You? You'd Need Another Hundred Years to Beat Me!

As their team leader, he had no intention of joining the fight. With a sudden whoosh, Uchiha Yi and his two teammates charged out.

The bandits immediately noticed the commotion. Someone shouted, "Enemy attack! Ninja! Run!"

"They're ninja! Get help!" But they were already too late.

Kawaguchi Ichiro and Kobayashi Shino attacked together. Kawaguchi formed a hand seal and shouted, "Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

Roaring wind hurled loose stones at the bandits, knocking down a whole swath of them.

Kobayashi Shino formed hand seals for a Water Release technique. "Water Release: Wild Water Wave!" A torrent surged forward, taking down another group.

These bandits were ordinary people with no chakra. They had no way to withstand a ninja's attacks. The remaining bandits were scared out of their wits, screaming, "Ninja! Run for your lives!"

But where could they run? Uchiha Yi's gaze turned cold. His hands flashed through a series of seals as he growled, "Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!"

A pillar of flame erupted from his Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique, instantly engulfing the Bandit Hideout in a sea of fire. Those who had not escaped were swallowed by the flames, screaming a few times before their legs kicked and they died.

Before long, all the remaining bandits had become blackened heaps of charcoal.

Though he had prepared himself for this, the sight of those charred remains still made Uchiha Yi's stomach churn.

He gritted his teeth, but could not hold it down and vomited with a retch.

He had not forgotten that Genma Shiranui, Kawaguchi Ichiro, and Kobayashi Shino were all watching him intently.

Genma Shiranui crouched beside him, tucked the tightly rolled mission sheet into his pocket, and offered a casual compliment. "Nice work with that Fire Release."

But when Uchiha Yi raised his head, Genma's gaze suddenly froze. "You... awakened your Sharingan?"

A single tomoe now floated in each of Uchiha Yi's eyes, all because he had deliberately stopped suppressing his chakra.

Sure enough, Kawaguchi's and Kobayashi's eyes instantly lit up before they quickly lowered their heads to hide it.

After returning to Konoha, Genma Shiranui immediately went to report to the Third.

The Third listened with his pipe between his lips, then murmured, "Oh? The boy awakened his Sharingan?"

Genma nodded. "Yes. The shock of his first kill triggered it."

The Third put down his pipe. "Is he holding up all right?"

Genma thought for a moment before answering, "He threw up a few times, but nothing serious."

The Third hummed. "Then carry on as usual. Keep an eye on him."

Genma acknowledged the order. "Yes, sir!"

Although Uchiha Yi had only awakened his Sharingan at twelve, the Third did not find it particularly unusual. Danzo, however, had a completely different reaction when he received Kawaguchi's and Kobayashi's report.

Danzo sneered, staring at Kawaguchi and Kobayashi. "Hmph. Awakening his Sharingan just from killing an ordinary person? Uchiha Yi really is Uchiha stock-and a sinner who's easy to manipulate."

He continued, "Good. Keep watching him closely. Let's see how far this little Uchiha seedling can grow."

The two answered in unison, "Yes, sir!"

Over the next two or three days, Uchiha Yi followed his squad on routine missions. Genma Shiranui said he was giving them time to adjust.

But during those days, Kawaguchi and Kobayashi watched him with increasingly eager eyes, though a chill always lurked beneath their gazes. Uchiha Yi knew Danzo was about to make his move.

Sure enough, as soon as those three peaceful days ended, the squad received another bandit extermination mission.

From then on, it was one bandit suppression mission after another. Genma Shiranui had not paid much attention at first, but eventually even he realized something was wrong.

Especially during this latest mission, when Uchiha Yi's Sharingan suddenly evolved into a Two-Tomoe Sharingan. Genma immediately understood: someone was deliberately stimulating his Sharingan.

Genma acted decisively, finishing off the remaining bandits before leading the three back at a run. But the very trouble he feared found them anyway: someone blocked their path halfway home.

Genma looked up. Seven or eight black-clad men stood before them. Their chakra signatures were all at chunin level or above, with a special jōnin among them and even the presence of a jonin.

Sweat beaded on Genma's forehead. He immediately shouted, "Run! I'll hold them off!" Then he charged in to engage the enemy.

