When Shimizu regained consciousness, it was already evening.
He lay there blankly staring at the ceiling, replaying the final moment before he lost consciousness.
That lightning-fast strike from the samurai—
He hadn't even had time to react.
It wasn't until he was sent flying that he realized—
There had been someone on his left.
That samurai who left at the end…
Just how strong was he?
A seemingly casual kick had rendered him completely powerless.
Was he on the level of the Sannin?
No, likely even stronger. He had to be at the Kage level.
The door to the room swung open, and Tatewaki walked in.
"I'll get straight to it," Tatewaki said. "What was that last move of yours? It seemed different from the one you used in the canyon."
"It was different… I only activated it by accident. It's a new jutsu," Shimizu admitted.
Truthfully, when he instinctively triggered that derivative form of Chidori, even he had been stunned.
How had he activated Chidori without forming hand seals?
"A new jutsu…" Tatewaki murmured to himself.
"How did you know I was awake?" Shimizu asked curiously.
He had only just regained consciousness, yet Tatewaki arrived immediately—and came straight to his room to ask questions. That couldn't be coincidence.
How did he know?
"Your breathing."
"You sensed it?" Shimizu frowned.
"No. I heard the change in your breathing rhythm."
"...I see. I've learned something new," Shimizu said thoughtfully.
Then he asked, "By the way, what was that silver flash sword technique of yours? It was incredibly fast."
Mifune's kick had left him shaken.
But Tatewaki's silver strike—splitting Severing Wave and cleaving the Water Formation Wall in two—was unforgettable.
That had been an S-rank offensive jutsu and a B-rank defensive jutsu.
"It's called 'Issen'—Flash," Tatewaki explained. "A secret technique only high-level samurai can comprehend. It involves concentrating chakra into the weapon and charging at the opponent to deliver a powerful slash."
"And the silver strike from that other samurai, Okisuke—Was that the same move?
"That was 'Iaigiri'—Iaijutsu Slash. 'Flash' strikes first to seize the initiative. 'Iaigiri' moves later but arrives first. Both are supreme secrets of Bushidō."
"Move later… yet arrive first?" Shimizu couldn't help but think, Isn't that absurd?
"Iaigiri is one of the most difficult sword arts for samurai to master," Tatewaki continued. "It requires maintaining complete composure. When faced with an enemy's instantaneous attack, you must react in that very instant."
He paused, his expression turning solemn, voice lowering.
"Draw to strike; do not draw unless you strike. The blade exists only for the moment of the slash. To perceive that fleeting opportunity while waiting in stillness—that is the true essence of Iaido."
Shimizu almost said, Sounds impressive.
But considering that this "impressive-sounding technique" had just saved his life, sarcasm would have been inappropriate.
So he gave a neutral reply.
"I see."
"And that sword technique of yours—the one where you vanished in an instant and created three copies?" Tatewaki asked.
"That's the Konoha-Style Kenjutsu: Dance of the Crescent Moon."
Shimizu explained its general mechanics.
Ordinarily, the secrets of Konoha-Style Kenjutsu shouldn't be casually revealed to outsiders.
But Tatewaki had clearly come with the intent to exchange knowledge. And to show sincerity, he had already explained the principles behind two supreme samurai techniques.
"I see… so it's a unique sword style formed by integrating ninjutsu into swordsmanship…" Tatewaki fell into deep thought.
"It's probably similar to your Wind Release sword technique at the beginning," Shimizu recalled. "I think the idea is about the same—integrating ninjutsu into swordsmanship."
"Exactly!" Tatewaki nodded. "I've always hoped to completely fuse my Wind Release into my swordsmanship. That's why I seek out battles with powerful ninja—to see if I can gain inspiration or make breakthroughs. This spar was incredibly rewarding. Exchanging techniques with you was truly fortunate."
He straightened slightly.
"Allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Tatewaki, Vice-Captain of the First Guard Unit of the Shogun's Residence in the Land of Iron. And I still don't know your name."
"His name is Kūryū." A cheerful girl's voice came from the doorway.
Sure enough, the finely dressed young lady had arrived—along with Okisuke, standing quietly beside her.
"But anyone can tell that's a fake name." The girl's expression shifted. "We all use our real names. Shouldn't you show some sincerity too? Oh, right—I'm Senruri. The samurai next to me is Okisuke, one of the more well-known Iaijutsu masters in our country!"
Shimizu remained silent.
A real name couldn't be revealed—that was an ANBU rule. During missions, your codename was your name.
"Tch. Konoha's ANBU are so boring," Senruri muttered, her mood instantly souring. "Fine, then let's talk about money. You destroyed part of our Shogun's residence—"
Shimizu automatically filtered out the rest.
The little girl in front of him actually wanted him to pay compensation.
That was the cost of two entire buildings.
Even if he emptied all his savings, it wouldn't be enough.
The feeling was like riding a stationary bike in his previous life and accidentally scratching a multi-million luxury car. How could an ordinary person possibly afford that?!
Sure, ninja were well-paid—but how could they compete with ruthless capital expenditures like this?
No.
Absolutely not.
That money was meant for commissioning his own custom chakra weapon—something he had dreamed of ever since graduating as a genin.
That was a man's dream.
It could not be crushed so casually!
"Well, since you don't have money, you'll just have to sell yourself," Senruri declared, pulling out a so-called debt contract. "As long as you sign this, I'll let you go. Of course, the contract will only be terminated once all debts are repaid."
She clearly intended for him to repay the value of the two destroyed buildings by completing missions.
After a long silence, Shimizu looked at the finely dressed girl very seriously.
"Are you being serious?"
Senruri immediately ducked behind Okisuke like a startled rabbit.
"I'm telling you—silencing me won't help! Tatewaki and Okisuke are witnesses! And this is a contract between you and the Land of Iron!"
"Then how do you explain why the creditor's name at the end is yours?" Shimizu had genuinely worried for a moment that she might succeed in making him pay. So he picked up the contract and carefully read every single line—including the tiny print listing the creditor's name.
"That's your hallucination! Those characters clearly say 'Land of Iron'!" Senruri protested indignantly.
She had almost secured herself a gold-medal-tier bodyguard for free.
All that effort—wasted!
She had even written her name in the least noticeable place at the bottom.
Okisuke gave Shimizu an apologetic smile and gently pulled Senruri out of the room.
"Okisuke, why are you dragging me away?! I was this close to succeeding!"
Only she believed that.
Tatewaki coughed lightly.
"She is our princess," he explained. "To clarify—over a decade ago, Lord Mifune had a younger brother. Unfortunately, he passed away young… before his death, he left behind that girl—Senruri."
Royal blood, then.
But what exactly was she trying to accomplish?