Chapter 16: Upright Refusal, Practicing Sword Technique
Notes:
Kamui is a space-time ninjutsu usable with the Mangekyō Sharingan.
The Hokage's speech had dragged on until sunset. Through it all, Uchiha Tonan kept his composure, playing his role to perfection. The mourners were thoroughly moved—he had successfully carved a new persona into their minds: the grieving genius son, filial and stoic.
Of course, it helped that his parents hadn't exactly been social butterflies. No close friends, no comrades dropping by with bittersweet memories. Had they been more… human, someone might've seen through the act. But alas.
Tonan scoffed inwardly. Weak on the battlefield, weak in bonds—what a pair of disappointments. Dead, and still managing to embarrass me.
The next morning, Tonan showed up early at the Hatake residence, dressed crisply in a white shirt and polished gold-rimmed glasses. From afar, using his summoned white pigeon ninja beast, he had already seen Kakashi standing at the door, gazing down the street like a shinobi-shaped weathervane.
Yet, as soon as Tonan came into view, Kakashi instantly switched gears—pretending to be barely awake, stretching, yawning, and turning his attention to the rising sun like it was somehow his real teammate.
Tonan squinted, amused. Acting cool already, are we? No wonder you get a Mangekyō in the future—gonna need that Kamui to dodge all the teenage angst heading your way.
If things followed the known timeline, Kakashi would eventually unlock Kamui… only to die during Pain's invasion of Konoha. Hmph. Waste of a good technique, Tonan mused. If I could get my hands on that… my escape potential would skyrocket.
He gave Kakashi a smile—warm and borderline affectionate. Kakashi, catching it from the corner of his eye, raised his eyebrows beneath the mask, the corners of his lips twitching upward slightly. Still, his voice remained cool.
"You're early."
Tonan dialed back the smile. Under the soft morning sun, his tone turned noble and serene. "Yesterday, at my parents' graves, I swore I'd work hard to become someone they'd be proud of. And Father always said: 'An Uchiha keeps his word.'"
Kakashi nodded and stepped aside, leading him into the courtyard.
As they walked, Kakashi tilted his head and asked, "I've been wondering—those glasses. Something wrong with your eyes?"
Tonan pushed his frames up with two fingers and replied, "I've been staying up late every night summarizing the teachings of the three Hokage. Maybe the lighting's bad at home. I'm a bit short-sighted now."
Kakashi frowned slightly. "Does it affect your performance?"
Tonan's smile deepened. "Not in battle. Once the Sharingan activates, everything sharpens again. But thank you, Kakashi."
Realizing he had shown concern, Kakashi turned his face away, hastily muttering, "I wasn't worried or anything…"
A breeze stirred the wind chime under the eaves, its notes tinkling softly as a familiar voice called out:
"Tonan-kun is here."
Hatake Sakumo appeared in casual clothes, his signature tanto hanging at his waist. Sitting cross-legged by the door, he smiled kindly. Tonan instantly dropped into a formal bow. "White Fang-sama, I apologize for disturbing you so early."
Sakumo waved him off. "Not at all. I'm glad you've become close with Kakashi. And thank you—for pushing him to train while I was away."
He noticed Tonan's eyes lingering on the tanto.
"You interested in swordsmanship, Tonan-kun?"
"I've dabbled a bit," Tonan said, adjusting his glasses again.
Sakumo unfastened the short blade, running a hand along its sheath. "If you like, I can teach you the Hatake Style Sword Technique."
Tonan stiffened and gave a solemn shake of his head. "I must respectfully decline. That technique carries your clan's name—it's a legacy, not something to be handed to an outsider like me."
Sakumo's smile widened. "You're a good kid. But with your talent—and your friendship with Kakashi—I wouldn't mind passing it on. Your Sharingan would pair well with sword techniques. You'd become even more formidable."
Tonan bowed slightly again. "I'm honored by your offer, but I must insist. As an Uchiha, my focus should be on dojutsu. It's my clan's path."
Sakumo rubbed his chin. "Still, you're not wrong. Alright… how about I teach you just the basics? Not the core of the technique—just enough for you to spar better with Kakashi. It'll benefit both of you."
Kakashi, quietly watching the exchange, looked at Tonan with clear approval. His eyes seemed to say, It's fine. I trust you.
After a brief pause, Tonan gave a reluctant nod. "Then… I'll humbly accept. Many thanks, White Fang-sama."
Besides, he thought, once Sakumo dies, there won't be anyone to say where I learned it. By then, I might be the last Hatake-style swordsman standing.
Sakumo stood up, motioning them to follow. "Come on, both of you. Let's head to the backyard."
This was Kakashi's first time learning the Hatake sword style too.
Sakumo handed them wooden short swords and began from the very beginning.
"The Hatake Style traces its origins back to the samurai of the Land of Iron. It has three stages. First, slashing basics—training the body until the blade feels like part of you."
"Second, combat skills. You'll learn to react and counter different enemies and fighting styles. And third…"
Just as he was about to mention the third step, Tonan raised a hand and respectfully interrupted, "White Fang-sama, I'd rather not know about the final stage. Please save that instruction for Kakashi alone."
Sakumo paused, then nodded. "Very well."
He smiled, visibly impressed. What an upright young man.
He turned back to the lesson. "Let's start with the slash. Watch closely."
With a swift and clean motion, Sakumo sliced through a training stake. Tonan's Sharingan immediately activated, its tomoe spinning as it recorded every muscle twitch, every subtle shift in stance.
Sakumo caught the movement of Tonan's eyes and couldn't help but think, Sharingan really is incredible… this kid's going to be dangerous.
He glanced between Kakashi and Tonan, two prodigies at his side, and allowed himself a rare moment of pride.