At this stage of their training, Tatsuya chose not to wield his Zanpakutō but instead opted for a wooden sword—a simple yet effective tool for the task at hand. Against Sasuke's current abilities, the wooden sword was more than sufficient.
Sasuke, confident in his abilities, gripped his sword with determination. "You think this is enough to stop me?" he sneered, already planning his first strike.
Tatsuya met his gaze calmly, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. "We'll see," he said, raising the wooden sword with one hand, a subtle yet confident motion.
Initially, Sasuke felt confident that he could easily cut through the wooden weapon. However, much to his surprise, Tatsuya skillfully wielded it, engaging Sasuke in a fierce and unrelenting exchange.
"You're slower than I expected," Sasuke remarked, his sword clashing against the wooden one. He pushed forward with a lightning-fast strike, but Tatsuya parried it effortlessly, sending Sasuke's blade wide.
Tatsuya chuckled lightly. "You'll need more than speed to win this."
Sasuke's frustration began to grow. He tried again, swinging more precisely, but the wooden sword deflected his attack again. "What is this wood made of? It feels… different."
Tatsuya didn't answer immediately; instead, he allowed Sasuke to press on, his attacks coming with calculated precision. The wooden sword, enhanced by Tatsuya's Chakra, was harder than any normal wood and extremely durable. Sasuke's Lightning Style didn't seem to affect the sword at all. Every time he attempted to electrify the blade, his chakra surged harmlessly into the air, dissipating with no effect.
"You're not going to get anywhere with that," Tatsuya commented, effortlessly sidestepping Sasuke's next strike.
"I know..." Sasuke muttered under his breath, trying to regain his composure. "But I won't give up."
Tatsuya's expression softened slightly. "That's the spirit. But remember, strength isn't just about raw power. Be more precise with your strikes."
Sasuke's hands tightened around his sword as he launched into another series of strikes. His frustration was evident in the speed and aggression of his attacks. But each time, Tatsuya blocked or redirected the blows with ease, almost like he was playing a game.
"You're predictable, Sasuke," Tatsuya said calmly. "If you rely on the same techniques, I can always find a way to counter them."
Sasuke gritted his teeth, but it was clear he was beginning to understand the difference in their skill levels. He paused for a moment, catching his breath, trying to find a new approach. "You're saying I need to change... how?"
"Think about the timing of your moves," Tatsuya suggested, his tone surprisingly gentle. "It's not always about attacking first. Sometimes, it's about waiting for the right moment."
The gap between their skill levels was stark, and Sasuke realized he had a long road ahead. Every attack he launched was deflected or redirected with ease, and his frustration began to mount.
The audience, who had quietly gathered around, murmured in awe as they watched the match unfold. Some whispered among themselves, admiring Tatsuya's effortless control.
Ino's eyes practically sparkled, her hand pressed to her chest as she watched Sasuke with pure admiration. "Oh my gosh, Sasuke is just... perfect. Did you see that move? He's absolutely flawless!" she squealed, her voice almost.
Sakura, standing next to her, could hardly contain her excitement. She was blushing furiously, watching Sasuke's every move with intense focus. "He's just... so strong," she muttered dreamily, clutching her hands together as if she could hardly believe she was witnessing such greatness. "Look at the way he fights! So precise, so elegant... Sasuke's going to be the best, I just know it!"
Since the departure of White Fang from Konoha, such duels had become a rare spectacle. Even though Tatsuya and Sasuke didn't exchange many strikes, the intensity of their match kept the audience on edge. Tatsuya's swift reactions and precise handling of every situation were a masterclass in combat, and the onlookers were captivated by the display.
As Sasuke steadied himself for another round, Tatsuya gave him a brief nod. "You're learning. That's what matters. Keep going."
Sasuke looked up, determination burning in his eyes. "I will."
The training sessions quickly became a popular event, drawing a growing crowd. Every time Tatsuya trained with Sasuke, a small group of people gathered around the cabin, eager to watch the spectacle. Whenever the combat reached a particularly thrilling moment, the audience would cheer and applaud the two fighters, as if watching a live performance.
"I never expected it to get this popular," Tatsuya remarked as he wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead, watching the crowd grow.
Sasuke glanced over his shoulder, seeing the gathered onlookers. "They're watching us like we're putting on a show," he muttered, somewhat annoyed.
Tatsuya smirked. "Well, they are, aren't they?"
"What's next?" Sasuke asked, his gaze returning to his teacher, his determination unwavering.
Tatsuya leaned on the wooden sword, his voice low and encouraging. "Next, you'll learn to fight without the need to impress your fangirls."
Sasuke frowned. "That sounds... harder than it seems."
Tatsuya laughed lightly. "It is. But that's the challenge."
