"Liberty means nothing
if it doesn't include the freedom to make mistakes."
Mahatma Gandhi
I entered and closed the door behind me.
I stood next to Jiro and sighed heavily, bracing for the worst.
"Well, welcome, Ariza and Jiro Uchiha," said the man sitting in the Hokage's chair before us, one hand propped under his chin—no one other than Danzou Shimura.
"Hello, who are you?" Jiro asked bluntly.
"My name is Danzou Shimura. I am the head of ANBU Root and an elder of the Hidden Leaf Village," replied the elderly man, who appeared thin and gaunt. His right eye and forehead were wrapped in bandages like a mummy's. I didn't remember from the anime what his eye was, but it seemed like Byakugan{?}[Ariza doesn't remember what eye Shimura Danzou has—she doesn't know there's a Sharingan there]. Yeah, definitely Byakugan, unless I'm confusing him with someone else. He wore a white Shirt, with a black cloak over it in which his right arm rested.
I remembered that in the anime he was somehow involved in the Uchiha Clan massacre, but about this world—I didn't know. Here, the clan was slaughtered not by the good Itachi, but by some psychopath Hitoshi, according to rumors. So it's not certain that this Hitoshi had anything to do with Danzou. That's all I remembered. In the anime, I was pretty neutral toward Danzou: I didn't care about him, unlike half the fandom who hated him for some reason. Of course, now I regretted not looking into his backstory, because at the moment I had no idea who was sitting in front of me or what to expect from him.
"Danzo-sama, we were expecting to see the Hokage. Do you know where he is?" I asked carefully.
"He is not currently at the residence, and possibly not even in Konoha," he said calmly, staring at me intently without showing a single emotion. I immediately had a retort: "Then what the hell are you doing here?" but I decided not to voice it. No, really, not everyone gets let into the Hokage's office, let alone to sit in his chair. This guy clearly planned this and calculated everything.
"Thank you. Do you know when we might be able to see him?" Uchiha asked.
"I don't have that information."
"Thank you, then goodbye," I said and headed for the exit to slip away as fast as possible. Jiro followed me, but Danzou's voice stopped us:
"Ariza, come here," the Root leader commanded authoritatively, and I couldn't disobey since I was lower in rank. I let go of the door handle I'd desperately gripped a second ago and walked toward him with slow steps, as if to my execution.
"Y-yes, Danzo-sama?" I swallowed, feeling our conversation wouldn't end well.
"I want to offer you to join the ranks of ANBU Root. You performed excellently on the exam, and your sensei speaks highly of you. What do you think of that offer?" He looked at me intently, waiting for a response.
His question hit like thunder from a clear sky.
"No. Absolutely not," I cut back shortly and a bit nervously.
"Why do you think that?"
"Danzo-sama... I'm not suitable..." I began to object.
"What makes you think so?"
"The thing is, I don't know how to kill. I've never killed anyone, I have no experience, I think it's too early for me to join ANBU," I gave solid arguments.
"That you haven't killed yet is just a matter of time: we train everyone in Root on everything. And I'm not asking you to join right now—you can join in six months, a year, when you have more experience," Danzou said, and with every second I questioned my refusal more. "ANBU is the best place to advance in rank instantly. Genin and chunin join us, sometimes even five-year-olds, and when they leave Root, they are highly qualified jounin of the Leaf, secured with high-rank missions."
"But... I just want to keep doing missions with my teammates," I said tersely and mentally added: "I still need to save them."
"Your friends have already reached the third stage of the chunin exam, and they are quite talented. As I understand, Naruto is the son of the Fourth Hokage, and Sasuke is the youngest son of the Uchiha Clan head—they will surely pass the exam and become chunin. And you won't be assigned missions together as often. Besides, ANBU members aren't isolated from the world. Yes, there will be a lot of training, a lot of difficult and interesting missions, but that doesn't mean you won't see your teammates."
