{As I said before, give your offerings for this benevolent me have blessed you mortals for the third day in a row.}
~~~
Back to Ren and Yoru.
The moment Yoru vanished, Ren immediately tensed up. He didn't know whether this man was just testing him or if he would actually land real hits in the fight. Barely a second passed before Ren's body unnaturally twisted, narrowly dodging a punch from Yoru. But even that didn't last long. Mid-motion, Yoru stopped his fist and altered its trajectory so that it curved toward Ren once more.
Ren managed to roll away, barely dodging again.
Yoru flexed his fist and commented, "Hmm. Good reaction speed. But what's the use if you can't counter?" Without giving Ren a second to rest, he resumed the assault, bombarding him with a mix of punches, kicks, kunai, shuriken, and senbon.
For the first time in a long while, Ren was thankful for his EX-rank reflexes, without them, he would have died many times over. Even though he managed to dodge everything, the pressure was immense. A single mistake, and he was dead.
But as time passed, something changed. Ren's mind gradually began catching up to his body's instincts. He started to see the attacks just before his body reacted. His vision aligned with his movement.
Seeing this adaptation, Yoru increased the pace once more.
Ren was overwhelmed again, but not for long. Soon, he was adapting again, and there were moments where he actively blocked the attacks rather than just dodging them. Slowly, his focus sharpened, his body and mind syncing seamlessly. His movements became fluid and more calculated. His body began acting like a perfectly tuned machine.
Yoru kept up the pressure, throwing everything he had, but Ren was catching up.
Eventually, Ren caught one of the kunai and returned it toward Yoru, who dodged it easily. But that was only the beginning. More kunai came back Yoru's way, then shuriken, then senbon. Ren was now blocking most of the physical attacks and countering with technique and strategy.
Finally, after what felt like hours, Yoru sent another attack. This time, Ren caught the kunai in mid-air, deflected Yoru's punch with his palm, channeled chakra into his other fist, and punched at full strength toward Yoru's gut.
But just before it could connect, Yoru's other hand casually intercepted the punch with a dull thud.
Ren's eyes behind his mask widened slightly. The sound snapped him out of his focus, and his body finally realized the toll of the fight. He staggered back and fell to the ground, breathing heavily.
'Damn! What the hell was that?' he thought.
Yoru calmly retracted his hand and looked at him. "Now do you understand how to use your enhanced reflexes to your advantage, and not just dodge like you're playing some kind of game?"
Ren nodded, still breathing hard. 'This was the first time since Obito that I felt I was actually using my reflexes well. But what the hell was that state?'
As if reading his mind, Yoru continued, "What you just experienced was Hyperfocus. When someone with extreme reflexes learns to sync their mind and body together, they enter this state where they begin moving less like a person and more like a machine."
He paced slightly as he spoke. "Some high-ranking shinobi manage to enter this state through sheer training. But among all the legends, only a few could use it freely: the Fourth Hokage, the Second Hokage before him, the current Raikage and all three Raikage before him. As of now, only the Fourth Raikage uses it consistently."
He turned back toward Ren. "You, Ren Takahashi, can learn to use it freely, because unlike normal shinobi, you were born with it. You didn't build up your reflexes; you've always had them. Right now, you're exhausted because you don't know how to use the state properly, but with training, no one, not even the Raikage, will match your speed or reaction time."
Ren, now mostly recovered, thought to himself:
'So even something like this existed in the Naruto world, makes sense, I guess. It's not a bloodline but a condition where mind and body are synced. Minato must have used this when he fought Obito. And the Raikage? Probably with the Lightning Cloak.'
Yoru interrupted his thoughts. "Now that you've experienced it, I expect you to learn it within a year, and master it within three."
Behind his mask, Ren deadpanned. 'What the hell does he mean "learn it within a year"? I've never even seen this technique before, let alone learned it. He wants me to figure out and perfect a state of being in a year?'
Yoru ignored Ren's internal protests and continued. "If you aren't able to master it by then, prepare for punishment."
Then without waiting, he moved on. "Next problem, your weapon. What you use now was suitable for a speed-based wind style user. Not anymore."
Ren nodded. He'd already been thinking the same thing, but he hadn't prioritized weapon development lately since his fists were more than enough now.
Yoru pressed further. "You might think weapons are unnecessary now, but that's a critical error. Even the Third Hokage needed a staff when facing someone on his level. What will you do if you face an opponent whose body you can't touch? If ninjutsu doesn't work? What's your backup? A kunai? You think a kunai will work on an S-rank threat?"
Ren was silent. 'Damn, why is he right? Since Taijutsu always worked in the canon and on every single person, I didn't think it was essential to perfect a weapon because I had my fists. But there are others beyond canon now and I didn't prepare for that. This is not the One Piece world, I am not Garp and I don't have haki that I wouldn't need a weapon ever.'
Yoru threw a scroll toward him. "This contains information about nearly every weapon known in the ninja and civilian world. You'll learn them. All of them. Master them until you surpass their original wielders."
Ren almost short-circuited. 'Why would I learn every weapon? I'd barely even need one!'
He asked, "Why should I learn so many weapons? I get the need for three or four, but everything?"
Yoru didn't hesitate. "Shadow clones don't affect you much, do they? Then stop whining. Others would kill to have that ability. You've got it and you're crying over having to use it properly?"
There was clear disgust in his voice now. "What's the worst-case scenario? You'll be overprepared? That's your complaint? You'll have an edge no matter who or what you face."
He scoffed. "If you're lucky enough to be born with a gift then use it. Squeeze every drop out of it. Because when your head is rolling and you're thinking, 'Maybe I should have trained harder,' it'll be too late."
Ren remained silent for a long moment, then nodded.
