After leaving the Hokage office building, Hattori Hanzō headed to the R&D department where the Wind Wings were being tested. It was a secret underground cavern, unknown to anyone except relevant personnel and Konoha's high-ranking officials. Hattori Hanzō only learned of its existence after accepting this assignment.
Hattori Hanzō was very familiar with such places, as ANBU strongholds typically had similar structures. Although they were different locations, certain principles were shared. Hattori Hanzō easily found his way to the testing ground, and after being checked by the guards, he entered.
Led by one of the guards, Hattori Hanzō arrived at the flight test area, just in time to see someone conducting a test, with R&D team members observing. He recognized the person; it was Asuna. Normally, no one would be conducting flight tests before the official recruitment of flight combat unit members, but Asuna was no ordinary person, so she naturally had earlier access to this new type of flying ninja tool than others.
Hattori Hanzō watched as Asuna, with the Wind Wings on her back, launched herself into the air. Invisible air currents burst from the jets, which were imperceptible to ordinary people, propelling her upwards. By adjusting the jets at different positions and the thrust of the airflow, she moved with incredible agility in the air. In a single swift pass, Asuna threw a kunai, and scarecrows at different locations were pierced in the head in extremely short intervals.
The surrounding people gasped in admiration. Then, Asuna, who had once again flown into the air, made a turn and swooped down. This time, she was clearly holding two long swords in her hands. Although Hattori Hanzō didn't see how Asuna produced them, he could guess the method behind it.
Some ninjas, in addition to carrying ninja tools in their pouches, would also engrave summoning jutsu formulas near their wrists, allowing them to summon ninja tools. However, this type of jutsu was quite advanced and required a considerable level of mastery in sealing jutsu to accomplish.
Asuna's speed, amplified by the Wind Wings, was exceptionally fast, and she herself was a highly skilled wind-style ninja with a light physique. To ordinary people, she was just a barely visible "black line." With a soft whoosh, everyone saw Asuna return to mid-air, holding her twin swords, and exhaling softly.
The wooden dummies used for the test—which were covered with samurai armor for increased defense—had already been severed in half. Everyone gasped, their eyes filled with a hint of surprise. While Asuna's ninja blades were undoubtedly sharp, she had been instructed not to augment them with Wind Release during the test. The fact that she could sever these wooden dummies in one go naturally relied on the impact force generated by the Wind Wings as she swooped down.
In samurai combat, there were cavalry who charged on horseback, relying on the powerful impact generated by their galloping steeds. Their weapons, when thrust, had even greater power than on flat ground. On a direct battlefield, a strong cavalry unit, without appropriate defensive measures, could easily penetrate an infantry formation.
Ninjas, however, generally did not use this method.
How could ninjas, who excel in individual combat and prioritize rapid movement, choose to ride horses? And besides riding horses, there were almost no other ways to increase impact force. But now, the emergence of the Wind Wings solved this problem. Even without applying wind-attribute chakra, they possessed such power. If wind-attribute chakra were added, it would be truly terrifying.
With just two tests, Hattori Hanzō recognized the immense power of the Wind Wings. Both their diving combat capability and the advantage of high-altitude throwing were difficult for current ninjas to defend against. The speed and impact force during a dive alone were unstoppable for anyone but top-tier ninjas. Ordinary people might not even have time to form hand seals, and even drawing ninja tools wouldn't be enough to withstand the impact of a dive.
As for high-altitude throwing, it goes without saying that it was the flight combat unit's greatest advantage. Hattori Hanzō estimated that ordinary ninja tools thrown from such a height wouldn't reach, and not many ninjutsu could reach either. If a flight combat unit of a certain size were to throw kunai, explosive tags, and the like downwards, ground-based ninjas would have almost no way to retaliate except to defend.
—No wonder Teacher Masaki said that the emergence of the flight combat unit would change the mode of warfare in the ninja world, transforming it from flat to three-dimensional. So that's what he meant!
