The room was cloaked in silence. Shorai fought to steady his excitement, his breath measured as he awaited the Hokage's introduction. Before him stood three ANBU operatives, motionless and inscrutable behind their masks. Shorai's eyes flicked over what little was visible—beyond their physiques and hair, there was little to glean.
"Shorai," Hiruzen's voice broke the quiet, low and resolute, "you stand at the threshold of a path few dare to walk."
He gestured toward the three masked figures. "These are your mentors. For security and tradition, I will introduce them by their code names. Their true names are classified, known only to a select few. Each one of them is—"
The first to step forward bore an eagle-shaped mask. Lean and agile, his light brown hair was slightly tousled, evoking a distant resemblance to Hatake Kakashi. Shorai's mind raced—he recognized this operative from the masquerade.
"This is Eagle," Hiruzen continued. "While all here possess specialties in sensory perception, Eagle's focus lies in reconnaissance, stealth, and intelligence gathering. He is also skilled in tactical genjutsu and wind release techniques, which may prove invaluable to you, Shorai."
Eagle gave a subtle nod, his posture calm yet alert.
Next came the boar-masked figure, solid and unyielding in presence. His medium build was complemented by darker brown hair tied into a short ponytail.
"Boar," Hiruzen said, "is an expert in close combat and sealing techniques. His specialization lies in diversion, protection, and battlefield control. He excels at erecting defensive barriers and striking down those who breach them. He will train you to endure, defend, and strike with relentless precision when opportunity arises."
Boar's nod was firm, radiating raw strength.
Finally, the lithe figure with the cat-shaped mask stepped forward, her movements precise and deliberate. Her straight, purple hair cascaded to her waist, making her stand out. Shorai's expression flickered—he had a strong suspicion of her true identity.
"Cat," Hiruzen said, his voice softening but still carrying weight, "is a master of stealth and assassination, moving unseen and striking with deadly precision. Few can match her swordsmanship, as she wields her blade as an extension of her will. Moreover, she is skilled in genjutsu, using illusions to disorient and incapacitate foes before they even sense danger. She also possesses medical ninjutsu, allowing her to sustain herself and allies during prolonged missions. I believe I've covered everything..."
Hiruzen's gaze locked with Shorai's, steady and serious. "Cat will sharpen your instincts, teach you to act decisively and silently, and guide you in leading with tactical precision when the moment demands it. Her lessons will teach you not only to strike but to vanish without a trace."
The cat-masked figure's eyes met Shorai's with unwavering focus—a silent promise of the rigorous training ahead.
Shorai absorbed the weight of their secrecy. These were not mere mentors—they were shadows of Konoha's most covert operations. And now, he was being drawn into their world.
Hiruzen's voice softened. "You are not yet one of them, Shorai. But with their guidance, you will grow. Trust is earned through silence and action."
Shorai bowed deeply, resolve burning bright in his eyes. "I understand, Lord Hokage. I will not disappoint you."
The room brimmed with quiet power as the boy and his three masked mentors stood united.
"Uhm!" Hiruzen nodded and rose. "From this moment on, the three of you will work together. Your interactions with Shorai are to be conducted as part of a secret mission. No one is to know the details. If questioned by higher-ups, direct them to me—no exceptions!"
"YES, Lord Third!" the trio knelt in unison.
"Find a place to begin his evaluation. There is no need to wait. Unless you have other plans for today?" Hiruzen's eyes swept over the four ninjas.
"Good. Now, I must go. Good luck, Shorai!"
"Thank you, Lord Hokage!"
Shorai watched the Hokage depart, then slid the door shut behind him.
The four remained standing in the stillness, their eyes fixed on him.
Then, the eagle-masked man spoke. "Let's move quickly, rookie. Today's your lucky day—we can use our private training grounds. But since this is a secret mission, we'll need a discreet alternative…" He exchanged glances with the others. "Boar, Cat, any ideas?"
"Eagle-san, I have a good spot. I train there privately at night. Besides the Hokage, no one knows about it," Shorai offered.
"That spot on the outskirts, beside the hill with dense trees? Perfect!" Eagle nodded, causing Shorai's eyes to widen in surprise.
"Let's go. Boar, Cat—follow me!"
With a woosh, the three vanished, leaving behind a soft breeze and three leaves drifting slowly to the floor.
Still surprised by their knowledge of his secret spot, Shorai shook his head and moved toward the open window.
"This is going to be fun…" he chuckled nervously and opened one of his prepared scrolls.
Puff!
Three item carriers appeared—a holder filled with kunai strapped tightly to his right leg; another on his left waist behind his back; and a large one on his right back side filled with scrolls, tags, shuriken, and bombs.
Fully armed, Shorai leapt onto the railing and, with a thin smile, applied wind frictionless enhancement to his body. There was no need to waste chakra on swift release; a burst of chakra for Shunshin would suffice to get there quickly. The upcoming spar demanded top form.
As he moved toward the spot, he activated the stone to enter perception state and observed the Academy grounds. New graduates celebrated with their parents, while Naruto sat on a plank swing, his expression grim and sad. Soon, Shorai spotted Mizuki approaching, and both quickly changed locations.
"So far, it's going as intended…" Shorai deactivated the stone as he entered his private training place.
All three ANBU operatives were present. Shorai noticed Boar and Cat working around the area.
"Huh? Detection and protection seals?" He recognized them immediately, being well-versed in such techniques.
Eagle gestured for him to come closer and exchanged a nod with the others.
"We will spar. Weapons and ninjutsu are allowed," Eagle said, assessing the white-haired boy before him.
"Please excuse me… this might sound arrogant. I specialize in fast and precise combat. I don't want to accidentally cause serious injury. I'm quite swift…" Shorai scratched the back of his head, trying to wear an apologetic expression.
