That way of thinking of yours is hopeless

"All right, all right. Here's a C-rank mission for you-protecting someone."

Naruto's eyes instantly lit up like bulbs, while Uchiha Yi's heart sank. He had a feeling something was going to go wrong.

Sure enough, a drunken middle-aged man staggered in: Tazuna.

An hour later, Team 7 gathered at the village gates.

Naruto was practically bouncing off the walls. Uchiha Yi understood why-this was Naruto's first time leaving Konoha.

But just as Naruto sidled up to Tazuna and started making a racket, Yi suddenly detected two concealed presences.

The group had just passed a patch of water when Kakashi and Sasuke noticed something was wrong, but before either could call out a warning-

Two dark figures suddenly sprang out. A chain wrapped straight around Kakashi's neck, restraining him instantly.

Uchiha Yi frowned. This sort of trouble was completely unnecessary.

"Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique!" A massive vortex of dragon-shaped flames swept over them in an instant, leaving two charred corpses on the ground.

The Substitution Technique burst apart, and Kakashi emerged unharmed, looking at Uchiha Yi in astonishment.

He had known Yi was unusually strong, but he hadn't expected him to take out two Chunin instantly.

Yi ignored everyone else's reactions and looked straight at Tazuna.

"Mr. Tazuna, mind telling me why a C-rank mission would attract Chunin?"

Tazuna trembled under Yi's stare. Still reeling from the killing he had just witnessed, he spilled everything.

Only then did Naruto and Sakura react. They turned and crouched beside the road, vomiting violently. It was their first time seeing ninja kill people, and the scene had been gruesome.

Sasuke felt a little sick too, but more than anything, he was shocked.

He and Yi were both Genin, yet Yi could kill Chunin in an instant. The gap between them was enormous.

Kakashi frowned as he addressed Tazuna.

"This isn't a C-rank mission at all. It's at least B-rank, yet you're paying so little. That's hardly fair."

Tazuna stammered, unable to get a word out.

Realizing Kakashi wanted to return to the village, Naruto shouted anxiously.

"Kakashi-sensei! Look at what this old man's going through! The people in the Land of Waves have it so rough. We have to finish the mission!"

Kakashi hadn't wanted to take the risk-Naruto was precious to Konoha, after all-but Uchiha Yi spoke up.

"Kakashi-sensei, let's keep going. This is Naruto and the others' first mission of this kind."

Kakashi paused, glanced at Sasuke nearby, then looked at Naruto's hopeful eyes. In the end, he nodded his agreement.

The mission continued.

They encountered no more attacks along the way, but both Kakashi and Tazuna knew the trouble wasn't over.

Yi knew it too. Their real opponent was still ahead.

A day later, the group finished their sea journey and finally reached the Land of Waves.

But the moment they entered town, Tazuna's face went pale. Kakashi's heart sank, and he regretted agreeing to continue the mission. It was too late to turn back now.

After they had walked a little farther, Kakashi suddenly raised his hand.

"Wait!"

Whoosh-bang! A massive dark shape flew toward them and slammed into the large tree ahead with a clang. It was an enormous sword.

Kakashi's pupils contracted, and he blurted out its name.

"The Kubikiribōchō."

A figure slid down along the Kubikiribōchō. Kakashi's expression instantly darkened. "The demon of Kirigakure-Zabuza Momochi!"

"Well, I was wondering why those two brats lost. So it was the famous Sharingan wielder, the Copy Ninja, Kakashi Hatake?"

The oblivious Naruto instantly bristled and started to charge forward. Sharingan? Sasuke shot Kakashi a startled glance, his eyes full of confusion. Kakashi has a Sharingan?

"Naruto, don't go charging in!" Uchiha Yi grabbed Naruto before he could rush off, then turned to Kakashi. "Kakashi-sensei, this guy looks tough. I'd like to trade a few blows with him."

No! That was Kakashi's first reaction. But after thinking it over, he didn't refuse outright. Instead, he said gravely, "All right. But if I notice anything wrong, I'll step in immediately."

"Sure, no problem." Uchiha Yi smiled.

Seeing only Uchiha Yi step forward infuriated Zabuza. "Hah, Kakashi, you're sending a brat to fight me? You really think so little of me, Demon Zabuza?"

"Hey, hairless old man, don't get so worked up. I'm more than enough to deal with you on my own." Uchiha Yi shrugged, looking amused.

"Is that so? You're quite the arrogant little brat. Let's see what you can actually do!"

"Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Technique!" With that low shout, thick white mist instantly billowed up around them.

"Eight places. Throat, spine, lungs, liver, carotid artery, subclavian artery, kidneys, heart. Which one should I strike?" Zabuza's voice drifted in from every direction, thick with murderous intent.

"What a boring trick. Zabuza, is that all you've got?" Uchiha Yi scoffed disdainfully.

"You really are an arrogant brat! Since you're so eager to die, I'll grant your wish!"

Boom! A fierce gust struck Yi head-on as Zabuza flashed before him and swung the Kubikiribōchō. With a wet slicing sound, Yi was cleaved in two, only to turn into a puddle a moment later. "A Water Clone?"

"Correct!" Uchiha Yi instantly appeared behind Zabuza and swept an upward spinning kick at him. "Konoha Whirlwind!"

Over the years, Uchiha Yi had learned plenty from Might Guy, building a solid foundation in both ninjutsu and Taijutsu.

Bang! Zabuza burst apart under the kick, turning into a puddle. "A Water Clone?" A flicker of disdain crossed Uchiha Yi's eyes. Without hesitation, he spun around and punched. "Strong Fist Technique: Powerful Punch!"

