"Mabui-sama, are we really just going back like this?"
Outside the Hokage Building, the mood among the Kumogakure delegation was tense and sour.
Killer Bee's three disciples were flushed with anger, itching to pick a fight with someone—anyone.
"What else can we do? Do you even realize how close we were to dying just now?"
"That brat standing at the door—he's the one who left your master half-dead."
Mabui frowned as she spoke.
Konoha had changed. And not just on the surface—its entire atmosphere was different.
The First Shinobi Village, once calm and dormant, was awakening again.
For Kumogakure, that was anything but good news.
There was no doubt that today's negotiations had been a complete failure.
Faced with Konoha's newfound strength and confidence, Mabui hadn't even dared to bring up the Two-Tails Jinchūriki.
"Let's return to the village."
Shaking her head, Mabui sighed. No one wanted to stay and suffer further humiliation.
Things had grown complicated, and they would need to come up with a response—but at this point, there was nothing she could decide on her own. The only right move was to report everything to the Raikage and let him handle it.
...
"The ANBU—Konoha's assassination and special tactics unit."
"It's a division that should naturally carry both glory and the resolve to face death."
"It's not about making its ninja cold-blooded. It's about helping them understand that they protect what they care for—just in a different way."
Inside the Hokage's office, Hakken spoke steadily, while the ever-curious Yellow Flash listened intently.
To bear honor without fear of death.
"When war breaks out, the ANBU are the blades that strike deep behind enemy lines."
"When Konoha faces crisis, they are its strongest shield."
"In times of peace, they are the shadows beneath the sunlight, silently giving without asking for reward."
"That's what makes them Konoha's true heroes."
A few simple sentences, yet they summed up the life of every ANBU ninja.
Minato took a deep breath and nodded.
He had never been part of the ANBU himself—he had always worked as one of Konoha's elite jōnin, carrying out missions at the Third Hokage's side.
But now, as Hokage, he understood the ANBU's struggles better than anyone.
Everything Hakken had just said made perfect sense—it defined exactly why the ANBU mattered and what it stood for.
"Then that brings up the question," Hakken continued, raising his gourd for a drink before scribbling three words on the paper in front of him.
"Sense of belonging."
For a moment, Minato's eyes lit up as though something had just clicked.
Belonging.
A word that ran through the entire fabric of the shinobi world.
Take Naruto, for example. His unwavering path as a ninja was driven by one simple goal—to be recognized by others. That was all.
Recognition of one's existence—that was the most powerful affirmation a ninja could receive.
Sometimes, just hearing "I acknowledge you" meant more than any amount of praise.
Three simple words—and they struck straight to the core of the problem.
If people recognized the ANBU—if they understood and appreciated everything the ANBU did for Konoha—then things would change.
Hakken truly believed that if the villagers acknowledged them, those who once complained about the ANBU's harsh life and dangerous missions would instead feel a renewed sense of pride.
And when the villagers saw an ANBU operative passing by, instead of whispering about how mysterious they were, they would look on with admiration and respect—perhaps even envy, even wishing they could one day wear that mask themselves.
That was what the ANBU should be. The real special forces of Konoha.
"So, to build that sense of belonging," Hakken said, pulling out a folder and tapping a finger on it, "I'm going to need to make some noise."
"These are the proposals that need your approval, Minato-sensei."
"For example—posting non-classified mission results on the village bulletin boards. Showing what the ANBU have sacrificed for Konoha."
"Also, creating a Wall of Honor, listing outstanding achievements, and making the ANBU's contributions public..."
He spoke all in one breath, then shrugged with a small smile. Since he had taken up the position of ANBU Commander, he was determined to do it right.
Not for fame. Not for glory.
But because he genuinely wanted to see what kind of Konoha would emerge from it all—
A Konoha where every ninja took pride in becoming part of the ANBU.
"Hakken."
Minato smiled warmly as he looked at the young man before him. Reaching out his hand, he interrupted him mid-sentence.
"Honestly, you didn't have to come to me for permission."
"Go ahead—do it boldly. The ANBU is yours now."
Yours?
Hakken froze, momentarily stunned by Minato's words.
"I trust you. Between master and disciple, there's no need for too many words."
"Though as your teacher, I've yet to teach you anything, and judging by your expression, you probably have no interest in learning the Rasengan either."
"All I can offer you is my complete trust."
Minato patted Hakken's shoulder, his usual warm, sunlit smile spreading across his face.
His words trailed off midway.
"That's your ANBU." A simple line, but one that carried deeper meaning.
And in time, this would also be your Konoha.
Without a doubt, Minato was treating Hakken Yoru as a future successor—someone to inherit the will he carried.
Unfortunately, what he didn't realize was that Hakken had never once set his sights on the Hokage's seat.
A mere Hokage—sitting in that chair only limited a man's perspective and ambitions.
Hakken would never allow himself to be bound by a title.
Even so, he couldn't help but respect Minato's broad-mindedness.
What does it mean to be Hokage?
This—this was what it meant.
To grant authority and encourage bold action.
Not to crush or slander others once they had power, or to drive them into despair.
Unconditional trust.
That was Minato's greatest show of support for him.
Hakken looked at Minato deeply, then nodded. "Understood."
As Minato said, between teacher and student, too many words were unnecessary.
Understanding each other's intentions was enough.
But my ANBU, huh?
A grin tugged at Hakken's lips. Things were getting more and more interesting.
Leaving the Hokage's office, Hakken felt unusually lighthearted as he walked toward Training Ground Seven.
The rest of the Night Owl Squad was already waiting.
Shisui Uchiha. Itachi Uchiha. Kakashi Hatake.
One day, each of them would undoubtedly become the backbone of the ANBU.
But today, there was one more person standing among them—a young man with a gentle face and calm eyes.
His real name was Tenzō.
Now he went by Yamato, his ANBU codename remaining "Tenzō."
He was one of Orochimaru's earliest sixty Wood Release experiment subjects.
Walking over with a satisfied smile, Hakken clapped him on the shoulder.
"With a Yamato battleship by my side, I could even cut down the First Hokage!"
...
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