Joining Anbu and Heading to Kusagakure

For the next two days, Mo Chen focused on training under Yamato.

To prepare for any dangers that might arise in Kusagakure, he had to improve his strength as much as possible. Otherwise, he'd be gambling with his life.

The fabricated future had boosted his talent to an outrageous level, and he held nothing back during training. His rate of progress nearly scared Yamato senseless.

Mo Chen mastered the Wood Release training in a single attempt.

It took him just one morning to get the hang of Wood Release and increase its power, surpassing Yamato's strength.

That afternoon, Mo Chen learned every Wood Release technique Yamato knew, including the Wood Golem Technique, which Yamato himself couldn't use.

By the next day—the third day of training under Yamato—Mo Chen had exhausted Yamato's entire repertoire.

He had wanted Yamato to pass on all the knowledge stored in his head as well, but the Third Hokage, who had been observing them with the Telescope Technique, sent someone to fetch Mo Chen, interrupting his training.

"Mo Chen, Yamato tells me your training is going very smoothly. You mastered Wood Release yesterday and learned a great many techniques, which you've already gotten the hang of."

The Third Hokage sat behind his desk, wearing his Hokage hat and puffing on his pipe as he spoke with a genial smile.

Yamato had come along with Mo Chen and was now standing behind him. Hearing the Third Hokage's words, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Mo Chen had progressed rapidly. In just three days, his strength had nearly surpassed Yamato's, and his combat skills were no slouch either.

But because he had advanced so quickly, Yamato wasn't entirely confident and didn't dare send Mo Chen out on missions just yet.

He had planned to let Mo Chen train for a while longer, but he hadn't expected the Third Hokage to be in such a hurry to summon him.

"Reporting to you, Third Lord..." Mo Chen replied respectfully. "I wouldn't say I've mastered everything, but I have indeed learned Wood Release and picked up a few techniques. I owe it all to Teacher Yamato."

The Third Hokage was pleased with Mo Chen's attitude. Yamato had only been teaching him for three days, yet Mo Chen already called him teacher.

The Third Hokage also valued such respect for one's teacher.

"Excellent!" The Third Hokage nodded with satisfaction. "I've occasionally watched you train, and you really are impressive. Even setting Wood Release aside, your talent, character, and perseverance are all exceptional."

"With your abilities, you'll find it hard to become a true powerhouse if you keep training in isolation. So I'd like you to join Anbu and take on a few missions to gain experience. What do you think?"

Naruto had already started going on missions under Kakashi's guidance. Given his personality, it wouldn't be long before he got restless and wanted to take on higher-ranked missions, which would inevitably take him outside the village.

Kakashi was an elite Jonin, and he also had the Sharingan, so the Third Hokage trusted him to protect Naruto.

The problem was that Konoha's two elder advisors strongly disapproved. They had already approached the Third Hokage several times, wanting to keep the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki confined to the village forever.

But the Third Hokage had his own plans. He was doing everything he could to train Mo Chen now, giving Naruto an extra layer of protection.

If Mo Chen truly grew strong, that protection would be unbreakable.

"I'll do as you say, Third Lord!" On the surface, Mo Chen naturally acted as if he'd follow whatever the Third Hokage said.

Joining Anbu and going on missions was something he had brought about himself through his fabricated future, and the timing was just right.

The system really was amazing. With no human interference, events were unfolding exactly as they had in the Future videos.

"Very good. From this moment on, you're a member of the Hokage's Anbu. You'll be assigned to Yamato's Third Squad," the Third Hokage said with a genial nod.

Yamato was delighted. He hadn't expected the Third Hokage to arrange things this way. Mo Chen had become his subordinate, which meant he could still find time to continue teaching him.

But before Yamato could dwell on it, the Third Hokage continued, "However, I have an urgent mission for you. It will also serve as your test for joining Anbu. You'll formally join after completing it successfully."

"Yes, Third Lord!" Mo Chen had no objections.

The Third Hokage began explaining the mission.

In three months, Konoha would host a grand Chunin Ninja Exams.

The exams would be held in Konoha and jointly organized by Konoha of the Land of Fire and the ninja villages of all its neighboring allied nations.

With so many participants from all walks of life, the preparations alone would require a great deal of manpower and resources.

First of all, invitations to the allied ninja villages would be sent out over the next few days by various ninja teams.

Mo Chen would be responsible for the direction of the Land of Grass.

He wasn't being sent to deliver an invitation. Another team had that job.

Mo Chen's mission was to follow that team to Kusagakure and secretly investigate the candidates Kusagakure planned to send to the Chunin Ninja Exams.

After explaining the mission, the Third Hokage added, "Normally, a mission like this would be handled by an experienced intelligence ninja. A newcomer like you, who's never been on a mission before, would find it difficult."

"But first, the team traveling openly will provide cover. Second, Kusagakure's defenses have been relatively thin lately. With your current strength, you should be able to manage as long as you're careful."

Yamato said anxiously, "Even so, Mo Chen has only just graduated from the Ninja Academy. He's never left the village, and no one's taught him how to gather intelligence..."

The Ninja Academy did teach some related material, but it was only superficial, with no practical instructions.

The Third Hokage waved a hand. "That's why I'm leaving it to you, Yamato. Teach him the relevant techniques. You have one night. Mo Chen leaves tomorrow morning. With his talent, I'm sure he'll pick it up quickly."

Yamato was still somewhat worried, but after hearing that, he couldn't argue further.

And so it was settled. Before Mo Chen left, the Third Hokage handed him a file containing information about the team delivering the invitation to Kusagakure.

To Mo Chen's surprise, the team was Team Three, the one Tenten belonged to.

At the same time, Tenten seemed to have just received notice of the mission and mentioned it in the Chat Group.

[Tenten: I'd been hoping to find an individual mission that would take me out of the village, but I just got word that our team has been assigned a mission. By coincidence, we're heading to Kusagakure, and we leave first thing tomorrow morning.]

[Ino Yamanaka: What a coincidence! But if you're traveling with your team, will you have time to meet Karin?]

[Hinata Hyuga: Good luck, Tenten-senpai!]

[Tenten: This mission sounds pretty simple, so we should have plenty of time. I'll think of something when we get there. I should be able to slip out of sight of my team, but I don't know if I'll be able to help Mo Chen and Karin.]

[Karin Uzumaki: Please make sure you stay safe. I don't want any of you to put yourselves in danger for my sake.]

[Tenten: Don't worry, Karin. I won't do anything reckless. And if anything really does happen, I'm a Konoha Ninja, and I'll have an elite Jonin as my team leader. Kusagakure wouldn't dare give me a hard time.]

[Tenten: Most importantly, Mo Chen is special. You can always trust him!]

[Ino Yamanaka: Remember to livestream when the time comes!]