Chapter 6

– Well, Danzo, what do you think of his idea?

– Brilliant, but defense is too small-scale. Intelligence could use it as well. The only question is the operational range from the station, – the bandaged old man replied thoughtfully. – How simple, the solution was right under our noses! Hah! We need to send inspectors to the hospitals and print shops, maybe we've missed something else. 

– The medics assure us that, if needed, the range can reach thirty to fifty kilometers. If activated by someone from the Uzumaki, the result could be several times greater, depending on the degree of their bloodline awakening. 

– Naruto. 

– Exactly. How soon can we implement the project? 

– I'll involve specialists from the Root. The stencils will be ready within a week. Naruto will mark the most valuable ones. The seal will be placed in the throat, under the skin, where there's less chance of accidental damage. 

– Naruto has terrifying chakra strength and terrible control. He needs practice in placing seals on people. 

Danzo nodded thoughtfully.

– Prisoners for practice. Or? 

– He'll understand. He asked for his memory to be erased for security reasons. 

– A resurrected Jinchuriki is more to my liking. – Danzo laughed hoarsely with a rasping sound.

---

Five days later, I was summoned to the Hokage.

– Naruto, we have work for you, – Hiruzen began straight to the point.

– A mission?

– Yes. And high secrecy. – A bad feeling started creeping in, no, it was pounding like a drum. – Your idea has been implemented. The seal has been refined and complex calculations were made. According to them, the highest efficiency will be if the seals are installed and activated by someone from the Uzumaki. I think you understand, there's no one else but you. – I knew it! Initiative is punishable. Though I don't believe there's no one else. More likely, they just can't reveal any Root specialists.

 – As far as I know, the installation requires skill… – I tried to back out.

– Stencils have been prepared, and… materials for training. The only question is, do you agree? – Hiruzen seemed to try and peer into my soul.

– I… I… will do my best, – I decided.

I was transported by Shunshin to a dim room, lit only by a couple of very weak lamps, realizing I was deep underground. A bit scary. I was given a white ANBU mask, without any distinguishing features—a sign of a trainee. As I took it, I shivered. This is a rite of passage. The mask isn't given just like that; it's a symbol of belonging, like a knight's crest. A serious advance.

I put on the mask, a gray jumpsuit, and a gray cloak. I entered another room. On a chair sat a naked, tied man, unconscious, probably won't come to. A bag covered his head—thank goodness for that. Nearby, a box held something resembling a cattle-branding tool. A stencil for the seal, then.

– Anonymous-san, grip the handle, channel chakra into it, press it to the skin for three to five seconds. Start with the limbs, you'll have more attempts. Don't worry about the flesh, the body will be dead when you leave the room. Begin training. If you need a break, just say so, – an ANBU in a mask of an animal unknown to me stood behind me.

With doubt on my face, hidden behind the mask, I took the stencil. I channeled chakra through it. The metal of the handle glowed faintly white, and the tip with the seal became almost like a lightbulb. I pressed the tool to the man's shin and counted. One! Two! The sound of stone hitting water. The tip melted, and the test subject's leg tore apart. Hanging shreds of skin, ripped flesh, blood flowing in a dark, steady stream to the floor. Thankfully, I didn't hit an artery, or I would've been drenched in a fountain.

I panted heavily for about twenty seconds. It was tough, like the first soul I ever consumed. To consciously, slowly kill a person. With no higher purpose. Almost for nothing—to practice installing one damn seal. How many will I kill?

As if in a dream, I reached for the next tool. Chakra, press to the thigh. One, two, three. The same sound. The same result. My head spun from the excitement and the unpleasant metallic smell pressing on my throat. I wanted to cough. I shouldn't have agreed, I could have excused myself as a child, but there's no turning back now. The third stencil. Chakra, press to the other leg. One, two, three, four, five. No result. I didn't use enough energy. Next attempt. An explosion tore off the leg, blood and bits of flesh splattered onto my hand and most of my cloak. Damn, sticky and disgusting! A lump rose in my throat that I barely suppressed. I stood there breathing, trying to gather my thoughts.

The test subject died. The body was swiftly removed, another brought in. A woman. It's so hard… Another ANBU entered the room. Watching me. Of course, in case I had a nervous breakdown and started smashing everything, and the tailed beast joined in.

I stopped making mistakes on the twenty-sixth body. To be sure, they brought a few more. Forty perfectly placed seals in a row. The subjects were finished off in front of me, and carried out.

– Will you begin the work, or rest, Anonymous-san? – asked the same ANBU.

– I'll rest. It's very… nerve-wracking. I need to calm down, – I replied, surprised at how weak my own voice sounded.

I was led to a rest area, but first, they gave me new clothes and a shower. The cloak I'd been given was covered in blood from head to toe. At one point, even intestines hit me. The mask couldn't be replaced. I washed it in the sink; fortunately, the blood came off the polished surface easily. A new jumpsuit was given to me, and I entered the rest area.

Flowers, decorative bonsai trees, a small fountain, and soft lighting. They brought strong green tea. I sat, taking very small sips from the cup, otherwise I'd throw up or my head would spin. I breathed. I felt like laughing nervously but suppressed it. The last thing I needed was to fall into hysteria. Once I calmed my nerves a bit, I decided to continue.

I was led to a completely different room. Bright lights, tiled floor, a chair in the center. Next to it, a box with stencils. I shuddered slightly at the sight.

The first to sit in the chair was the same ANBU who accompanied me. He slightly shifted his mask and lifted his chin.

The work began. First seal. Second. Third. Fourth.

I channeled chakra for the fifth, a strange feeling, something was off. I threw the stencil aside and grabbed a new one.

– The chakra flowed differently, I didn't want to take any risks, – I explained to the observer.

No mistakes. Incredible tension in my nerves. About three hundred people received seals. Among them were Might Guy and Kakashi. Sensei didn't recognize me; the ANBU uniform perfectly hides the figure, and the mask the face. By instinct, I recognized Kurenai, who had almost reached Uchiha mastery in genjutsu, and Asuma, the Hokage's son. I took four more breaks. After another return to the room, it was different.

– Hello, Naruto, – the old man glared at me with his only eye, then sat in the chair and began unwrapping his bandages. The other half of his face was covered in severe burns, no Sharingan, just an empty eye socket.

– Danzo-sama, we have excellent medics, why don't you…

– A reminder of old mistakes. Place the seal, – Shimura quickly interrupted me.

The bandages revealed his neck. The seal was placed. Next was the Kage. It was terrifying, but I managed.

– Your work is done, Naruto-kun. What do you think? – asked the Hokage.

– It was very frightening. Frightening to make a mistake and hurt my comrades. My… my hands are shaking. I'm ashamed.

– Naruto! – Hiruzen said loudly and firmly. – It's nothing. Not every genin could handle such a task. You've earned the trainee mask by right, it's yours. Congratulations on completing your first A-rank mission. The village is proud of you!

– Thank you, Hokage-sama! – I bowed, but I was still far from calm.

– Owl! – Another ANBU appeared next to me, wearing a mask with large purple circles around the eyes and a cartoonish owl nose. – Take the trainee home, give him a sedative and a sleeping pill. Make sure he takes it. Naruto, be sure to take the pills, it will make things easier. – There was a fatherly warmth in his voice. It felt nice.

– Yes, Hokage-sama!

At home, I was met by a dreamless sleep.