Through Kakashi's original memories, he learned that the Hatake Clan's legendary swordsmanship—renowned throughout the ninja world—consisted of only three techniques: three blades!
The Hatake Clan called them the Hatake Three Blades!
Swordsmanship traditionally encompasses eight techniques: sweeping, cleaving, parrying, slicing, skimming, cutting, slashing, and thrusting.
Yet the Hatake Clan's swordsmanship focused solely on cutting, slashing, and thrusting, emphasizing speed, precision, and lethal force.
Among the Hatake Three Blades, the technique derived from cutting was called Instant Cut, comprising three forms:
Instant Cut: Two-Stage, Instant Cut: Four-Stage, and Instant Cut: Eight-Stage.
Each form surpassed the previous in power.
The technique derived from slashing was Thunder Slash, consisting of two forms:
Drawing Blade: Thunder Slash and Demonic Thunder Slash.
The first form was a quick-draw slash, instantly drawing the blade to strike upward based on the enemy's posture.
The second form was even more devastating, capable of terrifying even demons.
The technique derived from thrusting was Chasing Fang, a single, decisive strike aimed at the throat or heart.
Kakashi's father, Konoha's White Fang, had risen to fame with this technique.
Unlike ordinary swordsmanship, the Hatake Three Blades required significant Chakra expenditure. The first two blades were relatively easy to execute, while the third—the most difficult—consumed the least Chakra.
Given the Hatake Clan's physical constitution, the first two blades could only be executed three times at most. After that, they would need to rely on their unique physiology to replenish their Chakra before continuing. The third blade, once truly mastered, consumed the least Chakra. With the Hatake Clan's exceptional constitution, even dozens of strikes wouldn't exhaust their Chakra reserves. This was why Konoha's White Fang had achieved legendary invincibility on the battlefield!
Of course, the Hatake Three Blades could also be executed without using Chakra, through a secret technique. However, this method reduced the blades' destructive power to that of an ordinary Jonin's strikes. For Kakashi, if the Sharingan's issues couldn't be resolved, abandoning the Hatake Three Blades and focusing on mastering the Sharingan would be far more effective.
*In the original timeline, I still used blades during my time in the Anbu. Perhaps that's why I eventually abandoned the Hatake Clan's sword techniques later on,* Kakashi mused inwardly.
He felt a pang of sorrow for the Kakashi of the original timeline, who had sacrificed so much to protect the Sharingan left behind by Uchiha Obito.
Yet, in the end, the Sharingan's evolution into the Mangekyō had forged an even stronger Kakashi. The balance of gains and losses remained ambiguous.
Arriving at Konoha's market, Kakashi quickly located the ninja tool shop.
After purchasing a Japanese sword crafted in the style of a Tang Dao, Kakashi immediately headed to Anbu headquarters.
His heart raced with excitement as he held the new blade. He had long desired a Tang Dao, and though this wasn't the real thing, it was close enough.
The appearance was identical, only the blade's material differed.
The short blade left to him by his father, Konoha's White Fang, was simply unsuitable for Kakashi at this stage.
Besides, it had already broken.
Only after mastering the piercing technique of the Hatake Three Blades, "Chasing Fang," could one truly unleash its power with such a short blade. Kakashi hadn't yet mastered it, making the blade ill-suited for executing the earlier techniques of the Hatake Three Blades.
This was precisely why the blade had shattered during his battle with the Iwa-nin Jonin.
That short blade had been specifically forged by Konoha's White Fang after perfecting "Chasing Fang," designed solely to maximize its power. It was ill-suited for "Thunder Slash" or "Instant Cut."
"Wolf, have you mastered the art of concealment?"
Upon entering Anbu headquarters, Kakashi quickly found his squad leader, Dragon.
Dragon immediately addressed him, "Have you mastered it, Captain?"
Upon hearing this, Kakashi immediately replied, "Very well. Hide yourself now, and don't let me find you!"
Dragon turned his back to Kakashi as he spoke. "Testing me, are you? Hmph!"
Kakashi scoffed inwardly. His figure flickered, and he vanished without a sound.
One minute, two minutes, five minutes passed. Finally, Dragon spoke from his stationary position.
"Excellent. You've passed! Come out now!"
A hint of surprise colored Dragon's voice. He was clearly impressed that Kakashi had managed to remain hidden for over five minutes on his first attempt. None of the other members had lasted that long before revealing a flaw and being discovered.
Dragon had already surmised that Kakashi was young, expecting him to expose his position within three minutes. He never imagined the boy would be so exceptional.
Amidst his surprise, Dragon felt a surge of satisfaction. Having a teammate with such outstanding talent would undoubtedly benefit their squad.
*Whoosh!*
As Dragon's words faded, Kakashi's figure reappeared before him.
"Come with me. I'll introduce you to the other two members of our squad, and then we'll immediately depart to complete the mission Lord Hokage assigned us!"
Seeing Kakashi appear, Dragon smiled with satisfaction.
"Our squad is the only Anbu team that uses animal codenames. When you meet Viper and Dog, be careful—they might test you at any moment! You've already earned my approval, but you'll still need to pass their trials."
Dragon then revealed the codenames of the other two Anbu members to Kakashi, adding a word of warning.
"Understood, Captain! What kind of mission are we undertaking this time?" Kakashi nodded, his curiosity piqued.
He wasn't particularly concerned about Viper and Dog, confident in his own abilities.
"That's classified. Just focus on completing the tasks I assign you." Dragon replied coolly, striding toward the Anbu headquarters exit.
Realizing he'd overstepped, Kakashi muttered a curse under his breath and hurried to catch up.
Despite his initial indifference, Kakashi found himself growing somewhat excited about meeting his new teammates, Viper and Dog, and the upcoming mission.
.........
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(End of Chapter)