After joining the Anbu, you won't immediately be allowed to carry out assassination missions alone." Sarutobi Hiruzen stated firmly. "The Anbu will conduct special training for you. This training is not an evaluation; you must complete a sufficient number of training missions before you earn the right to undertake solo missions."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's tone left no room for negotiation. Haruto Saito could only nod in acknowledgment.
It seemed that this was the rule of the Anbu, not a restriction placed on him alone.
"White Fang, take him to the Anbu base for registration," Sarutobi Hiruzen instructed.
"Yes!" White Fang accepted the order and led Haruto Saito away.
...
The setting sun cast a golden glow over the dense forest. The dim light filtered through the canopy, creating scattered patches of illumination on the ground.
White Fang led Haruto Saito forward, though this time, there was no need to blindfold him.
They walked through the forest for a long time, navigating a winding path. White Fang deliberately avoided certain areas and explained to Haruto Saito that the forest behind Konoha Village was filled with traps and mechanisms. Though it might seem like any direction was passable, specific routes had to be taken to avoid triggering deadly traps.
After about twenty minutes, they arrived at a part of the forest where towering ancient trees, each over a hundred meters tall, stood densely packed together.
The canopy was so thick that the forest floor was shrouded in near darkness.
White Fang led Haruto Saito forward for another kilometer before finally stopping.
Before them stood an enormous tree with a diameter of over seven meters. It looked identical to the other massive trees in the forest—same species, similar height, and no visible markings.
"Follow me," White Fang said before suddenly leaping five or six meters into the air and flipping toward the tree.
The moment White Fang's body made contact with the tree's rough bark, it rippled like water but did not resist his entry. He vanished into the tree as if it had swallowed him whole.
Haruto Saito hesitated briefly before realization struck him.
It was a barrier!
A genjutsu barrier concealed an entrance within the tree's trunk. From the outside, there was no visible anomaly. Even with Haruto Saito's sharp perception, he had not noticed anything amiss—it was an incredibly well-crafted illusion.
Mimicking White Fang's actions, Haruto Saito jumped five or six meters and flipped into the tree.
The moment he passed through the genjutsu barrier, darkness enveloped him. He felt himself rapidly descending. Clearly, the tree's interior had been hollowed out, forming a passage leading underground.
Three seconds later, Haruto Saito landed on solid ground, now inside a tunnel. White Fang stood beside him.
Haruto Saito looked up, seeing dark mist swirling above, obscuring the entrance.
"This is the simplest way in and out," White Fang explained while walking deeper into the tunnel. "You can also use hand seals to sense the entrance and exit of the Anbu base."
"After your registration, I'll teach you the seals needed for access."
They walked through the passageway and entered an enormous underground cavern—a vast underground hall. Multiple tunnels branched out from this chamber, seven in total, aside from the entrance.
"This is the Central Hall," White Fang explained while leading Haruto Saito forward. "These tunnels lead to different sections: the logistics division, medical division, research division, dungeon, activity hall, administrative sector, and intelligence center. Anbu members on standby usually stay in the activity hall, which connects to the living quarters, training grounds, and dining area. You'll be free to explore later."
White Fang then led Haruto Saito down the corridor to the administrative sector of the Anbu base.
Konoha Anbu Base – Administrative Office
The door suddenly swung open as White Fang and Haruto Saito entered the office. The space was a small cave lit by oil lamps. Filing cabinets lined the stone walls, and in the center stood a long desk behind which sat an Anbu operative wearing a mask.
Haruto Saito glanced at the operative's details.
Name: Jiuqing (Yamanaka Tama) Rank: Administrative Ninja of Konoha's Special Assassination and Tactical Squad, Member of Anbu Team Six Reputation: 3,978 points Relationship: Neutral
"Captain!" Yamanaka Tama immediately stood and greeted White Fang with respect. Haruto Saito was slightly surprised—it was a woman's voice, young-sounding, but…
Haruto Saito couldn't help but glance at her figure, muttering internally, "A completely flat princess…"
"Hand me the scroll. Register him as an Anbu member," White Fang ordered.
"Yes!" Yamanaka Tama responded crisply. She quickly retrieved a scroll from the cabinet behind her and spread it open on the desk. The dark red scroll bore intricate patterns, suggesting its extraordinary nature.
White Fang picked up a brush and began writing. He recorded Haruto Saito's name, age, rank, and key experiences. Midway through, he paused and turned to the door. "Summon Muchi."
"Yes!" came a response from outside.
White Fang continued writing. When he reached Haruto Saito's strength level, he hesitated before marking him as a jōnin. He knew Haruto Saito's strength was at least at the jōnin level but not quite that of an elite jōnin. Thus, he settled on the standard rank.
Normally, captains did not handle registration personally, but Haruto Saito was a special case. As a direct disciple of the Hokage, and since White Fang had personally observed his assessment, it was appropriate for him to handle the paperwork.
"What codename do you want?" White Fang suddenly asked, looking up at Haruto Saito.
"Hmm… Great Sage? Celestial Master? Maybe… Jade Emperor? Black Fang? Monster works too," Haruto Saito mused, struggling to decide. In truth, a codename didn't matter—there was no good or bad. Even a ridiculous codename could become fearsome if its bearer was strong enough.
"Whatever. Write anything, and I'll use it," he shrugged, looking around the office.
White Fang considered for a moment, glanced at Haruto Saito's face, then wrote: Codename: Akame (Red Eye).
From this day forward, Haruto Saito is assigned to the Special Assassination Tactical Unit, Team One, under the direct approval of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Yamanaka Tama, who had been watching quietly, was suddenly shocked. Her gaze darted to Haruto Saito.
She knew of him. It wasn't surprising that a direct disciple of the Hokage was joining the Anbu—but joining the assassination unit right away?
"It's done. Drop your blood on the scroll," White Fang said.
"Oh, okay!" Haruto Saito responded, pricking his finger and letting a drop of blood fall onto the scroll.
The scroll immediately activated, glowing dark red. The patterns on it seemed to writhe like living ink, morphing into black sealing marks.
"Wait, hold on! Akame? What kind of name is that?! Why are you giving me a girl's codename?" Haruto Saito exclaimed upon noticing.
"What do you mean, a girl's name?" White Fang frowned.
"Ah…" Haruto Saito quickly realized his mistake. "Akame" was a famous female protagonist's name from his past life's anime, but in this world, it wasn't inherently feminine.
The scroll's glow faded, and the text vanished, sealed within the parchment and no longer visible.
White Fang rolled up the scroll and looked at Haruto Saito. "Registration is complete. Congratulations, Akame. From now on, you're officially an Anbu ninja."
"Can I change my codename?" Haruto Saito's face twitched.
"No," White Fang replied flatly.
The door creaked open, and a tall, mysterious-looking ninja stepped inside. He bowed, "Captain, you called for me?"
"Yes. He's with you now." White Fang gestured toward Haruto Saito before introducing him. "This is Team One's captain, the leader of the assassination squad. Codename: Muchi."
Haruto Saito looked at the imposing ninja.
Name: Muchi (Shimura Fūgō) Rank: Captain of Konoha's Special Assassination Tactical Unit, Team One Reputation: 18,819 points Relationship: Hostile (To be continued…)