Yi had developed his Strong Fist Technique himself, using the Hyuga's Gentle Fist as a model. Though it was still unrefined, his chakra-coated fists packed considerable force. With a heavy thud, Zabuza was sent flying, sword and all. If he hadn't blocked the punch with the Kubikiribōchō in time, he would have been seriously injured.

"Your strength really is a surprise, brat!"

"Is it? I think it's pretty average."

"You really are arrogant, brat! Don't think your strength makes you my equal!" Zabuza vanished instantly and appeared soundlessly behind Yi. Bang! Without a second thought, Yi spun around and kicked.

"You can see me?" Zabuza was startled. No one had ever detected his Silent Killing Technique before.

"When did you get the idea that I couldn't? You think this little bit of white mist can block my eyes?" As he spoke, Uchiha Yi turned toward Zabuza, activating the Three-Tomoe Sharingan in both eyes.

"The Sharingan? You're from the Uchiha Clan?"

"Correct, but there's no prize!" Uchiha Yi smiled faintly.

"So that's it. Looks like I underestimated you. But a brat is still a brat. Even the Sharingan won't help you!" Zabuza activated "Body Flicker Technique: Mist Body Flicker!", flashed in front of Yi, and swung his sword.

"Honestly, why won't you listen?" Yi shook his head without dodging. A moment later, he was cut in half at the waist.

The blade had connected, yet Zabuza felt something was wrong. He saw that Yi's severed body had suddenly disappeared, along with the blood on the ground. This is... Zabuza's pupils contracted as a possibility occurred to him.

Suddenly, a cool voice came from every direction. "Welcome to my domain!"

As soon as the words faded, their surroundings abruptly twisted. Zabuza's eyelid twitched, and he immediately tensed.

"Genjutsu?"

"That's right."

Light and shadow flickered before his eyes, and Uchiha Yi appeared in front of him.

"I've heard plenty about the Uchiha Sharingan's genjutsu. Today, I finally get to see it for myself. But do you think this little illusion can stop me?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he gathered his chakra to break the illusion and shouted, "Release!"

But the distortion around him didn't fade in the slightest. He was still trapped in the genjutsu.

Yi curled his lip. "Tsk, tsk. That way of thinking of yours is hopeless."

"Don't get all indignant. My Illusion Realm isn't ordinary genjutsu. It's a unique ninjutsu I created by combining Tsukuyomi with my Limit Sharingan. It hasn't reached Tsukuyomi's level yet, but its potential is even greater. Maybe one day, it'll be able to go toe-to-toe with Infinite Tsukuyomi. Oh, right. You have no idea what Tsukuyomi is, do you? Infinite Tsukuyomi is even further beyond you."

"By ninjutsu rankings, Tsukuyomi is S-rank. Infinite Tsukuyomi has long since gone beyond the bounds of ninjutsu. If it were unleashed, hardly anyone in the Shinobi World could escape. My Illusion Realm isn't complete yet, though. It's only just touching the edge of S-rank."

"Yet you actually thought you could break it by gathering chakra and disrupting its flow through your chakra pathways? Do you think you're Kage Level?"

"Tsk, tsk. When it comes to wild ideas, Zabuza, I, Uchiha Yi, have to respect your nerve!"

After saying all that, Yi felt wonderfully relieved. He had finally let out the words he'd been holding in for so long.

He had been bursting to talk for a while now. He knew so many secrets and had no one to tell. With Zabuza as a captive audience, he could finally rant to his heart's content.

Zabuza's mind was a tangled mess. Tsukuyomi, S-rank, Infinite Tsukuyomi-even the names sounded terrifying. Yet his entire body seemed glued in place, unable to move so much as a fraction.

The thick mist gradually dispersed. Kakashi stared at the battlefield with a furrowed brow. Just as he was about to ask what had happened, he caught sight of Uchiha Yi's eyes and understood: genjutsu.

Sasuke stared fixedly at Yi's eyes, clenching his fists. Three tomoe! Yi has actually awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan! Damn it! He couldn't tell whether he was jealous of Yi or angry at himself.

Naruto sidled up to Kakashi and tugged his sleeve. "Kakashi-sensei! Yi's eyes changed! What is that? It's so cool! I want it too! How can I get eyes like his?"

Kakashi pressed a hand to his forehead and said nothing.

Suddenly, Kakashi's expression sharpened, and his gaze swept toward a certain direction. With a whoosh, a figure appeared out of nowhere, dressed in Kirigakure Anbu gear. Yi wasn't surprised at all. He had already expected Haku to arrive.

But as his gaze settled on Haku, Yi's eyes darkened. He's actually a guy! With a face that looks just like a girl's-what a waste!

A cool voice rang out, carrying a trace of barely perceptible tension. "Friends from Konoha, could you leave this Kirigakure Missing-nin for me to deal with?"

Yi turned to Kakashi. "He's a missing-nin from Kirigakure anyway. Leaving him to them would be best, right?"

Kakashi nodded. Haku thanked them and left with Zabuza. Watching their retreating figures, Yi sneered inwardly. He wasn't going to give that man another chance. Even if Zabuza survived, his Illusion Realm had already put him through hell.

Kakashi looked at Yi. "I never expected your skill in genjutsu to be so high. You actually managed to trap Zabuza in it."

Looking at Yi, Kakashi couldn't help marveling. Zabuza, Kirigakure's foremost murderous demon, had actually fallen to Yi's genjutsu. Although Yi had relied on the Sharingan's innate advantage, his skill in genjutsu was still truly impressive.