Until lunch Kenshin decided to train swordsmanship with Ichiro. He really needed this skill—bare hand strikes were quite weak compared to attacks with the sharpest formation-strengthened blade.
Applying huge effort Kenshin managed to make his personal sword much more effective—infusing it with psionics and enhancing cutting properties. That's why he needed to hone swordsmanship skills. Though he regularly accumulated experience from training sons muscle memory didn't improve from this; Kenshin was forced to practice.
"Fuuuh Ichiro—you're getting more skillful every day…" Kenshin muttered after finishing sparring—pouring a bucket of ice water over himself.
"My successes are still nothing compared to yours father. If anyone learns you reached Jonin rank border without chakra—your name will spread worldwide!" Ichiro declared in admiration. He still couldn't believe his seemingly fragile father could unleash such formidable combat power.
"Yes… And all major organizations will immediately send Elite Jonin to learn all my secrets…" Kenshin sighed. He himself couldn't wait to participate in real combat—which by his plans should happen soon.
*****
Evening of day 412.
Kenshin gathered team one including Ichiro, Fourth, Seventh, Eighteenth, and Twenty-Second. Without much sentiment saying goodbye to displeased and upset wives he set off.
Less than two hours later they were already at the outpost where Ichiro accepted a Jonin elimination mission. The outpost administration worker was so shocked he even called his superior but even stunned Yamada Setoru couldn't dissuade Ichiro from this undertaking.
At that moment Ichiro was at the very edge of Jonin rank and could afford some liberty in communicating with Setoru who was also peak Chunin and realized Ichiro was possibly slightly stronger than himself. He couldn't do anything with the persistent mercenary group commander and had to approve this mission for them.
*****
"Means our target's name is Kobayashi Haro—quite a scum. Huge number of murders on his account but serious bounty was set after he killed a small town lord then spent several days partying in his fortress—having fun with his wife and two daughters while wiping with the daimyo's crest… But few can take on killing a Jonin so this scum continues slowly doing his dirty deeds—though not crossing certain borders after which they'd send an Elite Jonin after him," Kenshin said—receiving and rethinking information told by Yamada Setoru.
Hearing Haro's personality all sons were filled with desire to kill this scoundrel. Kenshin tried raising them with positions of minimal righteousness; the brightest example was extrapolating everything to themselves. When they imagined some scum killed their father and raped their mothers—their rage knew no bounds.
"Father—why does he do this? Why do such scum exist in our world? He could take this lord's money or kill him for revenge—but why cause people so much suffering without reason?" Twenty-Second asked. Deep inside he was a pacifist and adored healing people like his mother. So hearing about Kobayashi Haro's personality he absolutely couldn't understand why he did this.
"I don't know… Possibly in the lord's case there was a reason—for example revenge. But there's no doubt about this bastard's bloodthirstiness and sadism. Possibly he was born that way or received psychological trauma in childhood and became a rabid animal not yet put down. Unfortunately for surrounding people this scum has incredible talent in ninjutsu—which gives him the right to dispose of weaker people's fates like a god."
"Then we should quickly rid the world of this beast!" Twenty-Second declared. He was filled with intention to destroy such an evil person.
"Righteous attitude is good. But don't let emotions cloud sound judgment. We'll definitely destroy him but not because he's a villain and we're heroes. We have our own motives for this. First—reputation; second—five hundred thousand ryo. I wouldn't send you against a Jonin without benefit for our family even if this bastard destroyed a thousand villages—and forbid you to play hero if it's even slightly dangerous," Kenshin said—not liking Twenty-Second's overly righteous attitude. Least of all he wanted to lose another son; he didn't care about strangers.
"Alright father—I understand," Twenty-Second replied somewhat ashamedly; after some time team one continued moving. The group proceeded toward the target.