Team Mission

"Let's call it a day. I've got a good enough grasp of your strength. That's all for today; get some rest, and we'll go pick up a mission tomorrow."

Uchiha Yoichi signaled to Kakashi after stopping their sparring. After five days of combat training, he felt he had a complete understanding of Kakashi's capabilities.

His use of Lightning Release and Earth Release ninjutsu was solid, but his primary means of killing was the White Fang Kenjutsu. His coordination between ninjutsu was also good, and he had an excellent grasp of the split-second timing required in a life-or-death struggle.

This level of strength was quite impressive for a Chunin, and he would be a useful partner for missions outside the village.

Uchiha Yoichi hadn't been slacking off these past few days either. Aside from his Kenjutsu and Lightning Release Chakra Mode, he had been practicing his Sharingan Genjutsu.

As for his sparring partner, that was naturally Kakashi.

Kakashi had a certain understanding of genjutsu and knew how to guard against and dispel it, but he had been feeling quite helpless over the last two days due to Uchiha Yoichi's Sharingan Genjutsu.

Although Uchiha Yoichi had only mastered two Sharingan Genjutsu techniques so far, for Kakashi, the difficulty of dealing with them had increased several times over compared to before.

He couldn't look Uchiha Yoichi directly in the eyes and had to constantly guard against his gaze, which made things extremely uncomfortable for Kakashi.

After falling for the Sharingan Genjutsu four or five times, Kakashi refused to continue the sparring training. Once caught in a Sharingan Genjutsu, it was basically impossible to break out on his own. Kakashi had already lost five or six times.

"What time are we meeting tomorrow?"

"Nine o'clock, at the Hokage Building!"

"Got it. I'll head back for today, then."

After saying his goodbyes, Kakashi left.

Uchiha Yoichi headed back as well. The matter regarding Root had gone quiet ever since he visited the Second Elder; it had clearly been smoothed over by him.

The rumors in the village had also died down significantly because the Uchiha Security Force had arrested a dozen of the most vocal rumor-mongers and posted their confessions regarding the spread of rumors about Uchiha Yoichi.

Ordinary people were insignificant in the eyes of ninjas, and the Uchiha, in particular, possessed the Sharingan, which could easily probe their minds with genjutsu.

The rumors had subsided, though the Uchiha's reputation had taken a slight hit. Now, when Uchiha Yoichi walked down the street, he could see fear in the eyes of the commoners looking at him.

However, in Uchiha Yoichi's view, the Uchiha Clan had no need for the adoration of these villagers.

Whoever holds the power, the commoners should simply submit to them. A group of people who could only survive under the protection of ninjas had no right to turn around and give the Uchiha Clan a cold shoulder.

They just hadn't tasted the iron fist of the Security Force yet!

As for who else might be able to cultivate the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, Uchiha Yoichi didn't care. This Nintaijutsu was extremely difficult to master—no less challenging than the Gentle Fist's Rotation—as it basically required the release of chakra from most of the body's acupoints.

Uchiha Yoichi's Chakra Blade had also been delivered, though it wasn't Uchiha Kanbayashi who brought it, but Uchiha Masato.

It seemed the Second Elder had taken over everything, which was why he had sent his son to deliver the blade.

This Chakra Blade was forged exceptionally well. By adding some highly conductive ores, it possessed both durability and excellent chakra conductivity. Uchiha Yoichi only had to channel a small amount of chakra into it for the blade to erupt with brilliant lightning.

Uchiha Yoichi named this Chakra Blade the Thunder Blade. It was somewhat similar to one of the Seven Ninja Swords of Kirigakure, but he didn't care.

Whether or not a weapon becomes famous always depends on the user.

The next day, the two arrived at the Hokage Building at roughly the same time. After exchanging greetings, they headed inside.

Upon arriving at the Mission Squad, the people inside felt uneasy when they saw it was Uchiha Yoichi.

Sakuma was particularly uncomfortable; he had had two ribs broken by Uchiha Yoichi last time and had spent several days in the hospital recovering.

Afterward, he learned that Uchiha Yoichi hadn't received any punishment. On the contrary, those who had been spreading rumors most aggressively were arrested by the Security Force and severely punished.

This filled Sakuma with extreme rage. His friend had died in Uchiha Yoichi's squad, he himself had been beaten by Uchiha Yoichi, and now, even speaking ill of Uchiha Yoichi could get him arrested by the Security Force.

Seeing Uchiha Yoichi now, Sakuma's eyes held both resentment and fear. Deep down, he was terrified that Uchiha Yoichi might strike him again.

"Picking up a mission. B-rank, assassination-type preferred. Personnel: Uchiha Yoichi and Kakashi Hatake."

Uchiha Yoichi glanced at Sakuma and then ignored him, finding a different ninja from the Mission Squad who was standing nearby.

When the ninja realized Uchiha Yoichi was speaking to him, he snapped out of his daze and hurriedly replied, "One moment, let me check for you."

"There are quite a few B-rank missions left. These are the assassination ones; you can choose for yourself."

Uchiha Yoichi looked them over. There were quite a few assassination requests submitted to Konoha, and since B-rank missions already involved other ninja, this was noted next to each task.

"This one and this one. Record them."

"You want to take two B-rank missions?"

"That's right. Record them."

"That's against the rules. I need to ask Lord Hokage."

The Mission Squad ninja looked troubled. Seeing that Uchiha Yoichi didn't react, he stood up and headed toward the Hokage's Office.

Kakashi, standing to the side, leaned in and whispered, "Why don't we just take one mission first? It would be safer that way."

"No need. These two missions happen to be in the Land of Grass and the Land of Earth. They're on the way. If we take them one by one, we'll waste seven or eight days just traveling back and forth."

Kakashi gave him a dead-eyed look. His captain wasn't worried about the missions failing at all; he was only thinking about the wasted time.

However, one target was a minister in the Land of Grass, and the other was a hidden sentry from Iwagakure. The missions didn't look too difficult.

After a while, the ninja returned to the Mission Squad and said to Uchiha Yoichi and Kakashi, "Lord Hokage has given his permission. I'll process them for you."

Deep within an underground secret base in Konohagakure.

This was the Root. When he founded it, Danzo claimed that he was the roots that protected Konohagakure and provided it with nourishment, which was why he built the base underground.

"Leaving the village? Hmph. It would be difficult to make a move while in Konohagakure, but by leaving the village, you are seeking your own death."

A cold glint flashed in Danzo's eyes. That old geezer Uchiha Kenji was protecting Uchiha Yoichi, preventing his Root from taking action within the village, but once they were outside...

"Lord Danzo, Kakashi Hatake and Uchiha Yoichi have formed a team. If we were to attack..."

"Who said we have to be the ones to do it? That evil Uchiha has been practicing the secret Nintaijutsu of the Cloud. With the Raikage's foul temper, do you think he would just let this slide?"

"Does that mean, my lord..."

"Sell the information to Kumogakure, then have a Root squad follow behind. We will be the final insurance policy!"

Danzo tapped his cane, then let out a cold sneer. "Two Tomoe Sharingan. A decent talent, but it is a pity it cannot be used for the sake of Konohagakure."