Hiruzen regarded the assembled team thoughtfully, a flicker of a proud smile touching his lips.
"Your work has been invaluable to Konoha's future. This report will be forwarded to the intelligence wing for further analysis and consolidation."
He paused, warmth softening his expression.
"Shorai, you did a great job. Although…" Hiruzen's gaze sharpened slightly as he turned toward Eagle, "sending him on a mission before completing all the usual preparations was a bold move."
Shorai noticed a brief flicker of tension from Eagle's body language.
"Lord Third," Eagle began, his voice steady but respectful, "while there was some risk, the start of phase two confirmed our assessment. Shorai's character and intelligence justified the field test. The mission itself proved our judgment correct."
Cat crossed her arms, nodding firmly. "His chakra control and adaptability are exceptional. He stepped into the role of an ANBU operative with a maturity beyond his years. That's the mark of a true prodigy."
Boar grunted in agreement, his voice rough but approving. "He's got the potential, and he follows orders without question. That kind of discipline is rare in a fresh Genin."
Hiruzen's face broke into a wide smile, a spark of pride shining in his eyes.
"Shorai, it seems you've paid them well," he teased with a chuckle, raising a brow. "Such praise from just one mission—don't tell me you bribed your way to my approval?"
Shorai gave a thin smile and a light chuckle, then his expression grew serious.
"That would be wrong," he said quietly. "Anyone who buys their way into a higher rank only tarnishes its reputation and disrespects those who earn it through true competence."
He paused, the room falling silent as all eyes turned to him.
His gaze drifted to the portraits of previous Hokages lining the wall, their stern faces reminding him of the heavy burden he aspired to bear.
"After just that one mission, I fully understood the depth of knowledge and experience I lack. I may have a biological advantage to learn faster than others, but theory and practice are not the same. That's why I'm grateful—even if I may not undertake another mission soon—that it helped me realize what awaits as I progress through the ranks."
Turning toward the ANBU, Shorai bowed respectfully. "Thank you for your lessons."
A quiet weight settled in his chest—a mix of gratitude and the looming uncertainty of what lay ahead.
The three exchanged glances—silent, unreadable, but heavy with unspoken respect and cautious hope.
Hiruzen smiled, a complex expression flickering across his face—pride tempered by the weight of responsibility—as he took a slow puff from his pipe.
"Your mentorship isn't over, my boy."
Shorai looked up from a bow, waiting.
"You may rest and reflect on the experience. Train in your spare time. For now, I'll need each of them on different missions. You, however... your undercover mission begins here, within the very walls of Konoha." His voice lowered slightly, underscoring the gravity of the task.
The ANBU exchanged looks—curious, understanding, and tinged with the unspoken acknowledgment of Shorai's upcoming burden.
"I've done everything in my power to delay and conceal you, Shorai. But people with curiosity toward hidden talents... you understand how dangerous that can be."
Shorai nodded.
"While they are ordered not to seek you out directly, there are always ways to manufacture circumstances." Hiruzen gave him a knowing look as he took another puff.
"Do the Jonin know much about me, or is it mostly rumors? Asuma-san mentioned my scores are public, but there seems to be a veil of secrecy around me..." Shorai probed cautiously.
"The three Genin team leaders have some knowledge of you," Hiruzen replied thoughtfully. "I spoke with them just in case you join their missions. For now, you're on a well-earned break thanks to your scholarly achievements. Heavenly Lotus even suggested a product-inspiration trip as a cover." He chuckled softly.
"The Council knows you exist. They can't touch you—at least not openly. But, Shorai, please make this easy on me. Keep this strictly between us, or you might find yourself back in the Academy... or somewhere far less pleasant." His voice dropped to a low, serious tone.
"I understand, Lord Third. I will treat this with the utmost seriousness." Shorai bowed slightly, his eyes steady.
"Good. Now that this is over, go rest for a day. Tomorrow, come back to the tower and receive your D-rank missions."
"Thank you again, and have a good day." Shorai bowed once more, a quiet determination settling in his eyes as he gestured toward his mentors and left.
He stepped outside, smiled, and took a deep breath. His senses caught the morning freshness in the air, mingled with drifting scents of flowers and prepared food from somewhere along the main street. As he walked through the street, the sounds of chirping birds and a chilling morning wind welcomed him back.
He glanced at his watch: 07:30 AM.
"Soon, a new generation of kids will begin their journey through the Ninja Academy," he thought, a thin smile playing on his lips.
Memories from another life stirred softly within him, carried on the faint strains of a melody—melancholic, reflective, and haunting—echoing quietly in his mind.
