Naruto: Can't Use Ninjutsu? I'll Create the Strongest Fighting Style-Chapter 46 - 44: The Sword That’s Worth More Drama Than Damage

"You wouldn't happen to be the legendary Copy Ninja, Kakashi Hatake, would you?"

"Just a title. Have a seat," Kakashi gestured to the seat across from him.

The man sat down calmly.

Tenten, Kasumi, and Garou stood behind Kakashi, quietly sizing up the middle-aged man dressed in samurai armor. Judging by his build, he seemed physically capable.

As for his swordsmanship, Garou couldn't say for sure, but the man's behavior gave off an odd vibe.

Garou frowned slightly.

"I am Nobu Kiyotani. Your name echoes even in the Land of Iron. If you're involved, I believe that traitor Yuichi won't stay free for long."

Nobu gave a respectful bow.

Kakashi waved dismissively. "I've got three rookies in tow, hardly ideal conditions. Even if I engage, there's no guarantee. First, what level is this target?"

"I'll share all I know." Nobu pulled out a bundle of papers.

Garou glanced over them.

They were detailed notes on the enemy.

Yuichi, the rogue samurai, was a commoner from the Land of Iron. His abilities were roughly at the level of a skilled Chūnin, especially proficient in stealth and evasion. He was also highly trained in Iaido. Additionally, he had stolen the clan's treasured blade.

Garou's gaze sharpened after reading the notes.

Kakashi's expression didn't change as he nodded. "I see. Forgive me, but why didn't your clan handle this? Why come to us?"

"Well... I can't say much, but the sword was a gift intended for someone higher up. The matter is... sensitive. We'd prefer to recover it discreetly."

"Besides, he fled to the Land of Fire. We were planning to contact you anyway, just saved us a step."

Kakashi handed the papers back with a nod. "Then we should move quickly. The longer we wait, the more your intel may become obsolete."

"Great news. With your help, that rogue won't get far!"

Nobu looked relieved.

Kakashi stood, Nobu followed, and the three genin flanked him in a protective triangle.

Leaving the village was smooth.

Once registered, they were cleared to pass.

Though Nobu was a samurai, his speed was respectable. Halfway into the journey, Garou was "already gasping" for breath, panting as he ran.

Kakashi glanced at him.

"Garou, you alright?"

"I'm fine, Kakashi-sensei. Just need a soldier pill to keep going." Garou pulled one out.

This was a flawed product he had previously given to Tenten and Kasumi, and he had also kept one for himself. Its ability to satisfy hunger and restore chakra was mediocre at best, and he planned to use it merely for acting.

Kakashi sighed. "Alright. We're on a mission. We can't stop just to accommodate you."

"There is no need to worry about me." Garou nodded firmly.

Tenten and Kasumi stayed silent. They weren't entirely sure what Garou was planning but had their suspicions.

If Nobu's story was true, and Yuichi was only as strong as a Chūnin, Kakashi could handle him solo.

But if the Kiyotani clan had darker intentions, then Garou's deception might give them an advantage.

That's what Garou had in mind.

Also, the fact they were considered weak could force Nobu into combat if needed.

Ideally, they wouldn't have accepted the mission, but Garou was intrigued by the swordsmanship of the Land of Iron, and he wanted to know what the Kiyotani clan was really hiding.

High risk, high reward.

Sometimes, risk was necessary.

Garou patted the thick wad of tags and explosive seals in his pouch. That gave him some peace of mind.

Tenten and Kasumi weren't dead weight either.

They cooperated fully, pretending Garou had always been the physically weakest of the trio.

During a rest stop, Nobu couldn't hold it in any longer and quietly asked Kakashi,

"Kakashi-san... who is that young man?"

"My student, Garou Zenin. He has tremendous potential. He developed several original jutsu at a young age. But unfortunately..." Kakashi trailed off with a sigh.

Nobu's expression turned complex.

Kakashi smiled. "Don't worry. Despite his physical shortcomings, he's a formidable asset in combat. His ninjutsu is top-tier."

"A jutsu specialist? That explains it. Still, physical strength is vital. You should push him harder."

"I will. He's under my command now. I'll see to it."

Kakashi chuckled.

Tenten exchanged a look with Garou. She was starting to think he might have misjudged the situation, but Garou seemed unfazed.

His attitude was that even if he was wrong, they'd just continue the act. There was no real harm done. Watching swordsmanship only required eyes.

Garou had made up his mind.

According to Nobu's intel, Yuichi had last been seen in a small town in the north of the Land of Fire, near the border with the Land of Iron. Not too far from Konoha.

As they traveled, Garou could clearly feel this samurai was watching them. It made sense for a client to assess his hired help's strength, but given all the strange details so far, Garou grew more suspicious.

While gathering information in town, Garou found a moment to speak to Kakashi in private.

Kakashi agreed with his concerns and gave him a reassuring look that said, "Don't worry."

Clearly, he had a plan.

With that, Garou relaxed. Otherwise, he might have tried to subdue the samurai right then and there.

"Mr. Nobu, if I had to guess, the target has probably moved on by now. Do you have any additional leads?"

Kakashi turned to him after finishing their quiet talk.

It was common sense. A stealth expert wasn't going to sit around waiting to be caught.

"Well, he used to be a hunter. He might have gone into the mountains. You know how it is. I came to Konoha to ask for help, so..."

Nobu scratched his head, looking embarrassed.

"No one else from your clan joined you? Even if he's just a Chūnin-level rogue, if he wants to flee, you can't stop him alone."

Garou pressed.

Nobu nodded, shamefaced. "There were three of us originally, but he knew the forest well. He used traps and poison along with his blade and injured the others. I had no choice but to seek help."

"So he's also good at setting traps and crafting poisons?"

Kakashi's face grew serious.

"Yes. That man has no honor. He is unworthy of being called a samurai!"

Nobu was furious.

Kakashi remained silent for a few seconds. His belief that Yuichi was merely Chūnin-level was crumbling.

The target might be on par with a Jōnin.

'So what does the Kiyotani clan really want? Is this an individual's request, or the clan's?'

He couldn't tell.

After a moment of thought, Kakashi asked, "Mr. Nobu, do you have anything personal belonging to the target? Something he's worn or used?"

"Yes."

Nobu handed over a blood-stained scrap of cloth.

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