Chapter 34: Hatake swordsmanship

Although he had just returned, Hatake Sakumo already heard the news that Kisaragi had become the head of the Uchiha clan.

Whether Kisaragi became the patriarch or not didn't matter to him. What mattered was, why had Kisaragi suddenly come to his house? He had no relationship or friendship with him.

From Kisaragi's demeanor, it was clear his visit wasn't a friendly one.

Forcing open the door to his home was certainly not a gesture of goodwill.

"What are you here for?"

Hatake Sakumo asked.

"Konoha's White Fang, I'm very interested in your swordsmanship. Can you teach it to me?" Kisaragi inquired.

Upon hearing Kisaragi's words, Hatake Sakumo's expression instantly turned cold.

"The swordsmanship passed down in my family will not be shared with outsiders. You're not welcome here. Please leave."

Hatake Sakumo was known for his calm temperament. If he were the type to easily lose his temper, he might have already engaged Kisaragi in combat over such a request.

To come and immediately demand to be taught the family's sword techniques—how could that be possible?

Even if Sakumo took on a disciple, he wouldn't necessarily teach them the Hatake swordsmanship. That privilege was reserved for his son, Hatake Kakashi, alone.

"I don't plan to leave so easily," Kisaragi said, slowly unsheathing Ryūjin Jakka.

"What's the meaning of this?"

Seeing Kisaragi draw his sword, Hatake Sakumo's eyes narrowed, his gaze sharp as he stared at him.

Judging from Kisaragi's stance, he seemed ready to fight. If Kisaragi truly wanted a battle, Hatake Sakumo was more than willing to teach him a lesson. Sakumo was still confident in his own strength.

"Hatake Sakumo, you wouldn't want anything to happen to your son, would you?" Kisaragi's words struck a nerve, threatening Sakumo with the safety of his son.

"I suggest you take back that statement," Sakumo warned.

Kisaragi merely sneered and activated his Three Tomoe Sharingan. He knew that Sakumo would never willingly teach him the family's sword techniques, so he decided to use the Sharingan to copy them.

But to do that, he needed to engage Hatake Sakumo in combat.

"As Uchiha control the village safety, what if I find a reason to arrest Hatake Kakashi? How would a five-year-old fare in prison, calling out for his father?"

"You're courting death," Sakumo growled.

Already in a foul mood, Kisaragi's provocation only further enraged him. He could no longer hold back. The White Fang short blade was unsheathed in an instant, a white light flashing as he slashed toward Kisaragi.

"What speed," Kisaragi remarked, raising his hand to block White Fang's short blade with Ryūjin Jakka.

Hatake Sakumo's White Fang short blade was a special chakra-infused sword, capable of transmitting chakra efficiently—a valuable ninja tool not just anyone could wield.

The blade glowed with white chakra, each strike deadly and precise.

Yet, despite the onslaught, Kisaragi appeared calm and composed. While it was true that Sakumo surpassed him in pure swordsmanship, Kisaragi had the advantage of the Sharingan. Even with just the Three Tomoe Sharingan, he could clearly see the trajectory of Sakumo's every move.

In the blink of an eye, Kisaragi and Sakumo had exchanged dozens of blows, and Kisaragi became more adept with each strike. As a prodigy, his learning speed was exceptional.

During the fight, Kisaragi noticed a key aspect of Sakumo's swordsmanship—speed. If he hadn't possessed the Sharingan, fighting Sakumo would have been far more challenging, especially if relying solely on swordsmanship.

Kisaragi gradually gained the upper hand and even began secretly copying Sakumo's techniques.

Meanwhile, Sakumo grew increasingly alarmed. He had known of Kisaragi's talents, and while he believed the young Uchiha might surpass him in the future, he hadn't expected him to already be this powerful.

Kisaragi wasn't just at the quasi-Kage level—he had definitely reached Kage-level strength.

And this was Hatake Sakumo fighting at full strength, holding nothing back in his fury.

"Nothing is invincible, but speed is unmatched," Kisaragi thought, gaining an understanding of the essence of Sakumo's swordsmanship. With his incredible speed, Sakumo's blade could likely cut through even powerful ninjutsu.

Of course, Sakumo didn't usually fight head-on. In fact, the short sword was better suited for surprise attacks from the shadows, where few could defend against Sakumo's blade.

*Clang!*

Ryūjin Jakka clashed with White Fang's short blade once again. After a brief exchange, Sakumo leapt backward, flipping through the air before landing gracefully on the ground, much like a nimble cat.

His arms trembled slightly as he held White Fang in both hands.

Kisaragi, who held Ryūjin Jakka with one hand, was also feeling the strain.

"You have incredible strength," Sakumo remarked, his gaze sharp.

"You're strong yourself," Kisaragi responded, studying Sakumo like a curious specimen.

"Let's go again," Sakumo said, his legs suddenly sparking with Lightning Style chakra. The jolt enhanced his leg muscles, and with a burst of speed, he charged, aiming a slash at Kisaragi's throat.

Kisaragi met the attack with his own sword, all while forming a one-handed seal to unleash the Great Fireball Technique toward Sakumo. However, the Sakumo he struck was merely a Shadow Clone—a clever feint.

"Under my eyes, nothing can escape," Kisaragi muttered, twisting his body and channeling power from his waist to his arms, delivering a precise slash to the real Sakumo who had appeared behind him.

Sakumo, sensing the danger, defended just in time, narrowly avoiding death.

Half-kneeling on the ground, Sakumo glanced at the deep gouge left in the earth from his impact.

"Sharingan," Sakumo muttered bitterly.

The Sharingan of the Uchiha clan was indeed formidable, giving them a considerable advantage over those without bloodline limits. Among all bloodline abilities, the Sharingan was one of the most powerful.

During the battle, Sakumo found himself at a significant disadvantage. Sharingan's illusions were terrifying, and Sakumo had to avoid direct eye contact with Kisaragi throughout the fight.

It was common knowledge in the ninja world—never meet the eyes of an Uchiha, or you could fall under their genjutsu, even for just a second, which could easily mean death.

Kisaragi slowly sheathed Ryūjin Jakka.

"The Hatake family's swordsmanship is indeed worthy of its reputation. It was a pleasure exchanging blows with you, but unfortunately, I won't have another opportunity to learn from you."

Kisaragi's words carried a subtle implication as he addressed Hatake Sakumo.