"Tatsuma, let me go first later. You observe the fighting style of the samurai of the Land of Iron more. It's okay if I lose, but if you can win, that would be great."
The next day, in the changing room of a kenjutsu dojo, Minato, wearing protective gear, looked at Tatsuma seriously and said.
Yesterday, after their meeting with Mifune ended, they returned to the accommodation prepared for them in the Land of Iron, and Orochimaru and the three of them began a very long teaching session for the two of them.
They were taught how to deal with the samurai of the Land of Iron. Of course, the focus was on teaching Tatsuma, but they had also discussed some things before they set off and on the way.
Jiraiya taught Minato the One Handed Seal, and Tsunade recommended Senju Tobirama's simplified notes on Water Release seals to Tatsuma, all in preparation for battling the samurai of the Land of Iron.
However, at that time, they were preparing for situations where negotiations failed or situations where both sides turned hostile, whether within the Land of Iron or in its vicinity, encountering rebellious samurai and being prepared to face them without being at a disadvantage.
However, Orochimaru and the others never imagined that Tatsuma would actually accept Mifune's invitation, which was originally just a courtesy, and even connected the invitation to the purpose of their trip.
As a result, Tatsuma must have sufficient means and intelligence to deal with the samurai. However, Orochimaru and the others had very little experience in dealing with samurai. Occasionally, they had encounters in their early years, but only with unruly rebel samurai.
While those experiences were helpful, their assistance was limited. In fact, Orochimaru and the others had considered using Minato as a pawn to probe the methods of the samurai of the Land of Iron, but they never voiced this idea.
Minato's wit allowed him to easily think of this method that could help Tatsuma. Minato, influenced by Tatsuma, had become somewhat competitive, but he didn't possess Tatsuma's almost fanatical competitiveness.
Moreover, Minato's competitiveness was mostly evident in games against Tatsuma and others, rather than a deep desire for victory. Therefore, he proposed the idea of himself going to probe.
After hearing Minato's suggestion, Tatsuma pondered for a moment and said, "Minato, you can go first, but I hope you can fight in your most comfortable way, rather than deliberately probing the opponent.
The opponents we're facing are different. In the recent finals, I've also noticed some things. It's not to the extent where I need you to gather intelligence for me.
Also, be careful of your opponent, the guy named Daito. Pay attention to his slashes; obviously, he also practices Wind-attribute Chakra Nature Transformation. Enhance your sensory abilities to avoid being accidentally injured."
Minato nodded and replied, "I'll be careful. By the way, your opponent's observational skills are unmatched by many ninjas. I've only seen such skills in Uchiha Fugaku Senpai and some of the Hyuga ninjas.
In your previous battles, you often unconsciously expose your left shoulder as a weakness. But facing these sword-wielding samurai, the risk of flaunting such a weakness is too great. Try to ensure your safety as much as possible."
Tatsuma also felt the same way and said, "That prematurely balding guy is indeed tough. His physical training is extremely strong. When facing Daito, it's not like the first-place contestant against the second-place one; it's more like a top-ranking contestant against the bottom one. The difference is too great."
After briefly discussing their views on their respective opponents, the two checked each other's way of wearing the layered armor to ensure it was correct and without any overlooked areas or loose fastenings, then left the changing room.
Returning to the kenjutsu dojo, many of the spectators had already left. After all, the winners had been determined, and although Mifune mentioned there would be "additional entertainment," not many were eager to stay.
After all, many samurai believed that samurai were stronger than ninjas. Ninjas didn't even have a chance to form hand seals under their blades, let alone two younger kids.
As the two, clad in layered armor, walked out, Orochimaru and the others looked at them with slight solemnity and concern. However, when they saw Tatsuma, all three of them visibly paused for a moment.
They both experienced the era when Senju Tobirama was the Second Hokage during their childhood, and they have seen Senju Tobirama, especially Tsunade, who is very familiar with him.
However, it's precisely because she's so familiar that she doesn't feel Tatsuma resembles her grandfather very much. She wouldn't jest about Tatsuma looking like Tobirama, as some old folks with failing eyesight might do.
But now, with Tatsuma appearing before her in a serious demeanor, clad in blue layered armor, Tsunade also felt a bit bewildered. For a moment or two, she truly saw the image of her grandfather.
Although there were still differences in their faces, although they didn't match in age, and their hairstyles didn't match either, the resemblance was too striking.
If Tsunade, someone so familiar with Senju Tobirama, felt this way, not to mention Jiraiya and Orochimaru, who only had a vague impression of him, and Mifune, who was at the forefront, also wore a face of wonder.
Taking his gaze away, Mifune looked at the two teenagers, Daito, the second-place winner of the Kenjutsu Competition, and Chosuke, the first-place winner, who had already rested. He asked, "Are you both ready?"
Daito and Chosuke nodded. In fact, the two didn't exert much effort at all. After facing each other for three minutes, Chosuke's sword was already at Daito's neck after just three swings.
Seeing the two young swordsmen ready, Mifune also turned to Tatsuma and Minato, asking, "Have you decided on the order of appearance?"
Minato nodded and stepped onto the central platform of the kenjutsu dojo, saying, "I'll go first."
Minato going first was entirely within Mifune's expectations. He looked at Daito and said, "Daito, it's your turn."
