Chapter 34 – Duel Against Mifune
"Young man, don't worry. I understand completely," the old blacksmith said with a serious expression.
"Alright then," Yusuke replied, handing Enma over to him.
The old man received the sword with reverent hands, his eyes filled with genuine admiration. There wasn't a hint of greed in his gaze—only pure awe.
He unsheathed the blade and gave it a slow, graceful swing. Tears welled up in his eyes.
"Incredible... absolutely incredible... I never thought I'd witness such a masterpiece before I die," he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion.
"You have another sword, don't you?" he asked respectfully as he returned Enma.
"How did you know?" Yusuke asked, surprised. Only he knew that Enma and Ame-no-Habakiri once belonged to Kozuki Oden.
"Heh... You're clearly not a samurai from the Land of Iron, right? Usually, samurai here carry two or more blades," the old man said with a knowing smile.
"You're right. I'm not a samurai from this land—or a samurai at all, actually. Where I'm from, I'm simply known as a swordsman. To be precise, a Three-Sword Style swordsman," Yusuke replied calmly.
"In that case, could I see the other one?" the old man asked hopefully.
"Well... I'd love to show you, but it's currently in my little brother's possession," Yusuke answered with a sheepish smile. (Truthfully, it hadn't been granted by the system yet.)
"That's a shame... But if you're a three-sword user, where's the third?"
"Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi," Yusuke murmured.
He extended his hand, gathering particles of light into a radiant sword that shimmered with divine energy.
"This is...?" The old man was overwhelmed by the intense sharpness radiating from the blade. And yet... something about it made him hesitate.
"Sir, a sword doesn't always have to be made of metal, right? Back when we learned the way of the sword, we used wooden blades too," Yusuke explained gently, noticing the old man's initial disappointment.
"A true blacksmith is one who can draw out the potential of any material. Even a hunk of rusted metal can become a legendary blade. This—Ame-no-Murakumo—is a sword I forged myself. A blade of light, shaped by my own power. What do you think?" he asked with a soft smile.
"Incredible… Thank you for explaining. This is no ordinary weapon. Just from its aura, I can tell it's far sharper than most swords I've encountered," the old man said with a respectful nod.
Suddenly, a sharp voice cut through the air.
"Hey, kid! Hand over that sword!" barked a brash samurai nearby.
His eyes gleamed with greed as he stared at Enma. At first, he assumed Yusuke was from some noble bloodline. But after realizing he wasn't from the Land of Iron, he grew arrogant.
"Oh? You want my sword? Do you think you deserve it?" Yusuke asked flatly.
"You brat! You've got a death wish!" the samurai growled, drawing his blade.
Unlike shinobi, samurai placed immense value on training and discipline. Judging by Yusuke's age, he figured the boy wouldn't be a threat.
"Then come take it—if you can," Yusuke replied coolly.
The samurai charged forward at lightning speed.
But Yusuke didn't even bother drawing his sword.
With a flick of his index finger, he fired a concentrated beam of light. The golden laser shattered the samurai's blade instantly and sent him flying backward in a fiery explosion.
"You brat! Do you know who I am?!" the samurai cried out, struggling to stand.
"Please stop!" the blacksmith shouted in panic. "In the Land of Iron, duels must be sanctioned by the General!"
"He struck first, didn't he?" Yusuke said indifferently.
Without hesitation, he raised his finger again. Another beam of light shot forth, blasting the samurai's arm and ankle.
"I don't care who you are. If you dare attack me, be ready to face the consequences," Yusuke said coldly.
His aura flared with suffocating pressure. Conqueror's Haki exploded outward, reducing nearby stalls and tables to splinters. The samurai collapsed to the ground, trembling and drenched in blood.
Just as he was about to lose consciousness—
"That's enough!" a commanding voice echoed across the plaza.
"Oh? Mifune, huh..." Yusuke muttered, turning toward the source.
"General Mifune! Help me! He's a demon! He tried to kill me!" the samurai whimpered, crawling to clutch Mifune's leg.
"You there. Why did you harm a citizen of the Land of Iron?" Mifune asked coldly.
The Land of Iron was a neutral territory rarely interfered with by the great nations, thanks to the strength of its samurai.
"I didn't kill him. That's already more respect than most would give," Yusuke responded in kind, his tone matching Mifune's iciness.
To him, Mifune—being only at a half-Kage level—wasn't a threat. If he wanted to, Yusuke could end this with little effort.
"In the Land of Iron, everyone must follow our laws," Mifune said firmly.
"Oh yeah? Then let's see... if you're worthy of upholding them," Yusuke replied as he unsheathed Enma from his side.
"A magnificent blade..." Mifune whispered.
He could instantly sense the sword's unparalleled nature. His gaze held admiration—but not desire.
Yusuke nodded inwardly. Mifune was a true swordsman, deserving of respect.
Had he shown even a flicker of greed, Yusuke wouldn't have hesitated to kill him. (The reason Enma didn't reject the old blacksmith was because he neither infused chakra nor showed any greed.)
"General Mifune, this young man—" the old man tried to explain.
"No need, sir. I, too, want to know how strong the General of the Land of Iron really is," Yusuke said with a small smile.
"In that case, let's duel," Mifune replied, stepping forward.
In an instant, he dashed forward, slashing at Yusuke with incredible speed. His blade flashed like a streak of light.
But Yusuke blocked the strike with Enma and countered. The two exchanged several blows in rapid succession before separating, taking measured steps back.
"As expected, you're worthy of being called the General of the Land of Iron," Yusuke complimented.
"And your swordsmanship… it's unlike anything I've ever seen," Mifune admitted, his eyes wide at the young man's strength.
The spectators were stunned. This boy was holding his own against Mifune?
"You're strong, Mifune. But right now, you're no match for me," Yusuke said calmly.
Samurai around them glared furiously.
"This brat... so arrogant!" Mifune muttered.
"Then let's settle this."
Black energy surged over Enma, mixing with violet-red lightning-like sparks.
Armament Haki.
In response, Mifune channeled chakra into his blade.
"One Sword Style—Draw Slash: Death—Lion Song!" Yusuke roared.
"Iaido—Flash Cut!" Mifune shouted.
They clashed in a blinding flash.
A moment later, their positions had reversed.
Yusuke stood tall, Enma gleaming in his hand. Mifune's sword… had shattered into fragments.
"You've lost," Yusuke said, turning with a regal air—as if gazing upon the world from its highest peak.
"I... lost," Mifune muttered.
"Your swordsmanship is remarkable. I admit defeat. I acted rashly today," he said sincerely.
"Oh? Didn't I break your laws?"
"In this duel, I came to understand your heart. You're not someone who bullies the weak for no reason."
The old man stepped forward and explained everything to Mifune.
"Hmph! To think someone from our land would dare break the law... Take him to the dungeon!" Mifune ordered with fury.
"Well then, I'll be going," Yusuke said as he turned to leave.
"Please wait!" Mifune called out quickly.
"Hmm? What is it?" Yusuke looked back, half-curious.
"Would you... teach me your swordsmanship?" Mifune asked, dropping to one knee.
The entire crowd gasped in disbelief. Even those watching from a distance—Minato and Dan among them—were utterly stunned.
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