In the beginning, it had been Minato's suggestion.
Kakashi had originally thought he would never team up with anyone again, so in a way, he had even felt that was a good thing.
On his first day in the ANBU, he looked at the squad captain standing before him with that easy, affable smile and found himself remembering the past.
This man was clearly the same ANBU who had saved them once on the battlefield.
If that was true, then...
"Sorry. I'm late."
"..."
So he really was still alive.
The moment that familiar face appeared, Kakashi's eyes shifted toward him on instinct.
His face had not changed much. He still wore that blank expression, gave a slight nod, and stepped up beside the squad captain, looking very much like being late was nothing new for him.
What stood out more was that he looked like he had just come back from a fight somewhere. His clothes were tattered, and there were several small cuts on his face.
Had he been out on a mission?
If so, then it made sense that the captain would let the tardiness slide so casually.
"If you're going to show up late, at least pay attention, Byakuya."
"Yeah, yeah."
Byakuya had barely arrived and was already standing at the front reading a jutsu scroll. The squad captain reached over and firmly pressed down on his head twice.
He gave a couple of halfhearted responses without even lifting his eyes from the scroll, and Kakashi could only think that he really was a strange guy.
"All right. First, now that everyone's here, you are officially forming a squad starting today. Hokage-sama will be coming by later as well. Up to this point, I've been the captain of this squad, but my assignment is changing. Starting today, the squad will be led by the man beside me, Byakuya, who will serve as your captain on missions from here on out."
"Yes, sir! Understood!"
Mm, lively bunch. Not bad.
The former captain nodded, then looked at Byakuya, who was still very obviously not paying attention, and spoke again.
"So, starting today, your captain is this man here, Byakuya. Byakuya, you understand that too, right?"
"Yeah. Yeah, I'll just muddle through it or... huh?"
So he had absolutely no idea this was happening either?
Watching Byakuya stare at the captain in open shock, Kakashi found himself wondering whether following a captain like this was really going to be okay.
It was not just him. The others seemed just as unconvinced, glaring at the annoyed-looking Byakuya with obvious dissatisfaction.
"I've decided to leave this squad. Out of everyone here, you're the most senior after me. I've already recommended you to Hokage-sama as well. So I'm leaving the rest in your hands, Captain Byakuya."
Apparently amused by the look on Byakuya's face, the former captain called him "Captain" almost teasingly and patted him on the shoulder. Byakuya's expression twisted up instantly.
Then he looked over the squad, and the word trouble was written all over his eyes.
---
Every gaze on him was full of dissatisfaction.
Yeah, fair enough.
They had probably joined the ANBU full of anticipation, only to find out their captain was that infamous civilian-killer. If it were him, he would have had a hard time believing it too.
"First, we're going to meet with Hokage-sama. Straighten up your issued ANBU uniforms and prepare to move."
"..."
Not even a response.
A second ago he had answered the former captain easily enough.
Byakuya felt irritated, and naturally that made him a little annoyed.
No, wait, this isn't even a position I wanted! I don't want this job either!
"Ahem. Cap... Captain, how exactly are missions carried out?"
"...We act only on Hokage-sama's orders. Only the captain knows the mission details, and then the captain passes down instructions."
Apparently there were a lot of things people wanted to ask. The oldest-looking man in the squad was the first to step forward.
To preserve secrecy as much as possible, no one except the captain had the right to know the mission details.
Judging by the man's expression, he was deeply unhappy with that answer. His brow furrowed hard.
"And if we don't trust the captain, then what?"
This guy...
Byakuya fixed him with a hard stare. On his very first day in the squad, he was already asking something this close to open insubordination.
This was a challenge, right?
This was something he was allowed to get angry about, right?
But after thinking about it, Byakuya realized there was not much to say.
What answer would make him sound harsher...?
"Then you die."
Yeah. Best if you do.
There was no need for someone like that.
As he spoke, Byakuya took one step back and rested a hand on the spine of the sword strapped across his back.
Even the least perceptive person alive should have been able to tell from the way he stood that if anyone tried to stir up trouble, he would draw and cut them down without hesitation.
The man immediately showed a mix of panic and resentment, then sharply looked away.
"Tch. I was just asking out of curiosity."
"Good. If there's anything else you're curious about, you're welcome to come ask me anytime."
Byakuya forced out the gentlest smile he could manage and took his hand off the sword.
Go ahead. Cause trouble. I'll show you exactly how insane I can be.
The pressure coming off Byakuya did not ease in the slightest. Once he confirmed nobody else had questions, he put on his mask and turned away.
They were about to go pay respects to the Fourth Hokage, and he was genuinely wondering whether it was really safe to bring this bunch of undisciplined idiots with him.
Still, fortunately, they stayed quiet on the way there and obediently followed him down the ANBU's secret passage.
"Hah... hah..."
Breathing sounds came from somewhere behind him. When Byakuya looked back, everyone was already running out of stamina and starting to slow down.
Seriously? That's all you've got?
He glanced at the exhausted group behind him and, out of spite, deliberately sped up.
He could hear muttered curses behind him, but he pretended not to notice.
"Get your breathing under control here."
Byakuya stopped sharply in front of the Hokage's office and turned around, making sure everyone had managed to keep up.
Even little Kakashi was right there in the back. No problem.
Knock knock!
"Hokage-sama."
"Come in."
He gave the ANBU-specific knock to identify himself and stepped inside.
The panicked sound of unsteady breathing came from behind him, but he ignored that too.
Inside the office stood Minato, radiant enough that he seemed like he would shine even from a hundred yards away, looking at them.
"Making them work this hard on the first day seems a little cruel, doesn't it?"
"..."
The idiots behind him had been breathing so loudly it had all been heard.
Byakuya could only pretend nothing was wrong. He dropped to one knee and lowered his head before Minato, and the others followed his lead, copying the same posture.
"Unit One, all present."
"Good. I've confirmed everyone is here. Everyone except the captain may step outside and catch your breath."
"Yes, sir."
Go, go, go already!
Byakuya shot a glance over his shoulder, urging this useless, half-suffocating group to get out of here as fast as possible. It was like they had been waiting for permission. They bolted from the office at more than twice the speed they had shown on the way in.
What the hell? If they could move that fast, I should've pushed them even harder on the way here.
Kind of a waste, really.