Chapter 20

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"Let's take a break." After Kakashi finished speaking, he directly dropped the shinobi knife in his hand and sat down on the ground.

He was starting to feel a bit exhausted now. After all, he was only six years old, and his physical strength and chakra were already almost exhausted.

"Your swordsmanship has improved rapidly. I almost used my full strength just now."

Kakashi wasn't lying about this. He wasn't going to curry favor with the employer for the sake of a little mission reward; he hadn't held back at all with the speed of his Lightning Release and the sharpness of his Wind Release slashes.

But everything was blocked by Yoichi, and Kakashi's shinobi knife was wrapped in finger-thick lightning threads.

Although Wind Release counters Lightning Release, Yoichi's strength was still formidable. If Kakashi tried to use Wind Release to counter and shatter the lightning on his opponent's shinobi knife, Yoichi would turn the tables and overpower him with his strength.

Although Yoichi's swordsmanship lacked specific techniques, his speed was fast and his strength was immense. Coupled with the lightning-chakra mode's extreme speed, Kakashi felt that if he were to retaliate, he wouldn't be able to hold on and would have to resort to ninjutsu.

"In that case, let's take a rest, eat something to replenish energy, and continue later."

Yoichi wrote on a piece of paper, then brought over a lunch box filled with nutritious food.

Fresh seafood, freshly grilled meat, various fruits, and some not-too-bad tasting medicinal soups were all inside.

Yoichi didn't care about money; in a world where extraordinary power was common, obtaining money was easy. Those nobles hoarding money were all helping him to save it for him.

Kakashi didn't hesitate either; he had been mooching off Yoichi's food for the past few days. However, he was also a bit curious. Although ninjas weren't short of money, was such lavish spending really not a problem?

But just as Kakashi was about to enjoy the food, a piece of paper suddenly reached out to him: "Your father is also quite skilled at making money; it's just that your family is thrifty."

This guy...

Kakashi felt helpless. He strongly suspected that Yoichi was from the Yamanaka clan; otherwise, how could the guy know what he was thinking all the time? It was terrifying.

While resting after the meal, Kakashi suddenly spoke up, "Do you know about the rumors in the village?"

"You mean the rumors about me using my teammates, even deliberately abandoning them? Yes, I'm aware."

Kakashi paused for a moment, then continued, "Has someone talked to you about it?

Forget it, this was something my classmates from the ninja school told me. Even they know about it, so probably a lot of people in the village know. Originally, it was just a few people spreading it, but this time it spread too quickly."

Yoichi naturally heard this from Kakashi's thoughts. Besides staying at home and practicing during this time, he rarely went anywhere else, so he had just found out about the rumors spreading.

"Let them talk. These ignorant fools can only believe in such rumors."

Kakashi was taken aback and asked curiously, "Don't you care?"

"Why should I care about them? If they dare to speak in front of me, I'll kill them. Then they'll know the consequences of being mouthy without strength."

"What if the ones spreading rumors are stronger than you?"

"Then I'll remember them. Once I'm stronger than them, I'll kill them!"

Kakashi fell silent after hearing this. He didn't think Yoichi was joking just now. With his current diligent training, becoming stronger was only a matter of time.

Just from the progress in swordsmanship alone, Kakashi felt a bit pressured.

A week ago, this person hadn't even started learning swordsmanship, but now he was almost overpowering Kakashi.

'I should also practice more. I should ask my father for guidance when I have time and learn more advanced swordsmanship.'

"Let's continue training-"

Kakashi hadn't finished his sentence when both he and Yoichi turned their heads to one side simultaneously.

Soon, three ninjas emerged from the forest, each wearing masks with different animal designs, dressed in ANBU attire. The leader among them wore a black cloak.

The three quickly approached Yoichi and Kakashi. The ANBU leader in the black cloak spoke, "Uchiha Yoichi, we are Root ninjas. We have something to discuss with you!"

