During the three days he waited for word from Minato, Aaron focused entirely on mastering the Whitebeard template's abilities.
To fully test the Tremor power, he even slipped outside the village limits. No point shaking Konoha to pieces just to measure output.
The only ability he hadn't properly tested yet was Conqueror's Haki.
Unfortunately, he didn't run into any rogue ninja during those three days, just a band of highway bandits. They dropped instantly under the pressure of his will, but that didn't tell him how effective it would be against trained shinobi.
There was another unexpected bonus: as his physical strength increased, so did his chakra refinement speed. His enhanced body seemed to generate and mold chakra far more efficiently.
He had no intention of abandoning the chakra path. The ceiling for chakra-based power in this world was absurdly high. The kind of strength wielded by legends like Hagoromo Otsutsuki surpassed even Whitebeard in his prime.
As he was refining chakra, a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in."
An ANBU operative wearing an animal mask stepped inside.
"The Fourth Hokage requests your presence."
Finally, Aaron thought, nodding.
Inside the Hokage's office, Minato Namikaze handed him a document that had clearly been prepared in advance.
"Because the Third stepped down voluntarily, this transition is different from when he assumed office. I'm afraid I can't appoint you as squad captain right away," Minato said apologetically.
Originally, Minato had planned to make Aaron a captain immediately, let him rack up achievements, then promote him further. But the political landscape was more complicated than he'd anticipated.
His authority as Hokage wasn't as absolute as he'd imagined.
Aaron skimmed the document and frowned.
It was titled: 'The Third Hokage Assists the Fourth Hokage in Establishing a New ANBU Division.'
In other words, the Third hadn't handed over direct command of ANBU. Instead, he would "assist" in building a new branch.
Aaron couldn't help but feel a reluctant admiration for Hiruzen Sarutobi.
It sounded unreasonable at first glance but technically, it aligned with Konoha's structure.
ANBU answered directly to the Hokage and no other department. However, it had been founded under the Second Hokage. When the Second died in battle, the Third inherited both the title and ANBU's command.
But this time, the Third was still alive.
A former Hokage was still Hokage in title. Which meant he retained theoretical authority.
According to the document, the Third would assign a vice-commander and two full ANBU squads to "assist" Minato in forming his new division.
"Assist?" Aaron tossed the paper lightly onto the desk. "That's one way to put it. Looks more like they're putting you on a leash."
Each ANBU squad had seventeen members. Two squads meant thirty-four experienced operatives. Minato's new division wouldn't have many recruits at first, meaning most key positions would be occupied by the Third's people.
Minato remained calm. "I am young. It's natural that they'd want oversight."
Becoming Hokage in his early twenties without a crisis forcing it, that was unprecedented.
"Then let me start as a regular operative," Aaron said. "No point handing our critics ammunition about favoritism."
He was certain that if he were immediately named captain, someone like Danzo Shimura would seize the opportunity to stir dissent.
After all, officially, Aaron was just a chunin with no flashy record. And there were already those who believed Minato was too young to shoulder the mantle.
Minato considered this, then shook his head.
"In that case, you'll start as a team leader. That much I can decide."
ANBU teams operated in four-person units one leader and three subordinates.
Aaron nodded. That was reasonable.
Minato pulled out a sheet of paper, wrote quickly, and handed it over.
"This is your official appointment. You can collect your gear from ANBU headquarters today. Your team members will take a little time to assemble; I've assigned you new recruits."
Aaron understood immediately. That was deliberate.
Veteran operatives from the Third's side might be skilled, but they wouldn't become loyal to him and might not even follow him wholeheartedly.
Once the arrangements were complete, Minato exhaled in relief. At least he'd managed to drag this "sleeping giant" of a friend onto the main stage.
"I happen to have a mission ready," Minato added with a smile. "Interested? It should be simple for you."
Aaron raised an eyebrow. "Already? I haven't even reported in yet."
Minato chuckled. "It was originally assigned to Kakashi. But since he's one of the three members I selected for your team, I thought the two of you could handle it together. A good way to break the ice."
As if on cue, there was a knock.
A white-haired boy wearing a mask entered.
"Lord Fourth, what's the mission?" asked Kakashi Hatake.
Minato smiled warmly. "You don't need to be so formal. You can call me sensei like before."
Kakashi hesitated, then nodded. "Yes… Minato-sensei."
"I need you and Aaron to retrieve documentation related to the peace treaty. The Hidden Stone has delivered the materials to the Fire Country border. Simply collect them."
The Hidden Stone—Iwagakure had recently signed a peace agreement. Still, caution was necessary.
Kakashi nodded, though confusion flickered in his visible eye. A document retrieval mission typically required only one shinobi.
And why assign him alongside Aaron-senpai?
If he remembered correctly, they had taken the same chunin exam once. Kakashi had passed. Aaron had failed.
Outside the Hokage Tower, the two walked in silence.
Kakashi occasionally clenched his right hand, pain and grief flashing across his face.
"Is your right hand sealed with some cursed dragon or something?" Aaron said dryly.
Kakashi blinked.
Focus. This is a mission. Pull yourself together.
He took a deep breath. "Aaron-senpai, my apologies. I'll concentrate."
"By the way," Aaron added casually, pointing behind them, "is the kid in the green jumpsuit with the bowl haircut your friend?"
They had already traveled a fair distance from the village.
Kakashi stiffened then nodded, irritation mixing with embarrassment.
His awareness had slipped so badly that he hadn't even noticed he was being followed.
"Sorry. I'll deal with him."
He adjusted his headband, revealing his Sharingan.
Tracking a ninja on assignment bordered on espionage. Even if unintended.
With the Sharingan's sharp perception, Kakashi quickly located Might Guy hiding in a tree.
Leaping up, Kakashi looked at him flatly.
"Guy, what are you doing? I'm on a mission."
Guy scratched his head sheepishly. "You seemed distracted earlier. I was worried."
Kakashi fell silent. The sincerity hit harder than expected.
"It's just a document retrieval," Kakashi said finally. "There won't be combat. Go back."
"But"
"Aaron-senpai is here too," Kakashi added, though inwardly he wasn't convinced Aaron could protect anyone.
He just needed Guy to stop following them.
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