"Hello, everyone. For most of you, this is probably the first time seeing my face without a mask. My name is Natsuhiko… Senju Natsuhiko."
His voice was gentle, almost calm, yet carried effortlessly to every corner of the room through the subtle amplification of chakra. Whether they were frontline operatives, reserve members, administrative staff, or even the interrogation specialists, every ANBU present heard his words with perfect clarity.
And with that single sentence, the last of their doubts vanished.
Natsuhiko… was now the ANBU Commander.
The rules of the ANBU were absolute—aside from the commander, no one was permitted to remove their mask in public, nor to reveal their true name. To do so was to challenge the very foundation of the organization, unless under extraordinary, widely acknowledged circumstances.
But there was one exception.
The one who stood above all others.
The one who was no longer bound by the same secrecy.
The ANBU commander.
And Natsuhiko's actions had made that fact unmistakably clear.
Though many of them had already suspected it, the confirmation still stirred a ripple of surprise through the gathered shinobi. Yet beyond that surprise, a stronger emotion took hold—excitement.
After all, Natsuhiko had already proven himself.
Charging in and out of the Land of Wind alone was not something an ordinary shinobi could accomplish. And what he had displayed the previous night had only deepened their awe—whether it was the colossal summoned creature that loomed like a mountain, or the terrifying Wood Release techniques he wielded with such ease, both had left a lasting impression.
More importantly, it wasn't just his strength.
His decisiveness—and his command.
In the midst of that crisis, he had not hesitated to eliminate the former ANBU commander in order to mobilize forces more swiftly to save Konoha. That alone was something few would dare to do.
And in the chaos that followed, he had remained composed, directing ANBU operatives with precision to minimize further losses. That level of leadership was not something that could be faked—it was something earned.
And above all…
He was a descendant of the Senju clan.
Between his lineage and his performance, Natsuhiko had already won them over completely.
"Natsuhiko… Division Commander." At that moment, the commander of the Second Division suddenly spoke up, his tone respectful yet firm. "My apologies for the interruption, but may I ask—do you have an official letter of appointment?"
"Of course." Natsuhiko nodded lightly, his gaze shifting toward the figures standing below.
Kakashi was already there, standing beside Pakura. Both of them were watching intently, their eyes filled with a burning intensity.
Yet there was a subtle difference.
Pakura's gaze carried pure excitement, undisguised and bright. Kakashi's, however, held something more restrained—something tinged with frustration.
The reason was simple.
The previous night, he had been confined within the barrier, unable to move.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, in his determination to protect what he called "Konoha's future," had forbidden many of them from joining the battle. And so, while the Nine-Tails rampaged through the village, they could do nothing but watch.
Kakashi understood the reasoning. He knew it was for their safety—and for the future of the village.
But understanding it did little to ease the frustration in his chest.
Still, he—and the others trapped within the barrier—had all witnessed Natsuhiko's performance. Others might not have recognized him, but Kakashi had no such difficulty.
He had never imagined that his captain would turn out to be a member of the Senju clan.
Not that it changed anything.
To Kakashi, lineage alone held little meaning.
The moment he caught Natsuhiko's glance, he stepped forward without hesitation.
"Let Division Commander Vermilion take a look," Natsuhiko said calmly, producing the letter of appointment and handing it over.
"Yes—understood, Capta—" Kakashi replied instinctively, before immediately correcting himself. "Commander."
His reaction was swift, his tone steady as he took the document and moved quickly toward the commander of the Second Division, presenting it with proper respect.
The commander of the Second Division, Redwing, watched everything unfold with a deep frown etched across his face. When he heard Kakashi address Natsuhiko as "Commander," that frown only deepened.
He had ambitions of his own.
If not, he wouldn't have stepped aside the previous night, allowing Natsuhiko to take command and bear all the consequences that came with it.
It wasn't that Redwing lacked the courage to take risks. In his eyes, Natsuhiko certainly possessed the strength—but his decisiveness bordered on recklessness. Coupled with his youth, it seemed obvious to Redwing that Natsuhiko had no real chance of claiming the position.
As long as he himself made no mistakes and remained steady, Redwing had been confident that the role of ANBU commander would eventually fall into his hands.
In his mind, the only real competition had been Antelope, the commander of the First Division—and Natsuhiko's former superior.
