Chapter 201: What? I Still Have to Teach Him How to Beat Me?

Compared to Minato, Uchiha Ci undoubtedly possessed an exceptional physique.

While both were gravely injured, Minato, having been impaled by Kushina, had a gaping wound that would take three months to heal.

But Uchiha Ci?

Thanks to his immortal body, the forbidden jutsu Body Revival, and his newly acquired Tailed Beast physique, the two arms he lost from his reckless behavior had already regenerated without anyone noticing.

The moment he woke up, he was bouncing out of bed, a display of vitality that made Minato, lying helpless on the hospital bed beside him, envious beyond words.

Soon, under the watchful eyes of Jiraiya and Minato, Uchiha Ci followed Aburame Ryoma out of Konoha Hospital, heading south.

On the way, they passed by the ninja academy and eventually arrived at the Hokage Building beneath the colossal Hokage Rock.

However, instead of taking him straight to the Hokage's office to report, as would be customary for a ninja, Aburame Ryoma led him to the second floor of the Hokage Building. They entered a room filled with shelves, furnished with sofas, benches, and a central table, resembling a break room.

Scattered on the table were several idle playing cards.

Uchiha Ci immediately realized something. This was likely the same room from the original series where Kakashi worked after joining the Anbu.

Anbu members could even play cards at work—it really seemed like a cushy job. No wonder Might Guy was desperate to join Anbu; he probably just wanted to play cards with Kakashi every day!

"This is where Anbu teams gather and check in," Aburame Ryoma explained as he walked ahead, leading Uchiha Ci to a cabinet by the window. He pulled out a key and tossed it to Uchiha Ci. "This cabinet is yours from now on."

"Put on the uniform inside, and follow me."

Taking the key, Uchiha Ci opened the cabinet and found three sets of neatly folded Anbu uniforms.

From the original series, he knew Anbu uniforms came in two variations, issued based on the season.

The three uniforms before him each had distinct designs:

The first was a short vest version, predominantly black, sleeveless, with a silver vest overlay that stood out. It came with arm guards, knee pads, and open-toe ninja boots with thick soles.

The second was a long vest version, similar in design but offering more coverage.

The last... was the flashy, midriff-baring outfit similar to what Sai wore in the original series.

Just then, Aburame Ryoma approached with a sly grin, pointing at the third set of clothing. He remarked playfully, "You have to wear this one. It's the official uniform for Root~!"

"Absolutely not!"

Staring at the flamboyant, midriff-baring outfit, Uchiha Ci was horrified. If he wore that in front of Mei Terumi or Hidan, they'd never stop laughing at him!

Without hesitation, Uchiha Ci gritted his teeth, pushed away his flamboyant superior's amused face, grabbed the standard Anbu uniform that matched Kakashi's, and quickly put it on. He also donned the blue cat-face mask included in the cabinet.

Afterward, he turned to Aburame Ryoma with a blank expression. "Let's go."

Aburame Ryoma smiled, also putting on his mask. But instead of leaving immediately, he lounged on the break room sofa and gestured to Uchiha Ci. "No rush. We're waiting for one more member."

As he spoke, a small white snake suddenly slithered out of a corner in the room, climbed onto the table, and delivered a scroll.

"This is... a messenger snake?" Uchiha Ci was momentarily stunned. Recognizing the snake, he looked at Aburame Ryoma in surprise. "What are you and Orochimaru up to now?"

Aburame Ryoma didn't reply. He simply opened the scroll, glanced over it, and let a faint smile creep across his face beneath his mask.

Time passed.

Before long, the break room door creaked open, and a timid head peeked inside.

"Hello...!"

"Lord Aburame Ryoma, and Lord Shura!"

"I... I'm Kinoe."

Hearing the voice, Uchiha Ci raised an eyebrow and looked over, freezing in place.

The newcomer wore a puffy black combat uniform with an Anbu vest over it, had cropped brown hair, and a forehead protector covering his face. He was even shorter than Uchiha Ci.

Looking at the familiar face, Uchiha Ci was momentarily dumbfounded.

This was none other than Konoha's second ninja after Hashirama Senju to wield Wood Release—Yamato.

At this point, Yamato hadn't yet experienced meeting Kakashi, the downfall of the Iburi Clan, or being recruited by the Third Hokage and given the name "Tenzo." He was still using the codename "Kinoe," assigned by Danzo.

In Root, "Kinoe" signified the most exceptional ninja.

But why would Danzo send this prized possession here?

Sending someone with Wood Release to work under an Uchiha—was this some kind of power flex?

"Right on time!"

Aburame Ryoma stood up from the sofa, grabbed Ko, and shoved him toward Uchiha Ci.

"From today onward, Uchiha Ci, this guy is your subordinate!"

"...?"

Uchiha Ci, bewildered, looked up at the small figure standing before him, growing even more confused. The world seemed to be getting more absurd by the moment.

Aburame Ryoma coughed lightly and nudged the still-dazed Uchiha Ci, speaking seriously. "Don't underestimate this kid. He holds a power that can terrify the entire ninja world—"

"Wood Release!"

Uchiha Ci scratched his head. He'd known this for a while. To play along with Aburame Ryoma's solemn expression, he feigned surprise and asked, "So, why is he here?"

"To follow me to Hell Valley on a suicide mission?"

"At his age, he's probably not capable of completing an S-rank mission, right?"

At this point, standing before two veterans with legendary achievements—both of whom had assassinated leaders of enemy villages—young Yamato blushed furiously.

He bowed deeply, a full ninety degrees.

"Lord Shura, I've been assigned to be your control tool in case you lose control!"

"Please take care of me in the future!"

"...???"

Uchiha Ci stared blankly at Aburame Ryoma, scratching his head.

Look at this kid—so straightforward!

He's outright telling me he's here to fight me?

"That's right," Aburame Ryoma replied earnestly, patting Uchiha Ci on the shoulder.

"Orochimaru has used some method to stimulate the Tailed Beast within you."

"Its power is immense, so you need a caretaker."

At this, Aburame Ryoma glanced at the bowing kid with an awkward expression.

"Though... given his age, hmm..."

"That's why you need to train him well—so he grows strong enough to take you down!"

"Yes, sir!"

Young Yamato bent even lower and shouted loudly, "I will work hard, Lord Shura!"

Uchiha Ci was dumbfounded by the absurdity of the situation. What the hell was going on?

It was bad enough that a kid was assigned to fight him, but now he was supposed to teach the kid how to do it?

The world had truly become surreal. Uchiha Ci instinctively activated his Sharingan, glancing at the Eight Trigrams Seal within him. There, the Zero-Tails—a pitiful, snake-like creature—raised its small head in a daze and scratched its red tuft of hair with its tail.

"Chirp?"

The creature let out a dimwitted noise, as if asking a question.

Uchiha Ci couldn't help but twitch his lips.

Seriously?

You call this immense power? Where's the evolution? I'm not seeing it.

Returning to reality, Uchiha Ci, speechless and exasperated, sighed under the eager gazes of Aburame Ryoma and the little kid before him.

He looked at the boy pledging loyalty to him and shook his head, feeling a slight headache.

"Fine. You can follow me for now."

After a pause, Uchiha Ci sized up the kid, rubbed his chin, and said thoughtfully, "Also—"

"For convenience, from today onward, your name will be—Yamato."