Chapter 6: Hattori Hanzo

The effects of this training were far better than anticipated. It was simply a matter of wielding the blade with precision; each strike was perfectly timed according to a fixed breathing rhythm. This rhythm was an indescribable sensation, as if with a mere flick of the wrist, one could deliver eight-tenths of their strength precisely to the intended target. Inhale, gather strength, exert force, retract the blade, exhale, and repeat this independent cycle over and over. In that moment, it felt as if everything faded away, leaving only the great tree in his sight. It was as if with a mere flick of the wrist, one could deliver eight-tenths of their strength precisely to the intended target. Inhale, gather strength, exert force, retract the blade, exhale, and repeat this independent cycle over and over. In that moment, it felt as if everything faded away, leaving only the great tree in his sight.

Is Hanzō the title of the Shijō Hall? It seems that this humble servant is indeed ignorant, as even the esteemed master of the hall is aware of such matters, yet I remain uninformed. This is truly..." Yamamoto Kansuke supported his chin with one hand, stroking his disheveled beard, while a peculiar light erupted from his single eye, scanning Kira Banshōmaru back and forth, causing him to break into a cold sweat.

Hattori? '' Kira Banshomaru was momentarily taken aback, and upon careful reflection, the name seemed quite familiar. His eyes widened in surprise as he scrutinized Hattori Ise-no-kami Motonaga, who was seated opposite Yamamoto Kansuke, and inquired: `` The Hattori clan? Is it the Hattori family from Iga? ''

Congratulations to the esteemed master of the hall for the initial sincerity in military strategy! Suddenly, Yoshizawa shouted and was the first to kneel down, followed by everyone else who knelt down as well. Only the people behind Yamamoto Kansuke stood there awkwardly, feeling quite embarrassed.

Just now, in a moment of excitement, he inadvertently revealed the name of Hattori Hanzō, and was immediately suspected by Yamamoto Kansuke. Seeing the old man's ambiguous gaze made him feel a chill run down his spine. He couldn't understand how he had gotten himself into such a predicament, and even the excitement of meeting the Hattori clan had been significantly dampened.

I am indeed from the Hattori clan of Iga!" Hattori Yasunaga paused slightly in surprise, then eagerly responded: "My clan has a modest reputation in Iga, I did not expect that the lord of the mansion has heard of us!

Upon hearing this, Kira Matsumaru realized that he had made another mistake. Hanzō was a secret title of the head of the Hattori clan. At that time, the Hattori clan was not well-known; let alone knowing their clan's secret titles, there were very few who even knew the specific whereabouts of the Hattori clan. Therefore, when Hattori Yasuhiro suddenly heard Kira Matsumaru reveal this public secret, he could not help but feel somewhat astonished

Oh? Very well! Let's go to the large hall!" Kira Banshomaru smiled at the stranger behind Yamamoto Kansuke, then casually handed the wooden sword in his hand to Yamagoka Zenjiro, and walked into the large hall to take a seat.

Indeed! Indeed! The reputation of Iga is quite significant! With a dry smile, Kira Bansho concealed his past, yet his gaze inadvertently drifted to the group of people behind Hattori Hanzo, as if searching for someone.

In order to demonstrate that today's studies have not been delayed, Kira Mansamaru executed dozens of cuts in one breath, each with eighty percent of his strength. The idea of not exhausting one's momentum likely refers to this. If it were not for a life-and-death crisis, there would be no need to unleash two hundred percent of one's power; each outburst is a drain on one's vitality. In military strategy, an outburst occurs only at the moment when the threat of death is most imminent, delivering a lethal blow as forceful as a single, decisive strike. Ultimately, military strategy or swordsmanship is a form of violent art used to defeat enemies; in the true battlefield of life and death, there is no opportunity for fancy maneuvers.

Hattori Yasuhiro's body trembled slightly, as if he wanted to raise his head to look at him, but he restrained himself. The ninjas of the Hattori clan exchanged glances, their eyes filled with an inscrutable meaning that no one could decipher. Hattori Yasuhiro then lowered his head and replied, "Yes! Hattori Yusaburo Yasuhiro has come to see Lord Kira! I indeed hail from Iga, and Hattori Hanzo is merely a name I use at home. How did Lord Kira come to know of my name?"

