NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Jiraiya: Since When Did the Anbu Have Such a Powerful Ninja?
The peace didn't last long.
On the third morning, Kazuya had just arrived at the Anbu base when he was intercepted by a powerful-looking ninja at the entrance.
"Captain Kazuya!" the ninja said seriously. "Gather your squads—an S-rank mission is starting immediately!"
The speaker was none other than Sarutobi Shinnosuke, captain of the First Anbu Division and eldest son of the Third Hokage. He was Konohamaru's father, a skilled elite Jonin known for his mastery of Fire and Earth Release. It was said that his combat strength rivaled even the Third Hokage's top Anbu members.
"Understood." Kazuya nodded.
In the next moment, he vanished with a Body Flicker.
In the office, Kazuya quickly donned his Anbu gear, complete with his white mask.
"Kurenai!" he called out. "Gather Squads 5, 6, 7, and 8 for an urgent briefing!"
"Yes, Captain Kazuya," Kurenai responded crisply before heading off to assemble the squads.
When it came to official business, Kazuya was now Kurenai's direct superior. She switched into work mode without hesitation.
A short while later, at the training grounds, two full divisions of Anbu were assembled, with Squads 1 through 8 all present.
Alongside Kurenai's Squad 7, the others were fully staffed with four members each.
The scene was tense.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke, captain of the First Division, stood beside Kazuya in front of 31 Anbu operatives.
"S-rank mission," Shinnosuke began gravely. "Elite squads from the Hidden Mist and Hidden Cloud have infiltrated the Land of Fire. Our task is to locate and repel them!"
"Engage with caution and do not use lethal force unless absolutely necessary. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!" the Anbu members answered in unison.
"Kazuya, anything to add?" Shinnosuke asked, turning to him.
"Uh..."
Kazuya shook his head. "Nothing to add."
Behind his mask, his expression was distant, but no one could see it.
So much Chakra! Kazuya thought, his mind focused on the golden orbs around him.
[You have collected 50 points of combat experience.]
[You have collected 20 points of Fire Release talent.]
[You have collected 20 points of Earth Release talent.]
[You have collected 50 Chakra points.]
[You have collected 40 Chakra points.]
So many golden orbs!
With the combined presence of eight Anbu squads and the elite Jonin Sarutobi Shinnosuke, Kazuya managed to collect a total of 500 Chakra points. Including the 5,000 points he had gathered over the past few days, his current Chakra level was:
[Chakra: lv4 (9260/100,000)]
Over 9,000 points!
With just 90,000 more points, he could ascend from Kage-level to Super Kage-level!
Shortly after, the entire Anbu force, led by Kazuya and Sarutobi Shinnosuke, departed the base. They moved swiftly toward the village gates.
Elite squads from the Mist and Cloud...
Is this the beginning of the Hyuga incident? Kazuya mused as he ran, a contemplative look behind his mask.
In the original story, the head ninja from the Hidden Cloud attempted to kidnap Hinata Hyuga, only to be swiftly killed by the Hyuga clan leader. In retaliation, the Cloud pressured the Leaf into handing over Hiashi Hyuga's life, leading to his brother Hizashi taking his place.
Hmm...
The Hidden Leaf, the victor of the war, being threatened by the defeated Hidden Cloud... It never really made sense.
Even though the Fourth Hokage had died, the Leaf still had powerful assets like the Sannin, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya. The village wasn't lacking in high-tier fighters. For the Cloud to be able to leverage such pressure, they must have had a significant advantage.
But what could that advantage have been?
What kind of leverage would force the Leaf to bend the knee, even with all its power?
Kazuya was at a loss. There were too many unknowns.
Just then, as the Anbu squads reached the village gates and prepared to head north, a white-haired man suddenly appeared in their path.
That's...
Jiraiya!? Kazuya's eyes widened.
[You have collected 100 Chakra points.]
[You have collected 100 Chakra points.]
[You have collected 50 points of combat experience.]
Just being in Jiraiya's presence rewarded Kazuya with three orbs of golden light.
As expected of the legendary Toad Sage—his drops are on par with the Third Hokage's!
"Lord Jiraiya!"
Sarutobi Shinnosuke halted in surprise.
"The old man filled me in last night. I'll be joining you on this mission," Jiraiya said, his tone serious.
"Yes, Lord Jiraiya!"
Shinnosuke's voice grew more formal, and his expression turned somber.
With Jiraiya joining their ranks, it was clear that the Mist and Cloud ninjas were no ordinary threats.
The other Anbu members also felt the weight of the situation.
With two full Anbu divisions and a Sannin like Jiraiya joining the mission, their enemy had to be extremely dangerous.
Kazuya felt a rush of excitement. With the Toad Sage himself joining the mission, there were bound to be Kage-level enemies among their opponents. If he got lucky, he could pick up some high-quality attributes this time. Maybe he'd even experience a major breakthrough!
"Let's move out!"
"Yes, sir!"
The Anbu operatives disappeared in a blur.
"Interesting…" Jiraiya cast a subtle glance at Kazuya, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "Such powerful Chakra… When did the Anbu gain a ninja of this caliber?"