Hiruzen Sarutobi peered through the curling smoke before his eyes, his gaze landing on the mission report in his hand, a document full of glowing praise, expressing the client's satisfaction with the efficiency of Konoha's ninja.
Casually removing the smoking pipe from his mouth, only then did Sarutobi raise his eyes to look directly at the boy standing before him.
The boy wore the standard green flak vest of a ninja ranked Chūnin or higher. His forehead protector was tied neatly, his expression calm, too calm for someone his age. Beneath his long lashes, his gaze was deep and somber, as if he carried more burdens than a teenager should.
"Oboro," Sarutobi finally spoke.
"Lord Hokage."
"The client was quite impressed with your work. That mission would have posed a challenge even for a full Chūnin squad."
The boy named Mitsuki Oboro, standing silently before him, was indeed a ninja of exceptional skill. If not for another prodigy among his generation casting too bright a light, Sarutobi believed this boy would have garnered much more attention.
"Since your promotion to Chūnin, you've been operating solo. And you've maintained a remarkably high mission completion rate. That's no small feat," Sarutobi continued.
"Have you ever considered forming a new team?"
Oboro's expression didn't change. His gaze remained respectfully lowered by a fraction as he replied, "I will follow Lord Hokage's orders."
Sarutobi paused for a moment, caught off guard by the boy's unquestioning compliance.
He had imagined various reasons for Oboro's solitary path, perhaps pride, or perhaps the trauma of comrades lost during the war. Besides, the village had long been swirling with certain unpleasant rumors.
After mulling it over, Sarutobi finally said, "Someone has requested a reassignment for you."
Oboro's brows twitched slightly as he tried to guess who it might be.
Sarutobi tapped his fingers against the desk and added, "But there's no rush. I'd like to respect your own wishes in this matter. You don't have to answer me now, take your time and think it over."
What… does that mean?
The ambiguity in Sarutobi's words left Oboro uneasy. He watched as the old man raised the pipe again, his features fading behind a curtain of smoke.
"There's a new mission I want to assign you."
"Be at the village gate tomorrow morning at seven. Someone will meet you there."
"…Understood."
When Oboro stepped out of the Hokage's office, it was already afternoon. He stood for a moment at the steps, staring into the distance where the horizon was ablaze.
The setting sun burned red across the sky.
How many years has it been since I came here…?
Day after day, it was exhausting.
As that thought passed through his mind, Oboro turned to leave. But just ahead on the road, a familiar figure appeared.
"Yo, Oboro!" The boy waved with a grin, jogging over.
"I heard you're back from your mission."
The one who greeted him looked to be about the same age, around fifteen. He had short black hair, delicate features, and wore the standard ninja flak jacket. The only difference was the symbol on his sleeve: a red and white fan against a blue background.
Oboro stared at him for a long moment before finally speaking. "It was you who asked the Hokage to reassign me, wasn't it?"
"Huh? He already told you?" Shisui blinked in surprise.
"Yeah. Just now," Oboro replied as he began walking again. "But I didn't accept."
"Why not?" Shisui followed, puzzled.
"Why did you do it?" Oboro asked without looking back.
"Because we're friends, aren't we?"
"…I suppose so."
"That's harsh, man," Shisui muttered, a little indignant.
The two of them walked side by side into the village market. Nightfall was approaching, and vendors were setting up early for the evening crowd. The streets weren't packed, but the atmosphere was lively enough.
"Oboro, come on. Think about it seriously," Shisui pleaded.
"I don't think I'm suited for ANBU work," Oboro replied mildly.
Or rather, he thought to himself, I'm not suited for Root…
That part of the organization wasn't common knowledge.
"ANBU's busy, sure, but it's nothing compared to the number of missions you take on every month. You'd actually have it easier."
"Save it."
Shisui continued buzzing in his ear, but Oboro just strolled along slowly, not even showing whether he was listening.
Suddenly, the chatter stopped. Oboro, puzzled, glanced to his side, Shisui wasn't there. He turned and saw him standing a few steps behind.
"Oboro," Shisui said with a grin, pointing to a shop beside him.
"You haven't eaten yet, have you?"
Oboro looked up at the sign. A dango shop.
"Come on!" Shisui waved him over enthusiastically.
"…"
Knowing his friend's sweet tooth all too well, Oboro sighed and followed him in.
"Owner! Five red bean dango, five glutinous rice dango, five three-color dango!" Shisui shouted as soon as they stepped inside.
