The Third Hokage came over to Zeyu, who greeted him politely.
"You're Zeyu Nichiro, right? What's your relationship with that young girl from the Hyuga Clan?" Hiruzen asked.
"Lord Hokage, I like her, but right now we're just close and in an ambiguous relationship. We haven't officially started dating," Zeyu replied.
"I see." Hiruzen closed his eyes, lifted his pipe, and took a puff.
"Lord Hokage, did you need something from me?" Zeyu suddenly asked.
Hiruzen chuckled and slowly opened his eyes. He looked at Zeyu, then said,
"How did you know I came looking for you? I was just passing by."
Zeyu glanced toward the ninja hiding in the distance and said,
"Lord Hokage, you arranged for that ninja to watch me, didn't you? It started just yesterday, when the team leaders were having a meeting. I imagine you heard something about me and assigned someone to keep an eye on me."
He then looked at Hiruzen and added, "And today's conversation, too."
Hiruzen smiled, lowered his pipe, and said,
"Since you already know, I'll be straightforward."
He turned serious and looked at Zeyu.
"Zeyu Nichiro, I want you to join Anbu. I plan to train you to become one of Anbu's elite and carry on the Will of Fire."
"Sure," Zeyu replied.
Hiruzen had been about to explain the benefits of joining Anbu, the importance of the Will of Fire, and all sorts of other things. But Zeyu had agreed outright, leaving all his prepared words wasted.
A little helplessly, Hiruzen said, "Then go back with Elephant in a bit. We'll get things ready for you."
Hiruzen was just about to call for Elephant when Zeyu interrupted him.
"Wait, Lord Hokage. I have one condition."
"What condition?" Hiruzen furrowed his brows, thinking, So it wasn't going to be that simple after all.
"I'm definitely taking part in this Chunin Ninja Exam. I'll join Anbu after it's over," Zeyu said.
Hiruzen let out a breath of relief. A little speechless, he said, "Is that all? Of course, that's fine. Is it because of that young girl from the Hyuga Clan?"
"More or less." Zeyu spread his hands.
Hiruzen sighed and asked, "Would you mind telling me why you agreed so readily? I thought you'd be hard to persuade."
Zeyu waved a hand casually. "Joining Anbu isn't a bad thing. It's an important post in Konoha, after all. Besides..."
He looked at Hiruzen and said,
"It's still better than joining Root, right, Lord Hokage?"
"You..." Hiruzen was startled. How did Zeyu know about that?
He soon composed himself and said,
"Then it's settled. You'll be listed as an Anbu member for now. Once the Chunin Ninja Exam is over, you'll officially join."
"Yes, Lord Hokage." Zeyu knelt on one knee.
Hiruzen was pleased to see how well Zeyu understood the occasion. He said,
"Your Anbu codename will be 'Rainbow.' Once you join the team, follow Elephant. He'll teach you what to do. Understood?"
"Yes," Zeyu replied.
Hiruzen called Elephant over and briefed him on Zeyu. Zeyu exchanged a quick greeting with Elephant, then Hiruzen left with him. The ninja watching from afar also withdrew.
Watching Hiruzen walk away, Zeyu sneered and thought,
Hmph, you old geezer. You're only a little better than Danzo. Otherwise, I wouldn't have joined you. Anyway, you'll kick the bucket during the Chunin Ninja Exam. I just have to put up with you until then. After that, I'll join forces with Tsunade and beat up anyone who dares oppose us.
"Man, what a drag. Home, home." Zeyu slipped his hands into his pockets and ambled back.
That evening, after taking a shower, Zeyu lay in bed and closed his eyes. He used the Mind's Eye of the Kagura to sense his surroundings and found that nobody was watching him anymore. He felt much more at ease.
Hm? Is that Aunt Meiling? Why is she back?
Sensing Meiling heading to his home, Zeyu was a little surprised. Ever since Meiling got a boyfriend, they had rarely seen each other. Zeyu had missions and training to keep him busy, while Meiling had work and a relationship to tend to.
