บท 108: Chapter 108: Kazuya: “The ANBU Doesn’t Allow People to Be This Strong!”
In that stark, ethereal landscape, several hours passed without him even noticing.
Kurenai, however, was very much aware. Now, she moved through the room with an expression of exasperation, clearing away the remnants of their long visit.
It was rare for Kurenai to look so openly annoyed.
Meanwhile, Kazuya lounged contentedly on the sofa, completely at ease.
Leisure like this was precious. Glancing out the window at the shinobi patrolling the streets below, he couldn't help but let out a satisfied sigh.
Ah, the luxury of a peaceful life.
Some people carry the weight so others can live in tranquility.
Such is life, he thought with a smile.
For now, he would savor these quiet moments, fully aware of the strength and freedom he had gained.
Kurenai emerged from the kitchen, carrying a steaming tray of food.
At the dining table, she watched Kazuya eat with a voracious appetite, savoring each bite. She hesitated, then gathered the courage to ask, a slight blush coloring her cheeks, "So... when can we make our relationship public?"
Kazuya paused mid-bite, then looked up, feigning nonchalance. "Make it public? Kurenai, where did you get the impression that we haven't already?"
Before she could respond, he reached out and playfully pinched her cheek. "Everyone in the ANBU knows about us by now."
Kurenai's face lit up with a dawning realization, a happy warmth spreading in her chest.
Of course! Her fellow ANBU members were well aware. No wonder, during the recent training in the Forest of Death, they all seemed extra cautious around her.
"You're right, Kazuya!" she said, a delighted smile brightening her expression.
Kazuya flashed a warm smile, speaking with a sincerity that only he could pull off. "I care deeply about you, Kurenai. I'm not the best with words, but I believe that actions speak louder than anything I could say."
She gazed at him, her earlier worries melting away. "That's so true, Kazuya."
Kazuya smirked, wearing an expression that seemed to say, What can I do? Spoiling you is what I do best.
If this were the old days, he mused, he'd have pulled off the "Hidden Evasion Jutsu: Vanishing Like a True Dad," leaving Kurenai with nothing but dust.
After lunch, Kazuya made his way to the ANBU base, casually clocking in.
Although he often preferred to keep a low profile, his position as ANBU's captain meant he had to make the occasional appearance and reinforce his presence among the ranks.
System Notifications:
You have gained 50 Chakra Points
You have gained 40 Chakra Points
You have gained 80 Battle Experience
You have gained 60 Battle Experience
The stream of golden lights continued to flow, not particularly high in quality, but enough to keep things ticking.
As Kazuya walked through the base, ANBU members he passed stopped to bow respectfully, their attitudes both reverent and deferential.
In the shinobi world, strength commanded respect.
And when that strength also wielded influence over their careers, there were plenty of shinobi who would gladly pledge their undying loyalty.
It was similar to Pain's reputation in the Hidden Rain Village. After eliminating Hanzo and his entire clan, Pain's influence had only grown stronger within his village. People revered him all the more for it.
As Kazuya continued observing, he noted something intriguing. The ANBU base was home to only a handful of shinobi from the Root organization; the majority remained stationed with Danzo's separate base.
Officially, the Third Hokage had removed Danzo from power. In practice, however, Danzo still held Root by the reins, with decades of influence and loyalty not so easily severed.
Kazuya paid this little mind.
The only two shinobi of any real value from Root were Yamato and Kabuto.
The rest? Just names in a database.
Yamato was already under Kazuya's command. As for Kabuto, Kazuya saw him as a seed waiting for Orochimaru to cultivate. In time, that snake would nurture Kabuto into the scientific mastermind capable of refining the Impure World Reincarnation technique.
If Kabuto remained in Root, he'd be wasted. But as Orochimaru's protege? He would flourish.
In the ANBU training grounds, Uzuki Yugao was locked in a fierce sparring match.
Don't lose… don't let Kazuya-sama down! Yugao thought, gritting her teeth. Her Kenjutsu skills were formidable, but against the red-eyed Sharingan bearer in front of her, she was struggling to keep up.
