Chapter 368: Naruto's Graduation Exam!

"At the end of the day, I'm just a selfish person!"

"All I do is keep those around me safe from threats."

At noon, Uzumaki Raiden, who had been sitting by the waterfall all night, sighed softly, stood up slowly, stretched his muscles, and walked back to his house.

No one disturbed him that day. When he returned home, Akina Uehara was preparing lunch, and Kisame Hoshigaki was helping her. Seeing Uzumaki Raiden return, Kisame put down the plate in his hand, looked at him, and asked:

"Master Raiden, you've been sitting there all night. Is something bothering you?"

"If there's anything I can do, just say the word."

There was no tenderness on Kisame's shark-like face, but Uzumaki Raiden could sense the concern in his words.

"It's nothing, just some memories from the past."

"I was simply reaffirming my goals."

"I'll go check on Shisui. You two carry on." Uzumaki Raiden waved as he prepared to leave.

"Demon, are you satisfied with your current life?"

As he reached the door, Uzumaki Raiden suddenly stopped, turned back, and asked Kisame. Kisame was clearly taken aback by the question. He glanced at Akina Uehara, then back at Uzumaki Raiden, and nodded.

Though he didn't say anything, Uzumaki Raiden understood his response, smiled, and left.

In the dojo, Uchiha Shisui sat cross-legged at the edge, watching the sparring match in the center with a serious expression. Beside him sat a boy and a girl—Uzumaki Naruto and Hinata, who had come to Uzumaki Raiden's home that morning. Hinata, who had been staying at Minato's house, hadn't returned to the Hyuga Clan that week. Instead, she followed Naruto and his brother to Uzumaki Raiden's place.

In the center of the dojo, Uchiha Itachi and Namikaze Yoriichi were engaged in an intense duel with wooden swords.

Earlier that morning, Kushina had to leave for an urgent matter. Before leaving, she had sent the three children to Uzumaki Raiden's house. At the time, Uzumaki Raiden was meditating by the waterfall, so Akina Uehara received them.

Around noon, Itachi Uchiha heard that Shisui had returned to the village. He rushed over to visit his long-absent senior and check in on his master, whom he hadn't seen in a while.

When Naruto saw Itachi, he immediately asked him to help train his younger brother. However, his true motive wasn't as simple as just wanting Itachi to act as a sparring partner.

"Da da!"

The sound of wooden swords clashing rang through the dojo, crisp and sharp. Everyone watching was completely absorbed in the match. At first, Uchiha Itachi didn't take the request to train Yoriichi seriously, assuming it was just an ordinary sparring session.

However, as the match progressed, Itachi quickly realized that his young opponent was no ordinary child.

Though only four years old, Namikaze Yoriichi displayed a remarkable level of swordsmanship. His techniques weren't from any style known in Konoha, yet every move was precise and deadly. It was clear his strikes were meant for real combat.

If not for Yoriichi's lack of experience with the wooden sword's weight—along with his speed and strength being far inferior to Uchiha Itachi—even Itachi wasn't certain he could completely suppress the boy in a duel of pure technique.

Uzumaki Raiden silently entered the dojo, walking to the sidelines before sitting beside Shisui. His gaze fell on the center of the training ground.

The young Yoriichi gripped the wooden sword with both hands, relentlessly attacking Uchiha Itachi. Uzumaki Raiden noticed that with each strike, Yoriichi's breathing was deep and deliberate. His energy consumption was immense, yet there were no signs of fatigue slowing him down.

"Is this... breathing technique?"

Uzumaki Raiden carefully analyzed Yoriichi's state. Though physically drained, his combat performance remained unaffected. It seemed like Yoriichi's controlled breathing was sustaining his strength and speed.

Intrigued, Uzumaki Raiden paid close attention.

As he understood it, in the coming years, the Hidden Sand Village would produce a taijutsu genius who developed their own unique breathing technique—the Seven-Day Breathing Method. This technique allowed its user to rival Rock Lee, even when he activated the Eight Gates Technique.

