Might Guy

Facing one of the famed Sannin, Yuzuru Hyuga couldn't say he felt nothing, but neither was he afraid.

The two of them were out on a public street now. Even if Orochimaru had gone mad, he wouldn't dare do anything to him.

But considering that this was roughly around the time Orochimaru would flee, Yuzuru Hyuga remained vigilant, lest the man suddenly got some strange idea before making his escape.

"Hyuga, Yuzuru." Orochimaru's voice was hoarse as he slowly said in what he considered a friendly tone, "The youngest ANBU ninja in history."

He opened the conversation with words that sounded both like praise and lamentation.

Yuzuru Hyuga merely smiled and adjusted his glasses. "Good morning, Lord Orochimaru."

Though this was their first meeting, it was clear that neither was entirely unfamiliar with the other.

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, deep interest flickering in his beastlike pupils. "Ah, no need to be so polite."

"If you're not busy, would you like to have a chat?" he proposed.

Yuzuru Hyuga regretfully shook his head. "Sorry, the Third wishes to see me now."

"Then perhaps next time." Orochimaru appeared rather regretful, but after Yuzuru Hyuga nodded to him in farewell and left, he couldn't help but flick out his tongue.

He smiled with narrowed eyes, lost in thought. So the rumors are true.

After traveling the shinobi world for many years, Orochimaru had honed a keen eye. To him, a single look and a few words were enough to form a preliminary judgment of someone.

It might sound rather mystical, but Orochimaru had complete faith in his judgment—the boy before him looked exceedingly young, yet he was entirely unlike other brats.

Composed and confident.

How interesting.

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. Many bold ideas flashed through his mind, but he ultimately suppressed them. The time had not yet come.

Having embarked upon the path of a ninja, he was destined not to remain hidden in Konoha for the rest of his life.

There would be chances to meet again.

When that time came, he would have a proper bit of fun with this little fellow.

Orochimaru started walking, heading in the opposite direction from Yuzuru Hyuga.

At the end of the street, Yuzuru Hyuga looked back quietly. Orochimaru had already vanished from sight. He had a feeling that their encounter had not been coincidental. Orochimaru might even have known he was going to see the Hokage, which was why he had waited along this route to arrange this "chance encounter."

What was his purpose?

Did he only want to see him?

Yuzuru Hyuga couldn't guess, but he wasn't overly worried. Still, somewhere deep down, he seemed to sense something—he had a feeling they would meet again very soon.

Quickening his pace, Yuzuru Hyuga soon arrived before the Hokage Building.

This was his first time entering the building in person.

The ANBU standing guard nearby and the sentries on duty were all quite familiar with the handsome young boy with Byakugan. Rather than making things difficult for him, anyone who could greet him stopped to exchange a few words. Everywhere he went, he was met with smiling faces.

During the reconstruction work of the past few days, Yuzuru Hyuga's active presence had left an impression on all of them, one way or another. Whenever they saw the little fellow, they couldn't help but like him from the bottom of their hearts.

Who could dislike a hardworking, gentle, kind genius?

Especially when he wore glasses and looked so frail and scholarly, yet could accomplish things that many adult ninjas could not. That only made him more admirable.

Yuzuru Hyuga soon reached the Hokage's office. Calmly, he straightened his white robe slightly and knocked on the door.

"Lord Third."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gentle voice soon came from within. "Is that little Yuzuru? Come in."

Only then did Yuzuru Hyuga push open the door and enter.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind a long desk, wearing a conical hat and holding a pipe between his lips. His gaze quietly examined the boy before him.

His long black hair fell down his back, while the long strands over his forehead rested casually beside his glasses. His white eyes appeared especially gentle behind the lenses. His young face lacked the innocence expected of children his age; he was mature, steady, and graceful. With the respectful expression he wore now, he seemed less like a child and more like a... noble.

For some reason, Hiruzen Sarutobi thought of this description, one utterly unsuited to a ninja.

Even though the Hyuga Clan had strict family traditions and a long history, people like Yuzuru Hyuga were rare, let alone one from the Branch House.

"Good morning, Lord Third. It is a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to your guidance." Yuzuru Hyuga gave a slight bow, smiling warmly without losing his respectfulness.

"As expected, heroes emerge in their youth. Even the Fourth, at your age, seemed far inferior to you." The Third gave him exceptionally high praise, even comparing him to Minato Namikaze.

There was no particular reason for it. It was simply because the two gave the Third somewhat overlapping impressions. Perhaps it was because both of their smiles possessed a warmth that could move people's hearts.

Thinking of the Fourth, the Third sighed softly. Then he gathered himself and smiled. "There is no need to be nervous. Relax. Today is merely a chat between an elder and a junior."

"Yes, Lord Third." Yuzuru Hyuga straightened up, but he was still only tall enough for his head to show above the desk, making his mature demeanor seem rather amusing.

For the first time, the Third felt uncertain—had it really been right to bring this little fellow into the ANBU so early?

But he quickly cast aside such useless thoughts and said kindly, "You performed very well in the reconstruction work recently. Tell me, is there any reward you would like?"

This had been a whim of Hiruzen Sarutobi's, born from the favorable impression Yuzuru Hyuga had made on him and his desire to reward the boy.

Yuzuru Hyuga's heart skipped a beat. He instinctively thought of the Scroll of Seals, but quickly suppressed his emotions and merely said softly, "Lord Hokage, helping the villagers and aiding the village's reconstruction are simply my duties. There is no need for a reward."

