-------- 3rd POV---------
In the Hokage office, the third Hokage and Danzo along with Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane were in a meeting. Homura and Koharu were once teammates of the third Hokage and Danzo and are now assisting the third Hokage to rule Konoha. As the third Hokage was young and looked down upon by others as he suddenly became the Hokage by the second just before his death, he also requested his friends share the burden, which resulted in the sharing of power wielded by the Hokage.
In the Naruto series, this division of power was one of the main factors that allowed Danzo to compete against the third Hokage in later years. Though many years later the third Hokage regained full authority, they still wielded considerable influence. This was despite them still being only members of the Konoha council as well as the Hokage councilors.
Koharu says, "The new generation is growing well. Now is the time to conduct chunin exams."
Everyone nodded then the third Hokage said, "Homura, you watch over this year's chunin examinations and make sure the chunin were up to standards."
Homura nodded and smiled, "I don't think we even need to test this batch of genes; we can directly promote them."
Third Hokage surprised, "hoo… it seems the elites of the younger generation were ready to shoulder Konoha."
Homura smiles, "yes, there are few genin out there that can beat chunin ranks at ease. Especially every major clan can produce a genius that can outrun chunin at ease like Inabi Hyuga, Ken Inazuka, Shikai Nara, Chiyo Akimichi, Sai Yamanaka, Shikuro Aburame, Michi Hatake."
Koharu looked at the third Hokage and continued, "If you consider performance and contribution to Konoha not more than five Genin were able to shine. Especially princess Tsunade; no chunin could match her and some jonin were inferior to her. Everyone is discussing her inheriting superhuman strength from Hashirama-sama. Her team completed missions with high efficiency. You should be proud Hiruzen."
Homura also agreed with Koharu and he also watched Tsunade along with Koharu and was impressed by her performance as she is way beyond her peers.
Listening to Koharu comparing Tsunade to the torch barrier of this era, Danzo and the third Hokage looked at each other and chuckled. Though both laughed, their laughter had different meanings. Danzo laughed proudly, while the third Hokage smiled awkwardly.
The third Hokage shakes his head while laughing, "That's where you were wrong. Indeed, Princess Tsunade is the strongest and most popular, but Orochimaru, Seiga Hyuga, Masashi Kurama, and Daiki Uchiha can fight head-on with her in terms of battle powers. She may be a torch bearer that leads the new generation to new heights but she is not the pioneer of a new generation. That title belongs to another person."
Homura and Koharu were shocked. While Danzo was elated with pride, his student had surpassed the third Hokage student. They looked at Danzo's elated face and were surprised. Most of the time Danzo's face is poker face; he doesn't want to show any type of expression. Looking at him now, they were shocked.
Danzo said proudly, "Let me tell you, the pioneer of this generation is my disciple, a prodigy. You probably didn't see him, since he is training in Anbu camp."
Homura and Koharu were surprised to see both Danzo and the third Hokage praising a kid and elevating him.
Koharu asked Danzo and the third Hokage uncertainly, "are you serious?"
The third Hokage sighed as he expected their uncertainty and said, "Let Danzo give you a brief about his student. That isn't difficult for you to brag about your student, right?"
Danzo smiled, "let me tell you that during his one and a half years in training camp, he mastered twenty weapons and related jutsu. He is well-versed in the earth, water, and fire elemental jutsu and can use up to A-rank jutsu. He is proficient at Genjutsu and Taijutsu. Based on qualifications alone he can match up to join and what he lacks is experience."
Homura and Koharu were shocked because a 12-year-old genin that can match up with jonin is simply unheard of and that too he did in one and half years.
Seeing their response Danzo nodded his head with satisfaction, "you know what? Even though he had all these things in his arsenal, none of them was his specialization. He pioneered "shadow clone jutsu". We can't even do it the same way he did. He is a one-man army."
This is more shocking than anything. They knew their teacher Tobirama Senju was the creator of "shadow clone jutsu". However, because of its limitations of over-exhausting chakra, only jonin rank ninjas were allowed to use it, and the applications were quite limited; they are, in fact, very similar to the simple version of E-rank clone jutsu.
Homura asked surprisingly, "you are saying, he used "shadow clone jutsu", a B-rank jutsu in a way that has been unprecedented, and can use his clones as an army to fight in real battles."
Both Danzo and the third Hokage nodded at the same time. Then Koharu asked, "I want to see with my own eyes? I don't believe he can use "shadow clone jutsu" more efficiently than teacher Tobirama did?"
Third Hokage, "The camp doesn't allow anyone who is not part of Anbu. Wait for some time. I will set up a stage for you so you can see with your own eyes."
------------------------------------
It has been one and a half years since I started training at the Anbu camp. After my first successful attempt to escape, my training regime became harsher. It is designed to exploit my shadow clone technique. I see ninety-ninth hell every day. Using twenty clones is even more exhausting, and I have no hope of leaving training camp.
