"Lord Hokage, when I saw that young man's profile before, I didn't know that he was Mr. Tatsuo's son. It was not for this reason that I wanted to reject this boy from joining Anbu." Kakashi paused for a moment, then said more bluntly: "As the Anbu Commander, I must ensure the execution of the Anbu Ninja's mission, so in my eyes, one must speak with strength."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled knowingly, nodded and said, "Of course I know that. At this time, he should almost be here."
'Who is coming?' Kakashi looked suspicious, but he didn't choose to ask. He'd know the answer soon enough.
"Lord Hokage, are you looking for me?"
A gust of wind blew in the air. A white figure suddenly appeared in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi and Kakashi. His long black hair was tied high, revealing a handsome face and a tall, slender figure. There was an indescribable grace in every gesture. If it weren't for the Konoha forehead protector strapped to his arm, he would look like the noble son of some great family!
And what surprised Kakashi even more was that when this young man appeared in front of them just now, he was using... the Body Flicker Jutsu? It was truly hard for him to imagine that this B-rank ninjutsu was used by a 12-year-old boy. It seemed that this young man called Ren was indeed not as simple as the rumors said! However, Kakashi's thoughts did not change because of this. He still didn't think that the 12-year-old boy in front of him had the ability to join the Anbu, let alone become an Anbu captain.
"Well, Ren, I have already understood your situation." Hiruzen Sarutobi turned around and asked Ren, "With your current strength, it would be a waste of your time to join a regular ninja team. So, I don't know if you are interested in joining Anbu?"
'Anbu...' Ren narrowed his eyes, then shook his head and refused, "Sorry, Lord Hokage, I'm not interested."
Hiruzen Sarutobi and Kakashi were both stunned. Obviously, they did not expect that Ren would give such an answer.
"Do you know what it means to be able to join Anbu?" Kakashi couldn't help but ask in a cold voice, "How many people have squeezed their heads and wanted to join Anbu without such a chance!"
Anbu was indeed one of the most popular of all Konoha's ninja positions. The selection requirements had always been very strict. Only the best and strongest ninja had the opportunity to participate in the selection of Anbu ninja. Only Anbu had always screened others; this was the first time someone had so outright refused to join.
For ordinary ninja, the significance of joining Anbu was indeed no trivial matter. Joining Anbu meant that you were close to the power and political center in Konoha Village. Anbu was the closest to the Hokage among all ninja, and the closest to Konoha's high-level power center. Therefore, the ninja of the major families were all squeezing their heads, trying to send their clansmen to Anbu.
But for Ren, he found the old Hiruzen Sarutobi and the dark and rotten political struggles in the village completely uninteresting. Ren felt that if he joined Anbu, it would be a real waste of time. With this time, Ren was more willing to use it to forge ninja tools, practice to improve his strength, or...
'Join Anbu or something... afraid that people with broken heads will choose to join, right?'
"Ren, don't make a decision in such a hurry." On Hiruzen Sarutobi's aged face, the wrinkles deepened. With a kind smile on the corner of his mouth, he said to Ren, "Having you join Anbu is not only an experience for yourself, but also allows you to better protect your family! If you join Anbu, you will be able to better understand the situation in the village, the Land of Fire, and even the five great nations. You can also receive dangerous information at the first time. The family members of Anbu ninja are given priority to receive protection in emergencies. This is the natural advantage of Anbu ninja! Of course, more than that, I can give you all the help within my ability."
Hiruzen Sarutobi continued with a smile, "Didn't your family run a ninja tool shop? If you join Anbu, I can hand over all orders for ninja tools to your family's shop."
'Intimidation and temptation!'
After hearing what Hiruzen Sarutobi said, such an idea suddenly appeared in Ren's mind. He couldn't help but inwardly scold, 'Hiruzen Sarutobi, this old man, is truly not a simple character!' Because he did put forward a condition that was enough to make Ren's heart stir.
Hiruzen Sarutobi first "threatened" him with the safety of his family, implying that joining Anbu would ensure their safety. Then he offered a tangible exchange of benefits. Although Ren's family's ninja tool shop was now the largest ninja tool dealer in the village, it had only been engaged in retail. The unified wholesale of ninja tools for branches like Anbu, the Security Department, the Torture Department, etc., which was the most profitable business, had always been run by the Sarutobi clan behind the scenes. Ren, who also had some understanding of the management of ninja tools, naturally knew that the order Hiruzen Sarutobi had in his hand made a lot more money than ordinary retail! If he could get these orders, Ren's ninja tool shop would be able to double its size. It could occupy the leading position in ninja tools in the entire Konoha Village, and even further form a monopoly!
Ren was very moved by this. He thought to himself, 'Anyway, it's only two years until Hiruzen Sarutobi, that old man, is gone. When Naruto and the others take the Chūnin Exam in the year they graduate, this old man will be killed by his apprentice Orochimaru. I don't have to stay under him for a long time.' If he thought about it this way, this deal was quite a bargain. That old man, Danzō, was still causing trouble in the village. Although it was almost impossible for him to set his sights on himself and his family, if he became an Anbu ninja, it would also be an extra layer of protection for the family.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage, for your guidance. I already understand." The person who knows the current affairs is wise. Ren immediately put a smile on his face and said, "I choose to join Anbu."
"Yes, not bad." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction, then said to Kakashi, "This man, I'll leave it to you, and it's up to you to decide what to do after that."
"Lord Hokage..." Kakashi wanted to say something else. But Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted him directly and said, "Kakashi, don't question my decision. After Ren joins Anbu, he will prove his strength."
Kakashi was silent for a few seconds, and then he could only respectfully say, "Yes, Lord Hokage."
In the evening, Ren came home. Ren, Tenten, their father Tatsuo, and mother Keiko, were sitting together, eating a very hearty dinner. This was to celebrate Tenten's class passing Might Guy's assessment, and Team Nine being officially established. Starting from tomorrow, the three of them were about to begin their missions with Might Guy.
But as for Ren's situation, everyone still didn't know what had happened. At this time, Ren took the initiative to stand up and announced a very important decision: "Father, Mother, Sister, I'll be joining Anbu starting tomorrow."
Clatter!
The chopsticks in Tatsuo's hand slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground; he was completely dumbfounded. Mother Keiko's hands covered her mouth, and her beautiful eyes couldn't hide the shock. Tenten's reaction was the most intense. She suddenly stood up from her seat, her mouth opened wide enough to stuff an egg, and she exclaimed, "Big brother, what did you just say? Where are you going tomorrow?!"
'Is this reaction too strong? Are you so shocked to learn that I've joined Anbu? If they knew that I had rejected the Hokage before, and only agreed to join Anbu after the Hokage offered a concession, wouldn't they be frightened silly?'