At the secret training ground for the Flying Combat Unit, the thirty members initially selected for the unit had already arrived. They curiously observed their surroundings, either pondering silently or discussing relevant topics with those next to them.
After a while, a man approached. He wasn't particularly tall, yet he exuded an indescribable aura that made everyone present involuntarily cease their conversations. They immediately recognized who he was because he was very famous, having been personally awarded a medal by the Hokage at an award ceremony. Even those who hadn't attended the ceremony would have known about the recipients from subsequent reports.
This man was not only a Konoha hero who had distinguished himself in the war but also the current Hokage's personal disciple, named Hattori Heizo. Everyone was surprised that the commander of the Flying Combat Unit was actually the Hokage's student. This alone made them excited.
Hattori Heizo walked expressionlessly to the front of the group, looking at the vibrant young people before him. In terms of age, he wasn't much older than them; the smallest age gap didn't exceed ten years. However, in the world of shinobi, this age difference already represented a significant gap.
Hattori Heizo had thoroughly reviewed the people on these lists. Regardless of their background, being selected meant they possessed ability. Some had performed very well in the last war. Therefore, Hattori Heizo had high expectations for their performance, and some individuals required special attention.
For instance, Sarutobi Hiruzen's son, Sarutobi Shinsuke, and Shimura Danzo's daughter, Shimura Yukina, were descendants of Fumori Masaki's fellow disciples, so they needed some attention. There was also another person, someone whom Fumori Masaki's adopted daughter, Kushina, had asked him to look after—his name seemed to be Minato Namikaze.
Unlike the former, Minato Namikaze came from an ordinary background. If it weren't for Kushina's request, Hattori Heizo might not have paid attention to him at all initially, because Minato Namikaze's resume wasn't bad, but it wasn't particularly outstanding either—at least not the kind that would immediately grab attention.
But upon closer analysis, this person named Minato Namikaze indeed had excellent talent, worthy of attention for his future growth. Hattori Heizo's initial thought was just that. However, not only Kushina but also his teacher,Fumori Masaki, expressed that this person should be given attention, which made Hattori Heizo somewhat curious.
Since Kushina had already made a request, there was no need forFumori Masaki to repeat it. The fact thatFumori Masaki mentioned it meant he himself was interested in Minato Namikaze, not because of Kushina. Hattori Heizo understood his teacher's personality very well.
So, Hattori Heizo meticulously re-examined Minato Namikaze's resume, but he still found nothing particularly special. He could only say that Minato Namikaze had good talent, was very intelligent, and had a cautious personality, making him quite excellent. However, others weren't far behind.
In terms of talent display alone, there were even those superior to him.
Hattori Heizo truly didn't know why his teacher had specifically instructed him to pay attention to this person. He had talent, yes, but it shouldn't warrant the Hokage's personal attention. He didn't think his teacher would make an unfounded statement. Perhaps there was a talent that he couldn't discern from the resume, but rather from other aspects.
"Hello everyone, my name is Hattori Heizo, and from now on, I will be the commander of this Flying Combat Unit," Hattori Heizo said calmly. "I won't preach grand principles. I can only tell you that this Flying Combat Unit is a newly formed unit, and the village is paying close attention to it and has high expectations. You are the thirty carefully selected initial members, and I hope you will not disappoint the village's expectations. Study hard and accomplish great deeds for the village."
As he spoke, Hattori Heizo patted the medal on his shoulder, his gaze fixed on the crowd, and said, "In the future, perhaps all of you can wear this medal."
Everyone's gaze immediately focused on it. That was the medal given by Konoha Village to those who had distinguished themselves in war. Medals were awarded according to the level of merit, and higher-ranked ones even had special names, such as the "Konoha Hero" medal. Just hearing it made one's blood boil!
Medals represented not only honor but also were closely related to future treatment in the ninja village. Both the former and the latter were things many ninjas yearned for. Upon hearing that they might be able to obtain these medals, many people's eyes became fervent.
