High above the bustling streets of Kirigakure, nestled on a mountain peak, a grand hall sat within a towering structure. Its windows offered a commanding view of the city below, now bathed in the soft hues of the rising sun.
A solitary figure sat inside the hall at the head of an elongated table, shrouded in shadows. He was clad in black shinobi attire, an aura of authority emanating from his still form. The only sound that broke the silence was the faint rustle of fabric as he shifted in his seat.
A servant girl with snow-white bowl-cut hair tousled entered, her footsteps echoing softly on the polished floor. She approached with a mix of reverence and caution, bowing slightly. "Reikon-sama," she began, her voice barely above a whisper, "The one in Takigakure has fallen. However, as promised, the Mizukage has ordered Zabuza Momochi and his brat to intercept Konohagakure's forces."
The man known as Reikon paused, his hand halting mid-motion as he carefully placed his utensils on the table. He turned his head towards the servant, his expression unreadable in the dim light. "Very well," he replied, his voice as calm and steady as the still air around them.
He rose from his seat, reaching for an intricately adorned mask on the table beside him. Its design was beautiful and ominous, hinting at alluring and dangerous power. The servant hesitated, her curiosity piqued. "Reikon-sama," she ventured, "must you involve yourself so directly? It's unlike you."
Reikon held the mask in his hand, his gaze fixed on its intricate details. "Asuka," he began, his voice laced with a hint of anticipation. "If Arashi Uchiha is anything like his brother," he spoke, a hint of something unplaceable in his tone, "then he is the key to my plan's success."
He carefully placed the mask over his face, concealing his features and the powerful gaze that had become a symbol of his enigmatic presence. He then draped a dark robe over his shoulders, its fabric emblazoned with crimson clouds outlined in white. As he turned to leave, Asuka caught a chilling glimpse of his eyes through the mask's narrow slits. They were mesmerizing crimson, each one adorned with three tomoe swirling boldly within.
Back in Takigakure, Arashi found solace in the rhythmic motion of Sora's wings as they sliced through the sky, carrying him swiftly back to Konoha. The majestic bird moved unnaturally, a blur against the sprawling landscape below.
As he lay on Sora's back, Arashi deactivated his Rinnegan, his gaze drifting toward the endless expanse of clouds above. 'I placed the kid in a genjutsu,' he thought, a hint of sadness in his eyes. 'He should be awakening from it any moment now. His dōjutsu is nearly invulnerable to genjutsu, after all.'
A wave of tiredness washed over him, and he opened his eyes, surrendering to the fatigue that clung to his body. 'Izumo...he's a remarkable kid,' he mused, a mixture of admiration and regret colouring his thoughts. 'I didn't erase his memories, but the sense of abandonment he'll feel...it's unavoidable.'
He sighed mentally, a silent apology echoing in his mind. 'Sorry, Izumo,' he thought, 'but this is for your safety. I want you to make it to the next stage.'
"Ugh! I'll probably have to deal with that old creep before practice!" He suddenly sat up, his eyes widening with disgust as he thought of the Hokage.
Sora dove towards the forest, and Arashi held tight as they neared his teammates. He swiftly gathered them up and returned to Sora's back, where they took off towards the Hidden Leaf.
Once they were close to Konoha, Arashi descended to the ground with his team. He formed a hand seal and released the genjutsu he had placed on them.
"You were all caught in the enemy's trap," Arashi explained, his voice laced with concern. "We were lucky, though. I managed to complete the mission and keep you alive."
"You...saved us?" one of his teammates asked, astonishment evident in his voice.
Arashi nodded, his eyes closed. "Mmhm, that's exactly what happened. Believe it."
He stretched out his hand towards them. "We're back home. I'll let you handle the debriefing. Tell them a story about how we encountered no serious threat besides a genjutsu user. If there are any questions, tell them to ask me, insist. I'll go talk to the Hokage, got it?"
"Yes, sir!" they responded in unison.
With no wasted time, Arashi quickly vanished.
"Man, for a young kid, he's good at what he does, huh?" one of the Anbu remarked, watching Arashi disappear.
"Damn right, he is," another agreed.
"What a bunch of tools," Arashi muttered as he reappeared outside the Hokage's office.
Arashi's squad headed towards the intelligence team while Arashi entered the Hokage's office. Hiruzen was signing some papers when Arashi materialized from a swirling pile of leaves that had entered through the open window.
"I did my job," Arashi announced, leaning against the wall with his hands casually tucked into his pockets.
"I can see that," the Hokage replied dryly, his gaze lingering on the dried bloodstains that marred Arashi's clothes.
"Was there anything you learned? Anyone interesting?" Hiruzen inquired, his voice carefully neutral. "From the rumours circulating in the Land of Waterfalls, there's a child with a deadly dōjutsu. Did you encounter him?"
"Hmph..." Arashi scoffed, turning his gaze towards the window. "You really are the devil in disguise," he muttered, pulling out a pair of sunglasses and slipping them on to conceal his active Rinnegan.
"I killed everyone who got in my way," he continued, his voice devoid of emotion. "I also killed my targets. Just like you, they were all weak. If there were a kid with a dōjutsu, he'd be dead by now. We all know how quickly villagers decide right and wrong for their world."
The Hokage took a puff from his pipe and nodded slowly. "I see..." he said before stamping the letter he had been reviewing.
"In that case...well done on your mission," Hiruzen continued. "Itachi is yet to arrive at the main gate because I intervened."
"Yeah, whatever." Arashi walked towards the window, pausing at the ledge. "One last thing," he said, glancing back at the Hokage, his Rinnegan subtly visible through his sunglasses.
"If you ever interfere with me and Ino-chan again, I'll kill you."
The Hokage composed himself, not allowing any fear or emotion to show, but deep down, he felt the chilling weight of Arashi's killing intent.
"Very well," he began, "I'll—"
Before he could finish, Arashi was gone.
'That kid...' Hiruzen thought, shaking his head. 'He's truly a problem.'
Arashi finally arrived home, his body aching from the long day. He dropped his katana and headed straight for the showers, the hot water a welcome relief. Afterwards, he boiled water for a simple ramen, the familiar comfort a source of solace.
As he sat down to eat, his body felt heavy, a constant reminder of his powers' physical toll on him. "Sae's kunai absorbs my chakra; it keeps me from going all out, but that's not such a bad idea," he muttered, reaching for a small green container filled with pills.
He took a handful of pills and swallowed them down with a gulp, his throat burning. "Cough! Cough!" he choked, covering his mouth as a trickle of blood escaped his lips.
'It's progressing; going all out only makes me worse,' he thought, his heart heavy—side effects of an illness he's carried since he was younger.
Arashi finished his meal, the bitterness of the pills lingering in his mouth. He clenched his fist, a surge of determination coursing through him. 'I'll keep my Rinnegan off for today,' he resolved, his gaze hardening.
He left the house, and the cool air was a welcome change.