"Uchiha Sogetsu, by order of the Hokage, I need to escort you to the ANBU headquarters."
In the hallway outside the Hokage's office, an ANBU member wearing a white animal (elephant) mask was waiting. He was codenamed "Elephant," rumored to be one of the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen's most trusted bodyguards.
Sogetsu squinted slightly and activated his Spirit Vision to get a read on the guy.
The aura around him was dark, hinting at a bad mood mixed with some kind of sadness.
"Understood, sorry for the trouble," Sogetsu replied politely.
However, feelings weren't exactly encouraged in the ANBU ranks. The masked ninja just shot him a cold glance and gestured for Sogetsu to follow.
Well, doesn't seem like he's in the mood for pleasantries, Sogetsu thought to himself, feeling a bit irritated even though he expected this reaction. He silently cursed the Second Hokage for his cold policies.
Thanks to Senju Tobirama's strict governance, as the Uchiha clan grew larger and more influential, they found themselves at odds with the Hokage's faction. This led to a general feeling of hostility towards the Uchiha among the villagers, not quite hate, but close.
As he followed the ANBU operative toward headquarters, Sogetsu could feel the oppressive atmosphere, the sense of heaviness. The emotional undercurrent in the building was tinged with sadness.
"Could this be about Hatake Sakumo's suicide?" Sogetsu wondered, piecing together why everyone seemed so gloomy.
Hatake Sakumo, an elite Jōnin known as Konoha's White Fang, was renowned across the ninja world. His name carried so much weight that even the legendary Sannin's reputation seemed less intimidating in comparison.
You knew someone was a serious ninja when others would say, "If you meet Konoha's White Fang, you'd better think twice about your mission." It was a sad day when someone with that level of respect took his own life.
Hatake Sakumo, known as the White Fang, wasn't just a formidable ninja—he also held the prestigious position of ANBU Commander. He was an inspiring symbol of strength and courage, both within Konoha and beyond.
However, this powerful symbol's tragic end came through an almost inconceivable act of suicide, driven by reasons that bordered on absurd.
Sakumo had abandoned a mission to save his comrades, only to be harshly criticized by those same comrades. The ostracism that followed proved unbearable, leading him to take his own life.
It seems laughable, doesn't it? How could someone as skilled as the White Fang, a ninja capable of defeating legendary foes with just a short sword, be pushed to suicide over something so trivial?
If we dig deeper, the reason becomes clear. Sakumo's growing reputation threatened those in power, possibly even the Hokage himself.
His brilliance and popularity were eclipsing others, and that made him a target. In that context, perhaps his suicide wasn't as simple as it seemed.
Joining the ANBU isn't a complicated process. If the Hokage recommends you, all that's needed is a codename and some basic information: name, age, gender, skills, and past missions completed.
"Uchiha Sogetsu, male, fifteen years old, Jonin, codename Owl, skilled in medical ninjutsu and psychological therapy?"
The ANBU officer in charge of registration looked up in surprise after reading that. The ANBU, or Special Assassination and Tactical Squad, is generally a unit focused on stealth and deadly force.
It's not that medical ninjutsu is unheard of, but it's rarely a key skill among assassins. And psychological therapy? That was unheard of.
"It's a form of psychological healing, similar to medical ninjutsu," Uchiha Sogetsu explained with a smile, seemingly used to the puzzled looks.
"The human heart can be fragile, prone to sadness, pain, and fear. Even a small wound can leave lasting scars. My job is to help heal those scars."
"I think I understand," the ANBU officer replied, though his expression suggested he was still skeptical.
"By the way, I've recently started a new therapy service," Sogetsu said, handing over a business card.
The ANBU officer glanced at the card: Sogetsu Psychological Clinic.
Seeing the confusion on his face, Sogetsu smiled and added, "Wish-fulfillment therapy. It allows patients to live out their dreams in a controlled setting, helping them come to terms with past regrets. If you're interested, I can offer you a 20% discount as a colleague."
One hundred thousand ryō per session?!
The ANBU officer nearly dropped the business card, his shock palpable. Even a B-rank mission generally pays around 50,000 ryō—half as much as this therapy session. Was this for real?
