Chapter – 381 Watatsumi

The next day early morning, Kuroto was summoned to the Hokage Office.

Knock… knock…

"Come in." – an elderly tired voice came from the other side of the door.

"Hyuga Kuroto, code name: Eagle, a former member of the now-disbanded Team-11 has come as per the notice." – Kuroto said with a bow.

"Ah… Hyuga Kuroto you have come, good… I will keep it short, so do pay attention. As you are already aware, many things have changed in the last week. For your duties and excellent performance in the recent events, and keeping in mind your record for the past few years, it has been decided that you are to be promoted from an Anbu member to an Anbu Commander… You will take charge of a newly created Anbu team called Team – Ro. Your team members have arrived and are currently waiting at Anbu Training Field – R3. Your team consists of 5 members with you as the Commander. One of them is a new recruit in Anbu, but there is nothing to worry about, he is quite the capable one, so I don't think you will have any complaint about him. Get acquainted with the team as soon as possible, soon you will have a mission to set out on." – Sandaime said to Hyuga Kuroto.

"Yes, Hokage-sama" – Kuroto nodded, it wasn't surprising that he would be sent out on a mission soon…

'Let's focus on the team for now… I do hope they are not some weak some bunch.' – Kuroto thought.

Sandaime continued, "Here, this will be your new mask… your identity is already known to Akatsuki, so some necessary precautions have to be taken… From now on, your identity is no longer Eagle."

Kuroto again nodded and after removing his current Eagle Anbu Mask he passed it on to Sandaime, then wore a dragon-shaped mask.

Sandaime-sama said, "You can choose the new code name for yourself."

Kuroto thought about it a little, then said, "Watatsumi… I would prefer the code name: Watatsumi."

Sandaime raised his eyebrow at the mention of the term Watatsumi, and questioned, "Any specific reason?"

Kuroto nodded and said, "When a snake evolves it takes the form of a dragon… that is what I wish to be Hokage-sama."

"Hmm… Is that so…?" – Sandaime was a little taken aback by Hyuga Kuroto's mention of such a thing, but after a while of consideration a smile appeared on his lips and he nodded, "So be it."

Kuroto bowed to Sandaime gratefully, then Sandaime said while passing on two scrolls to him, "Take these two scrolls with you… One of them is the scroll of the A-Rank Jutsu: Rasengan that you had wished to learn, while the other one records the information of the four Anbu who will be under your command."

Kuroto nodded, and after taking the two scrolls, he said to Sandaime, "Thank you for your kindness Hokage-sama."

Sandaime then took out another scroll and said, "And this one too, this scroll records all the details of the first mission Team – Ro will be performing. As you had suspected back then Kirigakure was indeed involved with Akatsuki, we have confirmed this… and several new changes are happening in Kirigakure… Team-Ro will set off to Kirigakure as soon as possible."

Kuroto had long expected that the most likely place where his mission would be assigned will either be Kirigakure or perhaps Iwagakure. After all, Kirigakure is as much of a dangerous village as the former Amegakure, so it's not strange that Hokage-sama needs a master infiltrator.

But it's not that easy.

Kuroto said tentatively, "Hokage-sama, the team is new, I need to get familiar with the members and devise a few strategies that we will be working upon… And since there is also a fresh Anbu member in the team, therefore, he needs to be made familiar with all the things…"

Sandaime sighed, "I am afraid I can't give you much time… Two days at most. Complete all the preparations within these 2 days, and set off as soon as possible."

"Yes, Hokage-sama, two days should be enough." – Kuroto nodded.

Sandaime nodded with an amiable smile, and said, "Good luck, I expect good things from you and Team-Ro."

"Yes Hokage-sama, I will not let you down." – After speaking so, Kuroto turned and left the Hokage Office.

After Kuroto had gone, Sandaime kept looking at the place where Hyuga Kuroto was kneeling and muttered, "A dragon huh? So, you intend to surpass your master… I do hope that you will not make me regret this decision of mine, Hyuga Kuroto."

…

On Kuroto's side, after having left the Hokage Office, Eagle… now Watatsumi… was on his way to the Anbu Training Field-R3.

As soon as Kuroto was closing to the place, Kuroto frowned as he noticed a figure he did not want to see in the Anbu, not to mention in the same team as him… 'I guess I need some answers… I don't think he would have joined Anbu without a good reason… Moreover, what is she doing in the Anbu, she shouldn't have been part of the Anbu either?'

Suppressing his thoughts for later, Kuroto finally arrived before the team.

His arrival was also noticed by four shinobi, each of whom was wearing an Anbu mask over their face. Two of them are females while the other two are males.

After landing on a tree, Watatsumi said to the four, "I am the Anbu Commander of Team-Ro, let's start with your Anbu Code names, the one sitting on the boulder, the Kunoichi with the black mask, let's start with you and follow a clock-wise pattern…"

The Kunoichi nodded, and introduced, "Anbu Code: Akame, reporting at duty."

The next one nodded, and introduced himself, "Anbu Code: Rabbit, reporting at duty."

The third one nodded, and introduced, "Anbu Code: Hana, reporting at duty"

The last one also nodded, and introduced, "Anbu Code: Weasel, reporting at duty"

One by one, all four of them introduced themselves and took off their masks while quietly looking at their Anbu commander.

Because Kuroto is also dressed in Anbu Gear, and because his mask has been changed… therefore, the four only knew that the person standing on top of the tree is their Anbu Commander, neither of the four is yet aware of the true identity of their Commander.

With an amused expression, Kuroto took off his mask, and said, "Tokubetsu Jonin, Hyuga Kuroto, Anbu Code: Watatsumi… Commander of Team-Ro, pleased to make your acquaintances."

"Kuroto-Kun?" – Akame was taken aback, she did not expect her Anbu Commander to be Hyuga Kuroto, a person she had known for quite a few years now.

Rabbit and Hana were also a little surprised, but because they are of a younger generation than Kuroto, they remained calm.

While Weasel sighed, 'The person Danzo-sama ordered me to keep an eye on turned out to be Kuroto-san, I haven't even told him about this yet…'

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