Tian Tian agreed excitedly and dashed out of the house.
"Aunt Zhang! My brother got selected for the Anbu! Dad's inviting you to dinner this weekend!"
"Uncle Tensuke! My brother's in the Anbu now! Bring Aunt Youhui to our house for dinner this weekend!"
"Uncle Tianzhichuan! My brother—"
…
Outside the window, Tian Tian's jubilant voice echoed down the street, getting louder and more dramatic with each house she visited.
With Tian Yu's current sensory perception, even without concentrating, he could clearly pick up her voice within several hundred meters—practically the whole block was hearing the news.
Tian Yu couldn't help but raise a hand to his forehead with a helpless smile.
He really hadn't expected that just being selected into the Anbu would cause such excitement at home.
As for the part where he initially refused the Hokage's invitation…
Well, let's not bring that up. No need to add more drama.
Tian Yu decided not to throw any more shocks into the family atmosphere.
Before long, Tian Tian returned after announcing the big news to every neighbor in sight.
And right on her heels, the house began to fill with guests—neighbors, friends, well-wishers.
"Oh, Brother Tianxiong! Congratulations! Congratulations!"
"As they say, tiger fathers don't raise dog sons—Tian Yu is truly outstanding!"
"Not only did he become a ninja, but he's already entered the Anbu?! That's incredible!"
"Oh, Brother Tianxiong! The moment I heard Tian Tian shouting, I dropped everything and came running!"
"I didn't have time to prepare a proper gift, but I brought over some tempura I just made—have Tian Yu give it a try."
"Brother Tianxiong! My little Jiichiro has been nagging me nonstop—says he wants to be a ninja like Tian Yu!"
"Do you think your boy could give him a little guidance? Don't worry about payment—our friendship goes way back. I'll make it worth your while!"
…
Tian Yu watched the steady stream of visitors entering the house.
His father, Tianxiong, was grinning from ear to ear, animatedly chatting with every guest. His spirits were soaring.
At that moment, Tian Yu's stomach dropped.
Sure enough, Tian Tian caught his eye from across the room and gave him a sly wink.
Without exchanging a word, the two shared a perfect sibling-level understanding—
Run.
---
That Night
Tian Yu lay sprawled on his bed, flipping through a document Kakashi had given him earlier that day.
The folder contained detailed information about Anbu operations, basic protocols, and daily routines.
Toward the back were his assigned Anbu identification number and a code name registration form.
It was his first official contact with Anbu operations, and Tian Yu quickly realized that the organization wasn't just about executing stealth missions or fighting in the shadows.
There was a lot to learn—code systems, encrypted message transmission, covert operations, protocols, formation tactics, and more.
Every qualified Anbu member had to go through a familiarization period before being deemed ready for real missions.
That said, joining Anbu did come with many perks.
First, all necessary training equipment and ninja tools were supplied free of charge. Mission rewards were significantly higher than those of regular ninja ranks. And in the unfortunate event of a fatality, the mission compensation to the family was several times more generous than standard.
Anbu's nickname—Konoha's Ninja Civil Servants—was well-earned. The benefits were solid.
But honestly, Tian Yu didn't care much for those perks.
He didn't lack ninja tools, and he definitely didn't lack money.
What caught his interest was the second privilege:
Anbu operatives had access to a wide range of internal Konoha records, including confidential documents, intelligence on other villages, and historical data compiled by Konoha's intelligence division.
But even that wasn't the real prize.
The true treasure was this—
As an Anbu ninja, he could enter a hidden vault beneath Konoha where massive scrolls of jutsu were stored.
There, he'd be allowed to study and learn any ninjutsu, taijutsu, or genjutsu of B-rank and below—without restriction.
This alone explained why countless elite ninjas were desperate to get into Anbu, despite its high mortality rate and punishing schedules.
For Tian Yu, a civilian-born ninja without clan backing, this was a golden opportunity—one that could shift the balance of power.