As the saying goes, seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times. No matter what descriptions Hattori Hanzō heard, nothing was as accurate as seeing it with his own eyes. Just one look, and he understood: the establishment of this flight combat unit was worth it! The large sum of money invested in the Wind Wings was worth it! The researchers who poured their hearts into developing the Wind Wings were excellent!
The observing researchers applauded, expressing their joy. At this moment, Akemi, who was among them, suddenly noticed Hattori Hanzō, who had remained silent. She immediately waved her hand: "Brother Hanzō, why are you here?"
Hearing Akemi's call, the others also looked at Hattori Hanzō. Although Hattori Hanzō had served in the ANBU for many years, as a student of Fumori Masaki, he wasn't so unknown that no one recognized him. Moreover, after the end of the Second Shinobi World War, he was promoted to Jonin for his merits, and at the awards ceremony after the war, he was honored as a war hero by Fumori Masaki, at which point he had already left the ANBU.
Although he might return someday, at least for now, Hattori Hanzō was active within the ninja village as a Jonin. It was precisely for this reason that he was designated as the captain of the flight combat unit. Otherwise, an ANBU member would never be able to publicly lead a unit that was meant to appear before the public.
"Because of something." Hattori Hanzō said as he walked over, and Akemi and Orochimaru, a member of the research team, came forward to greet him.
Hattori Hanzō nodded to Orochimaru. The latter was a student of Sarutobi Hiruzen and had performed exceptionally well in the Eastern Front campaign. Although currently serving as a researcher, no one would underestimate his strength. Orochimaru was also a recipient of a medal at the awards ceremony.
"What is it?" Akemi asked curiously.
"I've been designated as the captain of the flight combat unit by the teacher," Hattori Hanzō said.
"Wow! So Brother Hanzō is leading the flight combat unit. That's great. Asuna working under you in the future shouldn't be a problem," Akemi said, delighted.
Hattori Hanzō's eyebrow twitched slightly. Hearing Akemi's words, she seemed unaware that Fumori Masaki had not included Asuna's name. Had the teacher not told them earlier? This surprised him a little.
Orochimaru noticed Hattori Hanzō's micro-expression and said, "Hattori, is there a problem? You seem a little surprised."
Although Fumori Masaki and Sarutobi Hiruzen were fellow disciples and had a good relationship, Orochimaru, due to his rather cold nature, didn't have particularly good relationships with others. One could say they were friends, but not close enough to call each other by their first names.
Hattori Hanzō, upon hearing this, had an even higher opinion of Orochimaru. He had long heard that Orochimaru was a genius, but since the latter entered the R&D department, he hadn't thought his strength would be particularly high. Although Orochimaru had been awarded, awards were based on merit, not strength. People with strength were more likely to achieve merit, but it wasn't absolute.
Just as Hattori Hanzō's merits were primarily due to his outstanding performance as an ANBU member operating behind enemy lines, which led to the implementation of the strategy against the Land of Wind. Because of this, his entire squad, including him, was awarded medals, and Hattori Hanzō, due to his more extensive performance, received a medal of the same rank as his captain, Hyuga Kai.
Orochimaru primarily operated on the Eastern Front, and Hattori Hanzō had not witnessed his performance. Even hearing about the battles he participated in, he could only acknowledge his merits, not judge his strength. But now, it seemed that Orochimaru was truly extraordinary. One had to know that Hattori Hanzō's control over his expressions was not something an ordinary person could detect.
"There is a little." Since Orochimaru had pointed it out, Hattori Hanzō didn't intend to hide it. He nodded and looked at Asuna, who had returned to the ground and was removing her Wind Wings.
"Is it related to Asuna?" Akemi saw the direction Hattori Hanzō was looking, turned her head to glance, and asked.
"Hmm, when you said that earlier, did you think Asuna was going to join the flight combat unit?" Hattori Hanzō asked.
"Of course! Asuna is very suitable for the flight combat unit. Anyone who knows her would think so, right?" Akemi said, as if it were obvious.
Hattori Hanzō guessed what was happening from Akemi's tone. Because it was so obvious, Akemi hadn't even asked her father, simply assuming Asuna would join the flight combat unit. It seemed Asuna thought so too.
