Chapter 272: Do You Want to Advance Too?
After a two-day rest, Yako led the Sika Deer Squad out of Konoha.
When they stopped to rest by a spring, Flower Deer attentively brought Yako a flask of clear, cold water.
Yako took the flask with a smile. "What's this, Flower Deer? Are you looking to advance too?"
"Who wouldn't want to advance, Captain?" Flower Deer said. "Take your time drinking; there's plenty more when you're done."
"Why so smooth-talking all of a sudden?" Yako asked. "When we were genin and chunin, we spent every day walking on eggshells. But now it seems you think you've got the strength of a jonin, Flower Deer, considering you've started practicing how to kiss up. Has it been too long since you faced a real threat? Are you getting complacent? Once we reach the Land of Rain, you can go assassinate Hanzo. That should reacquaint you with the feeling of sheer terror and help you find your footing as an Anbu ninja again. It'll save you from losing our fine tradition of cautious ruthlessness."
"Please don't!" Flower Deer said. "I just want to become a jonin like Hakuyo. I don't want a death sentence. Send me to assassinate Hanzo? Anbu intelligence says his Body Flicker Technique is top-tier in the ninja world. I wouldn't even be able to touch the hem of his clothes."
Now that Hakuyo was a jonin squad leader in the Anbu, his status had changed drastically.
The Black Ant Squad and the Kinchou Squad both had jonin squad leaders.
These squad leaders enjoyed the perks of being a jonin—like a private office and a dedicated assistant—and were practically treated as deputy commanders of their respective branches.