Naruto: Blacksmith

The basic movements of swordsmanship have been perfected by samurai and ninja over generations.

Every stance, every gesture, has a purpose: to create faster, stronger cuts while conserving energy, keeping the user fresh and full of vitality.

Over two years of rigorous training, Kuro had mastered these basics. He had internalized various sword-handling stances and applied them in simulated academy battles, forming fluid, powerful, and effective movements.

He felt stronger, more prepared.

But now, standing before Lian, all that progress felt questionable.

"If you were a samurai, you might be right in doing this…" Lian shook his head. "But you're a ninja. And most of the enemies you'll face will also be ninjas. A ninja's fighting style is different from that of a samurai. You need to be more versatile."

Kuro frowned.

"The continuity between movements, connecting techniques seamlessly, makes your attacks more stable, faster, and stronger. But it also creates bigger flaws."

Lian looked at him directly.

"Have you never wondered why I was able to block all your attacks during our sparring match?"

Kuro thought for a moment and skeptically replied, "Isn't it because your reaction speed and experience are far greater than mine?"

Lian chuckled softly, shaking his head.

"That's part of it, of course, but it's not the real reason. The key is the rhythm of your movements. It's too predictable."

"Rhythm?"

"Yes, rhythm," Lian nodded. "In our match, my speed and power were inferior to yours. But I still controlled the battle because I understood your rhythm. More specifically, the connection between your movements and your breathing."

"Breathing?" Kuro's eyes widened in disbelief.

For a moment, a thought crossed his mind.

"Hinokami Kagura?" he asked curiously.

Lian frowned. "Hinokami-what?"

Kuro chuckled. "Never mind. Go on."

Lian, still puzzled, decided to ignore the comment and continued his explanation.

"To be precise, it's the intervals in your breathing. When someone performs movements with different intensities or ranges, the duration of each breath changes. A high-level ninja can predict your next moves just by observing that pattern in your breathing and how it connects to your techniques."

He paused, letting the words sink in for Kuro, then added, "Your movements are too rigid. Even if you change the sequence of your techniques or try to be unpredictable, your breathing follows a constant pattern. That gives you away."

"So that's it…" Kuro crossed his arms, lost in deep thought, his free hand pinching his chin.

The ninja academy had always taught about the dynamics of the human body. The goal was to help students master their skills and learn to predict enemy movements based on small details.

I've worked hard on making my movements fluid, faster, and more complex so they'd be hard to read. But I never thought my breathing would also be a key factor.

If someone can read that pattern, I'm revealing more information than I realized.

Lian watched Kuro's face, noticing that he was beginning to grasp the issue. "The basic fundamentals aren't meant for connecting movements consistently or making your techniques more complicated. They're meant to train your reaction, speed, vision, and strength."

"The goal is to act at the most opportune moment and deliver the most concise, effective strike. It's not about performing flashy moves to impress but achieving lethal precision with the least effort."

"Third-rate fighters can barely react. They can't predict movements and only see what's right in front of them."

"Second-rate fighters can anticipate the enemy's next move by observing small changes in posture or body movements."

"But first-rate fighters… they can read your movements through the intervals in your breathing."

Lian paused, staring into Kuro's eyes.

"And master-level fighters… they can even read your thoughts and emotions just by observing the changes in your eyes or the rhythm of your breathing."

"With your current swordsmanship, if you don't rely on the Sharingan or your special tools, you can barely handle a second-rate fighter. Against a first-rate master, you wouldn't stand a chance."

"..."

Images of Itachi, the prodigy who always seemed to anticipate his opponents' moves, and Madara, who massacred enemies with a single sword as if cutting through a field of vegetables, flashed through Kuro's mind.

Both shared one thing in common: the Sharingan, whose perception far exceeded that of ordinary people.

However, there were others, even without the Sharingan, who could reach a similar level.

Sight and perception can be refined through training. Those who reach that level do so through both preparation and battlefield experience.

Lian observed Kuro's contemplative expression and sighed. "Pure swordsmanship, taken to the extreme, is incredibly powerful. But reaching that level requires a lifetime of practice."

"Even then, the most refined kendo can't surpass ninjutsu in versatility. A sword is designed to kill, but ninjutsu can adapt to many more situations. A ninja must face varied challenges, and relying solely on swordsmanship isn't enough."

Kuro nodded, understanding what Lian was trying to convey.

"Then, how can I improve now?" he asked humbly.

Lian thought for a moment before answering, "You've spent over two years building the habit of practicing with the sword. Set it aside for a while. Let your body and mind rest. Forget those habits before returning to them. For now, you should focus on Nature Transformation."

"Alright, let's start now!"

...

Time passed slowly, and Kuro immersed himself in his daily routine.

He trained in the mornings, attended the academy, practiced in the afternoons, and slept at the end of the day.

Monotony and satisfaction intertwined in his routine. Though he sometimes felt bored, he found a certain joy in his steady progress.

Before he knew it, October 10 arrived.

That day, Kuro wore a black yukata. He fixed himself in front of the mirror, carefully adjusting the folds of his clothing, and then stepped out of his home.

The sky was covered with dark clouds, and occasionally a purple lightning bolt illuminated the sky, heralding a storm.

The streets were crowded with people, but no one spoke.

Most wore black clothing, walking with their heads lowered. Ninjas and villagers shared the same somber air.

The atmosphere was heavy with sorrow.

Kuro advanced silently until he reached the Yamanaka flower shop. Upon entering, he saw a beautiful woman behind the counter: Ino's mother.

Kuro already knew her; he had seen her many times.

"A bouquet of flowers," he said as he approached the counter.

Mrs. Yamanaka was surprised for a moment upon hearing him. Then, noticing his attire, she immediately understood.

"Alright."

With a nod, she took a bouquet of white carnations from the counter and handed it to him.

"Thank you," Kuro said as he pulled out the money to pay. Then, he turned to leave.

"Wait."

Mrs. Yamanaka quickly reached him with an umbrella in hand. "It looks like it's going to rain soon. Take this."

Kuro hesitated for a moment before accepting the umbrella. He gave a slight bow as a gesture of gratitude.

"Thank you."

Mrs. Yamanaka smiled softly and gestured encouragingly. "Take care."

"Mm."

Kuro nodded and left.

From the door, Mrs. Yamanaka watched him leave. She sighed deeply as she saw the young figure disappear into the crowd.

He comes every year on the same day.

She knew something about Kuro. She had heard things about him and saw him regularly, as they lived on the same street.

A boy who lost his parents at a young age, lives alone, and yet remains strong.

________

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