Chapter 151 - Everything Has a Weakness
However, Kazane suddenly appeared between the two, stopping Jiriku's punch mid-swing.
"Alright, that's enough for today."
Kazane released Jiriku's fist, helped the collapsed Might Guy back to his feet, and separated the two before calmly addressing them.
Truth be told, he was rather satisfied with their performance today—especially Might Guy. The man really lived up to his reputation as one of Kakashi's harem of beauties.
Kakashi, under Kazane's training, still hadn't reached the level of slashing steel or becoming a true swordmaster, but he had grown strong enough to rival most elite jōnin.
Kazane had assumed Might Guy had long been left in Kakashi's dust. But unexpectedly, Guy now stood with one foot firmly planted in the world of elite jōnin as well.
Of course, from Kazane's perspective, elite jōnin weren't all that different from regular ninja—both were chicken feed he could cut down in a single stroke.
But in the wider ninja world, elite jōnin stood near the pinnacle, the second step from the top of the shinobi pyramid.
More importantly, Kazane had felt the strength behind Jiriku's punch just now. It was several times more powerful than the one from just half a month ago.
That alone proved to Kazane that Jiriku had gained full control over his body.
Which meant that Jiriku had already completed the training phase ahead of schedule and was ready to advance to the next stage.
Kazane could only praise him—truly worthy of being called a genius of the Hermit Clan.
It also highlighted just how much talent Jiriku had wasted in the original timeline.
After splitting up the two fighters, Kazane decided it was time to teach them some real skills. He waved them over.
"Come with me."
He led the way to a row of iron targets set up nearby. As he passed Itachi, he gave the boy a casual love tap to the head, reminding him to get back to his own training.
Stopping in front of the targets, Kazane turned to Might Guy and Jiriku and asked, "Do you know why I'm this strong?"
The two fell into brief silence.
After waiting a moment with no response, Kazane pointed directly at Guy, signaling him to answer.
Receiving the cue, Guy scratched his head awkwardly. He'd pondered this very question many times—why had Kazane, a fellow underachiever, suddenly pulled ahead and become so different?
Then, as if struck by inspiration, Guy flashed a bright, toothy smile and gave a thumbs-up. "I know! It's because you've trained hard day after day without giving up! Right?"
Though Kazane felt the answer was complete nonsense, he couldn't exactly pick out anything wrong with it.
Still, when has Kazane ever needed a reason to punch someone?
BAM!!!
Without hesitation, Kazane delivered a love punch that sent Guy sprawling to the ground.
He then turned a sharp gaze toward Itachi, who'd been secretly watching the whole time. The boy quickly averted his eyes and began furiously punching the target in front of him.
Kazane now turned toward the amused Jiriku. "You. Monk. Speak."
Under Kazane's intense stare, Jiriku quickly wiped the smile off his face. After a moment's thought, he answered cautiously, "It's because you're too handsome, boss. Especially when you wield a blade—you're just so dazzling that your enemies are stunned by your overwhelming charisma the moment you strike, right??(ˊωˋ*)??."
Kazane raised his fist again—but Jiriku's genuine flattery made him pause.
Satisfied, Kazane nodded. "You hear that, Guy? That's the correct answer."
Guy, still crawling up from the dirt, looked at the shameless pair in front of him. Even the pain in his head seemed to vanish.
I've never seen people this thick-skinned in my life!
Kazane, naturally, had no idea what Guy was thinking. If he had, another punch would've come flying.
Seeing their serious expressions, he resumed his explanation.
"All things in this world have life. If you can hear their breath, you can find their weakness—and sever it!"
"The breath… of all things?" ×3
At some point, Itachi had crept back over.
Kazane shot him a brief glare but didn't say anything. He'd be teaching the boy this later anyway.
He raised his right hand, forming a sword finger, and gently drew a line across the iron target as he continued.
"Yes. The breath of all things. When you can perceive it, nothing will be able to withstand your blade—or your fists."
As he finished speaking, Kazane lifted his hand.
The iron target split cleanly in two, following the line traced by his finger.
BANG!!!
The top half slid off and hit the ground with a heavy thud.
Itachi watched, wide-eyed. But after the trials he'd endured recently, his worldview had broadened. This kind of display no longer drew gasps from him.
This, of course, disappointed Kazane.
So, he unsheathed Wadō Ichimonji at his waist and swung it at the sky.
"Ittō-ryū: Three Hundred and Sixty Troublesome Winds!!!"
A spiraling wave of slashes flew upward, instantly slicing every cloud in Itachi's line of sight into fragments.
That finally sparked a hint of fear in the boy's eyes.
But he still didn't show the exaggerated expression Kazane was hoping for.
Disappointed, Kazane promptly gave Itachi another love punch.
Watching the boy clutch his head and cry out in pain, Kazane finally felt satisfied.
He continued:
"Did you see that? I barely used any force, and the steel was cut clean through. That's because I found its breath—and cut through its life."
"Your next lesson is this: Punch the iron target every day. Listen for the breath of the steel. Shatter it with your fist."
"The day your fists can break steel… is the day you graduate."
With that, Kazane gestured behind him at the rows of prepared iron targets.
That's the advantage of authority—wherever he went now, there was always an ANBU agent ready to relay his orders.
Jiriku looked at his own fists, then at the solid, dark, glossy iron target before him. He gulped nervously.
"Boss… is there a shortcut for this kind of training? If I just punch it over and over, my hands will break before I find its breath."
Kazane frowned slightly. He recalled how much suffering he'd endured to cut steel himself. After a brief moment, he said:
"There is one shortcut—combat. Keep challenging opponents far stronger than you. In the face of life and death, you might suddenly break through."
He cracked his knuckles as he spoke, clearly intending to give Jiriku a demonstration.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
But in the blink of an eye, the three students were all punching the iron targets simultaneously.
Wait, three students?
Kazane's face twitched. He promptly grabbed Itachi by the collar and tossed him toward the paper targets, sending him back to his own station.