The moon hung low over Konoha, silvering the tiled rooftops as Eli landed silently on one knee. The ANBU mask felt less alien now. A few weeks of missions had carved a routine into him — long nights, whispered reports, following shadows instead of classmates.
Calyx murmured softly in the back of Eli's mind, the tone warmer now, like someone leaning close.
"Another clean landing. You're getting faster. I can feel your heartbeat settling before your boots even touch the tiles."
Eli smirked under the mask. "Good. We're gonna need it."
"Yeah," Calyx replied, amused. "ANBU schedules aren't exactly gentle."
Below them, lanterns lined the narrow street outside the Hokage Tower. Eli flickered again — a flash of movement, sharper than usual, leaving a faint shimmer of black threads behind him. He paused, surprised.
Calyx hummed.
"Boom, how do you like me now."
"You did that" Eli whispered, suprised
"Sherlock Homes everyone"
Before Eli could ask more, a hawk swooped down, scroll tied to its leg. ANBU directive.
He caught it, unrolled, and read:
MISSION IMMEDIATE — Retrieval and Interception
Target: Stolen intel carrier fleeing toward Fire–River border.
Objective: Intercept, recover scroll, neutralize threat if necessary.
Team: Solo (Operative– Eli).
Calyx clicked his tongue.
"Great. Another sprint."
"Ready?" Eli asked.
"Always."
And he launched.
Wind screamed past Eli's ears as he body-flickered between branches. Calyx synced his movements, muscles stretching with a smooth, almost liquid alignment.
"Thirty meters ahead," Calyx whispered. "Chakra signature flickering. He's hurt."
Eli didn't hesitate.
"Shunshin!"
He burst forward, closing the distance just as the rogue ninja skidded into a clearing, clutching a bloodied arm.
The man turned, eyes widening.
"ANBU?! You're kidding—"
Eli moved first.
Eli's hands blurred through seals.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"
Bright fireballs scattered like sparks across the clearing, forcing the rogue to leap back. The man retaliated with kunai, flinging them fast.
Eli pulled his own kunai and deflected — clink–clink–clink — sparks flashing.
Calyx's voice tightened.
"Left—watch the left—he's prepping ninjutsu—"
Eli pivoted just as the rogue slammed a hand onto the ground.
"Earth Style: Mud Wall!"
A thick earthen barrier shot up. Eli sprinted toward it, channeling chakra.
"Let me try something," Calyx murmured.
Dark tendrils rippled under Eli's skin as he vaulted the wall using symbiotic strength.
He landed above the rogue mid-seal.
The rogue panicked, throwing shuriken upward.
Eli twisted midair and hurled his own.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"
The single shuriken split into a fan of metal, forcing the rogue to drop his jutsu and roll aside.
Calyx growled:
"He's wobbling — go!"
Eli flashed through seals again, breath sharpening.
"Wind Style: Gale Palm!"
The blast sent the rogue crashing into a tree. Eli pinned him with a kunai at the throat.
"Scroll," he demanded.
Gritting his teeth, the rogue tossed it toward him. Mission complete.
A moment passed. The rogue exhaled shakily.
"Kid… what are you?"
Eli's mask tilted slightly.
" Thats the dumbest question, ive ever heard."
"Ok jeez, man just asking" The Rouge retorted, offended
Back in the Hokage's dim office, Eli delivered the scroll. Hiruzen nodded approvingly, pipe smoke drifting gently.
"You've adapted well, Eli," he said. "Better than expected. Your progress is… unusually fast."
Calyx whispered:
"He's suspicious."
But Hiruzen's gaze softened.
"Continue to observe, continue to learn. Konoha needs shinobi who can survive the coming years."
Eli bowed and left.
Perched again above the village, Eli watched lanterns flicker below. Calyx sighed softly.
"You handled that fight clean. You're getting stronger. Faster. We're figuring this out."
Eli leaned back on his hands.
"Think we can make an actual Rasengan someday?"
Calyx laughed.
"If you don't mind a few broken trees while we practice? Sure."
Eli grinned.
"Cool. Tomorrow."
And the night settled over Konoha.