After Aaron specifically spoke with Minato Namikaze, their squad was mostly assigned to missions within Konoha. That way, they could fully commit to training without interruptions.
The results showed.
At the start, they couldn't dodge a single hit, every session ended with bruises, bumps, and battered pride.
But two months later?
They could avoid more than half of Aaron's attacks.
Their sensory awareness had improved dramatically.
Of course, once Aaron increased his speed, things got difficult again but not like before.
They could still keep up… barely.
During those two months, Aaron didn't just focus on Haki training.
He also introduced them to parts of the Six Powers.
Rather than overwhelming them, he focused on three:
Shave, Paper Art, and Moonwalk.
Better to master a few techniques than spread themselves too thin.
Besides, shinobi already had plenty of high-damage ninjutsu. Techniques like Finger Gun or Tempest Kick weren't necessarily more effective.
That said, they weren't useless.
As taijutsu-based techniques, they required no hand seals, which was a huge advantage.
And Aaron had ideas.
If Tempest Kick were combined with wind-nature chakra, it could release cutting air blades.
If Finger Gun incorporated lightning chakra, it could evolve into something akin to a piercing thrust technique.
Harder to develop but far more suited to a shinobi's style.
After all, ninja weren't pirates.
You couldn't just copy techniques wholesale.
They had to be adapted, refined through chakra.
November skies remained clear and blue.
Kakashi, Kenshi, and Midori were assigned to patrol the outskirts.
Konoha might be called a "village," but it was closer to a full-fledged city.
And given its military nature, multiple outposts were set up beyond the walls to monitor the surrounding area.
Their mission was simple:
Ensure those outposts stayed secure and keep an eye on operations.
A routine Anbu assignment.
As they approached one of the outposts
Midori suddenly raised a hand.
"…I hear something. Fighting."
Her instincts had sharpened faster than anyone expected.
Even Aaron had been surprised by her progress.
It might've had something to do with the Inuzuka clan's techniques.
Or maybe
She just had a natural talent for sensory perception.
Kakashi adjusted his headband, revealing his two-tomoe Sharingan.
With enhanced vision, he quickly assessed the situation.
"Ninja are attacking the outpost. Move!"
He didn't wait.
He launched forward instantly.
After nearly two months of getting beaten down in training, he was itching for a real fight, to test how far he'd come.
Midori followed right behind, sprinting with Haimaru at her side.
Kenshi moved after them, ready to deploy his shadow techniques at the right moment.
They already had a plan.
Kakashi would take the lead, his speed and perception made him perfect for front-line engagement.
Midori, with her enhanced physical strength and beast-style combat, would back him up.
Kenshi?
Stay back. Control the battlefield. Lock targets down.
Classic formation.
At the outpost, one shinobi was scanning the area with binoculars while the other two kept watch.
Then
"I just saw something, like a shadow," the lookout said, suddenly tense.
Before he could locate it
It revealed itself.
Five shinobi dressed like Hidden Stone ninja burst into the outpost.
Konoha's defenders immediately drew their kunai.
"Stone ninja? We have a peace treaty, you're allies now! Are you trying to break it?" one of them demanded.
No answer.
The leader simply raised his hand.
"Kill them."
Steel clashed.
The Konoha team was outmatched.
Two chunin. One genin.
Against five attackers.
Within minutes, they were overwhelmed barely holding on, narrowly avoiding lethal strikes.
Then
A sharp tearing sound cut through the air.
A figure dropped into the battlefield.
A young shinobi wearing a cat-mask.
Anbu.
The Stone team leader's expression darkened.
Of all the timing…
"Fall back!" he ordered immediately. "Reinforcements have arrived!"
They didn't hesitate.
The group scattered, sprinting into the forest.
Their plan was simple:
Disappear into the terrain.
Lose the pursuer.
Unfortunately for them
This wasn't an ordinary Anbu unit.
Kakashi saw them flee.
No hesitation.
Hand signs flashed
Lightning chakra surged.
Chidori.
Electricity crackled violently in his palm, amplifying his speed and reflexes.
Then
He stomped the ground twice.
Shave.
His body blurred forward like a bolt of lightning.
In an instant, he caught up to the slowest target
Pierce.
The Chidori drove straight through the man's thigh.
A scream tore through the forest as the Stone ninja collapsed, instantly losing mobility.
The hunt had begun.