"It's a shame. Although I also think so, the teacher didn't include Asuna's name in this flight combat personnel list," Hattori Hanzō said.
"What!" Akemi showed a shocked expression, and even Orochimaru's face showed a trace of surprise. Just as Akemi said, anyone who knew Asuna would think she was very suitable to participate in the flight combat unit. How could such an Asuna not be able to join the flight combat unit?
"Is that true, Brother Hanzō?" Akemi, too shocked, quickly pressed for an answer.
"Would I joke about this? That's how it is," Hattori Hanzō said. "Honestly, I can't understand it either. I thought you and Asuna already knew."
"How could we know? Because I thought Father would definitely arrange it this way, I didn't ask. And Asuna being transferred from Brother Sakumo's team made me even more certain," Akemi said, shaking her head repeatedly.
"Did the Hokage-sama say why?" Orochimaru asked.
"No, he just said he had other arrangements. This is the teacher's family matter, and I didn't ask much," Hattori Hanzō said, looking at Akemi. "I think you two should ask the teacher what his plans are."
At the same time, Asuna walked over, just in time to hear Hattori Hanzō's last sentence. She asked with some surprise, "What should I ask Father?"
"Asuna, Father didn't add you to the flight combat unit's personnel list," Akemi said, still looking bewildered.
Asuna was a little surprised. After being transferred from Hatake Sakumo's squad, and coupled with her father asking her, Akemi, and Kushina to find suitable people, these two situations made her subconsciously include herself. After all, with her fighting style, the flight combat unit was practically made for her.
And now, Asuna heard that Fumori Masaki hadn't included her, which indeed surprised her. However, she didn't have a strong desire to join the flight combat unit. Although this matter was somewhat unexpected, since her father had other arrangements, then she would follow those other arrangements.
Asuna said this, and the others, hearing her, felt it made sense. Asuna wasn't absolutely set on joining the flight combat unit; it was just that everyone felt it was a pity that someone as suitable as Asuna wasn't included. Akemi said, "Even so, we still need to ask Father why. I really can't understand this decision."
Asuna thought about it. Although she had no intention of questioning him, she did want to understand why she hadn't been selected.
"Then I'll go inspect this thing called Wind Wings first," Hattori Hanzō said.
Akemi nodded. If they were going to ask, it would have to be when they got home. Now, as the captain of the flight combat unit, Hattori Hanzō needed to confirm the performance of the Wind Wings; it was official business, and private matters shouldn't interfere with public duties.
"Asuna, I also want to ask about your experience," Hattori Hanzō said to Asuna. Asuna was the one who had just tested it, so she should be able to clearly describe the feeling of using the Wind Wings.
"Okay," Asuna said.
In the evening, Akemi and Asuna returned home. Seeing that their father hadn't returned yet, they could only suppress their inner questions and wait for him. Fortunately, Fumori Masaki's work ended not too far from theirs, and he returned soon. As soon as he was back, Akemi dragged him into the room.
"What's wrong?"
"Father, I have something to ask you." Akemi looked at Fumori Masaki with a somewhat serious expression and asked, "Why didn't you let Asuna join the flight combat unit?"
"Ah, that." Fumori Masaki was unexpectedly silent for a moment. He thought for a bit, then said to Akemi, "Call Asuna over. I'll tell her the reason."
Akemi found Asuna, and when she tried to stay and listen, her father asked her to leave. This surprised her a little, and she and Asuna exchanged glances. They immediately realized that there was a deep reason behind Asuna not joining the flight combat unit, a reason that couldn't even be known by others.
Seeing this, Akemi wisely got up and left. She wanted to know the reason, but there must have been a reason why Fumori Masaki didn't let her listen. Having grown up in this family, she wasn't so foolish as to insist on asking.
"Asuna, you need to listen carefully to what I'm about to say. Whether or not you accept it will depend on your own decision." Fumori Masaki looked at Asuna, who had sat down in front of him, and said solemnly.