On the field, Nagano Masaru and Taiichi stood opposite each other.
"Kid, when I chop off your limbs, you'll understand that not letting you fight earlier was for your own good!" Nagano licked his lips, looking Taiichi up and down like a lamb to the slaughter.
Taiichi ignored him, silently drawing his tanto and waiting for the match to begin.
An official from the Daimyo's mansion stepped onto the field. Confirming both sides were ready, he shouted "Begin!" and quickly exited.
As soon as the word was spoken, both fighters launched themselves forward.
When the distance closed to ten meters, Nagano lowered his stance, right hand hovering over his hilt, eyes locked on Taiichi. He screamed in excitement, saliva flying.
Taiichi recognized the stance instantly. Standard Iaido (Quick Draw) posture.
Two steps later, just as Nagano was about to draw his sword, Taiichi used Body Flicker.
He appeared right in front of Nagano. His tanto slashed down heavily, striking the tsuba (handguard) of Nagano's katana just as it was leaving the sheath.
A precise strike, avoiding the hand but hitting the guard with immense force.
The impact slammed the katana back into its scabbard.
Following the strike, Taiichi lifted his leg and kicked Nagano squarely in the chest, sending him flying to the edge of the arena.
Silence fell over the venue. The only sound was Nagano struggling to get up.
"Cough, cough... You little brat... damn you!"
The kick was heavy, but the humiliation hurt more. Rage clouded Nagano's mind.
He charged again without thinking. But just as he tried to draw his sword, Taiichi flickered to his side, his tanto slashing toward Nagano's drawing arm.
Nagano, wary of Taiichi's speed now, jerked back, barely saving his arm.
Taiichi pressed the advantage. He stuck close to Nagano's right hand. Every time Nagano tried to draw, Taiichi thrust his blade, forcing the samurai to retreat and defend.
After a dozen exchanges, Nagano still hadn't managed to draw his sword. Even the laymen in the audience could see the massive gap in skill.
"Taiichi got stronger again, didn't he?" Saori whispered to the Captain.
Yamaguchi nodded gravely. "Strength, speed, Kenjutsu... all improved significantly. That samurai is Special Jonin level at best. Taiichi broke his momentum at the start. Now it's just a matter of how badly Taiichi wants to beat him."
He smiled. Taiichi was over-delivering. This match was winning them both face and money.
In contrast, the atmosphere on the Daimyo's side was heavy. The Daimyo hid his face behind his fan, but his narrowed eyes radiated coldness.
On the field, having toyed with his opponent enough, Taiichi finally allowed Nagano to draw his sword.
Nagano looked ecstatic, staring at his unsheathed blade as if holding the key to victory.
"Bastard! Your time is up! I'm going to cut you into pieces and feed you to the dogs!"
He charged recklessly, swinging his katana down at Taiichi's head with full force.
Facing the chaotic attack, Taiichi didn't retreat. He met it head-on.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Three clashes. Each time, Taiichi used the tip of his tanto to strike the base of Nagano's blade, using leverage to deflect the heavy strikes effortlessly.
The asymmetrical force broke Nagano's balance.
Taiichi raised his leg and kicked again. Hard.
History repeated itself. Nagano flew to the edge of the arena again.
"Hey, Uncle Nagano! Still want to fight? Next time I won't hold back."
Taiichi's words were salt in the wound. Even the Konoha ninjas twitched. Kid, leave him some face.
Seeing no movement, Taiichi was puzzled. The kick shouldn't have knocked him out. Did he faint from anger?
Taiichi looked at the Daimyo, waiting for the verdict.
The Daimyo was furious but kept his composure. "Konoha ninjas are indeed impressive. Far beyond these petty samurai."
He signaled his attendants. Two servants rushed to carry the unconscious Nagano away.
"Elder Koharu, let us return to discuss the final details." The Daimyo stood up and walked toward the hall.
Everyone followed. No one paid attention to Nagano being carried past Taiichi.
Suddenly, a hysterical scream erupted.
"DIE!"
The "unconscious" Nagano broke free from the attendants. He pulled a short wakizashi from his waist and stabbed at Taiichi's back.
It was too sudden. The blade was inches from Taiichi's kidney.
Flash.
A sealing formula lit up under Taiichi's feet.
Sealing Jutsu: String Light Formation.
Nagano froze mid-lunge, his body paralyzed for a split second.
That second was enough. Taiichi leaped away, creating distance.
Nagano, realizing he was dead anyway, broke the seal through sheer willpower and charged again.