From this, it was clear that breathing techniques held immense potential. If cultivated properly, they could significantly enhance a practitioner's strength.

And Namikaze Yoriichi was uniquely suited for this path.

Having shown no aptitude for ninjutsu, Yoriichi had seemingly focused all his talents on taijutsu. To grow stronger, he would have to rely solely on body training.

Breathing techniques enhanced the body's efficiency, while the Eight Gates Technique unlocked hidden reserves of power by pushing the body's limits. These two methods could be combined.

Namikaze Yoriichi had the potential to master both. Uzumaki Raiden firmly believed in it.

"Crack!"

At that moment, an accident occurred.

Namikaze Yoriichi raised his wooden sword and struck fiercely at Uchiha Itachi. Reacting instantly, Itachi brought up his own sword in defense. The impact was powerful—so much so that Yoriichi's wooden blade suddenly split down the middle.

The shattered tip flew toward Yoriichi's face at high speed. Hinata, watching from the sidelines, let out a startled gasp and covered her eyes in fear.

Shisui, noticing the accident, started to rise to intervene, but before he could act, Yoriichi took a deep breath, quickly retreated, and raised the broken handle in defense.

Just as the broken blade was about to strike him—

Uchiha Itachi suddenly moved at blinding speed, catching the fragment in midair.

"What incredible speed! He must have only used a fraction of his strength when sparring with me."

Namikaze Yoriichi was drenched in sweat. Though he had stayed composed, the incident left him shaken.

"Yoriichi, are you okay?" Uchiha Itachi asked with concern, lowering his wooden sword.

"Thank you, senpai. I'm fine!"

Yoriichi respectfully bowed to Itachi before smiling.

"I didn't expect this to happen. The training sword actually broke."

"Yoriichi, your strength is greater than expected. It might be better to use a bamboo sword from now on. Training with a wooden sword is a bit risky." Itachi examined the broken blade. The fracture was uneven, confirming that the sword had snapped due to Yoriichi's sheer power.

Hearing this, Yoriichi looked at Uzumaki Raiden, seeking his opinion.

Uzumaki Raiden nodded thoughtfully. Itachi's suggestion made sense, but changing training equipment was up to him.

"No need for a bamboo sword. Yoriichi, with your strength, you should start training with a real blade."

"The purpose of training is to prepare for actual combat. Instead of using bamboo swords, it's better to train with real weapons."

Uzumaki Raiden stroked his chin as he spoke. However, upon hearing his words, Shisui quickly waved his hands and hurriedly objected.

"Master, Yoriichi is still young! How can such a dangerous weapon be given to a child?"

"Whether it's for training or carrying, a real weapon is far too risky."

Shisui wasn't familiar with Namikaze Yoriichi, but he knew that no matter how talented a child was in physical combat, they were still a child in terms of mental maturity.

Real weapons weren't just dangerous to opponents—they posed a risk to the user as well.

"Don't worry, Yoriichi isn't an ordinary child. He'll be fine with a real sword."

"Yoriichi, do you want a short sword or a long sword?"

"Ninjas typically use short swords since their profession requires easily concealable weapons."

"But this isn't a strict rule. Some ninjas use long swords—I am one of them."

"Of course, there's also an unspoken rule when it comes to long swords: those who are weak have no right to wield them."

"After all, when you leave the village, you represent Konoha. If you bring shame upon yourself, you disgrace the entire village."

"So, Yoriichi, what kind of weapon do you want?"

Uzumaki Raiden still had a teasing smile on his face as he spoke. Though he already knew the answer, he couldn't resist having a little fun.

"Uncle, I want a sword—a long one."

"Not one that fits my size now, but a standard long sword for adults."

"If possible, I'd also like a rib sword, about 45 centimeters in length."

For the first time, Namikaze Yoriichi's expression showed a rare flicker of excitement as he stepped forward and spoke expectantly.

Before Uzumaki Raiden could respond, Naruto interjected with a confused look.

"Eh? Uncle, what's a rib sword? Is it also a kind of blade?"