I'm not a man of too many faces... The mask I wear is one.
Now, he had to maintain his cover and uphold his own legend within his home. The cost was high—the risk of exposing the Reality Stone remained the gravest threat. He hadn't forgotten to deactivate it, though a brief thought crossed his mind to test his control once more.
The entity's last warning lingered in his mind, fueling his curiosity about its meaning. The tightly controlled, invisible warp state of his mind was hidden from all sensors; its energy seemed undetectable by anyone.
The thought nagged at him, pulling his memory back to that shockwave—clearly from the Mind Stone.
"If no one can sense or detect its energy, then perhaps it's similar to mine... unless I make it obvious," he mused. "Maybe something like a clear-colored shield or a warp visible before a person?"
Some time later, he made it to his Orphan's apartment block and spotted his caretaker smoking while leaning on the wall in front of the entrance.
"Good morning, Tetsuo-san. How are you?" Shorai approached with a smile.
"Oh! Shorai! Haven't seen you in a while," the caretaker said, locking eyes with him and smiling. "Your absence didn't go unnoticed, you know. A lovely lady from Heavenly Lotus came looking for you... and your Academy friends."
"Thank you for covering for me, sir. Was there anything urgent?"
"That girl wanted you back for something about the business. Nothing urgent, really. But your friends were worried. Whatever you were doing—even if you were allowed to travel—next time, tell them in advance, okay?"
"Yes. It was very abrupt. My bad..."
Shorai gave an apologetic smile, scratching the back of his neck. Tetsuo regarded him with the discerning, understanding look of an experienced shinobi.
"See you around, Shorai. And, stay healthy."
"You too, Tetsuo-san. Thank you."
After exchanging brief pleasantries, Shorai headed to his room. The Reality Stone's sensory mode kept updating him on the presence of a particular figure hidden in a nearby tree. Inside his room, he also kept tabs on Naruto, who was now getting dressed—clearly having overslept and missed the team meeting for his next chore.
Creak!
Thum!
Naruto's door creaked open, waking the hallway. Loud footsteps echoed across the floor, quickly fading away.
Shorai stretched, pondering what to do with his free day—though this time, it felt different, as if he had a tail following him.
After tidying his room and taking a shower, he headed toward the Heavenly Lotus building. The stalker followed for a moment, but Shorai noticed him slipping away as he reached the shop.
"Probably reporting back," he mused, a flicker of caution in his mind.
Stepping inside the large shop, he was greeted by the familiar scent of materials and paint. He quickly spotted Aya, busy attending to customers in a distant corner. Not wanting to interrupt, he leaned casually on the counter and waited.
Moments later, Aya turned around mid-conversation and spotted the missing piece she had been looking for.
"Shorai, you're back!" Aya exclaimed with a wide smile. After finishing her duty, she quickly approached him. "How was your vacation? Haven't seen you in a while... and look at you! Getting more handsome by the day, hi-hi." She leaned forward, observing his features in detail.
"Great, yet short. How are you?" Shorai showed some interest, then proceeded to question her for how things had been going in his absence.
"I heard Ren spoke with the Hokage... Were there people looking for me?" Shorai asked, lowering his voice.
"There were," Aya replied, her voice tinged with worry. "Masked individuals came looking for you. They knew exactly where to find you..." She glanced around nervously before continuing, "This interest in you... your model mask isn't a secret to them."
"Thanks for covering for me," Shorai said with a confident smile. "Those people won't be a problem. They're part of the Council's interest in me." He paused, then added with a smirk, "After graduation, I guess I became quite the anomaly."
"Then I'm relieved," Aya said with a wink, clearly trusting his calm composure.
"Is Ren home?" Shorai asked.
"Not right now. He'll be back later today. But..." Aya paused, glancing around the shop, "we have some ideas for the summer album, Shorai. Come by later; we need your opinion."
"Alright, I'll be back then. See you later, Aya." Shorai flashed his trademark smile and stepped outside.
The moment Shorai stepped outside, he stumbled upon a person he least wanted to meet face to face. Another cloaked figure stood nearby but left after a brief exchange with him.
Danzo.
"Good morning, sir..." Shorai greeted, maintaining a calm demeanor.
Shorai stood a meter distance from him, staring calmly into his piercing narrowed eyes.
"Shorai, I presume?" a hoarse unreadable voice came.
"Yes, sir. May I ask who you are, and if there is something I can assist you with?" Shorai asked, his voice courteous but guarded.
His warped sensory mode alerted him to the presence of an ANBU and two Root operatives observing from a distance, their silent vigilance underscoring the gravity of the encounter.
What a drag...