"Pop!"
Yogetsu Hozuki's Water Gun Technique blasted a deep crater into the once-solid ground, yet Sasuke had already dodged far to the side, avoiding the attack entirely.
"What incredible speed."
Yogetsu Hozuki's eyes were filled with caution. Sasuke had evaded the Water Gun Technique at the last possible moment. Not only was he fast, but he'd also used Lightning Release chakra to enhance his speed—this made Yogetsu even more cautious. After all, Lightning Release was a natural counter to the Hozuki clan's Hydrification Technique.
Although slightly uneasy about Sasuke's speed, Yogetsu Hozuki showed no sign of retreating. Instead, he gripped his long blade tightly and slashed downward with tremendous force in a cleaving motion.
"You're using that arm-strengthening ninjutsu again?" Sasuke's Sharingan spotted the chakra gathering around Yogetsu Hozuki's hand. He frowned for a moment, then relaxed. "Then try this on for size—[Lightning Release: Chidori Nagashi]!"
A massive surge of Lightning Release chakra gathered around the short blade in Sasuke's hand. In just a moment, the White Fang Tanto transformed into a sword wreathed in crackling lightning.
"Clang!"
The clash rang out sharply as both fighters slid backward from the impact. The exchange had ended in a complete stalemate.
"My sword…"
After coming to a stop, Yogetsu Hozuki's face twisted with pain. On the blade he held, where it had met the White Fang Tanto, there was now a rice-grain-sized chip. Meanwhile, Sasuke's White Fang Tanto showed no signs of damage. This hard-hitting exchange had clearly damaged Yogetsu's weapon—and another few like it might destroy it altogether.
"What kind of material is your tanto made from? How can it be so durable?"
Yogetsu Hozuki gazed at his own blade with regret before turning admiring eyes toward Sasuke's White Fang Tanto.
"Forged from meteoric iron mixed with some precious metals found throughout the shinobi world. Its quality should be decent enough," Sasuke replied casually, spinning the blade skillfully in his hand. The sunlight glinted off its razor-sharp edge, catching the light like a beacon.
"It really is an amazing sword!" Yogetsu Hozuki said enviously. As someone aspiring to become one of the Seven Swords of the Bloody Mist, possessing a legendary weapon was his lifelong dream. Collecting high-quality blades was also among his personal ambitions. Unfortunately, he lacked both wealth and influence, carrying only this average-grade longsword—a purchase that had drained most of his savings. And now, during the Chunin Exams, it had already taken damage and developed a notch. It hurt him deeply to see that.
"Let's go again!"
Despite his sorrow over damaging his sword, Yogetsu Hozuki had no intention of backing down. A warrior's heart must always move forward fearlessly; if hesitation crept into his spirit, the blade in his hand would dull, and even the most expensive sword would lose its worth.
"Good."
Sasuke replied, charging straight at Yogetsu Hozuki. As someone who practiced the White Fang techniques, Sasuke naturally understood how vital unyielding momentum was for a swordsman. Among those he'd fought before, aside from Zabuza, no one else used a blade. Although Zabuza also wielded a sword, his style leaned toward assassination rather than the kind of direct confrontation typical of true swordsmen, so Sasuke never really found common ground with him in terms of swordsmanship.
Now that he had finally encountered another swordsman, Sasuke was eager to seize the opportunity and test his own skill level.
No Ninjutsu, no Genjutsu—aside from using his Sharingan to observe movements, Sasuke completely abandoned all ninja arts and relied solely on sword techniques against Yogetsu.
The White Fang style emphasized embracing death in order to achieve life. Once begun, there was no defense, only the single-minded goal of eliminating the enemy. Therefore, every strike Sasuke launched targeted Yogetsu's most deadly points, as if he were a reckless, fearless brawler.
Although Yogetsu had no formal training under any renowned masters, he grew up practicing sword techniques in Kirigakure. Compared to Sasuke, who was still a novice, Yogetsu had far more experience. While Sasuke's White Fang swordplay was fierce, his skill wasn't fully refined yet. Right now, Yogetsu was resisting effortlessly.
Two fighters abandoning all ninja techniques to engage in pure swordplay might lack the spectacle of Ninjutsu, yet the danger was just as intense. The spectators watched with rapt attention, captivated by this battle and learning much from the swordsmanship on display.
Blades clashed, sending sparks flying everywhere. Both combatants had now entered a state of total focus, dedicating themselves entirely to their duel.
Ding!
After another clash, the two separated, their breathing slightly labored, though their eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Though my blade is ruined, this battle has made me genuinely happy."
Yogetsu's sword was already covered in cracks, seemingly ready to shatter at any moment. Yet, Yogetsu wore no expression of regret. "For a blade, to fall in battle is without question its highest honor!"
"Then let's decide it now."
A smile appeared on Sasuke's face. He'd learned a lot from this fight—especially about mastering the White Fang techniques.
Watching the two separate, Kakashi's eyes filled with nostalgia.
"They're so alike..."
At the moment Sasuke used the White Fang techniques, Kakashi couldn't help but recall that other person who had once wielded the same sword style—silver-haired, carrying a Tanto, whose name was known throughout the shinobi world before ultimately dying a pitiful death amid internal village conflicts.
Watching Sasuke perform that familiar sword technique, the Third Hokage also felt deep sorrow. If he hadn't tolerated Danzo's actions back then, perhaps that most loyal ninja of Konoha wouldn't have suffered such a fate.
Unaware of the guilt hidden within the Third Hokage's heart, Sasuke felt drained after the intense blade exchange. Glancing sideways with just his eyes at a puddle near his feet, he decided it was best to end the fight soon.
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