"Vacuum Blade?" Aokawa asked in confusion.
Shirakumo Hayama nodded. A layer of cyan-white Chakra suddenly appeared on the Ninja Blade in his hand. Then, with a forward slash, a white flash of sword light swept out.
Boom!
A large tree ahead was grazed by the sword light and toppled over crookedly, kicking up a cloud of dust.
"So powerful!" Aokawa praised. "That's the sword light you used when fighting that Jinchuriki just now."
"That's right, but she had the Tailed Beast Chakra Mode, so it was hard to hit!" At this mention, Shirakumo Hayama blushed slightly.
He had just been praised as a master swordsman, but speaking of the recent battle, the effectiveness of his Vacuum Blade hadn't been very ideal.
Aokawa didn't mind this; instead, he grew curious: "Sohma-sama, that Ninja Blade in your hand isn't made of Chakra-conductive metal. How did you conduct Chakra through it just now?"
Returning to the topic of swordsmanship, Shirakumo Hayama's face regained its confidence: "Because it wasn't conduction at all."
"Not conduction?"
"Let me ask you, air isn't made of Chakra-conductive metal either, so how do you release Ninjutsu in front of an enemy?"
"Naturally, it's released by using Nature Transformation and Shape Transformation of Chakra. You mean..."
"Exactly!" Shirakumo Hayama nodded, his eyes full of admiration.
A Genius's comprehension was indeed strong; a single hint was enough.
He continued to explain: "After Chakra undergoes nature and Shape Transformation, it can be released whether you have a Ninja Blade or not."
"The Vacuum Blade is actually wrapping Wind Release Chakra, which has already undergone nature and Shape Transformation, around the Ninja Blade and compressing it, then releasing it with the fastest swing speed of the blade."
"With a Ninja Blade, the Wind Release Chakra is released faster and more discreetly."
"Of course, this is just the basic principle. There are many details in the development process. Many people have this idea, but very few have actually developed the Vacuum Blade."
Aokawa came to a sudden realization and nodded.
Seeing this, Shirakumo Hayama handed the Ninja Blade back to him: "If you encounter any difficulties while developing advanced swordsmanship, you can come to me to discuss them."
"First, wrap it with Wind Release Chakra..." Aokawa took the Ninja Blade and began to try, muttering to himself.
Seeing a surge of cyan-white Wind Release Chakra actually appear on the Ninja Blade, Shirakumo Hayama's pupils constricted.
Immediately after, he saw Aokawa continue to mutter, "Then use the Ninja Blade to compress the Wind Release Chakra and release it with the fastest swing speed..."
Then, with a swing of the Ninja Blade in his hand, an incredibly familiar sword light was released just like that.
A large tree toppled over crookedly with an identical cut.
"Sohma-sama, I succeeded! Thank you for your guidance, Sohma-sama!" Aokawa said excitedly.
Shirakumo Hayama looked at the fallen tree before him, his mouth agape, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Huh?
Did I teach that?
I only said a few words, and the Vacuum Blade was learned just like that?
Then what about the days and nights of constant trials I spent to develop the Vacuum Blade back then?
Although he didn't mind teaching Aokawa, this kind of talent—learning the Vacuum Blade in just a few sentences—was still a blow to him.
"Thank you, Sohma-sama!" Aokawa thanked him again.
Shirakumo Hayama waved his hand; at this moment, he only felt that Aokawa's voice was a bit noisy.
He sighed repeatedly, looking at the grass on the ground with a dejected expression.
Perhaps!
He shouldn't have come to show concern for his junior just now.
"Sohma-sama!" Aokawa approached mysteriously.
"I want to rest!" Shirakumo Hayama looked listless.
Aokawa acted as if he hadn't heard and spoke to himself: "During the battle just now, I saw most of Captain Hachidai and Inabi's Uchiha-ryu Kenjutsu."
"I found that some concepts and Moves of Uchiha-ryu Kenjutsu can be integrated into Konoha-ryu Kenjutsu."
"Uchiha-ryu Kenjutsu?"
Hearing this, Shirakumo Hayama's eyes lit up, and life instantly returned to his face.
He cautiously glanced at Uchiha Hachidai and Uchiha Inabi, seeing both leaning against a tree, dozing.
Only then did he turn his head and whisper, "Tell me more..."
"For example, this Move of the Uchiha style can be combined with the Konoha style's..."
"..."
"But this Move relies heavily on the Sharingan..."
"We can change it like this..."
"But this Move is obviously..."
"We only learn the essence..."
Both had a certain level of mastery in swordsmanship; their discussion required no physical practice, as they both visualized it in their minds.
They discussed for a long time, Shirakumo Hayama's eyes growing brighter and brighter as he nodded frequently.
Finally, he slapped his fist: "I must organize today's discussion after we return."
After saying that, he couldn't help but sigh: "Aokawa, you are too suited for swordsmanship."
"Not at all, wasn't this only thought of thanks to Sohma-sama's pointers?"
"..."
Just then, the sound of flapping wings rang out in the air.
A Ninja Hawk landed on Uchiha Hachidai.
This time, as if knowing their situation required a low profile, the Ninja Hawk did not screech as it descended.
Uchiha Hachidai opened his eyes, took the intel from the hawk's leg, and his gaze quickly swept over it.
"Any news?" Everyone gathered around.
"After receiving news that the outpost was captured, the reinforcements have retreated to Yunagi Pass. They want us to rendezvous at Yunagi Pass on our own after shaking off the enemy's pursuit," Uchiha Hachidai said, his gaze sweeping over everyone.
Shirakumo Hayama nodded: "The outpost has been breached, and there are no strategic points outside Yunagi Pass. Unless we can push Kumogakure back across Kazegake Valley in one breath, there's indeed no point in reinforcements coming further."
Uchiha Hachidai continued: "The four of you who came to support, Sohma, have also been merged into the front-line team. Once we reach Yunagi Pass, you'll be organized with the support teams from the village."
"The village sent support teams too?" Uchiha Inabi asked.
"Kumogakure has already sent a large army to invade our defense line. This is no longer a local conflict," Uchiha Hachidai said with a serious expression. "This is war, everyone!"
Indeed!
This was no longer the small-scale skirmishing at the outpost.
But a war between two great nations.
The era of peace had ended once again.
At this thought, everyone's hearts grew heavy.
"There's a situation!"
Just then, Hinata Iruha, who had been responsible for lookout, suddenly gave a low warning.
He maintained his Byakugan's active state, his brow furrowed as he spoke quickly:
"Chakra reaction detected at one o'clock, about three kilometers away! A five-man squad, moving very fast, spreading out in a fan shape, as if conducting a search!"
"Chakra intensity... all are at least Chunin level. One person's Chakra feels very dense; they might be a Jonin!"
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