Zhou Cheng walked into the Hokage Office.
The Third Generation was waiting for him, saying he had something to discuss.
"Zhou Cheng, you're here!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe, blowing clouds of smoke:
"This year's graduates are about to be assigned to Jonin. Is there a Jonin you'd like to train under?"
Zhou Cheng abruptly raised his head and gave Hiruzen Sarutobi a suspicious look. What's this old fox getting at? He wants me to join a team too?
"You mean I can join a team too?"
"But I'm in ANBU!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and said casually:
"You don't have to be in ANBU!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was deeply conflicted.
On one hand, he wanted Zhou Cheng to grow stronger quickly. On the other, he didn't want to put him in too much danger.
But without walking the line between life and death, how could he truly grow? He would be nothing more than a flower raised in a greenhouse!
Zhou Cheng's eyes lit up. Is he going to let me leave ANBU?
"Third Generation-sensei, you mean I can leave ANBU and pick any teacher I want?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff from his pipe, then nodded and shook his head:
"At certain times, you'll still be in ANBU. When you're out on missions, you'll just be a Genin!"
Zhou Cheng immediately understood what Hiruzen Sarutobi meant.
He wanted Zhou Cheng to grow through life-and-death struggles without severing the bond between them.
Once Zhou Cheng was no longer in ANBU, Danzo and the Advisory Department would certainly try to bring him into their ranks.
If he went, there was a very real chance he would be brainwashed. Who could Hiruzen Sarutobi turn to then?
In fact, Hiruzen Sarutobi had another goal: to help Zhou Cheng build good relationships with this