Entering the Anbu

The Third Hokage arrived before Zeyu, who greeted him with the proper, polite formalities.

"You are Hiru Zeyu, correct? What is your relationship with that little girl from the Hyuga clan?" Hiruzen asked.

"Lord Hokage, I like her, but for now, we are just in an intimate, ambiguous stage. We haven't officially become a couple yet," Zeyu replied.

"I see." Upon hearing this, Hiruzen closed his eyes and took a puff from his pipe.

"Lord Hokage, is there something you needed me for?" Zeyu suddenly asked.

Hiruzen chuckled, slowly opening his eyes to look at Zeyu before saying, "How did you know I came to find you? I was just passing by."

Zeyu glanced toward the ninja hiding in the distance and said slowly, "Lord Hokage, that ninja monitoring me was also arranged by you, wasn't he? It started just yesterday, and yesterday happened to be when the lead instructors were in a meeting. I presume you heard something about me, Lord Hokage, and arranged it specifically."

He then looked at Hiruzen and added, "And this conversation today as well."

Hiruzen smiled, set down his pipe, and said, "Since you already know, I will speak plainly."

He then looked at Zeyu with a serious expression and said, "Hiru Zeyu, I want you to join the Anbu. I intend to groom you into an elite operative to inherit the Will of Fire."

"Very well," Zeyu agreed.

Hiruzen had been prepared to continue explaining the benefits of joining the Anbu, the importance of the Will of Fire, and a whole host of other things, but since Zeyu agreed immediately, all his prepared words were rendered useless.

He said with a hint of helplessness, "Then wait here and return with Elephant. He will help you prepare."

Just as Hiruzen was about to call for Elephant, Zeyu interrupted him.

"Wait, Lord Hokage, I have one request."

"What request?" Hiruzen frowned slightly, thinking to himself, I knew it wouldn't be that simple.

"I must participate in this Chunin Exams. I will join the Anbu once the exams are over," Zeyu said.

Hiruzen let out a sigh of relief, feeling a bit speechless. "Is that all? Of course, that's fine. It's for that little Hyuga girl, isn't it?"

"Something like that," Zeyu said, spreading his hands.

Hiruzen sighed and asked, "Would you mind telling me why you agreed so readily? I thought you would be difficult to persuade."

Zeyu waved his hand dismissively. "Joining the Anbu isn't a bad thing. It's considered an important position in Konoha, after all. Besides..."

He looked at Hiruzen again and added, "It's better than joining Root, wouldn't you agree, Lord Hokage?"

"You..." Hiruzen was taken aback, wondering how Zeyu could possibly know about that.

He quickly composed himself and said, "Then it is settled. You will be registered as an Anbu member in name for now, and you will officially join once the Chunin Exams conclude."

"Yes, Lord Hokage," Zeyu said, dropping to one knee.

Hiruzen was pleased by Zeyu's tact and said, "Your codename in the Anbu will be 'Rainbow.' Once you join the squad, follow Elephant's lead; he will teach you what to do. Do you understand?"

"Yes," Zeyu replied.

Hiruzen then summoned Elephant. Once Elephant appeared, Hiruzen gave him instructions regarding Zeyu. Zeyu exchanged a brief greeting with Elephant, and then Hiruzen left with him. The ninja who had been monitoring from afar withdrew as well.

Zeyu watched Hiruzen walk away and sneered, thinking to himself, Hmph, you old geezer. You're only slightly better than Danzo, otherwise, I wouldn't follow you. You'll be dead by the end of the Chunin Exams anyway, so I'll just endure it for now. Once that's over, I'll take over the world with Tsunade—anyone who disagrees gets a beating.

"Ugh, how boring. Time to go home." Zeyu shoved his hands into his pockets and strolled back.

That night, after showering, Zeyu lay in bed. He closed his eyes and used his Kagura Mind's Eye to sense his surroundings, confirming that no one was monitoring him anymore. He felt much more at ease.

"Hmm? Is that... Aunt Meiling? Why is she back?"

Sensing Meiling heading toward his house, Zeyu was quite surprised. Ever since Meiling got a boyfriend, the two rarely saw each other; Zeyu had missions and training, and Meiling had her job and her relationship.

