The morning sun filtered through the wide windows of the academy hall as the newly graduated genin sat in rows. Excitement buzzed through the air, whispers bouncing off the walls as the newly graduated genin waited anxiously for their new team leader.
The small figure of Itachi Uchiha, barely looking his age, sat calmly at his desk, unfazed by the glances being thrown his way. Some of the older genins even spoke out openly.
" Who's this tiny one?"
"Look at him… he's so small."
"He's younger than us. How's he supposed to be a shinobi already?"
"They say he's a prodigy, but still…"
" Shh! Watch your mouth. He's wearing the Uchiha crest. Don't drag us into trouble."
Meanwhile, Enji Sarutobi sat with arms folded, taller and sturdier than many of the older kids. His broad shoulders and steady gaze made him blend in with the older genin - no one questioned his place. If anything, they simply overlooked him as "another strong kid."
The room quieted as a group of adults entered.
"Now I'll be announcing the final team assignments. When I call your name, stand up and step forward." A chunin announced.
He scanned the first list.
"Kieta, Ayame, Riku - you'll be Team 1 under Jounin Kenta."
The three kids stood up, looking nervous and proud as they followed their new sensei waiting by the door. The chatter picked up again once they left.
The instructor continued.
"Haruto, Yumi, Daisuke - Team 2, with Chunin Reiko."
The trio hurried off after their new teacher.
Teams left one by one with their new sensei. Soon the room thinned out, leaving only Enji and Itachi seated in silence.
"Guess we're last," Enji muttered, side-eyeing Itachi.
Itachi only hummed quietly, unreadable as ever.
The door slid open. A man stepped in - of average height, lean, sharp-eyed, and with a presence that filled the room instantly.
"Enji. Itachi."
Enji's eyes widened. "…Yasu sensei?"
Itachi looked at him curiously.
Yasu gave the faintest smile. "Surprised?" He gestured for them to follow. "Walk with me."
They stepped out into the cool evening air. Yasu led them along the quiet path, the chatter of newly formed teams fading behind them. Finally, when they reached the shaded path toward the outer woods, he spoke.
"You two are not ordinary genin. The Hokage thinks there is no need for you both, to waste time doing D rank missions. He has high hopes for you, so he has made some special arrangements.
Only the cream of the crop, best of the best,have this privilege. So think carefully before you decide."
His gaze sharpened. "From now on, you'll be undergoing special training. Training meant to prepare you for… higher service."
"Higher service?" Enji asked, though he already suspected.
"ANBU."
Itachi's dark eyes widened at the prospect, but his composure didn't break. Enji, on the other hand, inhaled slowly, trying to digest it.
"You will train in secret. Only few will know, not even your closest friends. You are allowed to inform your gaurdians, only if they are ninjas of rank chunin or above ." Yasu's tone was cool, even.
"If you accept, gather at Training Ground 36 at tomorrow midnight. If you don't… you're free to walk away now."
The silence stretched. Then Itachi spoke softly. "Senior, I'am honoured to be selected. But, senior, I need to consult my father first."
Yasu nodded and turned to face Enji. Seeing his face Yasu already knew his decision.
Enji was already looking for advanced training. He felt he needed to get stronger, faster, to be well prepared to deal the incoming storms.
This oppertunity came at the right time.
This was exactly what he wanted.
Yasu gave the faintest nod of approval. "Good. Enjoy your evening, then. It may be one of the last normal ones you'll have."
With that, he vanished in a blur, leaving only the faint disturbance of air.
.....
As the sun kissed the horizon, Enji, fresh and well rested after his training ,made his way towards the market district.
The scent of grilled meat filled the air as Enji pushed open the sliding door of Yakiniku Q. The hum of laughter and sizzling plates of food greeted him. He spotted the reserved table Itachi had mentioned.
Sitting there was Itachi, composed and polite as always, but beside him sat a small boy, no more than a toddler, clutching tightly at his sleeve. He had black hair,fair skin with chubby cheeks, his face sharing some similarities with Itachi.His dark eyes narrowed as Enji arrived at their table.
