"Hello, everyone. I imagine this is the first time most of you have seen me without a mask. My name is Hikaru—Senju Hikaru."
His voice was gentle, but infused with chakra, it carried clearly to every corner of the hall—into every ear present.
Frontline units. Reserve units. Desk-duty personnel. Interrogation specialists.
Everyone heard him.
And that single sentence confirmed what they had already guessed:
Hikaru was now the ANBU Minister.
ANBU had rules.
Other than the Minister, no one was allowed to openly remove their mask—let alone publicly state their real name. Unless it was a special circumstance already known to everyone (like Kakashi in canon), doing so was considered a direct provocation against ANBU's bottom line.
But there was one exception.
The person who sat above ANBU's secrecy framework.
The one who commanded all ANBU.
The ANBU Minister.
Hikaru's action alone was proof enough.
He was the Minister now.
For the other ANBU, the news didn't truly surprise them—they'd already suspected it—but they still couldn't help feeling shaken.
And beyond shock…
was excitement.
They had already begun to acknowledge him.
A man who could charge into the Land of Wind alone and carve his way in and out was not someone "ordinary" could even imagine becoming.
And last night?
Last night proved how terrifying his power truly was—whether it was that mountain-like summoned beast, or the horrifying Wood Release that made even veterans go silent.
More importantly: his decisiveness.
His ability to command.
In a crisis that severe, he had dared to kill the ANBU Minister just to get ANBU mobilized fast enough to save Konoha.
That wasn't something a normal person would dare.
And in the chaos, he stayed calm—directing ANBU precisely, reducing losses.
That kind of leadership was worth trusting.
And then there was the final point:
He was Senju.
His identity and performance had completely conquered the hearts of these ANBU.
"Captain… Hikaru."
At that moment, the Second Division Commander spoke.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I need to ask—does Captain Hikaru have an appointment document?"
"Of course."
Hikaru nodded lightly, then turned his gaze toward the person who had been waiting below for a long time.
Kakashi.
Kakashi stood beside Pakura. Both of their eyes burned with intensity.
Pakura's gaze was pure excitement.
Kakashi's… had a hint of frustration mixed in.
Because last night, he had been locked inside the barrier and prevented from joining the fight. Hiruzen had refused to let many of them participate—claiming it was to protect Konoha's "future."
So when the Nine-Tails rampaged, they could only watch—unable to do anything.
Kakashi understood the logic.
But that didn't stop the bitterness.
Still, he had seen Hikaru's performance clearly. Others might not recognize who the masked ANBU was—but Kakashi had no such problem.
He truly hadn't expected his captain to be Senju.
But Kakashi didn't care which clan someone came from.
When Hikaru looked at him, Kakashi stepped forward immediately.
"Show it to Commander Zhu Wu."
Hikaru took out the appointment document and handed it to Kakashi.
"Yes, Cap—Minister!"
Kakashi almost said it out of habit, but corrected himself instantly.
Then he carried the document to Zhu Wu and presented it respectfully.
Zhu Wu frowned behind his mask, watching the exchange—especially when Kakashi called Hikaru "Minister."
Zhu Wu had ambition too.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have willingly let Hikaru take command last night, and then pushed him to take responsibility for everything afterward.
It wasn't that Zhu Wu lacked courage.
It was that he believed Hikaru, while strong, was too young—and too decisive to the point of seeming reckless.
In Zhu Wu's mind, Hikaru had no real chance of securing the Minister position.
So Zhu Wu's strategy was simple:
Do nothing wrong. Avoid risks. Wait.
Then the Minister seat might fall into his hands.
In his eyes, his only true competitor was Hikaru's former superior—the First Division Commander, Antelope.
But he never imagined Hikaru would display such overwhelming strength…
such unimaginable calm…
such command ability—
And now, Hikaru had actually taken the Minister seat.
Zhu Wu could barely accept it.
He stared at the document.
Forced himself to remain calm.
Then his brows lifted slightly, and beneath the mask, his mouth seemed to curve.