"Danzo-sama, let me think about your offer. How long will it be valid?" He spoke so convincingly it was impossible to refuse. If I join ANBU Root, I'll definitely level up all my skills several times. Yes, it's probably very dangerous, but no risk, no sake. It would be beneficial to join in six months, when Naruto is supposed to leave Konoha for training with a Sannin according to the plot. I don't know where Sasuke will go, but I assume he won't stay in Konoha either. So that would be the best time to boost my skills. That way, I can gain strength in the meantime, and when they return, leave ANBU.
"Within two months, you can join our ranks at any moment," he leaned back in the Hokage's chair, not taking his eyes off me.
"And if I want to leave, say, in three years or five?" I asked cautiously, tucking my loose hair behind my ear.
"Before starting work, we draw up a contract for one year, three years, five, or ten," he replied calmly, but I sensed he was hiding something. Not telling the full truth.
"Danzo-sama, thank you, I'll think about it. How can I find you later to give my decision?" I almost said "Yes," but my intuition suggested holding off: I didn't think this was a decision to make quickly.
"No need to look for me; I'll find you myself. What's that scroll on your back?" he asked suddenly, leaving me no choice but to lie.
"Oh, yeah, my sensei gave it to me to study poisons," I lied clumsily, glancing at Jiro, who stood aside frowning, then back at Danzou. Damn, even I felt disgusted with myself. When did I stoop to lying?!
"Show me," he nodded at the scroll, and I calmly took it off my shoulder. It was empty anyway, just some numbers. I'd say I grabbed the wrong one.
"Well... um... okay," I placed it on the desk and began unrolling it, already thinking up excuses in my head. As soon as I unrolled it, I saw something I never expected—poison recipes! "What the hell! Does this scroll read minds?! There were only numbers before. Where did the poisons come from now?!" I thought frantically, keeping a poker face as if everything was normal. "Well, here's the poisons; I have a gap there. Decided to fill it. Memorize."
Danzo examined the scroll carefully, then blinked calmly, as if silently telling me I could put it away, and shifted his gaze to Jiro, who had approached us.
"Jiro, as I understand, you are a student of Itachi Uchiha?"
"That's correct, Danzo-sama," Jiro nodded.
"And how does he teach? Learned much?" Danzou asked in the same monotone. How does he keep such a straight face? I couldn't read his emotions from gestures or expressions!
"Well, not really, of course I've gotten stronger, but I expected more from..."
"A genius of the Uchiha Clan," Danzou finished for him, and Jiro nodded again.
"Then, like Ariza, I offer you to join ANBU. There you'll get stronger, and we need people like you, Jiro."
"That's a very interesting offer; I'll think about it, Danzo-sama, thank you," my teammate replied, eyes fixed on Danzou.
"Hm, I didn't know Jiro would be invited too. He must be very strong; maybe I should suggest training together sometime. I think I last saw him fight about half a year ago, and even then only taijutsu," I noted mentally and eyed his gear, guessing how much stronger he'd become.
"Right, you need to make a smart decision. Think it over, and for now you're free," Jiro and I nodded simultaneously and left the room.
"Whew... interesting turn of events," I exhaled in relief as we descended the stairs to the first floor.
"No kidding. Never thought I'd be invited to ANBU," he said, hands behind his head. "You, sure—you're very strong, but what did I do to stand out?"
"I'm not that strong, Jiro. Maybe they saw some hidden potential in you?" I asked rhetorically and mentally finished: "Or the Sharingan. Uchihas are in demand."
"Dunno," he sighed. "Do you want to join? Or will you think more?"
"I want to, but I'll think some more. You?"
"Same here; need to gather more info first, then decide," he shook his shaggy hair, and I realized he was a bit taller than me, though I was Sasuke's height.
"Totally agree. By the way, how old are you?"
"Fourteen," he smiled slightly at me.
"Wow, you're the oldest in the class then," I smiled back.
"Yep."
