"Meiko!"
Kakashi's voice cut sharply through the air, halting Meiko mid-step.
No matter what grievances Meiko's squad had against Senju Haruto, he was the ANBU captain by the direct order of the Third Hokage.
Insurrection within the ranks was unacceptable.
Besides, Haruto wasn't some puffed-up pretender. His strength was greater than Kakashi's own.
"It's fine," Haruto replied casually, showing no intention of letting Kakashi intervene on his behalf.
"Anyone else unhappy with me? You might as well all come at once—I'm in a hurry to take my afternoon nap."
He punctuated the remark with a lazy yawn.
The words sent another ripple of outrage through the squad.
"What did you just say?"
Meiko froze for a moment before anger lit her expression.
Among all ANBU units, theirs was one of the strongest.
And yet, this newcomer was inviting them all to attack him at once.
Was he saying that his power alone was enough to crush them all?
"Hmph," Meiko snorted coldly. "Even if you do have the strength to be ANBU captain, there's no way you could withstand all of us attacking together."
"That's right," another member chimed in. "Every one of us here has the skills of an elite jōnin. Challenging us all at once is just asking for trouble."
"We simply think Kakashi is more suited to lead this squad. Maybe you hold the title of captain, but I hope you have the self-awareness to follow Captain Kakashi's lead during missions."
Aside from Uchiha Itachi and Tenzo, the rest of the ANBU stood united on the matter.
In truth, they believed the Third Hokage had arranged things this way so Haruto could learn from Kakashi's experience. If Haruto understood that, they wouldn't have resorted to this confrontation.
But Haruto's attitude—toward both them and Kakashi—had always been aloof, bordering on arrogant.
And now he was outright telling them all to attack at once.
"So…" Haruto ignored their protests, his tone edged with impatience. "Are you coming at me together or not?"
To the ANBU members, it was pure mockery.
"Fine," Meiko muttered, dropping into a fighting stance. "You asked for it."
What Kakashi didn't expect was for Tenzo, usually calm and steady, to step forward beside her.
"Tenzo?" Kakashi frowned.
The others didn't know Haruto's true capabilities, so their mistrust was understandable. Confident in their own skills, they could easily justify challenging him.
But Tenzo was different—he had seen Haruto's power firsthand.
That formidable Wood Release… no one understood it better than Tenzo.
"Kakashi-senpai," Tenzo said, taking a deep breath, his expression utterly serious. "I want to test myself against him."
Unlike the others, Tenzo had no objection to Haruto being captain. Haruto's chakra reserves alone dwarfed Kakashi's a hundredfold, and as a comrade in the ANBU, Haruto was someone to value.
But…
Haruto was the only other ninja in the village besides himself who could use Wood Release—and the strength he had displayed was extraordinary.
If there was a chance to face him directly, Tenzo didn't want to let it slip away.
Seeing Tenzo's resolve, Kakashi sighed helplessly. Both sides were clearly eager, and there was no point in stopping them now.
Not everyone seemed keen, though.
Uchiha Itachi instinctively took a step back, clearly not interested in participating.
Since joining the squad, Itachi often operated alone on missions and kept his distance from most of the team.
No one tried to force him now.
"I'll go first—" Meiko began, but Haruto stifled another yawn and raised his hand in a stopping gesture.
"Hmph," Meiko scoffed.
Even without Itachi, Tenzo's abilities were formidable—he could wield the legendary Wood Release of the First Hokage himself.
In Meiko's mind, once Tenzo unleashed his true strength, Haruto would be stunned into immobility.
"Regretting it already?" she taunted.
"Our squad has members who've completed hundreds of A-rank missions. Even Captain Kakashi would have trouble against all of us together."
"Guess this guy knows his limits after all," another member muttered.
But to their surprise, Haruto's raised hand wasn't a sign of surrender—he pointed directly at Kakashi.
"Me?" Kakashi asked, pointing at himself.
Haruto then gestured toward Meiko's side.
"You… want me to stand with them?"
Kakashi studied Haruto's expression for a moment, then shrugged and stepped over to join Meiko and the others.
Once the lineup was complete—with only Itachi standing apart—Haruto spoke again, almost offhandedly.
"When I said 'all together,' that included you, too."
"What?!"
The squad collectively drew in a sharp breath.
Even nearby ANBU, drawn by the commotion, began to watch.
"Why me…?" Kakashi thought bitterly. He had no stake in who led the squad—if anything, it was his subordinates who resented Haruto more.
Kakashi's genius was undeniable—he had been a chūnin at the age when Itachi had only just entered the Academy, and his mastery of the Sharingan had earned him the title of Copy Ninja.
Even Itachi, with two Sharingan eyes of his own, couldn't match Kakashi's ability to replicate techniques.
"This will be the worst mistake you've ever made," Meiko warned, locking eyes with Haruto.
Haruto ignored her and glanced past her to Itachi, speaking in the same calm tone.
"Not joining in, Itachi?"
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