https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-453-An-Extremely-Dangerous-Blade/12558619/
Chapter 454: The Power of Two Ninja Swords
Chapter 454: The Power of Two Ninja Swords
As Mu Yue brandished her blade, a dazzling purple lightning flash erupted before Kakashi's eyes.
Swish!
Boom!
Kakashi, who had been moving at high speed, suddenly came to a halt, not because he wanted to stop, but because Mu Yue's strike was imminent, forcing him to counter with his own blade.
The purple lightning clashed with the yellow lightning dragon, instantly splitting it in two and dissipating it into the air.
Kakashi desperately channeled his chakra to mount a defense, but the power of the purple lightning exceeded his capacity to withstand it. Even with all his might, he could only hold out for a second.
Bang!
In the next moment, Kakashi's body flew backward and crashed heavily to the ground.
This outcome took Kakashi somewhat by surprise.
It wasn't that he thought Mu Yue lacked the strength to defeat him instantly, but rather that he hadn't expected her to test his strength in this manner.
In the past, whenever Mu Yue conducted tests, she would first give them ample space to demonstrate their abilities before making her move.
After all, if she were to attack directly with her full strength, her students would be defeated in an instant, and the test would serve little purpose.
As Kakashi pondered this conundrum, he rose to his feet and suddenly noticed the changes in his surroundings.
Where there had once been dense foliage, only stumps remained, and the slightly higher hills had been flattened. The ground was littered with felled trees and rubble.
"That single strike had such a terrifying range," Kakashi thought, astonished.
Mu Yue's slash had essentially given the forest a flat-top haircut, surpassing Kakashi's understanding of Lightning Release sword techniques.
He couldn't fathom that a Lightning Release sword technique could possess such power and produce such an effect.
In his understanding, Lightning Release sword techniques excelled in single-target attacks and bursts of power. However, Mu Yue's strike had made him realize how limited his knowledge of Lightning Release sword techniques truly was.
"I probably only faced the aftermath of her attack," Kakashi admitted to himself, marveling at Mu Yue's exceptional control.
With his current strength, he couldn't hope to withstand such a powerful strike head-on. If the main force of that attack had been directed at him, he wouldn't have lasted even a second and would likely have been sliced to pieces.
"The intensity of your Nature Transformation barely meets the minimum requirement," Mu Yue remarked, nodding slightly.
If Kakashi's Nature Transformation had been any weaker, he wouldn't have been able to withstand even the aftermath of her attack for a second.
"Continue your assault, but this time, you can only use sword techniques. No breathing techniques or chakra," Mu Yue instructed, outlining the parameters of the test.
Kakashi dusted off his clothes, adjusted his breathing, and gripped the White Fang in preparation for the next round.
Since breathing techniques allowed one to maintain a relatively concentrated breathing state at all times, Kakashi had to manually deactivate it as he was not allowed to use it during this test.
Kakashi focused his gaze, took a swift step forward, and slashed at Mu Yue's chest with his short blade, lightning-fast and without the slightest hesitation.
Clang!
The clang of blades rang out as Mu Yue swiftly drew the katana that Stop-Water had given her from the scroll, blocking the incoming strike.
Undeterred by the initial failure, Kakashi swiftly changed tactics, gripping the hilt of his short blade and thrusting it directly at Mu Yue's heart with lightning speed, demonstrating the adage 'one inch of reduction, one inch of danger.'
However, it seemed as though Mu Yue had seen right through Kakashi's moves, as she effortlessly blocked his attack by holding her blade horizontally in front of her.
Kakashi understood that this was a test, so he abandoned all pretense of defense and poured every ounce of his energy into his offense, aiming each strike at Mu Yue's vital points like an unrelenting storm.
Yet, Mu Yue seemed to possess a sort of precognition, calmly deflecting each of Kakashi's relentless assaults, giving him the feeling that he was fighting against someone who had activated their Transparent World.
But Kakashi, being keenly aware that he was fighting Mu Yue, knew that she wasn't relying on breathing techniques or chakra either; she was fighting him purely with her sword technique.
This wasn't the first time Kakashi had encountered such a situation. Before White Fang had taken his own life, he would personally spar with Kakashi to hone his sword skills.
Sparring with a master of sword techniques who had earned a formidable reputation on the battlefield, Kakashi, a novice, would have been utterly crushed if not for his deep admiration for his father.
However, Kakashi was no longer a novice. After years of diligent training and real-world combat experience, his sword technique could be considered proficient.
Even so, facing Mu Yue, Kakashi felt like a novice all over again.
