Too weak.He was still too weak.
Outside, the village basked under warm sunlight—peaceful, ordinary, almost fake. Natsume Yō halted mid-step, jaw setting like steel. He looked up at the Third Hokage and said, voice steady: "Grandpa Sarutobi, I've decided—I want to join the ANBU."
The Third paused, then nodded. "If you're sure, come to my office tomorrow morning. I'll introduce you to your squad leader." With that, he flickered out of sight.
Yō's eyes flashed cold. Through clenched teeth he hissed to himself, "Danzō—remember this. One day, you'll regret how you treated me."
The next morning Yō arrived at the Hokage's office half an hour early. The Third raised an eyebrow at his punctuality, then smiled with approval. "Natsume Yō, I've approved your graduation application. Sign here and you may graduate."
He handed Yō the paperwork.
"Shiye — from today, he's part of your squad. Take him and register him," the Third said, nodding toward the figure standing nearby.
"Yes, Lord Third." The man bowed and turned. His mask was an abstract gryphon—sharp, predatory. The name fit: Shiye, the Gryphon.
"Follow me." Shiye's voice was cold; he left without waiting.
—ANBU Headquarters—
"Since you just joined ANBU, you lack the strength and experience to operate solo. I'll bring you on a few missions first," Shiye explained as they walked. "After you gain field experience, I'll give you simple tasks so you can grow. Eventually you'll be able to take on difficult ops with us. When you're ready, you can go solo—no one will stop you then."
He listed the rules as he walked, each one like iron: absolute obedience to orders; no betraying Konoha or the Hokage; no public use of ANBU identity or leaking any Root/ANBU information. On missions, leave no bodies; erase all traces. Wear a mask on ops unless there's an extreme exception—violators are traitors and are killed.
Shiye's voice slid into Yō's ear like a ghost. "You must remember these rules. Etch them into your heart. Understand?"
"Understood." Yō nodded.
"Good. This is your ANBU uniform. Your codename is Tenshin. In ANBU, you are called only by codename." Shiye handed him a small set of black gear for a kid, then recited names. "These are your teammates: Hanazawa, Sakurada, Kikumaru, Akako, Tanxi. You'll work with them—remember their codenames."
"I will." Yō scanned the masked faces, committing them to memory.
"All set—let's move." With the briefing done, Shiye led the team out. Yō pulled on his mask—a pale gryphon visage—and fell in at the rear.
ANBU: the Assassination & Tactical Special Force—a shadow power under the Hokage's control. Divided into squad leaders; each leader forms small four-to-five person teams and relays orders in the field.
Joining ANBU is just step one, Yō thought. Next, I'll apply for battlefield rotations—war is where you really level up.
Ding.
System detection: Host will accompany squad leader into combat.ANBU mission activated — Objective: Eliminate mountain bandits.Rewards: +18 Gold, +3 EXP, C-rank Water Release: Water Array Wall.
The System's cold voice popped into Yō's head. He blinked, then a grin slipped across his face.
"Good," he murmured under his breath.