Hiruzen, Leave It to Me

"Did Lady Tsunade beat your mouth up earlier?"

Seeing Uchiha Yoichi approach wearing a Metal Mask, Kakashi remarked with a deadpan expression.

How does this feel like he's imitating me? Besides, isn't a metal mask uncomfortable to wear? How does he handle breathing?

Uchiha Yoichi rolled his eyes. If he weren't currently unable to speak, he wouldn't have let it slide, even if it was a six-year-old kid.

"It's not uncomfortable at all, and I've already handled the breathing. It's getting late, let's start training!"

After Kakashi read the note Uchiha Yoichi had written, he felt as if his inner thoughts had been completely seen through, and he gave him a suspicious look.

However, since the employer had made a request, he had no choice but to comply.

Kakashi then drew a ninja blade from his back. As he pulled it out, a sharp, hissing sound and a white glow immediately began to wrap around the blade.

"I'm using the sword style my father taught me, which focuses on Wind Release Chakra. Please be careful."

The cutting lethality of Wind Release and the movement speed of Lightning Release—this was the core of the White Fang's sword style.

Kakashi had trained with his father since he was a child and possessed the strength of a Genin by the age of five; it was impossible for him not to have learned his father's sword style.

However, Kakashi was facing an employer now, not an enemy. Even if he used the White Fang's sword style, it was primarily for sparring, so the cutting power of his Wind Release Chakra couldn't be too high.

Kakashi moved rapidly in front of Uchiha Yoichi, leaned forward slightly, and thrust his blade.

The sharp, cutting aura felt like a gale. Uchiha Yoichi immediately raised his blade backhanded to parry.

Clang! Sparks flew as the two ninja blades collided.

Kakashi's expression remained calm as he retracted his blade and slashed back. Although Uchiha Yoichi only had a One Tomoe Sharingan, his perception was still stronger than Kakashi's. A faint flicker of lightning wrapped around his blade as he blocked the strike once more.

Slash and parry.

The speed of the offense and defense between the two grew faster and faster, until their swinging arms gradually became a blur.

Uchiha Yoichi was also gradually becoming more proficient in Kenjutsu. Kakashi's attack angles were becoming increasingly tricky; sometimes he could see the trajectory of Kakashi's blade, but due to the angle, it was incredibly awkward to block.

After more than an hour, the two finally stopped to rest.

Uchiha Yoichi reflected on the memories of the training session just now. He felt that his sword swings had become more proficient; if he continued to train this way in the future, his progress would surely be rapid.

"Just practicing like this isn't enough. When my father used to spar with me to train my Kenjutsu, he used many different styles of swordplay, and even incorporated Ninjutsu and various other methods."

After Kakashi finished his water and adjusted his mask, he turned to Uchiha Yoichi and said.

"I'll be taking on some missions outside the village in a while. A ninja only gains the most profound experience through actual combat."

Upon hearing this, Kakashi thought for a moment before saying, "Can you take me with you? We could form a two-man team, which would allow us to take on B-rank missions."

Uchiha Yoichi replied, "Even without a team, I can take on B-rank missions. Besides, why would you come to me? Haven't you heard the rumors about me in the village?"

"A ninja must rely on their own judgment. You don't strike me as the type to betray your teammates; there's no benefit in that for you."

Kakashi paused, then turned his head away and continued, "Besides, there are no teams available to assign right now. My mission record isn't extensive either. If I don't team up, I'd be lucky to even get a simple C-rank mission."

To ensure a high success rate, Konoha does not assign missions arbitrarily. While Genin can theoretically take on C-rank missions, they are generally restricted to D-rank when working alone.

The same logic applies to Chunin.

Even though Kakashi is a Chunin and his strength is up to par, he is only six years old. Having graduated to Genin just last year, he hasn't had many missions, most of which were D-rank. Under these circumstances, he simply cannot take on B-rank missions.

He had heard that Uchiha Yoichi had completed several B-rank missions, and after spending a few days around him, he didn't feel that Yoichi was the type to use his teammates just to complete a mission. That was why he made the suggestion.

"We'll see. Even if we do take on missions, it won't be for another half-month."

Uchiha Yoichi thought for a moment. Kakashi's strength wasn't weak—he was far better than his previous Genin teammates.

"If we form a team, I must be the captain. You have to listen to me during missions."

Kakashi said, "That goes without saying. I don't have any experience leading a team either."

"Hiruzen, why didn't you tell me that someone from the Uchiha Clan obtained a secret Nintaijutsu from Kumogakure?"

Inside the Hokage's Office, a man with his right eye covered in bandages and leaning on a cane questioned Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Danzo, it was only Tsunade's speculation before. It was only confirmed a few days ago."

Hiruzen Sarutobi set down his pipe and replied to Danzo with an expressionless face. Tsunade had only told him two days after she found out, and since Uchiha Yoichi had obtained it on his own, what was he supposed to say?

He knew exactly what Danzo was thinking, as they were old teammates. However, Konoha had no precedent for forcing ninjas to hand over their ninjutsu. There were quite a few clans with secret techniques; if he set this precedent, he couldn't be sure what the other ninja clans would think.

"That is a secret Nintaijutsu from Kumogakure, Hiruzen! If the Root could obtain it, we could cultivate a group of the sharpest blades. We would be able to eliminate many of Konoha's enemies!"

Danzo knew what Hiruzen was worried about, but the other party was just an Uchiha brat, and his reputation in the village wasn't exactly stellar.

Furthermore, the Lightning Release Chakra Mode was truly precious. It was the signature Nintaijutsu of the Raikage, and even in Kumogakure, only a small number of ninja practiced it—likely no more than thirty.

"If you aren't willing to speak up, then let me try. It's just an Uchiha, after all. Hiruzen, there are plenty of Lightning-style users in Konoha, but what we lack is the ninjutsu!"

Hearing Danzo's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent for a moment. After a while, he relit his pipe, took a puff, and said to Danzo:

"Danzo, be careful with your methods. The Uchiha Clan has been very quiet lately. Don't go too far."

"Hmph, Hiruzen, have you forgotten why our Sensei restricted the Uchiha to the Security Force? Koharu and En would never agree to Uchiha Fugaku's ideas!"

Danzo finished coldly, then turned and walked out of the Hokage's Office.

"I am the one most capable of inheriting Sensei's will! It was only because you were a step faster than me that Sensei mistakenly chose you to be Hokage!"

Returning to the Root base, Danzo immediately spoke to those around him: "Bring Ryoma to see me."

Before long, a Root ninja appeared before Danzo. Upon seeing Aburame Ryoma, Danzo issued a direct order: "Ryoma, Uchiha Yoichi of the Uchiha Clan has obtained the Lightning Release Chakra Mode. Go and ask him if he is willing to contribute this Nintaijutsu."

"My lord, what if he is unwilling?"

"If he is unwilling, then he will simply have to face the cruelty of the ninja world!"

Requesting votes. I made a slight modification to the previous chapter: Tsunade and the protagonist had a brief encounter due to a misunderstanding, after which Tsunade gave up.