On Konoha's main road, Naruto, Shikamaru, and Choji bowed to Shinji, bidding him farewell.
"Sensei, we'll head back now."
Shinji waved his hand, saying before he left, "Mm, remember the homework I assigned for tomorrow, make sure to complete it well."
The three little ones were left standing there, looking at each other.
Choji asked, "Shikamaru, do you think it's okay if we don't write it?"
Hearing Choji ask that, Naruto's face turned a bit green as he said, "Choji, I think you can give up on that idea, otherwise, for the next week or so, you'll wish you had just handed in your homework on time."
He had actually tried that, and the result was that Shinji smilingly gave him even more homework. The kind that had to be completed.
"Uh..."
Seeing Naruto's expression, Shikamaru, who had originally thought of skipping homework, gave up on that idea.
Naruto quickly raised his hand, saying, "Let's go, it's better to go home early, and tomorrow we can wake up early and find a place to finish this homework together."
"Just come to my place, Shinji-sensei cooked at my house yesterday, and there's still some left for me to eat on the weekend."
"It's decided." Choji immediately said upon hearing this.
"Hahaha!"
Listening to the laughter of the kids behind him, Shinji, who had already rounded the corner, also started to laugh.
It's good, at least it's not like before.
Hmm?
Shinji, who was laughing, suddenly turned around. There was a person standing silently in the shadows behind him.
If he hadn't felt any hostility, he would have launched a Rasengan by now.
"Chunin Shinji, right?"
"Who is it?"
Now, seeing someone dressed in Anbu attire, Shinji was somewhat jumpy.
"Hokage-sama's direct Anbu Squad Six, Tenzo."
"By Hokage-sama's decree, I have come to lead Chunin Shinji to join the Anbu squad."
Hearing a familiar codename, Shinji dispelled the Rasengan in his hand behind his back, then nodded and said, "Then I'll trouble you, senpai."
Shinji's actions were not concealed, so Tenzo saw them clearly.
That senpai felt a bit... deadly.
A bead of cold sweat trickled down Tenzo's forehead, and then he said, somewhat calmly, "No need, it's just that a senpai asked me to contact you first. I'll lead the way, you just follow."
After speaking, he didn't bother with whatever expression Shinji had behind him. He instantly disappeared from the spot with a Body Flicker Technique.
Shinji touched his nose, muttering to himself, "Standing behind me. You were lucky you spoke quickly before I blew you up."
After speaking, Shinji leaped up, following Tenzo, who had already run far ahead.
Even though Tenzo used the Body Flicker Technique, his figure was still within Shinji's perception, like an amplified light bulb.
Seeing that Shinji had caught up, Tenzo no longer paid him any mind. He pushed off with his feet, accelerating forward even faster. This was also what the senpai who had sent him to pick up Shinji had instructed: to test Shinji's caliber.
So far, everything was acceptable. His vigilance was good, and his speed and perception were not bad either.
"We're here."
Tenzo, who had taken Shinji on a tour, stopped at an entrance.
Shinji, who had just landed, looked at the Hokage Building not far away, and then at the Hokage-Rock statues above it.
If someone hadn't led him here, who would have known that this was the Anbu's base?
Tenzo walked in front, and two Anbu members hiding in the shadows came out to verify their credentials. Only then did they open the gate, allowing the two to enter. Afterward, they walked through a dim tunnel.
After an unknown amount of time, Shinji perceived a glimmer of light. As he stepped out of the tunnel, a spacious cave appeared before his eyes.
The entire mountain seemed to have been hollowed out, and he was currently in the middle. Around him, the cave extended upwards in a tiered fashion.
What a grand undertaking.
Looking at everything before him, Shinji couldn't help but exclaim.
The very bottom of the cave should be what Konoha villagers would use for escape later, right?
Tenzo walked in front, leading Shinji through twists and turns until they reached an end, where he pointed to a small door and said, "Go in first to register your codename and collect your uniform and mask."
Shinji nodded, pushed open the small door, and walked in with a slight bow of his head.
Upon entering, he saw Kakashi standing there waiting for him.
Hmm?
Seeing Kakashi, who wasn't wearing a full mask, Shinji was taken aback.
Kakashi ignored Shinji's confusion, simply stating his position, "Hokage's direct Anbu Commander, Kakashi."
"There will be a mission tomorrow. The success or failure of this mission will determine whether you can join the Anbu."
"I will be the examiner."
Shinji somewhat understood that the Anbu assessment might require an examiner to be present. However, it wouldn't be as direct as Kakashi stating it. Usually, the prospective Anbu members would go alone, and the assessors would follow behind.
So, is Hiruzen afraid he won't complete the assessment, and he's having Kakashi cover for him?
Tsk, this is the benefit of having a big tree to shade under?
But Shinji felt this benefit was a bit redundant.
Seeing that Shinji did not ask any questions, Kakashi pointed to the scroll on the table.
Shinji stepped forward and took a look, it contained some of his information. The only blank space left was the codename section.
"Write down your codename. All subsequent actions in the Anbu will be referred to by your codename."
After Kakashi explained the purpose of the codename, he said no more.
Shinji picked up the brush, and thought for a moment. After writing down his codename, he stepped back.
Seeing that Shinji had finished writing, Kakashi looked at the scroll. The blank space clearly read 'Kyouka'.
Without further words, he formed a hand seal, clapped his right hand onto the scroll, and let out a low shout.
"Seal!"
Shinji then saw all his information twist and squirm like tadpoles, finally converging into a large character: 'Seal'.
Kakashi said, picking up a rope and tying up the scroll, "All information of Anbu members will be individually sealed, and only Hokage-sama, apart from the commander, has the authority to retrieve it."
He then placed it in a drawer and pulled a mechanism on the side.
Listening to the sound of the mechanism rolling, Shinji nodded and said, "When is the assessment mission, and what preparations do I need to make?"
Kakashi didn't respond immediately. Instead, he took out a fox mask from the side and handed it to Shinji.
Then he said, "You will be informed of the assessment mission tomorrow. Tomorrow around 6 PM, arrive at the village gate on time. I will be waiting for you there. The Anbu uniform and standard long sword will be sent over shortly."