"I really don't know how you people were selected into the Anbu. Each generation is worse than the last!"
The scolded Anbu member was momentarily speechless.
He had served in the Anbu for years and was even a squad captain. But now, at only thirteen years old, this Mink had been appointed as the new Anbu captain—his direct superior. The captain couldn't help but feel unconvinced.
Being reprimanded so openly left him flustered. He knew he had made a mistake, but the sting of public humiliation burned through his pride. Beneath the mask, his face reddened with shame. He felt so embarrassed that he wished he could disappear.
The other Anbu members turned their masked gazes toward the source of the outburst. Confusion flickered in their eyes.
Who was this person?
Several Anbu squad leaders exchanged glances, silently confirming the same realization:
Not one of mine.
Not one of mine either.
Then… who?
For someone to show up and scold an Anbu captain to his face—who had the audacity?
"Cough, cough… She's my newly recruited bodyguard," Kazuki interjected, explaining before things escalated further.
At his words, realization dawned on the Anbu members. They suddenly understood why this "female guard" carried herself with such dominance. It turned out she was a "connected household," someone who had been brought into Anbu thanks to Captain Mink's influence.
"Almost overdoing it," Kazuki whispered to Tsunade.
If she caused any more trouble, her true identity might be exposed.
Tsunade had struck a deal with him—she was only here to have some fun and throw her weight around. After all, she had been away from Konoha for years. It wouldn't be convenient for her to openly interfere, even in something as critical as matters involving the Nine-Tails.
"Fine, got it," Tsunade muttered.
Her tone softened slightly, and for once, she actually seemed to be cooperating. Without another word, she stepped back and stood quietly behind Kazuki.
Her actions only reinforced the Anbu's suspicions. In their eyes, she was now definitely just a "connected household" riding on Captain Mink's authority.
At that moment, Kazuki shifted gears. "What's the situation?" he asked the sensory ninja at his side.
"Reporting, Captain Mink!" the ninja responded swiftly. "Iruka and Naruto have been knocked out. The Book of Seals has been stolen, and the perpetrators are fleeing southwest, at approximately seven o'clock."
Kazuki nodded.
His sharp gaze swept over the gathered Anbu members before he gave his command:
"Everyone, move out!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Follow my lead. Head southwest, eliminate the enemy, and retrieve the Book of Seals!"
For a brief moment, the Anbu members hesitated. Their hidden eyes betrayed shock.
Their disbelief wasn't directed at the order itself—it was at the so-called "bodyguard."
This… This wasn't just a simple connection, was it?
This was outright favoritism!
Even Tsunade was caught off guard.
She had never expected Kazuki to put her in charge of retrieving the Book of Seals.
"What about you?" she asked. "Where are you going?"
Kazuki raised a hand.
Resting in his palm was a tiny mechanical mouse, its metal body gleaming faintly in the dim light.
Even in the darkness, Tsunade immediately recognized it for what it was—one of Kazuki's highly advanced ninja tools.
She had already received tracking equipment from him before, such as the Feather Chain and the Tracking Bow, but every time he unveiled a new creation, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of greed.
Each piece was a priceless marvel—an invaluable asset in the field.
At that moment, Kazuki processed the latest information transmitted from his mechanical scout.
Things weren't quite as he had anticipated.
Because of that, he had to adjust his strategy.
"Tsunade, I'm leaving this mission to you. I have other matters to handle—I'll explain later," he said before abruptly vanishing into the night.
Before anyone could react, he had already disappeared into the distance, his silhouette fading into the darkness.
Where no one could see, a smirk curled on Kazuki's lips.
His eyes glinted with cold amusement.
"Interesting... So they actually dared to make a move on my home while I was away?"
"Is it this way?"
"Yes, hurry up. Danzō-sama ordered us to move quickly."
Whoosh whoosh—
Shadows darted across the rooftops of Konoha's Commercial District, their destination… Kazuki's home.
They were remnants of Root—Danzō's direct subordinates.
Tonight, their mission was clear: capture two civilians—Kazuki's parents, the owners of a ninja tools shop.
This night was destined for chaos.
Tonight, Konoha… would not know peace.
Shhhhhh—
The sharp whistle of something cutting through the air came suddenly.
In the pitch-black night, kunai gleamed with a cold light, streaking toward the three Root jōnin with deadly intent.
"Enemy attack!"
Despite the darkness, the subtle sound of projectiles slicing through the air was unmistakable to seasoned shinobi. The leading Root ninja reacted swiftly, striking away the incoming kunai with a sharp clang.
But just as he turned to warn his comrades—
Puff!
The very same kunai, which had seemingly been deflected, twisted unnaturally midair and stabbed into his shoulder.
"W-what… is this?!"
Shock coursed through him. He was sure he had knocked the kunai away—how could it have hit him?
At that moment—
Thud. Thud.
His two companions let out strangled grunts as kunai found their mark.
"This isn't normal… stay sharp!"
The three Root operatives instinctively moved back-to-back, scanning the darkness, senses on high alert.
"Yo, is this all Root is capable of?"
A voice—young yet mocking—rang in their ears.
Their muscles tensed.
"Who's there?!"
"Hehehe…"
A chuckle echoed from the shadows before a figure stepped into view.
A boy.
He stood casually, exuding confidence, not even assuming a battle stance.
"If I hadn't revealed myself, would you even be able to sense me? Root really has fallen."
He shook his head, as if disappointed.
The three Root operatives hesitated. The hunter… had become the hunted.
The way those kunai moved was unnatural.
And this boy—his presence was overwhelming. He stood before them alone, yet made no attempt to defend himself.
They shouldn't make any sudden moves.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" one of them barked. "Why did you attack us?!"
"Oh? You really don't know?" The boy laughed—a crazed edge in his tone.
"If you lay a hand on my family, you'd better be prepared for the consequences!"
His words barely settled before—
BOOM!
A surge of chakra erupted from his body, crackling through the air.
"Breath of Water, Fifth Form—Blessed Rain After the Drought."
In a flash, he was in front of them.
Azure light gleamed as his blade arced through the air.
Shinnng—!
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