Parasitic String

Hokage's Office.

"Lord Hokage, this is the plan the six of us discussed," Kurenai Yūhi said to Hiruzen Sarutobi with deep respect.

"Good, Shinku. I chose you as the squad leader precisely because I value your wisdom and decisiveness. However, I must emphasize this once again: protect these children as much as possible. They are the village's future." Hiruzen Sarutobi stressed this point in particular.

"Yes, Lord Hokage." Kurenai Yūhi responded with a solemn expression.

"Good. Go back and inform your team members of tomorrow's meeting time and place. Keep it as confidential as possible. After all, we don't know who in the village has been infiltrated by other villages. The more we can limit information leaks, the greater your safety will be assured."

Kurenai Yūhi took her leave. Just as she reached the door, grasped the handle, and was about to open it, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke again. "I'll notify Yūske myself."

"Yes." Kurenai Yūhi answered, then gently opened the door and departed with firm steps.

He knew full well how important this mission was. Every detail concerned his team members' safety. He needed to relay the plan to his comrades while also making thorough arrangements to ensure the mission proceeded smoothly.

Yūske was still asleep when he suddenly heard a faint knock at the door. Groggily, he got up and opened it, only to find no one outside. He scratched his head, assuming it had been his imagination. Just as he turned to go back inside, he caught sight of a shadow standing outside the window from the corner of his eye, facing him.

Startled, Yūske stepped forward and opened the window. An Anbu member dressed in black night gear stood there respectfully.

"Lord Yūske, Lord Hokage will be waiting for you in the Forest of Death this afternoon," the Anbu member said in a low voice.

"Alright. I'll go over after I eat. You can head back first." Yūske did his best to keep his voice calm.

"Yes." The Anbu member responded, then vanished from Yūske's sight like a ghost.

Yūske took a deep breath, hurriedly washed up, ate lunch with his parents, informed them, and then left home, heading toward the Forest of Death.

Forest of Death.

"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall."

A massive earthen barricade shot up from the ground like bamboo after rain, but in the next instant, it was sliced into several sections. A deafening crash followed as it collapsed.

"Yūske, ordinary defensive ninjutsu can no longer withstand your Kekkei Genkai." Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at his disciple with satisfaction. Though he had not personally taught Yūske much, the pride of a teacher still filled his heart.

"Thanks to Teacher's careful guidance, I've achieved what I have today," Yūske said sincerely. If Enma had not put him through three months of brutal training, it would likely have taken him a long time to reach his current level.

"After observing you for some time, I've found that your String Style possesses limitless potential. Have you encountered any problems in developing this technique?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked.

"Not at the moment. I feel that my strength has already reached a bottleneck. If I want to go any further, I'm afraid I can only raise my Kekkei Genkai to another level." Yūske knew that only when his body, mind, and ability were properly matched could the fruit awaken. However, awakening the String-String Fruit required continuously manipulating others for entertainment.

Although he did not know whether his String-String Fruit was the same as the one in One Piece, the only method he knew could not be carried out in Konoha.

"Teacher, after the Escort Mission is over, can I stay on the battlefield?" Yūske abruptly changed the subject and asked.

"What, do you want military merit?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked doubtfully. From what he knew of Yūske, if Yūske truly wanted to distinguish himself on the battlefield, he might have gone along when Tsunade marched out last time.

"My String Style actually has another ability that I've never dared to use lightly." Yūske's expression became somewhat grave.

"What ability?" Hiruzen Sarutobi could not help but be curious. Yūske actually had an ability he did not dare use?

"Teacher, could you call over a few Anbu members?"

Hearing Yūske's request, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned and made a gesture in one direction. In the blink of an eye, several Anbu descended from above like ghosts and knelt on one knee before Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Alright, you can speak now. They are all trustworthy comrades."

"Everyone, I'm about to use this ability on you. Please don't take offense. I can guarantee that I mean no harm."

Yūske looked at the Anbu before him and spoke apologetically.

The Anbu nodded, showing their understanding.

"String Shield: Parasitic String!"

Yūske suddenly pressed his palms together. Dozens of thin strings shot from beneath his fingernails like lightning, wrapping around every part of the Anbu members' bodies at astonishing speed.

Once the connection was complete, Yūske slightly moved his fingers. The Anbu were shocked to discover that their bodies had begun moving beyond their control. Hiruzen Sarutobi stared in disbelief, even forgetting to smoke the pipe he had just lit.

"You can try struggling," Yūske said.

He then increased the force of his control. The Anbu struggled with all their strength, but the effect was minimal. One Anbu carrying a short blade drew it and slashed at the nearest Anbu member. Just as the blade was about to strike, Yūske stopped moving. The Anbu froze in bizarre poses.

"That's enough, Yūske. Retract the strings." Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke to Yūske with a complicated expression.

"Sorry, everyone." Yūske released the Five-Colored String and apologized to the Anbu.

The Anbu all shook their heads, but their eyes held even greater fear as they looked at Yūske.

"The reason you want to go to the battlefield is because you can control other people's movements?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked. "This ability of yours is somewhat similar to Sunagakure's Puppet Technique."

"I've never compared them, so I'm not too sure." Yūske scratched his head.

"How many people can you control at once?" Hiruzen Sarutobi looked toward the Anbu who had yet to leave, analyzing Yūske's ability.

"I only discovered it by chance, but I can feel that if I develop this ability to its fullest, perhaps I'll be able to develop my Kekkei Genkai more thoroughly."

Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment, looking at Yūske with a complicated expression. So he needed to toy with people's hearts to grow stronger.

He summoned an Anbu and had him bring over a Blank Scroll. Then, Hiruzen Sarutobi used Earth Release to build a table, picked up a brush, and began writing.

"After you complete the mission, give this scroll to Tsunade." After finishing, Hiruzen Sarutobi formed a hand seal and handed the scroll to Yūske.

"Yes, I'll definitely deliver it." Yūske understood that Hiruzen Sarutobi had agreed.

"Let's go. Your teacher's wife has prepared a lavish dinner for you tonight to see you off."

"Doesn't Teacher need to work today?"

"With Haruna around, I can relax once in a while too."