"Captain Nightingale," Zhu Wu said, lifting his head to look at Hikaru.
"There's a problem with your appointment."
"Oh?" Hikaru's gaze remained calm.
He asked with a faint smile, "And what problem would that be?"
"This appointment was issued by the Fourth Hokage," Zhu Wu raised the paper high and spoke loudly.
"But it doesn't seem to include the Third Hokage's approval."
His chakra amplified the words, and they echoed through the entire ANBU hall.
Some ANBU looked thoughtful.
Some frowned.
No one in ANBU was stupid. Most of them could sense that things inside ANBU were far more complicated than they looked.
But even so—
no one usually tore it open and said it out loud like this.
High-level games weren't for them to play.
Their job was simple:
Obey orders. Complete missions.
Who issued the orders?
Who they "should" truly be loyal to?
It didn't matter.
What mattered was that the order came from the Hokage.
That was all.
"Commander Zhu Wu," Hikaru's smile slowly faded.
"Your words confuse me."
He continued calmly, "What is ANBU's duty? Can you answer for me?"
"Loyalty to the Hokage. Loyalty to Konoha," Zhu Wu snorted.
"Then tell me—" Hikaru's gaze sharpened.
"Is the Fourth Hokage not the Hokage?"
His tone stayed gentle, but the chill inside it made people's skin tighten.
"Commander Zhu Wu," Hikaru said softly, "you've overstepped."
"The Hokage is the Hokage. An order is an order."
Zhu Wu's expression cooled.
He knew exactly how awkward his stance was—
but he still said it.
Because at the end of the day, he had been promoted by Hiruzen.
Even if it had been through Murashima Takumi's hand, it was still Hiruzen's influence.
And since Minato took office, ANBU had continued to follow the Third Hokage's will—nothing had changed.
Zhu Wu didn't think it needed to change.
Hikaru wasn't wrong.
But Zhu Wu didn't believe he was wrong either.
He would not acknowledge an appointment without Hiruzen's approval.
"Sorry," Zhu Wu said coldly.
"Without the Third Hokage's recognition, I will not accept this appointment."
He turned his back.
"The Fourth Hokage is indeed Hokage… but the Third Hokage is the one who can lead Konoha onto the proper path."
"Are you questioning the choice of the villagers—and of everyone?" Hikaru's hand settled on the hilt of his blade.
"It seems, Commander Zhu Wu… you aren't qualified to be ANBU."
"You want to lay hands on me?" Zhu Wu's eyes narrowed, chakra rising.
"ANBU killing ANBU—you're really going to do this?"
"I'm going to see the Third Hokage. Are you going to stop me, Nightingale?"
He took a step toward the door.
But as he moved, his chakra condensed tighter and tighter.
He knew how dangerous this boy was.
Last night, Hikaru had practically crushed Murashima Takumi.
And he had restrained the Nine-Tails alone.
That Wood Release still felt unreal.
Facing someone like that…
anyone would be cautious.
Even a Kage.
"I'm not against you seeing the Third Hokage," Hikaru's voice came from behind.
"But I already said it."
"You are not qualified to be ANBU."
Zhu Wu froze and glanced back.
Hikaru was smiling again.
He drew the blade at his waist with effortless grace and walked toward Zhu Wu slowly.
"I declare, in the name of the ANBU Minister—
"You are expelled from ANBU."
"Leave one wrist behind… and then go."
Gentle tone.
Smiling expression.
But his words decided the fate of a division commander in a single breath.
Expelling a division commander like this…
was almost unheard of in ANBU history.
Yet no one doubted the legality.
The ANBU Minister truly had that authority.
Zhu Wu's face changed.
As Hikaru approached, the pressure locking onto him grew heavier and heavier.
Cold sweat slid down.
He understood instantly:
This Senju brat didn't care about "internal conflict."
If anything…
he'd been waiting for someone like Zhu Wu to jump out.
Because this was the perfect excuse to purge the ANBU members who were completely loyal to the Third Hokage.
In the next moment—
Hikaru vanished.
