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Title: Interlude.
...
"So you decided on joining the assassination squad? Can I know th reason why?" Keshiro asked the blindfolded young man standing at the other side of the long hall table.
Sitting besides him were the various captains of the nine other Squads belonging to the village.
After Shun's incredible showing in the Jounin competition a few days back, all captain put in the requests to have him transferred to their units.
After all, he had showed his prodigious abilities, capable of adapting in any and all situation he found himself in. He had abilities to fend for himself in any circumstance and didn't find himself in any unfavorable situation throughout the competition.
"It's quite simple Hanakage-sama." Shun said calmly, "The assassination squad is the squad that does more work for the village without receiving any form of accolades for it."
"Oh? So you'd like to have your merits hidden from the sight Villager?" Keshiro smirked as he stroked his beard. "Is this your attempt to refuse my request from earlier?"
"Far from it, Hanakage, I just feel this squad appeals more to me than the others." Shun said. "Of course, I don't feel that the other Squads are lower in their usefulness to the village, afterall, they all work on tandem to maintain this peace we've heard for decades."
"Somehow, I find that hard to believe." One of the captains said but Shun shrugged. "I've always been quite open in my actions and aspirations."
"Don't bother the kid too much, Keshiro, we both know he just wants to have the opportunity to leave the village quite often." A deep and seductive female voice added causing Shun's face to twitch a little.
"It wouldn't be good to call him out like that Ya-chan." Keshiro said and sighed. "Plus, that squad has the littlest amount of people in it."
"Yeah. There will little to no competition whatsoever." Yatsuyo added.
"It's a pity," the captain from earlier who had doubted Shun shook his head with a sigh.
"What's that you boar?" The quiet Tengen captain said as he eyed the buffed up captain.
"Huh? Did I say something wrong you crow?"
"Not now you two. Have some self respect." Keshiro admonished.
"Hai."
"Anyways. Since that's what you desire, you'll be assigned to work under Kurotsume." Keshiro said with a smile. "We'll expect great things from you."
"Thank you for the opportunity." Shun bowed and was immediately ungulfed by a wave of darkeness from beneath his feet.
"We'll be taking our leave then." Kurotsume said and immediately disappeared with Shun in tow.
"He's quite hasty, eh?"
"Who wouldn't? He just got a genius into his Squad. What would you expect?"
"Sigh. Sadly, he holds no inclination to being the Kage."
"He's still young Keshiro, with time, his deeds will be known and whether he likes it or not, his position wouldn't be up to him to decide..."
"Well, that's in the situation where he doesn't defect."
"That's impossible. His family-"
"It has never stopped others..."
"We can only hope then,"
...
The Hall of Shadows, as it's known among the assassins, is concealed deep within the heart of their hidden village. Accessible only through a labyrinthine network of tunnels and concealed passages, this chamber is a well-guarded secret.
Its entrance is marked by an unassuming door that blends seamlessly with the surrounding rock, betraying nothing of the mysteries that lie beyond.
As one steps inside, the atmosphere changes instantly. The walls are hewn from the natural stone of the hidden village, giving the chamber a timeless feel.
Torch sconces line the walls, casting flickering light that dances across the room. The soft glow barely illuminates the edges of the chamber, leaving most of it shrouded in shadow.
The centerpiece of the room is a long, obsidian table that stretches the length of the chamber. It's a polished surface that reflects the dim light, giving it an eerie sheen.
Around this table, assassins gather, their faces masked and their identities concealed. Each assassin has their designated seat, marked by a unique symbol etched into the table's surface.
The walls are adorned with an array of weaponry, from concealed blades to shuriken, all meticulously organized and within easy reach. Scrolls containing classified mission details are stacked on a separate shelf, waiting to be perused by the squad members.
The Chamber of Shadows is a place where lives are weighed against secrets, where darkness and secrecy are woven into the very fabric of its existence.
It's a room where assassins gather, their loyalty unwavering, their skills unparalleled, and their mission to carry out the will of their hidden village, whatever the cost.
At the head of the table stood a chair, the squad captain's chair, and suddenly, this chakra was engulfed in darkness and a figure could be seen sitted as soon as the Darkness faded.
An imposing figure whose eyes gleamed with a predatory intensity sat and said. "Swift as Shadows, Silent as Death."
"Where the Light Fades, We Thrive." came a unified response from everyone in the room.
"Umm." Kurotsume hummed in satisfaction. "Today, I Summoned you all here for an important announcement."
His red eyes scanned around the room as an invisible and deathly pressure washed over everyone his eyes passed by.
"Today, we welcome a new brother. You may have heard or even seen him in the past. But currently, he's popular for being the champion of the current Jounin or rather, Gold Ranking Exams."
As soon as he voice fell, they were a series of gasp and exclamation which annoyed Kurotsume causing him to flare his killing intent.
"I don't like your reactions. We're assasins, we should always remain calm at all times... How many times have you been taught that?"
"Apologies, captain."