Before long, there was a knock at the door. Zeyu went to open it.
As soon as Meiling entered, she took Zeyu by the hand and led him to the table. Anxiously, she asked,
"Zeyu, I heard you signed up for the Chunin Ninja Exam. Isn't it too soon? You only just graduated!"
Looking at Meiling's worried face, Zeyu understood. She was worried about his safety, and warmth filled his heart.
"It's okay, Auntie. I'm strong." As he spoke, Zeyu rolled up his sleeves to show her his muscles.
"Don't give me that! Do you think the Chunin Ninja Exam is a game? It's dangerous. You should wait at least another two years before taking part. Why are you in such a hurry?" Meiling said angrily.
Seeing how serious Meiling was, Zeyu stopped joking around and solemnly promised her,
"Don't worry, Auntie. I'll be just fine. Please trust me."
He paused, then added,
"To be honest, I even passed the bell test, so you can relax. I've got some ability. I won't get into trouble that easily."
Meiling opened her mouth as if to say something, then swallowed her words. All she could do was sigh helplessly.
"Honestly, you've really grown up. I can't control everything you do anymore. I just hope you'll be safe."
Then she pulled Zeyu into her arms and said softly,
"Remember to be careful, whatever happens. Prepare as much as you can, and don't get hurt. Your safety comes first, okay?"
"Mm, I understand. Don't worry, Auntie," Zeyu replied.
Meiling let go of him, rested one hand on his shoulder, and touched his face with the other, smiling.
"You really are impressive, managing to pass the bell test."
Then Meiling's eyes grew damp, and she said,
"Your mom and dad would be so proud of you if they knew."
"Auntie, have you known my parents for a long time?" Zeyu asked.
It had always puzzled him. Meiling seemed to know his parents well and often brought them up. Their identities were so unusual that Zeyu was always trying to learn more, but Meiling rarely said anything. Whenever she did mention them, her eyes would grow wet.
"All right, you're grown up now, so I'll tell you. But you absolutely mustn't tell anyone. You know your parents' situation is unusual."
Late at night, Meiling was already asleep beside him, but Zeyu couldn't fall asleep after learning the truth.
His mother, Yangmei, was from the Uzumaki Clan. After her homeland was destroyed, she wandered for a long time, then managed to scrape by working at a hot-spring inn in the Land of Hot Water. Later, she met his father, Aihua. They fell in love at first sight and married soon afterward. When Yangmei became pregnant with Zeyu, they settled in Konoha.
His father, Aihua, had been considered untalented since childhood. The first time Meiling saw him was at the Ninja Academy. By then, he had already been held back for years and was bullied every day.
He was always covered in bruises, with long, filthy hair. He didn't seem like a member of the Uchiha Clan at all. Meiling had heard that Aihua's parents disliked him too and often beat him.
Later, Aihua's father died in battle. Aihua's mother was so overcome with grief that she awakened her Sharingan, but Aihua remained unmoved. He didn't even shed a tear.
After his mother found out, the beatings grew even worse.
Not long afterward, his mother hanged herself.
It was a neighbor who discovered Aihua's mother's body and arranged for her burial.
Even then, Aihua showed no reaction at all, like a doll with no feelings.
Under the growing rumors and discrimination from his clan, Aihua left Konoha and began wandering. He survived thanks to a little talent in arithmetic.
After saving enough money, he went into business. Later, he met Yangmei. The two of them took a new surname and began a new life.
That was what Meiling knew. After she stopped being a ninja, she had worked for a time with Aihua's merchant caravan. Later, she met Yangmei with him. They both trusted Meiling for her frankness and honesty, and told her part of the story. Combined with what she had heard before, that was how she had learned all this.
Sitting on the bed, Zeyu remembered what his parents had looked like the first time he met them. Their smiling faces were as vivid as ever. Even when life was unbearably difficult, they had faced it with smiles.
He covered his eyes with both hands. His scarlet Sharingan glimmered with tears as they welled in the corners of his eyes and slowly ran down his cheeks.
"Dad, Mom..."