"By the way, what do you think about training together?" I looked at him questioningly. I needed to gauge his strength, see if he had potential. They don't invite just anyone to ANBU, so they saw something in him, and I needed to find out what. Better not invite Sasuke or Naruto yet: who knows how he'd act with them. But for the next training test, I'd invite Sasuke.
"I'm all for it, hands and feet!" he said, a bit excited. No idea why he's so thrilled; it's not a date, but whatever. "I love training."
"Hah, now it makes sense. Then let's meet tomorrow at four on some training ground?"
"Sure. Better make it the ninth: usually no one's there at four. And after training, we can drop by the Lord Hokage about the scroll," he said thoughtfully, stuffing his hands in his pockets. I nodded. Time to figure out this weird scroll, and also rat out Danzou's brazen behavior in his absence to Minato.
"Perfect! Then I'll see you at the ninth training ground tomorrow at four. Bye!" When we exited the building, we bumped fists, I waved, and ran off.
If someone had told me once I'd be invited to Root, I never would've believed it. Absurd! And now this offer drops out of the blue. And it's unclear why me: not Sasuke, not Naruto. Me. I didn't stand out... I think. Okay, Jiro's an Uchiha, but everyone knows I'm an orphan, clanless. Looks like this evening's for pondering: ANBU is a special assassination and tactics squad after all.
POV Sasuke
I stared at her all evening. She gazed thoughtfully either out the window at the dark empty streets or at the table. Sometimes she ate something, but mostly just stirred her food with chopsticks. And when asked something, she answered a bit sluggishly, like she'd just woken up. She hadn't said a word since my birthday started, never initiating, only responding.
I didn't get where she was. Maybe in her thoughts or memories, but definitely not here. And I really didn't like it.
And it probably wasn't because of what happened at the onsen today. No. Hot springs had nothing to do with it. That situation made us blush all evening when our eyes met (I didn't expect that from Ari), but not enough to shut her down. Maybe the guy she met? Yeah, she mentioned being late for a meeting. Wonder who she met? And why? And what she's always hiding from Naruto and me? Even some outsider bastard like Kabuto, who's been suspicious from the start, knows more about her than I do.
It pisses me off. Grinds my teeth.
She's my best friend. Completely. I want to know where she is, who she's with, what she's doing. But if I push too hard, she won't get it, so I need another way.
"Kids! You all made it to the third stage? Preparing for it?" my mom smiled sweetly, devouring onigiri.
"Of course, Mikoto-san!" Naruto yelled with his idiot grin. He sat next to his dad, Ariza opposite me with mom and Jiro, who was also at my birthday though I didn't invite him. Probably his mom out of politeness. Dad sat at the head, Itachi opposite. Not surprising—Dad admires big bro more than me...
"They say Itachi was in ANBU at my age, practically captain," I glanced at my brother, steadily eating dango. "And I'm still genin... Still genin! Damn!" I gripped my chopsticks hard but set them down carefully. "I'll train with Kakashi-sensei," I said emotionlessly.
"I'll train too, don't wanna fall behind," Jiro smiled politely. Somehow he made third stage. He's kinda weird: polite, not arrogant, calm, respects adults, follows rules. Too perfect. Suspiciously perfect. Weaker than me, probably Naruto too, and don't get me started on Ari.
"What about you, Ariza-chan?" Mom smiled softly at my friend. She quietly set down her chopsticks, finished eating, and replied:
"I didn't make third stage, but like the guys, I'll train," she smiled faintly back.
"What a shame," Mom pouted.
"Happens," she shrugged.
"Ariza," the Hokage spoke up. "I was told recently your written test scores are the highest in years."
"Whoa!" Naruto exclaimed.
"Thanks," Ariza muttered shortly and looked down.
"Who'd you get that beat you?" my dad asked; he'd been silent or talking to Minato-sama till then.
"Brother Kabuto, turned out strong," Naruto beat her to it, ruffling his already messy hair. Does he even groom it?
