"And the ultimate goal we pursue..."
Isshin paused, emphasizing every word: "That is to strive for victory by any means necessary. In battle, utilize every available tool and technique to achieve your objective. For victory, for survival, and for protection, one's thinking must not be rigid."
"For example... this firearm in my hand." He looked at Yamagami Motoya and said calmly, "In your eyes, it might be a mere gadget, a gun; but in my eyes, and in the principles of my Ashina Style..."
"It is a sword!"
Isshin continued, as if stating the most natural fact: "Its construction is an extension of a sword's structure. Its firing is another form of a sword's thrust and slash. The flames and bullets it spews are the projection of a sword's edge and power into the distance. The method of using it, the timing, and the coordination with one's own movements—the Dao contained within is fundamentally no different from using a real sword."
"Therefore, Gun Technique is Swordsmanship, and ballistic trajectory is the Way of the Sword!"
Yamagami Motoya was completely stunned, his brain almost coming to a halt.
A firearm is also a sword?
Gun Technique is also Swordsmanship?
ballistic trajectory is also the Way of the Sword?
His teacher's words completely overturned all his previous perceptions of martial arts and weapons.
Next, Yamagami Motoya heard his teacher say something that sounded profound yet seemed to contain hidden truth: "All things have their principles and can be transformed into a sword. When the hand holds no sword, if the mind possesses the principles of the sword, then grass, trees, bamboo, and stones can all become swords. When the mind lacks the principles of the sword, even if one holds a Sharp Weapon, it is but a piece of dead iron. What matters is not clinging to the form of the'sword', but realizing the method of utilizing all things."
To Yamagami Motoya, who had just stepped through the door and had not yet systematically studied Swordsmanship, these principles—that all things can be swords and that having no sword surpasses having one—sounded like a confusing fog, leaving him only half-understanding.
But as he looked at his teacher's solemn and deep gaze, and the natural, 'one with the tool' state he displayed while handling the firearm, all the doubts in his heart turned into deeper shock and awe.
So, this is what the Ashina Style is like?
True martial arts and the Dao can be so broad and inclusive?
Though Yamagami Motoya was still confused, a strange sense of conviction rose within him.
Since the teacher said so, it must be right!
Ashina Style Swordsmanship was indeed different from any style of Swordsmanship he had imagined before!
"Yes! Teacher, I understand!"
Yamagami Motoya nodded vigorously, firmly engraving his teacher's words into his heart, even though the deeper meaning would take time to digest... A few days later, at the Jingshin Meichi Style Dojo.
Sunlight streamed through the high windows of the dojo, casting orderly patches of light on the floor. The air was filled with the faint scent of wood and sweat.
Yagyū Sōichirō gave a low shout, his iron staff cutting through the air, thrusting forward with a heavy sound of wind. It was the upright yet immensely powerful opening stance of the Jingshin Meichi Style.
Isshin's footwork shifted, his Tachi unsheathed by half an inch, appearing as though he intended to parry.
However, just as the two were about to enter conventional weapon-clash range, Isshin's right hand on the hilt suddenly slid down in an extremely fluid and seamless motion, as if it had simply dropped to his side... Then, like a flash of lightning, he pulled something from his lower back!
It was a crudely modified firearm with a noticeably lengthened barrel!
"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"
A series of rapid, deafening explosions rang out instantly, shattering the solemn atmosphere of the dojo!
Hot fire spewed from the muzzle as five lead bullets shot toward Yagyū Sōichirō!
The distance was too close, the speed too fast!
"What the hell is that?!"
Yagyū Sōichirō's pupils shrank; he had never expected such a move.
In this critical moment, his rich combat experience and extraordinary reaction speed saved him.
His forward-charging figure came to a dead stop. His feet took root, his core exerted power, and his iron staff was no longer attacking. Instead, it whirled into a blur of black shadows, shielding his body!
"Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Thud!"
Four crisp sounds of metal clashing and one muffled thud rang out almost simultaneously!
Four bullets were precisely knocked away by the iron staff, leaving deep dents and sparks on the dojo floor and walls. The last one grazed his shoulder garment, taking a thread of cloth with it.
Although he blocked them, the firearm seemed to have been specially modified by its owner. The immense impact of the bullets still caused Yagyū Sōichirō to sway, and he involuntarily took two small steps back before stabilizing himself.
The place where the bullet grazed his shoulder burned with stinging pain, but what made him even more furious was this completely unconventional method of attack!
"You bastard!!!" Yagyū Sōichirō stabilized himself, his face flushed with rage and his hair standing on end. He pointed his iron staff at Isshin, his voice loud enough to lift the dojo's roof:
"How can you be so dishonorable?! We agreed on a Swordsmanship duel, how can you use a firearm?! What kind of match is this?"
firearms were not new to the Ninja World, having existed for nearly a hundred years. (Note)
However, in a world dominated by an extraordinary power System like Chakra, they had always struggled to gain mainstream acceptance.
They were usually only equipped by ordinary soldiers, local security forces, and even underground organizations. Because their power was only a threat to Genin, but appeared clumsy and inefficient against Chunin and above—who possessed various defensive and evasive means—they were held in contempt by orthodox Ninja.
In the Land of Iron, which placed extreme importance on Swordsmanship Legacy and the spirit of Bushido, even ordinary soldiers were ashamed to wear them, viewing them as low-class gadgets.
Yagyū Sōichirō never dreamed that one day he would see such a thing used in a fair and square Swordsmanship duel by a young swordsman he acknowledged and had sparred with many times!
And judging by the sound, bullet speed, and impact, it clearly wasn't a standard item. It had definitely been specially modified and strengthened by this bastard kid!
During his early years traveling the Ninja World, he had seen various firearms, but ordinary ones definitely lacked such power and speed.
"President, you are too attached to appearances!" Facing the furious Yagyū Sōichirō's questioning, Isshin's expression remained unchanged:
"As the saying goes, Gun Technique is a method, and ballistic trajectory is the Dao."
"My use of this firearm and your use of that iron staff are essentially the same. We are both exchanging Swordsmanship!"
"Both involve releasing one's own power through the medium of a tool in the form of a specific technique, to achieve the goal of defeating an opponent or exchanging insights."
He spread his hands, his innocent expression carrying a hint of disappointment:
"I thought that a sword master like you, President, who uses a staff, would have already transcended the constraints of specific forms like swords and blades, and realized the true essence of the Way of the Sword—no tool is superior; what works is what's effective."
"I didn't expect... Sigh, President, you are still restricted by those rigid rules and frameworks."
Yagyū Sōichirō: "..."
He really wanted to give him a whack on the head... While this Clone of Isshin obtained his exclusive equipment and flamboyantly displayed his Ashina Style Swordsmanship in the Land of Iron,
time continued to flow, and ripples began to stir in the calm waters of the Ninja World.