Konoha's Tag-System Ninja

Compared to Hoshita Shūichi and Uchiha Shisui, Kurama Sanyō is a pure genjutsu-type ninja.

Thus, his combat style is different from the other two. Before his opponent could even reach him, he had already formed hand seals and cast a genjutsu.

Genjutsu - Mirage!

This is a visual genjutsu that deceives the enemy's eyes, making everything they see shrouded in a false illusion.

However, the young swordsman clearly had ample combat experience. After his first strike missed, he didn't wait for Kurama Sanyō's follow-up attack; instead, he decisively closed his eyes.

Clang!

Relying on his hearing, the young swordsman perfectly blocked Kurama Sanyō's surprise attack from behind.

Kurama Sanyō's attack failed, and he immediately retreated, avoiding close combat.

The young swordsman also acted decisively, stabbing his sword into the ground and forming hand seals to dispel the genjutsu.

But Kurama Sanyō didn't remain idle during his retreat. Two shuriken were already flying towards the young swordsman, forcing him to dodge them and move further away from his sword, even after dispelling the genjutsu.

At this moment, Kurama Sanyō completed his second genjutsu.

Hoshita Shūichi couldn't recognize this technique, likely a unique genjutsu of the Kurama clan.

Judging by the young swordsman's reaction, this technique clearly affected him on all fronts.

Unlike the previous "Mirage," a visual genjutsu, this one influenced all five senses simultaneously.

The young swordsman ran around erratically, muttering to himself and attacking non-existent enemies.

After the technique ended, Kurama Sanyō was gasping for air and popped a pill into his mouth. He didn't rush to attack but waited silently for the right moment.

Suddenly, the young swordsman stopped his frantic movements and locked his gaze on Kurama Sanyō with deadly precision.

Hoshita Shūichi felt a twinge of unease: "He's been pretending to be under the genjutsu!"

At this moment, Minato Namikaze spoke up, "We concede this match."

That last technique was Kurama Sanyō's most powerful genjutsu. But since his opponent had seen through it and even used it to their advantage, there was no point in continuing the fight.

It was fortunate that Kurama Sanyō had limited chakra. Otherwise, if he had attacked immediately after using the genjutsu, the young swordsman might have struck him down with a single blow.

Kurama Sanyō returned with his head lowered in guilt. "Sorry, I dragged everyone down."

Hoshita Shūichi, having just finished healing Uchiha Shisui, smiled and said, "It's not that you dragged us down, Sanyō. Your opponent was simply stronger."

Uchiha Shisui nodded in agreement.

Minato Namikaze patted Kurama Sanyō on the shoulder and said kindly, "Shūichi is right. It's just that the opponents are different."

"Besides, we're still ahead by one match. Now it's time to watch your sensei."

With that, Minato Namikaze stepped forward.

On the opposite side, Hoshita Shūichi and his two teammates watched as the enemy's Jōnin, Ken'ichi, stepped up.

Jōnin vs. Jōnin!

Hoshita Shūichi kept his eyes fixed on the fight, full of anticipation.

He had already witnessed Minato Namikaze's Flying Thunder God Technique, but he hadn't yet seen his other signature jutsu and didn't know if it had been developed yet.

Suddenly, the two opponents moved simultaneously, so fast that only their afterimages could be seen.

"So fast!"

Hoshita Shūichi gasped in amazement.

Without the [Ninja Tools Expert] tag that enhanced his reflexes, he would have found it nearly impossible to keep up with their movements.

Next to him, Uchiha Shisui had also activated his Sharingan; otherwise, he too would have struggled to follow the swift movements of Minato Namikaze and his opponent.

Kurama Sanyō exclaimed, "They're too fast! I can't keep up at all!"

Hoshita Shūichi and Uchiha Shisui, however, kept their eyes on the battle.

Cling!

Clang!

The sound of clashing metal wasn't frequent, but Hoshita Shūichi could tell that Minato Namikaze had the upper hand.