But what he had never anticipated was this.
Natsuhiko had displayed overwhelming strength, an almost unfathomable level of composure, and exceptional command ability. And now, he had directly secured the position of ANBU commander.
Redwing found it difficult to accept.
Holding the letter of appointment in his hands, he forced himself to remain calm. Yet after a brief moment, his brows lifted slightly—and beneath his mask, it seemed as though a faint smile had formed.
"Division Commander Nightingale," Redwing called out, lifting his head to meet Natsuhiko's gaze. "There appears to be a problem with your appointment letter."
"Oh?" Natsuhiko looked at him calmly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "And what problem might that be?"
"This letter was issued by the Fourth Hokage." Redwing raised the document high, his voice ringing out loudly, amplified by chakra until it echoed throughout the entire ANBU hall. "But it seems to lack the approval of the Third Hokage."
His words sent ripples through the gathered ANBU.
Some fell into thoughtful silence, while others frowned.
No one present was a fool. Each of them, in their own way, had already sensed that the internal dynamics of the ANBU were far more complicated than they appeared on the surface.
But no one had ever laid it out so plainly before.
The struggles of those at the top were never something they could involve themselves in. Their duty was simple: obey orders and complete missions.
Nothing more.
As for who issued those orders, or who exactly they were meant to be loyal to… those questions were secondary. As long as the command came from the Hokage, that was enough.
"Division Commander Redwing, your words leave me rather puzzled." The smile on Natsuhiko's face gradually faded. "Perhaps you can answer me this—what is the duty of the ANBU?"
"To be loyal to the Hokage, and to Konoha." Redwing let out a cold snort as he replied.
"In that case… is the Fourth Hokage not the Hokage?"
Natsuhiko's expression grew colder, though his tone remained steady. He lifted his gaze slightly, fixing Redwing with a calm yet piercing stare that carried an unmistakable edge.
"Division Commander Redwing, you've overstepped. The Hokage is the Hokage, and an order is an order."
Redwing's expression darkened.
He knew exactly how precarious his position had become the moment he voiced that objection—but he had said it anyway.
After all, he had been elevated to his current rank under the influence of Hiruzen Sarutobi. Even if that promotion had come indirectly, it did not change the fact.
And ever since Minato Namikaze took office, the ANBU had, in practice, continued to follow the Third Hokage's will. That reality had never truly changed—and in Redwing's eyes, there was no reason for it to.
Natsuhiko's reasoning was sound.
But that didn't mean Redwing would accept it.
"I'm sorry," Redwing said coldly, turning away without hesitation. "Without the Third Hokage's approval, I will not acknowledge this appointment. The Fourth Hokage may be Hokage… but it is the Third who can truly lead Konoha on the right path."
"Are you questioning the choice of the people?" Natsuhiko's hand had already come to rest on the hilt of his blade as he spoke, his voice now carrying a faint chill. "It seems, Division Commander Redwing… that you are not a qualified member of the ANBU."
"You intend to make a move against me?" Redwing's gaze sharpened instantly, his entire body tensing with caution. "Internal conflict within the ANBU—are you certain you want to go that far? I intend to seek an audience with the Third Hokage. Do you plan to stop me as well… Division Commander Nightingale?"
With that, Redwing turned and strode toward the exit.
Yet even as he walked, chakra began to gather around him—quietly, steadily.
There was no way Redwing didn't understand just how dangerous Natsuhiko was.
From the moment he had watched him utterly crush Murashima Takumi the night before, he had already realized the extent of that danger. And beyond that, Natsuhiko had faced the Nine-Tails alone—his Wood Release techniques alone were enough to leave anyone in disbelief.
Facing someone like that… no one could afford to let their guard down.
Not even a Kage.
"I don't object to you going to see the Third Hokage," Natsuhiko's voice came from behind him, calm and unhurried.
Redwing paused mid-step, his body tensing as he turned back warily.
Natsuhiko was smiling.
With a smooth, almost casual motion, he drew the blade at his waist and began walking forward, each step light yet deliberate.
"But as I said earlier," he continued, his tone gentle, almost conversational, "you are not a qualified member of the ANBU."
He lifted the blade slightly.
