"Let me take a look."
"Uchiha Matsuzaki is strong and best suited for the main assault. This long sword and short sword are yours. Choose your own mask."
Mao Yue Xiyan said as she read through the information in her hand.
Upon hearing this, Uchiha Matsuzaki brought out his own scythe of death.
"Senior Xiyan, I already have a weapon, and I'm very skilled with it. May I take the short sword instead of the long one?" Matsuzaki asked.
Mao Yue Xiyan glanced at the weapon in his hand and nodded with a smile.
"Alright, that weapon is fine, but it's too large. You'd better carry the short sword more often in the future."
Matsuzaki nodded, picked up the short sword, and slung it across his back.
Mao Yue Xiyan then continued reviewing the information and explained their assignments.
"Kuri Yuki, support role.""Yamamoto Takeshi, support role.""Hana, medical.""Spiritual Herbs, medical treatment."
She quickly outlined the equipment each of them needed and their positions within the team.
The five of them received their equipment and masks, officially becoming members of the Anbu.
"Your squad is very young. I have to say, I'm a little envious."
"Uchiha Matsuzaki will serve as the team leader."
Uzuki Yugao looked at the five teenagers and smiled as she spoke.
After equipping themselves, they followed Mao Yue Xiyan into their quarters.
"This will be your place from now on, and I'll be your instructor here. Please take care of me."
"For now, take some rest. I'll handle the formalities and return later."
With that, Mao Yue Xiyan left the room, closing the door behind her, leaving the five alone.
"This feels too sloppy," Matsuzaki muttered with a frown. "They just gave us some equipment, brought us here, and that's it?"
"Indeed," Li Zixue agreed. "I thought it would be a complicated process. It's strange we didn't meet anyone else on the way here."
"It seems the issue lies with us. We must have been chosen for this back during the academy competition," Matsuzaki reasoned.
"I guess I was too naïve before. From here on, we'll just have to leave things to fate. Who knows what they're planning."
He stared thoughtfully toward the door.
"You worry too much," Yamamoto Takeshi said cheerfully, already making himself comfortable. "What could happen? We're in the Anbu now!"
He turned to Matsuzaki with a grin. "Honestly, I owe you a lot. Without you, I don't think I'd have ever achieved my dream."
Matsuzaki gave him a small nod. "It's nothing. I only did what I should. But I really don't understand you—how can you stay so optimistic at a time like this?"
Takeshi just laughed, scratching his head.
And so, the five of them waited in the room for nearly half an hour.
Just as they were beginning to lose patience, footsteps echoed from outside.
Matsuzaki immediately peered through the window, only to see Uzuki Yugao walking toward the room—alongside none other than the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.