After resting at home for two days, Natsuhiko reported back to the ANBU on schedule.
Work in the ANBU was busy—but in the absence of missions or special circumstances, it could also be relatively relaxed.
You might complete a mission today and then rest well for a few days.
But the next time you were deployed, you might not get any rest at all.
Therefore, in the ANBU, besides learning various practical skills and memorizing all kinds of intelligence, you also needed to manage your time wisely.
Natsuhiko did quite well in this regard.
Although his cheat ability helped him avoid wasting too much time on unnecessary matters, careful planning and constant study were still absolutely necessary.
During those two days of rest, he had thought through some possible paths for the future.
Though some details were still vague, at least he now had direction.
At the same time, he had continued studying sealing techniques.
He knew full well that mastering sealing arts would be a long and difficult journey.
But if he didn't work hard at it, he would have even less hope.
"I'm not some genius," Natsuhiko reminded himself.
"I just happen to have certain special advantages helping me. That means I need to work even harder."
He understood his own level of talent clearly.
If he hadn't been able to cultivate those special fruits to strengthen himself, he would likely have died long ago on an ANBU mission.
Or worse, he would have been sent to the front lines and become one of countless cannon fodder.
Ironically, what was called the "Will of Fire" in Hashirama Senju's era had originally been the founding principle of Konoha.
It was meant to protect children from the horrors of war.
To prevent young lives from withering amid conflict.
That ideal had gathered many ninja together to establish the village.
Yet during both the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars, under the Third Hokage's rule, many children were sent to the battlefield.
That stood in complete contradiction to Konoha's founding intention—to Hashirama's Will of Fire.
Even if it had not been his original intention.
Even if Konoha had been at its most dangerous moment.
It had still happened.
If Natsuhiko hadn't been lucky—if his family hadn't had some connections—he might not have escaped that fate either.
...
"Captain Nightingale, good morning."
"Good morning."
After arriving at the ANBU headquarters, Natsuhiko smiled and greeted passing comrades.
Soon, however, he noticed Kakashi sitting alone in a corner.
After a brief moment of thought, he walked over.
If he wanted Kakashi to introduce him to Kushina, then their relationship needed to improve.
"Why are you sitting here alone?" Natsuhiko asked as he approached.
"Building better relationships with others will benefit you in the future."
"Captain," Kakashi replied calmly, lifting his head.
And then… nothing more.
Natsuhiko didn't mind.
He simply pulled Kakashi to his feet and led him toward the lounge area.
Kakashi found the gesture somewhat strange, but he didn't resist.
In his eyes, Natsuhiko was his captain.
And his teacher had also hoped that he would maintain a good relationship with him.
Soon, the two of them arrived at the training room.
Several ANBU members were already there, performing basic exercises.
Such training helped maintain physical readiness.
It also served as a simple warm-up before missions.
ANBU missions weren't limited to operations outside the village.
There were frequently assignments within Konoha itself.
And compared to missions outside the village, those inside often left little time for preparation.
Which made staying ready in advance all the more necessary.
"Captain."
Just after the two of them entered, two ANBU members quickly jogged over and greeted Natsuhiko.
They looked about seventeen or eighteen years old, with solid, well-built physiques.
Seeing them call someone only thirteen or fourteen "Captain" felt slightly strange.
Yet no one around found it odd.
Competition within the ANBU was even harsher than outside.
During wartime, ninja ranks could sometimes be promoted due to special accomplishments in battle.
But in the ANBU, there was no such thing.
Only sufficient strength and a high enough mission record could earn promotion.
That was why people said, "ANBU ninja are all elite ninja."
Cruel—but effective.
Although Natsuhiko had used connections to enter the ANBU, his strength was genuine.
It had taken him three full years to earn his position as a squad captain.
"I knew you two would be here."
Natsuhiko smiled warmly and then gestured toward Kakashi.
"You probably already know this guy. He was my classmate. A true genius ninja."
After a brief pause, he gestured toward the two team members and continued in the same gentle tone:
"This is Yaya, and this is Shinichi. Both of them have saved my life."
Yaya and Shinichi had no surnames.
If they were to take one, perhaps "Yakushi" would suit them best.
Both of them came from an orphanage.
Their parents had died in the war—so thoroughly that even their identities could no longer be traced.
So they had no family names.
Only given names.
It was an unfortunate fate.
Yet they were also fortunate.
At least they had entered the ANBU, rather than being sent to Root, where humanity was ground away.
"Don't listen to Captain," Shinichi said, shaking his head.
"It was Captain who saved the two of us."
He then nodded toward Kakashi.
"My name is Shinichi. Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you."
"And I'm Yaya. Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you."
Compared to Shinichi and Yaya's straightforwardness, Kakashi's demeanor was polite—but noticeably reserved.
Still, since he was new, no one took it to heart.
Besides, Shinichi and Yaya had likely already read Kakashi's file beforehand.
They weren't surprised by his coldness.
Of course, they weren't particularly warm toward him either.
After all, someone who had personally killed his own teammate—
Even in the ANBU, that warranted caution.
"Alright, everyone. From now on, we're teammates."
After they finished introductions, Natsuhiko smiled.
"I don't know how long this squad formation will last. But as long as we work together, we'll complete every mission perfectly."
"Yes, Captain!" Yaya, Shinichi, and Kakashi replied immediately.
The personnel flow within the ANBU wasn't large—but it wasn't small either.
Members could die during missions.
Or someone like Kakashi could be suddenly assigned in.
Either situation required squad adjustments.
And the ANBU casualty rate was far from low.
The enemies they faced were never simple opponents.
If they weren't discovered, things were manageable.
But once exposed, returning alive became extremely difficult.
Natsuhiko nodded in satisfaction at the scene.
Just as he was about to deliver a bit of motivational encouragement—to further strengthen their bond—a voice suddenly rang out:
"All personnel, assemble."