Hidden Leaf Hospital
Kakashi sat propped up in his hospital bed, anxiety gnawing at him.
After completing the mission, he'd come straight to the Hidden Leaf Hospital due to his injuries. He'd assumed it was nothing serious, but the doctors insisted he stay for a full day of recovery.
Normally, he wouldn't have cared.
But this wasn't normal.
He'd made a deal with Aaron: master that taijutsu technique within seven days.
And it wasn't even from the same system he was used to. His training had always centered around chakra control, refined precision, and efficiency. This new method demanded raw physical conditioning layered with chakra bursts. If he lost a whole day just lying here…
What if he failed?
He was seriously considering sneaking out to start training when a familiar figure stepped into the room, a flash of blond hair catching the afternoon light.
Minato set a small bag of fruit on the bedside table and offered his usual warm smile.
"You okay?"
Kakashi nodded. "It's nothing serious. If the doctor hadn't insisted on one day of rest, I'd already be gone."
Minato walked over to the window, autumn sunlight filtering through the curtains as a cool breeze stirred the air.
"I'm planning to have you join the ANBU."
He said it casually, but the weight of it was clear.
Kakashi's expression softened with genuine gratitude. "Thank you."
Now that he knew the truth, that Minato had personally arranged for him to work under Aaron, he understood just how much faith his teacher had placed in him.
Seeing that Kakashi no longer seemed lost in grief, Minato smiled, relieved.
"Looks like this mission helped. You and Aaron got along?"
Kakashi nodded. "Aaron-senpai is… a great mentor."
"I'm glad to hear that."
Minato had worried Kakashi's early promotion to Jonin might create tension. Apparently, that fear had been unnecessary.
ANBU Headquarters – Four Days Later
On the fourth day after their escort mission, Aaron reported to ANBU headquarters.
Today was the official assembly of the new unit.
Since the division was newly formed, and per the Third Hokage's recommendation, the new and old ANBU would temporarily share a base until a separate facility was established.
After collecting his standard ANBU gear, Aaron attended Minato's briefing in the main hall, reported to the commanding officers, and finally made his way to his assigned squad.
ANBU Squad Seven.
When he arrived, three figures were already waiting. All wore the standard ANBU uniforms and animal masks, faces concealed.
Aaron sized them up.
They didn't look like ordinary shinobi.
One stood with arms crossed, white hair unmistakable even under the mask. Kakashi.
Another leaned against the wall, high ponytail swaying slightly as he appeared deep in thought.
The third, wearing a dog mask was casually petting a ninja hound.
"Remove your masks and introduce yourselves," Aaron said, pulling off his own tiger-striped mask. "Tell me what you're good at."
Kakashi spoke first.
"Kakashi Hatake. Specialize in Lightning Release and kenjutsu."
Next, the taller boy with the ponytail removed his mask.
"Kenshi Nara. I use Shadow Possession techniques."
Aaron's interest piqued.
A Nara clan shinobi. Minato had delivered.
The final member surprised him a girl, younger than expected, with bright eyes and an easy confidence. Female ANBU were rare.
"Inuzuka Midori. I like ninja hounds and cooking. I hate rigid rules. I specialize in tracking and taijutsu."
She didn't seem remotely embarrassed about having been petting her dog in front of her superior.
After they finished, Aaron introduced himself.
"Aaron. I specialize in taijutsu. You can call me Aaron, but during missions, my codename is 'Quake.'"
He let that settle before continuing.
"You're free to choose codenames too. Optional but recommended."
Kakashi barely hesitated. "I'll go with 'Fang.'"
Aaron blinked.
Creative.
Kenshi shrugged. "Shadow."
Midori grinned and glanced at her partner. "Wolf."
"Fang, Shadow, Wolf," Aaron nodded. "From now on, we use codenames during missions."
He paused.
"To better understand your capabilities, I'll be sparring with each of you."
He had no intention of playing the "mysterious weakling" card.
In the shinobi world, strength commanded respect. If you hid it, people underestimated you. And that led to problems.
Kakashi's grip on his mask tightened slightly.
He remembered the overwhelming killing intent. The forest-shattering punch.
This wasn't an evaluation.
This was a demonstration.
The others didn't know Aaron's true strength. Coming from established clans, they wouldn't automatically accept a young, unfamiliar captain.
Kakashi silently braced himself. He'd probably be collateral damage.
Kenshi's eyes sharpened thoughtfully.
When he'd learned he was being assigned to ANBU, he'd been shocked, especially after hearing that the Fourth Hokage himself had personally discussed it with the Nara clan head.
He'd assumed Kakashi, the Hokage's student, would be captain.
Instead, it was this young man he barely recognized.
Still, if the Fourth Hokage went out of his way to recruit him, there had to be a reason.
Midori tilted her head.
"Isn't this ANBU? Why does this feel like we're back at the Academy doing a bell test?"
Aaron glanced at her.
Bold.
"There are no bells," he replied evenly. "But the purpose is similar. I need to know exactly what I'm working with."
Kakashi shot Midori a look of mild sympathy.
She had no idea what was coming.
"Let's move," Aaron said. "We'll use the village training grounds. Less chance of destroying something important."
Kakashi slipped his mask back on and followed, his mind still replaying the mechanics of Shave.
Kenshi walked just behind, already strategizing.
Midori excels at close combat. She engages first. I'll secure him with Shadow Possession. Kakashi follows up with Lightning Release…
Midori bounced along lightly, humming an off-key tune.
"Alright," she grinned. "Let's go pick a fight."
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