The Ultimate Ninja Tool of the Shinobi World

"Tasaki, Tayuki, Urano Yui…"

As the team assignments became clearer, the atmosphere in the classroom shifted dramatically.

Those who succeeded in being grouped with their preferred partners beamed with joy.

On the other hand, those assigned to people they disliked wore visible expressions of frustration and discontent.

Yet amidst all the names called, one name was conspicuously missing.

No one had heard the name "Tian Yu."

Finally, the chunin teacher read out the last grouping.

"The final team from this class—Team Nine!"

"The members of Team Nine are: Tian Tian, Rock Lee, and Hyuga Neji!"

As soon as his words fell, dozens of eyes immediately turned to Tian Yu.

Tian Yu was slightly stunned. He hadn't expected his name to be missing from the entire roster.

He stood up without hesitation and asked the chunin teacher with a calm but curious tone,

"Sensei, why wasn't my name called?"

The teacher replied with a formal tone, "Tian Yu, your case is special. Hokage-sama has made his own arrangements regarding your placement."

Upon hearing this, Tian Yu could only nod and sit back down, quietly awaiting this mysterious "arrangement."

Time passed, minute by minute.

Team after team was picked up by their respective jonin instructors.

The number of students left in the room steadily dwindled.

Eventually, only Tian Yu, Tian Tian, Rock Lee, Hyuga Neji, and a few others remained.

Then—

"Yo! Sorry to keep you waiting, youthful genin!"

A booming, energetic voice echoed through the classroom.

A green blur rushed into the room like a whirlwind. The figure came to a halt, revealing the iconic bowl-cut, thick-browed jonin in a bright green jumpsuit.

It was none other than Might Guy.

"Apologies! I had to report to Hokage-sama just now. But let's not waste any more time! Team Nine, we're off!"

His wide, gleaming smile radiated pure enthusiasm.

The sunlight reflected off his forehead protector, casting a shining cross of light.

"Wait, Mr. Guy," Tian Tian said hesitantly. Her eyes lingered on her brother. "But… what about Tian Yu? Is he really going to be left behind?"

"Don't worry, Tian Tian," Might Guy gave her a reassuring thumbs-up. "Hokage-sama has personally made arrangements for Tian Yu. You focus on your training—I'll take good care of your teammates."

"I'll be fine here, Tian Tian," Tian Yu replied with a gentle smile. "Go ahead and follow Guy-sensei."

"…Alright."

Tian Tian reluctantly nodded and left with Rock Lee and Neji, following Might Guy out of the classroom.

Once they departed, silence settled across the room.

Only Tian Yu remained seated, alone and composed.

A faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

He couldn't help but wonder what kind of scheme the old man Sarutobi was planning.

But he didn't have to wait long.

Moments after Team Nine had departed—

A masked figure in a standard ANBU uniform appeared silently before him. The mask resembled that of a white cat.

"Mr. Tian Yu. Hokage-sama has summoned you. Please proceed to the rear mountain training field of Konoha."

"I understand."

Tian Yu nodded and rose from his seat.

With a flicker, his figure vanished on the spot.

The ANBU member was left stunned for a brief moment, clearly surprised by the boy's instant body flicker technique.

By the time he could react, Tian Yu's silhouette was already leaping across the rooftops, headed toward the mountain behind Konoha.

---

At the rear of the village—

Behind the towering Hokage Rock stood an expansive and secluded training ground. A lush forest stretched out behind it, untouched and off-limits to the public.

This was not a standard training field. It was a special area accessible only to the Hokage and certain high-level personnel.

On the cliff above Hokage Rock, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stood quietly. His white robes fluttered in the breeze, the symbol of the fire shadow emblazoned boldly on his back.

Kneeling behind him was an ANBU shinobi wearing an animal mask. On the left shoulder of his black uniform was a special badge—marking him as the current commander of ANBU.

The stillness of the mountaintop was broken by the Third Hokage's deep voice.

"Kakashi, what do you think about the proposal I mentioned earlier?"

The masked figure's reply was calm and clear beneath the mask.

"Forgive me, Lord Hokage. But I still do not believe that a 12-year-old boy should be appointed captain of the ANBU Black Ops."

Twelve was indeed a tender age.

At twelve, most children were still playing in the fields, chasing butterflies, or bickering over who got to sit closer to a crush.

Even during the fierce days of the Third Great Ninja War, when countless young genin were sent to the battlefield...

Even then, Kakashi—who had graduated from the academy at five, became a chunin at six, and a jonin at twelve—had not been entrusted with leading ANBU at that age.

Kakashi, as the current ANBU Commander, simply could not bring himself to accept that a mere twelve-year-old could command a special operations unit tasked with assassination and infiltration.

"Lord Hokage," he continued, "when I first reviewed the boy's dossier, I had no idea he was the son of Tianxiong, the 'Hidden Blacksmith'. But even then, that's not the reason I hesitate. As the ANBU commander, I must prioritize strength, skill, and readiness—nothing else."

Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled, his eyes gleaming with wisdom. "Of course. I wouldn't expect anything less."

He turned slightly. "He should be arriving soon."

Just as Kakashi tilted his head in mild curiosity—

A gust of wind swept across the mountain.

A white blur appeared in front of them. The figure had arrived without warning, landing gracefully without even disturbing the dust.

His long black hair was tied neatly behind his head. His facial features were sharp and elegant. Despite his young age, there was an unshakable calm in his posture, exuding confidence and nobility.

Were it not for the Konoha forehead protector tied around his arm, one might mistake him for the heir of a prestigious clan.

More than that—

Kakashi's lone eye narrowed.

He used the Body Flicker Technique?

A B-rank ninjutsu, executed so cleanly by a mere twelve-year-old?

It was hard not to be impressed.

Maybe… this Tian Yu wasn't as simple as the rumors made him out to be.

Yet Kakashi's judgment didn't change. Mastery of a technique didn't equal readiness for ANBU, much less leadership.

"Tian Yu," Hiruzen began with a steady voice. "I've reviewed your performance, and your current strength is beyond the level of a genin."

"It would be a waste to assign you to a regular team. So, I'll ask you directly—would you be interested in joining the ANBU?"

Tian Yu paused for a moment.

His expression remained unchanged, but his eyes narrowed slightly.

"ANBU, huh…"

He slowly shook his head.

"Sorry, Lord Hokage. I'm not interested."

The mountaintop fell into stunned silence.

Both Sarutobi and Kakashi hadn't expected such a direct rejection.

"Do you understand what you're refusing?" Kakashi asked coldly, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Do you know how many ninja would risk everything just to be considered for ANBU?"

Indeed.

Among all elite positions in Konoha, the ANBU was revered.

Its selection process was brutal.

Its missions were perilous.

Only the strongest, most capable shinobi were even considered for recruitment.

It had always been ANBU that selected the worthy.

This was the first time anyone had refused them outright.

But for Tian Yu…

This path wasn't one he needed to chase.