Pat!
The flat of Mu Yue's blade struck Kakashi's palm, causing him to drop the White Fang.
"Your sword technique is barely passable," Mu Yue said as she sheathed her blade.
Although Mu Yue hadn't practiced much with a sword before obtaining the Profound Sky Slash, relying mostly on the small amount of reward points Kakashi had given her, the acquisition of the Proficient-level Profound Sky Slash had granted her a level of swordsmanship that ordinary people could scarcely attain in a lifetime.
This was one aspect that Mu Yue particularly liked about the Teacher System: the reward abilities provided a certain level of corresponding knowledge to ensure their effective use.
The system's ability to impart knowledge had been instrumental in her rapid mastery of the seven types of chakra nature transformations.
Normally, one would need to attain an extremely high level of swordsmanship to cultivate the Profound Sky Slash to the Proficient level. However, with the system's help, Mu Yue had reversed this process, gaining swordsmanship experience as a byproduct of acquiring the Proficient-level Profound Sky Slash.
While it couldn't compare to the depth of knowledge gained through years of dedicated practice, it was undeniably convenient.
Kakashi picked up the fallen White Fang, his heart filled with anticipation. After all, Mu Yue had once claimed that the Lightning Release sword technique she was about to teach him was no inferior to Might Guy's Golden Horizon.
To say that Might Guy's strength was solely due to Golden Horizon would be an oversimplification. The Eight Inner Gates and Rock Breathing were the true core of his power, but there was no denying that Golden Horizon had greatly enhanced his abilities.
Kakashi had tasted defeat at the hands of Might Guy on multiple occasions, and he knew firsthand just how formidable this impeccable physical technique was.
Although Might Guy's strength had undergone a qualitative change due to his mastery of the Rock Breathing Chakra Mode, Kakashi knew that he wouldn't be able to surpass him in a short period.
However, the prospect of learning a Lightning Release sword technique that could rival Golden Horizon gave Kakashi a glimmer of hope. At the very least, he wouldn't be constantly plagued by the superiority of Golden Horizon.
"Let's move to another location," Mu Yue said, leading Kakashi to a new training ground.
While she had chosen a secluded spot, the commotion they had caused was a bit too loud, and she wanted to avoid any interruptions.
This was where the Byakugan's telescopic function proved useful. While sensory techniques could detect chakra, the Byakugan allowed one to see with their eyes, providing a more comprehensive and detailed observation.
"The Lightning Release sword technique I will teach you is called 'Profound Sky Slash,' a peerless strike that concentrates all your power in a state of emptiness and tranquility," Mu Yue began, providing a brief introduction.
Kakashi listened intently, though he found the name a bit peculiar. Still, he knew that the name wasn't the important part; it was the strength that mattered.
That was why Mu Yue said he could barely manage it and would need the system's skills to succeed. Without them, he wouldn't be able to learn it.
Due to the battlefield setting, Mu Yue didn't teach for long. After a few hours, she took Kakashi back.
On their way back, Mu Yue used Appraisal to take a look at Kakashi. The Flowing Water Slice hadn't even appeared in his skill panel, meaning he hadn't gained any proficiency in it at all.
This was within Mu Yue's expectations. Might Guy had also toiled for a long time before he mastered the Golden Horizon, and even today, he hadn't reached the Proficient level yet. Powerful skills were indeed difficult to master.
...
Alone in Konoha, strolling through the bustling streets that were just as he remembered them, Stop-Water returned to his empty home and suddenly felt a strange sense of melancholy.
The uncle who had taken care of him when he was young was no longer around, nor was Mu Yue. Nowadays, even among the members of the Uchiha clan in Konoha, Stop-Water was the only disciple of Mu Yue.
However, Stop-Water wasn't the type to mope around. This feeling of melancholy came and went quickly, and soon he was tidying up the house and beginning his cultivation.
He wouldn't be separated from Mu Yue and the others for long. After the Jonin examination was over, he would leave Konoha.
After finishing dinner that evening, Stop-Water didn't continue cultivating. Instead, he paid a visit to the home of Fugaku Uchiha.
Of course, he wasn't there to see Fugaku. Stop-Water had come to see Itachi Uchiha.
Stop-Water hadn't forgotten his responsibility to guide Itachi Uchiha and instill positive values in him, preventing him from becoming the future missing-nin who would betray the clan.
Fugaku was delighted by Stop-Water's visit and expressed his joy. Although he didn't know about Stop-Water's 'Instant Stopping' title, the young man had brought honor to the Uchiha clan during that encounter, along with Obito.
