Still 2000 strikes.
The boy trained tirelessly beneath the cherry blossom tree.
His practice was never bound by place.
Slash after slash—until he could one day cleave apart the entire world. To gain true power, power that would let him live freely, without restraint.
The girl peeking out from behind the tree watched him with growing curiosity.
Her gaze shifted—first puzzled, then astonished, gradually changing as she watched him move.
Under the early spring sun, the sight of the boy swinging his blade and the girl secretly observing him formed a strange but captivating picture.
The only flaw was that the cherry blossoms were still in bud, their petals not yet ready to scatter through the air.
No one knew how much time had passed before Hakken stopped, dropped onto the ground beneath the tree, and lifted his sake gourd toward the girl.
"Want a sip?"
The words had barely left his mouth when he realized something was off. He quickly shook his head. "Sorry, force of habit. You wouldn't be able to drink this anyway."
What was he even saying?
Izumi Uchiha stepped forward, curiosity drawing her closer.
"You're not part of the Uchiha clan, are you?"
She knew every child of the clan—Hakken's face was unfamiliar.
"Hakken Yoru."
He took a casual swig of sake and gave a half-hearted introduction.
With a light hop, his eyes swept over the girl, and recognition flickered within them.
Izumi Uchiha
A pitiful girl.
Though compared to the Uchiha who would be slaughtered, perhaps a little more fortunate.
At least in Itachi's Tsukuyomi, she had been allowed to live an entire life.
A life beside the one she loved.
But that was only an illusion, a fabricated scene.
The truth was far crueler.
In reality, before Obito killed her, she had still been calling out Itachi's name.
Now, though, this girl before him would soon become his classmate.
Would she just pass by in his life, or would fate intertwine their paths? Hakken didn't know.
Better to let things take their natural course.
He lifted his head to see Itachi running toward him from the distance.
Checking his Daily Quest, Hakken stood up.
Slash Progress: 897/2000.
Training wasn't finished yet.
The real work was only about to begin.
But the way he and Itachi trained wasn't suited for a place like this. If they kept at it here, this spring might pass without a single blossom blooming.
Hakken still wanted to come back when the petals finally danced through the air.
Watching as Hakken and Itachi left, Izumi shook her head.
"What a strange person."
...
Day after day passed.
The atmosphere in Konohagakure had turned strangely unsettling.
From the villagers came frequent whispers—another family's child had gone missing.
And from Anko's words, Hakken confirmed what he had already suspected.
Orochimaru was growing more and more unhinged.
By Hakken's reckoning, his Living Corpse Reincarnation was nearing its most critical stage.
Which meant his defection was imminent.
And Anko… would soon be in even greater danger, destined to become the first test subject of the Cursed Seal of Heaven.
...
Konoha Training Grounds.
1997!
1998!
1999!
2000!
[Ding! Daily Quest completed. Your King of Normal Attacks Template progress has increased by 0.2%!]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. Your King of Normal Attacks Template progress has reached 5%. Trait unlocked: King of Normal Attacks. Begin random draw?]
A sweat-drenched figure gasped heavily for air.
Beside him, Itachi was so drained he could barely form words.
"Ken-san… are you trying to kill yourself?"
His voice carried both helplessness and disbelief.
Itachi didn't know what else to say, nor how to remind his friend to take care of himself.
Today, Ken-san looked like a man possessed.
Since morning he hadn't stopped swinging his sword. Poor Itachi had forced himself to keep pace, his arms now numb, all feeling gone.
"I have my reasons to grow stronger."
Catching his breath, Hakken's voice was low and steady. "Only at the brink of death can a person truly see themselves. And what they see—at least for me—is just how weak they really are."
"Weak enough to realize they can't change a thing."
"But I… I'll never reach that point."
"Because I will never die."
Orochimaru's betrayal was just around the corner. The Nine-Tails' rampage was coming.
And with Zaraki Kenpachi's template reaching 5%, Hakken's strength was about to undergo a true transformation.
"Draw."
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. You have drawn the trait: Enhancement—Chakra Blade!]
Chakra Blade?
Hakken frowned, curiosity flickering in his eyes as he read the description.
[Chakra Blade: One of the formidable King of Normal Attacks traits. Host can freely manipulate chakra nature transformations and channel them into weapons for attacks.
Note: The Host possesses the highest-grade aptitude for chakra nature transformation. Under the same transformation, no one can surpass the Host.]
A powerful trait indeed.
The meaning was simple enough. From now on, his blade could carry any chakra attribute he willed.
For example, Wind Release: Rasenshuriken—in his hands, it could become Wind Release: Slash.
And the note was even clearer: under the same chakra nature, his slash would always take priority.
Put simply, if both sides used Rasenshuriken—his would be stronger.
That was the power of Chakra Blade.
Outrageously strong.
A sharp gleam lit up his eyes. Feeling the chakra flow within his body, Hakken let out a low roar.
Then, in a blur, his blade cleaved down like lightning, striking the artificial mountain in front of him.
...
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