NARUTO: GOD LEVEL FORGING SYSTEM

Tenten agreed, then dashed out in excitement, her twin buns bouncing with each step.

"Aunt Meiko! My brother has been selected for Anbu, the Hokage's direct forces! My father invites you to dinner this weekend!"

"Uncle Tensuke, my brother is joining Anbu! Bring Aunt Yoru over for dinner on the weekend!"

"Uncle Tenzen, my brother—"

…

Outside the window, her excited cries echoed down the streets of Konoha's residential district, carrying over rooftops and through narrow alleys.

With Kazuki's current heightened perception—honed from years of rigorous ninja training—he could hear her enthusiastic shouts clearly even from several hundred meters away.

Kazuki pressed a hand to his forehead, exhaling in mild exasperation.

He really hadn't expected his induction into Anbu, a shadowy division operating directly under the Hokage, to stir his family into such an uproar.

As for the fact that he once refused an offer from the Hokage himself… best not to bring that up.

No need to give them another shock.

Before long, after ensuring half the neighborhood was informed, Tenten sprinted back, still brimming with energy.

And right on cue, the floodgates opened.

A steady stream of visitors began arriving at their home.

"Oh, Brother Takeshi! Congratulations, congratulations!" A burly uncle clapped Kazuki's father on the shoulder. "They say 'like father, like son'—and now your boy's made it into Anbu! That's no small feat!"

Another neighbor bustled in, carrying a wrapped package. "Brother Takeshi, as soon as that little whirlwind Tenten told me the news, I rushed right over! I didn't have time to prepare a proper gift, so I brought over some fresh tempura. Let Kazuki have a taste!"

A third visitor, a wiry man with a headband pushed up onto his forehead, leaned in eagerly. "Brother Takeshi, my boy Jiichiro's been nagging me nonstop about becoming a ninja. Think Kazuki could give him some guidance? Of course, for a brother like you, I won't haggle over the price—I'll pay handsomely!"

More and more people filled their home, laughter and chatter growing louder by the minute.

Kazuki's father, Takeshi, beamed as he exchanged warm words with old friends, reveling in the moment.

Kazuki, however, suddenly felt an ominous premonition.

Across the room, Tenten caught his gaze, winking mischievously.

Their eyes met.

In perfect unspoken agreement, both turned and bolted.

Nightfall

Kazuki lay on his bed, the room now quiet except for the faint rustling of paper.

In his hands, he flipped through a dossier Kakashi had handed him earlier that day.

Inside, neatly compiled reports detailed Anbu's structure, daily operations, and security protocols.

One section outlined Kazuki's new Anbu identification number and the official codename registration process.

For the first time, Kazuki grasped that Anbu wasn't merely an elite combat unit specializing in assassinations, surveillance, and infiltration.

There was far more to it.

Members had to master intricate cipher codes, covert communication techniques, and high-level intelligence handling before they could even be considered fully operational.

Every Anbu recruit underwent an intensive acclimation period before becoming a functional operative.

Of course, the position came with significant perks.

Anbu operatives received unlimited access to high-grade ninja tools, generous mission rewards, and—should the worst happen—compensation for their families far exceeding that of regular shinobi.

No wonder they were sometimes called "ninja civil servants."

But Kazuki wasn't interested in money.

He had no shortage of weapons, nor was he concerned about finances.

What truly intrigued him was the privilege Anbu granted: unrestricted access to Konoha's classified records.

Historical archives, intelligence dossiers, mission reports—everything the village had documented about other nations and hidden villages lay at an Anbu's fingertips.

More importantly, Anbu members had entry to a restricted Konoha facility housing a vast repository of ninjutsu scrolls.

Any operative could study and master all B-rank and lower techniques freely.

This alone explained why so many shinobi—despite the brutal workload and high mortality rate—clamored to join Anbu.

For a civilian-born ninja like Kazuki, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

After all, in the ninja world, mastering even a single B-rank jutsu was a lifelong achievement for many.

Of course, not all B-rank techniques were equal in power… but that was a study for another day.

For now, Kazuki had work to do.

He turned the page.

And read on.

