Transition

After returning from dinner that day, Qing Si quickly worked out a method for compressing chakra to improve its quality and gave it to Qian Nai and Yagura.

Over the next few years, Qing Si's Sixth Squad completed one difficult mission after another. Under the deliberate promotion of Elder Yuan Shi and the Third Mizukage, Bing, the three of them gradually became famous throughout the village and were known as the three rising stars of the Hidden Mist Village.

However, because they were part of the ANBU, the other villagers did not know their true identities and simply referred to them as the Mist Three Stars.

Time was like a wild donkey—once it started running, it could not be stopped. Before long, it was the beginning of Hidden Mist Year 33.

Although Qing Si had spent these years mainly focused on digesting Isshiki's Kāma to improve his bloodline, his strength had naturally risen to near Kage Level. With his immense chakra reserves, fighting an ordinary Kage Level opponent would be no problem at all...!

Moreover, Qing Si not only possessed considerable chakra reserves, but his chakra quality was also exceptionally refined.

During this time, Qing Si had completely absorbed Isshiki's gift. The Otsutsuki Clan bloodline within him had risen an entire level compared to before. Unfortunately, he still had not awakened eyes of his own. He could only vaguely sense that the power gestating within his eyes was continuing to grow, while the Daikokuten Dimension he had once sensed indistinctly was becoming increasingly clear.

Qian Nai and Yagura had likewise reached the level of Jonin. However, since Qian Nai had also been studying medical ninjutsu over the years and had not devoted all her energy to improving her own strength, Yagura had now surpassed her.

...

Name: Qing Si Otsutsuki

Age: 14 (born February 10, Hidden Mist Year 19)

Height: 178 cm

Weight: 71 kg

Ninja Registration Number: 005666

Ninja Rank: Elite Jonin (Chakra Reserves: 106 units)

Mission Experience: D-rank 0 times, C-rank 0 times, B-rank 22 times, A-rank 43 times, S-rank 26 times

Chakra Attributes: Wind, Lightning, Water, Fire, Earth, Yin, Yang

Mastered Ninjutsu: Wind Release Ninjutsu 20, Lightning Release Ninjutsu 15, Water Release Ninjutsu 30, Fire Release Ninjutsu 25, Earth Release Ninjutsu 20, Yin Release Ninjutsu 3, Yin–Yang Release Ninjutsu 1

(Sensory ninjutsu should be classified as Yin Release by attribute, so this will not be explained again later. The technique used to create Underground Bounty Station identity tokens was a Yin–Yang Release application method inherited from Isshiki Otsutsuki.)

Bloodline Limit: Dead Bone Pulse

...

Name: Kurosuki Yagura

Age: 14 (born April 3, Hidden Mist Year 19)

Height: 143 cm

Weight: 38.8 kg

Ninja Registration Number: 005028

Ninja Rank: Jonin (Chakra Reserves: 8 units)

Mission Experience: D-rank 56 times, C-rank 28 times, B-rank 22 times, A-rank 43 times, S-rank 26 times

Chakra Attributes: Wind, Water, Yin, Yang

Mastered Ninjutsu: Wind Release Ninjutsu 25, Water Release Ninjutsu 25, Yin Release Ninjutsu 2

...

Name: Qian Nai

Age: 18 (born June 6, Hidden Mist Year 15)

Height: 170 cm

Weight: 53 kg

Ninja Registration Number: 003868

Ninja Rank: Jonin (Chakra Reserves: 5.8 units)

Mission Experience: D-rank 112 times, C-rank 68 times, B-rank 40 times, A-rank 58 times, S-rank 27 times

Chakra Attributes: Water, Yang

Mastered Ninjutsu: Water Release Ninjutsu 30, Medical Ninjutsu 5

...

Hidden Mist Village, ANBU Headquarters, Director's Office.

Fourteen-year-old Qing Si knelt on one knee before the director, Jian, reporting on the mission's completion.

"...That was roughly the situation. Friction across the Shinobi World has been increasing lately. I believe war is drawing closer and closer," Qing Si said gravely.

"Bone, your assessment is correct. The village has already begun making preparations in secret. The Hidden Mist lies overseas, far from the mainland. While we are unlikely to strike first, we must still be prepared to join the war at any time." Jian looked at Qing Si, extremely satisfied with his performance in the ANBU.

"From today onward, you are the captain of the ANBU First Division. Flower will serve as your deputy, and Mirror will take over as captain of the Sixth Squad. You will be responsible for filling the vacant positions yourself. Go!" Jian continued.

"Yes! Then I shall take my leave." Qing Si nodded, rose to his feet, and left the director's office.

Feng, the former captain of the Sixth Squad, and Mist, the captain of the First Division, had encountered the Third Raikage, A, of the Hidden Cloud Village in the Land of Lightning, along with a large number of ANBU, during a joint ANBU S-rank mission in Hidden Mist Year 31. Although the mission was ultimately completed successfully, Feng exhausted all his chakra to use the A-rank Water Release ninjutsu Great Exploding Water Shock Wave in order to cover the retreat of the others, including Qing Si. He trapped all the Hidden Cloud ANBU, but ultimately died after his chakra was completely depleted. After holding off the Third Raikage for roughly three minutes, Mist had his heart pierced by the Third Raikage's One-Finger Assault and died on the spot.

After that mission, Qing Si succeeded Feng as captain of the Sixth Squad. Since Qing Si had already reached the level of an Elite Jonin, while Yagura and Qian Nai had also become Jonin, the Sixth Squad remained a three-man unit and did not recruit any additional members. Under Qing Si's leadership, the trio completed many difficult missions and set a record for the Hidden Mist ANBU squads with a 100% mission completion rate.

After leaving the office, Qing Si headed straight for the First Training Ground, the First Division's usual base. He was going to meet his future subordinates.

By the time he arrived, the squads had already assembled after receiving notice from Director Jian. Qing Si appeared before everyone in a Body Flicker, nodded toward Yagura and Qian Nai, then turned serious.

"I am Bone, the new captain of the ANBU First Division. Some of you have carried out missions with me before, but more of you probably do not know me well. The Hidden Mist has always revered the strong. Today is my first day in office, so I will give you this opportunity. If anyone is dissatisfied, you may challenge me. If you can defeat me, what would it matter if I gave you this captaincy? But after today, if any of you dare to obey my orders in public while defying them in private, then hmph!" Qing Si declared loudly, his words brimming with confidence in his own strength.

The crowd exchanged looks, then two people slowly stepped out from the front row. Judging by where they had been standing, they were likely the captains of the First and Second Squads.

"Captain, the two of us may not be much, but we would like to witness your abilities!" one of them said to Qing Si.