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Another major difference between Samurai and Shinobi is the way that they fight. Samurai fight face-to-face with honor. They are trained to engage in open combat and fight honorably. When they defeat their enemy, they either release them or execute them quickly. Shinobi, on the other hand, will do anything to achieve their mission or kill their enemy. Nothing is off the table in the shinobi line of life and duty.
Shinobi have no honor code, only rules of war and combat.
"Would you like to have a try?" Mifune asked, looking back at Naruto.
Naruto just gave him a questioning look.
"I just want to see the skill of the bearer of Masamune-dono's final and finest work if you don't mind," Mifune said.
Hearing the request, Naruto looked at Hiruzen, who gave him a subtle nod.
"It would be a pleasure, Mifune-dono," Naruto replied as he looked back at Mifune
"I appreciate you accepting my request, young man," Mifune said before turning to look at the instructors teaching the children.
"Isao," Mifune called, making a middle-aged man with dark hair, who had his hair made into the traditional Samurai haircut, the chonmage, turn towards them with surprise upon hearing his name called. His eyes widened slightly when he saw Mifune motioning with his hand for Isao to come over, making the man hurry towards Mifune.
"Yes, Mifune-sama?" Isao asked as he reached where Mifune was sitting and bowed respectfully.
"Please prepare a set of seven tatami mats and a set of seven bamboo stalks," Mifune said, surprising Isao.
"A set of seven for both, Mifune-sama?" Isao asked in surprise to confirm the request. Cutting a single rolled tatami mat or bamboo stalk is already difficult, needing not only power but also correct technique and cutting angle. Attempting to cut a set of seven of any of the two is something that a sword master or samurai elite will do to test their ability, and it is done without the assistance of chakra.
"Yes. I would like to observe my guest's skill." Mifune said.
"It will be done immediately, Mifune-sama," Isao said before hurrying to fulfill the order.
A few minutes later, two complete sets of tatami mats and bamboo stalks were ready. Seeing the sets, the instructors paused their lessons, and the Samurai around paused their training, all looking at what was going on.
"It's ready, Mifune-sama," Isao said as he stood in front of Mifune.
"Go ahead, Naruto-san," Mifune said, to which Naruto nodded before standing up.
Naruto walked towards the set of tatami mats with Isao accompanying him.
"Can I borrow one of your Katanas?" Naruto asked
The request surprised Isao a bit since Naruto had his own blade, but he didn't comment. He just took one of the Katanas that were brought out earlier to teach the students and gave it to Naruto.
Mifune observed what happened with a silent look of agreement. He wanted to see Naruto's skills, so Naruto's request for a regular Katana was the right move. Even if Naruto used his own blade, it would show his skills. But by using an unfamiliar blade, it will show that he is an expert, no matter which Katana he uses.
Naruto unsheathed the katana he was given before holding the blade with the tip pointing upwards. He tilted the blade from side to side to get a feel of it. It had a good balance, but it was way inferior in quality compared to the one on his back. He could tell that it was made from just steel. No chakra metal. All in all, it was a good Katana that is easy to mass-produce.
Naruto sheathed the blade before walking towards the set of tatami mats.
"Watch carefully." An instructor quietly told his students. He doesn't know who Naruto is, but he heard from Isao that Mifune wanted to see his skills with a Katana. So, he told his students to have their eyes focused so they could learn something.
Naruto stood in front of the tatami mats for a moment before going into a low stance with his left hand holding the sheath of the katana and his right hand on the blade's hilt.
Swoosh.
Naruto pulled out the Katana before striking the tatami mats in one fast upward motion with his right hand, ending in a high raised position with the Katana's tip pointing upwards at a slight angle, seeming like it went through all seven mats, which still looked the same and unaffected.
Naruto then lowered his right hand and walked away from the tatami mats and towards the set of bamboo with the Katana pointing to the ground.
As he walked away, an almost invisible line appeared across all the tatami mats before all of them seemed to remember the presence of gravity as they started to slide across the angle of Naruto's cut and fall to the ground.
"That…"
"Such skill."
"Such blade control."
Came the whispers of the observing Samurai and instructors.
"Wow."
"That was cool."
"Will we be able to do that?"
Came the comments of the students who couldn't help but be amazed at what they had seen.
Mifune just nodded, appreciating what he was seeing. His eyes studied the cut on the tatami mats, noticing how clean it was. He knows that it was all Naruto's skill and power with no assistance of Chakra. Then his eyes fell on Naruto's form as he stood in front of the set of bamboo stalks.
Naruto changed his stance this time around, letting go of the sheath, making it fall near him, before holding the Katana's hilt with both of his hands and holding the Katana high with its tip pointing upwards.
Swoosh.
Naruto cut the bamboo at an angle with a fast downward motion. The Katana seemingly goes through the bamboo as smoothly as the tatami mats, and the tip of the blade points towards the ground after the strike ends.
Naruto bent down and took the sheath back into his left hand before flicking the blade in his right hand outward. A motion he is too accustomed to, as it removes any remnant of blood that may be left on the blade before sheathing the Katana.
As Naruto turned and walked towards Isao, the bamboo stalks met the same fate as the tatami mats, sliding along the angle of the clean cut before falling on the ground.
"Thank you," Naruto said as he gave the Katana back to Isao, who took it while looking at Naruto with surprise and disbelief.
No one commented, except the students who seemed to vibrate in excitement, wanting to achieve a similar feat.
"Well done, young man. Your skills are impeccable." Mifune praised as Naruto reached them.
He was about to say something else, but paused as he noticed a fully armored Samurai that entered the dojo.
"Mifune-sama. Raikage-dono has arrived." The Samurai announced.
Mifune let out a slight sigh before turning to Hiruzen.
"Excuse me, Hokage-dono. I will have to leave to receive my guests. Soon enough, one of my Samurai will escort you to the meeting hall where the negotiations will be held." Mifune said, to which Hiruzen nodded.
Mifune then proceeded to stand up before exiting the dojo, accompanied by the armored Samurai.
To be continued.
Guys and Gals, show me those powerstones.
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I hope you all enjoyed the chapter.
Additional chapters are currently paused due to me having very heavy university demands for the nexts few weeks. I hope you understand and thank you for the support.
I would appreciate feedback, reviews, comments, and power stones from you guys. I would like to read all of your comments. I would like to know if I am doing well and if you enjoy what I write.
Thank you all for your support.
1384 words
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