You've got to be kidding me. Other than that useless, scam-artist system, the biggest advantage I have in this world is the plot. If things went according to the original timeline, I'd enter the Academy with Naruto and Sasuke. All I'd have to do is stick close to them and I'd be safe—provided I survived the Uchiha massacre, of course.
Just as I was about to politely refuse Hiruzen's offer, the system's trademark cruelty struck again.
Ding!
Main Mission: Become a member of the ANBU and successfully carry out one ANBU mission. Failure will result in termination.
I froze. Perfect. Not only was I now unable to enter the Academy on schedule, I had to immediately become a shinobi. What kind of nonsense was this? Even geniuses like Itachi and Shisui spent at least a year in the Academy before moving up!
Putting on my most serious face, I turned to the Hokage.
"Lord Third, I'd like to refuse early admission to the Academy. I believe I've already mastered what the school would teach at my current level. However… I wish to become an ANBU operative, to serve directly under you."
Hiruzen blinked. If I'd turned down his suggestion outright, that would have made sense. But for a boy my age to volunteer for the ANBU? That was… unexpected.
"Uchiha Izumi, being a shinobi is not a game. While you've already mastered two ninjutsu at your age—a level that could rival some genin—there's more to being a ninja than knowing jutsu."
"I understand your concern, Lord Third. But I believe that real experience teaches best. Please, allow me to prove myself—give me a mission as a test if you wish."
The Hokage studied me for a long moment before a faint smile curved his lips.
"Very well. Uchiha Izumi, you will temporarily join my personal ANBU unit. Gin, take him to collect his gear. This is the mission brief—during the operation, you are the observer. Unless absolutely necessary, do not engage."
"I understand."
I followed the masked ANBU called Gin out of the Hokage's office. There was something oddly familiar about him, like I'd seen him somewhere before—but no matter how I searched my memory, I couldn't place him.
After picking up my ANBU gear, I set out with Gin, leaving the safety of Konoha for the first time. I wasn't thrilled. In fact, I was nervous. My very first mission? Eliminating a group of bandits.
According to the briefing, a gang in the eastern region of the Land of Fire had been causing trouble lately. My "test" was to help wipe them out—kill every single member.
I stared at the mission scroll, feeling my stomach sink. This was supposed to be just a test! Couldn't they start me off with something less… murderous? I'd never killed anyone before.
"Captain Gin," I tried, "this is my first mission. Don't you have any advice for your new subordinate? If I die right out of the gate, it's not exactly going to make you look good, is it?"
Silence.
We reached the hill overlooking the bandit camp. According to intel, they were all ordinary people—about thirty of them in total. I decided the best approach was to strike at night, when their guard would be down.
Until then, I busied myself preparing what I'd need and running through tonight's plan in my head.