"Humph. However, I understand your reactions, I too was quite overwhelmed when I was made known of this, but my reaction wasn't as intense as you idiots."
"Anyways... Let's all welcome him with our usual welcoming ceremony." Kurotsume said and waved his hands, revealing Shun standing there as though he had always been there. "Feel free to kill him in anyway you deem possible. The deadline... 7 days from now. Failure to do that will mean he is more capable than you lot. You should know what that means right?"
Instantly, Shun who was standing in the 'unfamiliar' environment, felt numerous killing intent lock unto him as the entire room focused their sight on him.
As of that moment, he had only one thought in his mind. '...The fuck?!'
...
Shun's POV.
To think that this was the assassination squad method of initiating someone into the Squad. I mean, I knew they had some form of ceremony, but to think I'd have to avoid being kille- Shit! Nihility!
Swish!
Damn. Was that..was that a poison laced toothpick? Damn! This people are going too far.
Even with me in a crowded place like this! Wait. Why is there such large space around me?
Damn these guys! How are they able to isolate me even when I'm in a public place.
Sigh. This says how well trained these guys are.
For the past 5 days, I've been under genuine threat of death. I'd actually be dead on the second day if I wasn't...well, me.
This guy's are really experts. I'd have actually hidden in the shadow dimension but Itachi will be returning to Konoha today with Hiruzen, so I have to see them off.
Hopefully, these guys will understand that any form of harm done to me in the presence of the Hokage will be seen as a diplomatic incident... Right?
...
"Yo. Itachi."
"Ah, Shun, what brings you here?" Itachi who was fully geared asked as I appeared behind him.
"What do you mean 'what brings you here?' Can't I come see off my friend anymore?" I asked with a huff while crossing my hands.
"Hehe, sorry. I hadn't heard from you all week so I thought you had something important going on." Itachi said with a silly smile.
"Oh. You wouldn't believe me even if I told you." I shook my head in exasperation.
"What's the worse that can actually happen? Someone finally got tired of your arrogance and put a bounty on your head?" Itachi joked but he couldn't be further from the truth.
I thought as I looked at him with a peculiar gaze.
Seeing me looking at him that way, his smile dropped. "It couldn't be that...right?"
Sighing and patting him on the shoulder. "Your Genius never ceases to amaze me. Anyways, you good?"
"What do you mean?" He asked with a confused look on his face.
"I mean, are you going to be okay going back?" I asked again. "You know, with the village and Uchiha clan situation."
"Oh, about that." He shook his head. "Shusui and I have been working towards a peaceful resolution. The Hokage also promised to bring this matter to an end."
"Heh. Forgive me for saying this, but I don't think your Hokage is trustworthy." I huffed at him and pulled him out for a walk.
He frowned at what I just said but didn't refute me and willingly got pulled along. "Why do you say that Shun?"
"It's good you ask. You see Itachi, old men like that... They have a unique way of thinking. No matter how much you think you've come to understanding their thought process, you'll still be a step behind."
"Are you trying to say the I shouldn't trust the Hokage but instead, my clan?" He asked.
"Eh? Not at all." I paused and looked at him with an even Werder gaze. "Don't let your mind wander Itachi. Remember what I always say about strength?"
He nodded and said. "Strength makes you know who are your true friends and who aren't."
"Exactly. Strength is as much a deterrent factor as it is a fuse to conflicts." I said. A prime example: The Tailed Beasts."
"I understand what you're saying but what has this got to do with the village situation?"
"Don't you think you've shown enough strength? You're able to tie with me. Even the Hokage knows to keep you on his side while remaining on your good sides."
Itachi nodded in understanding.
"But what about Danzo?"
"Hmm?"
"Danzo. That elder? You should know of him right?" I asked seeing his puzzled expression.
"Yeah. I'm just surprised as how you know of him."
"Heh. The old crone thinks he's something, but we know all about him. We've known all about him for quite sometime." I said without stopping to look at Itachi. "He once tried to get his hands on our clan's Rikugan..."
"He did!?"
"Yeah. We caught his Root Anbu and managed to get all the information we could from them."
"You did? From what I know, everyone in there has a seal placed on them."
"Please. Fuinjutsu practically originated from here. That seal he placed to seal their neural pathway was child's play to us. Anyways... I know for a fact that he's the mastermind behind the pending civil war."
"How is that possible..?"
"Well, the idiot is obsessed. Anyways, I'll leave that to you to figure out. Just know that not everything is as it seems." I advised with a smile.
"I know. You've always made sure I understood that, but...humans are too complicated."
"Right? That's the basics of life. It's meant to be complicated." I said as I looked up. "Without a certain level of strength, life will never be easy."
"Even with strength, a little bit of moral is necessary right?" He asked, causing me to look at him. Was this guy going to develop some form of moral code right now?
"Well yeah. But with a certain level of strength comes the ability to decide what's right and wrong." I said. "Just know that there's always a way my friend. The Universe always provides. You just need to ask for it or rather seek it."
"Huh?"