This act enraged the Konoha ninjas, but it infuriated Taiichi.
Wind Release chakra flooded his tanto. Invisible wind blades extended from the edge, emitting a sharp, piercing whine.
Facing the charging samurai, Taiichi assumed an Iaido stance.
Modified Body Flicker.
He vanished.
Slash.
Taiichi and Nagano passed each other. The tanto cut through Nagano without resistance. A residual blade of wind flew past him, striking the compound wall.
Clatter. The wakizashi fell.
Thud. Nagano's body split in two and hit the ground.
Crash. The wall behind him collapsed, sliced in half.
The audience's gaze jumped from the broken sword to the broken body to the broken wall, finally resting on Taiichi as he sheathed his blade.
"Lord Daimyo, apologies. I didn't hold back." Taiichi's sharp gaze fixed on the Daimyo, as if looking for the best place to cut.
The Daimyo felt a chill. His mouth twitched. He looked at the bisected corpse, then at the calm boy.
Didn't hold back? You don't look like you want to stop now either!
"Forget it. A despicable man with no samurai spirit deserves death." The Daimyo turned and left without looking back.
The Konoha team rushed over. Saori checked Taiichi's waist frantically. That blade had practically touched his skin. One second later, and it would have been a disaster.
"Taiichi! What was that? How did he freeze?" Yohei asked excitedly, his three-tomoe Sharingan spinning wildly from the stress.
"Sealing Jutsu: String Light Formation," Saori explained. "But how did you activate it instantly?"
Everyone looked at Taiichi. Instant activation was a game-changer.
Taiichi pulled out a blank paper tag. "This. I asked Minato-senpai to inscribe the seal beforehand. Just in case. Didn't think I'd actually use it."
Everyone sighed. A pre-prepared seal. Practical but expensive and requiring a master sealer.
"Taiichi, staring at the Daimyo like that was rude. We are Konoha ninjas; we must show respect," Koharu reprimanded him gently.
Taiichi pouted internally but nodded. "Yes, Advisor. I was just agitated from the ambush."
"Mn. Let's go. Don't keep the Daimyo waiting."
Back in the hall, negotiations resumed. With the bet won, the amount was quickly settled.
Just as they were finalizing, the Daimyo spoke.
"Elder Koharu, that accident was my failure in judging character. As an apology... I will add another 100 million ryo. Total 700 million ryo. How is that?"
Everyone was shocked. Even the Finance Minister looked like he swallowed a fly. 100 million just for an apology? Money isn't paper, my Lord!
"We are extremely grateful for Lord Daimyo's generosity!" Koharu bowed, satisfying the Daimyo's vanity. He chuckled behind his fan.
After business came a lavish banquet.
During the meal, the Daimyo chatted with Koharu, while officials approached the team. They asked personal questions—about life in Konoha, their backgrounds, their happiness.
Taiichi realized immediately: He's trying to poach us.
He glanced around. Yamaguchi was stoic. Saori looked disgusted. Yohei... Yohei was happily bragging about how great Konoha was, leaving the officials dumbfounded.
Taiichi played along, giving vague answers and praising Konoha like Yohei.
After the banquet, the Konoha team left.
In the hall, the Daimyo asked the Finance Minister, "Any chance of recruiting them?"
"Difficult," the Minister shook his head. "The boy, Taiichi Matsushita, is cunning; he deflected everything. The girl, Saori, was hostile. The Uchiha... I can't tell if he's stupid or pretending, but he just bragged about Konoha."
"Send a request to Konoha. Ask for their files. In the future, request this specific squad for missions," the Daimyo ordered. "Taiichi is an orphan; he might be swayable. Keep contact."
"Also, regularly commission Konoha for at least three Jonin squads to guard the capital. You know what to do next."
"Yes! For the Land of Fire! For the Daimyo!" The Minister looked fanatical.
Left alone, the Daimyo's smile vanished. Samurai are useless. I need ninjas. But building a loyal force takes time.
---
On the road back, the Konoha team was in high spirits. Mission accomplished, extra funding secured. Even Koharu was smiling.
She looked at Taiichi with satisfaction. Good kid. No wonder Hiruzen favors him.
They returned to Konoha in two days. The mission ended. Koharu and Yamaguchi went to report; the trio went home.
Back in his room, Taiichi reviewed the mission.
The memory of Nagano's stab froze in his mind.
That was close. If that hit... death or severe injury. And look at the location... my kidney! My future happiness was at stake!
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