"Yes, we're aware. Hokage told us. Before we begin…"
Shorai's enhanced sight, sharpened by his abnormal mental state, caught Eagle's eyes narrowing behind the mask, followed by a change in tone.
"From this moment on, do not fake expressions or lie to us. You are neither on a mission nor ordered to. We don't need someone acting ingenuously with us!"
"Thank you for the first lesson, sir," Shorai said, taken aback but quickly composed himself.
"Come!"
The ANBU took combat stances, hands raised with kunai in hand. The other two stood on opposite sides, their hands moving swiftly as they prepared seals.
Shorai exhaled deeply, closing his eyes for a moment. When he opened them, a deadly sharpness gleamed within. His body leaned forward slowly. With his right hand, he quickly pulled a kunai from his leg holster. Subtly channeling chakra into it, he threw the kunai immediately at Eagle, pivoting his body to the right. The kunai's speed was moderate; Shorai threw it with precision, though it appeared casual.
Eagle slid aside, dodging the kunai effortlessly. Without changing expression, Shorai channeled chakra through his body and feigned a jump toward Eagle. Just as his feet were about to leave the ground, a clone appeared a meter before Eagle, striking with a kunai and masking Shorai's true position.
Eagle's eyes narrowed. He slid aside again as the real Shorai appeared behind him, left hand slicing the air with a kunai.
Without hesitation, Shorai accelerated forward and released a small burst of chakra from his right palm toward Eagle's chest. Eagle dodged once more and dashed forward, throwing a left hook aimed to grab Shorai's neck.
Their distance closed to less than a meter as Shorai's eyes gleamed with intensity.
Swift Release: Shadowless Flight!
Dormant elemental chakra burst forth in unison, sending a pulse of wind and sparks of lightning through the air. Shorai shifted to the right, avoiding the hook, and struck Eagle's body tanketsu points in quick succession: left hand, back, and left leg. He then distanced himself from an incoming spin of Eagle's right hand wielding a kunai.
"Oh?"
"That was fast!"
The bystanders' voices carried surprise.
Eagle took a stance again, assessing his body.
"I practiced striking tanketsu as my secondary style," Shorai said, locking eyes with Eagle and noticing his confusion.
"That's… incredible…" Eagle's eyes widened briefly before refocusing on Shorai. "One more time!"
Shorai took a breath, steadying himself as the elemental effects faded from sight. Their enhancement had charged his body like subtle armor. With sharpened reflexes and sight, he dashed at Eagle again, striking him with a kunai in his left hand.
Eagle, having finished analyzing his own left hand, stepped back to avoid the strike and grabbed Shorai's hand with his left, pulling it down and forward. Shorai felt the sudden grip, and just as he was about to lose balance, a thin smile appeared on his lips.
Puff!
With a wisp of thin smoke, Shorai's body shrank slightly, slipping free from the loosened grip.
Noticing the opening created by his surprise transformation, Shorai faced Eagle's fully exposed body and seized the opportunity to strike his tanketsu with accelerated movements.
Pah... Pah... Pah... Pah...
The sharp sounds of fingers hitting Eagle's grey armor and exposed parts filled the air.
Just as Shorai was about to finish with a palm attack, Eagle suddenly transformed into a log.
Pah!
Shorai's palm struck the wooden texture, and with a sharp sound in the air, he reflexively sensed something incoming from behind.
Drawing on a fusion of two unorthodox techniques, Shorai thought, May it work!
Swift Release: Shadowless Flight!
Eagle's hand connected with what seemed to be a Shorai's body, but unexpectedly passed through, revealing a shimmer and distortion around the silhouette.
Without pause, Eagle pulled a sword from his back and swung it backward, blocking several shurikens.
Then, a sudden voice came close to his ear.
"I think we should end this here..."
Eagle moved his head, searching for the source. A gentle breeze brushed past him, and he stopped, locking eyes with the voice's owner.
Sheathing his blade, Eagle's voice was filled with admiration. "You managed to trap me in a genjutsu? That's an impressive technique you pulled on me there!"
Shorai stepped back, understanding the operative had broken the illusion.
"Just a lucky shot. It's something I always wanted to try in a combat scenario."
The other two operatives approached.
"That was very impressive, kid! To trap Eagle in genjutsu—that's really an achievement you can be proud of!" Cat Mask said, glancing first at Eagle and then at Shorai.
"He-he, he really got you there, man!" Boar chuckled, shaking his head. "The speed of his strikes and reflexes can be compared to a Jonin. He only lacks combat experience with seasoned ninjas, and so does his sensory skill. But to close a gap with such diversions and distractions..."
Boar paused, locking eyes with Shorai. "It appears Hokage wasn't exaggerating by calling you a prodigy, he-he."
"I'm flattered by your praise. My speed and precision are my main battle style, as well as chakra control," Shorai replied with a slight bow.
"It's evident. You pulled off chakra-string-rigged kunai and somehow managed to fill a bunshin with genjutsu... that's clearly beyond any genin or even chunin ninja I've come across," Cat voiced her surprise at his performance.
"Yes. His chakra control is amazing, but that pales in comparison to his speed. Kid, your body moves and reacts at the same speed, right?" Eagle rubbed his chest.
"It does... my lightning elemental chakra enhances both my mental and physical state, while my wind element gives me more speed," Shorai confirmed.
"You call it Swift Release? Mastery of that alone can potentially make you rival Kumogakure's lightning chakra-infused techniques. Perhaps even the Raikage's," Eagle's eyes stared intently at the boy who had just become a genin.
Shorai's performance far exceeded their expectations. And on top of that, his attitude was a welcome bonus. He understood he had left a good impression.