"What's the mission this time?"
Following behind him, Mitaraishi Anko quickly slipped into her role.
"We discovered that ninja from Kirigakure had infiltrated the Land of Fire and stolen intelligence from Konoha..."
Hyuga Sho spoke.
"Although Konoha's ANBU caught up with them and killed them, they transmitted the intelligence in code to Kirigakure's Cipher Squad. The Kirigakure Cipher Squad stationed within the Land of Fire is now returning to the Bloody Mist Village under escort."
Kirigakure's Cipher Squad was not skilled in combat.
That made their pace a little slower.
It also gave Konoha a chance to catch up with them.
Something was tossed to Anko.
Anko caught it and examined it in the moonlight.
It was a document.
Or rather... a Special Jonin certificate.
Hyuga Sho had obtained the certificate for Anko.
Of course.
The Special Jonin certificate was genuine, issued by the Konoha High Command.
Anko's memories and emotions were still stuck at the age of thirteen.
Back then, she had only been a Chunin.
After five wasted years... what qualified her to become a Special Jonin?
"All you need is hatred..."
Hyuga Sho glanced back at her.
"As long as you hate Orochimaru with all your heart, or even hate me, hate everything in the world, you can grow stronger."
"Bullshit!"
Anko did not believe a word Hyuga Sho said.
But soon...
She felt a surge of power.
A black aura rose from her body.
Stranger still...
Anko felt a burning heat in her lower abdomen...
The Caged Bird Seal had taken on another function.
Anko could both generate and receive it.
She produced dark chakra for her own consumption.
She was its seedbed, its host, and could also use it herself.
Hating Orochimaru and Hyuga Sho generated dark chakra, which strengthened her...
A perfect cycle had