Suddenly, Ken'ichi retreated a significant distance and quickly formed hand seals to complete a jutsu.

Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!

Hoshita Shūichi looked up as a stream of water formed into a massive water dragon that shot into the sky, then dived down to crash towards Minato Namikaze.

In response, Minato Namikaze threw a kunai straight at Ken'ichi.

This was clearly an unexpected attack, but since Ken'ichi had already completed his jutsu, he easily dodged the kunai.

But in the next moment, to Ken'ichi's shock, Minato Namikaze vanished from where he had been standing.

Where did he go?

Ken'ichi quickly scanned his surroundings, but before he could react, he felt a cold sensation on his neck. Minato Namikaze's voice echoed, "You've lost!"

His body froze in place, and Ken'ichi slowly turned his head, cold sweat dripping from his forehead. "Such incredible speed… May I ask your name?"

"Minato Namikaze!"

"I'm honored to have faced you!"

Ken'ichi admitted defeat. He didn't even want to participate in the final group battle, instead choosing to leave immediately with his team and the fallen, not even bothering to say goodbye to the Daimyō of the Land of Fire.

He wasn't a fool; though Minato Namikaze and his team hadn't killed anyone, they also didn't show any respect to the Daimyō.

If he didn't know his place, he might not leave here alive.

Watching Ken'ichi and his men depart, the Daimyō of the Land of Fire's expression darkened slightly.

He then covered half of his face with a fan, his eyes locking onto Minato Namikaze and the other three, before giving orders to a nearby attendant, "Request their information from Konoha, especially on those three children."

Although the Daimyō wasn't a ninja, he could tell that Minato Namikaze was the strongest among them.

However, it was clear that Minato Namikaze could not be swayed.

But those three children might be a different story.

The attendant nodded in agreement, and the Daimyō continued, "Make sure they are well taken care of."

With that, the Daimyō was carried away.

Half an hour later, after bathing, Hoshita Shūichi and the others were treated to a grand banquet.

There was not only an abundance of delicious food but also music from a band and graceful dancers performing.

Unfortunately, the entertainment was lost on the four of them.

Hoshita Shūichi and his team focused solely on the food, devouring everything in sight.

After the empty dishes and cups were cleared away, and the band and dancers had left, the Daimyō's attendant arrived, bearing their previous rewards.

Aside from Kurama Sanyō, each of the remaining three received 100,000 ryō.

Of course, the most important reward was the legendary Kusanagi Sword promised by the Daimyō!

Minato Namikaze reached out to accept it, thanking the attendant before drawing the sword from its sheath.

Zing!

The sword hummed as it was drawn.

Hoshita Shūichi and the others observed that it was a single-edged, straight sword, approximately 80 centimeters long.

The blade was silver-white, reflecting light like a mirror, but the upper part of the blade was pitch black, absorbing all light, forming a stark contrast.

The Daimyō's attendant spoke, "This Kusanagi Sword is called the Yagakigami Sword. It is said to possess the power to control the earth, though no one has ever been able to unleash its full potential."

Minato Namikaze nodded slightly and then infused the sword with chakra.

Buzz! Buzz!

The Yagakigami Sword vibrated gently as a faint green glow appeared along the blade, its sharpness instantly increasing, sending chills down the spines of Hoshita Shūichi and the others.

However, Minato Namikaze didn't sense any unique power within the sword; it seemed to be just an ordinary chakra blade.

Sheathing the sword, Minato Namikaze said to the attendant, "Please convey our thanks to the Daimyō-sama."

"And also, we've completed this mission…"

Before Minato Namikaze could finish, the attendant quickly interrupted, "There's no need for you to rush back to Konoha, Jōnin Minato. The Daimyō has ordered that you stay here until the originally scheduled time to return."

Minato Namikaze could only nod helplessly, "In that case, we'll rely on your hospitality!"

(End of Chapter)

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Hmm, Should I have use a different name for Yagakigami Sword?

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