Chapter 20: The Teaching Begins! (Please continue reading!)

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The mission concluded, and the four of them under Genichi Shizuka loaded the corpse of the Ku ninja into a sealing scroll before setting off back to Konoha. By the time they returned, three days had passed.

The entire mission took six days.

Upon returning to Konoha, Sakumo Hataki was responsible for submitting the mission report, while Genichi Shizuka and the others dispersed to their respective homes.

Strolling through the streets, Genichi was deep in thought about the intelligence he had gathered on the Ku ninja village during their journey back.

The Ku ninja village no longer existed.

The remnants of the Ku ninja scattered, occasionally resurfacing to oppose Konoha.

But it was all suicidal.

The original location of the Ku ninja had been to the east of the Land of Fire, south of the Land of Hot Water, and by the sea.

He wasn’t certain whether an airborne fortress lay hidden beneath the ruins of the Ku ninja village.

Nor had he obtained any information about the Zero-Tail beast, uncertain when it had existed.

However, the sealing technique used to bind the Zero-Tail was stolen from Konoha.

The secret art of regeneration also originated there.

Regarding the destruction of the Ku ninja village, Genichi had not learned any details, and Sakumo had only given a brief explanation.

“Perhaps it was because the secret techniques were stolen?” Genichi speculated.

Fortunately, it wasn’t necessary for him to personally investigate the Ku ninja ruins.

As a low-ranking ninja, it would be difficult to venture out of the village alone.

“Luckily, I have my edge... I’ll prepare first and master the Four Symbols Seal,” he thought.

“Then, using future sight, see if I can capture the Zero-Tail.”

Genichi was quite self-aware.

With his current strength, seeking out the Zero-Tail would likely lead to a disastrous death.

Though this mission had been easy, dispatching a dozen Ku ninja remnants,

that was because Sakumo Hataki was with him.

Furthermore, both Nami Uchiha and En Yamanaka were Chunin.

Especially Uchiha Nami, who had awakened the Double Tomoe Sharingan—his strength was formidable.

His close-range taijutsu alone was enough to overwhelm Genichi.

After resting at home for half a day, the next day Genichi brought gifts to visit Sakumo.

Sakumo said he could teach swordsmanship, so Genichi naturally wouldn’t let the opportunity slip.

Even if it was just polite words, he shamelessly took them seriously.

And Sakumo was clearly not the type to merely offer empty gestures.

After several days of interaction, Genichi sensed that Sakumo was a senior who genuinely cared about nurturing juniors.

So, he was determined to seize the opportunity.

Regardless of whether Sakumo would officially take him as a student, he would first learn the skills.

...

When Genichi arrived, Kakashi happened to be home, not on a mission.

Setting down the gifts, the three of them moved to a clearing surrounded by woods.

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Numerous wooden rakes were nailed to trees here, bearing marks from shuriken—likely a former training ground of Kakashi.

“Kakashi, Genichi, you both try first,” Sakumo said with a smile, emphasizing, “Kakashi, Genichi’s swordsmanship has improved greatly!”

Kakashi looked at Genichi and asked, “Iaijutsu?”

Genichi nodded, “I’ve made some progress.”

Kakashi drew a short blade from his back: “Then let me see.”

With that, Kakashi charged at Genichi.

Genichi lowered his body, right hand on the hilt.

But Kakashi suddenly leapt over him, attacking from behind.

Unfazed, Genichi traced a clockwise semicircle, turning around while drawing his sword.

Clang!

His short blade drawn diagonally from lower left to upper right struck Kakashi’s blade as it came down.

Genichi then switched to a two-handed grip and slashed down.

Clang!

Kakashi blocked the strike but his expression changed, and he stumbled: “What a heavy sword!”

Genichi seized the opportunity to press the attack.

The clash of steel rang continuously.

Kakashi retreated step by step, but after seven or eight moves, he stabilized and launched a counterattack.

Genichi had practiced the Konoha-style swordsmanship for less than a year.

After his two Iaijutsu strikes failed to land decisive blows, his swordplay became ordinary; when Kakashi counterattacked, Genichi quickly became flustered.

Once again, he was overwhelmed.

Yet Genichi gritted his teeth and endured, focusing on blocking every strike from Kakashi, trying to absorb his techniques and retaliate.

Though he was repeatedly repelled, there was at least some progress.

Sakumo watched attentively, nodding subtly.

Losing wasn’t a problem; what mattered was the ability and willingness to learn.

After over fifty exchanges, Kakashi’s short blade rested at Genichi’s throat.

Though defeated, Genichi held out for over fifty rounds—an immense improvement over before.

“Genichi, you’ve improved a lot,” Kakashi said.

“Especially your Iaijutsu; with precise timing, it can easily kill in one strike.”

Sakumo smiled: “Genichi used that very move to kill two Ku ninja remnants on the last mission.”

Kakashi was surprised, looking at Genichi in astonishment.

Genichi smiled: “Those two had far weaker sword skills than you, Kakashi, and underestimated me.”

Then came Sakumo’s teaching session.

Genichi was already familiar with Konoha-style swordsmanship, so Sakumo skipped the basics and started with how to generate power.

How to make the sword faster and stronger.

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This power came not only from the body but also from chakra explosion techniques.

Chakra burst from the feet enabled instantaneous movement, and naturally, chakra could also be released in the hands—like Tsunade’s monstrous strength, greatly amplifying fist power.

The same applied to swordsmanship.

Disregarding elemental chakra nature, sword fighting was essentially a contest of neural reflexes, strength, and speed.

After these techniques were taught, it was time to practice.

How to practice?

Of course, through real combat.

Genichi was repeatedly overwhelmed by the father and son duo of Sakumo and Kakashi.

After three consecutive days, his mind was filled with visions of flashing blades and swords.

On the fourth day, Kakashi went on a mission.

Genichi was given a day off.

But he didn’t rest—he spent the day studying sealing techniques and genjutsu.

Before he knew it, seven days had passed.

At nine in the morning, at Konoha’s village gate.

The White Fang Squad gathered once again as Genichi began his second mission.

Mission—rest and training—mission—rest and training.

Such was the monotonous life of a ninja.

And unknowingly, 42 years had passed in Konoha.

Exhaling a breath of warm air, Genichi murmured, “If nothing unexpected happens, the upheaval will come this year.”

“What kind of mission would cause such great loss to the nation?”

“If I give up the mission to save comrades, can I change fate?”

“I hope it’s after March...”

In March, Genichi would again overdraw ten years of his future.

By then, his strength should still improve.

At least his swordsmanship would see tremendous growth.

After months of guidance from Sakumo Hataki, his swordsmanship had advanced rapidly.

Combined with ten years of honing, progress would surely be substantial.

“Genichi!”

A familiar voice startled him awake.

Looking up, he couldn’t help but smile: “Teacher Jiraiya!”

Leaping down from the rooftop, Genichi approached Jiraiya and bowed respectfully.

Jiraiya smiled and waved him over: “Come with me!”

Curious, Genichi followed.