"Iwagakure ANBU," White Fang began, "are called the Demolition Corps."
He scratched his head. "Unlike us, they don't care about secrecy. They make a lot of noise in battle. Instead of assassinations, they favor overwhelming force. They're tough, reckless, and they've got explosive experts, strong earth-style users, and skilled sensors. Their numbers are larger than ours, too. We've been cutting them down for years, but it never seems to make a difference—new ones always pop up. The funny thing is… they're terrified of lightning. Makes them easy to kill."
Maki, Hitomi, and Naori stared at him. He wasn't joking—he actually thought it was easy.
White Fang went on.
"Kumogakure ANBU are called the Bandit Corps. Most are taijutsu specialists, skilled swordsmen, and some wield a rare bloodline technique called Storm Release. They look big and honest, but they're actually underhanded and ruthless. Famous for being treacherous in battle. Never believe a word they say." His voice grew darker. "That's how the Second Hokage died."
He exhaled. "These days they're constantly after other villages' bloodlines and secret techniques. Our ANBU have disrupted their schemes more than once, but they never stop."
"Finally, Sunagakure ANBU—the Puppet Corps. They specialize in poisons and puppet techniques, with many masters of wind-style among them. Their numbers are the smallest of the Five Nations, but don't underestimate them. Every single one is elite. They fight cunningly, plan carefully, know when to advance and when to retreat. Patient, calculating, and very difficult to deal with."
White Fang spread his hands. "That's the gist of ANBU across the great nations. You'll learn the rest firsthand. For newcomers, it doesn't stick while the adrenaline's rushing… but trust me, you'll remember before you die."
"What about our ANBU?" Hitomi asked curiously. "Do we have a specialty?"
White Fang scratched his head again. "Our specialty? …We're just the strongest."
Hitomi chuckled. "Not bad."
"Anyway, back to the mission," Maki cut in.
White Fang bared his teeth in a wolfish grin. "Once it starts, no matter who we face, we leave no survivors."
"Understood," Maki replied. Hitomi and Naori both nodded.
"Then let's move out," White Fang ordered.
"Wait." Maki stopped him.
White Fang blinked. "What is it?"
"What's the battle plan?" Maki asked.
White Fang scratched his head. "Go in. Kill. Finish. Go home."
"…Seriously?" Maki rubbed her forehead.
Hitomi and Naori just stared at him under their masks, speechless. Their heads hurt.
This guy is hopeless.
"Any questions?" White Fang asked.
"YES, that's a huge problem!" Hitomi snapped. "You know there are traps, and you still don't have a plan? You have to think about what if something unexpected happens!"
"Why worry?" White Fang said simply. "If something unexpected happens, we just break through. Run fast enough, nothing can stop us."
Hitomi clutched her head. "Aaaaahhh!"
"What a charming joke, Captain," Naori said with a smile. "But please… reorganize your thoughts."
"I'm not joking," White Fang said seriously. "That's the plan. If there are bandits, we kill them. If it's a small ninja group, they'll try to ambush us—we kill them too. If it's a big force, we just break through, retreat, and report back to the village. Simple."
And frustratingly… it did sound feasible.
But Maki shook her head. No. I refuse.
"Captain, if you don't mind, let me make the actual plan," she said.
White Fang shrugged. "Sure. Go ahead."
"Great!" Hitomi said in relief. "We'll rely on you, Maki."
"First, we scout. Since intelligence is incomplete, we'll adapt once we have a clearer picture," Maki explained.
"Understood!" Hitomi and Naori replied.
White Fang scratched his head again. He was supposed to be captain, but it felt like his role didn't matter. Then again, he was used to being just a blade for killing.
"Captain…" Hitomi said suddenly. "You're… surprisingly strong, aren't you?"
White Fang laughed. "I'd say so."
"Very strong," Naori admitted.
Hitomi grinned. "Then you take the strongest enemy. We'll back you up once we're free."
"That works," White Fang agreed. His tone was serious now. "It won't take me more than three minutes."
"Enough joking around," Maki said. "Captain, give the order."
"Eh?" White Fang blinked. "Oh, right! …Let's go!"
The four of them launched forward in perfect unison. White Fang took point, Maki in the middle, Hitomi and Jiri at the rear. Their formation was precise, defensive, and disciplined.
After a while, White Fang raised a hand, signaling them to stop.
They crouched on a thick branch as he pointed ahead.
"The village barrier. Normally, anyone entering outside the main gate is spotted by patrols. But here—it's a blind spot. ANBU-only passage. There are several like it."
It was strange. A blind spot with no guards? But ANBU work required secrecy. Secret doors were necessary.
White Fang continued, "The barrier is a variant of sealing jutsu. The bigger the seal, the more flaws appear. Lady Mito did well creating this. But…" He scratched his head again. "I can't remember the hand signs."
"No need," Maki cut in. "We know them."
"…Huh? How?" White Fang asked, baffled.
"I studied the designs," Maki replied matter-of-factly.
"Want me to show you a few more secret routes out of the village, Captain?" Hitomi teased. "Ones that no one can catch you using?"
"…It's fine," White Fang muttered, scratching his head again.
They performed the seals and slipped through the barrier. It closed automatically behind them.
Now, truly outside the village, they didn't pause to admire the scenery. Keeping tight formation, they moved quickly and silently through the forest.
By the time they paused again, it was already noon.
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