10 Ch-10 Divine Reflection.

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...

Sakumo dispersed all of his shadow clones. As soon as he did so, the barrier formation also disappeared, revealing Michikatsu who looked extremely tired and was panting heavily.

Kiyomi rushed over and tightly hugged Michikatsu, asking, "Are you alright, my son?"

"Yeah, I'm more than alright. Now, I can finally take you shopping like I promised on my first birthday," replied Michikatsu.

Sakumo also affectionately ruffled Michikatsu's hair, saying, "Congratulations on conquering the sun."

"Thank you, father," Michikatsu responded.

After conversing with Sakumo and Kiyomi for a few more minutes, Michikatsu went to sleep. The next morning, he woke up fully recovered and prepared for the day. After having breakfast, Michikatsu stood inside the dojo, with Sakumo positioned opposite him.

"Son, you're now four years old, and it's time to teach you the Hatake Swordsmanship," Sakumo informed Michikatsu, who nodded in response.

"Hatake Swordsmanship primarily focuses on swift movement, the versatility of strikes, a balance between defense and offense, and the element of surprise," Sakumo explained, describing his swordsmanship technique.

"Watch carefully as I demonstrate all five perfected moves of the Hatake Swordsmanship," Sakumo announced.

1. **Fang's Ward:** This defensive technique employs a series of swings from the White Fang blade, creating a circular barrier that effectively blocks incoming attacks. This defensive posture also positions the user for swift counterattacks upon deflecting the opponent's strike.

2. **Blossom Strike:** This rapid sequence of slashes mirrors the descent of cherry blossoms. Each slash targets a distinct angle, confounding opponents and making it difficult to anticipate the pattern.

3. **Fangstorm Fury:** Executed with remarkable speed, this sequence involves a flurry of attacks from various angles in rapid succession. The result is a tempest of blade strikes that overwhelms the opponent's defenses.

4. **Lunar Fang Dance:** This technique melds precise footwork with elegant swordplay. The user gracefully dances across the battlefield, eluding attacks while delivering precise strikes akin to the phases of the moon.

5. **Fang's Graceful Fall:** Serving as a finishing move, this technique embodies the grace of a falling blossom. The user leaps into the air, executing a high-speed spinning strike that culminates in a forceful downward thrust, often delivering a decisive blow."

Sakumo proceeded to showcase each move of the Hatake Swordsmanship that he had mastered.

***

(Michikatsu's POV just before Sakumo started showing Hatake Swordsmanship.)

/Father is about to demonstrate the Hatake Swordsmanship. With the experience of Kokushibo, I should be able to quickly master these techniques. However, let's give Transparent World another attempt. Despite numerous tries, my previous attempts at using Transparent World have been utter failures./

***

Michikatsu began to concentrate on his eyes in an effort to activate Transparent World. However, as before, it seemed that Transparent World wouldn't respond. Just as he was on the verge of giving up, the technique unexpectedly activated. He gained the ability to perceive Hatake Sakumo's anatomy.

Unbeknownst to Michikatsu, as Sakumo demonstrated the Hatake Swordsmanship, his own eyes started emitting a red glow, accompanied by red lines radiating from their center. Michikatsu noticed that his chakra was rapidly depleting. Finally, when Sakumo concluded his display of swordsmanship, Michikatsu seated himself on the ground.

Sakumo swiftly appeared by Michikatsu's side, supporting him and inquiring, "What's the matter, Michi? Are you alright? If you're feeling unwell, we can postpone this for another day."

"No, father, I'm fine. Just let me rest for a while," Michikatsu replied.

Sakumo continued, "Your eyes were glowing red. Is there an issue with your eyes?"

"My eyes were glowing red?" Michikatsu pondered deeply.

Grabbing the wooden sword beside him, Michikatsu declared, "Father, I need to verify something."

Sakumo nodded and stepped back, creating space for Michikatsu.

Holding the sword, Michikatsu executed all five forms of the Hatake Swordsmanship that Sakumo had demonstrated, mirroring them precisely. However, the speed and strength behind his attacks were significantly lower than Sakumo's.

Sakumo stood there, mouth agape, astounded by what he had just witnessed. Before him, his son had flawlessly performed every single move of the Hatake Swordsmanship that had taken him years to master and refine even further.

"With the experience gained from Kokushibo and observing my father's muscle movements through Transparent World, I would have been capable of mastering all of his techniques. However, perfection wouldn't have been immediate; it would take time to refine them to the level of my father's execution. Nevertheless, what I've accomplished here is not just mimicry; it's complete emulation," Michikatsu reflected.

Suddenly, a name surfaced in his mind: "Divine Reflection."

"Divine Reflection—I've encountered that term somewhere in my past life. But where exactly?" Karan wondered, and then it dawned on him. "Yes, it's the same ability that Adam possessed in 'Records of Ragnarok.'"

Sakumo, noticing Michikatsu lost in thought, asked, "What's on your mind, son?"

"Haha, Father, it appears that I..." Michikatsu began, rubbing the back of his head.

"You copied all the sword techniques, right?" Sakumo interjected.

"Huh?" Michikatsu was taken aback by Sakumo's words.

"At first, I was concerned when I sensed your chakra diminishing by nearly a third. Your chakra reserves are substantial, far surpassing those of an average Genin. Furthermore, your eyes turned red. However, now that I've seen you flawlessly execute the 'Hatake Swordsmanship' just as I demonstrated, I can confidently assert that you've indeed copied these abilities and utilized your eyes to do so. It's evident that it places a considerable strain on your body, which explains why you collapsed," Sakumo analyzed.

"You're correct about the first part, Father. I did replicate your techniques, but the toll wasn't as great as you think. The issue was that I lacked full control over it. It was my first time activating both abilities simultaneously, and they both required spiritual energy. The rapid increase in mental pressure led to my collapse. Once I master both abilities, this won't happen again," Michikatsu explained.

"It's commendable that you managed to duplicate the 'Hatake Swordsmanship,' and it certainly gives you an advantage. However, don't overlook the fact that the essence of swordsmanship resides in mastering the basics. Properly honing your fundamentals is crucial," Sakumo advised.

(A/N: If you like the story please vote power stones.)