NARUTO: GOD LEVEL FORGING SYSTEM

Tasaki, Tayuki, Urano Yui…

As the groupings became clearer,

Everyone's mood shifted significantly.

Those who succeeded in being placed with their preferred teammates beamed with joy, while others, assigned to groups with rivals or those they disliked, wore expressions of clear discontent.

But as more names were called, something became apparent—

Kazuki's name was never mentioned.

Finally, the Chūnin instructor read the final team assignment.

"The next team is the last team from our class—Team 9!"

"The members of Team 9 are: Tenten, Rock Lee, and Hyūga Neji!"

The moment the words fell,

Countless eyes turned toward Kazuki.

Kazuki froze for a moment. He hadn't expected that his name wouldn't be on the list.

Immediately, he stood from his seat and asked the instructor:

"Sensei, why wasn't my name called for any team?"

The instructor's expression remained composed.

"Kazuki, Hokage-sama has made special arrangements for you."

Hearing this response,

Kazuki could only sit back in his seat, waiting for whatever was to come.

Minutes passed,

One after another, the teams were taken away by their Jōnin instructors.

The number of students remaining in the classroom dwindled.

In the end, only Kazuki, Tenten, Rock Lee, and Neji remained.

"Yo! Boys, thanks for waiting!"

A booming voice echoed through the air.

A green whirlwind burst into the classroom as Might Guy appeared before them. With his usual enthusiastic energy, he gave a broad grin and said:

"Ahaha! Sorry for the delay! I had to report to Hokage-sama, so I'm running a little late. Alright! Team 9, let's go!"

His wide smile gleamed,

His teeth flashing with a signature "ping" of reflected light.

"Guy-sensei, but… my brother…" Tenten hesitated, glancing at Kazuki. She didn't want to leave him behind.

"Don't worry, Tenten. Hokage-sama has specific plans for him. Trust in the decision," Might Guy reassured her.

"I'll be fine, Tenten," Kazuki said with a calm smile. "Go with Guy-sensei."

"…Alright."

Tenten nodded reluctantly, then followed Might Guy alongside Lee and Neji.

The classroom fell into silence.

Now, only Kazuki remained, sitting quietly in his seat.

A faint smile curved his lips.

He truly wanted to know—

What exactly was the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, planning?

This time, he didn't have to wait long.

Shortly after Might Guy and his team left,

A masked figure appeared in a silent flash—

An Anbu operative wearing a cat mask.

"Kazuki, Lord Hokage summons you at Konoha's rear mountain."

"I see."

Kazuki nodded and stood up.

In the blink of an eye, he vanished from sight.

The Anbu ninja, momentarily stunned, marveled at the sheer speed of his Body Flicker Technique.

By then, Kazuki was already sprinting toward the mountain behind Konoha.

…

The rear mountain of Konoha—

Behind the great Hokage Rock,

A vast training field stretched out,

Bordered by an expansive, dense forest.

This was no ordinary training ground. Rarely open to the public, few ever set foot here.

Of course, the Hokage has the authority to use this venue.

At this moment,

Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, stood on the elevated platform above the Hokage Rock, clad in his traditional white and red Hokage robes, his long sleeves billowing in the strong wind.

Behind him, an Anbu operative knelt on one knee, wearing the standard animal mask of the Black Ops division.

On the left shoulder of his dark uniform, a distinct insignia marked his status—the commander of the Anbu.

The silence was finally broken.

Sarutobi Hiruzen took the lead and asked,

"Kakashi, what do you think of my previous proposal?"

A calm yet cold voice emerged from beneath the mask as Kakashi Hatake responded respectfully:

"Forgive me, Hokage-sama, but I still do not believe that a 12-year-old boy possesses the strength to lead an Anbu unit."

Twelve years old was far too young.

What were most children that age doing now?

Swinging on the playground, flying kites, playing ninja make-believe?

Climbing trees to pick persimmons, wading into rivers to catch fish?

Bickering over toys, competing for a girl's attention?

And now, this boy—still barely out of the Academy—was being considered not just for Anbu, but for the rank of Anbu captain?

Even in Kakashi's time, when the world was entrenched in war…

Even during the chaos of the Third Great Ninja War, when fresh Academy graduates were thrust into brutal battlefields without hesitation…

Even in that blood-soaked era, when he himself had been hailed as a genius—graduating from the Ninja Academy at five, becoming a Chunin at six, and earning the rank of Jonin by twelve—

Even then, he had not been given command of an entire Anbu division.

As the current Anbu Commander, Kakashi could not accept the idea of a mere 12-year-old among his elite assassins.

"Hokage-sama, when I first reviewed that young man's dossier, I had no idea he was the son of Lord Takeshi."

"But let me be clear—this is not about lineage. My objection to his recruitment into Anbu is purely based on merit."

Kakashi hesitated momentarily before continuing more bluntly:

"As Anbu Commander, I must ensure that our missions are carried out with absolute precision. In my view, only those with strength should speak."

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled knowingly and nodded.

"I understand, Kakashi."

"But at this moment, he should be arriving soon."

Arriving?

Kakashi narrowed his eyes in suspicion but refrained from asking further.

He would find out soon enough.

Just then—

"Lord Hokage, you summoned me?"

A sudden gust of wind swept through the air.

A white figure flickered into view before Sarutobi Hiruzen and Kakashi.

His long black hair was tied back high, accentuating his sharp, refined features.

He had an elegant, almost regal presence—tall, lean, and poised with an effortless grace.

If not for the Konoha forehead protector strapped to his left arm, he might have been mistaken for a noble heir from one of the great clans.

But what caught Kakashi's attention the most was the technique he had just used—

A Body Flicker Technique?

It was difficult to believe that a mere 12-year-old had executed a B-rank ninjutsu with such proficiency.

Perhaps this boy, Kazuki, was more formidable than the rumors suggested.

Even so, Kakashi remained unconvinced.

A prodigy or not, a child had no place in Anbu leadership.

Hiruzen turned to Kazuki and spoke.

"With your current level of ability, it would be a waste of your potential to join an ordinary shinobi squad.

So tell me—are you interested in joining Anbu?"

Anbu…

Kazuki narrowed his eyes slightly.

Then, without hesitation, he shook his head and refused.

"Apologies, Hokage-sama, but I'm not interested."

Both Sarutobi Hiruzen and Kakashi were visibly taken aback.

They had not anticipated this response.

"Do you even understand what it means to be offered a place in Anbu?" Kakashi asked coldly. "Do you realize how many shinobi would give anything for this opportunity?"

Anbu was one of Konoha's most exclusive divisions.

Its selection process was ruthless—only the most skilled and disciplined shinobi were even considered.

Throughout history, Anbu had always been the ones choosing recruits.

Never before had anyone so bluntly refused an offer to join.

For most shinobi, becoming part of Anbu was a prestigious honor.

But to Kazuki…

It meant nothing at all.

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