Chapter 4: The Cathedral of Bones
"Uchiha Kazuki, by order of Lord Hokage, I will escort you to ANBU headquarters."
In the corridor outside the Hokage's office, an ANBU operative wearing a white elephant mask was already waiting.
Codenamed 'Elephant,' rumored to be one of the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's most trusted guards, the masked shinobi stood with perfect posture.
Kazuki narrowed his eyes, activating his spirit vision to observe the man.
The aura of his etheric body was dark and turbulent, indicating troubled emotions mixed with profound sadness.
"Understood. Thank you for your assistance," Kazuki replied politely.
However, for ANBU operatives, emotions were considered unnecessary baggage. The man simply gave him a cold look and gestured for Kazuki to follow.
Well, seems he doesn't appreciate politeness.
Kazuki sighed inwardly. Although he'd expected this reaction, he couldn't help but curse silently. The Second Hokage really screwed us over.
Thanks to Tobirama Senju's policies regarding the Uchiha clan, combined with the growing power struggles between the clan and the Hokage's faction, their reputation in Konoha at this time was... not great. While not universally hated, they were certainly close.
Following Elephant to ANBU headquarters, Kazuki could clearly sense the heavy atmosphere permeating the facility.
Almost everyone's emotional aura carried a faint tinge of grief.
"Is it because of Sakumo Hatake's suicide?" Kazuki's eyes narrowed slightly as he deduced the reason for the somber mood.
Sakumo Hatake, an elite jonin, was renowned throughout the shinobi world as Konoha's White Fang.
His name carried even more weight and struck more fear into enemy hearts than the legendary Sannin themselves. The fact that enemy shinobi were given explicit permission to abandon their missions if they encountered the White Fang spoke volumes about his reputation.
Sakumo wasn't just a powerful shinobi—he was the commander of ANBU, a towering figure who inspired absolute loyalty both within the village and fear beyond its walls.
Yet this powerful symbol had died in a supposed suicide for the most ridiculous of reasons.
He abandoned a mission to save his comrades, only to be blamed and ostracized by those same comrades. Unable to bear the gossip and condemnation, he allegedly chose to take his own life.
Ha! What utter nonsense.
The White Fang of Konoha, who built his fearsome reputation with nothing but a chakra blade, would kill himself over petty criticism?
The truth was simpler: White Fang had gotten in someone's way. His achievements and fame had grown so great they nearly overshadowed the Hokage himself.
From that perspective, calling it "suicide" wasn't entirely wrong—it was just missing the word "forced" before it.
Joining ANBU wasn't a lengthy process. With the Hokage's authorization, one simply needed to select a codename and register relevant information: name, age, gender, specialized techniques, and mission history.
"Uchiha Kazuki, male, age fifteen, jonin rank, codename 'Owl,' specializing in... medical ninjutsu and psychological therapy?"
The ANBU member handling registration looked up at him with considerable surprise.
The full name of ANBU was Ansatsu Senjutsu Tokushu Butai—the Assassination Tactics Special Squad. As the name suggested, it was an elite unit responsible for covert operations and eliminations.
It wasn't that no one in ANBU knew medical ninjutsu, but few would list it as their primary specialty.
And what the hell was "psychological therapy"?
"It's treatment for mental and emotional trauma," Kazuki explained with a practiced smile, clearly used to such confused reactions. "Similar in principle to medical ninjutsu, but targeting the mind instead of the body."
"The human psyche is incredibly fragile. Sadness, pain, fear—even minor damage can cause irreparable wounds. My job is to help people heal those emotional scars."
"I... think I understand," the ANBU member said, looking at him strangely.
"Actually, I recently launched a new treatment program." With that, Kazuki produced a business card and handed it over with a friendly smile.
The ANBU member glanced down. The card read: Kazuki Psychological Clinic.
Under the operative's bewildered gaze, Kazuki continued cheerfully, "The 'Wish Fulfillment Therapy' allows patients to realize past dreams and make up for old regrets within a controlled dream state. Since we'll be colleagues now, I can offer you a twenty percent discount."
Holy shit, 100,000 ryo per session?!
Seeing the price listed on the card, the ANBU operative nearly dropped it in shock.
A typical B-rank mission paid around 50,000 ryo. This was almost as much as an A-rank mission!
"No thanks," the operative said decisively, shaking his head. "I'll pass."
