"Speaking of which, Itachi," Anko said casually, hammering in the last tent peg with a practiced hand, "you and Roshi went on a mission together before I joined, right?"
Itachi, who was leveling the ground nearby, gave a quiet hum. "Mm."
"This guy's really changed," Anko muttered, keeping her back to him. "Even though we're the same age, he feels… older. Before, he was just excellent. Now he's like—an old man trapped in a young body."
"It's just that Roshi-senpai knows a lot." Itachi's tone was calm, though inwardly, he wondered—what was Senpai like before?
"It's fine," Anko said with a pout, then suddenly turned with mock seriousness. "But hey, don't rat me out, Itachi."
"If Roshi-senpai doesn't ask," Itachi replied smoothly.
"Hey, hey! We're supposed to be good tactical partners!" Anko protested. But before she could finish, her head snapped toward the dark forest beside them.
Itachi froze mid-movement. The two exchanged a glance—then bolted toward Roshi's direction.
"Proof."
Roshi's calm gaze swept across the four masked figures before him, completely ignoring the Wolf Mask's outstretched hand.
The night wind brushed his bangs aside; moonlight carved sharp lines across his face.
"I haven't received any orders to hand anything over."
Behind the Wolf Mask ANBU, a woman wearing a White Cat Mask with a tight ponytail barked, "We're on an official mission! We don't need to show proof! Hand over the item immediately!"
Almost before her words faded, the Snake Mask and Tiger Mask spread out to either side, their bodies lowering into combat stances.
"Oh?" Roshi's tone rose slightly. "Since when could the Anbu command a Special Jonin of the Village—without the Hokage's authorization?"
Everyone knew the Anbu operated directly under the Hokage. Their authority was high, but within Konoha's chain of command, no one—no one—could order a Jonin around without a direct mandate from the Hokage, his advisors, or a Jonin captain. Not even a Special Jonin… nor the Anbu themselves.
The tension was suffocating. The Wolf Mask took an involuntary step back.
Then—he was gone.
A faint afterimage shimmered where Roshi had stood. The next moment, Roshi was in front of the Wolf Mask.
His right fist drew back, Chakra compressing the air until it seemed ready to rupture.
—Too fast!
The Wolf Mask ANBU barely managed to cross his arms in front of his chest, his metal gauntlets locking in place.
Bang!
A thunderous impact ripped through the forest. The Wolf Mask's body shot backward like a rag doll, crashing through two tree trunks before slamming into the ground. The crunch of cracking bone echoed under the rising dust. After twitching twice, he went still—unconscious.
Roshi slowly lowered his fist. "Proof. Evidence that you're really Konoha Anbu."
His tone was flat, but the pressure behind it was unmistakable.
"If you can't show proof and still raise your weapons, dying by my hand would be a meaningless death."
The White Cat Mask trembled, both furious and shaken. "You dare attack the Anbu!?"
Her voice wavered slightly. Their rules were strict—without their leader's command, none of them could engage a Special Jonin, especially one from the same village. And their captain was currently lying unconscious in the mud.
Suppressing her turmoil, the White Cat ANBU adopted a defensive stance. Snake and Tiger tightened their grips on their swords, their eyes cold and wary.
"I'm not going to repeat myself," Roshi said evenly.
His hand rose, forming a seal. "If I defeat all of you and report to the Hokage, the fault will be yours—for failing to prove your identity and making reckless demands."
At that instant—
A dark-purple figure appeared atop a tall tree.
Anko crouched on a branch, eyes wide as she took in the scene—the masked figures, the fallen Wolf Anbu, and Roshi standing motionless amid the wreckage.
Anbu? Why are the Anbu here? And why is Roshi fighting them?!
A chill swept over her as memories surfaced—of being interrogated in a cold, silent room months ago. But this was Roshi. His judgment was never wrong.
Even if—no, especially if—it didn't make sense.
Without hesitation, Anko began forming hand seals, ready to provide cover.
The three masked figures realized too late—they were surrounded.
Roshi stood before them, unflinching.
Anko loomed above, ready to strike.
And one more—Itachi—was nowhere in sight.
Losing their captain, surrounded, and tactically trapped, their only option was retreat.
White Cat clenched her teeth hard enough to draw blood. Then, in one sharp motion, she raised her hands.
Her gestures were crisp, precise:
Right hand—four fingers raised, thumb folded in: Leaf.
Left hand—sweeping across the wrist: Sever Shadow.
Both hands—interlocked before the chest: Anbu.
The emergency hand-sign code of Konoha's Anbu.
"This… is proof enough, isn't it?"
Roshi's expression didn't waver. "Hokage's writ. And seal."
The air grew heavier.
White Cat stiffened. She had identification—but not from the Hokage. Showing it would expose everything.
Why was Roshi—just newly promoted by the Third Hokage—acting this way? Why was he so sure?
When she hesitated too long, Roshi simply lowered his hand and signaled toward Anko's position—Retreat. Clear the path.
"You've proven only that you're Anbu," he said flatly.
"Go. I'll explain everything to the Third Hokage myself."
The forest fell silent, save for the whisper of wind and the faint groans of the fallen Wolf ANBU.
Underneath their masks, the remaining three looked grim but didn't argue. White Cat gave a sharp wave. Her teammates lifted the unconscious man, and in a few silent leaps, they vanished into the dark.
When the forest grew still again, Anko dropped lightly to the ground, her eyes full of disbelief.
"Roshi! What just happened? Were those really Anbu? Why did you—?"
"They were Anbu," Roshi said quietly. "But there's a unit within them that doesn't answer directly to the Third Hokage."
Anko froze, the implication hitting her like a thrown kunai.
Anbu… but not his Anbu.
So that was it.
A heavy sigh escaped her lips. "You're kidding me, Roshi. I'm really not ready to run from Konoha again…"
"Itachi."
"I'm here, Senpai."
Itachi emerged silently from the darkness, his Sharingan faintly glinting under the moonlight.
"Pack up," Roshi ordered, his gaze calm once more. "We're leaving. Tonight, we head back to the Village."
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