Minato's Daughter

Chapter 15 - ANBU Black Ops

Miyuki

I walked through the streets of Konoha, hearing whispers from nearby shinobi.

"Did you hear? Kakashi killed his own friend."

"Friend killer Kakashi."

"How long do you think she's going to last before he kills her too?"

I turned to glare at the closest group to me, feeling rage bubble up inside. They had no idea what had happened, who were they to judge Kakashi? 

"Miyuki! Want to join us for some dangos?" 

Gai's voice broke me from my thoughts and I noticed the majority of classmates sitting together under a dango shop. I gave them a small smile before shaking my head. However, before I could take another step further, Kurenai got up and dragged me to the bench with her and Asuma. 

"Don't be a stranger, Miyuki!" Kurenai said as she handed me a dango stick.

I held it in my hands, looking at the three colors. The last time I had dangos was with Rin. 

"They say the war should be over soon, the peace treaty already being delivered to Iwagakure," Izumo told us.

"That's if Iwagakure even agrees to it," Kotetsu responded, pointing his empty dango stick at the other boy.

"I'm sure they will!" Gai said enthusiastically.

"I'll eat dangos to that!" Kurenai exclaimed happily.

"Oi! Kakashi! Want some dangos!" Gai called as my head snapped up.

Kakashi just glanced over at us before turning away, continuing his slow walk somewhere. I set my dangos down and quickly got up to follow him but Izumo and Kotetsu stopped me.

"You can't help him," Kotetsu told me.

"What're you talking about?" I snapped, trying to push past them.

"Do you really think Kakashi wants to be around a teammate with people calling him a friend killer?" Izumo asked, gently shoving me back.

"He's not a friend killer! You all don't even know what happened!" I yelled, regaining my balance.

"We know he isn't, but that doesn't stop the rumors spreading about him," Asuma said as I turned my glare to him.

"Now now, let's all calm down," Kurenai told us, nervously laughing.

I turned back to where Kakashi had passed and realized that he had disappeared. I grit my teeth, holding back my anger. I approached the duo who had stopped me from leaving and punched both of them in the abdomen, causing them to fall back in pain.

"You all don't know anything," I snarled. "How can you call yourselves our friends? All of you should be ashamed."

I turned away from the group and tried to look for Kakashi in the village but it was as if he had vanished. Frustrated, I decided to head home where mom was squealing in happiness while hugging dad.

"What's going on?" I asked, my eyes going back and forth between the two.

"The third Hokage named your dad as the fourth Hokage!" Kushina squealed, jumping and hugging Minato again.

I froze. Dad was to be the next Hokage? I couldn't help but smile and soon, both mom and I tackled dad in excited hugs that we all fell over to the floor, laughing.

I stood next to Kushina as the third Hokage took off his hat and passed it to dad, who wore it and walked towards the crowd waiting underneath the Hokage tower. It was said that the new Hokage would be appointed to the village to give everyone a newfound of hope and peace after the long war. The peace treaties had been signed and with dad being appointed as the new Hokage, wounds could finally begin to heal. Once the ceremony was complete, Minato had told Kushina that he would be home soon while he asked me to follow him. Mom nodded before walking home and I couldn't help but look at her. It had been a while since I had seen her wearing the village shinobi uniform as she had given up going on missions years ago to stay home and raise me as a child. Dad and I walked in silence until we reached the Hokage office, where I noticed an alarming amount of papers stacked up on the desk.

"I think that went alright," Minato said as I continued to stare at the papers. "It looks like I'll be busy for a while."

"Why did you ask me to come with you, dad?"

He turned to me, a smile on his face. "Now that I can't be your team leader, it's more than like that you and Kakashi will be split up on missions."

My face fell when I realized what he was saying. While it wouldn't be documented officially, Team Minato would essentially be disbanded. There was no way for the team to operate without a leader and with only two members.

"With that said, I want to make you an offer." Minato explained. "You don't have to feel pressured to accept, I'll respect whatever decision you make. I know Danzo has pestered you in the past with a similar question but I need a few shinobi I explicitly trust so I wanted to ask, will you join the ANBU?"

"The ANBU Black Ops?" I asked him.

"Yes, you would be directly under my command," He responded, taking a seat in the Hokage's chair.

I knew about the ANBU Black Ops. They were known as skilled shinobi, the best of the best, and at least in Konoha, their identities were always concealed behind animal-like masks. However, while it was true that the group was made of extremely skilled shinobi, many got rejected every application cycle. That was because there was another requirement to join the ANBU, a requirement that wasn't known to many, that being the shinobi's personality. As many of the ANBU's operations were emotionally taxing and darker in nature, one truly had to show that they could withstand and endure. Dad really thought I had what it took to be in the ANBU?

"Why me?" I questioned.

Minato appeared to tilt his head in confusion. "Well, like I said, I need those who I can trust close to me and with all that you've been through in this war, I want to keep you close by me."

"Do you really think I meet all of the requirements?"

He gave me a reassuring smile. "I do."

I couldn't help but wonder if he truly meant those words or if he was saying it to convince me. I let out a sigh.

"Alright, if that's what you say, I don't mind. I'll join the ANBU."

I leaned against the wall of the ANBU building, waiting for my equipment. I looked around, noticing how dark and dreary it was. Well, the headquarters was definitely suitable for what ANBU stood for and the missions they were known for. 

"Here you are."

A masked ANBU member handed me a bin with the standard uniform, weapon, and mask. I was surprised to see that the mask was in the shape of a fox, could Minato have something to do with it? After all, only my parents truly knew of the creature that I had made a summoning contract with. 

"Is there a problem?"

I shook my head, quickly grabbing the bin and turning to the changing rooms. 

"When you're done, come back here. Someone will guide you to get your ANBU marking." He told me before disappearing into the back.

I continued forward, staring at the plain uniform in front of me. I couldn't help but make a face at how unflattering the colors were but didn't make too much of a fuss. I changed quietly, trading out my long knee high sandals for the standard ninja sandals and replacing my fitted kimoni style dress with a black undershirt, grey flack jacket, black pants, and black gloves with metal arm guards. I sighed, strapping the sword on my back and placing the mask over my face. I grabbed my old clothes and walked out, going back to the equipment pickup station where someone was indeed waiting for me. He silently lead me down a dim hallway and into a room where a masked ANBU shinobi had all the equipment ready.

"Sit here," he said, pointing to a chair in the center of the small room.

I followed his instruction as he started. I winced when I felt the sharp sting of the needle. While the man worked, I couldn't help but think of Kakashi to take my mind off the pain on my arm. What would happen to him? Since he was a jonin, would he lead a team on missions around Konoha? I couldn't help but feel thankful that at least he had Gai to pester him.

"All done."

The man's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I watched as he began to put his tools away and glanced down at my arm where the small red mark of the ANBU was now etched permanently onto my skin. I muttered a small thanks before walking out of the room. I made my way down the dim hallway that I had come from, my footsteps echoing. I couldn't help but wonder, was joining the ANBU the right choice?