Chapter 52

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Kakashi instinctively felt that being a bounty hunter was not a good thing, but with his limited experience, he couldn't articulate why.

Sakumo had always taken a laissez-faire approach with Kakashi because of his frequent involvement in many A and S-ranked missions, which often kept him away from the village. Additionally, Kakashi was acknowledged as a prodigy, having become a ninja at the age of five.

In theory, becoming a ninja meant that Kakashi should be treated as an equal by his peers, as he was already capable of carrying out missions that involved killing.

Although Kakashi was young, he was a bona fide ninja. Therefore, Sakumo generally allowed Kakashi to make his own judgments, only offering advice when Kakashi was truly perplexed and sought it himself.

The last time Sakumo intervened was when Kakashi was involved in the matter of selling village secrets, which went against his principles as a ninja.

"Bounty hunter, won't this cause any problems?"

Kakashi scratched his silver hair, considering his limited options. Without becoming a bounty hunter, his only choice would be to wait for the next class of ninja academy students to graduate and form a new team with them.

"What could possibly go wrong, Kakashi? You are a ninja, but it seems you haven't seen the darker side of the shinobi world. The underground exchange is the darkest place of all."

Yōichi took a sip of his tea, then continued, "In the underground exchange, you can find all sorts of clients, even those who would kill their own fathers. And you can find almost anything there, from items to information. I went there last time just for that reason."

After explaining, Uchiha Yōichi placed his Raiden blade on the table.

Kakashi understood immediately; the captain was looking for chakra metal, which his family possessed. His father had left him a piece for when his swordsmanship reached maturity, so he could forge his own ninja sword.

"Wouldn't the village find out?"

"If you don't speak of it, and I don't speak of it, at most the village would know you're not around. The Anbu doesn't have the capability to track every detail."

Hearing this, Kakashi was silent for a moment, torn between the opportunity and his loyalty to the village.

"Alright, Captain, when do we leave?"

"Tomorrow. But first, I need to visit my clan to settle some matters."

Uchiha Yōichi pondered for a moment, then told Kakashi, "It might take a day or two, but it's fine. We'll be outside the village for a month anyway. So, Kakashi, come find me in the clan's area tomorrow noon."

"Understood, Captain."

Later, Yōichi suggested they make use of their free time by sparring in the yard.

He stood still, allowing Gates to apply a gravity technique, while Kakashi was instructed not to use any ninjutsu and rely solely on his swordsmanship.

Kakashi's mouth twitched beneath his mask, understanding the consideration given his abilities. But knowing Yōichi's strength, he also recognized the gap between them.

Although both were chūnin, Kakashi's strength was just at that level, whereas Yōichi's skill surpassed the chūnin rank, hindered only by the lack of formal assessment.

Before the spar, Yōichi asked the cook to prepare extra food, anticipating the additional appetite from their exertions.

Then, the two began their sparring match in the yard.

Yōichi, burdened with heavy weights, was undergoing a transformation, adapting to the gravity and weight. With his Sharingan, he could clearly see Kakashi's sword trajectories.

Despite the added weight and gravity, he managed to block all of Kakashi's strikes, though not without effort.

This served as training for Yōichi, as Kakashi's Wind Style: Cutting Technique was a counter to his Lightning Style, forcing Yōichi to improve his chakra flow and train in the Lightning Style chakra mode.

When it was time for dinner, the cook prepared the meal and left, and Mina had just returned.

"Yōichi-sama, I'm back. Oh, Kakashi is here too."

Upon seeing Kakashi, Mina clicked her tongue in her mind, then put her medical ninja coat back on before changing into another outfit for dinner.

During the meal, Mina learned that Yōichi and Kakashi were leaving the village, and she immediately said, "Yōichi-sama, please take me with you. My healing abilities—"

"No, Mina. You should focus on learning medical ninjutsu and sealing techniques in the village. Once you awaken your bloodline sealing ability, you can join me on missions."

Rejected by Yōichi, Mina felt dejected and silently resolved to devote as much time to learning sealing techniques as she did medical ninjutsu, hoping to awaken her bloodline sealing ability sooner.

After dinner, Kakashi, feeling the cold gaze of Mina, hurriedly excused himself.

"Captain, thank you for the meal. I must be going now."

"Leaving already? Have a cup of tea before you go."

"No, thank you. I have some matters to attend to at home."

With that, Kakashi quickly got up to leave.

Yōichi shook his head, wondering what Kakashi could possibly need to do alone at home, suspecting he might return to his "hobby."

Recalling the lack of entertainment in the shinobi world, Yōichi considered creating some popular works in his spare time.

The next day, Mina, still feeling unwilling, went to the Konoha Hospital, carrying three million ryō for Tsunade.

Kakashi arrived at the Uchiha clan area shortly after Mina left, "Captain, I'm here."

"Wait a moment. We'll leave shortly."

Seeing Kakashi without dark circles under his eyes, Yōichi nodded in approval, glad Kakashi hadn't stayed up late with his "hobby."

After preparing, they set off together.

However, before leaving the clan area, Yōichi encountered three clan members who looked at him with unfriendly eyes, supporters of the clan leader's peaceful faction.

"Hachidai-senpai, what should be done if a clan member attacks the clan leader?"

"Don't be foolish, Tetsuhiko. He's sided with the Second Elder. Be careful, or he might kill you too."

The two taunted Yōichi as they were about to pass each other, while the elder among them kept a hostile gaze on Yōichi without saying a word.

Yōichi sneered, then casually patted Tetsuhiko on the shoulder, "Yes, I've sided with the Second Elder, and I plan to become the clan leader. If you have a problem with that, feel free to report me to Fugaku-sama."

With that, Yōichi initiated his move, leaving Tetsuhiko feeling suddenly exhausted, as if he had been through a battle, his eyes tired and heavy.

(End of Chapter)