Journey in the ANBU

Hearing that Blue Bird, the squad leader of the Elephant Brigade Fourth Squad, wanted to personally test the strength of the new recruit "Fox".

The other ANBU members around the training ground who had been resting or conducting independent training were all drawn to watch.

Some leaned against the walls, while others stood in the shadows at the edge of the training ground, silently gazing at the two figures in the center.

Within the ANBU, strength was paramount, and a newcomer's debut often determined their initial positioning and how others viewed them.

In the center, Tianyi and Blue Bird stood confronting each other from a dozen meters apart.

Blue Bird made the first move, his movements swift as lightning, his hands sweeping across his waist.

Several shuriken had already transformed into streaks of black light, shooting outward, not aiming directly at Tianyi's vital points.

Instead, they precisely sealed off several key directions where Tianyi might dodge.

This demonstrated exquisite throwing skills and tactical pre-judgment.

At the same time, his hands had already completed hand seals before his chest, his chest swelling slightly as chakra gathered in his throat—

"Fire Release: Fire—"

However, before that "Fire" could be fully uttered, his entire body's movements suddenly froze.

Because a cold touch had, without warning and in complete silence, pressed against the artery on the side of his neck.

It was a shuriken that should have flown toward Tianyi's flank.

At this moment, it violated all laws of physics and throwing trajectories.

Eerily hovering beside his neck, its sharp blade rotated slightly, carrying the chill of death.

There was no sound of breaking air, no precursor of chakra fluctuations, as if it had belonged right there all along.

"This...!" Blue Bird's breathing stalled, and the Fire Release chakra forcefully dispersed.

His throat felt