The sun never rose in the ANBU quarters. Underground, beneath layers of stone and secrecy, time was a distant concept. Missions ruled the clock; death was the hour hand. For Kaien Hatake, now in his seventh year, it had become routine.
Kaien stood alone in the training chamber, bare-chested and barefoot. His breathing echoed in sync with the quiet hum of chakra around him. Twelve wooden training dummies surrounded him in a perfect circle.
He moved.
In a flash, the circle shattered.
Wood splinters danced in the air like snow caught in a whirlwind. His sword had already returned to its sheath, unseen by even the most trained eye. He inhaled again—slow, deep, methodical.
[Sun Breathing – Fifth Form: Setting Sun Transformation] [Perfect Execution: +0.3% Template Progression]
The system notified him silently. He had reached Jonin level months ago, but now, with each breath, each clash, each decision, he solidified his standing as a true warrior of Konoha's shadow.
He turned when the door behind him opened. It was the ANBU Commander—an older shinobi with a voice like gravel and eyes like rusted steel.
"You're being promoted."
Kaien didn't react.
"ANBU Squad Captain. As of today. Congratulations."
Kaien bowed slightly. He didn't need praise. He needed results.
His first mission as Squad Captain was an S-Rank.
Location: The Hidden Rain. Target: A rogue sensor-nin working with Missing-nin from Iwagakure. Threat Level: Catastrophic.
His squad consisted of four: Raven, a genjutsu specialist with a heart like ice; Boar, a taijutsu monster with fists bigger than Kaien's head; Spider, a medic-nin who stitched wounds before the pain registered; and Kaien—the blade.
Under the cloak of rainfall and darkness, they moved like ghosts. Kaien had crafted new tactics—merging elemental ninjutsu with his sword forms.
[Chidori: Fire Variant – Hellflash] [Breath of Flame – Third Form: Blazing Chains]
The combination burned through enemy barriers like parchment. The rogue sensor-nin tried to flee. He never got the chance. Kaien severed the man's chakra network with surgical precision.
Spider worked overtime—two teammates had been poisoned. Raven's illusion distracted the second wave of missing-nin while Boar plowed through them with a chakra-infused battering charge.
The mission ended in success.
[ANBU Mission: S-Rank – 100% Completion] [Sword Technique Efficiency: 97%] [ANBU Evaluation Raised] [Breath-Ninjutsu Fusion: Level 1 Initiated]
Back in Konoha, he returned to training.
His body never rested. He trained to exhaustion, rebuilding strength, integrating more sword styles into his own.
The Hatake Sword Style. The Wind Fang Technique from the Wind Country. The Mist Blade Dances of Kirigakure. The Fire Step from the Uchiha. Even the defensive stances of the Sarutobi.
He blended them like colors on a painter's palette. Out of this fusion, something new began to emerge.
[Unnamed Sword Style – 30% Developed] [Breath-Ninjutsu Fusion Efficiency: 24%]
He began teaching as well—select ANBU under his command were taught rudimentary breathing styles, chakra suppression techniques, and even medical chakra flow.
One of his subordinates, Raven, asked him once during a late-night mission debrief, "Where did you learn this?"
Kaien had only answered, "It's old. Very old."
Tobirama Senju summoned him privately.
The Second Hokage stood behind a thick layer of scrolls and maps. The war was nearing. Intelligence showed rising tensions.
"You've handled 20 missions without a single failure," Tobirama said. "Five of them were considered impossible."
Kaien waited.
"You're a sword that protects from the shadows. But even swords have destinies. We're entering an age of unpredictability. I want you ready—not just for war, but for leadership."
Kaien bowed. "As you command."
Tobirama narrowed his eyes. "Your loyalty to Konoha—does it come from blood or belief?"
Kaien's answer came without pause. "Both. And something older."
At seven, Kaien Hatake was a name whispered with reverence in ANBU.
He wasn't a legend—not yet. But the foundation was laid.