"Roar—Ooooooh!"
Yoru's mention of "stocking up" was like a red-hot match, instantly igniting the hormones of the little wolf cubs on the training ground.
Their earth-shaking cheers nearly howled the moon right out of the night sky.
These battle maniacs had been cooped up in the village for years, doing nothing but training and sparring every day.
They had long yearned for a chance to go wild and stomp some weaklings with official sanction.
And now, the chance had come!
"Quiet!"
Itachi stood beneath the raised platform, his face cold as he let out a low shout.
His three-tomoe Sharingan turned faintly, radiating the icy aura of an Anbu captain.
The previously boisterous training ground fell silent in an instant.
Itachi picked up the roster in his hand and began calling names expressionlessly.
"First squad. Captain: Deidara."
"Here! Yeah!"
From the crowd, the blond boy with neat short hair and an equally arrogant expression excitedly raised his hand.
The mouth in his palm was still holding half an uneaten skewer, leaving grease all over his mouth.
"Member: Kurotsuchi."
"Here!"
Kurotsuchi, now grown into a fine young woman, stood with her hands on her hips, her neat short hair fluttering in the night breeze.
She gave Yoru a playful wink from below the platform, her large eyes brimming with anticipation.
"Member: Akatsuchi."
"...Here."
At the back of the group, the man built like a bear answered in a simple, guileless voice.
Yoru's mouth twitched when he saw that lineup.
Good grief. A demolition maniac, a tsundere young lady, and a slow-witted meat shield.
No matter how he looked at it, this team seemed more suited to comedy than anything else.
Ignoring everyone's reactions, Itachi continued reading.
"Second squad. Captain: Second Pillar."
"Hmph."
Sasuke emerged from the crowd with his arms folded,