Slowly, his opponent drew the ninja sword, Hiramekarei, from its place at his waist.
Hozuki Mangetsu was perhaps the most skilled wielder the Twin Swords, Hiramekarei, had ever known. Even Chojuro likely couldn't measure up to him. After all, Mangetsu wasn't limited to Hiramekarei; he could wield any of Kirigakure's Seven Ninja Swords with complete mastery. He even possessed the scroll that could summon all seven blades simultaneously. His combat prowess was exceptional, matched only by his innate talent for swordsmanship.
Kimimaro watched him draw Hiramekarei. Despite the confrontation, he held a measure of respect for the legendary blade. He instantly formed a short dagger from his own bones, eyes fixed on his opponent.
Seeing Kimimaro's move, Mangetsu frowned slightly. This newcomer apparently intended to challenge him to a duel of blades. A taijutsu specialist wanting to cross swords with him?
Hmph. The arrogance.
"Whoa, what a weird weapon! What is that?" Boruto asked.
Sarada spoke up, offering an explanation. "That must be one of the Seven Ninja Swords of the Mist!"
Haku, standing nearby, offered a slight smile. "Miss Sarada is correct. It's one of Kirigakure's Seven Ninja Swords: the Twin Swords, Hiramekarei."
"Ninja Swords? Are they really that special?" Boruto couldn't help but ask. This time, it was Sasuke who answered.
"They aren't inherently special," Sasuke explained. "Aside from unique forging techniques and metals, generations of wielders have infused them with their own chakra. Over time, this fusion granted the blades unique properties."
Boruto still looked a bit lost. Haku offered a simpler explanation.
"Simply put," Haku said, "it takes the dedicated effort of generations of talented shinobi to transform an ordinary blade into a true Ninja Sword."
Put that way, Boruto understood. Generations of genius shinobi working to elevate a single blade... "Okay, yeah," Boruto conceded, "I guess that does make them pretty special!"
"Generations?" Sasuke scoffed. "That's only because they were inefficient. Forging a Ninja Sword is simple." He turned to Sarada. "Let me see the tanto I gave you."
Sarada handed over the blade she kept secured at her waist. Sasuke took the small sword, and instantly, chakra surged into the metal.
He activated his unique ability—the power to freely grant or revoke abilities. Just as he could bestow power upon a person, he could imbue an object. Sasuke already understood the principles of forging a Ninja Sword; this power simply allowed him to accelerate the process immensely.
Visible waves of Sasuke's potent Lightning Release chakra washed over the tanto. The metal seemed to react, darkening rapidly under the intense infusion. In mere moments, the once-plain blade transformed into a stark black sword.
Sasuke casually tossed the transformed blade back to Sarada. She caught it, looking slightly dismayed. "Master Sasuke... why did you turn it this ugly, pitch-black color?"
Hearing her complaint, Haku chuckled softly. "Miss Sarada, that's a Ninja Sword now."
"After being forged by Lord Sasuke," Haku explained, "even if you only channel regular chakra into it—not specifically Lightning Release—the blade itself will now unleash lightning-based attacks!"
Curious, Sarada channeled a small amount of her own chakra into the hilt. Instantly, startling arcs of black lightning erupted along the blade's edge.
Sarada gasped in surprise. "Incredible... It's like the sword itself is performing the nature transformation!"
"That's the essence of a Ninja Sword," Haku elaborated. "Each one possesses the innate ability to manifest a specific chakra nature or effect."
"For instance, Hozuki Mangetsu's Hiramekarei utilizes a unique chakra manipulation."
"It allows the user to shape their chakra, forming blade-like constructs with tangible cutting power!"
As if on cue, a bright stream of chakra shot towards Kimimaro. He raised his bone dagger to parry. The impact of the chakra construct against his hardened bone sent a shower of brilliant sparks flying.
Seeing this display, Boruto whipped his head back towards Sarada's new blade. "Whoa, these Ninja Swords are awesome! Weapons like that actually exist?" He eyed her sword greedily. "Hey, Sarada, lemme see it!"
Seeing the covetous look on Boruto's face, Sarada quickly secured the black tanto back at her side. She then shot Sasuke a thankful glance.
Mitsuki applauded softly. "Impressive, as expected of Master Sasuke. Completing the forging process for a Ninja Sword in mere moments!"
"For anyone else, achieving this would likely require the combined efforts of generations. It would be impossible otherwise!"
"Yet Master Sasuke accomplished it in seconds!"
Hearing Mitsuki's assessment, the way Boruto looked at Sasuke shifted once more. Something that normally took generations of dedication... this man could do in seconds.
"Master Sasuke, is your sword a Ninja Sword too?"
At the question, Sasuke drew the Sword of Kusanagi sheathed at his side. "It is," he confirmed. "Like yours now, it's a Ninja Sword capable of channeling Lightning Release inherently."
However, as Sasuke unsheathed the Kusanagi, Sarada, who had been feeling rather excited, noticed the blade was covered in a fine network of cracks. It looked incredibly fragile, as if it might shatter at any moment. It was an unexpected sight.
"Master Sasuke," Sarada observed worriedly, "that sword looks like it'll break if you even tap it!"
Sasuke offered a faint smile. "It can shatter, yes. But that doesn't mean it's useless."
With that, Sasuke gave the hilt of the Kusanagi a slight twist. Instantly, the cracked blade dissolved into countless tiny fragments, drifting like dust. But then, with a deliberate flick of his wrist, holding only the hilt, the myriad fragments instantly coalesced. They reformed, seemingly bound together by invisible threads of lightning, snapping back into the shape of the Kusanagi blade.
"It was broken," Sasuke stated. "But my power allows it to exist in this fragmented state, reforming into something stronger than before."
"Perhaps now, it should be called... Senjin Kusanagi. The Thousand Blades Kusanagi."
Thousand Blades. The name fit perfectly. Sarada felt a pang of envy. A sword like that... it seemed incredibly cool.
She saw the coolness factor, but Mitsuki and Haku perceived something entirely different. A blade that could shatter and reform at will... during that process, it could likely take on countless different shapes and forms. The potential offensive power of such a Ninja Sword was terrifying. It had evolved from a simple blade into a weapon of infinite variation.
Sasuke's power... just what kind of ability allowed him to reshape a Ninja Sword in such a fundamental way?
Just then, a resonant CRACK echoed from the ongoing fight.
Boom!
A surge of red light pulsed faintly from within Kimimaro's bones. With startling ease, he slammed Mangetsu—still in his Hydrification form—and pinned him firmly to the ground. Kimimaro stood over him, hand gripping a newly formed bone spear, looking down imperiously at the trapped swordsman.
"Your swordsmanship isn't bad," Kimimaro stated calmly. "But... compared to his... it's far too lacking."
"Swordsmanship isn't my specialty," he continued, "but I have crossed blades with Lord Sasuke numerous times. Having witnessed true mastery, your techniques seem utterly insignificant."
Hozuki Mangetsu stared up in horror. This taijutsu user... his skill with a blade wasn't just equal to his own—he was being completely overpowered.
The Kaguya Clan! Since when did they produce monsters like this?
And more importantly... why did this Kaguya possess the Byakugan...?
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