Warning:The chapter contains gore.
Note:Did a minor change, where he addressed others by his codename and position as I felt it was unprofessional not to do otherwise.(of course there is some exception.)
·Nezumi Ichi means Rat-1
·Doing some small tweaks.
(Akio POV)
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As I 'wake up' in the morning at 5 a.m., the first rays of dawn filter through the window, gently nudging me from my 'slumber'. I groggily reach for my toothbrush and put it in my mouth, the minty taste of the toothpaste slowly waking up my senses. Still half-asleep, I stumble into the shower, the warm water cascading over me, washing away the remnants of sleep and preparing me for the day ahead.
Once I'm refreshed, I head to the kitchen to reheat the Anbu food rations on the stove. They consist of a balanced mix of rice with barley, protein sources such as meat or fish, and an assortment of pickled or fresh vegetables. To add a burst of flavor, there's umeboshi, a type of pickled plum, along with shoyu sauce and miso or bean paste. Green tea accompanies the meal, offering a soothing, antioxidant-rich beverage.
A typical field ration includes 1½ cups of rice, often mixed with barley. This combination is a nod to historical lessons learned during the Warring States period, where nutritional deficiencies like beriberi were rampant among shinobi and hence barley's inclusion helps combat such deficiencies, ensuring a balanced diet.
The meal also features ¼ cup of canned minced beef, providing essential protein to sustain energy levels. A side of 1¼ cups of canned cabbage adds fiber and vitamins, while sweet potato and bean sprouts offer additional nutrients and a slight crunch. For a touch of sweetness, there are canned peaches and mandarin oranges.
To complement these components, 3 teaspoons of pickled radish (typically daikon) and pickled cucumber add a tangy zest. Umeboshi, scallions, and ginger are included to enhance the flavors further, making the meal not just nutritious but also enjoyable to eat.
Well the last part seemed true if your taste bud is dead.
As I finished my meal, I made my way to the office. The streets are semi-deserted at this early hour, which allows for a peaceful walk.
In the early morning hours, the city streets are already bustling with activity as civilian jobs commence at 8 am. Only the early risers or those with ninja-like stealth, like shinobi, can be spotted navigating the urban landscape at this hour.
Despite the fact that the noises of their world pale in comparison to the cacophony of vehicle horns in my previous reality, it doesn't mean I enjoy enduring them.
However, there are certain things I have no control over.
Suddenly, a voice pierced through the morning air, disrupting the tranquility. "YOUTH!!!" A peculiar figure clad in vibrant green tights shouted as he traversed the streets upside down, jolting people from their slumber.
With a resigned sigh, I acknowledged his presence with a wave of my hand.
"Good morning, Akio," he greeted me, undeterred by my lack of enthusiasm, before resuming his eccentric training routine.
After the somewhat awkward encounter, I resumed my journey towards the office, suppressing the temptation to utilize ninja techniques like the body flicker to swiftly reach my destination.
Upon arriving at the academy, I observed the building from a distance, my gaze eventually settling on the Hokage's monument atop the tallest mountain in the Land of Fire.
Approaching the mountain, I mechanically knocked on its smooth vertical surface, following a predetermined pattern.
Click.
Sliding over the false wall slid open mechanically, revealing the entrance to the tunnel.
As I entered and sliding it back to the original position, the guards inside from the Anbu Black Ops inspected me with efficiency before allowing me to pass. The torch-lit tunnel stretched ahead, its monotony broken only by the occasional flicker of light.
Emerging from the tunnel and adorning my mask from the inner pocket of my jacket , I found myself in a cavern with several nondescript buildings. The Anbu headquarters stood among them, being the largest building they constructed inside the cavern.
Entering the building, I made my way directly to the receptionist's desk, where a woman sat with a disinterested expression.
"Codename?" the receptionist inquired, her voice lacking any enthusiasm.
"Nezumi Ichi," I replied, my tone matching hers in apathy.
"Occupation?" she continued, her fingers moving between pages.
"I'm First Anbu Squad Leader of the Anbu White Ops division and an Anbu Torturer from the T and I subdivision of the Anbu Grey Ops division," I stated flatly, the words feeling like a rehearsed script.
As the receptionist was verifying my information, I couldn't help but feel the indifferent gaze of the guards stationed within the building.
"Your identity has been confirmed. Here's the key to your workplace," the receptionist said, her tone devoid of any emotion as she handed me the key, a gesture devoid of any personal touch.
Just like how I like it.
Accepting the key with a nod, I ascended the stairs to the second floor with the same lack of enthusiasm.
"Good morning, Akio-kun," greeted one colleague as I passed, the monotone of his voice matching mine perfectly.
"Good morning, Akio-san," echoed another, their greeting devoid of any genuine warmth.
"Good morning, Akio-kun," repeated another, their words empty of meaning.
