Haruto Saito was currently the only ninja in the assassination squad who needed to undergo special training. Although the ANBU had recently recruited some new members, Haruto was the only one assigned to the assassination team. His situation was unique.
"You…" White Fang looked at Haruto, paused, and then continued, "Regarding you, the Hokage has made special mention. Originally, you were still in the middle of your training and couldn't take on missions. However, considering the nature of this mission and the fact that there are many assassination targets to choose from, the danger level is lower than that of a normal assassination mission—as long as you don't take unnecessary risks. Therefore, you can choose an assassination target and accept the mission. However, you must obtain the Hokage's personal approval before you can go on the mission!"
"Great! As long as I can go on a mission!" Haruto was overjoyed!
He had been cooped up in the Leaf Village for a month now, and Haruto was itching to get out. Honestly, the mission itself didn't matter much to him. What mattered was the opportunity to leave the village and go to the Land of Whirlpools. That way, he could dig for treasure!
Plus, it would give him a chance to lay low for a while. Haruto really didn't know how to face Tsunade right now, so this was the perfect opportunity to get away.
"Choose your target," White Fang said, tilting his head toward the bulletin board. "Once you've decided, report directly to the Hokage."
"Got it!" Haruto immediately moved closer to the large bulletin board. Since he was the youngest and shortest in the ANBU, he had to squeeze to the front to get a clear view. As he pushed through, he bumped into a few people, but they just glanced at him and didn't say anything.
Even though Haruto was a new recruit in the ANBU, his status was different. While many questioned whether he was capable of handling the responsibilities of the assassination team, no one dared to mock or belittle him.
Being the Hokage's personal disciple carried weight, and it made people wary of him.
There were 35 portraits on the bulletin board. Haruto quickly scanned them. Since the ninja world didn't have clear distinctions like "peak jonin," "quasi-Kage," or "Kage-level," anyone stronger than a jonin was simply labeled an elite jonin. This made it difficult for Haruto to immediately gauge the strength of these targets.
His lack of experience also meant he wasn't familiar with many ninja who were renowned throughout the shinobi world.
In fact, if Haruto continued his training, he would eventually take courses on identifying powerful ninja. But he hadn't reached that point yet.
"Hizuki! I'll take him!" A low voice suddenly rang out beside Haruto.
Haruto turned his head and saw Kirimizu, the leader of the assassination team, making his choice. Haruto glanced back at the bulletin board and quickly found the portrait of "Hizuki."
The portrait was particularly large and eye-catching.
Hizuki, male, approximately 50 years old, served as the assistant commander of the Hidden Mist vanguard force and was also the captain of the first division. His strength was extraordinary, and he had gained fame during the First Great Ninja War. Mission rank: Super S-rank!
Kirimizu was bold and confident. As the top assassin in the assassination team—or even the entire ANBU—he was going after the second-in-command of the Hidden Mist vanguard force. It had to be said, he had guts!
It could be inferred that Hizuki's strength was no less than Kirimizu's!
Moreover, Hizuki wasn't alone. He would undoubtedly have bodyguards and a retinue of ninja. In such a situation, it would be extremely difficult for Kirimizu to assassinate him and escape unscathed. However, Haruto didn't dare underestimate Kirimizu. Anyone who could rise to the position of assassination team leader definitely had real skills!
"I hope he doesn't die on this mission," Haruto thought maliciously.
Kirimizu had always harbored ill will toward Haruto, even if he hadn't shown any intent to harm him. Haruto wished that everyone who bore him ill will would just drop dead—except, of course, Tsunade!
"As expected of Kirimizu-sama!"
"Assassinating Hizuki—aside from Captain White Fang, only Kirimizu-sama could pull it off."
The surrounding ANBU ninja praised Kirimizu.
Kirimizu maintained his cold demeanor, pushing through the crowd to stand before White Fang. He spoke respectfully, and White Fang listened carefully, considering whether Kirimizu was truly capable of handling such a mission. After a moment of thought, White Fang nodded in approval.
"Kisame Tadashi is mine. Don't anyone dare take him!" A cold voice rang out from the crowd. Kirimizu had made his decision quickly because of his special status and the need to set an example. No one expected someone else to decide just as fast.
Haruto looked over and immediately understood.
The speaker was a tall, lean ninja wearing a mask. His ANBU codename was "Blood River," and he was the deputy leader of the assassination team and the assistant captain of the first squad. His strength was on par with the captains of the other ANBU squads, but in the assassination team, he was overshadowed by Kirimizu.
Although Haruto hadn't been in the ANBU for long, he had heard that Blood River and Kirimizu didn't get along. Blood River had originally been in line to become the assassination team leader, but Kirimizu had been transferred from the Root organization to the ANBU and taken the position due to his superior assassination record.
In short, the two had competed for the position of assassination team leader—or first squad captain—and Blood River had lost. But he wasn't satisfied, leading to ongoing tension between them.
Blood River's quick decision was clearly driven by a competitive spirit!
Kisame Tadashi was the captain of the reconnaissance unit in the Hidden Mist vanguard force. While his status was slightly lower than Hizuki's, his strength might not be far behind. Assassinating Kisame Tadashi was also a Super S-rank mission!
In the Leaf ANBU assassination team, there was a unique rule: rankings were based on mission performance, and the rankings were updated at the end of each year. The top performer would automatically become the team leader!
In other words, the position of assassination team leader could change every year. However, in recent years, it had remained unchanged because Kirimizu had consistently held the top spot.
This year, Blood River wanted to challenge Kirimizu again!
Blood River stepped out of the crowd and approached White Fang, reporting his choice respectfully. Then he glanced at Kirimizu.
The two locked eyes, and the tension between them was palpable.
"How boring. These people are so driven by ambition…" Haruto thought to himself, completely unaware that he was just as ambitious. He also understood why Blood River cared so much about the position of assassination team leader.
It was a shortcut to becoming the ANBU captain!
White Fang had risen to his position the same way!
Once you became the ANBU captain, you would become one of the Hokage's most trusted confidants, a core member of the Leaf Village, and even a decision-maker to some extent!
In terms of authority, White Fang's current position was incredibly powerful. To put it bluntly, he could arrest anyone in the Leaf Village—except for the Hokage himself!
Haruto looked up and scanned the board again.
There were 35 targets in total, corresponding to 35 missions. Seven were classified as Super S-rank, while the rest were S-rank.
Haruto quickly made his decision.
"This one. The Shikotsumyaku bloodline limit! If I can get a scroll from him, it might help me improve my own Shikotsumyaku!" Haruto thought to himself, then declared aloud, "Hōzuki Roba is mine!"
This was another rule of the assassination team. When multiple targets were available, to prevent conflicts over the same target, whoever claimed a target first would get it—though it still required approval from higher-ups.
"Akaito, this mission isn't suitable for you!" White Fang's voice quickly interjected.
"Why not?" Haruto turned to look at him, blinking. "It's only an S-rank mission, not a Super S-rank. There aren't any easier ones!"
"Given Hōzuki Roba's strength, his assassination mission should have been classified as Super S-rank!" White Fang explained. "However, because he suffers from an illness that makes his condition unstable, the overall difficulty was lowered. Even so, with your current strength, you're not capable of handling this mission!"
"Captain, why didn't you say so earlier?"
"It's not too late to say it now."
"But I've already chosen."
"You can choose again."
"I don't plan to."
"Obey orders!"
"Captain, you said I could choose and report directly to the Hokage. You can't overrule me, can you?"
White Fang was stumped. He had indeed said that. After a moment of silence, he replied, "Don't get yourself killed."
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