The Third Hokage didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Applying for the ANBU?
This wasn't some ordinary job—and the ANBU certainly wasn't something you could just "apply" for.
"Sorry, the ANBU isn't recruiting."
After a brief moment of surprise, the Third Hokage put on a kind smile.
"I see… that's a shame."
Raiden looked genuinely disappointed.
At that moment, two ANBU appeared and quietly whispered something into the Hokage's ear.
"Oh? This boy knows nothing about the shinobi world? Truly just an ordinary person… or pretending? But his strength and speed… are far from normal. Could it really be innate?"
Countless thoughts flashed through the Hokage's mind.
"Raiden, why do you want to become a ninja?" he asked.
"I need money. I can't even eat my fill… so I want a job that pays more."
Raiden answered matter-of-factly.
"What a unique answer."
The Third Hokage smiled faintly.
"If you possess sufficient strength, I can make a special exception and recruit you as a specially-appointed ninja. That way, you can take missions and earn rewards."
The two ANBU exchanged glances.
They had heard of Special Jonin… Special Chunin…
But a "specially-appointed ninja"?
What was that?
"Really?"
Raiden's eyes lit up.
He had been worrying about how to earn more money.
"Come back tomorrow. I'll arrange for someone to test your abilities."
"Alright!"
Raiden left, satisfied.
After he was gone, the ANBU asked:
"Lord Hokage, what exactly is a 'specially-appointed ninja'?"
"Something I just came up with."
The Third Hokage smiled calmly.
"Raiden may appear to know nothing about the shinobi world, but his strength and speed are far too unusual. If it's truly innate, that's a good thing. But we cannot fully trust him yet."
A sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
"Until we confirm his background, we cannot place complete faith in him. Through missions and assignments, we can also observe his true intentions."
"Wise as always, Lord Hokage."
"Raiden is definitely not as simple as he appears."
"Let's wait until tomorrow…"
—
On his way back—
Raiden walked through a deserted area when suddenly—
A man in plain clothing and a mask stepped out, blocking his path.
"Raiden?"
"Yeah, that's me. Are you from the ANBU? Is the test starting now?"
Raiden asked casually.
"I serve Lord Danzo. He wants to see you."
The masked man's tone left no room for refusal.
"No. I'm busy."
Raiden looked annoyed.
He had thought it was someone from the Hokage's office.
"Your identity is unclear. You may pose a threat to Konoha. If you refuse Lord Danzo's investigation, you will be deemed dangerous—and eliminated."
As he spoke, the man pressed a kunai against Raiden's throat.
"Threatening me?"
Instead of fear—
Raiden felt… amused.
Someone actually dared to threaten him.
It was a strange feeling.
"Be smart. Come with me if you don't want to die."
"Do you have money?"
Raiden suddenly asked something completely unrelated.
"…What?"
"I asked if you have money."
"I do—but what nonsense are you talking about? I asked if you're coming with me!"
"As long as you have money, it's fine."
Raiden smiled.
"You threatened my life. Taking some money as compensation sounds reasonable."
"…Are you insane? Do you even realize your situation?"
The masked man sneered.
But the moment he finished speaking—
His eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
Because—
Raiden was already holding his wallet.
"You're poor. Only thirty thousand ryo."
Raiden looked utterly unimpressed.
"If you're this poor, then Danzo must be poor too. I've completely lost interest in meeting him."
"You're asking for death!"
The masked man finally snapped.
"You really think I won't kill you? Lord Danzo said—if you don't cooperate, eliminate you!"
With a cold snort, he thrust the kunai forward, aiming to pierce Raiden's throat.
But—
The moment he applied force—
He froze.
No matter how hard he tried—
The blade wouldn't penetrate Raiden's skin.
Crack!
With a sharp sound—
The kunai snapped.
Raiden remained completely unharmed.
"Stop messing around. Get lost."
Raiden said casually.
To him—
This man wasn't even worth noticing.
How could a person bother arguing with an ant?
"Impossible! Is this some kind of Earth Release hardening technique? You're definitely not normal! All the more reason to eliminate you!"
The masked man leapt back, quickly forming hand seals.
Lightning crackled in his hand.
"If it's Earth Release, then Lightning Release will deal with you—Lightning Release—!"
Before he could finish—
Raiden finally grew annoyed.
"Just like a fly… so irritating."
He casually blew a breath toward the man.
To Raiden—
It was just a light puff of air.
But to the masked man—
The moment it hit him—
His expression changed drastically.
It felt as if he had been struck by an unimaginable hurricane.
His body was instantly blown away, completely out of control—
And vanished into the horizon.
Yes—
Blown away.
Gone without a trace.
Until he eventually slammed into a distant rock—
Dead beyond saving.
"Finally quiet."
Raiden didn't think he had killed anyone.
To him—
He had merely blown away an annoying fly.
"…Wait."
Suddenly, something occurred to him.
"Crap… I might've used a bit too much force. He was so fragile… he's probably dead, huh?"
Raiden paused for a moment.
Then shrugged.
"Whatever. Just a fly."
Deep down—
He resolved to control his strength even better.
After all—
From his perspective, beings like that were no different from ants.
And there was no need—
To take ants seriously.