"That's all I have to say. Now, let's go see the new flying combat ninja tools. I'll tell you upfront, these things aren't easy to master," Hattori Heizo turned around, as if remembering something, and tilted his head to add a sentence.
What he said was true. Hattori Heizo had personally tested the Wind Wings last time. Without a doubt, as a ninja tool that allowed one to fly, the Wind Wings were incredibly powerful, but also very difficult to control. Once in the air, maintaining balance and controlling direction would be a major challenge.
Due to his family's traditional training, Hattori Heizo had excellent body control, and he was also a master of Wind Release. Although he hadn't specifically learned ninjutsu similar to the Wind Travel Technique, being of the same wind affinity ninjutsu, it was relatively easier for him to control. Even so, it still took him some time to master it.
Hattori Heizo considered his Wind Release level to be very formidable. If even he needed some time, there was no need to mention those who were inferior to him. Among these people, even Shimura Yukina, from a traditional Wind Release family, couldn't possibly catch up to him. Of course, it was just more troublesome; after all, they were all wind-attribute ninjas and had talent, so they would eventually master it.
Hattori Heizo couldn't help but recall Asuna's flight he witnessed at the testing ground last time, and his heart grew increasingly regretful. Asuna was so perfectly suited, yet she hadn't joined the Flying Combat Unit. No matter how he thought about it, it felt somewhat regrettable. Speaking of which, where exactly was Asuna going to be assigned?
What Hattori Heizo didn't know was that while he was at the secret training ground for the Flying Combat Unit, Asuna's whereabouts had already been announced. Those who heard about it were greatly surprised. The entire team of Kakashi Hatake, who had the closest relationship with Asuna, went to see her to inquire about the details.
"Asuna, I heard you're going to the capital to serve as one of the Guardian Shinobi Twelve. Is that true?" As soon as Mizuki met Asuna, she quickly asked. While Kakashi Hatake and Yamanaka Risa didn't speak, they also cast inquiring glances at her.
"It's true," Asuna nodded and said.
Upon Asuna's confirmation, the three had expressions of disbelief. Mizuki and Yamanaka Risa, both from ninja families, understood the implications behind this matter—what kind of role one played when going to serve as one of the Guardian Shinobi Twelve. Kakashi Hatake initially didn't quite understand, as he came from a samurai family and was unaware of this traditional agreement between ninjas and nobles from the Warring States period. However, after the two explained it, he also understood.
"What is Uncle Kazemori thinking? Why would he let you go to that place? Anyone else could do this kind of thing, why does it have to be you?!" Mizuki said, somewhat agitated.
As Mizuki said, merely serving as a hostage to restrain the ninja village didn't necessarily require the Hokage's child to go. Important members from other ninja families could also go. After all, these ninja families held very high status in Konoha Village, and Konoha Village wouldn't allow anything to happen to important members of these families. If the goal was merely to restrain, then families like the Inuzuka, Aburame, or Yamanaka, Nara, Akimichi could all go.
"I am the Hokage's daughter; if I go, it will make the Daimyo feel more at ease." Asuna did not reveal her primary objective for going, as it was a secret mission that her father had instructed her not to tell anyone else. She could only state her secondary role.
"Just because of that? For our Konoha Village, is that small difference worth worrying about? Uncle Kazemori clearly likes you very much; it shouldn't be like this." Mizuki couldn't understand at all. In her impression,Fumori Masaki wasn't the type to send his beloved daughter away as a hostage for such a reason.
"I can only say that this matter requires me to go. You don't need to worry. I agreed to this myself; no one forced me, and Father also asked for my opinion," Asuna said.
"Then why do you want to go? You shouldn't want to go to that kind of place, right?" Mizuki asked, puzzled.
"Because they need me there. That's all I can say." Asuna didn't explain further. She also couldn't give a convincing reason; the true purpose was a secret and couldn't be told to others.