And Zhu Wu felt a sudden, sharp pain explode in his shoulder.
He had been struck.
And the wound was not light.
"Bastard!"
Zhu Wu cursed aloud.
Ignoring the pain, he ripped out his blade.
Chakra erupted—violent, surging, wild.
He spun and slashed at full speed, full power.
Whether he could hit Hikaru or not didn't matter—
because Zhu Wu knew one thing:
If he didn't fight back, he would die here.
But what made his scalp go numb was this—
Hikaru didn't even use Flying Thunder God.
He simply stood there, watching Zhu Wu calmly.
Then he raised his blade.
Clang!
Metal rang through the hall.
Hikaru's sword—coated in deep blue chakra—blocked Zhu Wu's strike easily.
"If you can," Hikaru said softly, like he was talking to a friend,
"I'd prefer you not be so stubborn."
His voice was warm enough to feel like spring wind.
But what he said next felt like falling into ice.
"I'm only expelling you. Only taking a wrist.
"But it seems you don't intend to accept that."
"You know… stepping over an ant without killing it…"
His figure vanished again.
And when he reappeared—
his blade had already pierced straight through Zhu Wu's chest.
"…is hard to control."
"And I'm not good at restraining my power—"
Hikaru's gaze lowered slightly.
"Especially right now."
He pulled the blade out.
Zhu Wu dropped to his knees.
Blood flooded out of his chest, spreading rapidly across the floor, staining everything red.
Zhu Wu lifted his head toward the distant door.
Toward the ANBU staring at him with complex eyes.
His lips trembled, trying to say something—
But no sound came.
His head fell forward.
His heart stopped.
The hall went deathly cold.
Last night, they had already witnessed Hikaru's decisiveness.
Today, they witnessed it again—
But the difference between the two…
was terrifying.
In that instant, everyone understood one thing clearly:
ANBU had changed. Completely.
Hikaru looked at Zhu Wu's corpse, still kneeling on the floor.
Then he flicked the blood from his blade and sheathed it.
Treat them.
Cut them.
Then take them as dogs.
Those three steps explained "how to buy people" perfectly.
Hikaru didn't have time to "treat."
So he chose cut—to establish fear.
Now came the final step:
Make them his.
Of course, calling them "dogs" wasn't accurate.
ANBU were talents.
Valuable talents.
"Is there anyone else who wants to leave?"
Hikaru's gaze swept the hall. He was still smiling.
"Don't worry. I won't strike casually."
"As long as your personal reasons are sufficient."
No one spoke.
No one dared step forward.
They didn't believe a word of "won't strike casually."
If that were true, Zhu Wu wouldn't be dead.
"Since no one is leaving, then I'll ask a different question."
Hikaru smiled gently, voice warm and smooth.
"The Fourth Hokage has appointed me—Senju Hikaru—as ANBU Minister."
"Who agrees?"
"Who opposes?"
...
That question didn't even matter anymore.
Because no one would oppose him.
Zhu Wu's corpse was the answer.
Hikaru scanned them once more, then nodded slightly.
He had successfully suppressed them.
Kill the loudest one.
Terrify the rest.
Then purge what needed purging.
Only then could he truly control ANBU.
Worried about manpower afterward?
Ridiculous.
He wasn't planning to expand ANBU into a "normal shinobi division" yet.
And the reserve force alone was more than enough.
"Since there are no objections… dismiss."
Hikaru's gaze swept the crowd.
"Division commanders, arrange rest and missions.
"Divisions without commanders—have your squad leaders coordinate temporarily."
"You have ten minutes.
"You may draw from the reserve force."
He paused, voice calm.
"Konoha is in its hardest moment."
"And it is also my hardest moment, taking over ANBU."
"So I expect cooperation—"
"Not trouble."
"Understood?"
"Yes, Minister!"
The Third Division shouted first, loud and unified.
Some of the First Division responded as well.
But parts of the First Division—and most of the Second Division—were quiet.
Hikaru's eyes narrowed.
"Was I unclear?"
His gaze shifted to Antelope, the First Division Commander.
