Sarutobi Hiruzen peered through the swirling smoke before him, scanning the mission report filled with effusive praise from the client, commending the efficiency of Konoha's shinobi.
Casually removing the smoking pipe from his lips, Hiruzen finally turned his gaze to the boy standing before him.
Dressed in the standard green flak jacket, the boy's attire marked him as a Chunin or higher. His forehead protector was neatly tied, and his calm expression betrayed none of the youthful vigor one might expect. Beneath his long lashes, his eyes were heavy, as if burdened with unspoken thoughts.
"Oboro," Hiruzen called.
"Lord Hokage."
"The client speaks highly of you. Even a team of Chunin would find such a mission challenging," Hiruzen remarked slowly.
Kanzuki Oboro—this boy standing before him—was skilled and capable. Had he not been overshadowed by another prodigy of his generation, Hiruzen believed he, too, would have been a standout talent.
"You've maintained an exceptional mission completion rate since your promotion to Chunin, all while operating solo. That's no small feat," Hiruzen continued.
"Have you considered taking on new teammates?"
Oboro's expression remained unchanged, his gaze respectfully lowered just slightly below Hiruzen's. "As Lord Hokage sees fit."
Hiruzen was taken aback by his compliance. He had speculated many reasons—perhaps Oboro was too proud to team up with ordinary shinobi, or perhaps it was due to the loss of his comrades in the war.
Moreover, there were unsettling rumors circulating in the village.
After a moment of contemplation, Hiruzen spoke again. "Someone has requested that I reassign your position."
Oboro blinked, his mind racing to guess who it might be.
Hiruzen tapped the desk lightly with his fingers. "But there's no rush. I'd like to respect your own wishes in this matter. You don't need to answer me now. Take your time to consider it."
What did this mean…?
The ambiguous words left Oboro uneasy. He watched as Hiruzen picked up his smoking pipe again, exhaling clouds of smoke that obscured his face and eyes.
"There's a new mission for you."
"Meet your team at the village's main gate tomorrow at 7 a.m."
"...Understood."
Leaving the Hokage Building, Oboro stepped into the late afternoon light. He stood at the entrance, gazing at the crimson horizon.
The sun sank low, staining the sky blood-red.
How many years had it been since he arrived here?
Day after day, it was all so tiresome.
Lost in thought, Oboro was about to leave when a familiar figure appeared down the road.
"Hey, A-Oboro!" The boy waved cheerfully, jogging toward him.
"I heard you were back from your mission," the newcomer said with a bright smile. He was around Oboro's age—fifteen or so—with short black hair and delicate features. Like Oboro, he wore the standard shinobi flak jacket, but his sleeves bore the Uchiha fan emblem: a red-and-white design on a blue background.
Oboro studied him for a long moment before speaking. "You're the one who asked Lord Hokage to reassign me, aren't you?"
"Eh? Did Lord Hokage already tell you?" Shisui blinked in surprise.
"Yeah, just now," Oboro replied, starting to walk ahead. "But I didn't agree."
"Why not?" Shisui frowned, keeping pace beside him.
"Why did you do it in the first place?" Oboro countered without slowing his steps.
"We're friends, aren't we?"
"I suppose."
"That's a pretty cold way to put it," Shisui huffed, feigning offense.
The two walked side by side through the village's market street. As evening approached, stalls began setting up for the night market. Though the crowd wasn't dense, the atmosphere was lively.
"A-Oboro, think about it again," Shisui pressed.
"I might not be cut out for Anbu work," Oboro said flatly.
Or rather, Root…
But Root was an organization unknown to most.
"Anbu is busy, but it's nothing compared to your monthly mission load. You'd actually have it easier there."
"Save your breath."
Shisui chattered on, but Oboro merely walked at his own pace, seemingly indifferent.
Suddenly, the chatter stopped. Oboro glanced sideways, only to find Shisui had halted behind him.
"A-Oboro!" Shisui grinned, pointing to a nearby shop.
"You haven't eaten yet, right?"
Oboro read the sign—a dango shop.
"Come on!" Shisui beckoned eagerly.