Uchiha Yi and the other two retreated, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes. Well, well. Danzo really couldn't hold back anymore. All seven or eight of them were from Root, including an old acquaintance who had been watching him all along.

He did not dare make his move yet. Genma was still nearby, after all. He had to wait until he was beyond Root's reach.

The three ran for a while. Once they were certain no one had caught up, Kawaguchi and Kobayashi suddenly stopped.

Kawaguchi Ichiro instantly formed hand seals and shouted, "Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere!" A wind bullet shot straight at Uchiha Yi, striking him and sending him flying backward with a scream.

Kobayashi Shino immediately followed with a Water Release technique. "Water Release: Water Prison Technique!" A sphere of water enveloped Uchiha Yi, trapping him inside.

Kawaguchi grinned. "Got him!"

Kobayashi smiled too. "That easy?"

Uchiha Yi looked terrified. "Kawaguchi Ichiro? Kobayashi Shino? What are you doing?"

Kawaguchi spread his hands. "What are we doing? Taking you back to complete our assignment, of course."

But they had barely fled any distance when an ominous disturbance came from behind them. In the blink of an eye, five figures appeared.

One was a special jōnin, while the other four were chunin. The other two special jōnin and the jonin were already keeping Genma Shiranui occupied.

Still trapped in the water prison, Uchiha Yi immediately erupted at the sound. "Did you kill Genma-sensei? Who are you? Kawaguchi Ichiro, Kobayashi Shino, have you betrayed us?"

Kawaguchi Ichiro was just about to explain when the special jōnin beside him suddenly glared at him and snapped, "Shut up."

Kawaguchi shrank back in fright and immediately fell silent.

Uchiha Yi rolled his eyes inside the water prison and clicked his tongue. "What's there to hide? You're just Danzo's dogs, aren't you? Do you really think I know nothing?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a cloud of white smoke burst inside the water prison, and Uchiha Yi vanished.

By the time Kawaguchi and the others realized it had been a clone, the special jōnin had already clenched his fists, staring at the Uchiha Yi who had suddenly appeared.

He spoke coldly. "Uchiha Yi, it seems we underestimated you. But you still won't escape today."

Uchiha Yi wasted no words and activated his Sharingan. First, his Three-Tomoe Sharingan spun rapidly; a moment later, it transformed into a five-pointed star pattern.

The special jōnin's expression instantly changed. Before he could order an attack, Uchiha Yi raised his hand and unleashed a genjutsu: Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique.

Everyone present froze, unable to move a muscle. Within seconds, they all collapsed. Even Kawaguchi and Kobayashi failed to escape.

He did not interrogate them. Danzo had placed cursed seals on the tongues of Root members, and speaking about anything related would paralyze their entire bodies. He would get nothing out of them.

After dealing with the group, he immediately ran toward Genma. Sure enough, the jonin had only been stalling Genma rather than trying to kill him and soon withdrew.

He arranged the scene to make it look as though he had been badly wounded and knocked unconscious, even cutting a few superficial wounds into himself. Before long, Genma caught up.

Seeing only Uchiha Yi at the scene, Genma hurriedly examined him. Once he confirmed the boy was still breathing, he carried him back to the village, handed him over to the Medical Department, and rushed off to report to the Third.

Standing before the Third, Genma explained what had happened. Though he did not state it outright, the Third understood immediately and sighed.

The Third thought of what Danzo had done, then recalled that Uchiha Yi had been training in the Eight Gates under Might Guy and could already open the fifth gate. Guy had even sought his permission, and he had agreed, believing that Uchiha Yi would not hate Konoha with Guy's and his father's influence.

If this continued, Danzo would inevitably drive Uchiha Yi into turning against Konoha.

Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped his fingertips against his desk and sighed softly, deeply troubled.

Although he was the Third, Danzo's messes truly gave him a headache.

Three days later, Uchiha Yi finally "woke up" after pretending to be unconscious.

The Third came personally to check on him. Uchiha Yi remained calm and immediately delivered the story he had prepared.

He said unidentified attackers had surrounded him and tried to kill him, while his teammates had suddenly turned against him. Forced to open the fifth gate of the Eight Gates, he had barely managed to win. He had even made his body appear to have suffered from overusing the Eight Gates, and the Third's personal examination revealed no flaws.