This is also the most effective way of training for me since I can use the shadow clone technique effectively. During this period my chakra reserves increased by at least two times. Even though chakra reserves grow along with physical growth, it is a miracle that my chakra reserves have doubled in the past one and a half years.
All I can think of is that I am Senju, or I have to cheat. I hope my chakra reserves will be as big as a tailed beast by the time my body reaches maturity. Once the body matures, the chakra reserves grow minuscule. After becoming Senju, my chakra growth, both qualitatively and quantitatively, may have been due to Senju inheriting physical powers from Asura Ōtsutsuki.
"Trainee 101318, report to headquarters immediately."
I heard a call from my instructor bear, who watches over the afternoon training session. When I received a call from headquarters, I paused my training and rushed towards headquarters. Standing in front of the commander's room I straightened up my posture and said, "Trainee 101318 is reporting to the commander."
"Enter", teacher Danzo called me in.
I entered inside and was surprised; along with teacher Danzo, elder Homura Mitokado, and elder Koharu Utatane were seated and staring at me as though they were scanning me.
Commander Danzo, "You will be sent on a mission to test your abilities before you join Root Anbu. Make sure you are prepared before you receive your mission. You can leave now."
I am shocked since Anbu's training duration is a minimum of two years and he is telling me to leave in one and a half years. Of course, I am happy to join the Anbu ranks but I still feel I have much to learn. So, I decided to ask a question.
"But commander, I am still in training and I have much to learn."
Questioning the commander's order is the same as disobeying an order in Anbu. Disobedience to orders is much more severe than execution when it occurs during a mission. The moment I asked the question, everyone frowned and glared at me.
Commander Danzo looked at me seriously and said, "I will ignore this once. For a ninja to be an Anbu, especially in Root, you should never question orders from your team leader or commander. Disobeying orders will result in death or capital punishment.
Listen, the Anbu training camp is like a pot and its trainees are like seeds. A seed is planted in a pot and protected until it grows tall enough to survive on its own. It is then planted in the wilderness where it faces countless obstacles and attacks. The plant grows into a tree that can resist all obstacles and attacks in the wilderness, so it can shelter others.
In the same way, Anbu trainees were trained to be able to face incoming dangers either in the dark or light to protect the village. In camp, trainees were trained like a plant grown in a pot. However, a pot cannot grow a plant into a tree that can stand against all obstacles and reach the skies for shelter.
You grew so quickly that training camp couldn't keep up with you. So, planting you in the wilderness is best for you. As for you, growing into a tree is in your hands."
Knowing I had overstepped my boundaries, I excused myself and left the office room. Instructor claw appeared just as I returned to my training.
"Trainee 101318, your training ends right now; you will go to the office and receive your mission to test your capabilities. Your final outcome depends on the evaluation of your mission. All the best, Mr. Hirata Senju."
He extended his hand and I gently shook his hand. I bid farewell to everyone in my training regiment since after leaving here I won't be coming back. I came to the office to report my status and get mission details.
I saluted and said, "Trainee 101318 is reporting sir."
Anbu working at the mission center looked at me and said, "You are assigned temporarily under the cat division with code "FELIS"; this is your mission and you have one week to complete this mission. The evaluation depends on the success of your mission."
He handed over a sealed scroll; how to unlock the seal could only be known by Anbu. This is one of the most complicated seals with B-rank difficulty and any mistake in unsealing results in scroll destruction; which means my mission fails even before it starts. Of course, this is for normal people but for me, this seal is a piece of cake.
I unsealed the scroll and looked at the mission details.
Mission type – Investigation and Assassination
Mission rank – B-Rank
Mission description – Investigate the reasons behind the village head of Kisaragi's strange actions against the land of fire daimyo. Assassinate key figures associated with this defect before the main team launches an assault against the Kisaragi village.
Note: The mission duration is less than seven days including today.
In order to not miss any details, I reread mission details three or four times; as a minor detail may play a crucial role during the mission. But looking again, the mission description is vague since they didn't mention any specific person for assassination.
The clues were the village of Kisaragi, the village head's defection from the daimyo, the assassination of several figures, and starting the investigation with the village head. Another extremely significant clue is completing this mission in less than seven days and solely on their own.
Could a newbie like me be given this mission? Is their opinion of me that much greater?
While thinking I returned to my locker and packed everything and headed to the weapons area to apply for necessary weapons such as kunai, shuriken, swords, etc. This is except for customized weapons that are specific to individual Anbu.
I started my journey today because I had less than seven days, including today. Kisaragi village is 1030 km away from Konoha and I can reach it in less than two days if I run at my top speed. Of course that includes my speed of no less than 60kmph.
I can reach speeds of 100kmph by using chakra to boost my body, but that is too exhausting and needs a day to recover from. So, the most efficient way to optimize time is to reach Kisaragi village in one and a half days.
After reaching Kisaragi village, I have approximately three days to complete the investigation and another day to send the report to headquarters. A total of five to six days are needed to complete eighty percent of the mission. The last step is to assassinate all key figures secretly at night.