"Yeah, Kabuto Yakushi's no pushover; we tied," Ariza clarified Naruto's words.
"He helped us, but still suspicious. Kinda weird," I pursed my lips.
"He's not suspicious! Brother Kabuto helped us; he's good!" Dobe objected. I was about to tell him to quiet down when Ariza chimed in:
"Naruto, I fully agree with Sasuke. Kabuto's very suspicious and more like a spy than a genin," she concluded, looking around the table.
"What makes you say that?" my brother eyed her closely. I suddenly recalled yesterday at the hospital. She flicked my forehead with two fingers. Weird feeling, warm in my chest. Like something bro wanted to do years ago when I asked to train—eight or nine, I think. I dodged; he never tried again but sometimes trained me when asked. Taught me all kendo techniques. Yeah, parents hired a swordsman, but he did two-three sessions and bailed. Bro taught me after.
Not cool with Ariza; she thought it was the swordsman for years, but it wasn't. So I'm no better; I lie sometimes too. Bro approved teaching Ari too: "Teaching someone helps you remember faster."
Anyway, if Ari tries flicking my forehead again, I'll dodge. Maybe it'll work on her like on bro?
"He slipped up on the first stage, showing us participant stats cards. If collecting for himself, he'd have passed long ago: he's not as weak as he seems. I'd say jounin level. In our fight, he just held back," Ariza replied, eyes on my brother. Now I got the prelims situation. Kabuto learned something about Ariza she didn't want out and blackmailed her. That's why she forfeited. Minimized techniques to not tip off enemies.
"So what if he showed?! I'm telling you, he wanted to help!" Naruto fumed, crossing arms and turning to the window. Still mad at Ari from the hospital spat.
"Naruto, quieter," Hokage tried calming him. How'd genius Hokage get such a son? Never got it. Minato-sama visited before. Mom said he and Dad are best friends. This time she convinced me to invite Hokage and son—my teammate Naruto. Didn't want to at first, but it'd be rude: Naruto's clueless but my friend, and Ari'd be mad—she always pushes friendship and teamwork. She's the bridge between us. "Ariza, any proof?"
"Mmm..." she pondered briefly. "That's the thing—no. No proof for many things, so I keep quiet."
"Fair, I'll note it," to my surprise, Minato replied seriously. Didn't think Hokage'd take her guesses seriously.
"Minato-sama, when can we visit the residence?" she looked at Minato, then glanced at Jiro.
"Why?"
"About one thing and an important question I can't voice now," she said gravely, drawing everyone's attention. Understatement—we were hooked. Hiding again. Annoying but intriguing. Sounds dumb, but her mystery adds charm.
"What secrets? What question?" Naruto squinted, pissed at being left out.
"Fine, come tomorrow evening; we'll see your question," he nodded seriously, ignoring Naruto. Ariza glanced at Jiro again; he nodded faintly. He's involved too?
"Fugaku-san, Mikoto-san, Sasuke, it's late. I'll head home; early tomorrow," she looked at Dad for permission.
"Yes, of course," Dad nodded and eyed me. "Sasuke, walk your guest."
"Thanks so much; delicious and fun," she stood smiling. "Goodbye everyone, good evening."
"Bye, Ari," Jiro said, shocking me. How'd he know "Ari"? Only Team 7 knows! I eyed him; talk after party.
"Bye, Ariza-chan," Minato and Itachi said together.
"Come again, Ariza-chan," Mom smiled warmly; Dad nodded lightly. I stood without delay; we left the room. Silently to the entryway, putting on shoes.
"Wait, aren't you staying with guests?" Ariza surprised as I put on sandals.
"Won't let you go alone. Dark," I took her freezing hand after shoes; we exited. "Like it or not, I'm walking you."
"And guests?" I formed a seal unhurriedly; clone appeared, heading home. She raised a brow, then smiled faintly.
"Fine, let's go."
***
Read the story months ahead of the public release — early chapters are available on my Patreon: Granulan