Chapter 69: The ‘Gentleman’ Blade, Retreating To Advance
Notes:
Kenjutsu are sword techniques of both shinobi and samurai. They can be used along with taijutsu, ninjutsu, and even genjutsu to achieve more devastating techniques
In the Hatake household backyard, with a wooden sword in hand, Hatake Sakumo walked to the open space, and lightly said, “Come, Tonan.”
Uchiha Tonan, however, shook his head expressionlessly. He slowly pulled out the chakra tanto from his back and solemnly countered, “White Fang-sama, prepare everything you need. This is an honorary duel between two samurai factions. Today, if you don’t die, then I won’t live.”
Sakumo was stunned. He looked at Tonan who was holding the chakra tanto and fell into a daze. Soon afterward, a small smile played on his face. He bowed to Tonan and said, “Alright, thank you, Tonan.”
After speaking, he gently cast the wooden sword to a corner and walked into his bedroom. In there, he didn’t directly go to retrieve a weapon but instead crumpled a will lying on the table and threw it into the trashcan.
He then wrote a new will and tied a white scarf around his forehead. Finally, he grabbed the chakra tanto, came to the backyard, and stood opposite Tonan.
Sakumo slowly pulled out the chakra tanto and leisurely said, “This blade is called White Fang. What’s your blade’s name?”
Hearing the question, Tonan brought the chakra tanto in front of him, stroked it lightly, and said, “I’ve named it Gentleman.”
Sakumo was confused, “Gentleman?”
“The benevolent are not worried, the wise are not confused, and the brave are not afraid. This is my samurai spirit, and also the virtue of my life. So, I call it Gentleman.”
Sakumo was a little moved, and reflected with admiration, “It’s a good name.”
Tonan slowly shut his eyes and opened them suddenly, activating his Sharingan. “White Fang-sama, can we begin the duel?”
Sakumo nodded solemnly and said, “Come at me.”
Tonan went all out in the next moment, and his figure disappeared. When he reappeared, Sakumo discovered there were three Tonans around him, all rushing over from different directions.
‘Profound Meaning – Flicker Clone Technique.’
Ding, ding, ding…
Metal collision resounded in the air. Sakumo stood still on his spot, brandishing the White Fang, blocking any attacks from the three Tonans.
As the challenge proceeded, his surprise towards Tonan’s strength increased. In the past, when he watched Tonan training with Kakashi, he could see Tonan always had surplus energy. However, he didn’t expect his strength to improve so fast. He was already approaching the jonin level.
“This kind of talent… Kakashi, I’m afraid you won’t be able to keep up with Tonan’s pace for the rest of your life.”
Sakumo narrowed his eyes slightly. He accurately discerned a flaw in Tonan’s movements, swung the White Fang to repel one, retracted the tanto to block the other attack, then kicked the one that was attacking from the front.
Bang!
Tonan was sent flying to the ground. He rolled a few times before getting up and rushed forward to attack Sakumo again.
“So, this is the main body, then the other two must be shadow clones.”
Thinking this, Sakumo dodged the attack that he believed was from the real Tonan. Then, he appeared behind one of the ‘clones’ and swung his tanto. That ‘shadow clone’ was startled and immediately used the Body Flicker Technique to dodge.
Puchi~
Blood splatter around. A long wound appeared on the shadow clone’s arm. Sakumo’s pupils shrank slightly seeing this.
“It’s not a shadow clone. Are they are all real? Tonan has mastered such powerful ninjutsu!”
Sakumo was unable to determine which one was the main body for a while. Therefore, he stopped attacking, afraid he would hurt Tonan. Facing the three Tonans, he just dodged and blocked.
At most, he would find flaws and kick Tonan away without causing any injuries. Tonan, however, didn’t care so much. Today, he wanted to use everything he had to gain Sakumo’s acknowledgment.
As long as he gained it, he would kill Sakumo in one swing as Sakumo wished. But if he didn’t gain it until the end, he planned to beat Sakumo half to death, and give him some good advice.
To be fully prepared for all outcomes, Tonan’s ninja bag contained various life-saving pills and bandages to stop bleeding. As long as Sakumo reined in his suicidal thoughts, for the time being at the very least, he could even win the slander war for Sakumo with a little trick.
On the surface, Tonan might be powerless but to toy with these shallow villagers in the dark, he had countless tricks. The simplest way was to advance by retreating. Sakumo needed to apologize in public and say he loved the villagers and his companions. And that he couldn’t see any of his companions die in front of his eyes.
After this, he could easily win people’s hearts. The most important thing about this trick was to win the ninjas over. Konoha was a ninja village. Their influence overshadowed that of civilians.
Time passed by quickly. The duel between the two fell into a one-sided stalemate.
Meanwhile, the guards who received the reports began to rush towards the Hatake household. Sarutobi Hiruzen also received the news, but he didn’t care too much., Hiruzen knew that Tonan would go to the Hatake household to train.
At this moment, Tonan had already activated the Byakugan. He carefully observed Sakumo’s chakra movement and muscle contractions. He used this to predict his next move. But even with this, he was unable to break through Sakumo’s defense.
Sakumo, on the other hand, was getting even more astonished.
“This strong intrusive feeling… is it sensory ninjutsu? Tonan has greatly surpassed Kakashi.”
“Tonan, let’s see how powerful you are.”
After speaking, Sakumo’s speed increased by more than double. Tonan not only had Byakugan’s insight to predict his movements, but also the three tomoe Sharingan’s dynamic vision, which could clearly see the attack paths.
With all this and using the Body Flicker Technique without caring about chakra consumption, he was able to barely block or dodge Sakumo’s attacks. The worst was that this was not Sakumo’s full power.
Tonan realized Sakumo had not used ninjutsu in this fight at all. He hadn’t even used his chakra. He was competing against Tonan using just taijutsu and kenjutsu.
“Is this Konoha’s White Fang’s strength?”
In this so-called samurai duel with White Fang, Tonan too could not use ninjutsu. He narrowed his eyes, preparing to use the ultimate Sanbo Style Sword Technique move.
He dispersed his clones, tightly held the chakra tanto, looked straight at Sakumo, and said, “White Fang-sama, please be careful.”
Sakumo understood Tonan was about to make a big move but he didn’t stop him. He just stood there and waited quietly. Tonan narrowed his eyes slightly, jumped up, and raised the chakra tanto high.
The tanto in his hands was instantly filled with a lot of white attribute chakra, turning into a long blade light.
“Sanbo Gale Slash.”
Tonan yelled and slashed down at Sakumo.
