Interlude Chapter #4: A New Anbu

*Takes place simultaneously to chapter 26*

After the final group of students finished off their goodbyes with one another, they all split up in different directions, with Obito's heading to the forest, Mizuki's group heading to the library, and so forth.

However, despite the wide array of unique places where the genin would be meeting their Senseis, none were quite as strange as the location that Shisui was meeting up.

He was to report to the Hokage's Office immediately.

Not only that but two of the worst test scorers in the class ended up as his teammates, with his jonin sensei being someone who he hasn't even heard of.

All this, happening to a generation prodigy in the already talented Uchiha Clan.

However, despite these circumstances, Shisui was perfectly calm, not so much as a bit of anger within him.

Instead, there was a curiosity.

Everything about this situation was incredibly suspicious as if there was a set up of some kind.

And Shisui was about to find out what it is.

Upon arriving at the Hokage's Office, he and his team met with their Jonin sensei, a seemingly average man, suiting his seemingly average abilities as a jonin.

At this point, Shisui knew something was up.

The way that Jonin had looked at him . . .

Despite his average facade, he only knew one person who could emanate that type of aura around them.

Following standard procedure, the group then approached the secretary's office to report their arrival.

Upon being given the ok by the secretary, the group was quickly escorted in by a couple of the Hokage's Guard.

This was no normal meet up alright.

The two Anbu escorted the group of genin up the stairs and opened the door for them, ushering them into the Hokage's Office.

Hiruzen could be seen slumped slightly in his chair, with a stack of paperwork off to the side of the desk.

His formerly brown hair was now akin to salt and pepper, as there were several streaks of grey now intermixed.

The inevitability of a war against the majority of the other four great nations sure wasn't doing any good for his health, nor was the smoking for that matter.

Hiruzen: "Ah, Shisui, just who I wanted to see"

Looking towards the Hokage, Shisui's thoughts were flashing a mile a minute, as he was beginning to get an idea of what was going on.

Seeing this, a small smirk adorned Hiruzen's face as he nodded towards the Jonin.

Who then instantly turned to glance at each of the genin.

Upon making eye contact, both of Shisui's "teammates" got up and left, all the whilst in a sort of zombie-like trance.

Shisui: "Never thought I'd see the day where Jonin would be putting defenseless genin of their own village under a Genjutsu."

Jonin: "There is a lot that you would never think would happen, yet the fact that we're about to go to war trumps all else."

Hiruzen: "I assume you have at least a general idea of what is going on now?"

Shisui: "Yes"

Hiruzen: "As expected of the Uchiha Prodigy, in any case, let me fill you in on the minutia of the situation."

Hearing these words, Shisui simply smiled as he turned to face the seemingly average Jonin.

Shisui: "I couldn't call myself that in front of the clan head himself now could I?"

Hearing that comment, the jonin let loose a "tsk" sound before undoing his transformation Jutsu to reveal himself.

??: "How did you figure it out?"

Shisui: "You weren't really going out of your way to hide that you're an Uchiha in disguise so I assume that you don't mean that."

Shisui: "I was able to discover who you are among out clansmen through the pressure you are releasing. I only know one person who has an aura quite like that. Am I right? Fugaku Uchiha."

Fugaku: "One question at a time kid."

Hiruzen: "Anyways, getting back on track."

Hiruzen: "What is going to happen is relatively simple, you are going to be part of a special anbu unit which is independent of the main shinobi force of the village."

Hiruzen: "In exchange for your services in the war, besides the obvious of this being a chance to grow stronger, you will receive a direct promotion to Chunin, and a noticeable higher pay."

Taking a moment to contemplate fora second, Shisui had all about made up his mind, although there were naturally some questions he wanted to be answered first.

Shisui: "Ok, a couple of questions first though"

Hiruzen: "I'll try my best, although there are obviously some things which I am not at the liberty to disclose."

Shisui: "Understood."

Shisui: "First Question, why me in particular?"

Shisui: "Sure, I am the Uchiha Prodigy, but there are several members of my generation which can go toe to toe with me, why am I the only one being asked?"

Hearing this question, Hiruzen had a light smile on his face as he responded.

Hiruzen: "Yes, it is true that several of your comrades due have a similar strength like yours, although they all either don't touch you or have a mindset that would not function well in Anbu."

Hiruzen: "Save Kakashi, Mizuki, and maybe Guy, the strength of the other children is not high enough. Obito does not have his Sharingan, Rin is hyperfocused on healing, and Anko does not have enough high damage ninjutsu. Besides, can you imagine any of them being Anbu?"

Hearing the Hokage's words, Shisui took a second to ponder.

No way in hell any of those three could be Anbu, even assuming they were strong enough.

Obito was too reckless and kind for Assassination.

Rin would not stand for those kinds of acts either.

And Anko . . . well, she would probably just spend the entire time complaining about the lack of sleep, and fail to take the job seriously.

Shisui's thought process was soon interrupted by the Hokage, as he continued his explanation.

Hiruzen: "Now, as for the other three . . ."

Hiruzen: "Guy could never be Anbu, it would not only go against everything he is fighting for, but his fighting style is much better suited to actual combat instead of assassination."

Hiruzen: "Kakashi has no such problem, but his stubborn mindset and obsession with rules could not work well in the Anbu, where you need to adapt on the fly. Maybe after he matures, but for now? No."

Shisui: "And Mizuki?"

Hiruzen: "Ah, Mizuki, he was a close second to you, although, in the end, we decided against it."

Hiruzen: "We may normally have taken him in, however, the fact that he is training under Orochimaru certainly changed things quite a bit."

Hiruzen: "Under him, he would be getting a similar sort of training. Not to mention the fact that those two fit together like peas in a pod."

Hearing those words, Shisui expressed a clear look of shock in his eyes as he looked towards Mizuki.

Seeing the gaze, Hiruzen smiled and chuckled.

Hiruzen: "You might not see it now . . . but the way that boy tackles problems and even the way he handles himself is reminiscent of Orochimaru in several ways.

Hiruzen: "Those two will most definitely get along."

Hiruzen: "As to the second reason why you are here . . . well, I am sure you can guess that."

Shisui: {I see . . . It is to appease the Uchiha Clan, huh? No doubt he is going to need their support in the war.}

Hiruzen: {Danzo may have acted out due to this decision, but it is worth it to show our ability to cooperate with the Uchiha. Their actions will be critical towards the war effort.}

Hiruzen: "Second Question?"

Shisui: "Why go through all of the trouble with those "teammates" of mine?"

Hiruzen: "Easy, they provided a strong cover. They "failed" the jonin's test and as a result, were forced to move into the genin corps."

Shisui: "You're ok with failing two children just like that?"

Hiruzen: "They failed the academy graduation test. The only reason they made it this far at all is that we needed you."

Hiruzen: "They'll wake up tomorrow morning like nothing happened, simply believing that they failed their genin exams and that they will be part of the corps."

Shisui: "You are ok with sending children to die?"

Hiruzen: "No. But the alternative is much worse."

Hearing the seriousness and the gravity behind those words, Shisui ceased his line of questioning.

Finished, Hiruzen nodded towards Fugaku, who then took over.

Fugaku: "Lessons start tomorrow at dawn, don't be late."

Saying those words, the Jonin offered a rare smile as he offered Shisui the mask he would use to complete missions.

A crow.

Shisui: "Yes Sensei!"