Chapter 35

"Zixu, Chinano, come here..." Yamato looked wary as a wooden spear formed in his hand, clearly on guard against the black-and-white-clad warriors before him.

"Oh? Have you figured something out?" The black-clad warrior sneered but made no move to attack.

"The sword behind you… Could it be one of the Seven Ninja Swords?"

Zixu and the others stood behind Yamato, confused by the conversation between the two.

"I've been meaning to ask—do samurai and ninja use chakra in the same way? Since Kekkei Genkai (Bloodline Limit) is tied to a ninja's chakra nature, does that mean the young man in white is actually a ninja?" Hyuga Chinano finally voiced her suspicions. There were too many questionable points about the two.

The white-clad young man raised a hand in a calming gesture.

"Everyone, we are indeed not samurai, but that's not the main issue here, is it? We only need to travel together to the outskirts of Kirigakure (Hidden Mist Village). There's no need to—"

"If you don't provide some information, I doubt we can continue this cooperation." Yamato's tone hardened. He couldn't allow Zixu and the others, all still inexperienced, to be involved in a mission of unknown danger.

"Sir?" The young man in white turned to the black-clad warrior, only continuing after receiving a silent nod.

"My apologies for deceiving you. She was correct—we are indeed ninja, and we're heading to Kirigakure for an important reason. As for the details… I'm sorry, but I can't say." His voice remained polite and composed.

"Our movements have been leaked for some reason, which is why we'll encounter more attacks like this along the way. They're not particularly dangerous, but they are troublesome and time-consuming."

The moonlight reflected off his pure white mask as he gestured toward the unconscious ronin scattered across the ground.

"So, when we run into such problems again, I hope you'll handle them." He bowed slightly.

"It doesn't seem like an issue for now… But if I notice anything suspicious, we'll terminate this commission immediately," Yamato warned. Since the enemy's strength was only at this level, he didn't see any immediate threat.

Zixu stepped forward, eyeing the white-clad young man's pure-white katana with great interest.

"So, you really do know how to use a sword? I'm interested in kenjutsu."

"Well, I'm not as skilled as Mr. Zabuza, but I do know a bit. Would you like to learn? I wouldn't dare call myself a teacher, but I can offer you guidance." The young man nodded humbly before picking up a fallen ronin's blade and handing it to Zixu.

"Do you want to learn?" He also offered the hilt to Chinano and Aburame Hatsuizumi, but Chinano declined, saying she wasn't interested. Hatsuizumi, yawning, said she'd rather go back to sleep.

Before that, though, they had to deal with the unconscious ronin. After a brief discussion, they agreed to have Yamato restrain them in a Mokuton: Moku Keimusho (Wood Style: Wooden Prison).

Though it was already late, and the stars in the sky flickered drowsily, Zixu's energy only grew as the night deepened. He stayed behind to train with the young man in white.

Meanwhile, Yamato approached the black-clad warrior and muttered in a low, warning tone:

"One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen… Even though your sword is wrapped in bandages, I can sense the faint bloodlust coming from it. It's the Kubikiribōchō (Executioner's Blade), isn't it? I hope you won't do anything foolish."

As he spoke, his chakra flared. The black-clad warrior wasn't one to back down—his aura surged in response, forming a dense mist of bloodlust. Their energies clashed, thickening the air with tension.

Zixu and the young man in white had only walked a short distance before feeling the intense pressure behind them. The sensation was so oppressive it made their blood momentarily freeze. However, the standoff lasted only a few moments before dissipating.

"It should be fine. Let's keep going," Zixu said, shrugging off the strange feeling. Right now, learning kenjutsu was his priority.

The young man in white hesitated, watching the two for a moment before turning back.

"Alright. First, you need to understand why you swing a sword. That's the most important thing."

Though his face remained hidden behind the mask, his tone was serious.

"Why…?"

To be honest, Zixu had never thought about it. He wanted to learn kenjutsu simply because he figured that if he ever got lucky enough to obtain a legendary blade like 'Enma' or 'Shusui' in the future, he wouldn't be helpless with it.

"Yes. Do you swing the sword to break the chains that bind you and gain freedom? To protect your comrades and help them achieve their dreams? Or to change the world so that even common folk can choose their own destiny?"

The questions struck deep.

Zixu's goal was simple: get strong enough that no one could control him, enjoy the journey, and eventually become the strongest.

"Swinging the sword for freedom..."

As his expression shifted from uncertainty to determination, the young man in white nodded in approval. He glanced at the blade in Zixu's hand.

"It seems you've found your answer. I swing my sword to protect—to protect Zabuza-sama. Only by doing that can I feel needed."

He stood up, drawing his pure white blade.

"If you remember your reason for wielding the sword, your training will never go astray. A swordsman who forgets their purpose will soon find their blade dull."

Zixu discarded the scabbard, testing the weight of his sword with a few swings before hesitating.

"Shouldn't I practice basic stances first? Or at least warm up?" He felt that jumping straight into combat would make it difficult to learn any real techniques.

The young man in white shook his head, his understanding of kenjutsu clear.

"Kenjutsu is ultimately the art of killing. No matter your purpose, you cannot avoid the reality of taking lives. To be honest, I hate killing, but..."

He gripped the hilt of his blade with both hands.

"You will learn best through battle."

With a swift motion, he struck Zixu's shoulder with the blunt side of his sword. Zixu, still unfamiliar with wielding a blade, could only grip his weapon with both hands and swing it like a club to block.

"He's strong, but he's completely inexperienced with a sword. He's more suited to wielding a staff than a blade," the young man in white noted.

Twisting his wrist, he angled his sword against Zixu's and used the back of the blade to push upward, deflecting the attack with ease.

"I don't have a structured way of teaching. Learn through battle. What you gain from experience will leave a deeper impression than anything from a book."

He swung again, ice crystals forming along the blade as he struck.

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