Chapter 106: The World's Disparities! The Iron-Cutting Swordsman!

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The list contained the names of all the renowned and powerful shinobi in the ninja world.

At this point in time, some of the future powerhouses were still too young.

For instance, the future members of the Akatsuki organization were still children. Orochimaru was still happily residing in Konohagakure, while Kakuzu had already become Suzuki's subordinate.

Others, such as Itachi and Deidara, had yet to be born. Kisame was a promising prospect, but he was still too young.

Sasori was also quite young at this time. In fact, he was only twelve years old this year.

Obito and Zetsu were under the watchful eyes of Madara Uchiha. As for the founders, Nagato and Konan, they had just established the Akatsuki organization under Yahiko's leadership.

Moreover, Suzuki couldn't afford to recruit too few subordinates. He didn't have the time to search for them one by one.

Therefore, the best candidates were those who already had a number of obedient followers.

"Let's go with these few~"

After pondering for a long time, Suzuki picked up a pen and casually drew five red circles on the list.

Suzuki stared at the selected targets and didn't waste any time. He quickly stood up, and a bolt of lightning flashed across his body.

In an instant, his figure vanished from the Ark Maxim.

Iron Country, capital city.

This city was as prosperous as the capital of the Land of Fire.

However, unlike the Land of Fire, the streets here were filled with samurai wielding swords and wearing armor. They seemed out of place compared to the ninja attire that was prevalent in the ninja world.

Every now and then, someone would engage in a swordsmanship duel on a stage by the street, giving off an air of antiquity and conservatism.

Suzuki walked through the streets with an unperturbed expression. After a while, he arrived at a luxurious mansion.

Looking at the opulent gate that exuded an aristocratic aura, Suzuki raised his hand politely and knocked a few times before entering. He was signaling to the owner of the mansion that he had a guest.

"Knock-knock-knock~"

"Who's there?"

A stern and powerful voice asked, and soon after, the gate was pulled open from the inside.

"Creak."

"Who are you?"

The owner of the mansion clearly didn't recognize Suzuki. His face was filled with confusion at the sight of the unfamiliar visitor.

Suzuki looked at the young swordsman who was holding a wooden sword and whose clothes were soaked with sweat. He had an air of solemnity about him. Suzuki smiled gently and said,

"Hello, Mr. Mifune."

"My name is Suzuki. I've come here today to challenge you to a swordsmanship duel."

Yes, the owner of this mansion was none other than the future general of the Iron Country and the leader of the samurai—Mifune!

He had managed to make a name for himself in the ninja world without being a ninja.

More than two decades later, during the Fourth Great Ninja War, he served as the moderator of the Five Kage Summit and the captain of the Fifth Division of the Allied Shinobi Forces.

Mifune's strength was undeniable!

And now, Mifune, who had already crossed swords with the demigod of the ninja world, Hanzo the Salamander, had long since earned the title of the Iron Country's hope and the rising star of swordsmen.

Suzuki's purpose for this trip was this swordsman who lived in an era of ninjas but was deeply passionate about swordsmanship!

"A sword duel?"

Mifune's gaze was like a sharp blade as he sized Suzuki up.

When he saw that Suzuki had two sheaths at his waist, a faint smile appeared on Mifune's face.

"Alright, come in first. I'll go wipe off the sweat."

At this time, Mifune had yet to shoulder the heavy burden of protecting the Iron Country's survival in the ninja world. All his passion and enthusiasm were focused on swordsmanship.

He naturally welcomed challengers who came to his door.

After all, ever since he had crossed swords with the demigod Hanzo, many samurai in the Iron Country had become extremely respectful and admiring of him. Rarely did anyone dare to challenge him to a swordsmanship duel.

"Alright."

Suzuki walked into the courtyard with an unperturbed expression. He then quietly waited in a gazebo.

After a while, Mifune returned, having tidied up his appearance, which had become disheveled from training. He walked over with a serious and stern expression.

"Mr. Mifune, would you like to rest for a while?"

"You've been training for a long time, right? It would be a shame if you were to lose because of your physical condition."

Suzuki heard Mifune's slightly ragged breathing and calmly suggested.

"No, thank you for your kindness, Mr. Suzuki."

"It's when you've just finished training that you have the best feel for it. Besides, a swordsmanship duel is very quick."

Mifune took a few deep breaths to adjust his condition and declined Suzuki's suggestion.

Then he looked at Suzuki, his eyes serious and full of confidence. He said,

"Who wins and who loses is still unknown until we fight."

"I have confidence in my swordsmanship. It's too early to say it's a shame, Mr. Suzuki!"

"Haha, is that so?"

Suzuki smiled gently and then suggested again,

"In that case, how about we make a bet?"

Before Mifune could even open his mouth, Suzuki continued,

"The bet is, ten moves."

As he spoke, Suzuki extended a finger.

"Within ten moves, I will defeat you with my swordsmanship. If you lose, you will come and work for me."

Mifune's brow furrowed. He didn't understand what Suzuki meant. Although it was normal for swordsmen to bet on life or death or on material possessions, ten moves?

