Jealousy—who doesn't have it? But only when the gap grows overwhelming does envy twist into awe.
And right now, Natsume Yō clearly hadn't reached that level yet.
Their mocking words weren't loud, but just enough for Yō to hear. Of course, they wanted him to hear.
He clenched his fists.
No one believes in me, huh? Fine. Then I'll make you eat your words. Just because you can't do it doesn't mean I can't.
Underestimating others while overestimating yourselves… one day, that arrogance will crush you.
A cold light flickered in Yō's eyes as he made up his mind. He would show them how wrong they were.
Most of ANBU waited eagerly for his return—not to celebrate him, but to watch him crawl back broken and humiliated.
—
Two months later.
"This is the head of B-rank rogue ninja Kagemura Hijiri, Matsushita Yūya, Yanamura Ze, Nagashima Uchikawa… and C-rank rogue ninja Saki Keihei. Please confirm."
Inside the ANBU office, Yō's voice was calm but edged with killing intent. He set a bloodstained scroll on the desk before Shiyō, his gaze sharp enough to pierce steel.
"Oh, and do me a favor, Captain. Tell certain people this: just because they can't do something, doesn't mean others can't. This world is full of talent far beyond their imagination."
Yō looked up and grinned, teeth bared.
"…Understood. Go rest."
Shiyō nodded, sealing the scroll and tucking it into his ninja pouch.
The moment Yō left, ANBU buzzed like a kicked hornet's nest.
"That's him? Tenshin—the kid who joined ANBU less than three months ago and already completed multiple B-rank missions solo?"
"Unbelievable… that killing aura made my skin crawl. Felt like needles prickling just standing near him."
"And he looks so young…"
"Wouldn't mind being on a mission with him someday."
Shockwaves rippled through the organization.
"He actually did it…"
"No way. How is this possible?"
"Has he really only been here three months?"
The ones who had mocked him two months ago were struck dumb, their faces burning with shame. None of them had believed. None of them had thought he could succeed. And yet, he had crushed every doubt.
—
At home, Yō stripped off his blood-soaked ANBU gear, the stench of corpses clinging to it, and sank naked into the steaming hot spring he'd built not long ago.
Two months of nonstop killing… he could feel himself edging toward becoming nothing more than a weapon. He needed time to cool his head, to let the slaughter fade, to digest all the experience he'd earned.
Status Window:
Host: Natsume Yō
World: Naruto (Konoha)
Age: 10
Skills: Great Water Arm Jutsu, Water Formation Wall, Wind Sword Style (Beginner), Wind Body Flicker, Shadow Clone Technique
State: 840/1000
Coins: 1360
Rank: Chūnin
Weapon: ANBU Standard Short Blade
In just two months, his EXP had surged from 300 to 840. His strength was now brushing up against the level of an average jōnin.
—
Hokage's Office.
"It seems my decision back then was correct," the Third Hokage muttered, stroking his beard as he looked over the reports. "In only three months, Yō has grown this much."
"Any stronger, and he'll stand shoulder to shoulder with Kakashi and Uchiha Shisui."