"In my capacity as the ANBUcommander, I hereby declare—you are expelled from the ANBU. Leave behind one of your wrists, and withdraw."
His tone was gentle, almost soft, matching the mild expression on his face—but the words themselves coldly determined the fate of an ANBU division commander.
Expelling a division commander outright was something that had almost never happened in the history of the ANBU.
And yet, no one present dared question the validity of Natsuhiko's decision. The head of the ANBU did, in fact, possess such authority.
Redwing's expression changed instantly.
As he watched Natsuhiko approach, feeling the overwhelming pressure locking onto him, cold sweat began to trickle down his back.
He understood now.
This young man of the Senju clan had no hesitation about turning his blade on his own. If anything… he might have been waiting for someone like Redwing to step forward.
Because this was the perfect opportunity to purge those within the ANBU who were wholly loyal to the Third Hokage.
In the next instant, Natsuhiko vanished.
And at the same moment, a sharp, searing pain exploded from Redwing's shoulder.
He had been struck.
And the injury was far from light.
"Damn it!"
With a furious shout, Redwing ignored the pain and drew his blade in one swift motion. Chakra surged violently around him as he spun at full speed, pouring all his strength into a single slash aimed at Natsuhiko.
Whether it would land or not, he didn't know.
But one thing was certain—Natsuhiko truly intended to leave him here.
If he didn't fight back, he would die.
Yet what happened next was beyond his expectations.
Natsuhiko hadn't used the Flying Thunder God Technique.
He simply stood there, unmoving, watching him.
And then—calmly—he raised his blade.
Clang!
The sharp ring of metal echoed through the entire ANBU hall as Natsuhiko's sword, glowing with a brilliant blue chakra, effortlessly intercepted Redwing's strike.
"If possible," Natsuhiko spoke again, his voice warm and gentle, like that of an old friend sharing quiet advice, "I would prefer that you didn't insist on this."
The tone was soothing—like a spring breeze.
But the meaning behind it was colder than ice.
"After all, I only intended to expel you and take one of your wrists. But it seems… you have no intention of accepting that."
He tilted his head slightly, as if considering something trivial.
"You know, when trying to step over an ant without killing it…"
Before he could finish, his figure disappeared once more.
And when he reappeared—
His blade had already pierced straight through Redwing's chest.
"…it takes a great deal of control," he finished softly. "And restraint has never been my strength… especially not now."
As his words fell, Natsuhiko slowly withdrew the blade.
Redwing's body trembled before collapsing to his knees.
Blood spread rapidly across his chest, soaking through his clothes before spilling onto the floor beneath him, staining the ground a deep crimson.
He lifted his head weakly, his gaze drifting toward the distant doorway.
Around him, the watching ANBU stood in silence, their expressions complicated—shock, unease, perhaps even fear.
Redwing's lips trembled slightly, as if he wanted to say something… but no words came.
Unfortunately, not a single word left his lips. In the end, his head slumped forward weakly, and his heart fell silent.
The sheer brutality and decisiveness of that moment sent a chill down the spines of every ANBU present.
They had already witnessed Natsuhiko's decisiveness the night before—but what they saw today was something entirely different. The gap between the two was so vast that it left them unable to reconcile the same person with both images.
For a moment, no one could quite understand him anymore.
But one thing became painfully clear—
The ANBU had changed.
Completely.
Natsuhiko glanced at Redwing's kneeling corpse, then casually flicked the blood from his blade before sheathing it.
There was a saying—host them, behead them, make them yours—a crude but effective summary of how to win over individuals… or entire groups.
Natsuhiko had no time for the first step.
So he chose the second.
And what remained… was the third.
Of course, that wasn't entirely accurate. The members of the ANBU were all valuable—highly capable shinobi, each one worth far more than such a crude description implied.
"Is there anyone else who wishes to leave?" Natsuhiko asked, his gaze sweeping calmly across the room, that same faint smile still resting on his lips. "If so, now would be a good time to speak."
"Don't worry," he added gently, his tone as mild as ever, "I won't act rashly. As long as your reasons are sufficient, that will be enough."
No one spoke.
Not a single person stepped forward.
No one dared.
After all, it was difficult—impossible, even—to believe his assurance after witnessing Redwing's fate. If he truly wouldn't act lightly, then Redwing would not have died so decisively.
