Japanese Tradition
Yazi looked up and down at Xu Fan, her eyes filled with shock.
Xu Fan appeared to be twelve or thirteen years old, about the same age as Uchiha Itachi. However, Itachi's achievements were nothing short of extraordinary.
At the age of four, he witnessed the Third Shinobi World War and returned unscathed. At six, he entered the Ninja Academy and graduated in just one year. By eight, he had awakened the Sharingan. At ten, he was promoted to Chūnin and became the first ninja in Konoha to take and pass the Chūnin Exams alone. By eleven, he had the strength to join the Anbu Black Ops.
Yet, despite being a prodigy, even Itachi had to prove himself before receiving a leadership role. In contrast, this seemingly ordinary newcomer, Xu Fan, had been appointed as an Anbu captain immediately.
What made it even more astonishing was that their team was not without a leader. They were under the command of Kakashi Hatake, one of the most accomplished Anbu operatives. Xu Fan's sudden appointment was essentially a demotion for Kakashi.
"Captain Kakashi, what is going on here?" Meiko turned to him, visibly upset.
"It's exactly as it sounds," Xu Fan said calmly. "From today onward, I will lead this unit. Kakashi has been reassigned from captain to a regular Anbu member."
"What?!"
Meiko wasn't the only one shocked. The Anbu members behind her widened their eyes in disbelief.
"Captain Kakashi has been replaced?"
"Why?"
"No one surpasses Captain Kakashi in strength or leadership!"
Xu Fan's sudden placement stirred immediate discontent among the team. However, Kakashi himself remained indifferent. He knew Xu Fan's abilities exceeded his own.
"Enough with the complaints," Kakashi sighed, cutting off the murmurs of protest.
With his new rank established, Xu Fan only had to wait for his captain's uniform to be prepared by the logistics team.
"It's time to meet my other subordinates," Xu Fan said nonchalantly, striding away.
The Anbu members, unable to accept this abrupt change, clustered around Kakashi, hoping for more information.
"Captain Kakashi, are you leaving Anbu?" Meiko asked hesitantly. She had always admired him and couldn't bear the thought of his departure.
"No," Kakashi replied, shaking his head. He didn't elaborate further but instead followed after Xu Fan.
The remaining Anbu operatives exchanged uncertain glances. Something about this situation felt off.
"Even if Captain Kakashi were to leave, we still have Tenzo on our team."
"But Tenzo was originally part of Danzo's Root division. Can we fully trust him?"
"What about Itachi? His track record is as impressive as ever."
"And besides, Captain Kakashi doesn't seem like he's planning to leave Anbu."
Xu Fan's abrupt insertion into their ranks unsettled them. Their team already had skilled individuals—Kakashi, Tenzo, and Uchiha Itachi. Each one was an exceptional shinobi capable of leading on their own. And yet, all three were now expected to follow Xu Fan's command.
It made no sense.
Despite their dissatisfaction, the team gathered at the designated meeting point. Anbu, known officially as the Assassination Tactical Special Unit, functioned similarly to an elite military force within the Hidden Leaf. Standard protocol dictated that teams consisted of four to five members, each following the orders of a designated leader. However, due to special circumstances, Tenzo and Itachi had joined mid-assignment, and now, with Xu Fan's arrival, their unit had expanded to eight members.
Xu Fan noticed Itachi arriving late. When their eyes met, a brief flicker of surprise crossed Itachi's expression.
"If I recall correctly, Uchiha Itachi joined Anbu at eleven. Not long after, he witnessed the death of Shisui Uchiha. Shortly after that, he was promoted to Anbu captain by the Third Hokage. For the sake of his younger brother, Sasuke, and Konoha's stability, he ultimately annihilated the Uchiha clan before defecting to the Akatsuki."
Xu Fan mentally reviewed Itachi's timeline and concluded that it wouldn't be long before he left Anbu for good.
Of course, that was a matter for the future. Right now, Xu Fan had one goal—to prove himself to his subordinates.
"It's him…" Tenzo frowned, recognizing Xu Fan. He recalled a past encounter that left a strong impression.
Xu Fan was the only ninja in Konoha, aside from himself, who could use Wood Release. But unlike Tenzo, whose abilities were artificially granted by Orochimaru's experiments, Xu Fan was a true successor of the First Hokage's legendary power.
"Did the Third Hokage place him in Anbu on purpose?" Tenzo murmured to himself.
Xu Fan stepped forward, clearing his throat.
"Greetings, everyone. My name is Xu Fan. From this day forward, I will be your captain."
The room fell silent.
Uchiha Itachi and Tenzo exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable.
"What is this guy planning?" Itachi mused. Not long ago, Xu Fan had confronted him near the Naka Shrine, demonstrating his power and leaving behind cryptic words. Now, he had suddenly joined Anbu as their leader. Itachi couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Xu Fan than met the eye.
Tenzo, too, was puzzled. He had expected Xu Fan to mention his lineage as a member of the Senju clan, but he hadn't. Instead, he simply took the role of captain without explanation.
"Why would he take on this role?" Tenzo wondered. "His Wood Release is undoubtedly powerful, but Kakashi is clearly the better leader."
The room buzzed with murmurs of skepticism.
"Is he really qualified to lead us?"
"This is the Third Hokage's decision," Kakashi interjected, his voice firm.
Meiko bit her lip. As an Anbu operative, she understood the importance of following orders. But in her heart, she believed Kakashi was the better leader.
"In Anbu, combat proficiency is crucial," Meiko said, stepping forward. "Captain, please allow me to challenge you to a sparring match."
Her request hung in the air, setting the stage for the next test of Xu Fan's legitimacy.