"Commander," Hikaru said evenly.
"Do you share Zhu Wu's attitude?"
"…No."
Antelope's expression behind the mask was complicated.
He hadn't expected Hikaru to be this ruthless.
But he wasn't Zhu Wu.
No matter how much he wanted the Minister seat—
No matter how much Hiruzen had elevated him—
He wasn't going to follow Zhu Wu into the grave.
He took a slow breath, then turned and barked at his division.
"Are you all deaf?"
"If you're deaf, retire."
"ANBU doesn't need people like that."
"The Minister has given an order—did you hear it?"
"Heard!"
Antelope's authority in the First Division was absolute.
Every First Division ANBU answered in unison.
"And how do you address the Minister's order?"
"Yes, Minister!"
Only then did Antelope turn back and nod to Hikaru.
He had done what he could.
Even if he was unwilling inside—
he had chosen the correct path.
Now he wanted to see what Hikaru would do with the Second Division.
Because many of them still hadn't spoken.
Some might truly be loyal to Hiruzen.
Some might simply be wavering.
But their current attitude…
would not satisfy Hikaru.
Because the new ANBU Minister…
was clearly not someone with a good temper.
"Good."
Hikaru nodded lightly.
Then he looked toward the Second Division.
And sighed—almost regretfully.
"But also… not good."
"I know you have feelings about me.
"After all, your commander died by my hand."
"But emotions have their timing."
"This childish performance disappoints me."
His gaze swept across the Second Division.
He could feel their tension.
And within that tension—
there were eyes burning with hatred.
Hikaru had anticipated this.
And he already knew what he would do.
"Kakashi."
Hikaru turned his head and spoke calmly.
"From this moment forward—
"You are the Acting Commander of the Second Division."
"Your mission is to rebuild the Second Division."
"Yes, Minister!"
Kakashi answered instantly.
But the moment the words left his mouth, his eyes turned strange.
"Re… rebuild the Second Division?"
"Yes," Hikaru said flatly.
Then he looked at the Second Division again.
"Rebuild."
"From now on, you are no longer ANBU."
"Remove your masks."
"Lay down your weapons."
"And leave this place."
His tone was so calm it sounded unreal.
But his words hit the hall like thunder.
They had expected something.
But they still couldn't quite believe it.
Law doesn't punish the crowd.
That logic existed everywhere.
Yet—
after watching Hikaru today…
they weren't sure that logic applied to him.
Some Second Division ANBU wanted to argue.
But others grabbed them and stopped them.
Especially the ones who had stayed silent from the beginning—the ones truly standing with Hiruzen.
They removed their masks first.
Because talking was useless.
Even those who weren't fully loyal to Hiruzen…
eventually removed their masks in silence.
It only took minutes for them to understand one thing:
This new ANBU Minister was not "easy to talk to."
And yes, resentment existed.
Watching your commander get killed in front of you?
That kind of bitterness didn't vanish in ten minutes.
And they still didn't believe reserves could truly replace them.
More importantly—
did they really think the Third Hokage would just ignore what was happening inside ANBU?
In the eyes of anyone intelligent, Hikaru was establishing authority.
Purging Hiruzen's influence.
But Hiruzen had controlled Konoha for decades.
No one knew what would happen next.
...
That evening, Hikaru walked through Konoha's streets.
The sun was sinking, painting the sky deep gold.
Only now, after everything was done, did a delayed fear surface in his chest.
He didn't fear those people attacking him.
If anything, if they attacked—
he'd gain an even better excuse to label it a mutiny.
And once it was called mutiny…
they could all be treated as rogue ninja.
Dealing with rogue ninja required no mercy.
Still, the Second Division had many smart people.
They knew they couldn't fight Hikaru.
With his reputation, with his power—
they had chosen to step down instead of dying.
Hikaru could see their calculations clearly.
He could even guess they were hoping the Third Hokage would push him off the seat.
But ANBU was already in Hikaru's hands.
How could he allow anyone to pull him down?
"This rough purge was only step one," he thought, eyes on the sunset.