After all, most elite jutsu took years to master, and for ordinary ninja, even reaching B-rank techniques was a lifelong pursuit.
Of course, not all B-rank jutsu were created equal.
The same technique in the hands of a low-tier jōnin couldn't compare to one cast by a powerhouse like Sarutobi Hiruzen. Power, control, and chakra all made a difference.
Ninjutsu and physical strength complemented each other, forming the foundation of actual combat power.
"My strength is decent," Tian Yu muttered as he closed the file, "but the ninja tools I've publicly revealed are still limited. Some inventions… I still need the right excuse to unveil them."
"The Anbu's scroll base is the perfect reason."
He smirked.
"Besides, the more ninjutsu I study, the more inspiration I'll get for crafting new weapons."
---
Early Morning
Tian Yu dressed in the standard-issue Anbu uniform he had brought home the day before.
After fitting his fox-patterned mask over his face, he quietly left the house and followed the map in the folder.
The marked location led him to a concealed passage hidden within the shadows of Konoha.
This was the entrance to the Anbu Headquarters—a secret underground fortress.
Within Konoha, there were multiple Anbu sub-divisions, each assigned to different mission types and stationed in separate sectors.
But what stunned Tian Yu was the exact location of the main Anbu base—
It was right beneath the Hokage Building.
There were even connecting passages that allowed messages and orders to travel instantly from the Hokage's desk to Anbu command.
---
Chapter 54: First Steps into the Shadows
As soon as Tian Yu stepped into Anbu headquarters, a cold, oppressive air swept over him.
The lighting was dim, giving the entire base a shadowy, austere feel.
Masked Anbu operatives in gray tactical vests or black cloaks strode past him. Some glanced at him briefly—curious—but most simply ignored him, focused solely on their own duties.
These were the true veterans of the village—ninja who had survived countless battlefield encounters. Here, distractions were a luxury.
Tian Yu continued walking deeper into the compound until a figure approached and asked in a low voice, "Ming Yu?"
That was the code name Tian Yu had registered.
"Yes," he replied.
"Follow me."
The operative turned without another word, leading Tian Yu through the labyrinthine corridors.
"That area," the ninja said, pointing to the left, "is where missions are posted and submitted."
"Over there—you can receive supplies. Ninja tools, scrolls, medicines. All are free of charge."
"And that wing holds the scroll vault—jutsu, taijutsu, genjutsu. You're free to consult any of them."
He gave Tian Yu a rapid but clear tour of each department within the headquarters, explaining the roles and responsibilities of each section.
Now, Tian Yu truly understood what Anbu meant.
He had read about the organization in the original manga, and though he had some expectations, being here in person far surpassed anything a book could teach.
Anbu was directly under the Hokage's command.
They were the elite among elites—the hidden blade of Konoha.
They were the village's first strike… and last defense.
Every operative in Anbu was at least of elite chunin level, often much stronger.
Eventually, the operative led Tian Yu to a closed room.
"The Minister is inside."
He opened the door.
"Minister, the recruit Ming Yu has arrived."
"Very well. You may leave."
The door shut behind him, leaving only Kakashi and Tian Yu in the room.
Kakashi leaned back in his chair, folding his arms.
"Ming Yu," he said flatly, "I've reviewed your file."
"By my usual standards, a fresh graduate from the academy would never be considered for Anbu."
"However, Hokage-sama specifically requested your inclusion."
"That doesn't mean I accept your strength."
Tian Yu raised an eyebrow.
"Is your approval necessary?"
"…!"
Kakashi was momentarily stunned into silence.
The temperature in the room seemed to drop a few degrees.
His one visible eye narrowed, the expression behind his mask unreadable—but clearly unimpressed.
He didn't know Tian Yu's exact strength yet.
But based on attitude alone, this kid was obviously not someone who'd blindly follow orders.
After a long pause, Kakashi's voice turned ice-cold:
"You don't need my approval…"
"But you do need to prove your strength to the rest of Anbu."