Defeating him with swordsmanship in just ten moves?

How was that possible?

One had to know that even the current general of the Iron Country couldn't claim to defeat him in ten moves.

Even a demigod or even the White Fang of Konoha wouldn't be able to do it. In terms of pure swordsmanship, Mifune was confident that he had reached the level of a first-rate swordsman, close to the peak.

To defeat him with pure swordsmanship within ten moves was simply impossible in the current ninja world!

Therefore, Mifune couldn't help but wonder if he should have opened the door. This swordsman named Suzuki was simply too arrogant!

"What? Mr. Mifune, are you not going to bet?"

Suzuki smiled gently at Mifune, who seemed a little angry.

"Bet! If you lose, you will stay in the courtyard and work as a handyman for a month!"

"Also, I will only make ten moves!"

Mifune couldn't suppress his desire for swordsmanship any longer. He accepted the challenge with a solemn expression.

"Alright."

"Then, Mr. Mifune, let's begin."

As he spoke, Suzuki calmly drew the twin swords, Raiga, from his waist and slowly walked towards the training ground in the courtyard.

Seeing this, Mifune also drew his sharp sword with a serious expression and walked to the training ground. He stood about ten meters away from Suzuki, facing him.

The courtyard fell silent, and even the air seemed filled with the chill of sharp blades!

Suzuki beckoned to Mifune, indicating that they could begin.

Mifune didn't waste any words. His figure instantly turned into a blur and charged towards Suzuki.

Boom!

Their swords clashed, producing a clear and resounding sound!

"Your speed is not bad."

Suzuki praised inwardly.

As a swordsman who was extremely proficient in the art of taijutsu, Mifune was not only extremely fast with his sword, but his speed was also excellent.

However, in Suzuki's eyes, this speed was nothing to speak of.

Boom, boom, boom.

In an instant, two figures engaged in a fierce battle in the training ground!

Iaijutsu was also known as the way of the sword or the art of drawing the sword. It was a part of the various techniques of Eastern swordsmanship.

The so-called taijutsu meant the transition from a normal state to an emergency state. Draw and cut, don't cut without drawing!

Mifune had relied on his powerful and proficient taijutsu countless times in battles against ninjas, preventing them from even getting the chance to form hand seals.

In the future, during the Fourth Great Ninja War, he even emerged victorious against opponents such as the reincarnated demigod Hanzo, Deidara, and the Ten-Tails' clone.

However, at this moment, this powerful swordsman who was renowned in the ninja world was like a child in Suzuki's eyes, being toyed with at will.

Boom, boom

Every one of Suzuki's sword strikes accurately blocked Mifune's swings!

Mifune's every move, the contraction and expansion of the muscles in his body, and even the gravel and dirt that was kicked up when he stomped on the ground all escaped Suzuki's gaze.

Slow, too slow!

The battle continued.

In the training ground, Suzuki became more and more relaxed. Every block, every parry, seemed to be done casually and naturally.

Suzuki's twin swords were even placed in front of the point of attack in advance. It was as if he was taking a leisurely stroll, gradually forcing this master swordsman of the Iron Country into a corner.

Meanwhile, sweat dripped down Mifune's forehead!

So... so fast! So strong!

What's going on? Was my training too tiring earlier?

How could there be such fast swordsmanship???

Mifune felt as if his sword was gradually bearing a weight of thousands of kilograms, and every swing was extremely strenuous!

At the same time, the pressure in Mifune's heart grew heavier and heavier. Even in his battles with the demigods of the ninja world a few years ago, he had never felt so powerless!

As he retreated step by step, Mifune's body was already backed into a corner.

Suzuki completely blocked out all the sunlight that was shining on him. At this moment, Mifune felt as if he had become infinitely small, while the figure opposite him had become infinitely tall!

"Bang!"

This wasn't the sound of swords clashing, but the sound of Mifune hitting the wall!

In the next moment, the twin swords in Suzuki's hands swung out in an attack for the first time, just one swing!

The flying slash cut through the air, and the wall collapsed with a loud crash!

The sword in Mifune's hand was instantly severed, and even the ground was left with a sword mark that was more than ten meters long!

"Mr. Mifune, you have lost."

Suzuki looked at Mifune, who was lying in the rubble, and calmly stated the outcome of the duel.

"..."

This future general of the Iron Country and leader of the samurai seemed to have encountered a stormy sea. His gaze was fixed on the sword mark on the ground.

Mifune was stunned by Suzuki's slash!

This wasn't chakra!

Mifune had never sensed any trace of Suzuki using chakra during this duel.

But...

This slash, this slash that had released sword energy and was comparable to an A-rank ninjutsu, how was it possible???

How could pure swordsmanship achieve such a feat???

"Mr. Suzuki!!!"

Mifune suddenly got up and bowed deeply to Suzuki.

"I have lost, but may I ask you to demonstrate that swordsmanship again? Mifune would be eternally grateful!"

