The White Mask

"If I can beat you, Captain Kakashi?"

Hearing that, Kakashi frowned. He thought Youhu was getting ahead of himself.

This wasn't wartime. Without the pressure of life and death, a ninja's strength improved very slowly. How could a Chunin who'd spent his youth coasting in the Guard Division possibly beat him, a Jonin?

Even Obito hadn't been this arrogant back then.

"If you can force me to retreat, I'll recommend you for promotion to Jonin to the Third Lord."

Kakashi looked at Youhu, who stood not far away, and accepted the wager.

"It's a deal."

Youhu drew the Katana he carried with him and began considering how much of his strength to reveal.

There was no way he could use his Mangekyo and crush Kakashi. With only basic Ninjutsu and Taijutsu, he might not be able to beat him. At most, he could use the Three Tomoe Sharingan and show strength close to a Jonin's.

After weighing it over, Youhu activated his Sharingan and charged at Kakashi.

Under the Sharingan's perception, Kakashi's movements seemed much slower. Once he'd closed the distance, Youhu slashed at Kakashi's neck.

His speed was so swift that Kakashi's expression changed.

This was nothing like what the reports said. Was Youhu really just an Ordinary Chunin? Could an Ordinary Chunin awaken the Three Tomoe Sharingan?

His talent was in no way inferior to Uchiha Itachi's.

After his initial shock, Kakashi quickly regained the composure of an experienced Jonin. He blocked the slash with a Kunai, then pulled another one from his vest and counterattacked.

This Kunai wasn't ordinary. Several expensive Explosive Tags were tied to it.

The moment it neared Youhu, it detonated. A tremendous shockwave spread in every direction, kicking up clouds of dust.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

A loud shout rang out through the dust, and a fireball roared toward Kakashi.

Kakashi dropped the Kunai and hurriedly formed Hand Seals, slapping his palm against the ground. "Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall!"

As Chakra surged, the earth split open and a wall of dirt rose up, blocking the oncoming fireball. Four enormous dog heads were carved across its upper edge.

Was Kakashi making fun of the Successive Hokage?

Youhu saw the absurd Dog-Head Earth Flow Wall and was reminded of Kage Rock. Kakashi must have had a grudge against the Hokage, which was why he'd carved dog heads into his Earth Flow Wall.

Youhu jumped onto the top of the Earth Flow Wall and called to Kakashi, "Captain Kakashi, even if you're unhappy with the Hokage, you shouldn't insult them with a technique like this."

"?"

Kakashi glanced at the Earth Flow Wall. The dog heads did look a little like Kage Rock.

Damn, someone had spotted his little touch. He did have grievances against some of the Hokage, which was why he'd used his Chakra to carve the dog heads.

If this kid had noticed, would he go around telling everyone?

But in the next instant, Youhu suddenly leaped in front of Kakashi, his Katana thrusting straight toward Kakashi's heart.

Just before it struck, Youhu abruptly stopped.

"Captain Kakashi, you're a Shadow Clone, aren't you?"

As soon as he said that, Youhu stabbed through Kakashi's body, then jumped back a few steps to evade Earth Style: Beheading Technique.

With a puff, Kakashi's body dissolved into smoke after taking a hit to a vital point.

"Three minutes have passed. You've passed the test. I didn't expect you to awaken the Three Tomoe Sharingan at such a young age. Your strength is about on par with a Jonin's."

Kakashi emerged from underground, where he'd been hiding with Earth Style Ninjutsu. His expression was complicated.

He didn't know how Youhu had kept his abilities hidden from everyone. The kid was definitely a Jonin, yet he'd stayed quietly in the Security Force, acting like an ordinary guard.

If Youhu was scheming, he didn't look the part.

It made no sense to hide his strength in the Security Force, only to reveal everything once he joined the Anbu.

Could Youhu really be different from the other Uchiha, and actually yearn for the village?

Kakashi didn't want to keep fighting, but Youhu wasn't done. He stared at Kakashi and said, "Captain Kakashi, don't change the subject and run away. I'm going to beat you right now."

Kakashi didn't want to fight Youhu anymore. He'd already shown most of his strength. If they kept going, he'd have to use his friend's eye.

He couldn't bring himself to use his friend's eye against his friend's clansman.

Clearing his throat, Kakashi walked up to Youhu and forced a smile. "Youhu, I'll keep my promise. Once you're qualified to become a Jonin, I'll definitely recommend you to the Hokage!"

"?"

Youhu glanced at Kakashi. He'd always been the one making promises he couldn't keep, but today Kakashi had made one to him.

If he was already qualified to become a Jonin, would he still need Kakashi's recommendation? When had that straight-browed Konoha Technician learned the Third Hokage's tricks?

You were the one who made the promise first. Don't blame me if I resort to underhanded tactics later.

There was plenty about your past with Uchiha Obito that could be rewritten...

"All right, all right. I'll take you to get your Anbu equipment first, then introduce you to your future teammates. You might even run into someone you know."

Kakashi could tell Youhu was displeased, so he hurried to placate him.

Youhu made a mental note of his grievance with Kakashi, but obediently nodded and said:

"Fine, I'll do whatever you say, Captain Kakashi. Can you tell me about Brother Obito? I heard you two were good friends. You don't have to tell me, but if you don't, I won't keep the secret of your Earth Flow Wall to myself."

"Fine, fine."

Kakashi sighed inwardly and began telling Youhu about his story with Obito.

Before long, the two of them arrived at the Anbu Base and entered the warehouse.

Kakashi picked out a suitable outfit for Youhu. As for weapons and other equipment, Youhu had to choose those himself. Every Anbu member had weapons he preferred.

Youhu picked out a long sword, then took a large number of Kunai and Explosive Tags, packing them all away.

Ninja equipment was expensive. Since he finally had a chance to get some for free, he was obviously going to take as much as he could. Anything he couldn't use himself could be sold off at the Black Market later.

So he was a little miser after all.

Kakashi watched Youhu at work but didn't stop him.

The Anbu was the Hokage's personal force, and had far more funding than the village's other departments. The expensive ninja equipment sold elsewhere cost little more than the materials here.

After all, only Anbu ninja saw combat during peacetime.

Once Youhu had chosen all his equipment, Kakashi led him to a rack lined with masks of all kinds.

Kakashi pointed to the masks. "Youhu, once you've picked one, we can start your first mission."

Youhu scanned the rack.

It was full of masks of all kinds. Some were Animal Masks, while others depicted gods and monsters. Faced with such a variety, Youhu couldn't decide.

Should he choose the Fox Mask or the Ogre Mask?

As he looked over the last row, Youhu spotted a white mask with ripples and his eyes lit up.

Wasn't this Obito's White Mask?

Had Obito gotten his mask from the Anbu Warehouse too? But now that Youhu had found it, maybe it was fate.

Youhu picked up the White Mask and put it on. It fit him perfectly.

"A White Mask? It'll stand out a little in the dark, but with a few simple adjustments, it'll do."

Kakashi didn't think there was anything wrong with it. This kind of mask was rare, but the point of a mask was to conceal your identity. They all worked the same.

"Are you ready? If you are, I'll introduce you to your teammates and help you get used to Anbu work."

"I'm ready." Youhu nodded. He'd already changed into his new clothes. He looked pretty handsome in the mirror—just like a mastermind lurking in the shadows of the Ninja World.