"Very well," Natsuhiko continued, his smile unchanged. "Then let me ask a different question."
His voice remained warm, almost soothing, as though he were discussing something trivial rather than standing over a fresh corpse.
"By the appointment of the Fourth Hokage, I—Senju Natsuhiko—have been named head of the ANBU."
He paused slightly, his gaze steady as it passed over each and every one of them.
"Who supports this? And who objects?"
In truth, the question had already lost all meaning the moment it was asked.
No one would object.
Not when the answer lay so clearly before them—in the form of Redwing's lifeless body still kneeling on the floor.
They had no desire to provoke a man whose smile was so gentle, yet whose methods were colder than ice.
Natsuhiko observed them in silence for a moment, then gave a faint nod.
That was enough.
A swift and decisive purge—removing the most defiant voice to shock the rest into submission. After that, those who needed to be dismissed could be dealt with one by one.
Only then could he truly take control of the ANBU.
As for whether such a purge would leave the ANBU understaffed—
That was hardly a concern. Natsuhiko had no intention of expanding the ANBU into a full-scale conventional unit. The reserve members alone were more than sufficient to fill any gaps.
"Since there are no objections, you are dismissed."
His voice was calm as he looked over the assembled shinobi one last time.
"Division commanders, organize rest rotations and assign missions accordingly. Any division currently without a commander will coordinate at the squad level."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"You have ten minutes to settle it among yourselves. Reserve units may be deployed as needed."
His tone grew slightly firmer.
"Konoha is facing one of its most difficult periods—and so am I. Taking command of the ANBU under these circumstances is no small task."
His gaze sharpened, though his expression remained composed.
"So I expect cooperation… not interference. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Commander!"
Voices rang out in unison—primarily from the Third Division and parts of the First. Others, however, remained noticeably silent, particularly among the remaining members of the First Division and those of the Second.
"Was I not clear enough?"
Natsuhiko's dissatisfaction showed, subtle but unmistakable, as his eyes shifted toward the commander of the First Division—Antelope.
"Division Commander," he said evenly, "do you share the same stance as Captain Redwing?"
"…No."
Antelope met his gaze, his expression complicated.
He, too, had not expected Natsuhiko's methods to be so ruthless.
But unlike Redwing—
He knew better than to make the same mistake.
Even though Antelope had once harbored ambitions of becoming the ANBU commander himself—and even though he, too, had been personally promoted by Hiruzen Sarutobi—after witnessing Redwing's fate, there was no way he would follow the same path.
Taking a deep breath, he turned sharply toward the members of the First Division and barked,
"Are you all deaf? If you are, then retire now—the ANBU has no need for useless shinobi! Did you hear the Commander's orders or not?"
"Yes, sir!"
In that instant, Antelope's authority within the First Division was undeniable, as every member responded in unison.
"And how do you answer the Commander?"
"YES, COMMANDER!"
Only after that did Antelope turn back toward Natsuhiko, giving him a slight nod. He had done everything he could.
Even if there was reluctance in his heart, he knew this was the correct choice. And more than that… he wanted to see how Natsuhiko would handle the Second Division.
Because even now, quite a few among them had yet to voice their stance.
Perhaps some of them were truly loyal to Hiruzen Sarutobi. Or perhaps others were simply still hesitating, unable to make a decision.
But regardless of the reason, their silence alone was unlikely to satisfy Natsuhiko.
After all, this new ANBU commander was clearly not a man known for patience.
"Very good."
Natsuhiko nodded lightly, his gaze shifting toward the Second Division. Then he shook his head faintly, a trace of regret in his voice as he spoke.
"And yet… not good at all. I understand that some of you hold grievances against me. After all, your division commander died by my hand."
His tone remained calm, almost gentle.
"But there is a time and place for such emotions. This display of immaturity… disappoints me."
As he spoke, he slowly lifted his head, his eyes sweeping across every member of the Second Division present.
He could clearly sense their tension—the unease hanging in the air. Among them, some glared at him openly, their anger barely concealed.
But Natsuhiko had expected this.
And he already knew what to do.
"Kakashi."
He turned his head slightly, his voice even.
"From this moment on, you are the acting commander of the Second Division. Your task is to rebuild it."