Sanjo Yamamoto is the second son in his family. Lacking inheritance rights, he was sent to the Kira family at a young age to serve as a junior retainer. His ability to lead the Kira's close associates and manage the library is also related to his personal performance. He stood out in the fierce competition within the Kira household, demonstrating some level of capability

Kira Bansho Maru nodded with a smile, yet in his heart, he maliciously speculated: "What does this mean? Is it implying that after three years of training, I have finally embarked on the true path of military strategy, only to be considered a fool?"

Bang bang bang

At this moment, it is not the time to scrutinize the implications of Yamamoto Kansuke's words; he could only smile faintly and raise his hands in a gesture of invitation, addressing those nearby: "Ladies and gentlemen, please rise"

The close aides can be considered a semi-formal group. The elder members are transitioning towards serving as retainers for Ma Huizhong and the ordinary vassals, while the younger ones continue to act as junior aides. Before they truly become retainers, using the title of close aides to enhance the cohesion and loyalty of this group is one of the small tricks that can be played under the watchful eye of the old monster Yamamoto Kansuke.

After everyone was seated, Yamamoto Kansuke leaned forward and said in a loud voice, "This is His Highness Hattori Ise-no-Kami Motonobu. His Highness has great admiration for our family, and thus today, I have come as an intermediary to pay my respects to the esteemed master of the house"

Yamaguchi Zenjiro, whose full name is Yamaguchi Zenjiro Naonobu, hails from the branch family of the Kira clan, known as the Okayama clan. His father was Yamanaka Chikugo no Kami Yoshinobu. The main line of the Okayama clan had been extinct for several decades. At one point, Kira Mansomaru's father even considered allowing the Yamaguchi family to inherit the branch lineage. However, this plan was ultimately abandoned as the Kira family's influence in the eastern Mikawa and Tōtōmi regions was rapidly diminished by the Imagawa clan, leading to a decline in their family fortunes.

My lord of the establishment! Let today's training conclude here! I have urgent matters to report!" Yamamoto Kansuke took the opportunity to step forward, guiding Kira Banshomaru towards the grand hall, and then whispered: "I have begun to see results in my efforts to win over the powerful clans of Nishimikawa, please allow me to report.

The family is merely relying on hearsay... just hearsay! Kira Bansho murmured quietly, "This is bad," as he opened the folding fan in his hand and waved it lightly. "It is truly hot today! It must have been quite a hardship for Lord Iwami and the members of the Hattori family to arrive at noon!"

Hattori Bocho did not dare to speak much, merely engaging in polite conversation for a while. Yamamoto Kansuke seemed to have forgotten his earlier question, calmly holding his teacup and taking a sip every now and then. After Kira Bansho Maru managed to navigate through the situation, he wiped the cold sweat from his brow and thought to himself: "In the future, I must remember not to expose any flaws in front of the old man Yamamoto, otherwise my little secrets will only be caught more and more!"

Hattori Yasuhiro is a middle-aged man in his thirties. Although the samurai attire he wears is very clean, the wear on the edges of the fabric indicates that it has been worn for some years. He has an ordinary and unremarkable appearance, with the only striking feature being the two dark, glossy mustaches on his lips.

As a prominent clan of the Iga Province, adjacent to the Kinai region, the fact that the Mikumo Ninja clan has fallen to the relatively remote Mikawa Province is indeed surprising news. The Hattori clan has almost no reputation in Mikawa, and it seems that no one is aware that the Matsudaira family has employed them. Naturally, no one knows why the Hattori family has come to Mikawa.

The close retainers were established by Kira Mansamaru, modeled after the strategies of Oda Nobunaga. Promoting outstanding talents from loyal vassals has numerous advantages. They possess loyalty that is not inferior to that of established retainers, are young and lack utilitarian thoughts, and simultaneously have a strong desire to achieve great accomplishments, making them more loyal and reliable than those established retainers driven by greed.

As he slowly concluded his brief meditation on the experience of his training, a round of applause echoed from a distance. Yamamoto Kanzuke limped over, and on his face, which rarely bore a smile, a bloom akin to an unsightly flower appeared. With a hint of satisfaction, he said: "Congratulations, esteemed master, on taking the first step on the path of military strategy! In the near future, you will become an extraordinary strategist! I am truly delighted!"

The Iga Hattori clan, Hattori Hanzo? Kira Bansho-maru reconfirmed.