Uchiha Madara's blood-red, wheel-like eyes shone with a strange scarlet light. His gaze was cold and unyielding, as if nothing in the world was worthy of even a fleeting glance. He sat motionless, exuding an aura of disdain for everything around him.
"Lord Madara, that's the way it is," Jue reported, repeating what he had overheard in the Konoha Tavern.
"Fun little guy," Jue added. "He seems even greater than I—who once wielded the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan—and knows far more about the Sharingan."
Upon hearing Jue's words, Madara's lips curled into a playful smile. Only after learning that Saigoji Youmu had defeated Hanzo did Madara direct his attention to Jue.
"Master Madara, I feel that Saigoji Youmu may jeopardize our long-term plans," Jue murmured. The sudden mention of Youmu stirred an ominous premonition in Madara. He had long suspected that if Youmu were allowed to act unimpeded, his meticulously laid plans—years in the making—could unravel in an instant. Though uncertain whether his intuition was accurate, Madara dared not risk thousands of years of hard work on a gamble.
"You have a point," Madara conceded. "However, that little guy is not weak. With my current form, I fear I am no match for him." A wry smile returned to Madara's face as he pondered the potential impact of Saigoji Youmu on his schemes.
"Master Madara, we need not take immediate action against Saigoji Youmu…" Jue began, but Madara cut him off.
"We simply need to—" he trailed off, lost in thought.
…
The next morning, on a training ground in Konoha, Saigoji Youmu demonstrated his swordsmanship. Swish, swish, swish! Youmu stepped forward, rotating 360 degrees on one foot as the knife in his hand sliced through the air. Bang, bang, bang! Wooden piles around him shattered into pieces; the upper halves slid down neatly and crashed to the ground.
"Amazing swordsmanship," Uzumaki Kushina murmured, her eyes sparkling like stars.
"Kushina, did you see clearly what i did just now?" Saigoji Youmu inquired.
"See clearly, Saigoji-sensei," Kushina replied, nodding eagerly.
"Very well, now go and practice," Youmu ordered as he handed her a katana.
"Um…" Kushina accepted the blade and dashed aside to practice on her own.
After Kushina left, Uchiha Mikoto could no longer contain her thoughts. She had watched Youmu's display with rapt attention. The smooth, powerful swordsmanship—so unlike anything she had cared for before—ignited within her a newfound desire to learn.
"Mikoto, that kind of sword skill is not meant for you," Youmu teased.
"If you wish to learn, I can teach you a different style," he added.
Mikoto's expression revealed a mix of confusion and delight; she wondered how Youmu could understand her so well.
What Youmu had demonstrated was the basic movement of Lucia-Crimson Abyss's Chiyuan-style swordsmanship—Ji Heyi—a system known for its open, fierce, and domineering nature, requiring both a strong constitution and abundant chakra. Such a style, designed for direct, frontal combat, was not ideally suited to Uchiha Mikoto.
"Oh," Mikoto admitted, a little lost, yet far from disappointed. The fact that Saigoji Youmu was willing to teach her swordsmanship filled her with joy.
"Mikoto, what I intend to teach you is the one-hit killing sword technique," Youmu explained. "To master this, you must first understand the human body—identify which points are fatal with a single blow and which areas can render your opponent incapable of fighting." He picked up a wooden stake and slowly expounded on the principles behind EsDeath swordsmanship.
Esdeath' techniques had been honed in countless life-and-death battles, aiming for a one-hit kill that would either slay or incapacitate an opponent. Though Esdeath' style might not match the raw power of Lucia-Crimson Abyss's swordsmanship, its effectiveness was amplified by the lethality
of Uchiha Mikoto's Sharingan. Moreover, while it was nearly impossible for Uzumaki Kushina to cultivate Lucia-Crimson Abyss's art to its fullest, Esdeath' swordsmanship was a realm where Mikoto could truly excel. At that time, it remained uncertain which path—Lucia-Crimson Abyss's or Esdeath'—would prove superior.
"Mikoto, remember these key points," Youmu instructed. "I haven't prepared a proper knife for you today, so practice with kunai first."
"Okay, Saigoji-sensei," Mikoto agreed, her determination evident.