"This is all your equipment."
"Thank you."
The next day, at the Anbu Equipment Department.
Hyuga Makoto received his new uniform from an Anbu member. Looking at the eagle-faced mask, he couldn't help but nod.
"Good thing it's not a bull..."
Although he didn't have any prejudice, he really didn't want to 'sortie as a Minotaur Warrior'.
"You're here very early."
Just at this moment, a voice sounded behind him. Turning his head to look, he immediately revealed a polite smile.
"Captain Kakashi, good morning."
After returning last night, Hyuga Makoto unavoidably had to meet Hyuga Hiashi.
Especially since he used the Revolving Heaven, he felt he needed to explain this matter.
However, to his surprise, Hyuga Hiashi didn't seem to care about this issue at all.
He merely briefly stated that Makoto would be subordinate to Kakashi's squad from now on, exhorted him to definitely abide by the Anbu regulations, and then let him take Hinata to train.
"Could it be he thinks Hinata taught me?"
Hyuga Makoto couldn't figure it out, but he did understand some things.
Because when he came out, he noticed the gazes some Main House members gave him.
"This is what happens when you haven't suffered the iron fist of the 'Uchiha Clan Massacre'..."
Hyuga Makoto couldn't help but sigh with emotion. After that incident happened, the entire Hyuga Clan became honest.
He was also somewhat curious if the Uchiha Clan Massacre was a factor that solidified Hyuga Hiashi's thought of 'going against the ancestors'.
After all, a massive clan was gone just like that; such an impact was unimaginable.
But this had nothing to do with him; he had already embarked on a new track!
"I must also thank the Captain for showing mercy yesterday."
Although his mind was wandering, it didn't affect his politeness in the slightest.
"Please take care of me from now on."
"Hey, you seem to have forgotten about me, right?"
Tenzo walked out from behind Kakashi at this time and lightly punched Hyuga Makoto's shoulder.
"You guy really hit hard. We were originally just doing a simple test, but we ended up looking a bit disheveled because of you."
"It's better to have such strength."
Kakashi glanced at the two of them, then spoke plainly.
"This way, we can avoid our comrades being killed."
What if it was others who crashed into it themselves...
Hyuga Makoto blinked, but he immediately became serious.
"I understand, Captain Kakashi, Senior. Comrades are always the most worthy of being cherished!"
"You're pretty good for a newcomer. Also, just call me Tenzo."
Tenzo was very satisfied with Hyuga Makoto. He patted his shoulder and smiled.
"Your locker was already prepared for you yesterday. Welcome to the team."
"Thank you, Senior Tenzo."
Hyuga Makoto also responded with a smile. Tenzo was exactly as he remembered.
Kakashi, on the other hand, appeared somewhat cold, not yet having become the unreliable Jonin instructor of Team 7 in the future.
But he didn't mind. He knew all too well how to deal with the current Kakashi.
"After all, I truly watched how you transformed!"
While he was thinking, the three of them had already arrived at the break room.
However, looking at this empty break room, Hyuga Makoto was instantly dumbfounded.
"Eh, why is there no one here?"
He still wanted to meet that extremely filial son who killed his whole family, to see if he could trigger a quest!
Where did my big weasel go?
"The others have missions. The Anbu is very busy."
Kakashi spoke calmly, and Tenzo added an explanation with a smile.
"For example, surveillance, escorting, and so on. Coincidentally, we also have a mission right now."
"Ah?"
Hyuga Makoto pointed at himself in disbelief.
"We do?"
"That's right."
Kakashi nodded slightly.
"This mission can also be considered an assessment for you."
"Another assessment..."
Hyuga Makoto truly didn't expect to have work on his first day in the Anbu.
Even Uchiha Itachi didn't have this kind of treatment, right?
But then he remembered, Uchiha Itachi was probably currently monitoring his own home.
Although it was a bit regrettable that he couldn't meet this 'hardcore ruthless guy', it was a good thing to be able to get moving!
"No problem, I just have one question."
"Speak."
Kakashi's words were concise and capable. Hyuga Makoto scratched his head and asked embarrassedly.
"Captain, when joining the Anbu, is there no need for some rule training or something like that?"
"Eh? Is there such a requirement?"