"How long do you plan to stay in Konoha this time?" Fugaku asked with a smile.
He assumed that Stop-Water's entire squad had returned to the rear for rest and recuperation.
"Unless something unexpected happens, I'll be returning to the battlefield the day after tomorrow," Stop-Water replied after a moment's thought.
He would be taking the Jonin exam tomorrow, and based on Kakashi's experience, the results would be out a day later. So, Stop-Water planned to return to the battlefield the day after receiving the results, regardless of whether he passed or failed.
"The main reason for my return this time is to take the Jonin exam, so I won't be staying long," he explained.
A flash of surprise crossed Fugaku's face. If he remembered correctly, Stop-Water was only eight years old. If he passed the exam, he would become the youngest Jonin in history, breaking Kakashi's recent record.
"Itachi, you should really learn from Stop-Water. He's the kind of genius that our Uchiha clan can be proud of," Fugaku praised generously.
The young Itachi didn't understand what they were talking about, nor did he grasp the significance of the Jonin rank. Nonetheless, he nodded obediently.
Compared to Obito, Stop-Water seemed much smarter and didn't speak in a way that was difficult to understand.
"Whether I pass the exam or not is uncertain. If I don't make it, you shouldn't try to emulate me, Itachi," Stop-Water said as he ruffled Itachi's hair affectionately.
Most of the time, Stop-Water was calm and quiet, but lately, he had started making small jokes like this.
"With your abilities, Stop-Water, you're very likely to pass," Fugaku said, already envisioning the new topic of conversation among the village's ninja in a few days.
"Being cautious minimizes the chance of mistakes," Stop-Water replied, shaking his head.
He didn't underestimate the Jonin exam. After all, Might Guy and Obito had failed, and Kakashi was the only one among them who had passed and become a Jonin.
"Improving your written test performance will take time and consistent effort. However, I can give you some pointers on your Fire Release techniques through actual combat," Fugaku offered after some thought.
As the captain of the Konoha Military Police and the clan head of the Uchiha, Fugaku was a busy man with numerous responsibilities.
However, he made time for those who mattered, and Stop-Water, a future pillar of the Uchiha clan, was definitely worth squeezing into his tight schedule.
Initially, Stop-Water had intended to just go through the motions with Fugaku before taking Itachi out for a walk and some mentoring.
But Fugaku's enthusiasm was overwhelming, and it was hard for Stop-Water to refuse.
After all, Fugaku had treated him well, and although it might have been due to his talent as a ninja, Stop-Water couldn't deny the man's kindness.
"In that case, I'll trouble you," Stop-Water agreed at last.
Then, Fugaku led Itachi and Stop-Water to a nearby open space.
After all, Stop-Water was a ninja who had fought against the Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. And now, on the cusp of becoming a Jonin, he wasn't someone Fugaku could afford to underestimate.
If he wanted to sleep in his own bed tonight, he knew better than to have this spar in his backyard.
"Itachi, stay on the sidelines and watch. Don't get too close," Fugaku instructed before the match.
He was confident in his ability to avoid harming Itachi, but he wasn't so sure about Stop-Water.
Then, turning to Stop-Water, he said, "Don't hold back, Stop-Water. Go all out."
After a moment's thought, Stop-Water entered the Fire Breathing Chakra Mode.
Fugaku, as the head of the Uchiha clan, should be stronger than at least two of the Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, even if he didn't have any notable battle achievements to his name.
Stop-Water wanted to test how effective his Fire Breathing Chakra Mode would be in a battle against such a formidable opponent, especially since Fugaku had told him to use his full strength.
Stop-Water pushed his breathing to the limit, drawing a massive amount of oxygen into his body and converting it into power.
The instant Stop-Water entered the Fire Breathing Chakra Mode, his chakra began to deplete at an alarming rate, and he felt his body undergo significant changes.
The physical enhancement was just a side effect; the true specialty of the Fire Breathing Chakra Mode was its ability to intensify Fire Release chakra nature transformation, vastly increasing the power of his fire techniques.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Stop-Water brought his hands together, converting all the chakra gathered in his throat into Fire Release chakra, and then expelled it in a massive fireball.
Fugaku, who had just finished performing the hand seals for his own technique, was taken aback.
As a member of the Uchiha clan, Fugaku had also intended to start with the Great Fireball Technique, but he was surprised that Stop-Water could cast it without any hand seals. He himself had practiced for many years and still couldn't achieve that level of mastery.
Stop-Water's performance left Fugaku both astonished and perplexed.
(End of Chapter)
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