The three-day break passed in the blink of an eye.
April 19, Year 39 of Konoha's Founding
Hoshita Shūichi reunited with Uchiha Shisui and the others at their usual training ground. Moments later, Namikaze Minato arrived.
"Shūichi!"
Namikaze Minato handed him a scroll.
"Minato-sensei, this is...?"
Hoshita Shūichi accepted it with both hands.
Namikaze Minato smiled. "A special request from the Third Hokage—Konoha-Style Swordsmanship."
"I've noticed your proficiency with short blades. This suits you perfectly."
Hoshita Shūichi's face lit up. He bowed deeply. "Thank you, Minato-sensei!"
Namikaze Minato chuckled. "I've never specialized in swordsmanship, so I can't offer direct guidance. However—" He glanced at Uchiha Shisui. "The Uchiha clan's blade techniques are among Konoha's finest. Shisui will make an excellent sparring partner."
Uchiha Shisui grinned. "Just say the word, Shūichi."
Hoshita Shūichi thanked him profusely. He wouldn't hold back.
After securing the scroll, Namikaze Minato announced, "This mission takes us to the Daimyō's court. It'll last about seven days. Prepare your gear—we assemble at the village gates in thirty minutes."
"Understood!"
The trio dispersed.
The New Title
While packing at home, Hoshita Shūichi checked his mental "skill tree."
A new title had appeared: [Swordsmanship Expert].
Odd—mastering the short blade didn't trigger this before.
Title: [Swordsmanship Expert]
Unlock Conditions:
Master the Konoha-Style Swordsmanship specified by Namikaze Minato.
Defeat Hatake Kakashi in a sword duel.
Effects:
Swordsmanship talent +100%.
Designated weapon quality +100%.
Hoshita Shūichi nearly groaned.
Kakashi again?!
"At least it's not pure swordsmanship..."
A straight blade duel against Kakashi? No chance. Kakashi had been trained by the "White Fang," Hatake Sakumo, and his innate talent was monstrous.
As for why "swordsmanship" referred to blades—in the shinobi world, swords (ken) and blades (tō) were often grouped together under "swordsmanship" (kenjutsu). The term shinken (true blade) further blurred the lines.
Konoha-Style Swordsmanship was an umbrella term encompassing:
Uchiha clan techniques.
Hatake-style swordsmanship.
The Second Hokage's Flying Thunder God Slash.
Signature moves like Crescent Moon Dance, Moon Shadow, and Konoha-Style: Willow.
The Mission
Scroll secured, Hoshita Shūichi headed to the gates. The team set off along the main road to the capital at a leisurely pace—time wasn't pressing.
En route, Namikaze Minato briefed them: "This is an invitation from the Daimyō himself."
"The Daimyō?!" Kurama Sanyō's eyes widened excitedly. "Does he know about us?"
Namikaze Minato laughed. "No. He's assembling his own ninja guard and has recruited several candidates. He requested Konoha send shinobi for 'exchange.' The Third Hokage assigned us."
Kurama Sanyō's excitement waned. "But Konoha is the Land of Fire's hidden village. Why not just have us guard him?"
Uchiha Shisui shared his confusion.
Namikaze Minato turned to Hoshita Shūichi. "What do you think, Shūichi?"
Hoshita Shūichi feigned thought. "The Hokage is the Hokage. The Daimyō is the Daimyō."
"The Land of Fire is the Land of Fire. The Daimyō is the Daimyō."
Kurama Sanyō stared blankly.
Uchiha Shisui's eyes gleamed with realization.
Namikaze Minato elaborated, "While Konoha can rotate guard teams, the Daimyō prefers ninja who answer directly to him."
Hoshita Shūichi added, "Just like the Hokage has the ANBU, not the Root."
Kurama Sanyō gasped. "Ohhh!"
Namikaze Minato, however, was startled. Such sharp insight...
Post-Second Shinobi War, the Hokage's orders to Root did only pass through Danzō. Normally, this chain of command made sense—just as Minato relayed missions to his team, not individual genin.
But Root and Danzō now...
Minato frowned inwardly.
Uchiha Shisui mused, "Like tools—borrowed ones can't compare to owning them."
Hoshita Shūichi nodded. "Exactly. And people, unlike tools, have wills of their own."
Namikaze Minato smoothly shifted topics. "Anyway, that's the mission. Impress the Daimyō. Show him Konoha's finest."
"Got it!"
"Don't worry, Minato-sensei—we'll make Konoha proud!"
Arrival at the Capital
By noon, they reached the Daimyō's opulent palace in the heart of the Land of Fire's grandest city.
Sunlight bathed bustling streets lined with vendors. Namikaze Minato let the team explore, sampling street food before their 2 PM audience.
Upon entering the palace, the Daimyō eyed them with displeasure.
"This is whom the Hokage sends?"
A youth barely twenty and three children. An insult!
Kneeling, Namikaze Minato remained calm. "Your Excellency, Shisui and the others are elite genin who've defeated numerically superior foes in the Land of Rain. As for myself—I am a Konoha jōnin. Test us as you will. We won't disappoint."
The Daimyō waved a fan dismissively. "Very well. Prove it."
He whispered to an aide, who scurried off.
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