After leaving the Hokage's office, Senju Haruto headed toward the Anbu headquarters to pick up his uniform and mask.
Halfway there, however, he unexpectedly ran into Kakashi.
The silver-haired ninja was leaning casually against a wall, arms crossed, looking as if he had been waiting for quite a while.
"Well then… welcome aboard." Kakashi glanced briefly at Haruto, then straightened up and scratched his head. "From today onward, I'll be your captain."
"You're wrong."
Haruto met Kakashi's gaze, and in that instant, he understood exactly what was going on.
If the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had arranged for him to join Kakashi's Anbu unit, it was only natural he'd inform Kakashi as the team's leader.
But Haruto suspected Hiruzen had also given Kakashi certain… special instructions.
Like keeping an eye on him. Reporting back on his every move.
However—
There was something Kakashi needed to understand.
Haruto might have agreed to join the Anbu, but he had no intention of taking orders from anyone.
If anything, he planned to use this opportunity to turn the Anbu under Hiruzen's command into his own power base.
"I'm wrong?"
Kakashi was momentarily stunned, caught off guard by Haruto's blunt words.
In the Hidden Leaf, no one openly defied a direct order from the Third Hokage.
Was this guy… refusing?
"From today onward, you will be under my command, Kakashi," Haruto said in a low, steady voice, spelling out the situation in no uncertain terms.
"What?!"
Kakashi's eyes widened instantly.
But Haruto's expression made it clear—this was no joke.
Had the Third Hokage directly appointed Haruto as captain?
How could that be possible?
This wasn't what they'd discussed yesterday.
Haruto wasn't even a genin. He'd only attended the Ninja Academy for one day.
Yes, his strength was undeniable—but he lacked the fundamental knowledge a shinobi should have.
Did he even understand the rules of the ninja world?
Making him an Anbu captain straight away… was that really okay, Lord Third?
Kakashi swallowed hard, still reeling from the revelation.
"And there's one more thing you seem to have misunderstood."
Haruto stepped forward, closing the distance between them. "The reason I'm joining the Anbu isn't because of the Third Hokage's orders."
"Oh?" Kakashi frowned. "Then why?"
"Because I find you all… interesting." Haruto's expression softened into a faint smile. "Now, take me to meet my adorable subordinates."
Kakashi stood there in silence for a long moment before finally accepting the statement.
No matter how arrogant Haruto seemed, it was unlikely he was lying—because the truth would come out the moment Kakashi spoke to the Third Hokage.
"…I understand." Kakashi eventually regained his composure, turned around, and began leading the way.
Still, his mind was racing.
Haruto hadn't said "I'm interested in you," but "I'm interested in you all."
Which meant he already knew who Kakashi's Anbu squad members were.
Was that something the Third Hokage had told him?
Kakashi's brow furrowed. The whole situation was puzzling—on one hand, Hiruzen had tasked him with guiding and reporting on Haruto's every move. On the other, he had apparently told Haruto about the Anbu squad's roster and even made him captain.
Lord Third…
Just what game are you playing?
Even with all his questions, Kakashi wasn't the type to run to the Hokage demanding answers.
For now, he would focus on the task at hand.
Before long, they arrived at the Anbu rest area.
"Before you meet everyone, let's see Master Shiba first," Kakashi suddenly suggested on the way.
"Who's that?" Haruto asked immediately.
In the world of Naruto, he remembered nearly every named character—yet this "Shiba" was completely unfamiliar.
"Normally, Anbu members wear a black bodysuit with a white harness vest, topped with a black cloak," Kakashi explained.
"For various reasons, the Anbu keep a certain stock of these uniforms in reserve."
After all, Anbu missions often carried a high risk of death—and damaged uniforms were common.
"However, the Anbu captain's cloak is a pale beige," Kakashi added. "Which means it needs to be custom-made."
"I see." Haruto nodded in understanding.
Kakashi had originally been the squad's captain, and was at least seven or eight years older than Haruto, meaning there was a noticeable difference in height and build.
If Kakashi hadn't mentioned it, Haruto might have forgotten this little detail of the Hokage setting.
Soon, they reached the tailor—Master Shiba.
"Another newcomer?" Shiba immediately guessed their purpose upon seeing Kakashi and Haruto walk in.
While the Anbu had spare uniforms, there were times when a perfect fit wasn't available and a custom order was required—something Shiba was very used to.
"Don't recognize your face," Shiba remarked, giving Haruto a once-over before pulling out a measuring tape and getting to work.
Even though he wasn't a ninja himself, Shiba was well-versed in the shinobi promotion system—graduating from the Academy to become a genin, then passing the Chūnin Exams to advance, and from there possibly becoming a jōnin or joining the Anbu.
He attended the Chūnin Exams every year, and anyone who stood out always left an impression on him.
As Shiba measured Haruto and made small talk, another Anbu member entered the room.
"Captain Kakashi!"
The newcomer was a female shinobi in standard Anbu attire, with long, sleek black hair.
Unlike Root, which erased both names and emotions, the Anbu allowed its members to live like ordinary people when off duty.
Many female members even dated, married, and had children.
Kakashi's handsome face, formidable skill, and cool demeanor made him extremely popular among the women in the Anbu.
The moment she saw him, she greeted him warmly and came closer.
"Yaeko," Kakashi replied casually, giving her a quick glance.
"And who's this?" Yaeko's gaze immediately shifted to Haruto. "A new recruit?"
"I'm Yaeko—pleased to meet you." She gave Haruto a playful smile. "Just so you know, the Anbu's work can be very demanding."
"Alright, all done." Shiba had finished taking Haruto's measurements and put the measuring tape away. "I'll have your new uniform ready soon."
"Oh, and the cloak—make it beige," Kakashi added on Haruto's behalf.
The moment those words left his mouth, Shiba, Yaeko, and the other Anbu member beside her all froze.
They knew full well—beige was the color reserved for an Anbu captain.
This guy… was the captain?