"Morning... Did Lady Tsunade injure your mouth?"
Kakashi saw Uchiha Yoichi coming over with a metal mask and immediately made a deadpan sarcastic remark.
[Why does it feel like he's imitating me? Doesn't wearing a metal mask feel uncomfortable? How does he deal with breathing?]
Uchiha Yoichi rolled his eyes. If only he could talk, he wouldn't let a six-year-old kid off so easily.
"Not uncomfortable at all, breathing has been taken care of, it's getting late, let's start training!"
Seeing the note Uchiha Yoichi wrote, Kakashi had the feeling his thoughts were completely seen through, and he gave him a somewhat suspicious look.
But since the employer requested it, he had no choice but to comply.
Kakashi then drew a ninja blade from his back, and as it was drawn, a sharp 'zzzz' sound and white glow enveloped the blade.
"I'm using the swordsmanship taught by my father, primarily using Wind Attribute Chakra, so please be careful."
The cutting power of Wind Escape and the speed of Lightning Release, that is the core of the White Fang Saber Technique.
From a young age, Kakashi trained with his father, achieving Genin-level strength by the age of five, so there was no way he hadn't learned his father's sword technique.
However, Kakashi now faced his employer, not an enemy. Even using the White Fang Saber Technique, he was mainly sparring, so the cutting power of the Wind Release Chakra couldn't be too high.
Kakashi quickly approached Uchiha Yoichi, slightly bowed, and thrust his blade.
The sharp cutting aura was like a fierce wind, and Uchiha Yoichi directly countered with a backhand slash to block.
With a clang, sparks flew as the two ninja blades collided.
Kakashi remained calm, withdrew his blade, and slashed again, while Uchiha Yoichi, despite only having One-Tomoe Sharingan, had better insight than Kakashi. Weak lightning wrapped around his blade as he blocked once more.
A slash and a block.
The speed of their attacks and defenses increased rapidly, soon becoming hard to discern their swinging arms.
Uchiha Yoichi gradually became proficient in swordsmanship, while Kakashi's attack angles became more cunning. Sometimes Yoichi could see Kakashi's attacking movements, but the angles made it quite challenging to block.
..........
After more than an hour, the two finally stopped to rest.
Uchiha Yoichi reminisced about the training earlier, feeling that his blade techniques had become more skilled; if he continued training this way, his improvements would surely be rapid.
"Just practicing like this isn't enough. When my father trained me in swordsmanship, he used various styles of sword techniques for sparring, and also Ninjutsu and other methods..."
After drinking water, Kakashi put on his mask and turned to Uchiha Yoichi.
"I will take on some tasks outside the village soon. A ninja gains the deepest experience from conflict..."
Kakashi thought for a moment hearing this, then spoke: "Can you bring me along? We could form a two-person team, allowing us to take on B-Class tasks."
Uchiha Yoichi replied, "Even without forming a team, I can take on B-Class tasks, and why would you choose me? Haven't you heard the rumors in the village?"
"A ninja must rely on their own judgment; you don't seem like someone who would betray a teammate, as that wouldn't benefit you at all."
Kakashi paused, then continued while turning his head, "Besides, there are no teams available for allocation, and my task record isn't extensive. Without forming a team, being able to take on a straightforward C-Class task would be fortunate."
For Konoha to ensure task success rates, tasks aren't assigned randomly. A Genin can theoretically take C-Class tasks, but individually can only take D-Class.
The same principle applies to Chunin.
Kakashi, although a Chunin with qualified strength, is only six years old. Last year, he graduated as a Genin, with only a few D-Class tasks under his belt. In this scenario, taking B-Class tasks is impossible.
He heard Uchiha Yoichi completed several B-Class tasks and, having interacted for a few days, doesn't see him as someone who uses teammates for task completion, hence the suggestion.
"Let's discuss it then; even if we take tasks, it'll be in half a month."
Uchiha Yoichi considered it for a moment; Kakashi's strength is stronger than previous Genin teammates.
"If we form a team, I must be the leader, and during tasks, you must follow my instructions."
Kakashi said, "Of course, I don't have any experience leading a team either."
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"Hiruzen, someone from the Uchiha Race acquired the Hiden Nin-Taijutsu from Hidden Cloud Village, why didn't you inform me of this?"
Inside the Hokage Office, a person with a bandaged right eye and leaning on a cane questioned Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Danzo, it was only Tsunade's speculation previously, confirmed just a few days ago."
Sarutobi Hiruzen put down his pipe, expressionless, as he spoke to Danzo. Tsunade mentioned it two days after she asked him, and since it was Uchiha Yoichi's own acquisition, what could he say?
He knew exactly what Danzo, his old teammate, was thinking; but there's no precedent in Konoha requiring a ninja to surrender their Ninjutsu. There are quite a few Secret Technique families; if this precedent were set, what would other Ninja Races think?
"That's the Hiden Nin-Taijutsu from the Hidden Cloud Village. Hiruzen, if Root could acquire it, we could cultivate some of the sharpest blades, solving many enemies for Konoha!"
Danzo knew what Sarutobi Hiruzen feared, but the other party is the Uchiha kid, and his reputation in the village isn't great.
Moreover, the Lightning Release Chakra Mode is truly precious; this Taijutsu marks the Raikage. Among Hidden Cloud Village, few ninjas train in this Taijutsu; likely fewer than thirty.
"If you're unwilling to ask, let me try. After all, it's just one Uchiha; Hiruzen, Konoha's Lightning Attribute ninjas are numerous, but it's the Ninjutsu that's lacking!"
Danzo's words left Sarutobi Hiruzen in silent thought for a moment before he lit his pipe again, took a puff, then spoke to Danzo.
"Danzo, be cautious with your methods; the Uchiha Race has been quite docile lately, don't overdo it..."
"Hm, Hiruzen, you've already forgotten why our teacher limited the Uchiha to the Security Team; Uchiha Fugaku's thoughts won't gain support from Homura and Koharu!"
Danzo coldly replied and then turned away to leave the Hokage Office.
'I'm the one who can best inherit our teacher's will; you only became Hokage because you were quicker than me; our teacher made the wrong choice!'
Returning to the Root Base, Danzo immediately instructed the person beside him, "Have Ryuma see me."
Soon after, a Root Ninja appeared in front of Danzo. Upon seeing Aburame Ryuma, Danzo directly ordered, "Ryuma, Uchiha Yoichi from the Uchiha Race acquired the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, go ask if he's willing to contribute this Nin-Taijutsu."
"Sir, what if he's unwilling?"
"If he's unwilling, then he'll face the harsh reality of the Ninja World!"