Kakashi, standing beside them, understood that they wanted to send him away. However, seeing Yoichi nod, he stood up and walked away.

After Kakashi left, the ANBU leader known as Ryouma continued, "Yoichi, rumors about you are spreading widely in the village, even reaching Root. However, to Danzo-sama, these are insignificant. As long as you hand over your Lightning Release Chakra Mode jutsu and join Root—"

"Shut up."

Yoichi took off his metal mask and sighed. When he opened his eyes again, they were already in the shape of the Sharingan.

"Root is truly despicable. First spreading rumors about me, then pretending to be kind and offering advice to settle the rumors, all while demanding my Lightning Release Chakra Mode jutsu. Oh, and they want me to join Root too, thinking they can research the Sharingan? Let me hear what else you want to do. Let me execute some difficult tasks, and if I fail, you'll just retrieve my body. Truly fitting for Root!"

Ryouma's expression changed upon hearing this, but fortunately, he was wearing a mask. However, in front of Uchiha Yoichi, whether wearing a mask or not made no difference.

"Yoichi, don't maliciously suspect Root and Danzo-sama. We are guardians in the darkness."

Hiss! 

Yoichi's body suddenly surged with lightning, then he dashed towards Ryouma and the other two Root ninjas.

"Yoichi, how dare you—"

Ryouma's heart tightened. He hadn't expected Yoichi to attack them, and his speed was incredibly fast! He closed a distance of over ten meters in an instant!

"Insect Jar!"

Ryouma quickly formed hand seals, and instantly, swarms of insects akin to dark clouds were released from his body, sweeping towards Yoichi under his command.

Once enveloped by the swarm, his chakra would be consumed, leading to his demise.

However, thunder roared violently, a dazzling lightning flash and arcs of lightning burst through the insect jar. Then, Yoichi landed a fierce punch on Ryouma's face while the other two Root ninjas were caught off guard.

Crack!

Bang!

The mask shattered, and Ryouma was sent flying more than ten meters by Yoichi's fist.

The other two Root ninjas reacted at this point, shouting angrily, "You're asking for death!" One drew his blade to strike while the other prepared a ninjutsu from a distance.

But Yoichi wouldn't give them a chance. The lightning on his body surged again, his speed like lightning.

Moreover, the lightning surrounding him could defend against ordinary attacks. He used his fists and palm strikes to repel the two.

Yoichi said coldly, "Get lost. Seeing you Root makes me sick. I won't give you Lightning Release Chakra Mode, even if it's for a dog. so report this to Elder Danzo."

"Uchiha Yoichi—"

"If you dare to make a move, come at me. But I'll kill you with all my might!"

Yoichi drew his shinobi knife, the lightning surging on his body showing no sign of dissipating but growing fiercer.

At this moment, Kakashi also arrived. Although he didn't hear what was said between the two sides, Yoichi's sudden attack startled him.

"Attacking Root. I'll report this to Danzo-sama. Even if you're from the Uchiha clan, you won't be spared!"

Ryouma touched the wound on his face, then glanced at Kakashi. With his white hair and short sword, he recognized him as the son of White Fang.

Moreover, they weren't too far from Konoha, and any noise from ninjutsu would attract ANBU.

---

After the three Root members left, Yoichi sat down, feeling sore all over. Continuously releasing a large amount of Lightning Release Chakra beyond his endurance was quite a burden.

He felt like even his muscles were somewhat damaged!

But hearing the despicable intentions of Root did make Yoichi feel angry and impulsive.

Kakashi asked, "Are you okay? What are you planning to do next?"

"I exceeded my body's limits. Resting for two days should be fine. Let's end it here today. I'll go see the clan elders next."

Yoichi picked up his metal mask from the ground. Before putting it on, he said to Kakashi, "Kakashi, the mastermind behind spreading rumors is a Root ninja. Remember what they did today. You might encounter a situation like mine."

(End of Chapter)