"No need," Anbu shook his head firmly, rejecting the offer.
Was he kidding? After completing an A-rank mission, the pay was just 30,000 to 40,000 ryō. Why would he waste it on some psychological therapy?
"Alright," Sogetsu sighed, feeling a hint of disappointment. It seemed his quest to complete his side mission still had a long way to go.
"Okay, you can leave," Elephant, who had been quiet up until now, intervened, cutting off Sogetsu's sales pitch. "If there's a mission, someone will let you know."
"Sure, I'll be going now," Sogetsu said with a smile, waving goodbye. "If you ever need therapy, feel free to reach out."
He then turned and walked down the dim corridor, his figure gradually disappearing into the shadows.
Elephant watched Sogetsu's retreating form, his gaze turning solemn. "This guy is unsettling," he said, speaking to his colleague, who was busy registering the information.
"Why are you so wary of him, Elephant? Is it just because he's an Uchiha?" the colleague asked.
"It's not just because of his clan," Elephant replied, shaking his head. A flicker of unease crossed his eyes. "It's more of a feeling. I can't explain it, but something about him makes me uncomfortable."
"Maybe you're just imagining things," the colleague, whose name was Eagle, said with a light-hearted smile. "From what I can tell, he's just another talented Uchiha kid."
"I hope you're right," Elephant sighed, trying to shake off the growing sense of dread. "By the way, isn't Lord White Fang's funeral today?"
"Yeah, I heard it's today," Eagle said, his voice taking on a somber tone at the mention of White Fang. "I still can't believe it. Did he really...?"
"Eagle!" Elephant suddenly snapped, his eyes turning sharp. "Don't say things like that! Remember, we're Anbu!"
"Yes, we're Anbu," Eagle muttered, his voice heavy with resignation.
Did Lord White Fang really commit suicide? He couldn't ask, let alone investigate. As Anbu, their only duty was to follow orders from the Hokage.
After a long day, Sogetsu finally returned to the Uchiha mansion. The room was dimly lit, and after washing off the grime of the day, he lit a small brass candlestick tucked away in the corner, preparing for bed.
"Hopefully, I'll have a good dream tonight," he said to himself as he lay down and drifted into a deep sleep.
In his dreams, the air was thick with darkness, and time seemed to stretch indefinitely. His senses were dulled, his perceptions blurred.
The scene was filled with faint whispers, sometimes frantic, sometimes incoherent, mixed with occasional bursts of madness and restlessness.
The scattered thoughts came together and descended deeper into the dream.
They kept falling, spiraling downward.
Eventually, at the dream's nadir, the fragmented consciousness coalesced.
This newly formed consciousness became a vague, misty figure, standing within a grand and immense cathedral. Every pillar and arch supporting this cathedral was built from the bones of various species, stacked chaotically in dense heaps.
The cathedral was crowded with countless bones and skulls, their hollow eye sockets staring down at the hall below.
On a colossal cross made of bones, countless hands twisted and writhed, as if encircling it. Despite the strangeness, the atmosphere wasn't evil; instead, it was imbued with a sense of holiness.
The windows and doors of the entire cathedral bore transparent, distorted human faces, as if struggling to break in, stretching and bending into grotesque arcs.
After a moment, another hazy figure appeared in the towering Corpse Cathedral.
The first figure, standing beneath the bone cross like a devout believer, seemed to have anticipated this. He smiled and spoke slowly: "So, can you answer my question now? You have witnessed your destiny's path, and I'm curious whether you'll continue down this route?"
The second figure was silent for a while, then responded with a complex tone: "Is the future truly as you described it?"
"You don't have to believe it."
The first figure's words were soft, almost gentle, but with a hint of authority.
"Then, I'll agree to your terms."
The second figure sighed heavily: "I hope our efforts can change the future you've foretold."
"The future decreed by the Lord will surely come to pass and become reality."
Beneath the hazy silhouette, Uchiha Sogetsu gave a faint smile: "Welcome to the Twilight Hermit Order, White Fang Hatake Sakumo!"
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