Before long, a knock sounded at the door, and Zeyu went to open it.

As soon as Meiling entered, she grabbed Zeyu's hand, led him to the table, and asked anxiously, "Zeyu, I heard you signed up for the Chunin Exams? Isn't it too early? Didn't you just graduate?"

Seeing the worry on Meiling's face, Zeyu understood that she was concerned for his safety, and he felt a warmth in his heart.

"It's fine, Auntie, I'm very strong." Zeyu rolled up his sleeves to show off his muscles.

"Don't give me that. Do you think the Chunin Exams are a game? It's dangerous! You should have waited at least another two years. Why are you in such a rush?" Meiling said, looking flustered.

Seeing her serious and earnest expression, Zeyu didn't dare to joke anymore. He promised her solemnly, "Don't worry, Auntie. I will definitely be safe. Please, trust me."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "To be honest, I even managed to snatch a bell during the bell test, so please don't worry. I have a bit of skill, and I won't get into trouble so easily."

Meiling opened her mouth upon hearing this, wanting to say something more, but she swallowed her words and could only sigh helplessly, saying, "Sigh, you really have grown up. I suppose I can't control you anymore. I just hope you stay safe and sound."

She then pulled Zeyu over, held him in her arms, and said softly, "Remember to be careful in everything you do, prepare well, and please, don't get into any trouble. Safety comes first, alright?"

"Mm, I know, Auntie, don't worry," Zeyu replied.

Meiling then let go of Zeyu, placing one hand on his shoulder and the other on his face as she smiled and said, "You really are quite something, being able to snatch that bell."

Her eyes then grew moist as she added, "If your mom and dad knew, they would surely be so proud of you."

"Auntie, did you know my parents for a long time?" Zeyu asked.

This had always been a question on Zeyu's mind. He felt as though Meiling understood his parents deeply, as she often mentioned them. Moreover, given his parents' unique status, Zeyu had always wanted to find out more, but Meiling would rarely say anything; every time she brought them up, her eyes would simply well up with tears.

"Forget it, you're grown up now, so I'll tell you. But you must never tell anyone else—you know how special your parents were."

Late at night, Meiling was already fast asleep, but Zeyu, having learned the truth, could not fall asleep for a long time.

His mother, Yangmei, was from the Uzumaki clan. After her country fell and her family was destroyed, she had wandered aimlessly, eventually scraping by while working at a hot spring inn in the Land of Hot Water. Later, she met his father, Aihua, and the two fell in love at first sight, marrying shortly after. Once she became pregnant with Zeyu, they moved to Konoha to settle down.

As for his father, Aihua, he had been considered talentless since he was a child. Meiling first met Aihua at the Ninja Academy; even then, he had already been held back for years and was bullied every single day.

He was always covered in bruises, his hair was long and unkempt, and he looked nothing like a member of the prestigious Uchiha clan. It was said that Aihua's parents disliked him intensely and often beat and scolded him.

Later, when Aihua's father died on the battlefield, his mother was so overcome with grief that she awakened the Sharingan, yet Aihua remained indifferent, not even shedding a single tear.

After his mother discovered this, the beatings and verbal abuse only intensified.

Not long after, his mother hanged herself.

It was the neighbors who discovered his mother's body and arranged for her burial.

Yet, Aihua still felt nothing, like a doll devoid of emotion.

Under the growing rumors and discrimination from his clansmen, Aihua left Konoha and began a life of wandering, surviving on his small talent for mathematics.

Later, after saving enough money, he started a business, and eventually, he met Yangmei. The two changed their surnames and began a new life together.

These were the things Meiling knew. After she stopped being a ninja, she had worked in Aihua's merchant caravan. Later, when they met Yangmei, both of them trusted the straightforward Meiling and shared parts of their story with her, which, combined with what she had heard before, formed the full picture.

Zeyu sat on his bed, recalling the first time he saw his parents—the smiles that beamed on their faces seemed as vivid as if they were right in front of him. Even when life was agonizing, they faced it with a smile.

He covered his eyes with both hands, his scarlet Sharingan shimmering with tears as hot drops welled up in his eyes and slowly streamed down.

"Mom... Dad..."