After coaxing Kurenai Yuhi to sleep, Anyo opened the Scroll of Seals he had just copied out.
He skipped the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, Bringer-of-Darkness Technique, Impure World Reincarnation, and Flying Thunder God Technique, since he already knew about them. What remained were the Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags, which were used in conjunction with Impure World Reincarnation, the Cursed Tongue Seal, the Eight Branches Technique, and Rashomon. As for the other forbidden techniques he had never seen before, Anyo simply chose to give up on them.
After reading through it, Anyo took a deep breath. He was now quite certain that Orochimaru in the anime must have read the Scroll of Seals too, and had modified and upgraded the forbidden techniques in it. The Eight Branches Technique alone was absurdly powerful. As long as the user's chakra remained, it granted unlimited regeneration and the power of immortality. Once mastered, it would practically let him do whatever he pleased. Of course, the requirements were far too demanding. The mere fact that he would have to inject animal cells into his body made Anyo give up on it.
The various other techniques had clearly been developed to counter the Sharingan, such as the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique, Flying Thunder God, Impure World Reincarnation, and so on. It seemed the Second Hokage had put considerable effort into keeping the Uchiha Clan in check.
Although he had obtained many forbidden techniques, most were of little help to Anyo at present. Still, two ninjutsu caught his eye. One was the Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags. Used well, this move would be unstoppable on the battlefield. The other was Rashomon, an exceptionally powerful defensive Summoning Technique. According to the book, Rashomon had been classified as forbidden for the same reason as the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique: in principle, it could be summoned indefinitely, but doing so would exhaust the user's chakra.
However, Anyo had no money right now. For the first technique, he needed money to buy Explosive Tags, and he was no big spender like Konan. For the second, he had no Summoning Scroll and could not inscribe the summoning formation. That, too, cost money.
Sigh, it looks like no matter where you go, you can't get anywhere without money!
After putting away the forbidden techniques, Anyo began studying genjutsu. Following Shinku's instruction last night, much of the material in the books that he had not understood before had suddenly become clear. Having a teacher guide him really was far more efficient than studying at the Ninja Academy.
Having stayed awake and read voraciously all night, Anyo stretched and washed his face with cold water. He had never felt that he was particularly talented. His only option was to work harder.
He went over to Kurenai Yuhi and followed their usual routine, carrying her out on his back for breakfast. After they ate, however, Kurenai Yuhi refused to let Anyo carry her to school.
"What's wrong, Teacher Kurenai?"
Kurenai Yuhi said bashfully, "My classmates saw us yesterday and all made fun of me. Anyway, you can't do it today."
"Oh, I see." Anyo thought for a moment, then said, "Then how about I carry you somewhere near the school today and put you down before they can see?"
Tempted, Kurenai Yuhi nodded.
The two headed toward school again, chatting and laughing. They were only halfway there when Anyo heard something cutting through the air. He stopped abruptly, and a pebble flew past his face.
Kurenai Yuhi had clearly seen it too. She snapped at the little boy who had thrown the pebble, "Asuma, why are you throwing pebbles at us?"
Anyo glanced at the little boy. This must be the Third Hokage's son. He looks like a total punk. He hasn't inherited any of his dad's composure or restraint.
Asuma planted his hands on his hips, then pointed at Anyo and shouted, "I wasn't throwing it at you! I was throwing it at him! Why is he carrying you? Is he taking advantage of you?"
Good grief, are kids already this precocious? Anyo felt like laughing, but he said nothing, putting on a cold, aloof expression and ignoring him.
Sure enough, Asuma was furious and picked up another pebble.
"Don't you dare!" Kurenai Yuhi scolded loudly. "Throw another pebble and I'll tell the teacher! Just wait until Lord Third Hokage comes back and see how he punishes you!"
Sure enough, Kurenai Yuhi's words frightened Asuma enough that he did not dare throw it. Seemingly embarrassed, he hurled the pebble hard at the ground and shouted, "I'm not afraid of him! One day, I'm going to leave Konoha!"
With that, Asuma actually ran off without looking back, clearly planning to skip class.
Seeing this, Kurenai Yuhi sighed like an adult. "Oh, it's all because Lord Third Hokage is too busy. He doesn't have time to discipline him properly. Don't be angry with him."
Anyo turned back to look at Kurenai Yuhi in surprise.
A little embarrassed by his gaze, Kurenai Yuhi reached out and turned his head back around. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Anyo said meaningfully, "Nothing. I think I'm starting to like you more and more."
On Anyo's back, Kurenai Yuhi's heart suddenly began to race. She covered her ears with both hands and said, "Don't talk nonsense! I'm not listening! Hurry up and take me to school!"
"Hahaha! Hold on tight, then. Here we go!" Anyo accelerated, kicking up a cloud of dust from the ground.
After they arrived at school, just as Kurenai Yuhi was about to go inside, a bird's cry came from overhead. Anyo looked up, and his gaze grew serious.
Noticing the change in Anyo, Kurenai Yuhi turned back and asked, "What's that?"
"A Messenger Hawk." Anyo noticed White Fang's special mark on the message clutched in the hawk's talons. Without a doubt, his leisurely days in the village were coming to an end.
Kurenai Yuhi clearly knew what it was used for too. Somewhat uncertainly, she asked, "Could there be news from the battlefield?"
"Most likely." Anyo nodded firmly, crouched down, and took out a small bag, handing it to Kurenai Yuhi. "I'm afraid I won't be able to pick you up tonight. These are the sweets I've bought for you over the past while. Remember not to eat them all in one day, or you'll get cavities."
Kurenai Yuhi clutched the bag tightly and asked reluctantly, "Are you leaving?"
"Yes, I'm going to the battlefield. Bye." Anyo smiled and waved at Kurenai Yuhi, then vanished in a wisp of smoke.
Kurenai Yuhi stared at the empty space before her, feeling as though something was missing from her heart. It hurt terribly. The poor girl still did not know that someone had stolen her young heart.
Anyo arrived at the Hokage Office and knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Anyo pushed the door open and entered. Shinku was carefully reading the newly arrived message, his expression gradually filling with delight.
Anyo understood. There must have been an outcome to the fighting against Amegakure.
Sure enough, Shinku stood up with a hearty laugh and said excitedly, "Amegakure finally lost its battle against us. They've already retreated. And Hanzo of the Salamander, who is known as the Demigod, bestowed the title of Konoha Sannin on Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade. I imagine that name will soon resound throughout the Shinobi World."
So that's where the Konoha Sannin title came from. I thought they'd given it to themselves. Anyo smiled self-deprecatingly, then asked, "Lord Shinku, I saw my teacher White Fang's mark on the message. What did he say?"
Shinku opened it to take a look. His delighted expression darkened, and for a moment, he said nothing.
Sensing that something was wrong, Anyo pressed, "What's the matter?"
Shinku said slowly, "Although Tsunade and the other two won, it was a costly victory. All three are injured and need to return to the village to recuperate. You performed very well on this logistics mission, so the village has promoted you from genin to chunin. White Fang has ordered you to organize a four-man squad and head to the battlefield against Iwagakure."
A gleam flashed through Anyo's eyes, and he said firmly, "Understood."
"Wait."
Shinku suddenly called Anyo back.
Anyo looked back at him in confusion.
Shinku smiled at Anyo and offered his sincere wish. "Come back alive."
Anyo smiled confidently. "You bet."
Before you continue