Enji smiled as he approached. ' Sasuke, huh, looks like a stuffed doll, cute.'
He teasingly said -
"Are you little Sasuke. Hm… I thought the great Uchiha Itachi's little bro would be a big strong boy. This kid looks like a clingy crybaby. Haha."
The boy glared at Enji, seeing his teasing smile grow wider he pouted and hugged Itachi's arm tighter. "Nii-san… who is he? I don't like him.""
Itachi's voice was calm and warm. "Sasuke don't be rude.He's Enji. My… friend."
The boy blinked, then frowned, turning his small face toward Enji. " I am not little, and I'm not a crybaby. And you don't seem that strong, hmph!
I bet nii san can beat you easily."
Enji gasped theatrically. "Eh? You don't even know me, how do you know your nii san is stronger?."
"That's obvious" Sasuke said, glaring with his round cheeks puffed out. "Nii-san is the best. You can't beat him."
Enji leaned closer with a sly smile. "But what if I almost did?"
Sasuke's little mouth opened, eyes wide with shock. "Liar! Nii-san never loses!" He tugged at Itachi's sleeve like it would prove his point.
Itachi only gave a faint, patient smile, one hand resting gently on Sasuke's head. "Eat your food, Sasuke."
Sasuke tugged on Itachi's sleeve, demanding confirmation. "Tell him, nii-san!"
Itachi only gave a wry smile, his eyes drifting toward Enji as if pleading to stop.
Before the moment could stretch, a familiar voice broke in.
"Well, well, what's this? Itachi being ganged up on by a kid and a toddler?"
Sliding into the seat was Shisui Uchiha, smiling easily. His presence seemed to fill the room with a relaxed warmth.
"Shisui," Itachi greeted softly.
Shisui ruffled Sasuke's hair, making the boy protest. "Ah, little Sasuke ,what made you so mad.? Already so protective of your brother, huh?" Then his gaze shifted to Enji. "So you're the Sarutobi boy. The one who Itachi cannot stop talking about, the one who Itachi is struggling against in a fight."
Enji rubbed his neck, modest. "Haha. Itachi was never serious."
Shisui chuckled, eyes glinting with quiet admiration. "Not bad. Itachi doesn't hand out praise easily. That means you're the real deal."
"Stop praising him!" Sasuke interrupted, glaring with all his little might. "Nii-san is the strongest!"
Enji leaned forward, grinning. "Oh, so you're his number one fan, huh? Don't worry, Sasuke. I won't beat your brother too hard."
"Hmph! I said I don't like you! Don't talk to me!" Sasuke pouted harder, cheeks red.
Shisui laughed quietly while Itachi just sat in silence, his expression gentle, clearly amused though he didn't show it.
The rest of the dinner was filled with quiet chatter. Shisui asked questions about their daily training, Itachi answered sparingly, and Sasuke kept his suspicious glares trained on Enji between mouthfuls of food.
By the time they stepped outside, Sasuke clung to Itachi's hand, still glaring at Enji as if he were a rival already.
Shisui stretched with a grin. "Well, this was fun. But I'm even more curious now. Enji, how about you and Itachi test yourselves against me?"
Enji blinked, then smirked. "The famous Shisui the Teleporter? Us two against you? I'm always ready for a spar."
Shisui winked. " It's fixed then. Let's go then,Training ground 40"
Itachi gave his usual quiet nod. "Let's go then."
and turned to Sasuke " Sasuke, I'll drop you home."
" Ni saan, I want to watch the fight." Sasuke aked with puppy eyes.
Itachi not able to resist, finally agreed.
" But you should not run around, Ok. Promise me."
Sasuke nodded readily and then turning to Enji and murmured " Hmph! We'll see how someone will get a beating."
Enji burst out laughing. "Relax, Sasuke. You glare at me any harder, I might think you're trying to awaken your Sharingan early."
Sasuke scowled, crossing his arms, and turned his head away with a little "hmph!" Itachi rubbed his brother's hair soothingly, but Sasuke only clung tighter.
The group slowly made their way towards the training amidst the bickering between Enji and an angry toddler.