Among the Dugu Nine Swords, the Qi-Breaking Stance was specifically designed to counter attacks produced through advanced internal energy.
As for the Hyūga clan’s Rotation—
the technique worked by releasing enormous quantities of chakra through the tenketsu throughout the body, then spinning rapidly to create a rotating sphere of chakra.
In Sora’s understanding…
that wasn’t all that different from releasing internal energy outside the body.
Of course—
he could be completely wrong.
But even if his interpretation was wrong, the swordsmanship he currently possessed from Zoro was powerful enough that he could simply force his way through the defense.
And if his interpretation was correct?
Then this would prove that the principles of the Dugu Nine Swords could work against chakra as well.
“Qi-Breaking Stance!”
Chakra surged from Sora’s body.
It flowed directly into the sword in his hand.
Then—
he thrust forward.
The blade pierced into the spinning sphere of Rotation.
The instant it entered—
Sora experienced an extraordinary sensation.
It was as though the structure of the technique had suddenly unfolded inside his mind.
Countless strands of chakra rotated around Kiyoshi.
At first glance, they seemed completely chaotic.
But beneath that apparent disorder—
there was a pattern.
A rhythm.
And within that pattern…
Sora found something else.
A gap.
His eyes sharpened.
The chakra-coated sword slipped directly through it.
SHNK!
Several strands of chakra were severed.
The blade passed straight through Rotation.
Then—
it pierced Kiyoshi’s left shoulder.
BOOM!
The remaining force behind the thrust carried Kiyoshi backward for more than ten meters.
Rotation collapsed instantly.
Blood flowed from Kiyoshi’s shoulder.
It ran down his arm before dripping onto the ground.
Drop.
Drop.
Drop.
Kiyoshi stared at the wound.
Then slowly lowered his head.
“I lost.”
Disbelief remained in his eyes.
His Rotation had been broken.
Again.
Twice now.
For a moment, Kiyoshi even began wondering—
Was Rotation really worthy of being called the Hyūga clan’s absolute defense?
Sora casually pulled the sword free.
“Isn’t losing normal?”
Kiyoshi looked up.
Sora continued matter-of-factly,
“It’s not like this is your first time losing to me.”
“And I’m your teacher now.”
“What kind of teacher can’t beat his own student once in a while?”
“…”
Kiyoshi froze.
Then—
the gloom in his eyes rapidly disappeared.
Right.
Before the spar had even begun, he’d specifically asked Sora not to cripple him.
Now?
He merely had wounds to his arm and shoulder.
Compared with what had happened during their first battle…
this was practically nothing.
And he hadn’t come here expecting to defeat Sora.
He had come here to learn.
“Sensei is right.”
Kiyoshi nodded firmly.
Ignoring his injuries, he bowed deeply.
“Thank you for your guidance.”
“This battle made me realize how many weaknesses I still have.”
“My chakra control isn’t good enough.”
“My stamina isn’t good enough.”
“My attacks aren’t good enough.”
“Even Rotation’s defense is far from sufficient.”
Sora’s mouth twitched slightly.
Uh…
Did I beat him so badly that he started doubting his entire existence?
He cleared his throat.
“You don’t need to be so negative.”
“When I was your age, I couldn’t do anything.”
Sora waved a hand.
“Live a few more years.”
“Train a few more years.”
“You’ll improve.”
Kiyoshi nodded seriously.
“Yes!”
Apparently, he had taken those casual words as profound encouragement.
He bowed again.
“Thank you for your instruction, Sensei.”
“I’ll return to the village and have these injuries treated.”
“Go ahead.”
Kiyoshi turned and quickly headed toward Konoha.
They weren’t actually inside the village.
If enemy shinobi happened to intercept him while he was injured, his current condition would be dangerous.
Even so—
with the strength he had left, Kiyoshi could probably still fight an ordinary jōnin.
So he wasted no time returning.
…
At almost that exact moment—
Sora’s ten-minute activation expired.
The system’s voice echoed through his mind.
[Ten-minute duration complete.]
[Beginning random ability retention…]
Sora immediately focused.
Then—
[Ability retained: Roronoa Zoro sword technique — One-Sword Style Iai: Lion’s Song.]
[An extremely fast iai sword technique capable of cutting through steel.]
[When executed, the strike occurs in a flash.
The opponent may be unable to perceive either the attack itself or even the flash of the blade.]
Sora’s eyes lit up.
Oh?
Now this is useful.
It was essentially a terrifyingly fast iai technique.
And more importantly—
it looked cool.
Perfect for showing off.
Sora smiled as he watched Kiyoshi disappear into the distance.
But then—
his thoughts returned to the battle they had just fought.
Something had become clear.
The 50/50 System could equalize Sora’s overall combat power with the target he had locked onto.
But that did not mean Sora was incapable of defeating that target.
Or even killing them.
Imagine two ordinary adults.
Same height.
Same strength.
Same physical condition.
Neither knows how to fight.
Their combat ability could reasonably be considered equal.
But if one of them suddenly received a sword…
the situation would change immediately.
Even though their physical abilities were still equal—
the armed man would probably kill the unarmed one.
The same principle applied to Sora’s system.
If Sora had relied purely on Zoro’s suppressed combat power against Kiyoshi, the fight could easily have become a prolonged exchange.
One sword.
One palm.
