Anbu Recruits Again

After the mission handover was complete, Asuma and Kurenai left first, while Amada was kept behind by the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, for a private talk.

Amada felt a bit confused, wondering what he wanted to instruct him on.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in his Hokage office chair, holding his pipe, and looked at Amada before getting straight to the point:

"Amada, would you be willing to join the Anbu?"

Amada froze for a moment, then couldn't help but inwardly exclaim:

"Are you and Danzo brothers? Why do you say almost the same thing!"

However, on the surface, he maintained his composure.

Amada felt conflicted.

He had already joined Root and become Danzo's subordinate. If he joined the Anbu now, wouldn't that be like having his feet in two boats?

Seeing that Amada didn't answer immediately, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't seem surprised.

He continued:

"I've been watching your growth. With your current abilities, you should go somewhere where your talents can be better utilized. The Anbu is a very suitable place for you."

Amada gave a wry smile inwardly.

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone sounded like he was seeking his opinion, he understood that this was already a decided matter.

As the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi's proposal was practically a command. Refusing would clearly be unwise.

"Fine, let it be."

Amada sighed inwardly, then looked up at Hiruzen Sarutobi:

"Lord Hokage, I am willing to join the Anbu."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, a hint of a satisfied smile on his face:

"Very good, I believe you won't disappoint me. Although Anbu missions are dangerous, they are also an excellent opportunity to hone yourself."

Amada respectfully responded:

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

After Hiruzen Sarutobi instructed Amada to report to the Anbu secret base the next day, he waved his hand, signaling that he could leave.

Amada respectfully bowed and then exited the Hokage office.

On the way home, Amada's mood was not light.

He pondered inwardly:

"Danzo will definitely find out about me joining the Anbu. Now it depends on what Danzo will say."

He frowned, and another question arose in his mind:

"But does Hiruzen Sarutobi know I joined Root? If he knows, why would he still let me join the Anbu? If he doesn't know, will Danzo use this to make a big deal out of it?"

Amada shook his head, suppressing these chaotic thoughts for the time being.

He knew that regardless of whether Hiruzen Sarutobi was aware of the situation, he had no other choice now.

Joining the Anbu was a done deal, all he could do was to improve his strength with all his might to deal with potential dangerous missions in the future.

Upon returning home, Amada went straight to the basement.

That was his exclusive training ground for "Qi."

He sat cross-legged in the center of the magic circle, closed his eyes, and began to guide the energy within his body to resonate with the power of heaven and earth.

"After joining the Anbu, the missions will definitely be more dangerous. I must become stronger as soon as possible."

Amada admonished himself silently in his heart.

At the same time, in the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood by the window.

In his hand was a detailed file on Amada, which conspicuously included information about his joining Root.

"Danzo, your reach is too long."

Hiruzen Sarutobi muttered to himself.

The reason he had Amada join the Anbu

was not only because Amada was indeed an excellent talent, but also to give Danzo a clear warning.

He wanted to make Danzo understand who the real leader of Konoha was, and that Root's influence should not extend too far.

The next morning, Amada first found Asuma and Kurenai.

He knew that his impending joining of the Anbu could not be revealed to the public, but as companions, he still had to bid them a proper farewell.

"Asuma, Kurenai, I'm going on other missions now, and I might not see you for a while."

Amada spoke in a calm tone.

Although Asuma and Kurenai had long known this day would come, they could not help but feel a sense of loss in their hearts.

Asuma patted Amada on the shoulder and said with a feigned air of ease:

"Don't worry, I'll become a Chunin sooner or later and catch up to you! Just make sure you don't let me leave you too far behind!"

Kurenai offered a faint smile, her tone gentle:

"Amada, no matter where you go, we will always be your companions."

After saying his goodbyes, Amada followed Hiruzen Sarutobi's instructions and quietly headed toward the secret base of the Anbu.

The location of the base was extremely concealed, with complex barriers and guards at the entrance that made it impossible for ordinary people to even approach.

Upon entering the base, an Anbu ninja wearing a mask was already waiting.

He did not say much, simply signaling for Amada to follow.

The two passed through a dim corridor and eventually arrived at a spacious room.

In the room, a middle-aged ninja stood in the center.

He wore an Anbu uniform and was not wearing a mask, his expression stern and dignified.

Amada immediately realized that this must be the Anbu Captain.

The Anbu Captain did not waste words, stating directly:

"Go collect your uniform and mask, then choose a codename. From today on, you are a member of the Anbu."

Amada nodded, asking no further questions.

He knew that the rules of the Anbu were brevity and efficiency; there was no need for superfluous chatter.

Led by another Anbu ninja, Amada collected his uniform and mask.

The uniform was black, and the mask was shaped like a cat's face.

"Codename," the Anbu ninja asked curtly.

Amada pondered for a moment, then whispered:

"'Yoruichi'."

The Anbu ninja nodded, recorded the codename in the register, and then said:

"You will be notified when there is a mission. You are required to be on call 24 hours a day, ready to execute orders at any time."

Amada nodded to show he understood.

The Anbu ninja said nothing more, simply waving his hand to signal that he could leave.

After leaving the Anbu base, Amada felt satisfied with this arrangement.

At the very least, after joining the Anbu, he would no longer have to perform those low-level missions that wasted his precious time.

In this way, he would have more time to focus on his cultivation.

However, what he found strange was that Danzo had not come to find him.

Logically speaking, it was impossible for Danzo not to know that he had joined the Anbu.

Does he not care, or has he made a concession to Hiruzen Sarutobi?

Amada speculated inwardly.

He knew that the relationship between Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi had always been delicate.

Although both acted for the sake of Konoha, their methods and philosophies were vastly different.

Perhaps Hiruzen Sarutobi letting me join the Anbu is, in itself, a warning to Danzo.

A flicker of contemplation crossed Amada's eyes.

The next day, the Anbu notification arrived quietly.

A specially trained Anbu sparrow flew past Amada's window, emitting a few unique chirps.

This was a special Anbu signal, meaning there was a mission requiring his immediate execution.

Amada quickly donned his Anbu uniform and cat mask, then rushed to the Anbu base.

Upon arrival, a ninja wearing a fox mask assigned him his mission.

This person was likely a squad leader in the Anbu, responsible for commanding and coordinating missions.