"…"
Knowing his friend's sweet tooth, Oboro reluctantly followed him inside.
"Five red bean dango, five rice cake dango, and five tri-color dango!" Shisui called out the moment they entered.
"Got it! Please take a seat," the shopkeeper replied.
"Eating all that—are you skipping dinner?" Oboro sighed.
"It won't spoil my appetite," Shisui assured him, beaming.
Distracted by his favorite treats, Shisui dropped the subject of Anbu and sat waiting with anticipation.
Soon, the shopkeeper brought out three plates of dango and two cups of tea to cut the sweetness.
"Let's eat!"
Shisui dug in without hesitation, stuffing his face with two skewers at once.
Oboro watched his messy eating habits and couldn't help a faint smile. He sipped his tea, uninterested in the sugary snacks.
"A-Oboro, aren't you having any?" Shisui asked between bites.
Oboro shook his head, taking another sip of tea.
Shisui shrugged and continued devouring the dango.
Oboro observed him silently before finally speaking. "Why me?"
"Huh?" Shisui looked up, mouth full.
"Oh! Right!" He swallowed quickly and wiped his mouth.
Meeting Oboro's steady gaze, Shisui grew serious.
"I need someone to help me," he said slowly.
Oboro's eyes flickered.
For an ordinary Anbu member—even an exceptional one—such a statement would sound bizarre.
Help him with what? Missions?
Anyone else would be baffled.
But Oboro knew many things—things no one else in this world did.
Like the fate of the boy before him: Uchiha Shisui.
He had no desire to involve himself in such matters. Even if this boy were to die, Oboro might feel regret—but nothing more.
"You might find it strange, but some things… I can only explain once you're in Anbu," Shisui added. "My position will be reassigned soon, too."
A reassignment for Shisui—would that mean leaving Root?
And if Oboro were to join Root, would his role be… a spy?
Oboro remained impassive, sipping his tea. "Don't you have a talented younger clansman? You're close with him, and I hear he's joined Anbu too."
"You mean Itachi?" Shisui chuckled, then blinked. "Wait, how do you know he's in Anbu?"
"…Rumors," Oboro said smoothly, though he'd slipped up.
"Itachi only joined Anbu a couple of days ago. That's not common knowledge…" Shisui eyed him curiously.
"But… now that you mention Itachi, he's a lot like you in some ways," Shisui mused, changing the subject.
"Oh?"
"Yeah. Serious beyond his years, mature for his age. The difference is, you keep everything bottled up."
"And Itachi's personality is way better than yours," Shisui added with a grin.
"You think highly of him," Oboro remarked, unfazed by the jab.
"I do. His talent rivals mine, and his character is outstanding. He'll achieve great things."
"Then why not ask him instead?"
"He's my clansman—like a younger brother to me. We share the same ideals, but he's still too young."
Coming from a fifteen-year-old, the words might have sounded odd, but Uchiha Shisui was no ordinary boy.
In the original story, Shisui had entrusted everything to Itachi before his death, making him a comrade in revolution.
But now, Shisui's feelings for Itachi mirrored Itachi's for Sasuke—protective, not collaborative.
"A-Oboro." Shisui met his gaze squarely.
"We're friends, aren't we?"
Oboro fell silent.
Aside from his fallen teammates, Shisui was perhaps his only friend.
Even if he didn't place much weight on such bonds.
Oboro glanced at the virtual interface hovering in his vision:
[Name: Uchiha Shisui
Gender: Male
Age: 15
Affinity Level: 89
Relationship: Sworn Friend
Bond: Not Established
Reward: Kotoamatsukami]
Sworn Friend…
Oboro looked into Shisui's earnest eyes and felt an unexpected heaviness in his chest.
Do you really see me this way?
He rubbed his thumb against the teacup, masking his turmoil.
When no reply came, disappointment flickered in Shisui's eyes—until Oboro's quiet voice broke the silence.
"I suppose we are."
[Affinity Level reached 90. Bond can be established.]
[Bond successfully established. Current Bond: Sworn Brotherhood.]
[Reward obtained: Kotoamatsukami.]