Ryoji had a problem—or at least, that was his thinking as he stood perched on a sturdy tree limb, watching the scene unfold below. His gaze shifted between the kunoichi, each vying to take him on as their student, and the men who, in contrast, fought just as fiercely to avoid that responsibility.

  It wasn’t much of a surprise that the men wanted nothing to do with him. As a soon-to-be genin, Ryoji had a well-documented penchant for seduction—an ability he had more than proven. The kunoichi, on the other hand, had quite the opposite motivation, already imagining the debauchery they could indulge in if he became their student.

  Ryoji sighed as a wry voice reached his ears. "Ah, the price of fame."

  For context, team selection typically took three days, followed by a week of finalization as the Hokage assigned squads. It was also a period where ptoons could vary in size, sometimes consisting of anywhere from three to six genin.

  Ryoji cast a gnce at Hiruzen before speaking, his tone measured but firm. "I’d much rather be assigned to the Anbu Protection Detail. My cn elders won’t want me pced in a regur team, given that I’m the Senju head. If they had their way, I’d never set foot outside the vilge. The protection unit makes the most sense—and it’s not without precedent for an Academy graduate to go straight into the Anbu."

  Hiruzen studied Ryoji for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a small nod, he reached into a nearby chest, retrieving a neatly folded Anbu robe and a porcein mask.

  "If that is your decision, then so be it," he said, his tone carrying both weight and finality. "Given your status and capabilities, this path is not unreasonable. However, understand that the Anbu is not simply an escape from a traditional team—it is a lifelong commitment to the shadows of the vilge. From this moment forward, you are no longer just Ryoji Senju. You are a bde of Konoha, unseen but ever present."

  He extended the robe and mask toward Ryoji. "Wear these with the understanding of what they represent. Welcome to the Anbu."

  Ryoji chuckled as he took the robe and mask from Hiruzen’s hands. "We both know that's not true. The Protection Detail are practically celebrities," he said with a smirk. "Please, save the theatrics for the less informed."

  He examined the mask briefly before slipping the robe over his shoulders, the weight of his new role settling over him. His tone was light, but there was no denying the significance of the moment.

  Tsunade let out a loud, exaggerated sigh, rubbing her temples as if warding off an impending headache. "Oh, fantastic. My son, the vilge’s most eligible guard dog," she drawled, pushing off the wall and crossing her arms. "Should I be proud or start preparing for the day you come home half-dead because some dignitary thought it’d be funny to put a kunai through you?"

  Jiraiya snorted, nudging Minato with his elbow. "You hear that? Kid hasn’t even put the mask on yet, and she’s already writing his eulogy."

  Tsunade shot Jiraiya a gre before turning back to Ryoji, a smirk tugging at her lips. "I hope you realize this doesn’t get you out of cn meetings, right? The elders will just love that their precious Senju head is too busy pying bodyguard to sit through their endless droning."

  She shook her head with a sigh, though there was no mistaking the hint of pride in her eyes. "Well, you’re already committed now. Try not to embarrass me, yeah?"

  Minato observed the scene unfolding before him, his arms folded as his thoughtful gaze lingered on Ryoji. "Ryoji joining the Anbu... that’s a bold move. I can’t say I expected that, not so soon, at least. I thought he might try a regur team first—gain some experience, you know? But I guess he's never been one to follow the conventional path." He let out a soft sigh, a mixture of admiration and concern in his voice. "I just hope he knows what he’s stepping into. It’s not an easy road."

  He turned to Tsunade, raising an eyebrow. "Are you really sure about this? I know Ryoji’s got the potential, but Anbu… It’s not just another mission. Once you’re in, you’re in for life."

  Tsunade, leaning casually against the wall with her arms crossed, scoffed. "Do you really think I haven’t thought about it, Minato?" She shrugged, her tone carrying a mix of sarcasm and weary acceptance. "Ryoji’s always done things his way, and frankly, it’s probably safer for him in the Anbu than out there in a regur squad. The elders have been breathing down my neck about him constantly—he doesn’t belong in a team, not with his status." Her expression softened slightly, but only a little. "Besides, you know as well as I do, he’s got the same stubbornness I did at his age."

  Jiraiya, standing nearby, crossed his arms and smirked. "Well, we all know who he takes after, don’t we?" He shot Minato a grin. "A little bit of Tsunade’s temper, a little bit of your speed. Sounds like he’s ready for whatever’s coming."

  Minato’s lips quirked into a smile, but there was a hint of concern in his eyes. "Maybe. But joining the Anbu straight out of the Academy? That’s a tough ask. It’s more than just the physical stuff, it’s the mental toll. That mask… once you wear it, it changes you." He paused, giving Ryoji a thoughtful look. "I hope he’s ready for that."

  Just as the conversation was about to continue, the door smmed open, and Kushina stormed into the room. Her fiery hair, usually perfectly kept, looked disheveled, and the exhaustion on her face was evident. She was still fresh from a difficult mission, and there was a noticeable tension in her shoulders. Her eyes immediately locked onto Ryoji, and without a word, she marched over to him.

