Recruited

Author's Note: Extra 200 words for you guys. Make sure to leave powerstones and good reviews. Also join my discord you get sneak peeks at chapters, ask any question you like and alerts about releases. JOIN MY DISCORD: dis cord.gg/wkhPUDrmyU . Going to do early releases on my discord.

-End of Note

The two had finally reached the Hokage Residence. The building was much bigger than Shinji could have ever imagined; he never had a reason to go near the Hokage Residence, so he only ever saw it from a distance. Upon entering, Kakashi looked back at Shinji and said, "Remember to keep good manners. This is the Hokage after all. That means there won't be any antics of reaching for weapons." Shinji didn't need Kakashi to tell him; he knew that the Third Hokage was someone of great stature. "He's only telling me this because he thinks I'm a child," Shinji thought to himself.

They climbed up a flight of stairs and now stood outside the door of the Hokage's office. "Again. Be respectful," Kakashi said in a stern voice. Shinji couldn't help but get the feeling that Kakashi was only doing this because he was bold enough to reach for a weapon when Kakashi confronted him. "I know," Shinji said, reassuring Kakashi.

Kakashi knocked on the door to which a voice from inside said, "Come in." Kakashi walked in, and Shinji followed. "Lord Third, I've brought Shinji Haruno as you have instructed," Kakashi said, dropping to one knee to which Shinji imitated. The Third Hokage stood with his hands behind his back, looking out of the office window. "Yes, you've done well. How are you, Shinji?" Hiruzen asked. "Doing well, Lord Third," Shinji responded.

The Third Hokage turned around and took a seat behind his desk. "You may stand," he declared, prompting Kakashi and Shinji to get up. "So, Shinji, are you aware of why we've brought you here?" Hiruzen asked. Shinji shook his head. "You have been suggested for the Anbu by me. I believe you could be a good fit. Not only are you skilled, you also have the presence of someone who has lost a part of themselves," Hiruzen remarked.

Shinji flinched at how accurate that statement was. However, Hiruzen had it all wrong; Shinji had lost everything. He had kept himself busy during his time in the Shinobi world, but the thought of his prior family saddened him from time to time. However, the love he got from his new mother and father was more than he could've asked for. It made him wonder why Sakura complained about them to Sasuke in the show.

"Ehm… It seems I mentioned something personal…" Hiruzen said, snapping Shinji back into reality. "I- It's nothing, Lord Third," Shinji stuttered. Hiruzen glanced at Kakashi, then took a long look at Shinji. "Well then? Do you accept the proposal?" Hiruzen questioned.

Shinji contemplated the proposal. On the one hand, he could explore lands he wouldn't have the opportunity to visit as a Genin, but on the other, he wasn't sure if he'd make it back alive. "I guess I just need to get stronger by any means necessary in order to survive," Shinji thought. He looked at Hiruzen and said, "Yes, I accept, Lord Third," bowing slightly.

"It is official then. Starting today, you will be the newest member of the Anbu Black Ops. You mustn't speak of your identity to anyone, even those closest to you. In order to hide your identity, you will be assigned to a squad of Genin who are also in the Anbu, however, they are two years older than you. Just like the rest, you will be meeting your Genin squad and your Jonin leader. You're dismissed," Hiruzen ordered.

Kakashi and Hiruzen both bowed and left the room. On the way out, Shinji was silent. He now had to deal with the dilemma of being extraordinarily late. Kakashi, seeing the stressed expression that adorned Shinji's face, offered to come by the Haruno residence and make an excuse for him being late. Shinji felt a sense of calm wash over him; he wasn't ready to be yelled at after such an exhausting day.

"Why are you helping me so much?" Shinji asked Kakashi. Kakashi simply patted Shinji on the shoulder and said, "I know you have certain expectations about what life of an Anbu is like, but it's much worse than you think. You'll be cherishing kindness like this when you realize the anguish that life comes with."

Shinji knew Kakashi was right. He was from a good neighborhood and had never seen murder before, but to think he would be the one doing the murdering was something he couldn't process. He just hoped that he could remain himself and not lose sight of things along the way. "I'll be fine," Shinji said, trying to reassure himself.

After some time, they had finally reached the house. Shinji stood in front of the door, took a deep breath, and knocked. As he was about to knock again, the door flung open and there stood Mebuki and Kizashi who looked extremely worried. "Shinji! How dare you make your mother worry about you!" Mebuki yelled at him.

As she was about to continue telling him off, Kakashi cleared his voice and said, "Sorry, we had to complete some files in relation to Shinji's performance at the Academy." Mebuki quickly regained her composure and responded, "Oh.. come inside, have some tea. Thank you for bringing my son home safely."

Kakashi raised up his two hands and said, "No no it's fine, besides I have some duties to take care of." Before Mebuki could insist, Kakashi shunshin'd away. Mebuki turned to Shinji, crossed her arms, and sighed. "You don't know how worried you made us; go have a shower and we will talk after. Your sister has already gone to bed and she told us about the fight too," Mebuki said in a more controlled tone.

Shinji couldn't help but be disappointed that his sister was so quick to tell. "Then again, I guess it seemed like I had been kidnapped," Shinji thought. Mebuki and Kizashi went back inside, but Shinji stayed at the door staring at the stars that danced in the night sky. His attention slowly drifted away from the sky to the street in front of the Haruno residence. A lone figure was also staring at the sky a few meters left of the house.

"Is that Sasuke?" Shinji said, squinting his eyes to confirm it was really him. "It really is him. What's he doing out this late, won't his family be worri-'' Shinji didn't bother finishing the thought; he had forgotten Sasuke didn't have any family. Shinji felt a wrenching feeling in his stomach. He would often feel bad for himself for losing his original family, but at least it was replaced with another family that cared for him. Sasuke had nobody. Nobody at all.

"Hey, Sasuke!" Shinji shouted, trying to get his attention. Sasuke's gaze drifted from the sky to Shinji. "Want to come inside and eat?" Shinji asked. Sasuke was startled by the request; it was the first time anyone had ever asked. Sasuke continued walking until he reached the house. "Do I look like some kind of beggar to you? I have enough money to feed myself," Sasuke scoffed before walking past the house. "Screw you then!" Shinji yelled and began heading back into the house, slamming the door shut. "What a brat," Shinji complained, clenching his fist. Once Shinji was gone, Sasuke stopped for a moment and looked back at the house and smiled a little. "How annoying," he laughed.

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