly, revealing a lean yet well-defined physique.
Though he didn't possess the massive frame of an Akimichi or a taijutsu master, every muscle in his body was sculpted to perfection—an optimal form crafted for swordsmanship.
The evening sun cast long shadows across his body, accentuating every sharp contour.
He tilted his neck slightly, the sound of cracking joints echoing softly.
Yashiro involuntarily swallowed.
He could feel an invisible pressure emanating from Satoru.
It wasn't killing intent.
It wasn't overwhelming chakra.
It was something else entirely.
**The aura of a swordsman.**
It was like a blade unsheathed—not boasting, not threatening, but inherently dangerous in its mere presence.
---
### **Observing Eyes – A Shift in Konoha's Power Structure**
From a distance, Jiraiya let out a hearty laugh, though there was a glint of admiration in his eyes.
"Hoh hoh hoh, Satoru, you'd make a fine blind swordsman, don't you think?"
Satoru raised an eyebrow and smirked.
"Oh? And here I thought my 'pervy sage' of a master would actually cheer me on."
Jiraiya simply waved him off, still chuckling.
But—
The keenest minds in the training ground didn't overlook something crucial.
The word **'master'** carried weight in Konoha.
Being an official disciple of one of the **Three Legendary Sannin** wasn't just about training.
It meant **political significance**.
It meant **direct affiliation with the Hokage lineage**.
It meant **a potential future Hokage candidate**.
Most of the Uchiha in attendance brushed it off, too caught up in their clan's pride.
But—
Hyuga Hizashi took note.
His clan had grown **too passive** in recent years.
Despite being one of the strongest bloodline clans, the Hyuga lacked **dominant figures** compared to the Uchiha, whose ranks swelled with genius after genius.
Hizashi's eyes glowed with thought.
If a prodigy like **Satoru** were to form ties with the **Hyuga clan**—perhaps even through a political marriage…
It might be worth discussing with Hiashi.
---
### **The Battle Begins – Sword vs Ninjutsu**
Fully prepared, Satoru took his stance, gripping **Yubashiri** with a quiet yet firm presence.
On the other side, Yashiro brandished a kunai, his crimson **Sharingan** spinning ominously.
**Whoosh!**
A volley of shuriken shot towards Satoru in an instant.
But—
**Clang! Clang! Clang!**
With fluid movements, Satoru's blade sliced through the air, deflecting each projectile effortlessly.
It wasn't brute force.
It wasn't reckless swinging.
Each movement was as delicate as falling cherry blossoms—
**Precise. Elegant. Absolute.**
The swordsmen in the crowd couldn't help but murmur in awe.
"Amazing technique…"
"Not just speed—it's the sheer efficiency. No wasted movement."
Even Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed with interest.
"He's… quite fascinating."
---
### **Explosives and Yashiro's Tactical Attack**
Yashiro wasn't done.
His smirk widened as he flicked his wrist, sending a kunai **laced with an explosive tag** straight toward Satoru's feet!
**A cheap trick.**
The moment the kunai left Yashiro's hand, Satoru had already sensed the embedded chakra signature.
**Whoosh!**
A single backflip took him clear of the blast zone.
**BOOM!**
Dust erupted, momentarily clouding the battlefield.
But—
The **instant** Satoru was airborne, **three** of Yashiro's clones sprang from the smoke, attacking from three directions at once!
Hand seals—
**"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"**
Three massive fireballs roared toward Satoru, leaving him with no escape.
The onlookers collectively held their breath.
The Uchiha in attendance chuckled, shaking their heads.
"Hah, it's over."
"A mere swordsman trying to fight the Uchiha's Fire Style? Ridiculous."
But—
Sarutobi Hiruzen, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru only smirked.
They knew better.
This wasn't enough to take him down.
---
### **Lightning Blade and Haki – Slicing Through Fire**
Just as the flames were about to consume him—
**A crisp, metallic sound rang through the battlefield.**
**"Ting! Ting! Ting!"**
Silence.
No explosion.
No burning flesh.
Instead—
The flames had been **cleaved apart**.
Right in the heart of the inferno, a **luminous barrier of slashing arcs** took shape.
Satoru was still **untouched**, standing amidst the embers, his sword humming with **electricity**.
He had combined **Lightning Sword Technique** with **Haki Perception**, creating an impenetrable defense against ninjutsu.
The crowd erupted in astonishment.
"Incredible…!"
"This is the pinnacle of swordsmanship…"
Even the most skilled kenjutsu users couldn't help but acknowledge it.
---
### **Satoru's Thrill – The Battle Is Just Beginning**
Truthfully—Satoru **could have dodged** all of it.
A simple **Body Flicker Technique** would have sufficed.
But he **chose** to stand his ground.
Because—
This was what he lived for.
**A duel where the blade dictated the outcome.**
He felt **one** with his sword.
A legendary swordsman once said: *A true warrior doesn't wield a blade. He **is** the blade.*
Satoru smiled faintly.
This fight…
**Was just getting started.**