The Third's Summons

A few days later.

Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha were stopped by Kakashi, who was dressed in ANBU gear, and forced to suspend their teaching duties to meet the Third at the Hokage Building.

Incidentally, because of their status as ANBU trainees, their teaching posts had been shifted to less important duties, and their salaries had been cut further. They now earned only as much as a few D-Rank Missions paid. It was downright inhumane.

Before meeting the Hokage, they had to choose masks to conceal their identities as ANBU.

Zou Hyuga casually picked a tanuki mask, while Oto Uchiha chose a black cat.

Looking at Oto Uchiha's black cat mask, Zou Hyuga suggested tying her black hair into the shape of cat ears. She called him disgusting and flatly refused.

Zou Hyuga could only sigh with a little regret. That would clearly have concealed her identity better.

After choosing their masks, they also picked out standard-issue ANBU Kunai and Shuriken at the ANBU base, and even Explosive Tags.

Following the principle of never passing up free supplies, Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha stuffed their bags full.

When they tried to use a Summoning Scroll to keep looting, the habitually aloof Kakashi stepped in to stop them.

"You two had better know when to stop!"

Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha had no choice but to leave sheepishly, gazing back at the ANBU base with longing.

A department directly under the Hokage really was loaded. If another opportunity came along, I'd have to milk it for all it was worth.

No, that wasn't right. This was essential resupply for ANBU trainees.

When they arrived at the Hokage Office, Asuma was there wearing an ANBU mask, along with Lord Hokage.

Asuma was still smoking with his mask on, polluting the office air together with the Third.

Zou Hyuga's eyes, however, were fixed on the Dual Blades at Asuma's waist. They were expensive weapons made from chakra metal that could conduct chakra-the kind of weapons countless Ninja dreamed of owning.

They cost at least several million ryo. He estimated he would have to spend half a year doing missions to afford them.

Just what you'd expect from the Hokage's son. His equipment was downright luxurious. Who knew how much of the people's hard-earned money had gone into it?

The Third looked over the newly formed ANBU squad. He was satisfied with everyone except Asuma.

Sighing inwardly, the Third took out the mission he had prepared and handed it to Kakashi. Although Kakashi's mental state left something to be desired, he was already an experienced Jonin and fully capable of serving as captain.

"A town near the Land of Fire's coastline has been attacked. It was probably the work of Kirigakure Ninja. Your mission is to eliminate the Kirigakure forces that have infiltrated the Land of Fire... You may encounter Jonin on this mission, so be careful."

Kakashi accepted the mission scroll, but Zou Hyuga raised his hand. "Lord Third, what rank is this mission?"

Zou Hyuga felt a little nervous. He had run into Ninja even on a C-Rank Mission, and this mission was clearly above C-rank.

"The mission is A-rank..."

The Third took a sip of tea, paused, and continued, "However, if you encounter an enemy you cannot defeat, you may abandon the mission. Your lives matter more than its completion."

As he spoke, the Third looked at the ANBU squad, focusing on Kakashi. He hoped Kakashi would regain his former spirit soon. Kakashi was highly talented and might one day become an elite among Jonin.

Zou Hyuga nodded lightly. Hearing that it was an A-rank mission had left him thoroughly rattled.

After hearing the rest, Zou Hyuga turned a grateful look toward Asuma. Being teamed up with the Hokage's young master really had its perks. They could even abandon the mission.

If they ran into unavoidable danger, he would drag Asuma along and flee with Oto Uchiha in his arms.

As for Kakashi, he was so strong and could fight anyone to a draw. Leaving him behind to cover their retreat would be best.

He should be able to buy them plenty of time. In any case, risking his own life was out of the question.

Unless the Third could remove his Caged Bird Seal and let him emigrate to the Land of Snow.

"Understood, Lord Third."

Kakashi trembled slightly. He wanted to say something but held back, then led his squad out of the Hokage Office.

After the ANBU squad left, the Third silently gazed at the portraits of the First and Second hanging in his office.

He had chosen this mission carefully. It was challenging enough without posing a lethal danger, making it ideal for honing the village's younger generation.

It was not just Kakashi and Asuma he wanted to temper, but also the personalities of Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha.

Those two had considerable potential. They should not remain obscure Genin or Ninja Academy teachers.

Compared with Genin or Ninja Academy teachers, Konoha had a greater need for Jonin-level mainstays.

Becoming an excellent Ninja Academy teacher was easy; it only required hard work. Becoming a Jonin, however, required a kekkei genkai or exceptional talent.

ANBU missions were a race against time. They had only half a morning to say their goodbyes and prepare.

Before noon, the ANBU squad gathered at Konoha's main gate. Two Chunin stood on either side, guarding the village's peace.

Kakashi and Asuma Sarutobi had been waiting for some time when they saw Zou Hyuga and Oto approaching.

One had made thorough preparations himself, while the other's family had made thorough preparations for him.

"You two were almost late!" Kakashi's voice was flat.

"What were you doing just now?" Asuma frowned as well. He was not used to waiting for others.

"Eating..." Zou Hyuga and Oto gave them strange looks. "It's almost noon. If we don't eat now, are we supposed to eat Soldier Pills on the road?"

Soldier Pills were similar to compressed biscuits, but tasted far worse and were difficult to swallow.

That was it?

At a loss for words, Asuma scratched his head.

Kakashi remained unruffled. Looking at the other three, he put away the mission scroll.

"We'll discuss the mission details later. For now, let's go over everyone's specialties. We are teammates, after all."

Kakashi went first. "I have some proficiency in Taijutsu and genjutsu. My specialty is offensive Lightning Release Ninjutsu. In critical situations, you can also treat me as a dojutsu kekkei genkai user, because I have a Sharingan."

"A Sharingan?!" Oto Uchiha glanced at Kakashi. To think a Sharingan had appeared in someone outside her clan.

Kakashi nodded, his expression lifeless. "A friend gave me that eye before he died. His name was Obito."

"Obito..."

Oto Uchiha tilted her head. After a moment's thought, realization dawned on her. "So you were Obito's teammate? I think the clan head mentioned something about his eye. He said something about respecting Obito's wishes..."

Kakashi offered no further explanation. Remembering Obito was painful.

Unhappy with the atmosphere, Asuma stepped forward. "I'm decent at Taijutsu and genjutsu, and I specialize in Fire Release and Wind Release. I'm suited to taking the front line."

"I specialize in Medical Ninjutsu, and as for Taijutsu..." Zou Hyuga had barely started when Asuma interrupted him.

"All right, all right. There's no need for you and Oto to explain your strength. You're going to say you're Genin again, right?"

Asuma rolled his eyes at Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha. "We saw what you could do a few days ago, so we have a pretty good idea. At most, we'd just have to factor in Explosive Tags and the Sharingan.

"We can simply treat you as elite Chunin."

"All right..." Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha exchanged a glance, tacitly accepting Asuma's assessment.