Chapter 7: I'm voting
"This is all of your equipment."
"Thank you."
The next day, at the Anbu Equipment Department.
Hyuga Makoto took his new uniform from an Anbu member. Looking at the hawk-faced mask, he couldn't help but nod.
"Good thing it's not a bull..."
Although he had no prejudice, he really didn't want to go into battle as a 'Minotaur Warrior'.
"You're here quite early."
Just then, a voice sounded behind him. Turning around, he immediately showed a polite smile.
"Captain Kakashi, good morning."
After returning last night, Hyuga Makoto inevitably went to see Hyuga Hiashi.
Especially since he had used the Rotation technique, he felt this needed to be explained.
However, to his surprise, Hyuga Hiashi seemed not to care about the issue at all.
He simply briefly mentioned that he would now be subordinate to Kakashi's team and urged him to strictly abide by Anbu regulations before letting him take Hinata to train.
"Could it be that he thinks Hinata taught me?"
Hyuga Makoto couldn't figure it out, but he did understand a few things.
This was because when he came out, he noticed the way some members of the Main Family looked at him.
"They haven't experienced the iron fist of the 'Uchiha Clan Massacre' yet..."
Hyuga Makoto couldn't help but feel emotional. After this event occurred, the entire Hyuga clan would become obedient.
He was also somewhat curious whether the Uchiha massacre was a factor that solidified Hyuga Hiashi's decision to 'go against the ancestors'.
After all, such a huge clan vanishing just like that—the impact was unimaginable.
But this had nothing to do with him; he had already stepped onto a new track!
"I must also thank Captain for holding back yesterday."
Although his mind was wandering, it didn't affect his politeness in the slightest.
"I look forward to working with you in the future."
"Hey, it looks like you forgot about me, didn't you?"
Yamato then walked out from behind Kakashi and lightly punched Hyuga Makoto on the shoulder.
"You hit hard, man. We were just testing you, and you made us look quite ragged."
"Having that strength is even better."
Kakashi glanced at the two of them, then spoke plainly.
"That way, you can avoid having your comrades killed."
What if someone else charged in on their own...?
Hyuga Makoto blinked, but he immediately became serious.
"I understand, Captain Kakashi, Senior. Comrades are always the most precious to cherish!"
"You're a good newcomer. Just call me Yamato."
Yamato was very satisfied with Hyuga Makoto and patted his shoulder with a smile.
"The locker has already been prepared for you. Welcome to the team."
"Thank you, Senior Yamato."
Hyuga Makoto also replied with a smile. Yamato was just as he remembered.
Kakashi, however, seemed a bit cold, not yet the unreliable guiding Jonin of Team Seven in the future.
But he didn't mind; he knew exactly how to deal with the current Kakashi.
"After all, I've truly seen how you transform!"
While he was thinking, the three of them had already arrived at the lounge.
However, seeing the empty lounge, Hyuga Makoto was instantly dumbfounded.
"Huh, why is no one here?"
He had wanted to meet that extremely filial son who killed his entire Family, hoping to trigger a mission!
Where did my big weasel go?
"The others have missions. The Anbu is very busy."
Kakashi spoke calmly. Yamato added with a smile,
"Things like surveillance, guarding, and so on. Coincidentally, we also have a mission right now."
"Ah?"
Hyuga Makoto pointed at himself in disbelief.
"Us?"
"That's right."
Kakashi nodded slightly.
"This mission is also an assessment for you."
"Another assessment..."
Hyuga Makoto really hadn't expected to have work on his very first day in the Anbu.
Even Uchiha Itachi didn't get this treatment, right?
But at this moment, he remembered that Uchiha Itachi was probably monitoring his own house.
Although he regretted not being able to meet that 'hardcore ruthless man,' being able to get moving was a good thing!
"No problem, I just have one question."
"Speak."
Kakashi's words were concise and capable. Hyuga Makoto scratched his head and asked somewhat embarrassedly.
"Captain, don't we need to undergo some kind of rule training upon joining the Anbu?"
"Huh? Is there such a requirement?"
