That evening
Johan's POV
The scent of simmering broth filled the apartment. I stood by the stove, stirring quietly, the rhythm calming, the only kind of peace I allow myself anymore.
The door creaked open.
"I'm home..." Naruto called out, his voice tinged with weariness. I didn't even have to turn to know something had upset him.
"Welcome home," I replied calmly from the kitchen.
A beat passed, then a burst of joy.
"Wahhh! You're home early today!" Naruto exclaimed, bounding toward me like a bolt of sunlight.
A rare, small smile touched my lips. "Yeah... training ended early."
"Cool! Did you learn a new jutsu?" he asked, eyes gleaming with excitement.
"I did."
"Will you teach me? Pleaseee?" he pressed, grinning like a child at a festival.
I looked over my shoulder. "When you've mastered tree walking, I'll teach you something special."
"Really? Then I'll learn it in no time!" he shouted with fierce determination.
"Sure, sure," I said, chuckling lightly. "But first… work on your chakra control."
"I'm trying, bro, but it's hard…"
"I know," I said softly. "But you'll get there. You always do."
He smiled warmly. "Believe it!"
Then, quieter: "Since you left, Sasuke's been topping the class."
"Oh?" I said, eyebrows lifting faintly.
"Yeah… everyone just talks about Sasuke now, like he's some kind of hotshot."
I didn't answer. Just kept stirring the pot with a quiet smile.
When the food was ready, we ate in peace, laughing a little, talking a little, before night wrapped around the windows like a silent promise.
---
The Next Morning
I returned to the Anbu training grounds before the sun had fully risen. The wind was still, the air cool and heavy with silence. After some warm-up drills, I unrolled the scroll.
Nightmare Jutsu.
The words pulsed with something old. Sinister.
I knelt and read slowly.
Triggered by sound... or eye contact. Reaches deep into the victim's subconscious. Drags fear, grief, trauma to the surface. Makes them live it. Makes them break.
I closed the scroll.
"Let's begin."
Hours passed like minutes as I meditated, refined, tested my control. The darkness inside me was a perfect match for this technique. all I had to do was shape it. Give it form. Give it teeth.
Finally... it was done.
perfect, It would work. Now, all I needed... was a subject.
And I knew exactly who to test it on.
---
Moments later, Owl arrived.
He didn't announce himself, he never does. just appeared beside me like a phantom.
His tone was sharp. "Why are you sitting there doing nothing? I told you—"
"I've learned it already," I cut him off, my voice calm.
A pause.
Then, low and steady he said"...Okay."
"But I'm not sure if it's stable," I added. "I want to try it."
He didn't reply. Just stared at me, eyes hidden behind that mask.
After a few seconds: "Try it on me."
I tilted my head slightly and smiled. "Thank you," I said.
But inside?
Perfect, just what I wanted....
I locked eyes with him.
And I whispered, "Feel the fear."
The technique flared to life. Owl tensed, his breathing halted, then slowed.
He was inside.
I watched, studying him without expression. Two minutes. Three.
Then, a sharp breath.
He blinked hard, snapping back.
For a moment, he didn't speak.
Then finally, voice low, "It's working."
He looked at me.
And for the first time... something flickered behind that mask...
I offered a gentle smile. "Thank goodness."
He said nothing.
After a few more moments, he stepped back. "I have a mission today. Train as you wish. Tomorrow, you'll be tested."
Then he turned and walked away, vanishing into the mist like a dying breath.
I stood still, watching his retreating form. The shadow of him.
So you felt it, didn't you?
The fear. The helplessness. The echo of your own grief clawing at your soul.
You tasted it, little Owl.
That fear?
It's only the beginning...