Kakashi, You're Wrong

Kakashi, You're Wrong

After leaving the Hokage Building, Xu Fan was preparing to head to the Anbu to collect his uniform and mask when he ran into Kakashi halfway there.

Kakashi was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, looking as though he had been waiting for quite some time.

"Well... welcome aboard." Kakashi glanced at Xu Fan before straightening up and scratching his head. "Starting today, I'll be your captain."

"You're wrong."

Xu Fan met Kakashi's gaze and instantly understood what was going on.

Since Hiruzen Sarutobi had assigned him to Kakashi's Anbu squad, he naturally would have informed Kakashi, the squad captain.

If Xu Fan was not mistaken, Kakashi had probably also received a secret mission from Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Something like monitoring him and reporting his every move.

But...

There was something Kakashi needed to understand.

Although he had agreed to join the Anbu, he had no intention of taking orders from anyone.

Rather, he intended to use this opportunity to play along and absorb the Anbu that belonged to Hiruzen Sarutobi into his own force.

"I'm wrong?"

Kakashi could not help freezing, surprised by Xu Fan's words.

In Konoha, no one had ever defied a direct order from the Third Hokage.

Was this guy refusing?

"Starting today, you'll be my subordinate, Kakashi." Xu Fan stated the current situation in a low voice.

"What?!"

Kakashi's eyes widened instantly. Xu Fan did not look as though he was joking at all.

Had the Third Hokage personally appointed Xu Fan as captain?

But how was that possible?

That was not what they had agreed on yesterday.

Xu Fan was not even a genin. He had attended the Ninja Academy for only one day.

Though Kakashi had witnessed his strength firsthand, he lacked the knowledge a ninja ought to possess.

He probably did not even understand the rules of the ninja world.

Was it really all right to make him an Anbu captain so directly, Third Hokage?

Kakashi swallowed, his heart filled with shock at the news.

"Besides, it seems you've misunderstood something."

Seeing Kakashi's reaction, Xu Fan simply took a step forward. "The reason I joined the Anbu was not because of the Third Hokage's appointment."

"Hm?" Kakashi frowned. "Then why?"

"Because I'm interested in all of you." Xu Fan put away his serious expression and smiled faintly. "All right, take me to meet my adorable subordinates."

Kakashi stood there in silence for a long while before accepting the fact.

No matter how arrogant Xu Fan was, he could not possibly be lying to him.

Once he met with the Third Hokage, the truth would come to light.

"I understand." Kakashi finally calmed himself, turned around, and began leading the way ahead of Xu Fan.

At the same time, Kakashi's mind was racing.

Xu Fan had not said he was interested in Kakashi, but in all of them.

In other words, he knew exactly who was in Kakashi's Anbu squad.

Had the Third Hokage told Xu Fan that too?

Kakashi furrowed his brow, unable to make sense of the situation. On one hand, the Third Hokage had told him to guide Xu Fan and report every one of his actions.

On the other hand, he had informed Xu Fan about his Anbu squad and even made him its captain.

Third Hokage...

What exactly was he doing?

Still, no matter how many questions Kakashi had, he would not go directly to the Third Hokage and demand an explanation.

He should focus on what was in front of him.

Before long, Kakashi brought Xu Fan to the place where the Anbu members rested.

"Before meeting everyone, we should first go see Master Siba." Kakashi suddenly spoke as they walked.

"Who's that?" Xu Fan blurted out.

He had some impression of every named character in Naruto.

But this was the first time he had ever heard of Siba.

"Normally, an Anbu member's uniform consists of a black bodysuit, a white strapped vest, and a black trench coat."

"For various reasons, the Anbu keeps a certain amount of these outfits in reserve."

Every Anbu mission came with the risk of death.

Damaged uniforms were even more commonplace.

"However, an Anbu captain's coat is beige." Kakashi paused. "So it has to be custom-made."

"I see." Xu Fan nodded in realization.

The captain of the Anbu squad he was joining had originally been Kakashi. Kakashi was at least seven or eight years older than him, so there was a difference in height.

If Kakashi had not brought it up, Xu Fan would not even have remembered that Naruto had such a setting.

Soon, Xu Fan met the Siba Kakashi had mentioned.

"Another newcomer?" The moment Siba saw Kakashi and Xu Fan, he guessed why they were there.

Though the Anbu kept reserve uniforms, exceptions occasionally occurred when there was no suitable size, requiring a custom order.

Siba was already used to it.

"Not a face I recognize." Siba looked Xu Fan up and down, then took a measuring tape from his person and began measuring him.

Even though he was not a ninja, Siba knew the ninja promotion process very well. One graduated from the Ninja Academy as a genin, then took the Chunin Exams to become a chunin.

Only afterward would one qualify to become a Jonin or enter the Anbu.

Siba watched the Chunin Exams every year, and he remembered anyone who performed exceptionally.

However, while Siba measured Xu Fan and made idle conversation with him, another Anbu member arrived.

"Captain Kakashi!"

The newcomer was a female ninja wearing the standard Anbu uniform, with long, straight black hair.

Unlike Root, a department that erased emotions and names,

Anbu members lived like ordinary people when they were not carrying out missions.

Many female Anbu members fell in love, got married, and had children.

Kakashi's handsome appearance, formidable strength, and aloof personality had made him extremely popular among those female Anbu members.

The moment she saw Kakashi there, she greeted him and walked over.

"Meiko." Kakashi glanced at her and replied casually.

"And this is?" Meiko immediately noticed Xu Fan beside Kakashi. "A new arrival?"

"My name is Meiko. Pleased to meet you." Meiko gave Xu Fan a mischievous smile. "Anbu work is very hard, you know."

"All right." Siba finished taking Xu Fan's measurements at that moment and put away the tape. "I'll have the new uniform ready soon."

"Oh, and make the trench coat beige." Kakashi added, emphasizing the color of Xu Fan's coat.

The moment he said that, Siba, Meiko, and the Anbu Ninja who had come with her all froze on the spot.

Because they knew that beige represented the rank of Anbu captain!

This guy... was a captain?