"Okay, okay, it's over there," Minato said, stepping forward to ease the tension. The battle in question had indeed concluded.
Jiraiya descended from the sea of trees, carrying the exhausted duo in his arms. The timing was impeccable, as Nawaki's Light-Weight Rock Technique was just about to wear off.
"Kawakaze, restore the training ground," Sakumo instructed, his tone calm. The transformation of the training ground into a forest wasn't a significant concern, but it needed to be addressed.
"Got it, Big Brother," Kawakaze replied, immediately getting to work.
Releasing his Chakra through Wood Release, the vibrant forest quickly began to wither. In moments, it disintegrated into dust, scattering across the area.
"Take care of the rest," Kawakaze said after finishing, nudging Nawaki lightly with his foot to prompt him into action.
"Fine, I'll handle it, but did you really need to kick me?" Nawaki grumbled, brushing off his pants with an irritated expression.
Placing his hands on the ground in a seal, he said, "Earth Release: Moving Earth Core."
Chakra surged through the ground, causing it to rumble softly as it shifted. The dust was gradually buried, and the holes from the earlier battle were filled. The training ground emerged more polished and orderly than before Kawakaze's Wood Release had altered it.
"You could even go into construction work now," Kawakaze remarked, watching Nawaki's work with a mix of amusement and approval. His tone was half-teasing but not without a hint of genuine praise.
"That's right! Even if I don't become a ninja, with this skill alone, I can give Misaki a life of affluence," Nawaki said, puffing up with pride. He took Kawakaze's remark as praise and was clearly feeling smug about his abilities.
He had done his research and learned how expensive it was to hire a construction company to renovate a dojo.
"You can't argue with a bargain, can you?" Minato interjected, exposing Nawaki's real motive. It was obvious Nawaki simply couldn't stomach spending the money, so he decided to handle the renovation himself.
In the past, Nawaki's Earth Release efforts had been sloppy, but now his work was precise and polished. It seemed as though he had developed the Ninjutsu specifically for construction rather than combat.
"None of your business, meddler," Nawaki snapped, glaring at Minato. He thought, Minato, you little brat, just trying to embarrass me! Let's see if I snitch you later or not.
"Brother Nawaki, I was wrong," Minato said quickly, catching the warning look in Nawaki's eyes beneath his mask.
"If apologies were enough, what's the point of having a police force?" Nawaki retorted, refusing to let it go.
"You two idiots, shut up," Kawakaze interrupted, cutting them off. Watching their bickering, he couldn't help but think back to when he and Sakumo were young—it was probably just like this.
Both Nawaki and Minato fell silent, and Jiraiya began announcing the final candidates.
The ten Anbu members, all having received medical treatment, now stood in two orderly rows. Sakumo stood beside Jiraiya without speaking, his eyes scanning the freshly restored training ground.
As he looked over the neat repairs, he silently decided to use Nawaki as a laborer again in the future. After all, there was more than one Anbu training ground that needed maintenance.
Meanwhile, Nawaki, oblivious to the Commander's thoughts, stood off to the side, engrossed in watching the proceedings.
"You are all worthy elites of the Anbu. A wonderful duel," Jiraiya began, offering words of praise.
Everyone listened silently, knowing that such openings often signaled an impending twist. No one spoke, waiting patiently for what would come next.
After a brief pause, Jiraiya continued. "However, some people do not meet my requirements. Of course, it's not because they're not good enough—it's just that they're not suitable."
"The people I'm going to point out will step forward," he added, gesturing without naming anyone specifically.
Six individuals stepped forward, their expressions unreadable. It wasn't clear whether they had been chosen or eliminated. Among them was Nonō Yakushi.
Jiraiya turned to the remaining four and spoke more gently. "Sorry to have kept you waiting. We'll work together again in the future, so you can go now."
His tone confirmed their elimination. From observing the battles, Jiraiya had determined that these individuals lacked the meticulousness required for missions as spies behind enemy lines.
"Yes, Lord Jiraiya," the four Anbu members responded, masking any dissatisfaction. Though two of them had won their battles, they dared not show discontent in front of Sakumo and Jiraiya.
After acknowledging their dismissal, they left quietly, blending into the familiar crowd near the entrance. From participants, they became spectators.
"You six, wait for my news," Jiraiya said, his tone firm. "The new department is just starting up, and you are the first members. Wait until I have asked Lady Hokage for approval of the base and completed the other formalities before you begin work. Other questions will be answered after you start. Any questions?"
Jiraiya's expression hardened, and with his imposing height and sturdy frame, he exuded an intimidating presence.
"No," the six responded in unison, their cooperation seamless.
Being selected brought a sense of pride. Each of them felt, in some way, superior to those who had been eliminated.
"Okay, that's it then."
Jiraiya turned to Sakumo and asked politely, "Does Lord Sakumo have anything else to add?"
"I don't have anything special to say," Sakumo replied. "You should all perform well in your new department. The village will not treat anyone unfairly."
Sakumo's words, though official in tone, carried an encouraging weight. The six acknowledged them with a respectful "yes" before disbanding on the spot.
"Thank you for your trouble today, Big Brother Sakumo," Jiraiya said with a smile once the group had left.
"Not at all, it was nothing," Sakumo replied evenly. "I may need to trouble you again in the future."
Sakumo's comment was practical; the Anbu frequently required various forms of intelligence. For transnational missions, the support of Jiraiya's Intelligence Division would be indispensable.
"Of course," Jiraiya answered without hesitation, as if such assistance was only natural.
As the two chatted, Kawakaze quietly planned his escape. If he lingered, Jiraiya might rope him into something unexpected. Leaving first would allow him to address his own tasks without interruption.
"I'm leaving first," Kawakaze said, addressing Minato and the others.
"Aren't you going with Lord Jiraiya?" one of them asked, surprised, as they had arrived together.
"I suddenly remembered something. If he asks, just tell him I left first," Kawakaze replied, offering no further explanation.
"Oh, okay."
With that, Kawakaze activated the Flying Thunder God Technique and vanished from the Anbu training grounds. He reappeared at the Academy, heading straight for Ei Onoda.
"Lord Kawakaze, what brings you here?" Ei Onoda asked, startled by the unexpected visit. He was sipping tea in his office, and Kawakaze's sudden arrival was unusual. In all his years of work, Kawakaze rarely sought him out directly.
"It's like this," Kawakaze began, taking a seat and accepting a cup of tea from Ei Onoda. "A new department has been set up in the village. They're looking to recruit a group of students from the Academy to train as spies behind enemy lines. What do you think we should do about this?"
"Spies behind enemy lines?" Ei Onoda frowned, the danger apparent in the mere mention of it.
"Yes," Kawakaze confirmed, taking a sip of tea and setting the cup on the table.
"Well, I think we should let the students decide for themselves. I won't agree to any forced selections," Ei Onoda said firmly.
His reasoning was clear—personal wishes mattered, and forcing students into such roles was out of the question. If anyone attempted coercion, Ei Onoda would be the first to object.