Chapter 92
<span style="font-weight:400">The once quiet and sparsely popted Anbu base was now bustling with activity. Many Anbu ninjas were moving about, busy with various tasks. Although the Cold War had ended, it didn’t mean that the Anbu could now rxpletely.
<span style="font-weight:400">There was still much work to be done, though none of it was as dangerous as before. Most of these tasks involved rying information, patrolling, and protecting important figures.
<span style="font-weight:400">Mochizuki Hui had returned to the Anbu as well, and this was his fourth day back in Konoha. He had rested for the first three days, and now it was time for him to resume his duties.
<span style="font-weight:400">As a division captain, he was responsible for ten squads, all awaiting his task assignments. Unlike others, Hui was in a position to issue such orders himself; typically, the Second Hokage directly assigned tasks to the Anbu.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Anbu, assemble."
<span style="font-weight:400">Suddenly, amand rang out, halting the Anbu in their tracks. They quickly gathered in the base’s hall. Unlike the previous full assembly, this time, only about a hundred Anbu remained.
<span style="font-weight:400">Once everyone was in position, the Anbu Commander appeared on the tform, his gaze sweeping over the crowd before he began to speak.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Today, I have two announcements to make. First, due to a directive from the Hokage, the Anbu’s personnel will be reduced. The Anbu will revert to a size of seventy members. This means that half of the current members will be leaving the Anbu.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Second, Captain Mochizuki Hui of the First Division, for his outstanding performance and significant contributions during the recent operations, has been promoted by the Second Hokage to the position of Deputy Commander of the Anbu, effective immediately."
<span style="font-weight:400">His words sent a ripple of shock through the gathered Anbu, but no one voiced any objections. As members of the Anbu, their duty was simply to follow orders without question.
<span style="font-weight:400">The reasons behind orders, or whether they were right or wrong, were not theirs to consider. Their only task was to execute these orders.
<span style="font-weight:400">Besides, the reasons for these two orders were clear to everyone. The first directive was a consequence of the end of the Cold War; Konoha no longer needed such arge Anbu force, and it was better to allow more members to return to the light.
<span style="font-weight:400">As for the second announcement, no one would challenge Hui’s promotion despite his young age. His strength, mindset, and wisdom had earned the respect and approval of every Anbu member.
<span style="font-weight:400">To them, Hui’s promotion to Deputy Commander felt natural. Many felt joy and pride for him, celebrating his achievements in their hearts.
<span style="font-weight:400">Hui himself had long anticipated this. He had known for some time that he would eventually be Deputy Commander, and one day, Commander. It was only a matter of time, and it seemed that time hade sooner than expected.
<span style="font-weight:400">At just twelve years old, Mochizuki Hui was now Deputy Commander of Konoha’s Anbu. He had officially entered the ranks of Konoha’s upper leadership, gaining the right to have a say in the vige’s future development and decisions.
<span style="font-weight:400">At twelve, he had be a member of Konoha’s high council.
<span style="font-weight:400">As the sun set, thest golLightningrays illuminated the training grounds of Konoha, casting long shadows from the three figures standing there.
<span style="font-weight:400">"So much has changed over the years... I almost don’t recognize this ce anymore," Lightning said, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a distant look, lost in nostalgia.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Yeah, I remember six years ago when we first formed the Fourth Squad here. Back then, you and I had quite the ‘friendly’ introduction," Hui replied, a faint smile appearing on his face as old memories resurfaced.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Ha, you brat, you’ll never let me live it down, will you?" Lightning chuckled and shook his head, looking up at the setting sun. "I miss those days... back when Captain Bear and Wind were still around, and you were just an adorable little kid."
<span style="font-weight:400">Hui rolled his eyes at that, responding, "Back then, you were full of energy—nothing like the moody single guy you’ve now be."
<span style="font-weight:400">Lightning blinked, and then his face darkened as a vein twitched in his forehead.
<span style="font-weight:400">"You brat! Don’t call me a single dog!!!" he shouted at Hui, his rage growing when he noticed Sakumo Hatake holding backughter nearby.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Alright, alright, enough with the jokes," Hui said, calming down hisughter before his expression turned serious. He looked at Lightning earnestly.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Lightning, it’s time for you to leave the Anbu."
<span style="font-weight:400">Hui’s words made Sakumo raise his head in surprise, and he opened his mouth as if to say something, but when he saw Lightning’s silent reaction, he began to understand.
<span style="font-weight:400">No wonder Lightning had invited Hui to this ce. It seemed Lightning had already decided to leave the Anbu.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Lightning, you’re not young anymore. You have family, and parents, and staying in the Anbu just isn’t right for you anymore. Plus, staying in the darkness for too long isn’t good for anyone. People should live in the light," Hui said, ncing at the fading sun on the horizon. Deep down, he too longed to return to the light.
<span style="font-weight:400">Despite how much sess he had found in the Anbu, being hailed as the "Konoha’s Ghost" by other viges and promoted to Deputy Commander of Konoha’s Anbu, Hui would dly give it all up if he could.
<span style="font-weight:400">The Anbu might sound morous, but in reality, once inside, you realize there’s little warmth—only coldness and brutality. It was a unit that walked solely in darkness.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Yeah, people should return to the light eventually," Lightning sighed, his feelings conflicted. On one hand, he wanted to return to a normal life in the light, but on the other, he wanted to stay by Hui’s side to witness his continued growth.
<span style="font-weight:400">"So, Lightning, go back," Hui said firmly, almost like an order.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Alright, then I’ll wait for you in there," Lightning replied with a smile. A weight seemed to lift from his heart, and though the sun had set, plunging the world into twilight, Lightning felt a sunrise within himself—one that brought warmth and hope.
<span style="font-weight:400">"And you, Sakumo, what are your ns?" Hui asked with a smile, turning to Sakumo Hatake.
<span style="font-weight:400">Sakumo hesitated for a moment before responding in a yful tone;
<span style="font-weight:400">"Well, since you’ve be the Deputy Commander, and Lightning’s leaving, I guess that makes me the next Captain of the First Division’s Fourth Squad, right? With you as Deputy Commander here, I’ll have all the backing I need to do as I please!"
<span style="font-weight:400">His words brought smiles to both Hui and Lightning.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Ah, so you’ve been eyeing the Captain position all along! As expected, the Fourth Squad is full of sneaky brats!" Lightning teased, pretending to be angry as he raised his fist, only for Sakumo to quickly dodge behind Hui.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Deputy Commander, help! Someone’s trying to hit your subordinate!" Sakumo cried.
<span style="font-weight:400">Hui, ying along, shouted, "Who? Who dares? I’ll drag them to a hundred matchmaking sessions!"
<span style="font-weight:400">"YOU BRAT!!!" Lightning yelled, his voice echoing across the training ground.
<span style="font-weight:400">That night, Den, the former Captain of the First Division’s Fourth Squad, known by the codename "Lightning," officially retired from the Anbu, leaving the darkness to return to the light.
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