Shinichi's hands did not stop moving, but his expression became somewhat subtle.
He seemed to want to say something, but carefully considered his words before finally speaking in a low voice: "Senior, you're being too harsh on yourself. You already responded with your best effort, and your tactical choices were not wrong. It's just that no one could have imagined that he, as a samurai from the Land of Iron, famous for swordsmanship, would actually use a firearm in a public match like this… it's such…"
Shinichi paused, as if unable to find a completely appropriate word.
"An unconventional method."
"So despicable!"
Shizune ran over at this moment and crouched beside Shinichi. She glared angrily at Jonin Kono's wounds, then looked toward Isshin in the field with puffed cheeks. "His swordsmanship is obviously so good, so why use something like that? This isn't a fair and honorable duel at all!"
Kurenai Yuhi also walked over. Her crimson eyes were filled with complicated emotions, shock, confusion, and even a trace of bewilderment from having her worldview shaken.
"Th-this… truly, I've never heard of such a fighting style before. A samurai's duel shouldn't be…"
"Despicable?"
Facing the verbal attacks from nearly all the Konoha onlookers around him, Isshin stood where he was, one hand hanging loosely on his sword.
The expression on his face was calm to the point of seeming somewhat indifferent.
As if he had heard Shizune's words, his gaze turned toward the indignant young girl, and the corner of his mouth curved into something that was neither quite a smile nor quite a sneer.
"Little girl."
His voice was not loud, yet strangely, it suppressed the surrounding noise and clearly reached everyone present. "On the battlefield, between life and death, will your enemy follow rules with you and discuss whether their methods are honorable?"
"If you win, you live. If you lose, you lose your life. It's that simple."
"When I previously issued the commission to Konoha, it was written clearly in black and white, no restrictions on methods! I welcome Konoha's side to use any means whatsoever! Genjutsu, Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, Hidden Jutsus, Sealing Jutsu, Explosive Tags, Poison, Kekkei Genkais, whatever you have, bring it out!"
"Because my Ashina Style is a swordsmanship that uses any means necessary, only for victory! As long as it can defeat the enemy, blades, fists, firearms, traps, poison, everything in this world can be a sword! Being bound by form and empty reputation is nothing more than shackles the weak put on themselves!"
"You bastard! Does shooting a gun count as swordsmanship?!"
"You're twisting the words so sophistry!"
"That's right! If you've got the ability, stop using those crooked tricks!"
"A swordsman who doesn't use a sword, but uses a firearm? Shameless!"
"Get out! Konoha doesn't welcome despicable people like you!"
"You xxxxx!"
Even more scolding voices surged forward, many of them coming from younger ninjas.
However, most of the older ninjas, although their expressions were grave, remained silent.
For a moment, the situation became somewhat out of control.
The Chunin responsible for coordination was sweating profusely, repeatedly shouting for everyone to calm down, but it had little effect.
"These commoners… how did I never realize before that these guys curse so viciously?"
Isshin seemed to stand within the eye of a storm, completely ignoring the overwhelming shouting, while inwardly complaining.
'When I become Hokage, I'll have to teach them what courtesy means!'
...…
Inside the Hokage's office, the third Hokage had just regained his composure.
He realized that he had made a mistake earlier, a mistake based on common sense and experience.
This client, Isshin, was not some ordinary challenger whose pride Konoha needed to preserve. He was a genuine tiger. His physical strength and combat capability had likely already reached a very formidable level.
More troublesome was his combat style, which completely ignored conventional tactics, perhaps even more cunning and ruthless than many veteran ninjas, willing to use any means necessary to win.
Since when did the Land of Iron produce such a figure?
Just as he was about to speak, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in."
A member of the intelligence division quickly entered, his expression carrying obvious strangeness.
"Hokage-sama! Latest situation from the scene! That client Isshin… he… he said it was boring. He thinks his opponents aren't strong enough and the stage isn't big enough. He's currently packing up his things and seems to be preparing to leave directly! And… and in front of everyone, he even said… he plans to set out immediately to take a look at the Village Hidden in the Sand in the neighboring Land of Wind."
The third Hokage's eyes sharpened.
Leave?
Now they absolutely could not let him leave.
Not to mention the still-unpaid additional balance, which could be as high as two million ryo, was quite a substantial income for present-day Konoha.
More importantly, allowing a samurai who had defeated two Konoha ninjas to leave with the evaluation that Konoha is nothing special and then head toward the Land of Wind, whose relationship with Konoha was currently delicate and might even become hostile, was absolutely unacceptable in terms of reputation, substance, and potential strategic consequences.
They had to keep him.
They had to defeat him openly and properly before he left Konoha or, at the very least, demonstrate that Konoha possessed power capable of suppressing him.
Hmm… forget it. With the current situation already so tense, a bit of spectacle might not be a bad thing.
In the brief moment of rapid thought, the third Hokage had already made his decision. He abruptly stood up and spoke decisively.
"Immediately contact Mr. Isshin and convey my intentions!"
His eyes were bright as he spoke word by word.
"This time, it was Konoha's poor arrangement. We underestimated his strength and diminished his interest. Convey my apologies to him."
"Please ask Mr. Isshin to remain in Konoha for one more day!"
"Tomorrow, the next match will be moved to the largest official arena of Konoha! At that time, the stage will absolutely be large enough to accommodate all the villagers and ninjas who wish to watch this exchange!"
"And I guarantee in the name of the third Hokage that we will arrange for him a truly satisfying and worthy opponent!"
After saying this, the third Hokage waved his hand.
"Make sure to keep him here! Go at once!"
"Understood, Hokage-sama!"
The two staff members were instantly invigorated. They accepted the order and immediately turned to run off.
The third Hokage sat down again, picked up his pipe, but did not light it, his deep gaze looking out the window.
It seemed they would have to become serious. Who should he send to suppress this fierce dragon that had crossed the river from the Land of Iron?
Terrifying physical strength and power, a swift and direct close-combat style, and that kind of mentality that used any means necessary to achieve victory.
If only Minato weren't away on a mission…
The first person the third Hokage thought of was Minato Namikaze.
Unfortunately, Minato was currently out on a mission and would not return for at least ten days.
Several names of Jonin aged thirty or younger quickly passed through his mind, and finally, one remained.
Shinku Yuhi.
Not only was this person a veteran Genjutsu-type Jonin, but more importantly, he possessed a steady temperament and seasoned experience.
"Let Shinku go. He just turned thirty this year, which also satisfies the conditions."
Having made his decision, the third Hokage picked up a pen and began writing the official orders and explanations to the mission department and to Shinku Yuhi.
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