I'm Joining XX!

"This is all your equipment."

"Thank you."

The next day, at the Anbu Equipment Division.

Hyuga Makoto received his new outfit from an Anbu member. Looking at the hawk-faced mask, he couldn't help nodding.

"Thankfully, it isn't a bull..."

He wasn't prejudiced or anything, but he really didn't want to shout, "Minotaur warrior, charge!"

Just then, a voice sounded behind him. When he turned around, he immediately put on a polite smile.

"Good morning, Captain Kakashi."

After returning home last night, Hyuga Makoto had inevitably gone to see Hyuga Hiashi.

Especially since he had used Rotation, he felt he needed to explain himself.

What surprised him, however, was that Hyuga Hiashi didn't seem to care about the matter at all.

He merely told Makoto that he would be assigned to Kakashi's Squad from then on and reminded him to obey the Anbu regulations. Then he sent him off to train with Hinata.

Could it be that he thinks Hinata taught me?

Hyuga Makoto couldn't figure it out, but he did understand a few things.

When he left, he noticed the way some members of the Main Branch were looking at him.

They haven't suffered the iron fist of the Uchiha Clan Massacre yet...

Hyuga Makoto couldn't help sighing emotionally. Once that happened, the entire Hyuga clan became much more obedient.

He was also somewhat curious whether the Uchiha Clan Massacre had been one of the factors that led Hyuga Hiashi to "betray his ancestors."

After all, an enormous clan had vanished just like that. The impact of such a thing was unimaginable.

But that had nothing to do with him. He had already embarked on a new path!

"Thank you as well for showing mercy yesterday, Captain."

Although his mind was running wild, it didn't affect his polite exchange in the slightest.

"I look forward to working with you."

"Hey, you seem to have forgotten about me."

Tenzo stepped out from behind Kakashi and punched Hyuga Makoto on the shoulder.

"You really hit hard. We were only conducting a simple test, but you made us look pretty miserable."

"Having that kind of strength is better."

Kakashi glanced at the two of them before speaking calmly.

"That way, we can prevent our comrades from being killed."

But what if someone else comes looking for trouble?

Hyuga Makoto blinked, but he immediately became serious.

"I understand, Captain Kakashi, Senior. Comrades will always be the people we need to cherish most!"

"You're not bad for a newcomer. And just call me Tenzo."

Tenzo was very pleased with Hyuga Makoto. He patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile,

"Your locker was prepared yesterday. Welcome aboard."

"Thank you, Senior Tenzo."

Hyuga Makoto smiled as he replied. Tenzo was just as he remembered him.

Kakashi, meanwhile, seemed somewhat cold. He hadn't yet become the unreliable jonin instructor of the future Team 7.

But Makoto didn't mind. He knew far too well how to deal with Kakashi at this stage.

After all, I've personally watched you change!

As he pondered this, the three of them arrived at the lounge.

However, when he saw the empty lounge, Hyuga Makoto was instantly dumbfounded.

"Huh? Why is no one here?"

He had wanted to meet that great filial son who had killed his entire family and see if he could run into a mission.

Where did that enormous weasel go?

"The others are on missions. The Anbu are very busy."

Kakashi spoke calmly, while Tenzo added with a smile,

"Surveillance, escort missions, and so on. As it happens, we have a mission too."

"Huh?"

Hyuga Makoto pointed at himself in disbelief.

"We do?"

"That's right."

Kakashi nodded lightly.

"This mission will also serve as a test for you."

"Another test..."

Hyuga Makoto really hadn't expected to have work on his first day in the Anbu.

Even Uchiha Itachi didn't get this kind of treatment, did he?

But he suddenly remembered. Uchiha Itachi was probably monitoring his own family right now.

Although he was somewhat disappointed that he couldn't meet that "hardcore ruthless man," being able to get moving was a good thing!

"No problem. I just have one question."

"Go ahead."

Kakashi's words were concise and efficient. Hyuga Makoto scratched his head and asked awkwardly,

"Captain, when joining the Anbu, aren't we supposed to undergo some kind of training on the rules?"

