The murmurs inside the room had ended, though a few curious eyes still lingered on the newcomers.
"Hello everyone, I'm Squad Leader Maple, and these are my three teammates."
Looking forward to working with all of you.
Minato raised his right hand and casually gestured toward Yahiko and the others, greeting everyone openly.
The name "Maple" was given by Sakumo. He feared Minato might pull another stunt—dreaming up some ridiculous codename that would tarnish the Anbu's reputation.
Everyone responded at different paces, each sensing Minato's sincerity.
"Excuse me, is there anyone from the former Torimaki unit here?"
"I'm the new squad leader."
Nawaki stepped forward. He'd only just received the documents and hadn't found his team members yet.
"Well then, you might have a bit of trouble."
"They're just waiting at Training Ground One."
One of the Anbu let out a chuckle—he clearly looked forward to watching the show unfold.
Seeing is believing.
Many doubted just how capable Nawaki really was.
"Thanks. I'll go find them."
"And we'll be known as the Fire Unit from now on."
Unfazed by their attitudes, Nawaki gave a wave and walked out the door.
If he couldn't handle his three Anbu underlings, Minato would never let him live it down.
"Let's go too. We'll tag along."
Minato and the three behind him followed Nawaki's steps.
The rest of the Anbu followed suit. With no mission today, watching this play out seemed entertaining enough.
Led by those eager to see what would happen next, the group marched together toward Training Ground One.
Three masked Anbu stood idly chatting in the training field.
One crouched atop a wooden post, flanked by two others standing upright on either side.
"He's here."
The one seated caught sight of Nawaki leading the group and spoke first.
With that, he leapt from the post and stood beside the other two.
"You're the members of the Torimaki unit?"
Nawaki stopped about a meter away from the three.
Though barely fifteen, Nawaki was already as tall as an average adult. Wearing his mask, his youthful expression remained hidden.
His experience during the Second Shinobi World War had matured him—his voice now carried weight and presence.
"Yes."
They replied in unison, a response that satisfied Nawaki.
"Starting today, I will be your new squad leader."
"And our unit will now be called the Fire Unit."
"Any objections?"
Nawaki didn't want to carry on the former leader's name. "Fire" represented his family legacy—three Hokage had emerged from this single bloodline, and none elsewhere.
Hearing that their new leader's very first move was to change the unit's name, the three felt more than just uneasy—it was like erasing the honor they once held dear.
The one on the far right gave the middle figure a slight nudge with his elbow. The meaning needed no words.
"You're the squad leader chosen by command. If you say we should change it, naturally there's no issue."
"But we hope you prove yourself worthy."
The middle Anbu's reply was firm but polite.
Whether intentional or not, he also straightened his posture slightly.
"This is going to get messy."
"Still got that lion's temper, I see."
The surrounding Anbu huddled together, whispering among themselves.
"Oh?"
"How exactly do you qualify?"
A faint smile curled Nawaki's lips beneath his mask. If he couldn't face the challenge head-on, he wouldn't survive long in Anbu.
"I'd like to test myself against you. Defeat me, and you'll have earned the right to lead us."
Lion took a step forward. He was the strongest of the three—even stronger than their former squad leader.
"I don't accept your challenge."
Nawaki rejected the challenge outright, prompting a wave of disapproval.
"What? This is the Hokage's younger brother? Probably nothing but a worthless nobody."
"Orochimaru trained this guy?"
"Heard he led a team into the Land of Earth during the Second Shinobi World War—all lies I bet."
The watching Anbu no longer tried to conceal their disdain, speaking loud enough for Nawaki to hear clearly.
"Senior, why won't Nawaki accept the challenge?"
Konan felt a pang of indignation on Nawaki's behalf.
"Keep watching. Nawaki will surprise them."
Minato's voice held a note of amusement beneath his mask.
Konan turned her attention back to Nawaki.
"Are you afraid?"
Lion stepped forward again. He hadn't expected Nawaki to refuse his challenge in front of so many people.
He was already considering requesting a transfer. Having such a captain would only bring ridicule later.
"Afraid?"
"No, I think you misunderstood."
"Just make it quick. All of you, come at me together."
Shaking his head, Nawaki radiated intense confidence.
If he was going to fight, he'd do it with style, earning respect once and for all.
"What?! He wants to take on all three?!"
"Even if he's strong, this is pure arrogance."
...
The spectators were shocked. After all, these Anbu ninjas were at least Tokubetsu Jonin.
They were far superior to the early Root division Tanzō had built before.
Lion himself was Jonin-level, while the other two were one Jonin and one Tokubetsu Jonin respectively.
Years of working together had honed their coordination into something formidable—more dangerous than three average Jonin combined.
Plus, Lion's unit, Shikyō, was one of the top units in Anbu.
"See what I mean?"
Minato truly understood Nawaki.
"Captain Nawaki is amazing~"
Stars practically danced in Konan's eyes, filled with admiration for the senior comrade.
"Amazing? When I'm his age, I could do the same!"
Yahiko pouted with jealousy while Nagato stayed silent, watching intently.
This chapter isn't over yet. More exciting content coming up!
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Silently cheering for Nawaki.
"You said what? Are you sure?"
Lion froze at the words, then fury surged inside him.
This was a complete slap in the face to all three of them.
"Let's go. No time to waste."
Nawaki raised his hand casually, arrogance evident to everyone.
Break your opponent's composure first—that was the lesson from his wise brother-in-law.
"Then don't blame us for being rude. Let's go together!"
Gritting his teeth, Lion responded. His teammates moved to stand beside him.
They'd make sure this new squad leader learned exactly how powerful Shikyō truly was.
With flawless synchronization, the three drew their standard-issue blades from their backs.
Nawaki didn't seem to do anything, yet his whole body began slowly rising into the air.
In no time at all, he was hovering midair. He'd made great strides in the Light and Heavy Rock Jutsu.
"No way, is he flying?!"
"What kind of ninjutsu is that?"
"I didn't see him form any hand seals!"
...
Flying was extremely rare among ninja in the Ninja World, so the Anbu members were genuinely shocked—especially since none of them had even seen Nawaki form a single hand seal.
"You're all so clueless."
Konan whispered mockingly from the sidelines, making sure no one could hear her clearly.
"Then why not speak up a little?" Minato chuckled as he looked at his junior sister.
"I just don't want to get my senior hyung into trouble!" Konan quickly spun her words, reinforcing her image as the well-behaved girl.
"Then I guess I should thank you then."
Minato shook his head, equal parts amused and exasperated—his teacher's students always knew how to act clever.
"No need to be polite."
"Haha!"
Upon hearing Konan's response, Minato finally burst into laughter.
The few of them clearly weren't taking this match seriously at all. Their laid-back attitude stemmed entirely from their unwavering confidence in Nawaki's strength.
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