Acknowledging the greetings with a perfunctory nod, I entered the office, greeted by my colleagues in the same disinterested manner.
Returning the greetings with equal disinterest, I proceeded directly to my designated torture room, using the provided key.
Click
Once inside, I settled in, prepared to carry out my duty with the same monotone and disinterested demeanor.
As the flow of prisoners fluctuated, I sought in the familiar pages of a book I'd read countless times, immersing myself in the teachings of the will of fire to maintain, the ability to bullshit my way.
After what felt like an eternity, a guard entered, brought the captive to my room, and handed the scroll to me.
Unsealing the scroll, I read detail they managed to gather about the captive.
The captive, a shinobi from Kumogakure, had dark skin and a sturdy build, appearing to be in his thirties. He was discovered alone in the Land of Rice Paddies, without any companions.
During his capture, he had suffered a concussion at the hands of the Anbu White Ops division, requiring several days to recover.
Despite previous interrogation attempts, no information had been extracted from him, leading to his transfer into my custody. His chakra points were sealed, and he was restrained to a vertical whiteboard positioned in the center of the room, awaiting further questioning.
Observing him closely, I couldn't help but notice the way his mouth was tightly sealed, a clear indication of his reluctance to speak. His eyes, filled with defiance, revealed his unwillingness to yield, mirroring a sense of familiarity that lingered in the air. With a soft sigh escaping my lips, I cleared my throat, preparing to initiate the interrogation.
"Before I proceed, I want to offer you one final opportunity to share any information voluntarily," I declared firmly, my tone leaving no room for ambiguity.
Yet, despite my direct approach, his expression remained unchanged, his defiance unwavering. It was a predictable response, one that I had anticipated, yet protocol demanded strict adherence to procedure.
Utilizing my shadow manipulation ability, I initiated the process by entwining his shadows with mine.
"What's happening?!" he yelled, alarmed as his own shadow constricted around his limbs and torso, a sinister embrace tightening with each passing moment.
As his shadow tightened, his expression shifted from confusion to fear, realization dawned on him like a creeping twilight.
'You should have surrendered earlier,' I thought as I commenced the torture, a silent lament for his defiance.
His screams echoed in agony as shadow needles materialized, piercing his legs like ethereal daggers seeking flesh.
His cries grew more intense as the needles traversed his flesh, rupturing nerves and cells, rendering escape futile amidst the onslaught of darkness.
An hour passed before I finally dispersed my shadow, leaving a pool of blood beneath him, a grim testament to the price of resistance.
He lay panting, his legs crippled with pain, a vessel of defiance now reduced to a mere vessel of suffering.
I regarded him once more. "Will you cooperate, or shall we continue?" My voice, a whisper that hung heavy in the air.
Tears welled in his eyes as he trembled, torn between divulging information to the enemy village or enduring further torment, the weight of his decision heavy upon his battered soul.
Unfortunately for him, in my eyes, mercy wasn't part of the equation.
His hesitation was short-lived before another barrage of shadow needles plunged into his back, a symphony of agony playing out in the dark theater of his despair.
"STOP, PLEASE!" he pleaded, overwhelmed by the excruciating pain, his voice a desperate plea swallowed by the abyss of torment.
Ignoring his cries, I persisted in manipulating the needles, amplifying his suffering.
"I will talk, I will talk!" he insisted after 20 minutes, unwilling to endure further pain.
"Now speak, and if I detect any falsehoods, your arms won't remain intact," I coldly declared, holding a writing pad ready to record his words.
'He proved weaker than anticipated,' I noted mentally, jotting down his disclosures while scrutinizing his body and face for signs of deception.
As he divulged information, I closed the distance between us.
"I-I," he stammered, his trembling increasing as I drew nearer, the pool of blood expanding beneath him, a discarded piece of his flesh nearby.
His breath hitched, and the air thickened with tension as his gaze darted around the room, searching for an escape that wasn't there.
I ignored his theatrics and put my right palm on his head for safe measure.
'Mind Body Transmission Technique.'
He indeed divulged the entire truth, his memories showing no hint of deception. It was as if every detail was laid bare, leaving no room for doubt or suspicion.
There were no seals or mental barriers in his mind, suggesting that either the information he provided wasn't deemed crucial by his village, or it was an oversight on their part. The former seems more plausible. Perhaps his village underestimated the value of the information, unaware of its significance in the larger scheme of things.
Without my past memories, I would find it curious why Kumogakure and Kirigakure showed no inclination to participate in the war, unlike Ame, Suna, and Iwa, as per the intel gathered from their shinobi.
After unlocking the door, I informed the guard that my task was complete, prompting them to remove the unconscious prisoner while I ascended the stairs to relay the information to the Deputy Anbu Captain of the T and I subdivision after locking my room.