Iwagakure's Shadow
Iwagakure — the great Hidden Village of the Land of Earth.
Like every hidden village, it had its own dark hand: the ANBU. Chosen directly by the Tsuchikage, these masked operatives answered only to him. Among their ranks, questions were a luxury no one dared to ask.
Since Arano had taken the seat of Tsuchikage shortly after the Second Great Ninja War, the ANBU had undergone sweeping changes. Most were in organization and mission structure. While officially still under the Tsuchikage's command, Arano had appointed a single man to oversee daily operations — Sori.
Sori was a master of information gathering, a man whose skill in uncovering secrets was rivaled only by his ruthlessness. His appointment served two purposes: to free Arano from the burden of micromanaging the ANBU, and to place its day-to-day control in the hands of someone who could keep the shadows firmly under the village's grip.
But Sori was more than just an information broker. He controlled the criminal underworld of the Land of Earth. Why waste resources fighting crime when you could rule it? Through carefully placed hands and invisible strings, Sori commanded mercenaries, hired spies, and informants embedded in high-ranking positions across the country.
Some whispered that the Tsuchikage's real strength didn't lie in his military power — but in Sori's sprawling web of eyes and ears. Few dared to oppose Arano, knowing that his reach extended far beyond the walls of Iwagakure.
---
Recently, Sori had grown restless. His network reported troubling movements: the Shorihana Clan — one of the most influential clans in the village — was aligning with several others. He's spies had failed to intercept one of their operations just days earlier, and though the details were unclear, Sori was certain it tied into something larger.
Perhaps the Tsuchikage knew more. He always had his own methods of obtaining what he wanted. But lately, Arano's behavior had been… strange. No meetings. No new orders. Even knowing there were whispers calling for his removal, he remained silent. The village appeared normal on the surface — but Sori could feel it. Something was off.
Still, it wasn't his job to question the Tsuchikage's plans. His job was to ensure the ANBU did what they did best: move unseen, strike without warning.
---
Deep underground, Sori sat in a dimly lit chamber carved from rough gray stone. The air was cool and heavy. The only light came from a single lantern in the corner, casting just enough glow to make out shapes — but leaving shadows thick enough to hide in.
---
Kahori Itsuka was a fresh face in the ANBU — newly promoted to jōnin and already handpicked for the shadows. She had been ordered to meet Sori in person. The location was given to her by another ANBU operative, the kind who didn't speak more than necessary. It was also said this place doubled as the nerve center of their underground operations.
The building above was unremarkable — the kind you could walk past a hundred times and never notice. Inside, Kahori descended a long, narrow staircase that seemed to stretch endlessly downward. At the bottom, she reached a thick metal door. She knocked once.
A voice came from behind the steel.
"What's the matter?"
"The code is… Heaven," she replied.
With a heavy creak, the door slid open, revealing a masked ANBU operative. He studied her for a moment before speaking.
"You're new. Follow me."
---
They walked down a crumbling gray corridor that smelled faintly of damp stone and old metal. The masked operative stopped at a door and gestured.
"In here."
Kahori stepped inside. The room was darker than the hallway. At its center sat a man behind a desk, sorting through reports with calm precision. Despite the dim light, his eyes seemed to glide effortlessly over the documents.
She wondered how he could read anything in such darkness — but the thought vanished as his gaze shifted to her.
---
"Kahori Itsuka," Sori began, his voice smooth yet carrying a weight that made her stand straighter. "I've read your file. You're… interesting. And here, we have use for interesting people."
He set the papers down.
"You don't have a team yet. But I have a mission for you — one that's… special."
Kahori remained silent, listening.
"Your assignment is simple in concept, difficult in execution: infiltrate the Shorihana Clan." His eyes narrowed slightly. "I don't care how you do it. Befriend someone. Gain their trust. Get inside. Your goal is to be our ears within the clan."
"We have spies watching them constantly, but there are places they can't reach, words they can't hear. That's where you come in."
He leaned back, fingers steepled.
"Officially, your records will be altered — you'll appear as a chūnin. The ANBU attire stays put for now. If you need support, other operatives will assist you. You'll receive every piece of intel necessary to make this work."
---
Kahori's eyes widened slightly. This wasn't what she expected for her first mission. She had imagined guarding a VIP, tracking a rogue ninja — maybe even an assassination. But this… befriending a Shorihana? That was dangerous in a completely different way.
Still, she knew better than to question orders.
"It will be done," she replied, her voice calm and cold.
---
Sori's lips curved in a faint smile.
"Good. Your cover identity and clothing will be delivered to your home. Do this well, and you'll have a long, successful career in the ANBU."