Chapter 3: Anbu Selection

Two years later, in the 53rd year of Konoha.

Hyuga Gakuya was only eight years old.

"Lord Hizashi, I want to participate in tomorrow's Anbu selection."

Gakuya knelt before Hyuga Hizashi, pressing his forehead to the floor.

"Do you realize how important tomorrow's selection is for the Hyuga clan? They won't allow an outsider like you to pass."

"I'm willing to try. If I can become a member of the Anbu, my chances of revenge will increase."

Hizashi sighed. He had tried countless times to persuade Gakuya to let go of his hatred. The fate of the Branch Family was to sacrifice for the Main Family.

But as a husband, what reason did he have to ask Gakuya to abandon his vengeance? Perhaps this boy really could change the Hyuga's rigid system.

After all, Gakuya's talent was the greatest he had seen in years—greater even than Kakashi's.

"Very well. Tomorrow, you will represent the Branch Family in the selection."

"Yes!" Gakuya's eyes gleamed with excitement. His current strength was enough to enter the Anbu. The first step of his plan would soon be completed.

A daring scheme took shape in his mind—perhaps he could evolve his Byakugan. If so, revenge would no longer be a dream.

...

The next day, Gakuya arrived at the arena alongside both Branch and Main Family members.

The Main Family was only here to make an appearance. Even if they were selected, they would never actually join the Anbu.

Among the dozens of Byakugan-clad Hyuga, Gakuya's dark eyes stood out starkly.

"That guy... is he the disgrace of the Hyuga? The one with tainted blood?"

"Yeah, that's him. His father was Hyuga Tokuma. When he was branded with the Caged Bird Seal, the elders delayed the process for years because he was said to have the purest Byakugan in the clan."

"And now? His son doesn't even have the Byakugan."

"Then why is he here?"

"Who knows? He can't be a reconnaissance ninja without the Byakugan... but maybe we can..." One of the Hyuga chunin made a slashing motion across his neck.

The surrounding Hyuga members looked at Gakuya with disdain. A disgrace to their clan, a shameful impurity they could not tolerate.

On the other hand, the Branch Family members felt a twisted sense of comfort as they looked at Gakuya's unmarked forehead. He wasn't even worthy of the Caged Bird Seal. To them, he was nothing more than a commoner.

Gakuya ignored the murmurs, standing still like a statue.

Suddenly, he sidestepped. A fist brushed past his shoulder, missing by inches.

"I don't know how you took my brother's place, but I suggest you leave now and give his spot back."

A Hyuga teenager glared at him. "Otherwise, I'll show you the power of the Byakugan, you filthy half-blood."

Gakuya remained silent, his cold gaze locked onto the boy. He was waiting—either for a Konoha ninja to intervene or for his opponent to make the first move.

"My name is Hyuga Sojo. Remember it when you're in hell."

Sojo formed a hand seal, veins bulging around his activated Byakugan.

"Gentle Fist!"

He lunged forward, his palms glowing blue as he aimed a fierce strike at Gakuya.

A sharp cry rang out—but it wasn't from Gakuya.

Before Sojo's attack could land, Gakuya's fist had already buried itself in his stomach.

Sojo collapsed, clutching his abdomen, gagging and gasping for air.

"I-impossible... He took down a chunin with a single hit?!"

"Could he have awakened the Byakugan after all?"

Whispers filled the air. No one dared to underestimate Gakuya now. To take down a chunin in a single strike at his age—this level of talent put him among prodigies.

Only after the commotion died down did the Anbu examiners finally arrive. One of them immediately had Sojo carried away.

An Anbu proctor stepped forward.

"The selection process is simple: there are no rules. You fight in this arena until you lose consciousness or can no longer fight. Each squad captain will choose members based on their performance."

This rule was hardly favorable to Gakuya. As expected, the moment the examiner finished speaking, countless eyes turned to him.

Gakuya took a deep breath and got into a stance. "Come at me."

...

The next instant, a dozen pairs of Byakugan flared to life.

The closest Branch Family members were the first to attack.

"Gentle Fist: Thirty-Two Palms!"

Several voices cried out as multiple figures charged toward him.

"Hmph. Wind Style: Gale Palm."

Gakuya's hands were enveloped in wind chakra. Each palm strike created a burst of cutting wind.

Wherever his hands landed, bloody wounds appeared. Each attack incapacitated his opponents with a single hit.

Thud! Thud! Thud! Fist met flesh, palm struck palm—taijutsu battles were never flashy, just brutal and efficient.

In less than twenty seconds, multiple bodies hit the ground. No one else dared to make the first move.

Silence fell over the arena for a full minute. Even the Anbu examiners grew impatient. If this continued, how could they recruit anyone?

"Hyuga Gakuya, you've been accepted into Squad Three. Report to the Anbu immediately."

"Step down. The next candidates will continue."

As soon as Gakuya left the field, the chaos resumed. The real brawl had begun.

...

Just as he stepped away, an Anbu agent in a bull-horned mask approached him. He was a towering man, his muscular arms covered in scars.

"I'm your new captain. Call me Bull."

"Understood, Captain."

As they leapt across rooftops towards the Anbu headquarters, Bull explained the structure and regulations of the Anbu.

"The Anbu has a Commander and a Vice Commander. Below them are four squads, each with seventeen members. Every squad has a captain and four teams, each led by a team leader with three subordinates."

"The current Commander and Vice Commander are the son and daughter-in-law of the Third Hokage. When the Fourth Hokage took over, he never had time to establish his own foundation before his death."

As they moved, Bull gradually increased his pace, pushing Gakuya to keep up.

"Not bad. You can keep up." Bull gave an approving nod.

...

Upon reaching headquarters, many Anbu members gave Gakuya curious glances.

"Is he really that young? Even Kakashi was fourteen when he joined... This kid isn't even eleven, is he?"

In truth, they had underestimated him. Gakuya, carrying a rare blend of Senju and Hyuga blood, had a well-developed physique from years of intense training.

But in reality, he was only eight years old.

...

At the supply depot, Bull tossed him a set of standard-issue Anbu gear.

"Suit up. Then pick a mask from the wall, register your codename, and meet us at Training Ground Three for initiation."

Gakuya swiftly changed into his black compression uniform, gray armor, and arm guards. A straight-bladed sword completed the outfit.

Scanning the mask selection, he chose a striking wolf design.

At the registration desk, the clerk gave him a skeptical look, double-checking his information multiple times before logging it in.

"Your codename?"

"Duck."

"Are you certain? If you die, your gravestone will only bear that name."

"I'm certain."

With that, Gakuya—now Duck—stepped toward Training Ground Three, prepared for whatever awaited him next.