"And it was a crude step."
"I can't keep doing things this way."
He entered the area destroyed by the Nine-Tails.
It had become a wasteland.
Collapsed houses.
Broken trees.
The flames had been extinguished, and thanks to the lizard summons, most survivors had been pulled out.
Now shinobi moved through the ruins—measuring, mapping, preparing for reconstruction.
Hikaru didn't care about that.
He searched for something else—
trees that had survived with just enough damage to still "exist" for his system.
There weren't many.
But any was better than none.
And he did find them.
"Special-attribute plant detected. Analyzing."
"Analysis result: Fire Release (Basic) seed. Extract?"
"Special-attribute plant detected. Analyzing."
"Analysis result: Fire Release (Intermediate) seed. Extract?"
"Special-attribute plant detected. Analyzing."
"Analysis result: Lightning Release (Basic) seed. Extract?"
"…"
All along the way, he collected what he needed.
His luck was absurd.
Or perhaps the system knew what he lacked—and filtered out everything else.
Hikaru was ecstatic.
Yes, these seeds would drain chakra.
But after that "bug" experience, he knew his so-called "Unique Quest" could accelerate seed growth.
And there was something else he hadn't forgotten:
the Dragon Vein.
Last time, he had absorbed only a tiny portion of it, yet his seeds had grown rapidly.
If he absorbed all of it…
these seeds would definitely surge.
Maybe he'd even experience that "instant maturity" again.
"Too bad… I still didn't find any higher-grade chakra seeds."
After combing the ruins thoroughly, Hikaru shook his head, resigned.
His chakra recovery was strong.
But planting seeds required a massive supply.
And after tasting what "full power" felt like these past months…
he didn't want to give it up.
Yet for the future…
he had to.
"Fine. Until I get higher-tier seeds, these will do."
"If it comes down to it… I'll plant them one by one."
"It's inefficient."
"But at least it shortens my 'cooldown' window."
With that decision made, Hikaru turned to leave.
He had searched the village interior thoroughly.
There was no point staying.
And honestly?
He almost wanted to thank Obito.
Obito hadn't summoned the Nine-Tails in Hikaru's neighborhood.
That was… oddly considerate.
Because Hikaru lived in a remote residential area.
"Next, I'll check outside."
"The sealing site—maybe there's something worth taking."
His body blurred—
and in the next instant, he appeared at the place where Minato and Kushina had sealed the Nine-Tails.
Last night he had rescued Minato here, and he had left marks in case Obito returned.
Now those marks paid off.
He wasn't expecting powerful elemental seeds here.
But Kushina had used sealing techniques here—
and her sealing was far stronger than Minato's.
If she hadn't been so weakened, she might have sealed the Nine-Tails alone.
Hikaru's goal was simple:
Sealing-type seeds.
And unlike the village interior, this place was a forest.
Far less destruction.
Far more trees.
"The trees are dense, though. Searching will be annoying."
"But it's worth it."
He moved fast.
Not long after, the system chimed again.
"Special-attribute plant detected. Analyzing."
"Analysis result: Sealing-type (Intermediate) seed. Extract?"
Hikaru's lips curved into a grin.
Stronger sealing meant his Flying Thunder God could rise another level.
He didn't hesitate.
"Extract."
A pale yellow seed appeared in his hand, glowing faintly.
"This… is a satisfying harvest."
He leaned against a tree and sat down, examining the seed.
To him, this was far more exciting than the previous elemental seeds.
Flying Thunder God's power was unquestionable.
And his Wood Release required Sage Mode to truly shine.
Wood Release also consumed chakra brutally.
But Flying Thunder God?
Its cost was far lower.
Even when paired with Sage Mode, it wouldn't crush him.
And besides—
he wasn't planning to use Wood Release against everyone.
If he could kill an enemy with one sword strike…
why waste chakra at all?
Hikaru was still enjoying that thought when the system sounded again.
"Special-attribute plant detected. Analyzing."
"Analysis result: Nine-Tails chakra seed (Basic). Extract?"
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