LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 12: Chapter 12: The ANBU
Afterward, Senju Tobirama and Mochizuki Hui spent a considerable amount of time experimenting with Hui's mysterious energy, collecting various data points about its capabilities.
By the end of their session, Tobirama had gained a preliminary understanding of the strange force within Hui, and Hui had successfully revealed the "secret" of his abilities, ensuring his future growth would be seen as plausible and justified.
"Hui, your power is unique and full of potential. It holds limitless possibilities. If you can fully master it, your future will be nothing short of extraordinary," Tobirama said with satisfaction.
Although Hui's inability to extract chakra had previously been a concern, Tobirama knew that with the support of the Senju clan, Hui could still lead a comfortable life, even without becoming a powerful ninja. However, in a world ruled by strength, power was everything. Tobirama knew that if he or the Senju clan ever fell, Hui would need his own strength to survive.
Seeing the young boy's potential gave Tobirama peace of mind.
"Hehe, I think my future looks pretty bright too! By the way, Grandpa Tobirama, who's going to be my and Tsunade's mentor? Can you give me a hint?" Hui asked playfully, grinning.
In the original story, Tsunade had formed a team with Orochimaru and Jiraiya, under the guidance of Sarutobi Hiruzen, the future Third Hokage. Hui was curious whether his early graduation would cause a butterfly effect, altering the identity of his mentor.
Tobirama, however, gave him a strange look before responding, "Who told you that you'd be on the same team as Tsunade?"
Hui blinked in confusion. "Wait, seriously? I'm not going to be on the same team as Tsunade?"
Tobirama smiled. "That was the original plan. But now, things have changed."
Hui blinked again, his large eyes filled with curiosity.
"Hui, your path of growth is different from others. Since you can't extract chakra, learning techniques like ninjutsu and genjutsu, which rely on chakra, won't be of much use to you. What you need to focus on are taijutsu, swordsmanship, and creating techniques that use your mysterious energy as a source.
"I assigned Sarutobi Hiruzen as Tsunade's mentor because he's a talented ninja with a deep understanding of ninjutsu, and he's likely to become a master of it in the future. But his skills in taijutsu and swordsmanship, while adequate, are nothing extraordinary. For you, Hiruzen wouldn't be the best choice for a mentor. That's why I've arranged for someone else to teach you."
Tobirama's explanation left Hui dumbfounded.
Who said he couldn't extract chakra? He just chose not to because it wasn't efficient for him right now!
And if he wasn't going to be with Tsunade, then what was the point of him graduating early? Wouldn't it have been more fun to stay at the academy with the girls?
"I've assigned you to the ANBU," Tobirama said.
Hui was still processing how to explain his chakra situation when Tobirama dropped the bombshell, leaving him speechless once more.
The ANBU—known as the "Assassination Tactical Special Force"—was a high-profile organization in the world of Naruto, synonymous with mystery, strength, and darkness.
They operated in the shadows, carrying out unsavory, highly dangerous, and often grueling tasks. Members of the ANBU frequently danced on the edge of death, and their identities were concealed by code names.
To assign a six-year-old child to such a place? Tobirama's conscience surely couldn't be clear about that!
Seeing the incredulous and devastated expression on Hui's face, Tobirama quickly understood what the boy was thinking. He gave him an exasperated look.
"I'm not sending you into the depths of the ANBU for assassination missions! You'll be assigned to protect the Hokage," Tobirama explained, finally putting Hui at ease.
Hui let out a deep sigh of relief. So Tobirama wasn't sending him into the darkest corners of the ninja world after all.
Being assigned to protect the Hokage was one of the more relaxed and least dangerous ANBU tasks. There was logic behind Tobirama's decision as well.
Having Hui serve in the ANBU would allow Tobirama to monitor the changes in his mysterious energy daily, ensuring a detailed understanding of its growth and fluctuations.
It also meant that Hui would be in close proximity to receive Tobirama's personal guidance. Rather than just standing guard, Hui would be able to train and improve, occasionally engaging in sparring sessions with other ANBU members to build his combat experience.
Tobirama's decision ensured that Hui would grow without being fully immersed in the ANBU's darker aspects. Hui would become part of the ANBU, but he wouldn't be tainted by its shadowy nature.
This arrangement was more like a form of tutelage, a way of grooming Hui.
Of course, Tobirama didn't officially take Hui as his disciple for political reasons. As Hokage, directly taking Hui as an apprentice would draw too much attention, placing unnecessary pressure on the young boy. It might even attract the interest of higher-ups from other villages, increasing the risk to Hui's safety.
But by making Hui an ANBU member assigned to the Hokage, all those potential complications were neatly avoided.