"That's enough for today, we've understood each other's strengths quite well. Let's call it a day, get some rest, and take on the mission tomorrow."
Uchiha Yoichi indicated to Kakashi to stop after their sparring session. After five days of battle training, he had a good grasp of Kakashi's full abilities.
His use of Lightning Release and Earth Release Ninjutsu is quite proficient, and his main combat method is the White Fang Blade Technique. His coordination between Ninjutsu is also good, and his instant control during combat is excellent.
Such skills are quite commendable among Chunin, making him a valuable companion on missions.
During these days, Uchiha Yoichi also didn't slack off. Besides swordsmanship and Lightning Release Chakra Mode, he also practiced Sharingan Genjutsu meticulously.
As for his sparring partner, it was naturally Kakashi.
He had some understanding of Illusion Techniques, and could defend against and dispel them, but in recent days, Uchiha Yoichi's Sharingan Genjutsu made him quite helpless.
Even though Uchiha Yoichi had mastered only two Sharingan Genjutsu techniques, they were several times more difficult for Kakashi to deal with compared to before.
He couldn't make direct eye contact with Uchiha Yoichi's Sharingan and had to beware of his gaze, making it extremely challenging for Kakashi to respond.
After falling for Sharingan Genjutsu four or five times, Kakashi refused further sparring with Uchiha Yoichi. Once caught in Sharingan Genjutsu, it's almost impossible to break out without help, and Kakashi had lost five or six times already.
"When should we meet tomorrow?"
"Nine o'clock, at the Hokage Building!"
"Alright, got it. I'll head back for now."
With that, Kakashi said his farewell and left.
Uchiha Yoichi also headed back. After consulting the Second Elder, the matter regarding Root had been settled, and there were no further developments. The rumors in the village had also noticeably decreased.
The Uchiha Security Team arrested over a dozen of the most notorious rumor spreaders and posted transmissions of their spreading rumors about Uchiha Yoichi.
Ordinary people are insignificant before ninjas, not to mention the Uchiha who can easily use Genjutsu to probe into one's mind.
The rumors subsided, though the Uchiha's reputation took a slight hit. When Uchiha Yoichi walks the streets, he notices fear in the eyes of ordinary people who look at him.
But in Uchiha Yoichi's view, the Uchiha Race doesn't need the villagers' adoration at all.
Those who hold power should naturally be followed by ordinary people; those who survive under the protection of ninjas have no right to turn against the Uchiha Race.
Haven't experienced the iron fist of the Security Team, have they?
As for who would train in the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, Uchiha Yoichi couldn't care less. This form of Nin-Taijutsu is extremely difficult to master, no less challenging than Gentle Fist's Revolving Heaven, essentially requiring Chakra to be released from most of the body's acupoints.
The Chakra Ninja Blade for Uchiha Yoichi was delivered, but the sender was not Uchiha Mabayashi but Uchiha Masato instead.
It's likely that the Second Elder handled everything, which is why his son delivered the blade.
This Chakra Ninja Blade was excellently forged with some minerals that enhance conduction. It combines both hardness and chakra conductivity, and with merely a touch of Chakra, Uchiha Yoichi made the lightning on the blade shine brilliantly.
Uchiha Yoichi named it "Lightning Blade," akin somewhat to one of the Seven Ninja Swords of the Hidden Mist Village, though he didn't care much for the resemblance.
Whether a weapon gains fame always depends on its user.
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The next day, the two arrived at the Hokage Building at almost the same time, greeted each other, and then walked inside.
Upon arriving at the mission office, the people inside looked a bit uneasy at the sight of Uchiha Yoichi.
Especially Sakuma, who had two ribs broken by Uchiha Yoichi last time, taking a few days in the hospital to recuperate.
Afterward, he found out that Uchiha Yoichi wasn't punished at all; instead, those who were fervent in spreading rumors were apprehended by the Security Team and severely punished.
This fueled rage within Sakuma's heart. His friend had died in Uchiha Yoichi's squad, and he was left with two broken ribs by Uchiha Yoichi. Even speaking ill of Uchiha Yoichi could risk being taken by the Security Team.
Now, seeing Uchiha Yoichi, Sakuma's eyes held both resentment and fear, afraid deep down that Uchiha Yoichi might strike him again.
"We're here to pick up a mission, B-Class, prioritize assassination type, with personnel Uchiha Yoichi and Hatake Kakashi."
Uchiha Yoichi glanced at Sakuma, then ignored him, approaching a ninja closer to the mission office.
The ninja, realizing that Uchiha Yoichi was talking to him, quickly responded, "Please wait a moment, I'll check for you...."
"There are quite a few B-Class tasks left. These are the assassination types; choose for yourself."
Uchiha Yoichi looked over the tasks, noting that many assassination commissions were aimed at Konoha and that the B-Class tasks explicitly mentioned this point behind them.
"This one and that one, please record them."
"Are you taking on two B-Class tasks?"
"That's right, record them, please."
"This... doesn't follow protocol; I must consult Lord Hokage."
The ninja in the mission office expressed difficulty, and seeing no reaction from Uchiha Yoichi, he got up and went to the Hokage Office.
Seeing this, Kakashi leaned in and whispered, "Perhaps we should first take on one task to play it safe."
"No need, these two tasks are aligned along the route from the Land of Grass to the Land of Earth. If we take them one at a time, we'll waste seven or eight days traveling back and forth."
Kakashi gave him a deadpan look, as this captain of his was not worried about mission failure at all but was concerned about wasting time.
One task involved a minister from the Land of Grass, and the other a Hidden Rock Village spy post. Neither seemed particularly difficult.
After a while, the ninja returned to the mission office and addressed Uchiha Yoichi and Kakashi, "Lord Hokage has approved it. I'll assist you with the paperwork."
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Deep underground in a secluded base within Konoha Village
This was the Root, and upon its establishment, Danzo fancied himself as the root supporting Konoha and providing its nourishment, leading to the base being built underground.
"Leaving the village? Hmph, pulling a move here is hard indeed, but outside the village you're courting death yourself...."
Danzo's eyes flashed with a cold gleam. That old Uchiha Kenji protected Uchiha Yoichi so his Root couldn't act within the village, but outside the village....
"Lord Danzo, Hatake Kakashi and Uchiha Yoichi have formed a team; if we move against them...."
"Who said we are to move against them? That vile Uchiha has been practicing the Hidden Cloud's secret Nin-Taijutsu; with the Raikage's temper, would he overlook this matter?"
"Are you suggesting...."
"Sell the information to the Hidden Cloud Village, then have a squad from Root follow behind. We must provide the final guarantee!"
Danzo tapped his cane, then chuckled coldly, "A Two-Tomoe Sharingan, skilled indeed, but unfortunate not to be utilized for Konoha."