Before Kakashi could answer this question, Yamato curiously asked.
"..."
Kakashi glanced at Yamato and spoke with some helplessness.
"The Anbu's rules are the same as those for regular Ninja, just much stricter. Because we are the direct subordinate unit of the Hokage, the extension of the Hokage's will, therefore..."
"We only obey Hokage-sama, and anything related to the Anbu cannot be leaked?"
Hyuga Makoto immediately understood what Kakashi meant. The Anbu were still Ninja, just with different hierarchical levels and confidentiality requirements.
Everything a Ninja needed to learn had already been covered in the academy. The Anbu was just taking it a step further.
But after realizing this, he couldn't help but complain a little. Wasn't this too much like a makeshift troupe?
"That's right. As for training, there used to be some."
Kakashi seemed to have guessed Hyuga Makoto's thoughts, glancing at Yamato before speaking.
"Yamato used to be there, but now..."
"Hiss!"
Yamato's eyes immediately widened. He turned and looked seriously at Hyuga Makoto.
"Do not go to that place!"
"I understand..."
Hyuga Makoto's mouth twitched. He almost forgot that this used to be Danzo's territory!
It was just that Root gradually became Danzo's private army, and they slowly became independent of each other.
It wasn't until Danzo had a fierce confrontation with Uchiha Itachi and was removed as Hokage's assistant that Root was reintegrated with the Anbu.
However, after the Third Hokage died, Danzo started stirring up trouble again...
Hyuga Makoto just wanted to do well, not die early, so he decisively changed the subject.
"Captain, let's talk about the mission first."
"This mission isn't complicated, since we have to bring a newcomer like you along."
Kakashi clearly didn't want to talk about the one-eyed old man either. He nodded and said seriously.
"Our target is an abandoned laboratory in the Land of Whirlpools."
"However, this laboratory was once used by Orochimaru."
Yamato pursed his lips and added, his emotions somewhat low, as he was ultimately a victim of Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru..."
However, upon hearing this name, Hyuga Makoto's eyes immediately lit up.
He had genuinely been contemplating Orochimaru's technology and ruthlessness, and he hadn't expected to encounter it on his first day in the Anbu.
He had joined the Anbu for the right reasons!
"Yes, this intelligence is from Lord Jiraiya."
Kakashi didn't notice Hyuga Makoto's expression and continued speaking.
"Besides that, we also need to lend a hand conveniently."
"Lend a hand?"
"According to intelligence, a Hidden Mist squad has landed in the Land of Whirlpools and is heading toward the Land of Fire. The Village has already sent people, but we are providing covert support to avoid any accidents."
"So that's how it is..."
Hyuga Makoto nodded in understanding, though he wasn't overly concerned.
The Hidden Mist causing trouble for Konoha wasn't an isolated incident. Moreover, this time they were only providing support.
"It can't be like Uchiha Itachi, running into trouble on his very first deployment, right?"
Right now, he was more focused on the abandoned laboratory left by Orochimaru.
If he could trigger a side quest and obtain what he wanted, he would truly profit!
"Hmm?"
Just then, his System actually reacted.
[New Side Quest Obtained]
[1. Loot Orochimaru's Laboratory]
[2. I Pledge Allegiance to Orochimaru]
[New Side Quest Obtained]
[1. Eliminate All Hidden Mist Ninja]
[2. I Pledge Allegiance to the Hidden Mist]
"?"
Looking at these two quests, Hyuga Makoto's eye twitched uncontrollably.
Getting two quests at once was a pleasant surprise.
But why did both of these quests involve him running away?
And based on the quests, those Hidden Mist people seemed a bit off?
They were only going to provide support; why did he have to wipe them all out?
"Alright, that's the specific situation. Change into your gear and we'll depart."
Before he could think further, Kakashi spoke again.
"Although the mission won't be easy, you can rest assured. I won't let you get hurt."
"..."
Hearing these words, Hyuga Makoto nearly gasped!
He finally understood why the mission suggested he run away.
If others said this, it might be nothing, but coming from Kakashi, it might not be a good thing at all...