"Then from today onward, you are officially members of Atsukara!" Genya's gaze was sharp, sweeping across the group of eager faces before him, carrying an unprecedented seriousness.
His final glance rested on Deidara, and he began to appraise the young artist with a keen, calculating look.
In an instant, a uniquely shaped Rooster-head mask appeared in Genya's hand. Under Deidara's fiery, expectant gaze, Genya gently tossed the mask to him.
"This Rooster-head mask is yours. From now on, your codename in Atsukara will be 'Artist Rooster.'"
"Uh? Why the 'Artist Rooster'?" Deidara took the mask, turning it over and examining it carefully.
A puzzled look crossed his face, and he couldn't help asking, "Besides, this Rooster-head mask… doesn't it feel a bit off for me? Can I get a different one?"
As he spoke, he secretly glanced at Genya's expression, cautiously testing the waters.
After all, he considered himself a person with a unique artistic aura. Wearing this Rooster-head mask felt hard to accept—it didn't match the image he had of himself at all.
"No doubt, you are an artist and as for Rooster, its suits you perfectly,'" Genya replied, his gaze scanning Deidara once more.
He thought quietly that Deidara's lively and energetic nature really did resemble a rooster—vivid, striking, and perfectly fitting.
"But—" Deidara started to argue, but when he saw the seriousness on Genya's face, leaving no room for negotiation, his words died in his throat.
After a moment of hesitation, he sighed helplessly and nodded. "Fine, 'Artist Rooster' it is."
At least the name sounded impressive. It was much better than something like 'Fried Chicken,' he consoled himself internally.
Next, Genya turned his attention to the burly Jugo. He reached out and produced a large pig-face mask, tossing it lightly toward Jugo. "From today, you will be 'Iron Pig'!"
"'Iron Pig'? Haha… Jugo, your codename is a pig!" Deidara burst into laughter, leaning forward and back, unable to contain himself.
In his eyes, the codename "Iron Pig" was even stranger than his own, "Artist Rooster." He really couldn't understand what Genya was thinking when assigning masks and codenames to everyone.
The names were all bizarre, yet "Wood Ox" and "Phantom Tiger" carried a certain sophistication.
Jugo, however, didn't overthink things like Deidara. He reached out, steadily caught the mask, and put it on his face. Hey, it actually fit quite well.
Still, with Jugo's signature strong build and the massive Samehada strapped to his back, even with the mask on, it would probably be easy for people to recognize him in public.
"The 'White Sheep' mask, this one's for you!" Genya turned and handed a sheep-head mask to Kimimaro, explaining, "The 'White Sheep' symbolizes intelligence and cleverness."
Kimimaro, though usually quiet, is meticulous and extraordinarily smart. This title suits him perfectly.
Kimimaro quietly took the mask, held it against his cheek for a moment, and felt it was fitting. Then he carefully tucked it into his arms without saying a word, though his eyes showed clear recognition and appreciation for his new identity.
"Neji… this mask is for you!" Genya handed the last horse-faced mask to Neji and spoke solemnly. "Your name will be 'Judgment Horse,' meaning you will traverse the shinobi world, judging good and evil!"
Neji took the horse mask with both hands and nodded firmly. At that moment, his heart was full of anticipation for the future.
With that, seven of the twelve Zodiac members of Atsukara were officially confirmed.
They were: Sun Wukong~Genya, Wood Ox~Hayashi Senju, Phantom Tiger~Uchiha Shisui, Judgment Horse~Neji Hyuga, White Sheep~Kimimaro, Artist Rooster~Deidara, Iron Pig~Jugo.
Now, only five codenames remained: Rat, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, and Dog.
However, a few of the positions already had preliminary candidates. It seemed that the Twelve Zodiac members of Atsukara were almost complete.
Once the team was fully assembled, it would be time to show their true strength and launch a series of operations.
"Hehe… Genya, what do you think? Could this old guy get a mask too and join you all?"
While everyone was immersed in the joy of receiving their new identities, Toshi chuckled as he approached, looking at Genya with hopeful eyes.
"Toshi-san, you're not getting any younger. Atsukara still needs someone like you to oversee research from the rear. As for one of the positions, I've already decided to reserve it for your disciple." Genya looked at Toshi, speaking with a gentle expression to comfort him.
"Who?" Toshi's face, once filled with anticipation, immediately showed a flash of disappointment. But he quickly recovered and tentatively asked, "You mean Hikari?"
On second thought, Hikari was indeed completely worthy of this position.
Not only was her medical ninjutsu extraordinary, but her mastery of Wood Release was also among the best in the entire shinobi world.
Moreover, Hikari had been with Genya the longest, showing unwavering loyalty. Both morally and logically, she deserved an important spot within Atsukara.
Genya looked at Toshi and smiled, nodding to confirm his guess.
"Haha… In that case, I won't compete with my own disciple!" Toshi laughed heartily, and the little disappointment in his heart vanished instantly.
After all, seeing his disciple shine within Atsukara filled him with pride.
Over the next two days, with Neji's mother awakening, Neji began taking some trusted members of the Hyuga branch family out for various activities.
At the same time, Toshi found an inconspicuous grass hut outside the village, where he spent each day breaking the Caged Bird Cursed Seals for five members of the Hyuga branch family.
Their actions quickly drew the attention of both Anbu and Root.
Anbu members secretly monitored their every move, while Root operatives stirred restlessly, seemingly ready to act at any moment.
However, because of the involvement of Deidara and others and the Uchiha clan was secretly interfering, and on top of that, the members of the Hyuga branch family were all wary, watching every move closely.
With so many forces balancing each other, even though Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura were dissatisfied, neither dared to act rashly.
Yet, both of them secretly made a decision: once this Chunin Exam was over, they would carry out a complete restructuring of Konoha and eliminate all the so-called "troublesome elements" to maintain the village's stability and order.
Outside Konoha Village.
A sturdy old man wearing a pointed straw hat stepped down from a carriage. Squinting, he examined the three standing in front of him—Genya and two others—then pointed at them and turned to Kurenai.
"Hmm… just you three little ones, plus you, are supposed to escort me back to the Land of Waves? I need Konoha's elite ninjas to ensure my safe return!"
There was doubt and displeasure in the old man's tone. He knew that returning to the Land of Waves would be filled with assassination attempts, so he insisted on having powerful ninjas to guarantee his safety.
"Don't worry, sir. We will follow the proper procedure and ensure you reach the Land of Waves safely," Kurenai said with a polite smile and calm tone.
From her perspective, Genya's immense strength alone was enough to ensure the old man's safety.
With the space-time ninjutsu he mastered, Genya could retreat safely with the old man even against opponents stronger than himself.
"No, I firmly demand Konoha's elite ninjas!" the old man, Tazuna, insisted strongly.
"You think I'm thrilled to escort you, old man? For the little money you're paying, you can only afford a 'C'-rank mission ninja!" Genya felt a flash of irritation at the old man's picky attitude and couldn't help retorting angrily.