A B-rank ninjutsu performed by an average Jōnin, such as the Water Prison Jutsu used by Momochi Zabuza, is vastly different in lethality from the same rank of ninjutsu performed by a shinobi of Naruto's caliber, like Hiruzen Sarutobi unleashing Fire Release: Dragon Flame Bullet. The difference lies not just in the technique but in the user's chakra control, battle experience, and adaptability in combat.

To a great extent, a shinobi's strength and their mastery of ninjutsu complement each other in determining their true combat ability—neither can be overlooked.

"My current strength is decent, but the number of ninja tools I've revealed to others is still limited. Some of them need the right opportunity to be introduced to the world. The foundation of this ninjutsu scroll should serve as a perfect excuse."

After reviewing the document, Kazuki muttered to himself.

"And mastering more ninjutsu might provide valuable insights for developing my own ninja tools."

The Next Morning

Kazuki donned the Anbu uniform he had retrieved the day before.

After adjusting his fox mask, he departed from his residence.

Following the location marked on the document, he navigated to a concealed area within Konoha and slipped into an underground passage.

Konoha's Anbu headquarters was a classified facility hidden beneath the village.

Within Konoha, there were more than a dozen Anbu divisions, each housing specialized squads for surveillance, assassination, and intelligence gathering.

What astonished Kazuki the most, however, was the proximity of the Anbu headquarters to the Hokage Building—it was almost directly underneath.

Additionally, underground passages connected the Anbu base to the Hokage's office, allowing Hiruzen Sarutobi's commands to reach the Anbu instantly.

Upon entering the dimly lit corridors of Anbu, Kazuki was immediately struck by the ominous atmosphere.

Since the base was underground, the lighting was sparse, casting long shadows across the stone walls. The air was thick with tension.

Masked figures in gray Anbu vests and black cloaks moved swiftly through the halls.

Some cast fleeting glances at Kazuki, assessing the newcomer, while others ignored him entirely, their focus locked on their own missions.

These were Konoha's most elite operatives—shinobi who had survived countless battles and specialized in silent, lethal efficiency.

As Kazuki continued deeper into the compound, a figure approached and spoke in a low, firm voice.

"Mink?"

Mink was the code name Kazuki had chosen for himself in Anbu.

"Yes."

"Follow me."

The Anbu operative wasted no words, immediately leading Kazuki deeper into the headquarters.

"That area is for mission postings and reports."

"Over there is the supply depot—you can collect materials, ninja tools, and medical supplies at no cost."

"That wing contains archives of ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu techniques. You're free to study them."

Kazuki followed closely, absorbing every detail as his guide methodically introduced the key sections of the base.

Despite having read about Anbu's structure in the original Naruto storyline, nothing compared to experiencing it firsthand.

Anbu was the Hokage's personal task force—Konoha's last line of defense and its deadliest weapon against internal and external threats.

Every Anbu member had at least the combat prowess of an elite Chūnin, with many surpassing even the average Jōnin.

At last, the guide led Kazuki to the office of the Anbu Commander.

"Lord Captain, I've brought Mink."

"Alright, you're dismissed."

The guide left, closing the door behind him.

Now, only Kakashi Hatake and Kazuki remained.

Kakashi's lone visible eye fixed on Kazuki with an unreadable expression.

"Mink, I've reviewed your file."

His voice was cold and even.

"Under normal circumstances, I would never accept a fresh Academy graduate into Anbu."

His tone carried a clear sense of skepticism.

"However, since this was a direct order from Lord Hokage, you've been assigned here. But don't mistake that for my personal approval."

Kazuki raised an eyebrow, his expression calm yet curious.

"Do I need your approval?"

A brief silence fell between them.

Kakashi narrowed his eye slightly.

His initial impression of Kazuki had been one of cautious assessment, but this response immediately painted him as someone who wasn't easily intimidated.

Not exactly the ideal recruit for Anbu's strict hierarchy.

After a few moments of tense silence, Kakashi spoke again, his voice even colder.

"You don't need my approval.

But you do need to prove your strength if you want the rest of Anbu to acknowledge you."

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