The three of them didn't get any answers from Asuna. Mizuki was a bit unwilling. Kakashi Hatake, who was beside her, was silent for a while and then said, "I still can't understand. How about this, I'll go ask sensei. Mizuki, you go talk to Lord Kagami and see if he can persuade sensei."
"Okay! I'm counting on you, Kakashi-nii," Mizuki quickly nodded upon hearing this.
"I'm sorry, I can't offer much help," Yamanaka Risa said apologetically. Her family members didn't have the standing to speak up for Asuna. Only Kakashi Hatake, asFumori Masaki's student, and Uchiha Kagami,Fumori Masaki's good friend, could speak on this matter.
"It's nothing, everyone has their own suitable place," Kakashi Hatake comforted her, then they split into two paths. He headed to the Hokage's office building to seeFumori Masaki.
Fumori Masaki let Kakashi Hatake into the office and, seeing his somewhat grave expression, asked, "Is something wrong, Kakashi?"
"Sensei, I want to ask about Asuna being appointed as one of the Guardian Shinobi Twelve," Kakashi Hatake replied.
"Ah, that matter,"Fumori Masaki's expression paused slightly, and he said, "I have carefully considered this matter, and I also asked Asuna for her opinion. She agreed, so I made these arrangements."
"Sensei, you shouldn't have made these arrangements. The underlying meaning of the Guardian Shinobi Twelve is a hostage. That's not a good place. Others could have gone, so why specifically Asuna?" Kakashi Hatake pressed his hands on the table, his expression somewhat agitated.
"Calm down, Kakashi. While the Guardian Shinobi Twelve isn't an ideal place, it's not terrible either. With the village's presence, Asuna's safety is guaranteed,"Fumori Masaki looked at Kakashi Hatake and asked.
"But, I am Asuna's captain. How can I watch her go to such a place?" Kakashi Hatake took a deep breath, calming himself down, and said.
"Is that all? Then you're just worried. If I could, I wouldn't want her to go either, but that place needs her,"Fumori Masaki shook his head and then said.
"What is so necessary about her going there? Others can go too, as long as they are people who can maintain balance, isn't that enough?"
"Kakashi, this matter isn't as simple as you think. I can only tell you that Asuna must be the one to go; no one else can."Fumori Masaki stared into Kakashi Hatake's eyes, enunciating each word. "I know it's not a good place, but there are reasons why Asuna is needed there."
Kakashi Hatake didn't get a clear answer, but from Fumori Masaki's reply, he vaguely sensed that Asuna's appointment as one of the Guardian Shinobi Twelve had other reasons. However, neither Fumori Masaki nor Asuna intended to tell him, which left Kakashi Hatake feeling somewhat frustrated.
"Kakashi, are you worried about Asuna's safety?"
"Of course I'm worried about her." Kakashi Hatake would never forget the helplessness and pain he felt during the war when Asuna almost died from overusing natural energy. She was his teacher's daughter, and he had a duty to protect her. He didn't want to see Asuna in that state again, nor did he want to hear any bad news.
"I worry about her too. She might truly encounter some danger there, but I also trust her abilities. I've provided her with some safety measures, so even if actual danger arises, I'll know immediately and can rush over to help. Speaking of which, Kakashi, if Asuna truly encounters danger, will you protect her with all your might?"Fumori Masaki asked slowly.
"That is a given," Kakashi Hatake nodded heavily. He had already decided to protect Asuna in the past.
"That's good,"Fumori Masaki smiled, feeling a slight relief. "If that's the case, I'm at ease. After this incident concludes, Asuna shouldn't have any more trouble."
Kakashi Hatake was stunned. He felt as ifFumori Masaki was implying something, and he wanted to ask, but found himself unable to speak.
Then, seeing that Kakashi Hatake had nothing else to say,Fumori Masaki dismissed him. After Kakashi Hatake left,Fumori Masaki let out a soft sigh and continued with his work. He still had to carefully consider the remaining three candidates, as Asuna might need them in the future.
"There are still three people, who should I choose? They need to be strong and trustworthy," he muttered to himself.