"Coming right up. Have a seat, you two," the shop owner called back.
"You're eating that much? Skipping dinner?" Oboro asked, exasperated.
"Nah, I've got room for both," Shisui replied cheerfully.
Now that he had his favorite food in sight, Shisui's attention shifted entirely. He stopped pestering Oboro and instead sat eagerly, eyes gleaming in anticipation.
Soon, three plates of dango and two cups of tea were brought to their table.
"I'm digging in!"
Without ceremony, Shisui grabbed a skewer in each hand and began devouring them.
Oboro watched his friend's total disregard for decorum and couldn't help but smile faintly. He picked up his tea and sipped it slowly. Sweets were never really his thing.
"Oboro, you're not eating?" Shisui mumbled through a mouthful.
Oboro shook his head and took another sip.
Shisui shrugged and went back to enjoying his sweets.
After a long silence, Oboro finally asked, "Why did you want me to join?"
"Hm?" Shisui blinked, his mouth full of dango.
"Oh, right!" He quickly put down his food and wiped his mouth.
Facing Oboro's ever-serene expression, Shisui grew serious for once.
"I need someone to help me," he said quietly.
Oboro's eyes flickered.
Just an ordinary ANBU member saying that would sound absurd. Help him do what? Missions?
To anyone else, it would sound like nonsense.
But Oboro knew things others didn't, things no one in this world should know.
Like the future of this boy, Uchiha Shisui.
He hadn't wanted to get involved in meaningless drama. Didn't want to interfere in things that weren't his concern.
Even if this person was doomed to die… he'd only feel a pang of regret.
And that would be all.
"You probably think it's weird," Shisui said gently. "But there are things I can't tell you unless you come with me. My position's going to be reassigned soon, too."
Reassigned? Out of Root?
Then my role would be… a spy?
Oboro showed no reaction, slowly sipping his tea as he answered calmly, "Don't you have a talented cousin? You two seem close. I heard he joined ANBU, too."
"You mean Itachi?" Shisui smiled wryly, then blinked. "Wait, how'd you know he joined?"
"…I heard," Oboro replied quickly, covering his slip with a blank face.
"It's only been a couple of days, and not many people know…" Shisui looked at him, half suspicious.
"But yeah, Itachi's got a lot in common with you," he added, changing the topic with a chuckle.
"Does he?"
"Yeah. You're both way too mature for your age, carrying all this stuff in your heads. But unlike you, he's not afraid to talk about it."
"And his personality's way better than yours," Shisui added with a grin.
"You really think highly of him," Oboro said casually, unbothered by the teasing.
"I do. His talent matches mine, and he has a strong heart. He'll go far."
"Then why not pick him?"
"He's family. I see him as a younger brother," Shisui replied with a sigh. "He shares my ideals, but he's still too young."
Coming from the mouth of a fifteen-year-old, that statement should have sounded ridiculous.
But Shisui Uchiha was no ordinary teenager.
In the original timeline, things were different. Itachi had become Shisui's comrade in revolution. In his final moments, Shisui entrusted everything to him.
But here, his affection for Itachi was like Itachi's for Sasuke, a bond of protection, not partnership.
"Oboro," Shisui said, his eyes locking with his friend's.
"We are friends, right?"
Oboro didn't respond immediately.
Aside from his fallen teammates, Shisui truly was his only friend.
Even if Oboro never placed much weight on that friendship.
He glanced at the virtual window lingering in his vision.
[Name: Uchiha Shisui]
[Gender: Male]
[Age: 15]
[Affection: 89]
[Relationship: Close Friend]
[Bond: Unformed]
[Bond Reward: Kotoamatsukami]
Close friend…
Looking into Shisui's clear and sincere eyes, Oboro suddenly felt a weight settle in his chest.
Do you really… value me that much?
He gently rubbed his thumb along the tea cup, hoping the motion would help steady his thoughts.
As he remained silent, Shisui's eyes gradually dimmed with disappointment.
Then, he heard Oboro's quiet voice.
"…I suppose so."
[Affection reached 90. Bond eligible for formation.]
[Bond successfully formed. Current Bond: Brotherhood Unto Death.]
[Reward acquired: Kotoamatsukami]
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200 P.S = 1 Extra Chapters
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• TL/N •
Hello guys Fanfic recommendation!
Check out my other work:
> Naruto: Mind Control
If you like smart and strong MC, this fanfic is for you.
It's Peak.
Give it a chance and you won't be disappointed