Daito nodded, initially seated, then picked up the long sword beside him. Standing up, he walked to the center of the platform. Minato formed the Seal of Confrontation, and Daito also crouched in a gesture of respect. Then, assuming a ready stance to draw his sword, Daito said, "I am Daito"
"I am Minato Namikaze." Minato replied, straightforwardly revealing his true name. However, Mifune seemed unconcerned, sitting up even straighter and saying, "Begin!"
As the words fell, Minato Namikaze did not reach for the long sword at his waist, which was also equipped, but instead threw several shuriken directly at Daito.
Clang clang clang~
A hint of surprise flashed across Daito's face. After all, between swordsmen, attacks didn't usually unfold so quickly. It wasn't a real battle or assassination. Nevertheless, Daito quickly regained his composure and swiftly swung his sword to knock down the shuriken.
Taking advantage of this opening, Minato quickly stepped back, increasing the distance between himself and Daito. Minato had no intention of using the long sword at all. The distance just now was comfortable for Daito, but uncomfortable for him.
As he created some distance, Minato began to form hand seals. However, Daito had already reacted. Seeing Minato about to form seals, Daito took a step, instantly appearing in front of Minato. His speed was no slower than that of many Chunin using the Body Flicker Technique.
Facing Daito suddenly appearing in front of him, Minato was also momentarily startled. But he quickly reacted. Seeing Daito's sword coming towards him, he stopped retreating and instead pushed forward, springing into Daito's attack range.
Minato also wielded a kunai in his hand, thrusting it towards Daito. Daito furrowed his brows; he hadn't expected Minato's reaction and counterattack to be so swift. He quickly used his sword to block.
Clang~
The kunai struck the blade, sparking a little. Daito then shook his hands, pushing Minato back a bit. Immediately, he swung his sword again, but his stance was unstable, which gave Minato an opportunity.
With a quick change in direction, Minato dodged Daito's blade and also avoided the slash imbued with Wind-attribute chakra. As Minato landed, without hesitation, he changed direction again because Daito had already caught up.
"Indeed, he's still too young; his body is at a disadvantage."
Orochimaru commented softly. Jiraiya and Tsunade nodded slightly. Minato was undoubtedly talented, but his age constrained his growth. His strength and speed were inferior to Daito, who was older.
Among peers, Minato's advantage lay in having developed his body earlier. However, facing Daito, who had a stronger physique, Minato had almost no advantage.
At this moment, Daito also adapted to Minato's fighting style, and his attacks became even more fierce, making it very difficult for Minato to evade.
"I can't keep going like this."
Minato made up his mind. With a wave of his right hand, the kunai once again blocked Daito's blade. At the same time, he raised his left hand and began forming hand seals. The One Handed Seals momentarily puzzled Daito.
No one had ever told him that a ninja could form hand seals with just one hand.
"Fire Release! Flame Bullet!"
At this point, Minato finally completed the hand seals. With a deep breath, he spat out a mouthful of oil. As the oil spurted out, it ignited, forming a swirling flame that hurtled towards Daito.
"Secret Technique! Air Slash!"
Though surprised, Daito's astonishment was brief. As he regained his focus, Wind Release chakra swiftly surged onto his blade. With a swing of his sword, the wind-enhanced slash intercepted and cut through the flames.
Seeing Daito evade his attack, Minato felt a bit disappointed. After all, to unleash this jutsu, he had to block Daito's attacks with one hand, and now his hand was feeling a bit numb.
But Daito didn't give Minato any time. He pressed on relentlessly, and Minato could only continuously respond to Daito's unceasing kenjutsu, all the while trying to find opportunities to unleash ninjutsu.
However, Daito's speed was too fast, and what's more valuable was that despite his young age, Daito had rich combat experience. He chased after Minato, not allowing him to create distance nor allowing Minato to get close.
After dozens of exchanges, Minato eventually couldn't avoid Daito's blade attack and was kicked in the chest by Daito at the moment he tried to evade. The force carried with it, given Minato's young age of just ten, not tall nor heavy.
Minato, being relatively light, was kicked out of the platform by Daito.
"I have lost."
Rubbing his chest, Minato got up, returned to the platform, and with a smile, said, "You are very strong. I will strive to surpass you."
Finishing his words, Minato formed the Seal of Reconciliation. Daito nodded and said, "You are also excellent. At your age, I am far from being as good as you."
After a moment of thought, Daito reached out and shook Minato's hand. As the victor, he had to display some grace.
The two stepped down from the platform, and Chosuke, the prematurely balding one, also came to the center of the platform. After exchanging some whispers with Daito, he finally turned to Tatsuma, who was standing in the center of the platform, and said:
"You should just surrender. Your skill level should be similar to that of your companion, right? You have no chance of winning. A person with weak convictions like you cannot defeat me."
Hearing Chosuke's words, Tatsuma grinned, revealing a smile full of infectious confidence. He replied, "What I admire most is your unruly nature. Because after defeating someone like you, the satisfaction is indescribable."
Chosuke understood the implication in Tatsuma's words, realizing that Tatsuma wouldn't give up. He respectfully crouched down and said, "I am Chosuke. Let's have a good fight"
"I am Sakamoto Tatsuma. Sure" replied Tatsuma.
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