In the locker room of the Sixth Division of the Anbu.
"Senior Kakashi, I heard a new recruit is reporting today."
Tenzo, changing into his Anbu gear, spoke casually to Kakashi.
"Oh? Another one already?" Kakashi replied with little interest.
The arrival of newcomers in the Anbu wasn't unusual, hardly anything worth raising an eyebrow over.
"Senior Kakashi, this one's different."
Noticing Kakashi's disinterest, Tenzo added a bit of emphasis.
"Huh? How so?"
"He's from the Uchiha clan."
"The Uchiha clan?"
Kakashi froze. He hadn't expected that.
The Uchiha clan, entrusted with managing the Konoha Police Force, had always been kept at a distance from Anbu under Hokage's direct command, particularly during the reign of the Third Hokage, who had long harbored suspicions about them.
Who could it be? Itachi? No, too early. Itachi should still be in the Academy. Then...
A name surfaced in Kakashi's mind.
"Uchiha Shisui?"
"Oh? Senior Kakashi has heard of him?"
Tenzo sounded surprised. He hadn't expected Kakashi to recognize the name, but clearly, Kakashi was already aware of this individual.
"I've heard of him. Supposedly, he's one of the most gifted of the Uchiha's younger generation."
"Yeah, they say he's the top prodigy of his clan's youth."
"But I didn't think the Uchiha would be allowed into Anbu. Did the Third finally ease his restrictions?"
Kakashi muttered, half to himself.
If memory served, Uchiha Shisui's recruitment into Anbu marked a pivotal moment, coinciding with the early stirrings of Uchiha dissent within the village.
Was this another omen of the approaching storm?
Kakashi sighed quietly. The darkness in the shinobi world was ever-present.
The tragedy of the Uchiha weighed on him. Whether it was Konoha's leadership or the Uchiha themselves, Kakashi had no real power to stop what was coming.
If he had to choose a side, he'd stand with the Hokage. The Uchiha clan, though filled with exceptional talent, had a dangerous extremism embedded in their worldview. If they ever gained dominance in Konoha, the consequences could be catastrophic.
Even with people like Itachi and Shisui—noble exceptions—they couldn't steer the entire clan from its path.
And the clan head, Uchiha Fugaku, was no ordinary man either. Rumor had it that he had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. What troubled Kakashi most was that he knew almost nothing about the abilities of that advanced dōjutsu.
That kind of unknown posed a serious threat.
Still, he himself had no direct dealings with Fugaku. The only tie he shared with the Uchiha was the Sharingan eye—Obito's gift.
Retaining that eye had required the support of Minato and the Third Hokage. Fugaku had quietly tolerated it, likely due to the political situation, though the disgrace of a non-Uchiha wielding their prized kekkei genkai was clear.
This, perhaps, was why the Uchiha clan generally looked unfavorably upon Kakashi.
Fortunately, his continued service in Anbu had kept him away from most direct contact with them.
"Senior, what are you spacing out for?"
Tenzo waved a hand in front of Kakashi's face.
"Sorry, I was lost in thought."
"Senior, you're really out of it today," Tenzo joked.
"Eh, don't sweat the details. By the way... why is the locker room so empty?"
Kakashi finally noticed.
"Senior, it's a day off. Naturally, no one's here. Did you forget?"
"Oh... right. Then what are you doing here?"
"I'm on duty this holiday shift," Tenzo said with a helpless shrug. Kakashi really wasn't himself today.
"Ah, old age must be catching up with me," Kakashi chuckled weakly.
But truthfully, the Uchiha situation left him uneasy.
Just then, a knock came from the door.
Both Kakashi and Tenzo turned their heads simultaneously.
"Come in."
With a creak, the door opened.
A boy stepped inside.
He wore the standard dark, high-collared short-sleeve shirt and triangular shoulder armor of the Anbu, dark pants and leg wrappings, a small blade strapped to his back.
He looked to be around twelve or thirteen.
"Good day, seniors. I'm the new recruit, Uchiha Shisui. I look forward to serving with you."
He bowed deeply as he spoke.
What a polite and humble boy, Kakashi thought.
Hard to believe someone so respectful hailed from the Uchiha.
So this is Uchiha Shisui... Kakashi noted inwardly.
Though still just a fledgling, the aura Shisui carried was extraordinary.
He might not be jōnin-level just yet, but he wasn't far off.
Already, he far surpassed Tenzo in natural presence and talent.
As Kakashi examined Shisui, the boy was studying him in return.
Before his assignment to the Sixth Division, Shisui had done his homework. Information was crucial to a shinobi, and the Third Hokage had provided him with some briefings.
But what interested Shisui most wasn't the famed Wood Release user or any talk of past Anbu exploits. It was the team leader—Kakashi Hatake, wielder of the Sharingan.
Among the Uchiha, Kakashi was not well-liked. But Shisui was different.
He knew how Kakashi had received the Sharingan—from Obito Uchiha. And instead of resenting him, Shisui respected the bond between comrades that had made such a gift possible.
Kakashi's name carried weight in the shadows, and Shisui had heard much of him.
Now, seeing Kakashi up close, Shisui could feel it—power.
Even as he stood calmly, Kakashi radiated presence. It was similar to what Shisui had felt only from his father or from their clan head, Fugaku.
The Third Hokage, by contrast, always cloaked his presence behind a curtain of gentleness.
So this is Hatake Kakashi... Shisui thought, his heart pounding.
To serve under a leader this strong—this was fortune.
"Welcome to the Sixth Division of the Anbu, directly under the Hokage. I'm Captain Kakashi Hatake. Glad to have you with us."
Kakashi's eyes curved into a faint smile as he welcomed the boy.
Uchiha Shisui... What a name filled with fate, he thought quietly.
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