Mifune raised his head, his eyes filled with an intense desire!

As a swordsman, as a swordsman who had grown up in the Iron Country, which was known for its stubbornness and conservatism,

Mifune had heard similar remarks countless times.

"Why don't you learn ninjutsu? What's the use of practicing swordsmanship?"

"Huh? A swordsman? Don't be ridiculous. I still think it's better to let a ninja do this mission."

"Even if you train your swordsmanship to the highest level, won't you still be unable to withstand their ninjutsu when facing a ninja?"

"Wake up, this is the era of ninjas. Swordsmen have long since become obsolete!"

Yes, ninjas who possessed chakra would always be superior, and the power of ninjutsu was unbelievably formidable.

So, what could swordsmen achieve with their swords?

Mifune had been striving and searching for this.

For decades, he had trained day and night, and even when he was sleeping, he dreamed of being able to forge a new path for swordsmen in the future.

However, he had failed.

If he didn't have chakra, if he didn't learn to use chakra, Mifune felt that he probably wouldn't even be able to defeat a chunin.

Although he didn't use ninjutsu, swordsmanship infused with chakra was no different from ninjutsu, was it?

A branch of taijutsu, swordsmanship?

However...

Suzuki's slash seemed to have shown him a whole new world.

That was the future of swordsmanship, the hope of swordsmen!

Mifune swore that he had never been so shocked and excited in his entire life!

He tightly grasped the broken sword in his hand and waited expectantly for Suzuki's answer.

"Alright."

"Mr. Mifune will abide by the bet, right?"

Suzuki smiled gently and agreed to Mifune's request, reminding him of the bet.

"No problem!"

"As long as Mr. Suzuki doesn't ask me to do anything that goes against my conscience, Mifune will never go back on his word!"

A swordsman had to keep his word after losing.

The pride and traditional upbringing of a swordsman made Mifune solemnly place the broken sword on his chest and make a promise to Suzuki.

After all, doing missions was too common in this era. As long as it didn't violate his conscience, there was nothing wrong with it for the sake of the future of swordsmanship.

Hearing Mifune's answer, Suzuki didn't waste any more words and directly began his demonstration.

"There is a swordsman in the world who can't cut through a single piece of paper, but that swordsman can cut through steel and other things with the same sword."

As he spoke, Suzuki walked to a large tree in the training ground and casually snapped off a branch.

"Just like the same wooden sword, in the hands of different swordsmen, one can only act like a child playing around."

"While the other can possess the power to cut through steel!"

"This is the disparity of the world!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Suzuki's eyes suddenly became sharp, and the branch in his hand slashed towards the big tree in an unbelievable manner!

"Crack."

The big tree crashed to the ground!

The cut was extremely smooth, as if it had been cut by some divine weapon.

However...

Suzuki was only holding a branch!

"..."

Mifune stared blankly at this scene. He couldn't understand.

Why could Suzuki use a branch that he had snapped off a tree to cut down a big tree so easily?

But...

It was wonderful!

Tears flowed from Mifune's eyes for some reason, gradually soaking his collar.

"This is iron-cutting, also known as the breath of all things."

Suzuki simply said this sentence and then fell silent.

Iron-cutting was a swordsmanship technique that had been honed for thousands of years in the world of pirates. It had a complete inheritance.

Just like taijutsu and haki, it could be cultivated. It was just that people's talent and comprehension were different, so many people would get stuck at bottlenecks.

On the other hand, the swordsmanship of the ninja world relied entirely on chakra for its development. The two could almost be considered the disparities of the world.

One was mainstream, the other was a branch. Naturally, the gap was huge.

Even Suzuki, who was already very strong, had only recently comprehended the mysteries of iron-cutting.

However, he couldn't possibly teach everything to this future general of the Iron Country all at once.

"Alright, I have other things to do."

Suzuki instantly changed the topic, indicating that he was about to leave.

"If Mr. Mifune is very interested in this swordsmanship, you can take this and come to the Land of Waves to find me."

Then, Suzuki gently handed a Den Den Mushi to Mifune.

"..."

Hearing Suzuki's words, Mifune quickly came back to his senses.

He took the Den Den Mushi, and a hint of confusion appeared on his face.

"This is?"

Suzuki gently pointed to the top of the Den Den Mushi's shell.

"Just press that button."

"Also, remember to take good care of it like a pet."

As he spoke, Suzuki walked towards the gate of the mansion and politely bid farewell.

"Mr. Mifune, I look forward to seeing you again in the Land of Waves!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Suzuki's figure instantly disappeared from the courtyard, as if he had never appeared at all.

"..."

Mifune held the Den Den Mushi in a daze. He felt a sense of regret over Suzuki's sudden appearance and sudden disappearance.

Iron-cutting swordsmanship, the breath of all things...

What kind of swordsmanship realm was that exactly?

Mifune only felt as if there were ants crawling in his heart, constantly urging him to chase after Suzuki's figure.

"The Land of Waves, huh."

Mifune held the broken sword, his eyes filled with determination!

(End of chapter)