That was how things worked in the ANBU.
Even if you were simply on standby, you never knew when a mission would suddenly be assigned.
And you certainly wouldn't know the specific details of your task in advance.
The level of secrecy was extremely strict.
Aside from Kakashi, everyone in their squad had been in the ANBU for quite some time. They were veterans and long accustomed to this system.
The training room, which had been full just moments ago, quickly emptied.
Meanwhile, all ANBU members stationed at the base had gathered in the front lounge.
Each squad stood silently in formation.
In that moment, the discipline of the ANBU was displayed to its fullest.
"Is everyone here?"
The Commander swept his gaze across the room before speaking indifferently.
"There is a mission. You are to depart immediately. The target is the northwestern border outpost.
"Squad captains, collect your specific mission coordinates.
"Your objective is to intercept and eliminate all foreign ninja attempting to attack the outpost.
"Remember—all. Understood?"
"Yes, Commander!"
Every ANBU member responded in unison.
Natsuhiko did the same.
Missions like this were nothing new to the ANBU.
Especially after Konoha signed a peace treaty with Iwagakure, attacks like these had become increasingly frequent within just a few months.
Natsuhiko himself had carried out several such missions.
While he wasn't as comfortable with them as he was with eliminating spies, he was by no means inexperienced.
After receiving their instructions, Natsuhiko prepared to depart.
But just as he and Kakashi finished equipping their ANBU-issued gear, the Commander approached him.
"Commander," Natsuhiko greeted respectfully, posture straight.
"Nightingale, this operation—you will once again execute it independently with White Fang."
The commander's tone remained indifferent.
He glanced briefly at Shinichi and Yaya before continuing slowly:
"As for Gray Cat and Heron, you will report to the Second Division's Fifth Squad and Ninth Squad.
"You will assume command and reorganize the teams. Understood?"
"Yes, Commander."
Natsuhiko and the others responded immediately.
Gray Cat and Heron were Shinichi and Yaya's code names.
The Second Division was another branch of the Anbu's operational arm.
The ANBU was divided into multiple sub-departments: Intelligence, Interrogation, Operations, and Reserve.
Each department worked in coordination, and each contained several squads. Overall numbers were never large.
The Reserve Division required little explanation.
It served as the ANBU's training and backup pool—where newcomers reported upon entry.
They underwent a period of training there before being deemed qualified for missions.
Due to the war, Natsuhiko had only stayed there for a month.
He had effectively graduated early.
The Operations Division had the second-largest number of personnel within the ANBU.
And it was also the most important.
There were three divisions in the Operations Division.
Each division had more than ten squads.
Altogether, around forty to fifty ninja served there.
Almost every one of them was elite.
Even if their overall strength didn't fully reach jōnin level, they possessed jōnin-level—or even superior—skills in specific areas.
"Congratulations, you two captains."
After the Commander turned and left, Natsuhiko smiled at Shinichi and Yaya.
"I never thought I'd end up producing two squad captains."
"Captain, please don't say that," Shinichi said awkwardly, shaking his head.
Then he sighed quietly.
"It looks like… those two squads over there were completely wiped out."
"Yes, Captain," Yaya said with a headache. "Looks like this time, we've got a tough job ahead."
Assigning new captains and rebuilding a squad meant only one thing—
The original squad had been completely wiped out.
Natsuhiko didn't know what kind of trouble the Second Division had encountered, but the outcome was obvious.
He sighed faintly, unwilling to dwell on it further.
Yaya and Shinichi were clearly troubled by it as well.
However, they still had a mission to carry out, so there was no time for extended conversation. They soon parted ways.
After collecting their equipment, Natsuhiko led Kakashi swiftly out of the village.
Sometimes he wondered whether he had a tendency to jinx things.
Just moments ago, he had said something like, "Who knows how long we'll stay together,"
And now they were already separated.
Still, Natsuhiko didn't care much.
For him, changing teammates was nothing unusual.
After so many years in the ANBU, he had gone through quite a few.
Some had died on missions.
Some had left the ANBU to serve on the front lines due to their experience.
Others, like today, had been transferred because another squad needed personnel.
He had never personally killed his own teammate.
At most, he had "chosen to abandon certain teammates in order to complete the mission."
Ironically, he had never been punished for such decisions.
On the contrary, because he handled situations "decisively and efficiently," he had been promoted to squad captain.
Shinichi and Yaya hadn't been in his squad long—just a few months.
But Natsuhiko's gentle personality, solid strength, and calm judgment during missions had earned their deep trust.
Among all the teammates he'd had over the years, they suited him best.
"Captain… this time, the squad was split up…"
Once they had left Konoha's perimeter, Kakashi finally couldn't hold back and spoke.
Natsuhiko turned to glance at him.
Unfortunately, with the mask on, he couldn't see Kakashi's expression.
Of course, even without the mask, Kakashi's constant face covering made it hard to read him anyway.
Still, the question made Natsuhiko raise an eyebrow slightly.
It seemed that the probing conversation he'd had with Kakashi a few days ago had indeed produced some effect.
However, this time Natsuhiko could tell that the Commander hadn't been deliberately targeting Kakashi.
Too much of a good thing could backfire.
And ANBU squads being wiped out wasn't exactly rare.
He didn't believe the Commander would fabricate something like that just to manipulate them.
Despite internal competition, relations between squads were generally acceptable.
Anyone could verify the situation with a simple inquiry.
Besides, Kakashi had the Fourth Hokage behind him.
Even if the Fourth couldn't fully control the ANBU, appointing a squad captain would be effortless for him.
"When the organization needs it, we obey," Natsuhiko said with a faint smile.
"This kind of thing isn't uncommon in the ANBU. I've lost track of how many teammates I've gone through. You get used to it."
"So that's why you said, 'I don't know how long we'll be together,' right?" Kakashi glanced at him.
After hesitating briefly, he asked:
"Captain… may I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"…Have you ever personally killed your own teammate?"