A Little Test

"Ghouls... Haha, ghouls that don't destroy corpses? That's the worst joke I've heard all year."

Itachi shook his head and smiled wryly.

"Any other news? I don't believe that powerful Sand Ninja Kan'in Family and Okunuki Family can't find anything out. They definitely have something."

He turned around, his not particularly sharp or fierce gaze falling on his subordinate wearing a chrysanthemum mask.

The latter instinctively shuddered, inwardly groaning.

Neither the chief nor the deputy chief of the Root had an aggressive and domineering temperament, which was completely different from the sharp and unstoppable aura of the current Anbu Chief. They were calm and unhurried, which was the style of the two leaders.

However, this does not mean that life under these two men is easy. Both of them are exceptionally intelligent and capable talents. There is no need to shout or use harsh punishments. Just a glance from them can give you the feeling that you can see right through them.

No one dared to cheat or shirk their duties under the two adults.

"Please forgive me, sir, but our activities are mainly within the country. Intelligence in this area is held by the Anbu, and the previous information was also obtained from Anbu. If we want to know more, we will probably have to communicate with the Anbu."

Beneath the mask, the man's face was pale with nervousness.

The Root and the Anbu are now the two sharpest blades of Konoha.

Over the past decade or so, power has shifted between the two sides several times. After many twists and turns, their respective spheres of authority have been roughly determined. In short, one is responsible for internal affairs, and the other for external affairs.

Root's main power lies in internal surveillance and protection, working with the Police Force to protect Konoha both overtly and covertly. After streamlining its overly bloated structure, Root is primarily responsible for external affairs, specifically assassinating dangerous targets, dispatching spies, gathering intelligence on other countries, and hunting down missing-nin, thus returning to its original form.

The Special Assassination and Tactical Squad – the full name of the Anbu) clearly indicates the specific work this organization is responsible for. However, under the Third Hokage, the Anbu's power expanded infinitely, turning it into a behemoth and losing its original lean and efficient nature.

"... Come to my office later, I'll give you the necessary approval. Then go to the Anbu and find Kakashi- senpai, and bring me back everything I need."

After a moment's thought, Itachi spoke, his brows furrowing slightly as he turned his gaze to a large, leafy tree on his left.

"You go first!"

After dismissing his subordinates, Itachi said, "Come out. What do you need me for?"

The leaves rustled, and a dark figure leaped down from the tree, kneeling five steps in front of Itachi. It was another Root ninja, whose mask was engraved with the image of Cold Scarlet Cherry Blossom.

"The Lord Commander has ordered that the Deputy Chief suspend the investigation into the ghouls. A new task has been assigned to you."

As he spoke, he took out a scroll from his pocket, held it in his hand, and raised it high in front of Itachi.

"·····"

Itachi silently took the scroll, unfolded it, and summoned the sealed documents inside, reading them quickly.

"...The Sand Village? I understand. Go report to the Lord Commander, I'll handle it immediately."

He spent two minutes quickly reviewing all the documents, and after a moment's thought, he gave his reply.

The ghoul incident was merely a preventative measure. Aside from gathering intelligence from forces like Sunagakure and Grass Ninja, there was nothing else to do. Furthermore, intelligence gathering from outside sources fell under the purview of the Anbu. Delegating the investigation to the Anbu would allow them to handle the tasks assigned by the Commander-in-Chief.

And it's quite interesting, has another little-known poison master emerged in Sand Village?

Itachi sealed the document back into the scroll, then put the scroll away, dismissed the messenger, and quickly left.

Ninja Academy.

It's time for another practical training session.

"Gather around, everyone! Get over here! Ten seconds! Anyone who can't make it is going to run laps!"

Kaguya Hibiki let out a powerful roar, but her beautiful smile appeared as ruthless as a demon in the eyes of the group of little ones.

"Damn it, class hasn't started yet!"

Shuyuan finished her lunch in the classroom and strolled over slowly. Before she could even catch her breath, the devilish teacher went crazy again.

"Suzuran, hurry up and run!"

He grabbed Suzuran's hand, giving the girl no time to shyly refuse, and ran wildly towards the training ground.

Everyone in Iruka's class was running as fast as they could; if it was ten seconds, then it wouldn't be a second more or a second less.

"... Nobody's going to run laps? This is a bit boring!" Tong clicked her tongue in disappointment. The students lined up in a queue felt a chill run down their spines. Had this she-devil gotten addicted to making people run laps?

"Since no one's running laps... Hmm? How come there's someone else? Where did that little girl with blue-purple hair come from?"

Tong's eyes widened.

"Report, Suzuran is a transfer student who joined our class today."

Shuyuan straightened her back and answered loudly.

"A transfer student? That's rare... Suzuran, right? Little girl, where did you transfer from?"

"Amegakure"

Suzuran shrank back somewhat fearfully. She was a very clever girl, and from the reactions of Shuyuan, Naruto, and the new classmates, she could tell that this young and beautiful teacher was a dangerous character.

"Amegakure!? Wow..." Hitomi exclaimed in surprise, but quickly regained her composure. "Well, everyone listen up. There's a quiz today, the same old rules as always... Shuyuan, you come and explain the rules to our new recruits. And you two idiots, go to my equipment room and get the props."

"No way!?"

"Damn! Why the sudden quiz?"

"Teacher, you didn't say anything beforehand, why are you suddenly giving me a quiz? This... this is a surprise attack! It's not right."

The students were in an uproar, forgetting all about how terrible the teacher was, and angrily questioned him.

"But who are you calling the 'two idiots'?"

Just then, Naruto's voice rang out, instantly silencing the chaotic noise.

All eyes turned to Naruto and Kiba.

They chased the two idiots to get something, and then the students and teacher continued their standoff.

"Didn't I mention it yesterday?" Tong blinked, asking in surprise.

"No!"

More than a dozen people answered in unison.

"Alright, I've already said it."

Tong clapped her hands and looked at the dumbfounded students with a smile.

"Also, in my class, what I say is the rule. I'll forgive that idiot for now, but if he fails the test later, hehe!"

The laughter was as chilling as the hooting of an owl.

The burning flame of rebellion in his heart was easily extinguished by the sudden blizzard, leaving not even a spark. Soaked by the ice and snow, it was completely devoid of any seed of rekindling. (To be continued)