"Yes, Commander." Kakashi nodded immediately, but as the words left his mouth, his expression turned strange. "Re… rebuild the Second Division?"
"Yes. Rebuild." Natsuhiko nodded without hesitation, his gaze returning to the members of the Second Division. "From this moment forward, you are no longer members of the ANBU."
His voice remained calm—almost impossibly so.
"Remove your masks. Lay down your weapons. And leave."
For a brief moment, the entire hall fell into stunned silence.
The ANBU present had anticipated something—but hearing it spoken aloud still sent a jolt through them.
There was, after all, a certain unspoken rule everywhere: strength in numbers often shielded individuals from extreme punishment.
But looking at Natsuhiko… remembering what they had just witnessed…
That illusion shattered instantly.
Some members of the Second Division seemed ready to protest, but were quickly held back by those beside them.
Especially those who had remained silent until now—those firmly aligned with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Without a word, they began removing their masks.
There was no point in arguing.
Even those who were not firmly on Sarutobi's side found themselves following suit, reluctantly taking off their masks one after another.
It had only taken a few minutes of contact for them to understand one thing—
This new ANBU commander was not someone who could be reasoned with through words alone.
And truthfully, resentment still lingered in their hearts. Watching their division commander be killed so decisively, right before their eyes, was not something easily accepted.
More than that…
They simply couldn't believe that a handful of reserve forces could truly replace them.
And above all—
Did they really think the Third Hokage would just sit back and ignore such a drastic upheaval within the ANBU?
In the eyes of the perceptive, Natsuhiko's actions were obvious—he was establishing his authority while simultaneously purging the lingering influence of the Third Hokage.
But Hiruzen Sarutobi had ruled Konoha for decades.
No one could say with certainty how things would unfold next.
...
As Natsuhiko walked along the streets of Konoha, his gaze drifted toward the distant horizon, where the sun was slowly sinking, painting the sky in shades of fading gold.
The commotion he had stirred within the ANBU had been immense. While he had acted without hesitation in the moment, now that it was over, even he couldn't help but feel a lingering trace of unease.
It wasn't that he feared retaliation.
If anything, he almost welcomed it.
If those people made a move, it would give him the perfect justification to suppress what could be labeled as a "mutiny." And once it was defined as such, those involved could be treated as rogue ninja without hesitation—dealing with traitors required no mercy.
Still, there were plenty of clever individuals within the Second Division. They knew very well that they stood no chance against Natsuhiko—his reputation alone was already enough to deter them.
Rather than rushing headlong into certain destruction, stepping down had been the wiser choice.
Of course, Natsuhiko understood their thinking.
He could even guess that some of them were hoping the Third Hokage would eventually remove him from power.
But now that the ANBU had fallen into his hands…
There was no way he would allow that to happen.
"This large-scale purge was only the first step—and a rather crude one at that. I can't afford to handle things this way again."
Murmuring to himself, he continued forward, eventually stepping into the area that had been devastated by the Nine-Tails the night before.
The destruction here was absolute.
Collapsed buildings lay scattered everywhere, broken trees strewn across the ground like discarded debris. The fires had already been extinguished, and thanks to the efforts of summoning creatures—particularly those lizards—most of the civilians had been rescued.
Now, the ruins were filled with shinobi moving about, measuring, recording, and preparing for the reconstruction to come.
Natsuhiko paid them little mind.
Instead, he focused on something else entirely.
As he walked, his attention remained fixed on the few trees that had somehow survived the chaos—those lucky enough to avoid being destroyed by the Nine-Tails or the aftermath of jutsu.
They were rare.
But rare was better than nothing.
And as it turned out… his efforts were not in vain.
"Detected a plant with special attributes. Analyzing…"
"Analysis complete. Fire Release: Basic seed. Extract?"
"Detected a plant with special attributes. Analyzing…"
"Analysis complete: Fire Release: Intermediate seed. Extract?"
"Detected a plant with special attributes. Analyzing…"
"Analysis complete. Lightning Release: Basic seed. Extract?"
…
Step by step, as he moved through the ruins, Natsuhiko managed to obtain exactly the seeds he had been looking for from several surviving trees.
His luck was undeniable.
Or perhaps… it was something more.