To make his story more convincing, he added that his Sharingan had evolved into a Three-Tomoe Sharingan in that life-or-death moment, allowing him to win at the cost of severe injuries.

When the Third heard that his Sharingan had evolved into a Three-Tomoe Sharingan, his gaze froze. Shock filled him, strengthening his earlier resolve.

After learning what had happened, the Third did not linger. He turned and left.

No one disturbed Uchiha Yi after the Third departed. What he did not know was that the Third summoned Kakashi as soon as he returned.

Looking bewildered, Kakashi scratched his head. "Lord Third, are you sure about this? Putting Uchiha Yi in Team 7?"

The Third sighed and explained everything that had happened.

"Uchiha Yi's father rendered meritorious service to the village, and Guy thinks very highly of this boy. I can't let Danzo ruin him. I originally wanted to assign him to Guy, but Guy's students are all from the previous graduating class, so that wouldn't fit. Besides, Naruto and Yi get along well, and Sasuke is the last Uchiha survivor. They'll make a suitable team."

Kakashi gave him a dead-eyed look, grumbling inwardly, After all that, what am I supposed to say?

The next day, Kakashi brought Uchiha Yi, whose injuries had "mostly healed," before Naruto and the others.

Kakashi stood between them, adopting a teacher's air. "An announcement. Starting today, Uchiha Yi is officially joining Team 7. He'll be your teammate from now on."

Naruto's eyes lit up. Slapping his thigh, he shouted, "Yi, that's awesome! We're teammates now! Let's celebrate with ramen later!"

Sakura frowned. "Kakashi-sensei, aren't teams only supposed to have three people?"

Sakura pretended to be confused, but inside she was hopelessly torn. Sasuke on one side, Yi on the other... who should I choose? This is so hard!

Over the past few years, training in the Enhanced Eight Gates had given Uchiha Yi an exceptionally well-proportioned physique, and his looks had undergone a complete transformation. He was undeniably handsome.

Kakashi waved a hand. "This is a special case. Anyway, you're teammates now. Just remember that. Dismissed!" With that, he vanished in a puff of white smoke.

Sasuke snorted and glanced at Uchiha Yi, his tone unfriendly. "I hope you won't drag us down like a certain dead last."

Naruto instantly exploded, jumping up and shouting, "Hey! Sasuke, who are you calling dead last?"

Sasuke curled his lip. "Whoever answers."

Naruto stamped his feet in fury. "Damn it! I challenge you to a duel!"

Sasuke looked utterly disdainful. "You? You'd need another hundred years to beat me!"

Naruto immediately lost his temper and started brawling with Sasuke.

Sakura looked awkwardly at Uchiha Yi and said softly, "Yi-kun, I... I'm glad you're joining us."

Uchiha Yi nodded, then looked at the fighting pair with a headache. "Uh, to celebrate my joining Team 7, how about I treat everyone to ramen?"

Naruto immediately cheered. "Wow! Yi, you're the best!"

Sakura smiled too. "You're so nice, Yi-kun!"

Sasuke stubbornly snorted. "Hmph. I haven't had breakfast, so I suppose I can go along."

After joining Team 7, Uchiha Yi returned to a life of routine missions. Catching cats and finding lost objects was downright depressing.

When Naruto learned that Uchiha Yi had completed several C-rank missions, he was wildly envious and pestered Kakashi for bigger missions all day long.

But how could that be allowed? They had only graduated a little over a month ago, and Naruto's special status meant he could not leave the village casually.

Sasuke was also rather displeased, and there was a hint of envy in the way he looked at Uchiha Yi.

In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi studied Team 7's information, tapping his fingertips against the desk as he considered their next assignment.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had just slapped a stack of cat-finding and babysitting errands onto the desk when Naruto jumped up and yelled.

"No, no, no! I'm not doing those errands! Give me something worthwhile! A C-rank mission like the ones Yi did!"

This scene had already played out countless times, so Uchiha Yi barely paid attention. After all, he had just finished helping someone dig up sweet potatoes and figured they would go through the same routine again. But this time was different.

After Naruto badgered him for ages, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally relented.