Her opponent was none other than Uchiha Itachi.
His three-tomoe Sharingan swirled with an intensity far beyond his age, making even Yugao's Konoha-style Kenjutsu seem like child's play in comparison.
"Take this!" Yugao called, leaping into the air. Her blade spun, creating a circular slash that sliced through the air, aimed directly at Itachi.
"Hmm," Itachi scoffed, his Sharingan gleaming as he dodged with ease. "Did you think you could fool the Sharingan with mere Kenjutsu?"
Itachi moved through the storm of slashes like a shadow, his body weaving effortlessly between her strikes with a grace that bordered on otherworldly.
In one swift motion, Itachi's kunai touched the side of Yugao's neck.
"It's over," he said, his voice calm yet undeniably triumphant.
Yugao's brow furrowed, and she let her sword fall, her frustration evident.
Itachi stood, clearly pleased with himself. Guess I'm stronger than I thought.
System Notifications:
You have gained 300 Chakra Points
You have gained 200 Chakra Points
You have gained 200 Battle Experience
You have gained 400 Kenjutsu: Crescent Moon Technique Experience
You have gained 100 Visual Prowess Points
You have gained 150 Visual Prowess Points
You have gained 10 Points in Indra's Bloodline
You have gained 5 Points in Indra's Bloodline
Golden lights poured off Yugao and Itachi in waves. Kazuya watched with mild disappointment.
Still growing too slowly, Itachi, he thought with a faint sigh. It was a pity—three-tomoe Sharingan at age eight was already remarkable. One couldn't expect too much, he supposed.
"Impressive," Kazuya said aloud, casually letting his voice carry.
"Thank you, Kazuya-sama!" Yugao and Itachi both knelt on one knee in greeting. Itachi's eyes gleamed with admiration, his respect for Kazuya was evident in every fiber of his being.
In Itachi's eyes, Kazuya was a figure beyond even his father or Shisui—an unparalleled shinobi.
"Yugao, remove your weights. Your fighting style relies on speed, not brute strength. Too much muscle mass will only hinder you."
Then, turning to Itachi, Kazuya added, "As for you, Itachi, well done. You haven't disappointed me."
The gratitude in their expressions was clear as day. But before they could respond, Kazuya called out, "Kakashi, come over here."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow, intrigued, as he walked over.
"Kakashi, you also have a Sharingan," Kazuya remarked with a smile. "I'd like you to personally train Itachi. Make sure you're thorough."
"Yes, Kazuya-senpai!" Kakashi replied without hesitation.
For him, following Kazuya's orders was a given.
The sound of metal clashing filled the air as Kakashi and Itachi began their intense training session, kunai and chakra blazing under the morning sun.
Uchiha Itachi, feeling triumphant after his recent victory over Uzuki Yugao, was brimming with confidence.
"Yes!" he thought to himself, grinning. "The power of the Uchiha clan and the Sharingan—unmatched!"
But just a few minutes later…
"Wait! No!" Itachi yelped, his tone shifting to one of desperation. "Kakashi-senpai, I was wrong!"
The self-assured Uchiha prodigy was now pinned to the ground, utterly unable to retaliate as Kakashi demonstrated the true might of a seasoned shinobi.
System Notifications:
You have gained 300 Chakra Points
You have gained 200 Chakra Points
You have gained 500 Battle Experience
You have gained 300 Visual Prowess Points
You have gained 200 Visual Prowess Points
A steady stream of golden lights continued to cascade.
Behind his mask, Kazuya's face split into a pleased smile.
Ah, what a delightful scene, he thought. Kakashi put some heart into it. This boy will grow up to put you in the hospital for three months—give him a taste of what's to come!
This was perhaps one of the last times Kakashi would get the upper hand on Itachi; best make the most of it while he could.
Meanwhile, at the Hokage's office, the atmosphere was tense despite the warm sunlight streaming through the windows.
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