It almost felt as though the system understood what he lacked and deliberately filtered out everything else, leaving him only with what he needed most.
Either way, the result left him thoroughly satisfied.
Of course, he knew that these seeds would consume a significant amount of his chakra.
But after the previous "bug exploit" incident, he had realized that his so-called "unique mission" could greatly accelerate its growth.
And that wasn't his only advantage.
There was something else he hadn't forgotten—
The power of the Ryūmyaku.
The last time, he had only absorbed a tiny fraction of its energy, yet even that had been enough to noticeably enhance the growth of his seeds.
If he were to fully absorb the power of the Ryūmyaku, then that energy would undoubtedly give him a tremendous boost. Perhaps… he might even experience that exhilarating feeling of "instant maturation" all over again.
"Still… it's a bit of a pity," Natsuhiko muttered, glancing across the ruins after a long search. "Looks like I didn't come across any higher-grade chakra seeds."
After confirming that he had practically scoured every surviving tree within Konoha, he shook his head with a trace of helplessness.
His chakra reserves were already impressive, and his recovery speed even more so—but cultivating these seeds required a vast amount of chakra. Without sufficient reserves, how could he sustain the process?
Especially after having experienced his "complete state" over the past few months, he found it difficult to let go of that level of power.
And yet, for the sake of the future, he had no choice but to give up a portion of that comfort.
The thought left him faintly frustrated.
"Well… until I find higher-grade seeds, these will have to do. If it comes to it, I'll just plant them one by one."
He paused, thinking it through carefully.
"It may not be the most efficient approach, but at least it'll shorten the growth cycle."
Having made up his mind, Natsuhiko prepared to leave. There was nothing left for him to gain from this stretch of ruins, and lingering here any longer would be pointless.
If anything, he almost felt like he should thank Obito.
The fact that the Nine-Tails hadn't been summoned in the area where he lived was, in a way, a stroke of luck. After all, his residence was also located in one of Konoha's more remote residential zones.
"Let's check outside the village… the place where the Nine-Tails was sealed. Maybe I'll find something worthwhile there."
With that thought, his figure flickered—and in the next instant, he appeared at the very spot where Minato Namikaze had sealed the Nine-Tails the night before.
He had come here to assist Minato, and had deliberately left behind a few Flying Thunder God markers in case Obito returned.
Now, those markers proved their worth.
Natsuhiko didn't expect to find any powerful elemental techniques here. But one thing was certain—
Kushina had performed sealing techniques at this location.
And her sealing arts far surpassed Minato's. If not for her weakened condition, she might have been able to seal the Nine-Tails entirely on her own.
That was precisely why Natsuhiko had come.
He was searching for sealing-type seeds.
Moreover, compared to the devastation within Konoha, the destruction here was far less severe. This area was a forest—dense, full of trees, and rich with possibilities.
"The problem is… with so many trees, finding anything useful will take time. Still, better to try than not at all."
With that, he got to work, moving swiftly through the forest. Before long, the familiar voice of the system echoed in his mind.
"Detected a plant with special attributes. Analyzing…"
"Analysis complete. Intermediate Sealing Type seed. Extract?"
A smile immediately spread across Natsuhiko's face.
With stronger sealing techniques, his Flying Thunder God Technique could reach an entirely new level. It was a result he found deeply satisfying.
Without the slightest hesitation, he chose to extract the seed.
At once, a faint yellow seed materialized in his palm, glowing softly.
"This… is an incredible find."
Leaning casually against a nearby tree, he sat down, turning the seed over in his hand. Compared to the other elemental chakra seeds he had obtained earlier, this one pleased him far more.
The power of the Flying Thunder God Technique was beyond question.
Especially since his Wood Release required the support of Sage Mode to truly unleash its full potential—and the chakra consumption was immense.
In contrast, the Flying Thunder God Technique required far less chakra. Even when combined with Sage Mode, it wouldn't burden him nearly as much.
Besides, he had no intention of using Wood Release against every opponent.
If a single strike could kill his enemy, why waste such precious chakra?
Just as Natsuhiko was savoring his good fortune, the system's voice suddenly rang out again in his mind.
"Detected a plant with special attributes. Analyzing…"
"Analysis complete. Beginnder Nine-Tails Chakra seed. Extract?"
..
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