'Yeah. I really don't think I'll like him. He sees through everything. Strength, weakness, what I avoid, what I'm lazy about. He corrects me. Yeah, I definitely won't like him.'
Because just like most people, Ren didn't like being corrected so much.
Seeing the nod, Yoru gave one final order. "Adjust to the Numbers and your training schedule. You have one month. After that, you'll begin taking missions."
Without another word, he flickered away, leaving Ren sitting alone with the scroll in hand and a long road ahead.
~~~
After Yoru flickered away, Ren remained standing alone in the training field for a few moments, his breath still slightly uneven from the intense spar. He then glanced toward the corner of the field where the remaining four masked ANBU operatives stood in silence, watching him.
Since these were the people he would be working with from now on, Ren knew it was better to take the initiative. He adjusted his breathing, straightened his posture, and approached them. As he neared, he gave a polite bow and spoke clearly.
"Hello. My name is Ren Takahashi, and I will be joining the Numbers as Number 5."
As he spoke, he reached up and calmly removed his five-star ANBU mask. Given how Yoru had called his name multiple times during their exchange, and considering his identity was already known throughout the village due to the Chunin Exams, Ren didn't see the point in hiding his face. Better to be direct with people he'd be trusting with his life in battle.
To his surprise, the other four seemed relieved.
They'd just witnessed Ren spar with Yoru, and it wasn't a stretch to call his performance anything short of extraordinary. His ability to adapt, counter, and hold his own against the ANBU Commander had been nothing but genius. So they had braced themselves, mentally, for an arrogant brat or an overconfident prodigy. But instead, Ren was respectful and professional. That lowered some walls.
The man marked with four stars stepped forward first. He pulled off his mask, revealing a calm, sharp-featured man in his thirties with blonde hair pulled into a tight ponytail.
"My name is Inojin Yamanaka," he began with a measured tone. "I specialize in my clan's jutsu, primarily mind techniques as well as water and earth style ninjutsu. I also serve as the squad's sensor."
Ren noted that his level was 70. Definitely a high-jonin.
Next came Number 3, the only female among them. She removed her mask, revealing a plain but kind face framed by dark brown hair tied at the nape. She gave a soft nod.
"Itsuki Kurama," she introduced herself. "I specialize in fire and earth release, but my main strength is Genjutsu. I also serve as the squad's medical ninja."
'Level 72,' Ren silently noted. High even among elite medics.
Number 2 stepped forward next, removing his mask with a calm flick of his hand. He had white hair and a blank expression that reminded Ren of another infamous shinobi.
"Daiki Hatake," he said. "Specialty: kenjutsu."
Ren raised a brow slightly. The Hatake name wasn't unfamiliar, but he didn't sense the same overwhelming aura as Kakashi. Still, he was definitely formidable with his Level 73.
These three, Ren recognized from their presence during the Land of Iron mission. But the one he hadn't seen before was Number 1.
Finally, Number 1 stepped forward. His movements were heavier, more grounded. He removed his mask, revealing a rugged man who looked to be in his mid-40s. Sharp features, graying hair near the temples, and an air of stern authority. He spoke in a calm, even voice.
"Shinnosuke Sarutobi," he said. "I specialize in elemental ninjutsu."
'Level 76,' Ren observed. 'Hiruzen's older son, and it shows. Unlike the fanfics where he was Anbu Commander, here he's under Yoru, but still powerful. He must not be much talented as Hiruzen must've dumped a mountain of resources into him to get him to this level at this age but he is still a solid elite jonin, no doubt.'
Ren looked around at the rest of his new teammates and made some quick mental notes. 'Each of them is a top-tier asset of their respective clan. Yoru wasn't wrong. This squad is elite even among the elite. But, aren't the age gaps a little extreme?'
He hesitated for a moment, then asked directly, "Do you all have any issue with me joining this squad?"
There was no point beating around the bush.
Shinnosuke, still holding his mask in one hand, answered first with a slight shake of the head.
"Since you'll be with us for the foreseeable future, let me explain a few things clearly," he began, his tone firm but not unfriendly. "First, ANBU do not question orders. We were informed a new member would be joining us, and so we accepted it. The same will apply to you. In the future, you will receive assignments that may seem unreasonable, cruel, or even contradictory. As long as you wear that mask, you follow those orders. That's the foundation of ANBU."
Ren didn't say anything in response, but he couldn't help the thought that crossed his mind, 'So they've all just become robots, huh? No questions, no hesitation, just blind obedience. What a sad life that must be, but still better than root I guess.'
Shinnosuke continued without pause, "Also, I understand the age gap might be awkward, but don't dwell on it. The moment you put on that mask, you became a Number. And as long as your strength holds up, none of us will have complaints about your age or background."
Without further delay, he placed his mask back on. The others followed suit without hesitation, and Ren mirrored their actions, donning his five-star mask again.
"Now then," Shinnosuke said, his voice slightly muffled but still clear, "let's begin familiarizing ourselves with your capabilities."
~~~~~
{More details would be shown as we move forward in the ANBU arc, the characters would also be given some screentime but not too much as the main focus would remain on Ren and Yoru, but they would be changed people after Ren completes his ANBU tenure.}
{Also, Hyperfocus, a new technique, but it fits well, still, tell me what you think about the technique and the fight too. Hyperfocus would be explained in more detail in a few chapters.}
{One more important thing, I added a poll on pat-reon (free for all, member or not) about the Uchiha Massacre so go vote there and tell me your opinions in the comment section there.}
{Just so you know we are beginning with the 2nd S-Rank mission on pat-reon, this one completely combat oriented.}
{If you want to, you can support me on pat-reon.}
{ h t t p s : / / w w w . p a t r e o n . c o m / Z e e n o n }
{You know what else to do}
{STONES!!!!}