"Don't mind. Don't mind." I waved my hands at him. "You'll come to understand it soon. Just don't do anything that'll make us both enemies. I'd be heartbroken to have to kill you."
"Me too, I wouldn't be happy to have to kill you." Itachi replied with a smile.
"..."
"Hahahaha." ×2
"That was a good one. But more importantly, I would really kill you if you kill anyone I consider close." I told the guy as I gazed at him with undisguised killing intent.
The thought that he might go so far as to hurt Izumi would really make me kill him. Sasuke's revenge be damned. I'll just find a way to make his target Obito or something. Probably direct his hatred towards Madara making him strive for more strength.
"That won't happen, Shun, you almost made me think you're looking down on me." Itachi said with a frown causing me to smile as my killing intent dispersed.
"I'm not looking down on you, but as you said, humans are complicated creatures."
"Sigh, that's true... By the way Shun.."
"Hmm?"
"How did you get that much killing intent? How many people have you killed?" He asked with a serious tone.
"Oh that? None."
"Eh? But that killing intent...."
"Bro, I can use all elements to perform Ninjutsu, perform any Kekkai Genkai, even create a Kekkai mora, perform Genjutsu, Greater than you Sharingan and the Ketsuryugan. Use the Hyūga clan's Eight Trigram Seal and many more you haven't seen and yet you ask... How did I get that much killing intent."
Shaking my head, I sighed. "You've disappointed me Itachi." I said with visible disappointment on my face.
"Eh? How?"
"Don't worry, I'll tell you...like I always do." I said and snapped my finger and we both found ourselves in front of an army numbering in the hundreds.
"Do you want alongside me Itachi?" I asked as the army ran towards us with a roar that aimed to shake out very soul with their bloodlust aimed at us.
Imagine. The bloodlust of hundreds of well trained killers aimed at two twelve year olds.
"Shun! What's this?" Itachi asked as his Sharingan flared. Surprisingly, he was still calm. As expected of him.
"This... Is how I I got that much killing intent." Spreading my hands open, I said with a smile. "Survive."
...
General POV
"Wheeze! Shun... Don't...tell me... This is...how you...got. wheeze. That much combat experience." Itachi asked panting.
"Well, my dear Itachi. That time you showed me that time altering Genjutsu of yours, I thought you already knew of this." Shun said while taking in slow and steady breaths.
"Killing intent... This is the intention to kill someone or something. The very intention to destroy something that has life. That has an existence. That intention, is called "Murderous Intent," Shun explained, his voice grave. "It's a powerful psychological weapon, and I've mastered it through genjutsu. This is how I create the illusion of overwhelming numbers of enemies, making foes believe they're facing insurmountable odds, and cultivating my enormous killing intent."
Itachi listened intently, his Sharingan still active, as he absorbed Shun's explanation. "So, it's all about manipulating the enemy's perception and psychology."
Shun nodded, impressed by Itachi's quick understanding. "Exactly. Your Sharingan has incredible visual genjutsu capabilities, and there's a whole lot you could do with it."
Itachi couldn't help but smile. "I see. You never cease to amaze me, Shun."
Shun grinned back. "Likewise, Itachi. We make quite the team, don't we?"
As they continued their conversation, a figure approached them from the shadows. Kurotsume, the captain of the Assassination Squad, emerged silently, his presence only now noticed by the two young ninjas.
"Captain Kurotsume," Shun greeted respectfully, and Itachi followed suit despite not knowing the man
Kurotsume's red eyes gleamed in the dim light as he nodded in acknowledgment. "Impressive, Shun. You've demonstrated quite a mastery of Stealth. Your initiation is complete."
Shun bowed in gratitude. "Thank you, Captain."
Itachi, too, offered his respects. "Thank you for guiding Shun."
Kurotsume's expression softened as he regarded the two young ninjas. He knew they were friends and knew a whole lot about the young Uchiha. "Remember, the path of the Assassination Squad is one of shadows and secrets. You'll encounter darkness that few can fathom. Stay true to your purpose."
"We will," Shun replied with determination.
Itachi also nodded as he felt like these words were directed at him. 'True to my purpose...'
With a final nod, Kurotsume retreated into the shadows,
Click.
The door behind Itachi opened as Kakashi came out and looked around in confusion. "Ah. Itachi! Did you pick a fight with Shun?"
"Kakashi-senpai." Itachi greeted. "I didn't pick a fight with him. He's just... being Shun and got into some trouble...I guess?" Itachi said looking unsure.
"Ah. It's alright then." Kakashi said and went back inside. "We'll be leaving in the hour."
"Hai." Itachi said as he looked at the place Shun probably disappointed to. "What a terrifying fellow. I really wouldn't want to be on the opposite side of his killing intent."
****
A/N: I'm really sorry for the lack of chapters recently. I've been in the hospital for the past three ot four days. I'm very prone to sickness so...
Anyways... I was diagnosed with both typhoid and malaria so forgive me. I'll resume with my usual frequency as soon as possible.
Read extra 20-50+ Chapters on my Patre@n
patreon.com/JoshRichie2.