The Survival Logs || Sword Art Online Fanfic

Skill Research Arc: Chapter 30 - Ninja Training

29 June 2023

Kesoko, 32nd Floor

The clear sound of blades clashing could be heard in the distance as I pushed the doors of the only combat training hall of the village of Kesoko.

I'd spotted the place a few times throughout my stay here, but it was always locked when I tried to enter it. From what I heard from the villagers, it was built train villagers to fight the demons. Essentially, it's the training ground of the village's defense force. That was what I concluded after getting to know more about this place.

There was only one quest that involved the training hall in the Kesoko campaign quest. Titled "The Way of the Shinobi", it required me to meet up with some NPC who would teach me how to fight like 'a villager of Kesoko'. As if the idea of them fighting as ninjas wasn't so obvious, I was puzzled at the way that quest description explained things.

The doors, which can't help but look like those in the Floor boss rooms, swung to a close behind me, leaving the source of light to be lamps hung along the circular perimeter of the hall. It still was amazing that they could light up such a big and wide place so effectively, though.

There was Hakuro, sparring with someone I didn't recognize. Both of them were wielding katanas, and the scene seemed to look like some kind of swordplay. I watched them for a while before Hakuro noticed me. The other NPC turned to glance at me as well.

I walked to meet them, my footsteps seemingly becoming heavier. The person beside Hakuro was much like Hakuro and Mikane in terms of the clothes he was wearing, but he was a bit taller than Hakuro and seemed much older. I was no expert in analysing body builds, but I could tell that his body had gone through much more combat experience than any other NPC companion I'd fought alongside with.

Hakuro started the introductions. He'd first explained that I was a visitor in the village, and that I wanted to seek ' a day of training from the only combat master in Kesoko'. That was what the quest had said, actually, but Hakuro would of course rephrase that in a more suitable way due to story plot.

"....And this here is my training mentor, Master Ojisei. He trains all who wants to fight the demons, me and Mikane included. I'm sure you will learn much from him." Hakuro waved at me before going off.

The combat master sheathed his katana before starting off his speech.

"So, I assume you have come to me to learn the Ninja Way, am I right?"

I didn't get what he was saying at first. "......The Ninja Way? I guess so......"

"Maybe this will give you a better understanding of what you will learn today."

He took out his katana again, but held it in one hand instead of the normal two-handed way. The katana disappeared and was replaced by a kunai, before suddenly turning into a blur. A moment later I was meeting the kunai by its sharp and dark tip. My eyes were barely able to follow the blade, but when they did, my body moved in reaction, missing the flying blade by a distance close enough to regret almost getting sliced off by the nose.

"Ho ho, scared you quite a bit, didn't I?" Master Ojisei burst into a little chuckle.

Aside from the fact that I was recovering from the shock of the thrown kunai, I knew what the Ninja Way was now.

"The Armament Swap skill...."

"You outsiders have a different name for it, but in Kesoko we call it the Ninja Way. It is the most fundamental way that defines how we fight."

Ojisei then continued, "The Ninja Way can manifest in everyone, even outsiders. That is why I do not mind to train you. However, the Ninja Way manifests in each and every one of us in different ways. It is crucial for you to train a certain part of you in order for it to manifest."