"Senior Hatake, what do you think of this sword?"
Lucien raised the meteorite blade at his waist and tossed it lightly to Hatake Saku.
Gray Fang reacted instantly, snatching the weapon with a casual sharpness. He pulled the blade free of its sheath, his eyes narrowing as he studied it.
"I've heard from Kusuo... our new teammate got himself a weapon of legend. A sword forged from meteorite iron. So this is it..?" His tone carried rare intrigue.
After a long silence, he finally spoke. "Good sword."
His voice was firm enough to silence the courtyard.
"This blade is hard, yet flexible. Razor sharp, masterfully crafted. The delicate carvings across the steel... truly exquisite. Even the handle emanates a chill, as if the sword itself breathes. A blade like this clears the mind of its wielder."
Lucien smirked faintly, then sighed in false disappointment. "But such a fine sword in my hands is wasted. Without matching swordsmanship... it's just a pity, isn't it?"
Saku chuckled darkly. "Hah! Boy, you want to learn swordsmanship from me, don't you? Even with those Sharingan eyes, you can't copy my kenjutsu. Do you know why?"
"Why not?" Lucien tilted his head curiously. His Sharingan could replicate almost anything—except this?
Saku's tone hardened. "Because Sharingan only records shadows. My movements, my blade, my style—are not made to be copied. Every slashing arc of my Gray Fang short blade exists for me. Your weapon, a katana, has length and weight. If you fought by simply imitating my style, it would kill you."
Lucien understood instantly. "So you mean I must find a swordsmanship that matches me, and a blade that fits me... only then can I unleash its truest strength?"
Saku laughed roughly. "Close, but wrong. It's not the man who chooses the sword... it's the sword that chooses the man. The art is balance. When man and sword become one, there is no controller, no servant. Only unity."
Hiashi chimed with skepticism. "So is it truly the man wielding the blade, or the blade using the man?"
Saku's glare cut him colder than steel. "What is a sword? A weapon? An extension of will? Speak not of what you do not understand. Unity of man and sword is not theory, it is truth. Don't waste words—you embarrass yourself."
Hiashi stiffened but said nothing.
Lucien nodded slowly. Even if he didn't fully grasp it, he felt the weight of those words carve into his spirit.
Saku leaned forward. "Now... tell me. How many true masters of kenjutsu dwell in Konoha?"
Lucien thought. "The Hatake clan, of course—yourself, Gray Fang, and White Fang Sakumo, known across the nations. The Uchiha also once produced sword geniuses. I've heard Uchiha Shisui is unmatched among them in his time."
Saku shook his head. "The Uchiha's blade traditions are dying. Within ten years, they will be dust."
Lucien's eye darkened at that prophecy. He knew how right it was.
He pressed further. "And beyond them?"
"You don't know, do you?" Saku said flatly. Then his mouth curled with pride.
"The Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, forged the basis of Konoha-ryu kenjutsu. His stance, his thrusts, even the legendary Flying Thunder God Slash—swordsmanship crafted for decisive battle."
Saku then spoke more softly, pride breaking through. "And I made it stronger."
Lucien's eyes sharpened.
"The Hatake clan swordworks—Ittoryu—are swift, merciless, perfect for assassinations. But they are short. Limited. The Konoha-ryu, though, was too rigid. So I fused them. Speed and silence of the Hatake, the direct power of Tobirama. I reforged them into a balanced style—offense and defense unified. I called it Hatake-Konoha-ryu."
Lucien felt awe stir in his chest. This man was not just a genius killer—he was a master smith of swordsmanship itself.
Saku handed back the sword. "Your meteorite sword suits katana forms. Not my Gray Fang. But with Hatake-Konoha-ryu... you could become a swordsman even greater than me."
He leaned close and whispered like steel striking stone:
"Remember this, boy. Man and sword are equals. When they become one, your blade ceases to be weapon, and instead becomes will itself."
Then he straightened suddenly. "Come to my home when you can. I'll teach you."
But his tone dropped dark again. "Just don't forget our promise. Defeat Kakashi in the Chunin Exams. Crush his arrogance. Make him feel despair. And... pass. Both you and Kusuo. That much, I demand."
Before Lucien could answer, a clear female voice rang from inside the Hyuga mansion.
"Have you forgotten me?"
The courtyard stirred as a figure stepped from the shadows.
--
Unlock 50 exclusive advanced chapters for just $10 – don't miss out! Check the synopsis/description for the link! 🚀
Loved this fic? 🔥 Then you'll absolutely binge my other hits — "Douluo Dalu: Ten Thousand Years Early System!" & "Douluo Dalu: The Godly Drunkard System" — don't miss out!