First ANBU Experience

In the corridor outside the Hokage's office.

Hayato leaned against the wall.

Moonlight Sharoro squatted on the floor, drawing something with her finger.

In Hayato's view, Sharoro's reasons for launching a sneak attack were easy enough to guess. First, she had encountered prey that excited her interest; she'd heard a talent had arrived and wanted to spar. Second, she wanted to test a new teammate—if he was useless, kick him out. Third, she wanted to give the newcomer a show of force and establish her authority as the big sister.

Whichever it was, it amounted to nothing more than childish mischief.

Back when he worked as a street officer, Hayato had dealt with troublesome aunties and bratty children more than anything else. He was quite experienced.

Incidentally, sneak attacks were nothing shameful in the world of Naruto. It wasn't like games in reality, where getting ambushed from the bushes twice would make the other side's mentality collapse and fill the chat with curses about filthy campers.

Hayato had been angry at the time, partly because he was angry at himself for being too careless. He clearly knew that joining the ANBU meant entering the Hokage's camp, which made him and Shimura Danzo natural enemies, so how had he still fallen for it?

If Hatake Kaito and Moonlight Sharoro really were from Root, and both of them attacked with full strength at once, would he have had a chance to escape?

Thinking about it that way, the sneak attack had actually served as a warning for Hayato.

Hayato decided to ease his relationship with Moonlight Sharoro.

Hayato spoke first. "What are you drawing?"

Without even raising her head, Moonlight Sharoro muttered, "Just doodling. Nothing special."

"Sorry..." Moonlight Sharoro suddenly said in a low, muffled voice.

"What?" Hayato had not heard her clearly.

As though she had gathered her courage, Moonlight Sharoro said again, "I'm sorry about what happened today. You're very strong, so I couldn't help getting serious. I didn't mean to hurt you."

"Oh." Hayato said, "Forget it. I wasn't hurt, and you didn't mean any harm."

At that moment, Hatake Kaito came out of the office. Seeing the two getting along peacefully, he seemed a little surprised.

"Put it on." Hatake Kaito put on his mask and gestured for Hayato to do the same.

As they walked, Hatake Kaito said, "This isn't entirely Sharoro's fault. Although Sharoro came up with the plan, I agreed to it too."

"Oh."

Of course you had a part in it. You were the one behind the genjutsu. Hayato intended to hear what Hatake Kaito wanted to say—or what he wanted to convey.

Hatake Kaito continued, "First, it was to test your strength. Second, it was to blunt your edge a little. I won't deny that. The ANBU is an organization with stricter discipline. Your family background and Academy grades earn you no special treatment here. Don't bring your arrogance in here. I'm being frank because for a long time to come, we will support and rely on each other as teammates. We can't harbor resentment. If you have any dissatisfaction, say it. We can resolve it together, or it's not too late to switch teams."

After saying that, Hatake Kaito looked directly at Hayato.

"I have no complaints," Hayato said. "Besides, Sharoro and I have already made up." He turned to look at Sharoro.

Moonlight Sharoro nodded.

Hatake Kaito suddenly smiled. "That's for the best. Just as Lord Hokage said, you're a very special person."

Heh... Who knew what Sarutobi Hiruzen had said?

Hayato adjusted his mask.

Hatake Kaito was a thoughtful person. "What is it? Not used to wearing a mask? It's like that at first. You'll gradually get used to it."

Thinking of Ichigo Kurosaki's Mask in his inventory, Hayato asked, "Can I use my own mask?"

"You can. There are no special rules about that, but try not to wear anything too eye-catching." Masks were meant to conceal one's identity, and conspicuous masks could easily expose it. Hatake Kaito asked, "What, did you prepare your own mask?"

Hayato nodded. "It's a family heirloom."

The first underground level of the Hokage Building.

It was a fairly large room, with masked ANBU ninja constantly coming and going.

Someone asked, "Bringing in a newcomer, Fang?"

Fang was Hatake Kaito's ANBU codename.

Hatake Kaito said, "Yeah."

The man asked again, "How's the newcomer's caliber?"

Hatake Kaito said, "You tell me."

The man looked at Moonlight Sharoro. "String recognizes him, huh? Looks like this newcomer is pretty formidable."

String was Moonlight Sharoro's codename. Everyone knew her temperament; if she had not acknowledged the newcomer, she would definitely be hopping around and baring her fangs and claws right now.

Moonlight Sharoro secretly glanced at Hayato. Seeing that he was not paying attention to her, she muttered, "It's not like I recognize him..." But when she saw Hayato looking around, his attention nowhere near her, she could not help saying softly, "What a country bumpkin. Never seen an ANBU office before?"

If Hayato knew what Moonlight Sharoro was thinking, he would definitely have answered seriously, "I really haven't."

Seeing Moonlight Sharoro suddenly looking angry again, Hayato only found it baffling. As expected, a woman's heart was as deep as the sea.

They arrived at a separate office.

Hatake Kaito introduced it. "This is our team's office. We make plans, summarize missions, and handle documents here. Documents here cannot be taken away without permission. Once you violate that rule, the harshest punishment is being treated as a rogue ninja."

Hayato nodded solemnly.

Hatake Kaito added, "ANBU members must be on standby at all times. When there are no missions, you can also rest here."

"There are many ANBU rules. You'll learn them gradually." Hatake Kaito clapped his hands. "We know each other's names, but we don't know each other well enough. Introduce yourselves. What you like, what you dislike, the ninjutsu you're good at, your dreams—anything is fine. I'll go first."

Hatake Kaito said, "My name is Hatake Kaito, codename: Fang. I like kitsune udon. I dislike all spicy food. I specialize in Hatake Style Swordsmanship, Wind Release, and genjutsu. My dream is to make the name 'White Fang' resound throughout the ninja world once more."

Moonlight Sharoro seemed a little unwilling. Only after Hatake Kaito glared at her did she say, "Moonlight Sharoro, codename: String. I like reading. I dislike getting sick and taking medicine. I specialize in Konoha-Style Swordsmanship, Lightning Release, and the kekkei genkai—Transparent Escape. I'm currently learning Hatake Style Swordsmanship. My dream is to become a great writer like one of the Three Sannin, Lord Jiraiya."

Finally, it was Hyuga Hayato's turn. "Hyuga Hayato. I don't have a codename for now. My interests are meditation and developing ninjutsu. I dislike densely packed things. I specialize in the Byakugan kekkei genkai and Hyuga-Style Gentle Fist. My dream is..."

Hayato suddenly froze. What was my dream? Ever since he had transmigrated, what had he been studying so hard for, even training himself to the point of abuse?

Taking a deep breath, Hayato said, "My dream is for myself and the people around me to live happily and freely."

Hatake Kaito patted Hayato on the shoulder. "Not a bad dream. If you want to achieve it, you'll have to work even harder. Now, first you need to choose a codename for yourself."

Hayato asked, "Do we choose our own codenames?"

Hatake Kaito answered, "Most of the time, yes. Some codenames are passed down from the previous generation. Sharoro's codename is an inheritance of her clan. It represents strength and glory."

Hayato indicated that he understood, and he also roughly understood why Sharoro had joined the ANBU. It was probably a family tradition.

After thinking for a moment, Hayato said, "How about Falcon?"

In Hayato's name, hayato referred to a bird of prey, and falcon was another name for it.

Hatake Kaito nodded. "That works, but once it's reported, it can't be changed."

Hayato nodded.

Hatake Kaito said, "In public, even between people who know each other, ANBU members must address one another by codenames. Understand, Falcon?"

"Understood, Senior Fang."

Hatake Kaito smiled in satisfaction.