In the dark night, sparks flew, and the invisible slashes almost shattered the hard stone floor.
Clang clang clang clang...
The two short blades emitted an intense clash, as if playing a fierce tune in the courtyard of the Tenshu.
Kakashi's blade was faster with each strike, a principle he learned from Uchiha Yoichi: if your slashes are so fast that the enemy can only defend, then you don't need to defend.
However, facing this adversary, Kakashi felt powerless; every strike was seen through and precisely blocked by the opponent.
'This is impossible!'
Kakashi couldn't believe it; he was a Chunin and had trained for so long. How could he feel so helpless in front of this enemy?
It was almost like... sparring swordsmanship with his father at home.
And Hatake Sakumo confirmed after engaging that this guard at the Tenshu must be his son, Kakashi, as he simultaneously wielded Wind Escape and Lightning Release swordsmanship, a technique only their Hatake family possessed in the Ninja World.
'You've improved, Kakashi, but now is not the time for sparring and guidance!'
Hatake Sakumo recalled his teammates delaying in the main courtyard, and instantly decided.
The short blade swept across in a triple slash.
The first strike forced Kakashi to hold his blade vertically to block, the second almost made him let go of his short blade, and the third...
The short blade in Kakashi's hand was directly knocked out, slashed away by Hatake Sakumo.
Bang!
A kick sent Kakashi flying, directly kicked away by Hatake Sakumo.
Since coming out secretly for a mission, there must be a ninja's resolve. Although Hatake Sakumo wouldn't kill his own son, he could still leave a lasting impression.
After kicking Kakashi away, Hatake Sakumo quickly charged toward the Tenshu. Just as he entered the Daimyo Mansion, Yamanaka Ryosuke had captured the inner official there and learned vital information.
The Daimyo of the Land of Rivers recently changed his resting place every night, and today he happened to change to the Tenshu. Only the inner official and five samurai guards close to the Daimyo knew this.
After Kakashi was knocked away, Hatake Sakumo quickly charged towards Uchiha Yoichi. Outside the Tenshu, only the two of them were guards. He planned to quickly resolve them and then assassinate the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers.
Uchiha Yoichi suspected that the person was Hatake Sakumo, as he had been observing with Sharingan. He found that Hatake Sakumo's swordsmanship was similar to Kakashi's and hadn't gone for the kill several times, only knocking Kakashi's short blade away and then kicking him.
Seeing Hatake Sakumo charging toward him, he quickly drew his blade, lightning swirling around the blade like a serpentine creature.
Clang!
The collision of blades emitted a crisp sound, sparks flying, as the lightning around Uchiha Yoichi's blade was swiftly dispersed by intangible wind blades.
'It indeed is Hatake Sakumo. His task must be to assassinate the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers...'
After exchanging one move and confirming identity, Uchiha Yoichi decided to retreat.
At this location and time, engaging with Hatake Sakumo was pointless. Although he wanted to experience the real White Fang Saber Technique, the timing and setting were wrong.
As for the commission from the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers?
Even if the mission failed, it would only be blamed on the Underground Gold Exchange, having nothing to do with him, Uchiha Yoichi.
Clang!
With another slash, Uchiha Yoichi directly borrowed strength to withdraw, simultaneously revealing his Sharingan, the blood-red pupils exceptionally striking in the dark night.
Hatake Sakumo felt slightly surprised upon seeing this, but it also explained why his son appeared here.
After Uchiha Yoichi retreated, Hatake Sakumo immediately rushed into the Tenshu. Soon, there was a panicked shout from inside: "Someone, quick, come!"
"That bastard is really hiding in here. When did he get in?"
Uchiha Yoichi shook his head and then hurried to where Kakashi was to check on him; this commission reward was a failure, and the twelve million wouldn't be obtained.
But he couldn't just come for nothing, or he wouldn't earn a yen after leaving the village for half a month.
After Kakashi was helped up, he clutched his chest and asked, "Captain, why didn't you stop that person just now?"
"It's complicated, I'll explain once we're out of here. For now, come with me to..."
Uchiha Yoichi hadn't finished speaking when suddenly more than a dozen figures appeared atop the courtyard walls of the Tenshu.
"Konoha White Fang, come out! Your teammates have been captured by us; even if you kill the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers, it won't matter!"
Hidden Sand Village's Fujieiro shouted loudly. He had originally been ambushing in the main courtyard to trap the Konoha people, but didn't expect the Konoha White Fang among the arrivals, who had also discovered the Daimyo's hiding place.
Fortunately, they managed to capture the remaining Konoha Ninja alive, swiftly rushing over.
As for the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers, Fujieiro didn't care much: it's fine whether he lives or dies—after all, the assassination attempt against the Daimyo by Konoha Ninja would benefit Hidden Sand Village.
"Captain, is it father?"
Kakashi whispered, now he understood why his attacks were easily blocked just now.
Uchiha Yoichi signaled Kakashi to hold off speaking; the situation was tricky. Though escaping wouldn't be difficult for them, Hatake Sakumo was in a tight spot.
Now for Hatake Sakumo to escape, it was too difficult unless he killed everyone here; but that wasn't feasible considering the opponents were numerous, making the outcome uncertain.
After a while, Hatake Sakumo walked out from inside, beside him the trembling Daimyo of the Land of Rivers.
Having seen the slaughter scene upon Hatake Sakumo's rush inside, he was terrified, still shaken to the point of being unable to speak.
A few minutes ago, he was holding the head of a samurai guard, himself barely surviving.
"Fujikuro, release my teammates!"
Hatake Sakumo spoke, suggesting he admitted the identity stated by Fujikuro and abandoned the mission.
His teammates were instantly anxious seeing this but couldn't speak out; though knowing the mission's importance, theoretically, they could abandon themselves and proceed to kill the Daimyo then flee.
They carried no identity proofs, Hatake Sakumo could even destroy their remains if he wanted an opportunity.
Yet he wouldn't choose such a path; for Hatake Sakumo, comrades mattered more than missions.
His beliefs and principles hadn't changed from the start!
"Okay, let's make the exchange."
Fujikuro, after pondering, decided having the Daimyo alive was better; with an unknown new Daimyo, the attitude towards Hidden Sand Village was uncertain. But the current Daimyo would definitely loathe Konoha.
Now rescuing the Daimyo extends Hidden Sand Village's influence into the Land of Rivers, expanding bases and metal resources greatly...
"Release them, then let them come!"
"No tricks, Konoha White Fang, release everyone simultaneously, or none of you leave..."
Fujikuro flatly refused, fearing if they let people go, the other side might move against the Daimyo; holding onto both sides ensured the best outcome was mutual release.
At this moment, Uchiha Yoichi suddenly stepped forward, feigning urgency and shouting: "You damned bastards, stop using Lord Daimyo's life as leverage, hand him over to me!"