Naruto Uzumaki looked puzzled. He had never heard of such a thing among ninja weapons.

Hinata, also curious, stared at Uzumaki Raiden. Even Uchiha Itachi, standing behind Yoriichi, had a puzzled expression. He, too, was unfamiliar with this type of weapon.

Seeing everyone's reaction, Yoriichi's expression subtly shifted. Over the years, he had almost forgotten that this world differed from the one he had previously known. Just as he was about to explain, Uzumaki Raiden spoke first.

"A rib sword is also a blade, but it's a dagger ranging from 30 to 60 centimeters in length. However, it's usually not a standalone weapon."

"It's one of the dual weapons traditionally carried by samurai from the Land of Iron. A warrior typically carries two swords—one is the main sword, and the other is the rib sword. The primary function of the rib sword is to pierce through the gaps in an enemy's armor, allowing for a direct strike to their vitals."

"Most samurai lack the sheer strength to break through heavy armor, so they rely on rib swords for precision attacks."

"Its name, 'rib sword,' comes from its ability to exploit the enemy's weak spots."

"Of course, the rib sword has another function among samurai—it is used for seppuku."

"We ninjas don't typically use such weapons."

As Uzumaki Raiden explained, Yoriichi let out an almost imperceptible sigh of relief. For a moment, he had feared that the concept of rib swords didn't exist in this world.

"As expected of Uncle, he even knows about the samurai from the Land of Iron."

"But Yoriichi , how do you know about this weapon? Have you been to the Land of Iron?"

Naruto asked curiously, tilting his head.

"Uh... I just happened to read about it in a book."

Yoriichi scratched his head and let out an awkward laugh. Seeing this, Uzumaki Raiden smoothly changed the subject.

"A rib sword is actually quite fitting for your current size. When you grow taller, you can wield a proper long sword."

"It's better than using a giant sword like Sakegari no Tachi, as I did when I was younger."

Uzumaki Raiden chuckled before motioning for the group to continue their training.

An Outing to the Ninja Tool Shop

After lunch, Uzumaki Raiden took Yoriichi, Naruto, and Hinata to a village weapon shop, where Yoriichi picked out his preferred long sword and rib sword. Naturally, as a responsible adult, Raiden couldn't show favoritism. He also bought Naruto and Hinata a sword each as gifts.

Even though neither Naruto nor Hinata specialized in long weapons, they happily accepted the gifts. After all, a sword from Uzumaki Raiden was something special. Even if they didn't plan on using them, just owning such a weapon felt significant.

Moreover, as Ninja Academy students, both of them had already been introduced to various ninja tools.

A Return to Routine

Life soon settled back into its usual rhythm. Aside from his duties at Ninja Academy, Uzumaki Raiden spent his days researching sealing techniques, practicing Sage techniques, and training Shisui, Itachi, and Yoriichi .

Even Naruto, after much persistence, convinced Raiden to help train him, leading to the boy tagging along with the others.

A few days later, Might Guy returned to the village. Following Uzumaki Raiden's request, all of his operatives, who had been stationed across the ninja world, also gathered in Konoha.

At Raiden's urging, Might Guy agreed to take Namikaze Yoriichi as a disciple, officially becoming his taijutsu instructor.

From that day forward, Konoha saw the rise of an unusual master-disciple pair.

Might Guy, brimming with enthusiasm and passion, was the polar opposite of his cold and reserved disciple. Yet, despite their contrasting personalities, the two got along surprisingly well.

This was largely because Might Guy was one of the rare individuals who didn't care about Yoriichi's birthmark.

Throughout Yoriichi's years of growth, only a handful of people—his family, Raiden's disciples, and a select few villagers—had ever treated him without prejudice.

The 60th Year of Konoha

Time passed in the blink of an eye, and before they knew it, the 60th year of Konoha had arrived.

That year, Uzumaki Naruto turned 12 years old.

And with his twelfth birthday came the most important moment of his life thus far—the Ninja Academy Graduation Exam.

(End of Chapter)