The next day.
Haruki and Kakashi returned to the samurai dojo.
But unlike previous days, Mifune was also present at the dojo.
They had a pleasant conversation the day before.
One reason was Haruki's identity, which Mifune dared not challenge.
The other was Mifune's interest in the Niten Ichi-ryu, although he didn't believe Haruki was Kakashi's teacher.
Mainly because Haruki's reputation as a medical ninja and one of Konoha's "Twin Pillars" was too imposing.
It made it hard to believe Haruki could be a master swordsman.
Perhaps the styles of a doctor and a samurai didn't align.
"Lord Mifune," Kakashi greeted politely.
As the leader of the samurai in the Land of Iron, Mifune's status was equivalent to a village Kage.
It wasn't inappropriate for Kakashi to address him this way.
"Please," Mifune replied with equal courtesy.
This level of respect for Kakashi was rather high, stirring curiosity among the crowd about Kakashi's master.
A four-year-old couldn't possibly command such respect from Mifune unless his teacher was remarkable.
At this point, Kakashi wasn't known as the Copy Ninja or Konoha's foremost technician.
Naturally, people in the Land of Iron would speculate.
The two entered the arena.
Kakashi recalled Haruki's advice.
Mifune wouldn't use his full strength against him; it was likely to be an instructive sparring session.
Moreover, it was an opportunity for Mifune to observe Niten Ichi-ryu.
But Kakashi had to use all his strength.
Gripping his twin blades tightly, blue chakra quickly enveloped them.
At that moment, he heard the metallic sound of a sword being drawn.
Instinctively, Kakashi looked up to see a flash of blade.
So fast!
That was his only thought.
"Not bad reaction," Mifune praised, rather than belittling him. "Few in the entire ninja world could withstand my Iaijutsu."
Kakashi nodded silently.
He remembered Haruki mentioning that Mifune had fought Hanzō during the Second Shinobi War. Though he lost, it was still commendable.
After all, the combined strength of Konoha's Legendary Sannin couldn't defeat Hanzō.
"Continue," Mifune said, stepping back without sheathing his sword.
His Iaido, also known as the way of the quick draw, was most terrifying for its incredible speed and explosive power.
The most powerful move was the draw and slash of Iaijutsu.
Kakashi wasn't disheartened. His expression serious, he tensed his leg muscles and launched himself forward with his twin blades.
Two flashes of blades streaked through the air.
Mifune's eyes brightened slightly.
This indeed was a new style of swordsmanship, not just a modification.
He casually swung his sword.
Simply and effectively.
It brushed past the twin flashes, accurately striking Kakashi's right wrist.
Kakashi felt his wrist go numb, losing strength, and the wooden sword slipped from his grasp.
In a life-or-death battle, his right hand would have been severed.
Mifune smiled kindly.
Watching Kakashi retrieve his wooden sword, he couldn't help but marvel at Konoha's endless stream of geniuses.
During the Second Shinobi War, he encountered talents like Sakumo Hatake and the Sannin, as well as the young Namikaze Minato.
And what about the Land of Iron? The generational gap was evident.
If Haruki knew his thoughts, he'd tell him that by the time of Itachi Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki, the geniuses were not only numerous but also incredibly powerful.
However, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura were fond of stifling the growth of geniuses.
After retrieving his wooden sword, Kakashi once again charged at Mifune.
He raised his long sword, adopting an overhead stance.
Using Lightning Release to accelerate, his body produced a dazzling array of sword lights.
Mifune shook his head slightly.
Kakashi's current skill made his sword lights too superficial.
In other words, too flashy.
His sword cut through the air, forming an arc of sword light, which turned and knocked Kakashi away.
Such scenes repeated throughout the three-hour session.
Until Kakashi was exhausted.
Haruki approached, patting his shoulder with a smile. "We'll continue tomorrow."
Kakashi immediately stopped struggling, sitting down to catch his breath.
Haruki exchanged a few words with Mifune and then left with Kakashi.
Mifune did not refuse.
Miyamoto Musashi's Niten Ichi-ryu couldn't be mastered in three hours.
He had sensed the terrifying potential of this style, even considering stealing it.
If comprehended, it might elevate his own skills.
The crowd burst into cheers.
Mifune frowned, then angrily scolded, "Cheering for what? Train until you can last three hours against me, then cheer!"
The dojo fell silent.
"You're all hopeless. Go train!"
The crowd dispersed like scared animals.
Haruki and Kakashi returned to their inn without eating or resting.
Haruki first asked Kakashi about his feelings, then explained Mifune's Iaido.
Since reaching the state of "Void-Sword," no swordsmanship held secrets from him.
As they say, mastering one technique leads to mastering many.
Another day, Mifune noticed Kakashi's slight improvement, which was enough to surprise him.
These geniuses really leave no room for others.
Though he prided himself as an Iaido prodigy, achieving what Kakashi did was difficult.
But his surprise was premature.
A month later, Mifune watched Kakashi, doubting his own abilities.
Sometimes the gap between people is wider than that between humans and dogs.
"Kakashi, you no longer need to spar with me," Mifune said, stepping back and shaking his head. "Your current level of swordsmanship is comparable to very few. What you lack is chakra and age."
He said this for another reason: he had mostly grasped Niten Ichi-ryu.
After all, he was a swordsmanship master, with a month of Kakashi's demonstrations.
Kakashi was taken aback, looking at Mifune.
His expression didn't seem insincere.
He himself felt that Mifune's swordsmanship was less pressuring.
But that was only regarding swordsmanship.
"Lord Mifune, I have one more sword technique," Kakashi said, taking a deep breath. He had the chakra necklace from Haruki, enough to use it.
"I want to see your Iaijutsu again."
"Oh?"
Mifune was intrigued, mainly because Kakashi spoke with such confidence.
Despite having seen his Iaijutsu, he still had such confidence?
"Please."
Mifune returned his wooden sword to its scabbard, right hand on the hilt, exuding an extremely dangerous aura.
Kakashi gripped his wooden sword tightly.
Chakra surged, and the necklace on his chest moved as if blown by the wind.
Behind him, a figure resembling a fierce demon appeared.
Mifune's eyes widened.
Is this swordsmanship?
The style is too fantastical!
As he pondered, his vision dimmed for half a second, then brightened, seeing a sword light shoot skyward, as if a beam of light was aimed at him.