Three days later, it was the day to report to the Anbu. Fenghuo woke early, cleaned himself up, and headed straight for the Hokage's office. But just as he stepped outside, someone blocked his way.
"Uchiha Fugaku?"
Fenghuo's heart skipped a beat. Why would Fugaku come looking for him?
"Long time no see. If I remember correctly, your name is Fenghuo." Fugaku gave him a measured smile.
"Ah, yes. We've met before—Master Fuyue." Fenghuo greeted him with neither too much humility nor arrogance.
"Mm." Fugaku nodded, then asked knowingly, "Today's the day you report to the Anbu, right?"
Fenghuo didn't smile, only replied flatly, "Yes. If Master Fuyue doesn't mind, I'm in a bit of a hurry."
"Actually, I came to see you for a reason." Fugaku cut to the chase. "Your age makes this awkward, but I don't have any other choice."
Fenghuo narrowed his eyes. Was Fugaku implying he might want to use Fenghuo to spy within the Anbu? "You don't want me to steal information for you, right? That's your eldest son's job. No matter what you say, you won't take it from him."
"Not at all," Fugaku said. "It's about Uchiha Tenzen. That boy's temper is extreme. If he causes trouble inside the Anbu, I hope you can help keep him in line."
So that was it. Fenghuo smiled confidently. "Don't worry, Master Fuyue. I'll handle it."
"Thank you."
…
Regarding the Uchiha clan, Fenghuo didn't pry, but the important details always found their way to his ears.
Currently, the Uchiha clan patriarch was Uchiha Chika, and Uchiha Yamano captained the Konoha police force. These two were pillars of the clan's strength. After Yamano took command of the military police, the Uchiha became an unbreakable fortress. Fugaku's ambitions grew steadily, and with shadowy threats from Danzo and others lurking, his goals became dangerously close to a coup.
If Fugaku were to die suddenly… well, that would shake things up.
Shaking off the thought, Fenghuo looked up. They had arrived at the Hokage's office.
"Yo, Fenghuo." Kakashi passed by with his usual cool nonchalance, mask in place. He barely glanced at Fenghuo and kept walking.
Great. My little grump, thought Fenghuo, already feeling a vein throb with irritation.
Inside, the Third Hokage sat smoking his pipe, joined by Uchiha Tenzen.
"Hmph," Tenzen snorted coldly at Fenghuo, eyes fixed at a forty-five-degree angle toward the window.
"Well, everyone's here." Hiruzen Sarutobi's sharp eyes flicked between Kakashi and Fenghuo, clearly pleased.
Fenghuo's skin crawled. Was the Hokage planning to stir trouble?
"Sakumo, I'm leaving these three to you," the Hokage said suddenly.
A man with white hair and gentle eyes entered—Hatake Sakumo, the legendary "White Fang," whose reputation reverberated through the ninja world.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen gave a few last instructions before Sakumo led them away.
"Follow me." Sakumo moved briskly, guiding them down the Hokage's steps, through shadowed alleys, and eventually into a subterranean passage.
After navigating underground waterways, they stopped before a huge tree. Sakumo formed hand seals, and a barrier lifted, revealing a black stone staircase descending from the roots.
"Your captain will signal when to unseal the barrier. But first, a routine for new recruits."
Below, the dimly lit tunnels led to hidden buildings, their walls silent witnesses to countless secrets.
At some point, Sakumo donned a mask—white with black lines, giving his features an eerie translucence in the gloom.
"Come in." He pushed open a creaking iron door, the sound harsh and unnatural.
Fenghuo felt a weight in the air, the oppressive atmosphere sinking into his bones.
Inside, the room resembled a lounge, with sofas and tea sets. At the far end stood a solid iron door.
Sakumo knocked, and a voice from inside demanded a password. After Sakumo spoke it, the door swung open.
"My lord, please enter."
"Kakashi, first." Sakumo nodded toward the door without looking back.
Kakashi stood, hands in pockets, head held high as he walked inside.
The door slammed shut behind him.
Sakumo's voice called again: "Uchiha Fenghuo, come in!"
Fenghuo inhaled deeply and approached the iron door.
Behind him, Uchiha Tenzen narrowed his eyes, thinking, They're probably marking us with a sealing jutsu to prevent leaks of Anbu secrets. How childish.
Uchiha Tenzen showed no concern for the curse marks; pride ruled his expression.
Inside, Fenghuo sat on a wooden chair. A tall, muscular ninja with long hair approached him. He glanced at Sakumo, who subtly shook his head.
"Don't resist." The long-haired ninja placed a hand on Fenghuo's forehead, transmitting a strange energy into his mind.
Fenghuo's heart raced—he feared his time traveler identity might be exposed.
After a moment, the ninja withdrew his hand and nodded to Sakumo.
"Uchiha Tenzen, come in!"
Fenghuo blinked, wondering if this was the end of the process. He checked himself and noticed a strange curse seal etched into the crease of his right finger.
"So this is the curse mark to keep me from leaking Anbu secrets."
Uchiha Tenzen entered proudly and took a seat opposite Fenghuo.
The long-haired ninja again looked to Sakumo, who nodded.
"Don't resist," the ninja warned, his eyes narrowing behind his mask, a cold smirk curling at the corner of his mouth. He placed his hand on Tenzen's forehead.
The next moment—
"Ahhh!!" Tenzen screamed, trembling violently, hands and feet wracked with pain as if tormented by a hundred enemies.
Fenghuo's eyes widened in surprise at the harsh treatment.
I like this.
He grinned inwardly.
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