ANBU? Root!

"So... let's call it a day!"

"I still have to stop by Lord Hokage's office later."

The two walked to an intersection on a Konoha street. Yu suddenly stopped and smiled at Yugao, whose long purple hair cascaded down her back.

"The dumplings you gave me were delicious. See you next time!"

"Uh, all right..." Though she was reluctant to part, Yugao heard that Yu still had important business to take care of, so she could only smile and wave goodbye. Before leaving, she didn't forget to encourage him.

"Keep doing your best, Yu! You're the greatest ninja!"

"Don't worry. I won't lose to anyone."

Only after watching Yugao's graceful figure and long hair disappear at the end of the street did Yu finally look away. He turned and walked into an unoccupied path through the woods nearby.

Though dates with girls straight out of a manga were wonderful, Yu wouldn't forget that improving his strength was currently his most urgent priority.

On the road to the Hokage Office Building, the wind rustled the trees on either side. Yu suddenly stopped walking.

"You've been following me all this time..."

"Isn't it about time you came out?"

Yu stopped and spoke abruptly to the empty path through the woods in front of him.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

As soon as he finished speaking, two ninjas appeared before him.

They wore cat-faced masks and stood on either side of Yu, blocking his way.

"You're Yakushi Hane, correct?"

"Lord Danzo requests your presence."

The cat-masked ninja in front stepped directly into Yu's path.

"Lord Danzo?"

"Sorry, I don't know him. Please move aside."

Hearing the name, Yu's thoughts stirred, but his expression remained unchanged. He walked around the ninja in front and continued on his way.

Shimura Danzō...

Yu couldn't help but feel a stir of emotion. Having read the original story, he knew Shimura Danzō better than anyone.

He was the leader of Root, Konoha's independent underground organization, a student of the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju, and a rival of the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Ruthless and unscrupulous, he was also devious and calculating—a real old fox. Unless absolutely necessary, Yu didn't want to get involved with such a troublesome person.

However, the two Root ninjas clearly weren't going to let Yu leave so easily. They blocked his path again.

"Then forgive us. It looks like we'll have to knock you out and take you with us."

The ninja in front pulled a sharp kunai from his sleeve, while the one behind drew a long sword from his back. They surrounded Yu, one in front and one behind.

Looking at the two Root ninjas blocking his way, Yu didn't need to think hard to figure out that his performance in yesterday's graduation test had caught the attention of that old fox, Danzō. He wanted to recruit Yu into Root.

"I didn't expect Root to be so bold. You're actually attacking a fellow Konoha ninja in broad daylight."

The weakest ninjas chosen for the Anbu and Root were at least Chunin.

From the aura emanating from the two ninjas, Yu could tell they were probably Chunin.

"Hmph. No one will find out..."

"Because soon... we'll knock you out and take you back!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Root ninja in front thrust his kunai toward Yu's heart.

It was only a feint. His true aim was to make Yu reveal an opening so they could seize the chance to capture him.

"Hmph, two Chunin..."

"But unfortunately for you, I think you've underestimated my strength!"

As the Root ninja's kunai thrust toward his heart, Yu's gaze turned cold.

Lightning Release: Chidori Senbon!

Yu moved even faster than his opponent. He swept his right arm, and the sleeve of his robe whipped through the air.

Blue-white lightning flashed as dozens of slender lightning senbon shot through the air!

Chidori Senbon was a variation Yu had developed from Chidori, just like Chidori Current.

Though it wasn't as powerful as Chidori or Chidori Current, it had the advantage of being a long-range attack, and it could be performed quickly and in great numbers.

"What is this?!"

The Root Chunin clearly hadn't expected Yu to move so fast.

Caught off guard, he frantically swung his kunai to defend himself, but the powerful Lightning Release still left his hands numb.

"My body... I can't move!"

Several Chidori Senbon pierced him, and the powerful Lightning Release chakra numbed his muscles and nerves.

At the same time, the long sword of the other Root Chunin had already closed in from behind. Yu could almost feel the chilling cold of its blade against his skin.

Leaf Whirlwind!

Without turning around, Yu quickly swung his right leg back and kicked the sword away with a scorpion-kick motion.

Chakra Scalpel!

As he kicked the sword aside, Yu swiftly formed Hand Seals and vanished from where he stood.

The next moment, he reappeared behind the Root Chunin, a special blue chakra blade already shining in his hand.

"Hngh!"

The blue chakra blade in Yu's hand swiftly swept across the Chunin's nape.

The Root Chunin let out a muffled groan and fell to the ground, instantly losing the ability to fight without even having a chance to scream.

Chakra Scalpel was an advanced A-rank Medical Ninjutsu that focused chakra in the hands and could cut inside a target's body without causing any external injuries.

With Yu's current strength, he could only maintain the Chakra Scalpel at a length of thirty centimeters. However, it could cut through clothing and any other obstacles to slice directly into the human body, making it a terrifyingly lethal Medical Ninjutsu.

"Chakra Scalpel?!"

Seeing his companion fall to the ground without a single wound on his body, the nearby Root Chunin, still paralyzed by the Chidori Senbon, was shocked.

He'd initially underestimated Yu because of his youthful appearance. He hadn't expected Yu to be so skilled, or to be able to use such advanced Lightning Release Ninjutsu and Medical Ninjutsu with such ease.

Swish!

A streak of blue light flashed across his neck.

The Root Chunin's eyes reddened, and he fell to the ground, no longer breathing.

Faced with two Root Chunin who had tried to kill him, Yu had no intention of showing mercy.

"What a nuisance..."

Looking at the two Root Chunin lying on the ground, their bodies entirely unmarked, Yu let the blue Chakra Scalpel in his hand fade away and frowned slightly.

This was the first time he'd ever killed someone.

Fortunately, the Chakra Scalpel could kill without damaging the body's surface. With no sight of blood gushing everywhere, he was spared the discomfort of killing someone for the first time.