After watching Hajime Hoshita leave, Sakumo Hatake frowned slightly.
There was a problem with the list.
Mimura Yokan, Inuzuka Kyō, and Aburame Shisei were fine. But the other three clearly didn't qualify for ANBU.
So the real purpose couldn't possibly be candidate selection for ANBU.
Sakumo keenly sensed something unusual and immediately pulled out a map.
He had to make preparations.
Whatever the ANBU's true intentions were this time, he needed to prepare for the worst-case scenario.
…
Elsewhere, Hajime and the other three—Inuzuka Ryō, Sarutobi Toku, and Aburame Shino—waited quietly beneath a tree.
Soon, they noticed the camp becoming more active.
With a look from Hajime, Sarutobi Toku silently disappeared.
Moments later, he returned. "Captain, it looks like Lord Sakumo is adjusting the entire defense formation. Won't that alert the enemy?"
Hajime didn't seem concerned. "Adjusting defenses is normal. It's just a bit more dramatic this time."
"Besides, if he had only changed the positions of the people on our list, that would've tipped someone off. Doing it across the board actually avoids suspicion."
All three teammates nodded. "That makes sense!"
But in Hajime's mind, thoughts swirled silently: Sakumo Hatake must've realized something was off. He's adjusting the entire defensive formation to prepare for the worst…
Truly sharp and decisive. No wonder they call him the White Fang of Konoha.
With a silent nod of admiration, Hajime continued waiting.
An hour quickly passed before Sakumo appeared. "Preparations are complete."
Hajime stood up. "Thank you, Lord Sakumo."
"No need for thanks," Sakumo replied with a small nod. He then led Hajime's team to a temporarily erected tent.
After Sakumo left, Hajime turned to his team. "You three stay outside. Let them in one by one."
"We'll start with Akabane Nozomi."
Sarutobi Toku nodded and stepped out.
Soon, Akabane Nozomi entered the tent.
Hajime glanced him over. Average looks, a warm and friendly smile—he looked harmless.
His expression was tinged with nervousness, which seemed normal enough.
Without delay, Hajime activated the [Heart and mouth in unison] status on Akabane and said, "Akabane Nozomi, you must answer every question I ask you from here on."
"Yes, sir!" Akabane answered respectfully.
Hajime stared into his eyes and calmly asked, "Are you a spy?"
Blunt. Direct. Brutal.
Akabane's face froze in shock, then he stammered in panic, "I… I'm not a spy."
Hajime raised an eyebrow slightly, then asked again, "Why did you betray Konoha?"
Akabane shook his head frantically. "Sir, I didn't betray Konoha!"
Not a spy, didn't betray the village—what a peaceful, good-natured guy.
Hajime had the urge to scratch his head but instead gave a small nod. "Very well. You may wait outside for further orders."
Looking utterly baffled, Akabane bowed and left the tent, still dazed.
Next came Kurosue Yūma.
He was a burly man with a scar on his face and an intimidating look.
Hajime applied [Heart and mouth in unisont] again, then asked just as directly, "Why did you betray Konoha?"
Kurosue opened his mouth, "Because…"
His expression shifted dramatically. He quickly shut his mouth—but Hajime was already in front of him.
Cold sweat broke out all over Kurosue's body as he retreated rapidly, flinging a kunai at Hajime.
Clang!
Ding!
Hajime drew his blade—splitting the kunai clean in two.
With a dull thud, Kurosue let out a muffled grunt as he was sent flying out of the tent, crashing into a tree with a thud, and spitting blood from his mouth.
Before Kurosue Yūma could get back on his feet, a bark rang out—Inuzuka Ryō's black canine companion lunged forward and clamped down on him with a powerful bite.
Meanwhile, Dōjō Takuya and Akabane Nozomi, still waiting outside the tent, looked on in shock.
Realizing he had no way to escape, Kurosue Yūma stared wide-eyed at Hajime Hoshita as he walked out of the tent. "You... how did you do it?"
"Was it genjutsu?"
Hajime ignored him and turned toward Dōjō Takuya. "Are you a spy?"
"I am…"
Dōjō Takuya's face twisted with panic. He leapt up at once—
Only to let out a sharp scream the next moment.
It was Akabane Nozomi who struck.
Dōjō Takuya collapsed to the ground, and then was instantly swarmed by Aburame Shino's insects.
Yet at that moment, Sarutobi Toku and the others were looking at each other in confusion.
That's how the captain interrogates people? That simple?
Genjutsu?
Could he be from the Uchiha clan?
All three couldn't help but secretly speculate about Hajime's true identity—they had never seen his real face.
But with that domineering attitude, he certainly seemed like someone from the Uchiha.
…
After swiftly taking down two problem cases, Hajime patted Akabane Nozomi on the shoulder. "Come with me."
"Yes, sir!"
Akabane hurried after him.
The two of them walked deeper into the forest, their figures swallowed by the darkness.
Inuzuka Ryō glanced away and whispered to Aburame Shino, "You think the captain might be Uchiha?"
Shino shook his head. "No idea."
"But that kind of ability… only the Sharingan of the Uchiha can pull something like that off, right?"
…
Deep in the darkness, Hajime looked at Akabane and asked, "Are you willing to join Root?"
Akabane was stunned, unsure of how to respond.
Hajime continued, "The Third Hokage has already given approval. Root, under Lord Danzō, is no longer just a training division for ANBU. It's now the hidden blade protecting the village from the shadows."
"Akabane Nozomi—are you willing to become one who protects the village from the darkness?"
Swallowing nervously, Akabane replied, "I… I'm willing, but…"
"That's all I need to hear," Hajime interrupted. "You won't be joining Root directly. Instead, you'll act as an intelligence operative for Root, blending in with the regular ninja of Konoha."
Akabane couldn't help but be surprised.
Hajime said calmly, "As you just witnessed, spies and traitors lurk within the village. They hide very well."
"Your personality—your warm, approachable nature—is perfect for getting close to others."
"The village needs your talents—to monitor and investigate potential traitors and infiltrators in secret."
Akabane's heart swelled with emotion. "Yes… I understand!"
"I'll give it my all!"
After more than twenty quiet years, was this finally a turning point? Was he finally being entrusted with something important?
Hajime looked at the emotional Akabane and patted him on the shoulder. "Very good."
"From this day on, I am your only superior officer."
"You will take missions from me—and report only to me."
"My codename is Alpha."
"Your codename… will be Shadow."
Akabane quickly nodded. "Yes, I understand!"
After confirming their communication signals and passwords, Hajime and Akabane returned to the tent.
"Akabane Nozomi, you may go now."
"Sarutobi, keep watch over the others."
After giving his orders, Hajime turned and left, going once more to meet Sakumo Hatake.
"Lord Sakumo, our mission is complete. Thank you for your cooperation," Hajime said politely.
Sakumo was slightly surprised.
That fast?
He asked, "Was the defensive layout compromised?"
Hajime gave a slight nod, but didn't elaborate. "We'll return to Konoha with our team at dawn. We won't trouble you further."
Sakumo nodded, then asked, "Shall I send an escort?"
Hajime politely declined. "Thank you, Lord Sakumo, but that won't be necessary. Your focus should remain on the border defenses."
Sakumo didn't press the matter.
(End of Chapter)