Joining the Anbu signifies more than elite status—it means standing at the epicenter of power and politics within Konoha. Among all the shinobi forces, the Anbu is the closest to the Hokage, the direct blade and shield of the village's leadership.
That's precisely why the major clans all vie desperately to place their kin in Anbu's ranks—status, influence, and protection all come with the mask.
But for Tian Yu—
He had already slashed through the old schemes of Hiruzen Sarutobi with his mind.
The suffocating political decay, the endless power games behind the village's façade… held no interest for him.
To Tian Yu, joining the Anbu?
A complete waste of time.
He'd rather spend that time forging new ninja tools, refining his strength, or—
Joining Anbu? That's something only fools with broken brains would scramble to do, right?
"Tian Yu, don't decide so hastily,"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's face was aged, furrowed with lines earned from decades of leadership and war. Yet, he wore a kindly smile at the corner of his lips as he addressed the boy.
"Joining the Anbu won't only serve as a trial for yourself—it will also help protect your family."
"If you're part of Anbu, you'll be exposed to intelligence concerning Konoha, the Land of Fire, and even the affairs of the Five Great Nations. You'll have access to information first, act first. In emergencies, the families of Anbu operatives are given top priority for protection."
"That's the natural privilege of being an Anbu shinobi."
He paused for a moment before continuing, his smile deepening.
"Of course, there's more than just that.
I'm willing to offer you everything within my means to support you."
"You run a ninja tool business, don't you?"
"If you join Anbu, I can redirect the village's centralized ninja tool procurement—everything from the Anbu, the Konoha Military Police, the Torture and Interrogation Force—to your family's store."
It was both coercion and temptation.
Tian Yu felt the thought flash in his mind.
This crafty old Sarutobi really wasn't some harmless relic. His smile masked the subtle coercion perfectly.
He had first invoked the safety of Tian Yu's family to pressure him—and then followed up with a very real, very profitable incentive.
Though the Tian family's shop had grown to become the most prominent retail ninja tool business in the village, it had never broken into the wholesale market—a realm dominated by inner-circle families and controlled in large part by the Sarutobi clan through official channels.
Tian Yu, who had been digging into the logistics behind Konoha's ninja tool distribution, understood all too well:
The orders Sarutobi held were worth far more than any standard retail transaction.
If those contracts shifted to the Tian family…
Their shop could double in scale—even become the cornerstone of a monopoly in Konoha's ninja tool industry.
It was a tempting offer.
Tian Yu pondered silently.
Anyway, it's only two years until Hiruzen Sarutobi dies.
When Naruto and his class take the Chunin Exams, Orochimaru—Hiruzen's old student—will return and kill him.
So Tian Yu wouldn't have to stay under this "old man" for long.
From that perspective, it was actually a good deal.
Besides, Danzo was still active in the shadows. Although it was unlikely he'd come after Tian Yu's family—at least for now—being part of Anbu would provide an extra layer of security.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage, for your guidance. I understand your intentions."
A wise man adapts to the times.
Tian Yu smiled, bowed slightly, and said clearly,
"I will join Anbu."
"Very good," Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded in satisfaction. Then he turned to Kakashi, his voice calm but firm.
"Kakashi, I'll leave him to you. What happens next is up to you."
"Lord Hokage…"
Kakashi seemed to hesitate, as if wanting to voice some concern.
But Hiruzen cut him off with authority.
"Kakashi, I stand by my decision.
Tian Yu will prove his worth once he joins Anbu."
Kakashi fell silent for a few seconds, then bowed his head respectfully.
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
…
That evening, Tian Yu returned home.
He, his sister Tian Tian, their father Tianxiong, and mother Keiko sat around the table, enjoying a lavish meal.
It was a celebration.
Tian Tian's team had officially passed Might Guy's assessment. Team 9 was now fully formed.
Starting tomorrow, they would begin taking missions under Guy-sensei's leadership.
But none of them yet knew about the sudden shift in Tian Yu's path.
At that moment, Tian Yu stood up and announced calmly:
"Father, Mother, Sister—
I'll be reporting to Anbu starting tomorrow."
Clatter!
Tianxiong's chopsticks fell from his hands onto the floor.
The man sat frozen, utterly stunned.
Keiko covered her mouth, her gentle eyes wide with shock.
Tian Tian had the most dramatic reaction—she sprang up from her seat, her jaw nearly hitting the floor.
"W-What did you just say, Big Brother?! Where are you going?!"
Was that reaction too extreme?
Were they that shaken by his joining Anbu?
If they knew he'd actually refused the Hokage at first—and only accepted when the old man threw in concessions—they might've fainted on the spot.
Chapter 53: The Whole Family in Shock
Tian Yu could only calmly repeat himself,
"I'm going to report to Anbu tomorrow."
SLAM!
Tianxiong abruptly stood up, hands smacking the table.
His voice was low but urgent.
"Son… you're not joking with us, are you? You've really been recruited by Anbu?"
Tian Yu gave a helpless smile and nodded, "Of course. Why would I lie about something like this?"
A whirlwind of emotions surged through Tianxiong—shock, disbelief, pride.
Tian Yu was only twelve years old.
He had never heard of any shinobi entering Anbu at such a young age.
That meant his son might very well become the youngest Anbu operative in Konoha's history!
And more than that—
Both his children had become genin, and now his eldest had joined one of the most elite forces in the entire village.
This alone proved the extent of Tian Yu's genius and strength!
It was the kind of achievement that would bring honor to the family for generations!
Ten years ago,
There was another child from a civilian background who rose through sheer talent.
He became a student of Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin.
Later, his self-developed techniques turned him into a hero of the Third Great Ninja War. His enemies called him "Konoha's Yellow Flash."
That boy became the Fourth Hokage—Namikaze Minato.
Though over a decade had passed since Minato's death, in the hearts of the older generation like Tianxiong, his brilliance still shone like a sun in memory.
And now, Tianxiong's own son—also a civilian—
Had demonstrated similarly outstanding talent and combat prowess.
Could it be—
That his own son might one day wear the Hokage's cloak?
Tianxiong's chest swelled with pride and excitement.
"Tiantian, quick! Go tell your Second Uncle and the others!"
"Huh? Tell them what?" Tian Tian blinked.
"Tell them your brother joined the Anbu, of course!
This is huge! Our friends and relatives will be thrilled!"
"Oh, and let them know we're hosting a feast this weekend—everyone's invited!"
Tianxiong's face flushed with emotion, his voice booming like a man who had just won a great battle.
"Got it!"
Tian Tian said, still dazed but smiling as she dashed off.