Five Years Later

After returning from dinner that day, Seiji quickly organized a method for compressing Chakra to improve its quality and handed it over to Chino and Yagura.

Over the next few years, Seiji's Sixth Squad completed one difficult mission after another. With Elder Genji and Third Mizukage Hyou deliberately spreading the word, the three of them gradually rose to fame within the village, becoming Kirigakure's three rising stars.

However, because they were ANBU, the other villagers did not know their true identities and only referred to them as the Hidden Mist Three Stars.

Time was like a wild donkey—once it started running, it could not stop. Before long, five years had passed, and it was now the beginning of Year 33 of Kirigakure.

Seiji's strength had not undergone any explosive growth. Instead, it naturally rose to the level of an Elite Jonin over time, since he spent most of his time focusing on his own bloodline.

Still, it was worth mentioning that Seiji's Chakra was extraordinarily condensed, with a quality more than twice that of an ordinary ninja's.

Over those five years, Seiji had also completely absorbed Isshiki's gift. The Ōtsutsuki bloodline within him had advanced an entire level compared to the beginning. Unfortunately, Seiji still had not awakened eyes of his own. He could only faintly sense that the power gestating within his eyes continued to grow, while the Daikokuten Space he had previously sensed only vaguely was becoming increasingly clear.

Chino and Yagura's strength had likewise reached the Jonin level. However, because Chino had also been studying medical ninjutsu over the years and had not devoted all her energy to improving her own strength, Yagura had now surpassed her.

Name: Seiji Otsutsuki

Age: 14 (born February 10, Year 19 of Kirigakure)

Height: 178 cm

Weight: 71 kg

Ninja Registration Number: 005666

Ninja Rank: Elite Jonin (Chakra Quantity: 16 cards)

Mission Record: D-rank 0 times, C-rank 0 times, B-rank 22 times, A-rank 43 times, S-rank 26 times

Chakra Attributes: Wind, Lightning, Water, Fire, Earth, Yin, Yang

Mastered Ninjutsu: Wind Release Ninjutsu 20, Lightning Release Ninjutsu 15, Water Release Ninjutsu 30, Fire Release Ninjutsu 25, Earth Release Ninjutsu 20, Yin Release Ninjutsu 3, Yin-Yang Release Ninjutsu 1

(Sensory ninjutsu should be classified as Yin Release according to its attribute, so this will not be explained further later on. The technique used to create Underground Exchange identity tokens was a Yin-Yang Release application inherited from Ōtsutsuki Isshiki.)

Kekkei Genkai: Shikotsumyaku

Name: Karatachi Yagura

Age: 14 (born April 3, Year 19 of Kirigakure)

Height: 143 cm

Weight: 38.8 kg

Ninja Registration Number: 005028

Ninja Rank: Jonin (Chakra Quantity: 3 cards)

Mission Record: D-rank 56 times, C-rank 28 times, B-rank 22 times, A-rank 43 times, S-rank 26 times

Chakra Attributes: Wind, Water, Yin, Yang

Mastered Ninjutsu: Wind Release Ninjutsu 25, Water Release Ninjutsu 25, Yin Release Ninjutsu 2

Name: Hozuki Chino

Age: 18 (born June 6, Year 15 of Kirigakure)

Height: 170 cm

Weight: 53 kg

Ninja Registration Number: 003868

Ninja Rank: Jonin (Chakra Quantity: 2.8 cards)

Mission Record: D-rank 112 times, C-rank 68 times, B-rank 40 times, A-rank 58 times, S-rank 27 times

Chakra Attributes: Water, Yang

Mastered Ninjutsu: Water Release Ninjutsu 30, Medical Ninjutsu 5

Kirigakure, Anbu Main Base, Minister's Office.

Fourteen-year-old Seiji knelt on one knee before Captain Ken and reported on the mission's completion.

"...That was roughly the situation. Friction across the Ninja World has been increasing lately. I believe the footsteps of war are drawing ever closer," Seiji said gravely.

"Bone, your assessment is correct. The village has already begun making preparations in secret. Kirigakure lies overseas, far from the continent. While we are unlikely to take the initiative to attack, we must still be ready to join the war at any time." Ken looked at Seiji, extremely satisfied with his performance in the ANBU.

"Starting today, you will be the captain of the ANBU First Division. Hua will serve as your deputy, while Kagami will take over as captain of the Sixth Squad. You will be responsible for filling the vacant positions yourself. Go!" Ken continued.

"Yes! Then I shall take my leave." Seiji answered respectfully before rising and leaving the Minister's Office.

The former captain of the Sixth Squad, Wind, and the captain of the First Division, Mist, had encountered Third Raikage A of Kumogakure in the Land of Lightning and a large number of ANBU during a joint ANBU S-rank mission in Year 31 of Kirigakure. Although the mission was ultimately completed successfully, Wind had exhausted all his Chakra to cast the A-rank Water Release Ninjutsu, Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave, in order to cover the retreat of the others, including Seiji. He trapped all the Kumogakure ANBU, but ultimately died in battle after completely exhausting his Chakra. After holding off the Third Raikage for roughly three minutes, Mist had his heart pierced by the Third Raikage's One-Finger Nukite and died on the spot.

After that mission, Seiji succeeded Wind as captain of the Sixth Squad. Since Seiji had already reached the level of an Elite Jonin, while Yagura and Chino had both become Jonin as well, the Sixth Squad remained a three-man unit and did not add any new members. Under Seiji's leadership, the trio completed many difficult missions and set the record for a 100% mission completion rate among Kirigakure ANBU squads.

After leaving the office, Seiji headed straight for the First Training Ground, the usual base of the First Division. He was going to meet his future subordinates.

By the time he arrived, the squads that had received notice from Captain Ken had already assembled. Seiji appeared before everyone with a Body Flicker, gave Yagura and Chino a signal, and then his expression turned solemn.

"I am Bone, the new captain of the ANBU First Division. Some of you have carried out missions with me before, but more of you are probably unfamiliar with me. Kirigakure has always revered the strong. Today is my first day in office, so I will give you this chance. If anyone is dissatisfied, you may come and spar with me. If you can defeat me, what is the harm in giving you this captain's position? But after today, if any of you obey my orders in public while defying them in private, then hmph!" Seiji declared loudly, his words brimming with confidence in his own strength.

The crowd exchanged glances. Then, two people slowly stepped forward from the front row. Judging from where they had been standing, they were likely the captains of the First and Second Squads.

"Captain, the two of us may not be much, but we would like to witness your skills," one of them said to Seiji.