In the east of the Land of Fire, on the coast in the early morning, a thick fog filled the air. Several figures quietly went ashore, taking advantage of the weather.
Just as they were sneaking through... suddenly, the sound of birds taking flight came from above the forest.
The group traveling through the fog immediately stopped, waiting for them all to leave. After a moment, they continued forward and disappeared into the mist.
After all the birds had flown away and disappeared, the group continued their advance.
A moment later, in the nearby jungle.
"Captain, they really came."
"They are Hidden Mist Anbu. Should we take action?"
"Captain..."
The group looked toward the last person.
The Anbu Ninja carrying a sword shook his head, unable to help but cough lightly before saying, "The village ordered us to let them pass and only act when they return."
"Yes!"
...Konoha Village, Anbu Base.
Yamato's expression was grave as he said, "Senior, this group of Hidden Mist Ninjas definitely has an important mission; otherwise, it would be impossible to send so many people."
"Mm, keep a close eye on them. Ambush them on their return journey. We must capture their intelligence personnel."
Kakashi Hatake nodded.
He let out a light breath and said:
"Fortunately, Masahiko modified the Summoning Contract, giving us a flock of crows that can be summoned and understand combat reconnaissance. Otherwise, we wouldn't have been able to discover them so quickly."
He looked to the side.
"Where is Masahiko? Hasn't he arrived yet?"
"This..."
Just as the Anbu member was about to speak, an insect suddenly flew over.
He paused slightly and said, "Lord Masahiko has arrived."
"Bring him in!"
Kakashi Hatake walked out quickly.
A short while later.
"Senior."
"Masahiko, quick, there's something important."
Kakashi Hatake handed the intelligence to Masahiko.
Masahiko took it.
Seven days had passed since he modified the Contract Array.
Aoba Yamashiro's crows had originally undergone extensive training and could cooperate with Aoba Yamashiro in battle. Thus, after five days of adaptability training, they began to cooperate in operations.
They were useful in some situations and not so useful in others.
Overall, it was a significant improvement for the intelligence system; otherwise, this news wouldn't have been sent back to Konoha so quickly.
However, regarding the message above... He said thoughtfully, "They are all elites of the Hidden Mist Village. We can't watch them too closely... Oh, you seniors surely understand this better than I do."
"Whatever thoughts you have, it's fine to speak them out."
Kakashi Hatake asked.
Masahiko thought for a moment and said, "Just right, the first screening is taking place on my end. I and others will form another blockade line on the outer perimeter."
He paused slightly and explained, "This is a mission and also a test to decide if they have the potential to continue staying."
"This..."
Yamato hesitated a bit and looked at his 'retired' senior.
Kakashi Hatake pondered for a moment and said, "It's fine."
He stood to the side.
"If we set an ambush and plan in advance but still let people pass, then our Anbu will need a thorough reorganization and training from start to finish."
Kakashi Hatake thought for a bit and said, "Set your ambush three kilometers out on the perimeter. Watch for combat signals. I will send elites to protect you."
"Good."
...The Training Ground near the Root Organization base.
Figures rapidly shifted positions in the forest, looking for an opportunity to strike.
"Swish, swish, swish!"
Kunai suddenly shot out from behind like a torrential rain.
The several people fleeing ahead suddenly all vanished into floating shadows.
Clone Jutsu!
Suddenly—
Boom!
The sound of a fire explosion echoed around as a massive fireball descended from diagonally above.
At the moment the three people were surprised, a figure arrived quickly.
Immediately after, a Water Wall rose up.
At the same time, under the cover of water and fire, insects quietly scattered into the forest, flying towards the source of the Chakra.
Moreover.
In the air, Chakra Threads controlled the missed Kunai and shuriken, hurling them together toward the source of the Fire Release.
These hidden weapons weren't very accurate, but they made up for it in sheer numbers.
Sheets of hidden weapons covered the area, making the people in that region dare not show their heads to attack.
This was the practical training test for 'Root' one week later.
This test would determine who would stay and who would leave, so everyone was putting in their all.
On the outer perimeter, at a high vantage point.
Mitokado Homura gazed into the distance. After a long time, he turned his head to Masahiko and said, "Everyone has made great progress. How many do you plan to select from this group?"
"Sift out half first, but..."
Masahiko smiled and said, "This isn't the final result. I will tell them that in a few months, I will organize everyone again for another selection."
Hearing this, Mitokado Homura understood the reason: "Eliminate those at the bottom?"
"It's not exactly elimination. Everyone is a Konoha Ninja. Participating in training is inherently a good thing for them."
Masahiko said, "Leaving the Anbu is still supplying talents for Konoha!"
Mitokado Homura thought about it and said, "Doing this can improve the quality and capability of the entire Ninja population. It is indeed beneficial to Konoha."
"The village actually has this kind of training, but it's too crude and simple. The significance of the Anbu Training Department... is to give those with the potential to rise an opportunity."
Masahiko said.
Besides the Ninja Academy, Konoha also has Jonin Instructors for Genin and Chunin.
However, compared to the situation right after graduation... two or three years after graduation, as some members of the team are promoted to Chunin, they no longer fixedly follow a single Jonin Instructor for training.
This stage is the most difficult to endure.
Most Genin and Chunin do not have a fixed instructor and only have the chance to be guided during collective training.
Mitokado Homura was silent for a while, then smiled and said, "I am convinced."
"Then..."
"Don't worry."
Mitokado Homura smiled and said, "I said before that I would help you. The situation within the school won't make things difficult for you."
Looking at the crowd in the distance, he couldn't help but feel some emotion and sigh.
Making Ninjas stronger, giving everyone more chances to survive and grow... these were ideas and philosophies that had existed since the time of the First Hokage.
But it wasn't until now, after Masahiko proposed it, that they realized—
The Anbu Training Department could also be a 'school.'
Only when there is hope and opportunity do people have motivation.
Moreover... this elimination mechanism is enough to ensure that those who have already entered do not dare to slack off.
Mitokado Homura thought it was very good.
This kind of competition fit his philosophy!
"When do you plan to let them go out on missions?"
"Train for a month first, and wait for the Anbu side to complete part of the improvements."
Masahiko replied.
Then, he was slightly startled and smiled: "Lord, an opportunity has just arrived!"
"There's a mission?"
Mitokado Homura was somewhat surprised.
Masahiko nodded and began to think about candidates.
The others were easy to choose, but the key was Sasuke... He thought for a moment and finally decided to let Sasuke go along.
Not to let Sasuke see anything in particular, but—
Sasuke is, in a sense, one of the protagonists. Letting him go along makes it more likely for them to be caught in the camera's lens.