"Good!" Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help smiling as he nodded.

After pondering for a moment, he got to the point and picked up a forehead protector he had prepared beforehand from the desk. "Even if you may already know, I still want to ask you once more."

"Yuzuru Hyuga, are you truly prepared to become a ninja?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked softly.

Just as Yuzuru Hyuga was about to answer, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly interrupted him. "Yuzuru, do not answer lightly. Becoming a ninja does not merely mean a change in status."

Yuzuru Hyuga pretended to fall silent. After a moment, he raised his head and revealed a brilliant smile. "Lord Third, I am prepared to give everything for it."

"...Congratulations."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was complicated. He had never imagined that one day, he would personally place a forehead protector on a five-year-old child and send him to the ANBU.

He crouched down and picked up the forehead protector himself. After hesitating briefly, he did not remove the band around Yuzuru Hyuga's head. Instead, he fastened the forehead protector directly over it and tied it tight.

"From today onward, you are a Genin of Konoha. In addition, your assignment has already been decided."

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood and turned toward the door, calling out clearly, "Kakashi."

As Yuzuru Hyuga couldn't help smiling and turned to look.

Hatake Kakashi entered through the door, his mask concealing his emotions. Only his lifeless eye, seeming to stare weakly into the void, could be seen.

After entering, Kakashi instinctively glanced first at Yuzuru Hyuga, who appeared to be "laughing wildly" as he looked at him.

Though the brat seemed to be merely smiling, Kakashi felt that he might be laughing even more wildly inside than any member of the Uchiha Clan.

Feeling utterly helpless, he lamented inwardly, Is this really some cursed fate?

He had clearly already decided that, if things truly came to it, he would transfer to another department before the boy graduated. Yet now, he was tangled up with this little brat already.

Lord Third, he's only a child! A child this age joining the ANBU—was this some kind of joke!?

But Hatake Kakashi knew there was no undoing this matter, so he could only nod silently to the Third and wait for his orders.

"From today onward, Hatake Kakashi will be responsible for your work in the ANBU. With him looking after you, I believe you will adapt quickly."

"Perhaps you do not yet understand ANBU work very well. Kakashi, you will teach him those things."

"Your task today is to ensure that Yuzuru Hyuga understands the work and discipline of the ANBU. Starting tomorrow, he will join your squad. In three days, he will carry out that mission with you."

Hatake Kakashi's current status in the ANBU was not particularly high. Though both the Third and Danzo valued his identity and abilities, his eventful ANBU career had only begun not long ago.

In truth, bringing Yuzuru into the ANBU was not only for Yuzuru's sake, but for Kakashi's as well.

Ever since Rin's death, Kakashi had become dispirited, half-heartedly drifting through life. When carrying out missions, he killed as easily as drinking water. He had even been called the "Comrade Killer" by his ANBU companions because he was too ruthless and efficient when killing Konoha traitors.

Even after the Fourth painstakingly arranged for him to become Kushina's guard, hoping that the birth of new life might heal him somewhat, no one knew how much effect that idea had truly had.

The Third believed that Yuzuru Hyuga's sunny and gentle nature would surely influence Hatake Kakashi, helping him let go of the past and look ahead with renewed vigor.

The two could keep each other in check, and their age difference was suitable as well. No matter how he considered it, there was no one more suited than Kakashi to be with Yuzuru Hyuga.

Hatake Kakashi frowned slightly as if considering something, then glanced at Yuzuru Hyuga. "Wouldn't that be somewhat inappropriate?"

"Don't worry." The Third appeared to have already made up his mind. "There will be no danger."

What Kakashi had been asking about was the mission three days later—escorting the Third to the Land of Fire's daimyo residence, where he would formally assume the position of Hokage once more.

A Hokage's appointment was not something the village could decide entirely on its own. Or rather, even after the decision had been made, they still had to go through the formalities at the Land of Fire's daimyo residence.

Kakashi was silent for a moment. He looked at the Third with a complicated expression, then quietly nodded. "I understand."

"Then it is settled." The Third smiled at Yuzuru Hyuga and said softly, "Kakashi is an exceptionally outstanding ninja. By following him, you will certainly learn many things."

"Yes." Yuzuru Hyuga smiled and nodded in agreement.

The two then left the Hokage's office together.

After leaving the Hokage Building, Hatake Kakashi turned to glance at Yuzuru Hyuga with a complicated expression and merely said, "Your Hyuga Clan should already know the ANBU rules. Other than that, there is only one thing I need to tell you beforehand."

"When carrying out a mission, if you believe it cannot be done, prioritize preserving your own life."

After Hatake Kakashi said this, Yuzuru Hyuga gave him a gentle smile. "Kakashi-senpai is truly kind. Or is it that you are confident you can complete the mission without needing me?"

Hatake Kakashi didn't want to speak. With his cold hands in his pockets, he walked ahead.

"Lord Third did say that we should get to know each other properly today."

Yuzuru Hyuga spoke unhurriedly from behind him.

Hatake Kakashi turned back with his lifeless eye, looking at the little fellow as though he truly had far too much free time.

"One last piece of advice."

A terrifying killing intent suddenly rose from him. His cold, lifeless eye glared at Yuzuru Hyuga as his voice turned icy. "Since you have set foot on the path of a ninja, be prepared to die at any moment!"

Yet Yuzuru Hyuga merely stood where he was and blinked.

"Kai-senpai, do you think so too?"