Chapter 69 - IRREGULAR GUARD

{Swoosh} {Swoosh}

A figure holding a *Odachi* could be seen moving and slashing at a high speed barely visible to normal eyes. The figure quickly moves forward and stabs, but his sword just went though the after-image of a person. Realizing that his opponent in no longer in front of high he quickly side-steps ,narrowly dodging the incoming sword which was about to pierce his back.

Shin swiftly swings his *Odachi* behind him hoping to slash Nikasu who in turn once again dodged while producing after-images. Shin jumps towards Nikasu and slashes down. Nikasu forwards his left leg while slashes the incoming *Odachi* slantly (South-east to north-west). Shin's sword clashed with Nikasu's ,he immediately felt tremendous force pushing his sword back.

Shin immediately retreated backward while shooting 6-kunai toward Nikasu who unsheathes his Second rapier and calmly blocks the incoming kunai. Nikasu took a step forward {Woosh} ,he disappears and reappears in front of Shin. Slashes his *Red flame* downwards while his *Blue ice* was still wrapped around his waist ,hanging freely.

Shin ,knowing that blocking the incoming attack is not a option due to the speed of the attack so he tries to imitate the Defending style Nikasu taught him for the past 2 months.

................../Flashback/.....................

{Huff} {Huff} Shin could be seen panting heavily while holding an *Odachi* in his right hand as his body was drenched in sweat. He slowly raises his sword with his trembling hand and swinging it downward.

"3999..." came an almost inaudible sound out of his mouth.

Once was he raises his hand trying to it one last time. He clenched his teeth so tightly that sound of someone grinding something could be heard, all the veins of his hand holding the sword popped out so much that it looked like it would burst any second by now, his whole body was shaking and his eyes were bloodshot. After gathering strength from 'God know where' his finally swings down his sword ,completing his daily target for the previous half-month and collapsing on the ground ,exhausted.

{Huff} {Huff}...breathed Shin with his eyes closed and mummers to himself "4000..."

"Well done after half-a month you are finally able to swing your *Odachi* for a 4000 time, rest for a hour and after that i will show you the *Art of Irregular guard*." says Nikasu with a slight smile on his always stoic face.

After the 3rd took over the root and rescued the children that Danzo kidnapped ,he would always visit the place once after 2-week and help in taking care of the small once while also giving some tips on different combat-related stuff.

During his visits he one day saw Shin practicing with a *Odachi* in his hand. He was swinging his sword in all directions while moving back and forth. His technique was not refined ,his body was too stiff for fluid movements and most of all he didn't have much insight in *The Heavenly way of the sword* but the thing which caught his attention was the determination his body gave of while practicing the sword ,his determination almost took for of a tangible form.

(A/N:-Imagine an armored knight appearing behind Shin holding a sword, like the 4th appearing behind Naruto when Kakashi was saved by the tailed beast bomb.)

His determination for protecting was even stronger than Naruto but it seemed to be concentrated on a individual rather than Naruto who's determination was more distributed and this was also the reason for Shin's determination being more powerful than Naruto as it was totally focused on a single entity.

Nikasu was interested in Shin as he too only trained to assist Ichizu and be of any use for him before he interacted with more people and developed feelings for everyone to protect them.....he knew that like him Shin would also develop these feelings after some time and will surely sought for more power just like him but he wouldn't have a system like him which would force him to gain strength by any means necessary.

"Why don't you teach him???? i asked Ichizu but i know he is to busy with a paper work which Tsunade gives him and wouldn't have time to teach him...he has an extremely strong Determination to protect his little brother Sai from the likes of Danzo and others who could use him..." said 3rd who stood beside Nikasu ,watching Shin just like Nikasu with his hands behind his back.

"I will watch him first for a little while before thinking of teaching him." said Nikasu while watching Shin practicing but sword. 3rd had a smile on his facing as he knew that Nikasu would surely teach Shin, he also continued to Watch while trying to anticipate how this scene will unfold.

The reason why Nikasu wanted to watch Shin for some more time before teaching his about the sword was that he wanted to check that the Determination which Shin held was solid enough or not. Nikasu worked hard, he shed blood, sweat and points before he was able to master *The Heavenly way of the sword*. Unlike Ichizu he didn't posses the *Instant mastery* skill and had do many quests and complete missions ,collecting system points and buying the experience and comprehension from the system. He wasn't given the title *The Golden Flash Of Konoha* just cause he rained hell on his enemies like the 4th ,No... but because he completed every mission in a flash while asking for more. All for obtaining Points.

................../Flashback ends/......................

Sai vertically moves his sword (East to west) while raising his sword above his head.

{Clink}

Nikasu's *Red flame* was blocked by the handle of Shin's *Odachi* while he heard Shin murmuring "Irregular guard..." , hearing him Nikasu smiled a little before withdrawing his rapier and sheathing it back and standing with like hands behind his back.

"Good you have finally entered the beginner-stage of *Art of Irregular guard*, always remember what i told you about this technique."

"The Irregular guard allows the user to block attacks from random movement of body and sword both. This technique of founded be Ikki Kurogane but after that it has been improved by integrating the *Aincrad-style* ,therefore once mastered it will be almost impossible for your enemies to inflict damage of you in Melee-combat."

"I won't let you down Sensei!!!!!!..." shouted Shin as Nikasu nodded his head seemingly satisfied with his disciple.