tanto

Sasuke walked through the streets of Konoha with quick, determined steps. He was eager to pick up his new weapon, something that rarely happened, but the thought of testing the specially ordered tantō made him excited. As he rounded the corner, he spotted Haruto's shop, his friend and the owner of the best weapon shop in the village. Haruto, with his skill and attention to detail, had promised a tantō made of chakra-conducting metal, which would enhance Sasuke's combat capabilities, especially in kenjutsu techniques.

As he entered the shop, Sasuke noticed the familiar scene: walls covered in swords, kunai, and scrolls, all neatly organized. Haruto was behind the counter, inspecting some newly forged blades. When he saw Sasuke walk in, he looked up and gave a friendly smile.

"Sasuke! Right on time!" said Haruto, putting down what he was working on and moving to a shelf behind the counter. He grabbed a dark wooden case and placed it carefully on the counter.

Sasuke stepped closer, a look of anticipation on his face. Haruto opened the case, revealing the tantō. The blade was impressive—thin, impeccably finished, with a gleam that showcased its quality. Sasuke picked up the tantō, feeling its balanced weight, and ran his thumb along the blade, sensing the chakra flow as his touch activated a faint pulse of energy.

"You outdid yourself, Haruto," Sasuke commented, with a hint of admiration in his voice, something rare to hear.

Haruto smiled, crossing his arms and watching as Sasuke carefully examined the blade.

"Of course I did! This is one of the best pieces I've ever made. That metal is a great chakra conductor, so the blade will respond more precisely to your commands. And naturally, it has reinforced finishing to withstand frequent use."

Sasuke nodded, satisfied with what he heard. He knew Haruto always delivered the best, but this time his friend had truly outdone himself.

"Excellent work," said Sasuke, sheathing the blade at his waist. "I can't wait to test it at the training grounds."

Haruto patted Sasuke on the shoulder, a proud expression on his face.

"I knew you'd like it. Oh, and one more thing: try channeling chakra slowly at first. It's a very responsive metal, so it's worth getting used to how it reacts before using it in serious combat."

Sasuke gave a small smile. "Got it, Haruto. I promise I won't break your masterpiece."

With a brief nod, he said goodbye to his friend and left the shop. The feeling of the new tantō at his waist brought a renewed sense of confidence; he knew that this weapon would be a valuable ally in the challenges ahead. Determined to fully explore the possibilities offered by the blade, Sasuke headed to the Uchiha training grounds.

Upon arrival, the space was peaceful, surrounded by trees and open fields he regularly used for his training. Sasuke positioned himself in the center, adjusting his stance and preparing to start his kenjutsu training. He closed his eyes for a moment, focusing to channel chakra along the tantō. As Haruto had mentioned, the blade responded subtly, a pulsing energy that seemed to run through it as if it were alive. This brought a brief smile to Sasuke; the chakra conduction along the blade was much more natural and fluid than he expected.

Starting with some basic movements, he tested the weapon's lightness, performing quick cuts in the air, adjusting the force and chakra concentration with each strike. The blade seemed to dance in his hands, almost as if it were an extension of his own body. After a few minutes, he decided to intensify his training. Spotting a stack of logs piled at the edge of the field, he sprinted towards them and delivered a series of blows, alternating between offensive and defensive movements.

With each cut, a faint spark formed along the blade, intensified by the chakra presence. It was a challenging control, but he could feel that practice would lead to a new mastery over weapon use.

After a period of sequential strikes and rapid attacks, he decided to try something more advanced. Channeling more chakra into the blade, he prepared to execute the Kumo Ryuu - Kaengiri. He swung the tantō in an arc and concentrated an extra amount of Katon chakra, producing a flame along the blade that grew with his movement, igniting the area of impact. A line of fire followed the trajectory of his strike, burning the ground where the tantō touched.

Sasuke smiled in satisfaction, wiping sweat from his forehead. The technique had worked flawlessly with the new weapon, and he could feel the amplified power from the combination of the conductive metal and Katon chakra. This was only the first of many training sessions, but the tantō was already proving to be an invaluable addition to his arsenal.

Remembering Haruto's words, he reflected on how good equipment could make a difference in combat. This only increased his appreciation for the weapon and the effort his friend had put into creating it. Determined to show Haruto the results of his effort soon, Sasuke continued training until dusk, alternating between chakra control and repetitive strikes, growing more comfortable with the new tantō.

With his body exhausted but satisfied with his progress, Sasuke finally ended the training. The training grounds now bore the marks of fire and precise cuts he had practiced. Looking at the blade, he knew that, along with the skills he continued to hone, the weapon would be crucial in helping him reach his goals.