"Huh? Is there such a requirement?"

Before Kakashi could answer, Tenzo asked curiously from the side.

"..."

Kakashi glanced at Tenzo and spoke helplessly.

"The Anbu's rules are the same as those for ordinary ninja, just stricter. We're the Hokage's direct forces and an extension of the Hokage's will, so..."

"We only take orders from Hokage-sama, and anything related to the Anbu must remain confidential?"

Hyuga Makoto immediately understood what Kakashi meant. The Anbu were still ninja; they simply belonged to a different level of command and had stricter confidentiality requirements.

Everything a ninja needed to learn had already been taught at the Academy. The Anbu merely took things a step further.

Once he thought it through, however, he couldn't help complaining inwardly. Isn't this organization a little too makeshift?

"That's right. As for training, there used to be some."

Kakashi seemed to have seen through Makoto's thoughts. He glanced at Tenzo before continuing.

"Tenzo used to be there. It's just that now..."

"Ugh!"

Tenzo's eyes widened. He turned and stared seriously at Hyuga Makoto.

"Don't go to that place!"

"I understand..."

The corner of Hyuga Makoto's mouth twitched. He had almost forgotten that this had once been Danzo's job!

Root had gradually become Danzo's private army, slowly growing independent from the Anbu.

It wasn't until Danzo and Uchiha Itachi had carried out that ruthless operation, resulting in Danzo being removed as Hokage Assistant, that Root was merged back into the Anbu.

But after the Third Hokage died, Danzo started stirring things up again...

Hyuga Makoto only wanted to live comfortably, not die early, so he decisively changed the subject.

"Captain, let's talk about the mission first."

"This mission isn't complicated, considering that we have to bring a newcomer."

Kakashi clearly didn't want to say more about that One-Eyed Old Man. He nodded and spoke seriously.

"Our target is an abandoned laboratory in the Land of Whirlpools."

"However, this laboratory was once used by Orochimaru."

Tenzo pursed his lips and added from the side. His mood was somewhat downcast. After all, he had also been one of Orochimaru's victims.

"Orochimaru..."

When Hyuga Makoto heard that name, his eyes immediately lit up.

He had been pondering Orochimaru's technology and ruthless experiments. He hadn't expected to run into them on his first day in the Anbu.

Joining the Anbu was the right choice!

"Yes. The information came from Jiraiya-sama."

Kakashi didn't notice Makoto's expression and continued speaking.

"Besides that, we'll also be helping with something along the way."

"Helping?"

"According to the intelligence, a Kirigakure squad landed in the Land of Whirlpools and is heading toward the Land of Fire. The village has already sent people there, but to prevent accidents, we'll provide support from the shadows."

"I see..."

Hyuga Makoto nodded in understanding, but he didn't pay it much attention.

Kirigakure had caused trouble for Konoha more than once or twice. Besides, this time they were only going to provide support.

Surely I won't run into trouble on my first mission like Uchiha Itachi did?

What he was more interested in now was Orochimaru's abandoned laboratory.

If I can trigger a side quest and get what I want, I'll really be making a profit!

"Hm?"

Just then, his system really did react.

[New Side Quest Acquired]

[1. Loot Orochimaru's Laboratory]
[2. I'm Joining Orochimaru!]

[New Side Quest Acquired]

[1. Eliminate All Kirigakure Ninja]
[2. I'm Joining Kirigakure!]

"?"

Looking at the two side quests, the corner of Hyuga Makoto's eye twitched.

Two quests appearing at once delighted him.

But why did both quests involve making him run?

Moreover, judging from the quests, something seemed wrong with those Kirigakure people.

They were only going to provide support, so why did the system want him to kill them all?

"All right, that's the situation. Change into your equipment, and we'll set out."

Before he could think further, Kakashi spoke again.

"The mission won't be easy, but you can rest assured. I won't let anything happen to you."

"..."

Upon hearing those words, Hyuga Makoto nearly sucked in a cold breath!

He understood now why the quests wanted him to run.

If someone else said that, it might not mean anything. But when Kakashi said it, that was another matter entirely...