Code Name "Bone"

Meanwhile, Yagura in the rear had also finished preparing his ninjutsu.

"Wind Release: Typhoon Passes!"

Yagura used Wind Release as well, and the two violent gales, each filled with their respective chakra, crashed together with a thunderous roar.

"Water Release: Water Clone!"

Seeing his ninjutsu blocked, Feng formed hand seals and summoned a Water Clone. Feng's true body swiftly rushed toward Yagura, while the Water Clone intercepted Seiji.

Feng knew nothing of Seiji's strength or abilities. He thought Seiji was merely an ordinary new Anbu recruit and intended to fight him using a Water Clone with only a tenth of his own strength.

"Shikotsumyaku: Dance of the Camellia!"

Accustomed to fighting with Shikotsumyaku as his weapon, Seiji did not draw the Ninja Swords strapped to his back. Instead, he pulled Bone Blades from his arms and advanced upon Feng's Water Clone with mysterious footwork.

On the other side, Yagura faced Feng head-on. Although Feng was not yet using his full strength, the immense gap between a Jonin and a Chunin still left Yagura easily suppressed.

"Water Release: Water Mirror Technique!"

Struggling to hold on, Yagura could only use nearly all his chakra to create a mirror made of water. A person identical to Feng appeared within the mirror, then swiftly rushed out and fought Feng's Water Clone.

Yagura collapsed, bracing himself against the ground with both hands as he gasped for breath. The Water Mirror Technique was an A-rank Water Release ninjutsu his clan had awarded him upon his promotion to Chunin. As a Chunin, using it had directly left him unable to fight.

Seeing Yagura use the Water Mirror Technique, which could copy an enemy and counterattack, Feng secretly nodded. In his heart, he had already acknowledged that Yagura could become a member of his squad.

Just as Feng was about to unleash his chakra and destroy the Water Mirror Technique, he suddenly sensed that his Water Clone had been instantly defeated.

Turning around, Feng saw only water splashing everywhere and Seiji standing calmly with a bone-white Bone Blade in hand.

"Shikotsumyaku?" Feng asked with a puzzled expression.

As an Anbu squad leader, he knew that no members of the Kaguya Clan currently held positions in the village. Since they had already fallen out with the village, why would they send such a young clansman to join the Anbu?

"Shikotsumyaku does not belong solely to the Kaguya Clan." Seiji knew what Feng wanted to ask, so he explained. He had no desire whatsoever to admit that he was a member of the Kaguya Clan.

"Alright, there's no need to continue. Welcome to the ANBU First Division Sixth Squad." Realizing that someone might have set him up, and knowing full well the combat power of Shikotsumyaku, Feng spoke irritably.

"Report to the First Training Ground at the Anbu Main Base at seven tomorrow morning. And while you're at it, think of your Anbu code names, if you feel there's a need for them." Feng tossed those words behind him and hurried away.

Meanwhile, in the Head of ANBU's office, Ken, the captain-general, and Mist, the commander of the First Division, watched the scene through the surveillance equipment installed at the training ground.

"Still didn't get to see Feng get beaten up by this little guy. Don't blame me for not telling him the kid's background. After all, he was sent over by Lord Genji." Mist sighed.

The next morning, after having breakfast at home with Genji, Seiji dressed neatly and headed for the Anbu Main Base.

At the First Training Ground, the four members of the Sixth Squad had gathered.

"Let's introduce ourselves first. From now on, we'll be comrades in the same squad. I'll start!" Feng said.

"I'm Imai Genji, leader of the Sixth Squad under the ANBU First Division. Code name Feng, Jonin. I specialize in Water Release and Wind Release." Feng removed his mask, revealing the face of a middle-aged man.

"I'm Karatachi Yagura. Code name Kagami, Chunin. I specialize in Water Release and possess some sensory ability. I can also use my clan's inherited secret ninjutsu, Water Release: Water Mirror Technique." Yagura introduced himself next.

"Hozuki Chino. Code name Hua, Elite Chunin. I specialize in Water Release medical ninjutsu." As Chino introduced herself, she slowly removed her mask, revealing a charming and beautiful face like a blooming flower.

After the three finished their introductions, they all turned their gazes toward Seiji, who had yet to speak.

"Seiji Otsutsuki. Code name Bone, Jonin. I specialize in taijutsu, possess the Shikotsumyaku Kekkei Genkai, and also have sensory abilities." Seiji held back some of his abilities as he removed his mask, revealing his delicate yet bewitching face.

Hearing Seiji's words, Feng sucked in a sharp breath. Once again, he was glad that after seeing Seiji use Shikotsumyaku yesterday, he had decisively agreed to let Yagura and Seiji join the squad. Otherwise, he really would have become a laughingstock and gotten beaten up for nothing.

A trace of shock also appeared in Hozuki Chino's beautiful eyes. Born into the Hozuki Clan, she had seen many geniuses, but this was the first time she had encountered one as gifted as Seiji.

"Very good. Then the Sixth Squad is officially at full strength today." Feng said after coming back to his senses.

"Hua, cultivate freely today. Kagami and Bone, come with me. I'll first familiarize you with the main base, then teach you the Anbu rules. Starting tomorrow, we'll officially begin carrying out missions!"

"Yes!" everyone answered together.

Land of Frost, Mountain Graveyard, Madara Uchiha's underground base.

After awakening the Rinnegan and summoning Kaguya's Ten-Tails shell, the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, Madara's life had been prolonged. Moreover, the eyes that had lost their light due to his use of Izanagi had recovered with the awakening of the Rinnegan.

Inside the base, Madara struggled to rise to his feet. Looking at the spot on the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path where Hashirama Cells had been injected, he saw that an upper body identical to Hashirama Senju's had gradually grown there. He muttered, "Hashirama, watch closely. I'll prove that I was right!"

Black Zetsu, who had been hiding in the shadows for a long time, saw that the timing was nearly right. After several months of cultivation, the number of Hashirama Cells had become substantial.

Thus, Black Zetsu secretly communicated with some White Zetsu sleeping within the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path—ones created in ancient times when Kaguya planted the God Tree for the second time and used the Infinite Tsukuyomi—and had them merge with the Hashirama Cells being cultivated on the statue. By taking advantage of Madara Uchiha's cultivation of Hashirama Senju's cells, he could allow the White Zetsu to appear naturally.