Before Kakashi could answer this question, Tenzo beside him asked curiously.
"..."
Kakashi glanced at Tenzo and spoke somewhat helplessly.
"The Anbu rules are the same as regular ninjas, just stricter. Because we are the Hokage's direct unit, the extension of the Hokage's will, so..."
"We only take orders from Lord Hokage, and anything related to the Anbu cannot be leaked?"
Hyuga Makoto instantly understood Kakashi's meaning. The Anbu were also ninjas, just with a different level of subordination and a different nature of confidentiality.
The things a ninja should learn had already been learned in the academy, and the Anbu just took it a step further.
But after figuring this out, he couldn't help but complain inwardly. Isn't this too much of a makeshift operation?
"That's right. As for training, there used to be some in the past."
Kakashi seemed to see through Hyuga Makoto's thoughts. He glanced at Tenzo before speaking.
"Tenzo used to be there, it's just that now..."
"Hiss!"
Tenzo's eyes instantly widened, and he turned to look at Hyuga Makoto seriously.
"You must not go to that place!"
"I understand..."
The corner of Hyuga Makoto's mouth couldn't help but twitch. He almost forgot that this used to be Danzo's job!
It was just that Root slowly became Danzo's private army, and the two slowly began to become independent of each other.
It wasn't until Danzo and Uchiha Itachi pulled off a ruthless stunt and Danzo was removed from his position as Hokage's Assistant that Root and the Anbu merged again.
But after the Third Hokage died, Danzo started acting up again...
Hyuga Makoto just wanted to live well, not die early. He decisively changed the subject.
"Captain, let's talk about the mission first."
"This mission isn't complicated either, after all, we have to bring a newcomer like you."
Kakashi clearly didn't want to talk more about a certain one-eyed old man. He nodded and spoke seriously.
"Our target is an abandoned laboratory in the Land of Whirlpools."
"However, this laboratory was once used by Orochimaru."
Tenzo pursed his lips and added from the side. His mood was somewhat downcast; after all, he was also one of Orochimaru's victims.
"Orochimaru..."
However, hearing this name, Hyuga Makoto's eyes instantly lit up a bit.
He was truly just pondering about Orochimaru's technology and ruthless methods, and he didn't expect to encounter it on his first day in the Anbu.
Joining the Anbu was the right choice!
"Yes, it's intelligence from Lord Jiraiya."
Kakashi didn't notice Hyuga Makoto's expression and continued speaking.
"Besides that, we also have to help out along the way."
"Help out?"
"According to intelligence, a Kirigakure squad landed from the Land of Whirlpools and is heading towards the Land of Fire. The village has already sent people over, but to avoid accidents, we will provide support from the shadows."
"So that's how it is..."
Hyuga Makoto nodded in understanding, but he didn't pay too much attention to it.
It wasn't just once or twice that Kirigakure caused trouble for Konoha. Besides, they were only going to provide support this time.
"It can't be like Uchiha Itachi, encountering a troublesome matter on his first deployment, right?"
Right now, he was more focused on the laboratory abandoned by Orochimaru.
If he could trigger a side quest and get what he wanted, then he would truly have earned big!
"Hmm?"
Right at this moment, his system really reacted.
[Obtained a new side quest]
[1. Loot Orochimaru's laboratory]
[2. I surrender to Orochimaru]
[Obtained a new side quest]
[1. Eliminate all Kirigakure ninjas]
[2. I surrender to Kirigakure]
"?"
Looking at these two side quests, the corners of Hyuga Makoto's eyes couldn't help but twitch.
Two quests appearing at once made him very pleasantly surprised.
But why did both of these quests have an option for him to run away?
And judging from the quests, did something seem off about those Kirigakure guys?
They were just going to provide support, so why did he have to eliminate them all?
"Alright, that's the specific situation. Once you change your equipment, we will set off."
However, before he could think more about it, Kakashi spoke again.
"Although the mission won't be easy, you can rest assured, I won't let anything happen to you."
"..."
Hearing these words, Hyuga Makoto almost gasped!
He now somewhat understood why the quests had an option for him to run away.
It might be nothing if someone else said this, but coming from Kakashi, it might not necessarily be a good thing...
.....