What had once been a quiet area on the outskirts of Konoha was now a bustling spot, a destination for anyone seeking to witness the ongoing training. Some enterprising locals even began selling drinks and snacks, capitalizing on the growing interest.
As Tatsuya surveyed the crowd, he chuckled to himself. "Maybe next time we'll charge an entrance fee," he muttered, only half-joking.
Sasuke glanced over at him, raising an eyebrow. "Are you serious?"
Tatsuya shrugged. "It's a business opportunity. Why not?"
The growing accumulation of interest and income was certainly not insignificant. Tatsuya had also come up with another brilliant idea.
Anyone who wished to step forward and train under Sasuke could simply pay a small fee to participate in the session, rather than just spectating from the sidelines. Additionally, Tatsuya would offer valuable insights into their progress, giving them suggestions for improving their techniques. It was an incredible opportunity for anyone serious about honing their skills.
Tenten, who had quietly watched the sparring from the back, couldn't help but overhear Tatsuya's musings. "You might be onto something there," she said, approaching him. "I'm sure there are plenty of kids who would pay just to spar with Sasuke. And if you add your teaching, they'll be lining up!"
Tatsuya turned toward her with a lazy smile. "That's the idea. It's more than just about teaching. It's about earning money and getting Sasuke some practice."
The crowd, now composed of curious villagers, some sword users, and a few enthusiastic fangirls, was beginning to get louder. They cheered each time Sasuke landed a decent hit or dodged with precision. Tatsuya leaned back in his rocking chair, taking a sip from his pot of water, his eyes scanning the crowd.
The fangirls were particularly vocal. "Sasuke-kun is so cool! He's getting better every day!" one exclaimed, clutching her hands to her chest.
"Did you see that move? Tatsuya-sensei's training is amazing!" another shouted, her eyes gleaming.
Tenten rolled her eyes but smiled. "I don't know how you manage to keep your cool with all this attention," she remarked to Tatsuya.
Tatsuya yawned, unbothered. "It's fine. It'll be even better once they start paying for the privilege."
Tenten couldn't help but laugh. "You've really thought this through, haven't you?"
"Well, you know me," Tatsuya said with a shrug. "It's a win-win. The kids get stronger, and I get to relax."
As a result, during Sasuke's daily training sessions, Tatsuya could always be seen lounging in a rocking chair with a pot of water by his side, watching like one of the many spectators.
In the beginning, Tatsuya had used an ordinary wooden sword in his sparring, but now both he and Sasuke wielded their blades. After all, reaching the level of mastery required to fight with a wooden sword like Tatsuya was no easy feat. The group of twelve still had years of training ahead of them before they could hope to reach such a level.
"Honestly," Tenten remarked, her eyes glued to Sasuke and Tatsuya as they sparred with practiced ease, "I never thought I'd see the arrogant genius move like this. I know he's talented, but the way Tatsuya-sensei's been training him... it's different."
Hayate, standing next to her, nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, you can see it in his movements. He's gotten more tactical, more controlled. It's like... he's thinking instead of just reacting."
Just then, Yūgao Uzuki, a member of ANBU with her purple hair tied neatly under her mask, stepped forward. She'd been observing the sparring from a distance, her presence almost unnoticed until now.
Hayate noticed her and gave her a nod. "Speaking of dedication to training..." He turned to Tenten with a grin. "Tenten, this is Yūgao Uzuki. She's part of the ANBU. Yūgao, this is Tenten, a weapons specialist, and a newly promoted chunin."
Yūgao gave a slight bow, her posture as calm and composed as always. "It's nice to meet you, Tenten," she said, her voice even but carrying a hint of interest as she studied the sparring session.
Tenten blinked, taking a moment to look Yūgao up and down. Something about her seemed vaguely familiar. After a second, it clicked. "Wait a minute… I've seen you before!" Tenten's eyes widened slightly as she remembered where. "You're... you're the woman I've seen around my dad's shop, right?"
Yūgao tilted her head, an almost imperceptible nod confirming Tenten's suspicion. "Yes, I frequent the weapon shop as we get standard-issued equipment before missions there occasionally. I've seen you there as well."
Tenten's eyes brightened with recognition. "Ah, so you're that Yūgao! I've heard of you, but I never realized you were in ANBU."
Yūgao's lips twitched slightly under her mask. "I try to keep a low profile when I'm not on duty." She glanced over at Hayate with a subtle hint of amusement. "It's not often I get introduced to anyone outside of ANBU."
Hayate chuckled softly. "You've been working too much. You need to get out more, Yūgao. It's not all about missions."
Tenten laughed. "I'm sure he knows all about that," she said, nudging Hayate with a smirk. "He's always busy himself."
Yūgao gave Tenten a sidelong glance, a rare glimmer of humor flashing in her eyes. "I don't think I'll be taking advice from you two about downtime anytime soon."
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