Although Nawaki won against Yagyu Musashi, the spotlight was stolen by Natsuki.

However, he didn’t mind.

After all, his Water Breathing was indeed taught by Natsuki.

"How did I do?"

Nawaki stepped off the field and looked at Tsunade and the others.

"Extremely well."

Natsuki praised.

"Much stronger than me."

Minato said truthfully.

Because he was in the same class as Natsuki, he considered him his biggest rival.

But this battle made him realize that Nawaki’s strength was equally not to be underestimated.

However, compared to the ever-widening gap with Natsuki, he was confident he could catch up to Nawaki.

"You won relying on the Water Breathing Natsuki taught you and the Greatsword Samehada he gave you."

Tsunade said seriously. "Don’t become arrogant because of one victory."

"I know!"

Nawaki replied—but judging from the smile on his face, he obviously didn’t take it to heart.

Tsunade understood his personality. She shook her head and said no more.

"Minato, it’s your turn next. Don’t lose!"

Nawaki clenched his fists and cheered him on.

"Mm."

Minato had never been one to succumb to pressure.

He walked onto the field with a calm face.

"My name is Namikaze Minato. I don’t know kenjutsu—only ninjutsu."

Minato introduced himself. "My strength is also roughly equivalent to a Chunin."

"I’ll go!"

Suddenly, a chorus of voices rang out.

Minato was slightly taken aback.

Was he being treated as a soft target?

Actually, they couldn’t be blamed for this reaction.

Because the core of Mifune-Style Kenjutsu was speed.

Ordinary ninjas facing them wouldn’t even have time to react and would be instantly killed.

"Miyamoto Jiro, you go."

Mifune raised his hand to stop the clamor.

A teenager who looked about seventeen or eighteen stepped forward.

He was Miyamoto Jiro.

"Perform well."

Mifune instructed.

This exchange meet only had three matches. Nonou was a medical ninja, so she didn’t participate.

They had already lost one of the three matches. If they lost another, would the Land of Iron have any face left?

Moreover, the samurai sent out by the Land of Iron were much older than Natsuki and the others.

Bullying the young as the old—losing would be even more disgraceful.

But if they sent out peers of the same age, they would definitely lose.

Because normally, eight or nine-year-old children hadn’t even graduated from the Ninja Academy, let alone reached Chunin level.

Mifune still had confidence in Miyamoto Jiro.

Speed was his greatest advantage.

Especially before reaching the Jonin level.

Unless Minato, like Nawaki, had the advantage of kenjutsu and a ninja sword.

"Please."

Miyamoto Jiro drew a katana.

Minato nodded.

Just as he was about to move, blade light appeared in his vision.

Kenjutsu: Iai Slash!

Miyamoto Jiro, like Yagyu Musashi, moved like thunder. With one step, his sword was already in front of Minato.

Mifune couldn’t help but nod.

Miyamoto Jiro’s Iai Slash was perfectly executed without any mistakes.

At such speed, only a few elite Chunin, Tokubetsu Jonin, or Jonin could react.

But in the next second, a clanging sound froze the expressions of Mifune and Miyamoto Jiro.

In the nick of time, Minato used a kunai to block Miyamoto Jiro’s sword.

At the same time, he retreated and threw six kunai.

Despite his astonishment, Miyamoto Jiro’s movements were not slow.

Clanging sounds rang out continuously.

He used his katana to deflect all six kunai.

Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere!

Minato formed hand seals while widening the distance.

When he stopped, countless wind spheres shot toward Miyamoto Jiro.

Mifune-Style First Sword: Flame!

Miyamoto Jiro gripped his katana tightly. Chakra surged out. He swung the sword.

In an instant, a visible sword aura sliced all the incoming wind spheres in half.

Miyamoto Jiro took a deep breath, accelerated again, and charged toward Minato.

The sword arrived before the person.

The speed was equally astonishing.

But Minato’s body blurred, dodging the katana.

"How is this possible?"

Miyamoto Jiro confirmed that Minato blocking his Iai Slash earlier was no accident.

This eight or nine-year-old child possessed superhuman reaction speed.

Mifune also noticed this and was instantly speechless.

He had ultimately underestimated them.

Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!

Minato formed hand seals with both hands and threw a single shuriken.

In an instant, countless shuriken covered Miyamoto Jiro.

Miyamoto Jiro widened his eyes, his wrist flicking as he rapidly swung his katana, deflecting the shuriken one after another.

Minato calmly formed hand seals again.

Wind Release: Gale Palm!

A fierce wind enveloped him. His speed suddenly increased as he charged toward Miyamoto Jiro.

Miyamoto Jiro noticed him and hurriedly slashed with his sword.

But it was still dodged by Minato.

And due to this delay, the shuriken landed on him.

Seeing this, Mifune hurried forward, grabbed Miyamoto Jiro, and retreated.

Minato immediately stopped.

"You win, Minato."

Mifune praised. "If you were a samurai of the Land of Iron, I would definitely make you my successor."

If such astonishing reaction speed were applied to kenjutsu, it would create a Sword Master no less formidable than himself.

"Thank you."

Minato left the field, unruffled.

"As expected of the student favored by Lord Jiraiya!"

Nawaki gave a thumbs up.

If it weren’t for Water Breathing and the Greatsword Samehada, he wouldn’t be confident in beating Minato.

"His strength isn’t inferior to mine. I won by a stroke of luck."

Minato smiled.

"Why is your tone of speaking exactly the same as Natsuki’s?"

Nawaki’s mouth twitched. "Natsuki also loves to say things like ’fluke’ or ’luck.’"

Minato instantly fell silent.

He had heard those words much more often than Nawaki. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

After all, he lost to Natsuki in every exam.

Over time, he was also influenced by Natsuki.

At this moment, Mifune and the others fell into dead silence again.

They had already lost two of the three exchange matches. If they lost all of them, it wouldn’t just be a matter of face.

And they could tell that Natsuki was probably stronger than Nawaki and Minato.

Especially since he had also created a set of kenjutsu himself.

Samurai of the Land of Iron were originally famous for their kenjutsu. If they couldn’t compare to Natsuki in kenjutsu, their reputation built over so many years would go down the drain.

"Who do you want to challenge?"

Mifune asked slowly.

"I challenge you."

Natsuki said in a calm tone.

"What are you saying?"

"Simply not knowing the immensity of heaven and earth!"

"A little brat actually dares to be so arrogant?"

"Lord Mifune has defeated many Jonin!"

As soon as Natsuki spoke, the other samurai immediately shouted in reprimand.

"Silence!"

Mifune glared at them, then turned to look at Natsuki. "I accept your challenge."

Since Natsuki dared to challenge him, it meant he indeed had the confidence to win.

Coupled with the fact that this was the last match of the exchange meet, the Land of Iron couldn’t afford to lose again.

Then he would step forward and see exactly how much strength this genius possessed.

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