  "Ryoji!" she snapped, grabbing him by the shoulders and pulling him down so she could begin braiding his hair. "What the hell do you think you’re doing, huh? You’re just going to run off and join the Anbu without talking to me first?" Her tone was sharp, but there was a noticeable underlying frustration, one that wasn’t just aimed at Ryoji.

  Ryoji, grinning as always, let her work on his hair without protest. "Just getting under Minato’s skin, Kushina-nee. You know how it is." He tilted his head to the side, enjoying the rare moment of teasing.

  Kushina’s hands moved swiftly as she braided his hair, her fingers tense, betraying the anger she was trying to suppress. "I don’t care about your games, Ryoji," she muttered. "The Anbu isn’t a joke. You don’t just get to waltz into that life and pretend it’s a game. You’re not invincible just because you look like Hashirama."

  Minato, watching the interaction, spoke up, his voice still carrying concern but tinged with understanding. "Kushina’s right, Ryoji. The Anbu’s a life of sacrifice. It’s not just about what you can do, but what you’ll have to give up." He paused and then added, more softly, "I know you think you’re ready, but it’s not the same as training with the Academy. It’s a different world."

  Kushina, still braiding Ryoji’s hair with a sense of practiced intensity, shot a gnce at Minato, her frustration rising. "And you, Minato, you think I don’t know that? I just came back from a mission where Danzo decided to py his little games again. Don’t lecture me about the cost of duty, not when that bastard keeps pushing his agenda."

  She snapped the braid into pce with a final, sharp tug, letting out an angry breath. "I’m not angry at you, Ryoji, but I swear—if Danzo keeps pulling this crap, I won’t be able to stay calm for much longer. He’s already pushing my buttons, and now this? The st thing we need is you getting dragged into more of his mess."

  Ryoji, sensing the tension, gave her a soft grin. "I get it, Kushina-nee. But this is my choice. It’s not about Danzo or anyone else. I’ve made up my mind."

  Kushina exhaled sharply, rubbing her temples. "You really are Tsunade’s kid, aren’t you?" she muttered under her breath, before standing up straight. She paused for a moment, her expression softening just slightly. "Just be careful, alright? Don’t let them break you."

  Minato gave a small, understanding nod. "He’ll be fine. He’s got the Senju bloodline, and more importantly, he’s got the support of people who care about him. Even if he’s stubborn as hell."

  Kushina gave him a sideways look but didn’t respond, her gaze shifting back to Ryoji. "I’ll be watching you, Ryoji. If you screw up, you’re not getting away with it."

  Ryoji ughed, his usual pyful grin lighting up his face. "I’ll keep that in mind, Kushina-nee."

  As the room settled into a comfortable silence, Minato’s gaze shifted between the group, his expression thoughtful. "Looks like Ryoji’s got more than one person watching his back, even if he doesn't always appreciate it."

  Hiruzen, who had been watching the exchange with quiet amusement, finally spoke up, his voice carrying a hint of dry humor. "Worrying about Ryoji is pointless," he said with a slight chuckle. "Or am I the only one who remembers him smming Danzo into the wall of my office when he was just five years old? The hit was hard enough to damage the building’s structure. I’m pretty sure that’s a record for making Danzo actually shut up for a few minutes."

  There was a moment of silence as everyone absorbed his words, then Minato let out a small ugh, rubbing the back of his head. "I should’ve known you’d bring that up, Hiruzen. But you're right. Ryoji’s always had more fire than most people realize." His expression softened with a mix of pride and concern. "He’s got a lot of potential, but he’s still young. The Anbu will be a different beast, no matter how much he’s proven himself already."

  Tsunade, who had been quiet up until then, gave Hiruzen a pointed look. "That’s not exactly a comforting memory, Hokage. Yes, Ryoji's strong, but there’s a difference between standing up to Danzo in your office and facing the realities of the Anbu." Her voice was sharp but tempered with concern for her son. "You know what those kinds of missions can do to someone."

  Jiraiya, standing off to the side with his usual casual demeanor, smiled and nodded. "True, but the kid’s got his mother’s strength and his father’s speed. He’s got what it takes—just needs to be careful not to let that cocky attitude get him into trouble."

  Kushina, now standing beside Minato, crossed her arms. "I don’t care if he’s got Hashirama’s blood or is Danzo’s worst nightmares in his head. No kid should be dealing with that kind of responsibility so soon. Not without us keeping an eye on him."

  Ryoji, having remained silent during the discussion, grinned sheepishly, though it didn't quite mask the faint flicker of seriousness in his golden, scarlet-flecked eyes. "I’m not a kid anymore, you know. I can handle it."

  Hiruzen chuckled, his hands resting on the top of his cane. "I’m not worried about you, Ryoji. We all know that the moment you set your mind on something, there’s little that can stop you." His eyes softened slightly. "But it’s always good to have people around to remind you when you’re getting too reckless."

  Minato, still leaning against the wall, gave Ryoji an amused but cautious look. "Don’t make me regret letting you take this step. Just remember, the Anbu’s a family in its own right. You might be stepping into their world, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be here if you need us."

  Ryoji nodded, a serious flicker crossing his expression for the first time in the conversation. "I’ll remember that. Don’t worry."

  RecklessDawn