He knew Shirakumo Hayama was right; the proficient level granted by the Stone Gate allowed him to master all basic techniques.
But how to sublimate those techniques and integrate them into his own understanding and combat style was the task for the next stage.
Shirakumo Hayama pondered for a moment before saying, "Since you've learned Basic Swordsmanship to this degree, it will be hard to progress further. You can try learning some Advanced Swordsmanship."
"For example, our Village's Konoha-ryu Kenjutsu and the Uchiha-ryu Kenjutsu."
A look of confusion appeared on Aokawa's face. "Sohma-sama, where would I go to learn those two styles of swordsmanship?"
"I happen to be quite proficient in Konoha-ryu Kenjutsu. If you don't mind, I can give you some pointers."
"That would be a great help, Sohma-sama!" Aokawa's eyes lit up at the words.
After all that setup, wasn't I just waiting for you to say that... Hokage Office.
Bang!
Hiruzen Sarutobi's fist slammed onto the desk, causing the water glass to jump.
"Just what do those savages from Kumogakure want?"
Nara Shikaku frowned. "Hokage-sama, although Kumogakure has always been boorish, they are meticulous in their own way. They wouldn't be unreasonable without a cause."
He picked out two scrolls from the desk and handed them to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Based on the recent reports from the garrison captains and the intelligence provided by Root."
"Peace has lasted too long, and they are already growing restless."
"They are only held back by the treaty signed after the Second Ninja World War and want to provoke us into acting first."
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat down slowly, picked up his pipe, and took a puff to calm himself.
"The frontline garrison should try their best to avoid conflict with Kumogakure."
"We've already engaged with Iwagakure. Though it's only small-scale skirmishes, it could escalate into full-scale war at any time."
"We've also committed many people to the Land of Rain Battlefield."
"If we have friction with Kumogakure as well, it will be trouble once we're fighting on three fronts."
Nara Shikaku nodded in agreement.
"The garrison in the Land of Hot Springs has been quite restrained."
"Uchiha Hachidai is one of the more level-headed members of the Uchiha; several recent conflicts between the two sides have been suppressed by him."
"But if this continues, sooner or later, it won't be suppressed anymore."
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed. "I didn't think dealing with a mere Onigumo would be this much trouble."
"But trouble or not, it must be resolved."
His voice turned cold. "Onigumo is now like a poisonous thorn stuck in our throats. If we don't pull it out, Konoha will never know peace."
Nara Shikaku's expression was grave as his gaze swept back and forth across the map.
"To avoid Kumogakure and kill Onigumo, we can only perform a long-range attack from this side of the canyon."
"But among the people the Village can currently dispatch, there are no others with long-range strike capabilities like the Aburame clan."
"In that case, we can only change our approach."
He walked to the other side of the map and traced two routes with his finger.
"Instead of breaking through from Kazegake Valley in the northwest, we could infiltrate the Land of Frost from the southeast or by sea."
"After crossing the entire Land of Frost, we can secretly kill Onigumo."
"However, after the kill, there will be a lot of pursuit on the return journey."
Nara Shikaku measured the distance on the map with his fingers, his brow furrowing.
"It's too far. It will be a massive test for the infiltration team's Chakra reserves."
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't answer.
He just puffed heavily on his pipe.
No long-range attacks like the Aburame clan?
No!
There actually is one!
-------------------------------
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