Back and forth until the full ten minutes expired.
That would have been a genuine fifty-fifty battle.
But Sora hadn’t relied on raw combat power alone.
He had the Dugu Nine Swords.
A weapon.
Different techniques.
Different experience.
And a favorable matchup.
Those factors could decide the outcome even when the two fighters possessed equalized combat power.
Sora smiled faintly.
Interesting.
The system was more flexible than he’d first assumed.
…
Unknown to Sora—
several figures hidden inside the nearby forest had witnessed the battle.
Once Kiyoshi left, those figures silently disappeared as well.
…
Sarutobi Clan Compound
After receiving his subordinate’s report, the elderly Sarutobi clan head dismissed the messenger.
Then he looked toward his middle-aged son.
“Ever since that battle at the Elder Council, I’ve felt there was something unusual about Hatake Sora.”
“Even after he moved out of Konoha, I had people keep an eye on him.”
The old man’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“And today, that decision paid off.”
“I didn’t expect it.”
“His hand-to-hand combat isn’t the only thing that’s powerful.”
“His swordsmanship is exceptional as well.”
His son nodded.
“That’s not too surprising.”
“He is a Hatake, after all.”
Then he asked,
“Father, what should we do next?”
The elderly clan head answered without hesitation.
“Continue supporting Lord Hokage.”
He looked seriously at his son.
“You’re already forty-five.”
“It’s about time you inherited authority over the clan.”
“Have your elder brother remain here and help you handle the clan’s internal affairs.”
“As for Hiruzen…”
“Let him focus on matters outside the clan.”
His gaze became thoughtful.
“Hiruzen is already studying under Tobirama.”
“And Hatake Sora appears to have an excellent relationship with Lord Hokage.”
The old man made his decision.
“Let Hiruzen spend more time learning from that elder as well.”
His son nodded.
“Understood.”
…
Elsewhere—
the heads of the Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka clans were gathered together.
The Akimichi clan head casually ate a large pork leg as he spoke.
“Hyūga Kiyoshi’s current strength is about the same as mine.”
He took another bite.
“So?”
“What do you two think?”
The Yamanaka clan head answered,
“The Hatake clan suddenly producing someone like Hatake Sora changes things.”
“At this rate, surpassing our clans may only be a matter of time.”
Then he turned toward the third man.
“Brother Nara.”
“You’ve got the best brain among us.”
“What do you think?”
The Nara clan head considered the matter.
“The three of our clans advance and retreat together.”
“Hatake Suiin isn’t particularly ambitious, and his political ability is only average.”
“As for Hatake Sora…”
“He clearly doesn’t intend to expand the Hatake clan’s influence.”
“If that were his goal, he wouldn’t have moved out of the clan compound.”
“So for the moment—”
“The Hatake shouldn’t pose much of a threat to us.”
He paused.
“However…”
“My grandson currently lacks a teacher.”
The Nara clan head looked toward the other two.
“What about yours?”
The Akimichi clan head immediately grinned.
“My grandson needs one too.”
“So does mine.”
The Yamanaka clan head reached the same conclusion.
…
Hokage’s Office
Tobirama stood in front of Hashirama’s desk.
“Brother.”
“What are you planning to do?”
Hashirama looked up from the mountain of paperwork in front of him.
His expression was miserable.
“Do about what?”
“I’m busy.”
He gestured toward the stacks of documents.
“Look at all this.”
Then Hashirama suddenly brightened.
“Tobirama.”
“You’re going to become Hokage eventually anyway.”
“Why don’t you just become Hokage early?”
“You can deal with all these little problems.”
“This is exhausting.”
Tobirama’s eyebrow twitched.
His unreliable older brother was giving him a headache again.
“I’m talking about the report we just received.”
Tobirama’s tone became more serious.
“Hatake Sora’s swordsmanship is extremely powerful.”
“And judging from the way he sparred with Hyūga Kiyoshi…”
“he’s also exceptionally good at teaching.”
Tobirama folded his arms.
“If Kiyoshi continues learning through that kind of combat training, I estimate that within three years he could reach Kage level.”
Hashirama nodded casually.
“Elder Hatake has lived a long time.”
“It’s not strange that he’d know how to teach people.”
Then he smiled.
“If you want to learn too, you can go ask him.”
Tobirama stared at him.
Hashirama continued as though nothing were wrong.
“Although Elder Hatake seems to like receiving gifts.”
“That tea the daimyō gave me last time was pretty good.”
“Take it to him.”
“I don’t want to learn!”
Tobirama answered immediately.
Then—
he stopped.
A thought occurred to him.
“Wait.”
Hashirama blinked.
“What?”
“You just reminded me of something.”
Tobirama narrowed his eyes.
“If we received this information, the other clans probably did too.”
“Some of them may already be heading there.”
Then he looked toward Hashirama.
“Your daughter still doesn’t have a teacher, does she?”
Hashirama paused.
“…Oh.”
…
The Next Morning
Sora slept until he naturally woke up.
He ate breakfast.
Then, as usual—
he went fishing by the sea.
Sitting comfortably in his usual spot, Sora hummed an aimless tune while watching the water.
Peaceful.
Quiet.
Exactly how life should be.
Then—
his expression changed.
Sora frowned.
He slowly turned toward the forest behind him.
There were people coming.
A lot of them.
“What the hell is going on?”
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