Anko?
Upon hearing Uzuki Yugao's words and recalling the frustrated appearance of Mitarashi Anko, Yu couldn't help but smile.
But... did that little brat Anko really become Orochimaru's disciple?
However, when he thought about the Orochimaru he encountered today and compared it to the immense gap in strength, a trace of gloom still crept into Yu's heart.
Certainly, Yu possessed the ability of the Thread Fruit and did not neglect training in the power system of the Shinobi world. Having the strength to confront and defeat Jonin at such a young age, in the eyes of anyone, he was a genius ninja with limitless potential.
But how did Yu see himself?
Aren't there many geniuses in the Shinobi? How many can survive until the final Great Ninja War? Unlike other anime, the power system in Naruto experiences a discontinuous growth in the later stages.
In the early stages, perhaps Jonin and Kage-level ninjas would be an undeniable force to reckon with. However, as it progressed to the later stages, what difference did it make for Kage and slightly more powerful ordinary individuals when facing Six Paths-level bosses?
Looking at the entire original work, only Naruto Uzumaki and Uchiha Sasuke, the two inheritors of the Six Paths, could completely ignore logic, power up inexplicably, and directly confront opponents at the Six Paths level.
But Yu didn't have the so-called protagonist aura, nor did he have an ancestor like the Sage Six Paths. Therefore, Yu wouldn't place his hopes on these elusive things.
Before the Final Great Ninja War, which would come a dozen years later, what lay before Yu were the ranks of Kage, Super Kage, the pinnacle of the ninja world like Hashirama and Madara, and the Six Paths Level. He needed to overcome these levels relying on his own strength.
The higher the realm, the harder it was to train. So, even if he became a Jonin at the age of seven, what did it matter? Was the time left for him truly generous?
"Hey! It's Yu!"
Walking silently with Uzuki Yugao, a familiar voice echoed from the nearby street.
"Guy?"
Yu snapped out of his thoughts and looked to see Might Guy vigorously waving at him from across the street. Standing next to Guy were Shiranui Genma and Ebisu.
"Hey... Yu!"
Ignoring Yu's reluctant gaze, Might Guy, dressed in a tight green jumpsuit, dashed over as if he had discovered something extraordinary, his attention fixed on Uzuki Yugao beside Yu.
"This can't be your girlfriend, can it?!"
"Uh... This is Uzuki Yugao... she's..."
Feeling Yugao blushing beside him, Yu was about to explain.
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"This is—so touching!!!"
But what left Yu speechless was that Might Guy in front of him was already moved to tears.
"Talent surpassing Kakashi's! And having such a beautiful girlfriend!"
"Is this what they call youth?!"
This guy...
Suppressing the urge to kick Might Guy away, Yu's twitching mouth didn't stop.
Take your youth away from me!
And what are you getting all emotional about? I don't even have a girlfriend!
"Um... Yu."
At that moment, Shiranui Genma and Ebisu approached. "We were planning to go for barbecue. Why don't you bring your girlfriend along? It's also a chance for us to thank you for saving our lives on the last mission and celebrate your promotion to Special Jonin."
Girl... girlfriend...
Hearing that term again, Yugao's cheek temperature rose continuously, giving the appearance of almost going into shock.
"Uh... Yugao, do you want to go?"
Looking at the blushing Yugao beside him, Yu asked for her opinion.
"Well... if that's the case... then... let's go together!"
Yugao's response was as delicate as a mosquito's buzz, and seeing that Yu didn't explain their relationship, made her blush even more attractively.
Seeing Yugao agree, Yu went with her to the barbecue restaurant along with Might Guy and the others.
Long-term missions and training had kept their nerves on edge, and today finally brought a rare opportunity to relax. With the company of a beauty, Yu enjoyed a leisurely night of barbecue.
...
Early the next morning, while the sky was still dim, Yu was awakened by a series of knocks on the door.
"I'm coming."
In a drowsy state, Yu walked to the door, opened it, and saw an ANBU ninja standing outside.
"Lord Yu, Lord Hokage and three Elders request your presence."
The ANBU ninja got straight to the point.
"Sarutobi-sensei and three Elders? They're summoning me so early in the morning."
Upon hearing the message brought by the ANBU ninja, Yu immediately shook off his drowsiness. If it were just Lord Third summoning him, it would be one thing, but the fact that Lord Third and three Elders Konoha were summoning him together meant Danzo was likely present as well. The quick-witted Yu immediately sensed that this summoning was not a simple matter.
"Please wait a moment; I'll be right there."
Without delay, Yu quickly finished his simple grooming, put on a black ninja jacket, and followed the ANBU ninja to the Hokage's office.
Five minutes later, in the Hokage's office:
The ANBU ninja in front of Yu knocked on the office door.
"Come in."
Inside, Lord Third's familiar voice echoed.
"Hokage-sama, Yakushi Yu is here."
"Good, you may leave for now."
Upon entering the Hokage's office, Yu indeed saw, besides Lord Third, the other three Elders—Danzo, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura.
This made Yu even more alert, indicating that things were indeed not as simple as they seemed.
"You're here, Yu. Have a seat."
Lord Third, as always, showed Yu extra consideration, inviting him to sit as soon as he entered.
"No need, Hokage-sama. With all three Elders present, there's no place for me to sit."
Recognizing that today's summons was extraordinary, Yu politely declined.
"Well... showing restraint."
"Sarutobi, it seems your new disciple is not only exceptionally talented."
However, Yu's composed manner and words of discretion earned him praise from Mitokado Homura present at the scene.
Wearing glasses, roughly the same age as Lord Third, he appeared like an ordinary old man but exuded an air of authority. Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, like Danzo, were Lord Third's teammates during his younger years. They now served as the highest officials in the Administrative Department, assisting the Hokage in managing Konoha's affairs.
Equivalent to elders in the village, their roles included providing the Hokage with correct advice, acting as a bridge between the Fire Country and Konoha, conveying national information, receiving financial support from the country for the village, and reporting the village's conditions and situations to the daimyo.
"So, you're Yakushi Yu?"
"Recently, your tales of genius have been frequently heard around the village."
Similarly, Utatane Koharu was also assessing the elegant and refined white-haired youth before her, who spoke with propriety. She nodded approvingly.
"Impeccable in appearance and demeanor. It seems Sarutobi has taken in another excellent disciple."
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