Defeating Kakashi

"How could this happen?" Rin Nohara's eyes brimmed with tears.

She had wanted Kakashi to win. Not only was Kakashi her secret crush, he was also the godlike figure she admired beyond measure.

Her faith and convictions were crumbling bit by bit, gradually being replaced by Qian Yun instead.

The Girl Killer tag was terrifying, especially a purple tag.

Leaf Great Combo.

This time, Qian Yun used Might Guy's move. Kakashi was too exhausted to react in time.

Kakashi suffered another heavy blow, but at the critical moment, he used the Shadow Clone Technique.

Bang!

Kakashi's shadow clone landed on the ground, yet it did not dispel immediately.

Whoosh!

Seeing Qian Yun panting heavily, Kakashi immediately flashed over, intending to finish Qian Yun with a perfect punch.

Bang!

The result was utterly unexpected. Qian Yun easily dodged Kakashi's fist, then spun around and struck hard.

Kakashi fell to the ground again.

This time, it was the real body. Kakashi had run out of chakra.

"He's strong!" Minato Namikaze said only three words.

Kakashi lay sprawled on the ground, gasping for breath as he slowly spoke.

"How did you see through that final attack?"

Qian Yun shook his head. "I couldn't. I was just preparing for the worst!"

Preparing for the worst?

No one understood what he meant until Minato Namikaze announced the end of the match.

Bang!

Qian Yun turned into a puddle of water again, and everyone collectively sucked in a breath.

Qian Yun's real body appeared. It turned out he had been hiding in a corner all along, fighting from start to finish with a Water Clone Technique.

They had lost.

Every participant was completely convinced, unable to find even the slightest excuse.

In truth, Qian Yun was feeling rather troubled. His original plan had been to surrender.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi had quietly arranged the next-stage assignments for the new graduates from the stands.

Genin had to carry out endless missions, while chunin led teams as captains.

Since he would be stuck doing endless missions either way, Qian Yun could only choose to become a captain.

What if he got some idiot captain who got them killed during a mission? Wouldn't he be doomed along with them?

He would not allow that to happen.

Qian Yun became a chunin, and the matter of Kakashi being repeatedly reported for lacking team awareness finally received a verdict.

He remained a chunin.

"I want to challenge Qian Yun!"

Genma Shiranui suddenly jumped out, his face beaming with delight.

Obito said, "Count me in!"

Asuma, Kurenai Yuhi, and the others all jumped into the arena, their eyes shining.

It seemed they had all found Qian Yun's weakness.

Kakashi also said, "I want another challenge too!"

Qian Yun raised his chin. "I refuse!"

Everyone: ...

Qian Yun's single sentence left everyone dumbfounded. In theory, the challenged party had the right to refuse.

No reason was needed.

Kakashi stepped forward. "If you win, I'll teach you Chidori!"

Qian Yun's gaze changed. "And the Headhunter Technique!"

"Deal!" Kakashi agreed without the slightest hesitation.

Just as the two were about to fight, Asuma hurriedly shouted.

"I can teach you Ash Pile Burning!"

Kurenai Yuhi said, "I'll teach you the essence of Yuhi Swordsmanship!"

Seeing this, the children all began shouting, offering to teach their own clan's special techniques.

Although many clans' ninjutsu were no longer secrets, Qian Yun was still deeply tempted.

"Then it's settled!"

After Qian Yun spoke, Kakashi had everyone temporarily step back.

However, Might Guy said, "While Qian Yun still has plenty of stamina, I want to be the first to challenge him!"

Asuma said, "I don't want to fight someone who's too exhausted either!"

The group of children began arguing, giving Kakashi a massive headache.

"Hey! You don't need to argue. In my eyes, you're all trash. Even if you come at me together, I'm not afraid!"

The moment those words came out, the scene erupted. Everyone shouted about making Qian Yun unable to get back up.

Kakashi was speechless. He suddenly realized Qian Yun might have a problem with his character.

Minato Namikaze said, "Listen carefully. Even in an eighteen-against-one battle, you are not allowed to endanger your comrades' lives!

Now then, the challenge match... begins!"

Water Release, Hidden Mist Technique Version 4.0.

"Die, you smug bastard!"

Genma Shiranui flashed over, only to discover that Qian Yun had dispersed like mist.

Kakashi said, "Be careful. He may have already flashed over here!"

Kurenai Yuhi said, "Watch me use genjutsu to find that bastard!"

Thud!

The moment Kurenai Yuhi finished speaking, she collapsed to the ground, trembling slightly.

"This is... chakra-paralyzing poison?"

Thud, thud, thud...

As soon as Kurenai Yuhi spoke, the children collapsed one after another.

Sigh!

Shinku Yuhi sighed, then flashed away.

Minato Namikaze said, "The challenge match is over. The winner is Qian Yun!"

After saying that, Minato Namikaze also flashed away, apparently unwilling to keep chatting with the children.

Obito said, "Hey, Qian Yun, you cheated! How can you use poison in a duel?"

Qian Yun appeared in the stands. "I'm a medical ninja. Poison is like the explosive tags and kunai you use, or like the ninja insects and ninja hounds!

My ninjutsu doesn't break any rules, unless you make the Aburame Clan stop using ninja insects and the Inuzuka Clan stop using ninja hounds!"

The children had nothing to say, lowering their heads in silence.

Qian Yun took out another medicine bottle and formed hand seals. The antidote was quickly released through the mist.

Though unwilling, Kakashi still taught him Chidori and the Headhunter Technique.

Qian Yun had lightning-nature chakra, but there was truly very little of it. Even after exerting himself for a long time, he could only produce a few arcs of electricity.

The essence of the Yuhi Clan's swordsmanship, however, benefited Qian Yun greatly.

The next day, at noon.

Qian Yun received a notice telling him to collect a mission at the Hokage's office.

"Lawless elements in the Land of Crafts have once again seized supplies. Your mission is to bring the supplies back, and you must not reveal any information to outsiders, not even your teammates!

Do you understand?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression remained calm as he spoke, but Qian Yun sneered inwardly.

A robbery was a robbery, yet he made it sound so righteous.

If the matter was exposed, he would probably become the scapegoat. Even if he did not die, he would become a rogue ninja.

"Understood!"

Qian Yun accepted the mission scroll expressionlessly, then left in apparent calm.

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned. He could not figure out what Qian Yun was thinking.

No, judging by this kid's performance during the Chunin Exams, he might very well cause some kind of trouble.

With that in mind, Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly summoned Aburame Shiken and ordered him to monitor Qian Yun throughout the mission.

As for the Uchiha Clan and Danzo, they could be set aside for now. He doubted they could stir up much trouble.

At the gates of Konoha Village.

Qian Yun changed into new clothes and slung on a travel pack he had bought in the Land of Fields. He did not look like a ninja at all.

He had assumed his teammates would be two chunin, and highly experienced ones at that.

But then...

"Hey... Brother Qian Yun..."

Five-year-old Shisui was shouting from far away, skipping and hopping as he ran over.

"Shisui? What are you... Oh my god, don't tell me you're my teammate?"

Hehehe...

Shisui giggled and showed off his little backpack. He looked like a kindergarten child heading off to school.

Qian Yun's mouth twitched. Hiruzen Sarutobi was simply inhuman.

He had actually sent a five-year-old child on a long journey, and for a C-rank mission at that.

Qian Yun was still debating whether he should ask Hiruzen Sarutobi to replace his teammate when another familiar face arrived.

Kakashi Hatake.

This guy still wore that dead-fish-eyed expression, and his aura was terrifyingly calm.

Qian Yun broke out in a sweat.