What a joke! Risking your life on an A-rank mission only nets you 30,000 to 40,000 ryo. Who would spend that much money on psychological therapy?!
"Ah, well. Worth a shot."
Kazuki looked mildly disappointed. It seemed completing his side quest would take longer than expected.
"That's enough," Elephant interrupted, his tone flat. "You can return home now. If there's a mission, someone will contact you."
"Understood. I'll head back then." Kazuki waved goodbye with a pleasant smile. "If you ever need psychological treatment, feel free to contact me anytime."
As Kazuki's figure disappeared into the dimly lit corridor, Elephant's eyes grew serious. "Owl... an unsettling codename."
"You seem quite wary of him, Elephant," the registration officer remarked. "Is it just because he's an Uchiha?"
"No, it's not only that."
Elephant shook his head, a hint of unease flickering in his visible eye. "It's just a feeling, Gazelle. I don't know why, but when I was near him... I felt deeply uncomfortable."
"Maybe you're overthinking it," Gazelle suggested with a light smile. "No matter how you look at it, he's just a somewhat talented Uchiha kid."
"Perhaps."
Elephant suppressed his unease and took a deep breath. "Lord White Fang's funeral should be today, right?"
"Yeah, I heard it's this afternoon." At the mention of White Fang, Gazelle's voice dropped, carrying barely concealed grief. "Lord White Fang... I still can't believe it. Do you really think he would—"
"Gazelle!"
Before Gazelle could finish, Elephant's eyes turned sharp, and he barked angrily, "Shut up! Don't forget—we are ANBU!"
"...Yes. We are ANBU."
Gazelle lowered his head bitterly and fell silent.
Did Lord White Fang really die by his own hand?
He didn't dare ask. Didn't dare seek the truth. Because they were merely ANBU.
And an ANBU operative's greatest duty was absolute obedience to the Hokage.
After a long day, Kazuki finally returned to the Uchiha compound.
In his dimly lit room, after washing away the day's fatigue, he prepared for bed. Before lying down, he casually lit the inconspicuous brass candleholder placed in the corner.
"Hopefully tonight brings pleasant dreams."
He closed his eyes and drifted into deep sleep.
Dark mist permeated the dreamscape. Time stretched infinitely, perception becoming hazy and indistinct.
Star-like fragments appeared and vanished within the black fog, accompanied by whispered murmurs—sometimes illusory, sometimes frenzied, sometimes restless.
Scattered thoughts coalesced, sinking deeper into the dream.
Falling, falling...
Finally, consciousness sank to the very bottom of the dreamscape, where scattered awareness reassembled itself.
The coalescing consciousness formed a blurry, indistinct figure standing within a colossal, imposing cathedral.
Every pillar and arch supporting the massive structure was constructed from the skeletons of countless creatures—densely and chaotically piled together in macabre architecture.
The dome was covered entirely with bleached white bones, their empty eye sockets staring down into the hall below like silent observers.
On massive crosses forged from bone, countless skeletal hands twisted and entwined as if in eternal embrace. Despite the eerie imagery, there was no trace of evil—only an overwhelming aura of holiness.
On the cathedral's windows and doors, countless transparent, distorted faces pressed against the barriers, struggling as if trying to break through. Their features bulged outward dramatically, frozen in silent screams.
Moments later, another blurry figure manifested within the majestic cathedral of bones.
The first figure stood like a devout believer beneath the bone cross. As if having foreseen this arrival, he smiled gently and spoke in measured tones.
"Now then, can you answer my question? Having witnessed your destiny, do you still intend to continue down this path?"
The second figure remained silent for a long moment before asking with evident complexity in his voice, "Is the future truly as you described it?"
"You're free to disbelieve."
The first figure's tone was soft and calm, gentle yet containing an undeniable authority that brooked no argument.
"Then... I accept."
The second figure sighed with bitter resignation. "I hope our efforts can change the future you've shown me."
"The future proclaimed by my Lord... will surely unfold and become reality."
Beneath the hazy shadows, Uchiha Kazuki smiled faintly, his voice echoing through the cathedral of bones.
"Welcome to the Twilight Hermit Order, Sakumo Hatake."
Author's Note: The conspiracy deepens! White Fang lives? What is Kazuki really planning? Stay tuned! Please leave a review if you're enjoying the story!
[End of Chapter 4]
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