Johan – POV
Morning in Konoha was peaceful. Birds chirped, sunlight filtered through the leaves, and the wind carried the scent of dew-soaked soil. A perfect lie.
I arrived at the ANBU training ground early. Owl was already there, as expected. Standing motionless, arms crossed, face unreadable beneath his mask, yet today, something felt heavier in his presence. Sharper. Like a blade unsheathed.
I greeted him with a small smile. As always, he only nodded.
"Today I'll take your test," he said flatly. "Let's see how you fare."
With that, he turned and began walking.
I followed without question.
We left the village perimeter, weaving through trees and narrow footpaths. It was my first time outside the walls. The open air felt unfamiliar… strangely freeing.
After nearly an hour of running, we reached the base of a rocky hillside. Owl stopped atop a thick tree branch. I joined him.
He pointed ahead.
"Your mission," he said, "is to gather intelligence on a bandit camp. Half an hour from here."
His voice was cold. Professional.
"Count their numbers.. men, women, children. Identify any shinobi. And then... eliminate all of them."
I widened my eyes slightly, feigned shock. But said nothing. Just nodded.
"You have 12 hours," he added.
"Understood," I replied quietly.
Then I vanished.
---
The camp was easy to find. A cluster of old buildings and tents tucked beneath the trees.
I perched silently in the upper branches, activating the Mind's Eye of Kagura.
Twelve signatures.
Seven men. Four women. One child.
All civilians. No chakra signatures indicating shinobi.
I stayed hidden, listening.
Two bandits sat nearby, talking with sick laughter.
"Heh… last night's haul was good. That merchant squealed like a pig before dying."
"Yeah," the other chuckled. "Too bad the kid didn't. Leader's got a taste for the sick ones, huh?"
"Hah! Freak's always been twisted like that."
I didn't blink. Didn't move.
Their words didn't stir me. I've heard worse.
But then…
"Sick child."
Something shifted.
A sound in my mind cracked open a sealed door.
---
My name was Mark.
I was born fragile, my body weak, my breath short, my days always counted. Doctors called it a rare condition, incurable. Each visit to the hospital ended with uncertainty. But I wasn't alone.
I had them.
My mother, Maria, warm hands, kind eyes, and an endless well of patience. My father, Shiki, a hardworking man who always made time for me no matter how exhausted he was. And my little brother, Ken. Full of energy, always trying to cheer me up, always believing I'd get better.
We weren't too rich, but our home was full of love, of laughter, of hope.
One day, as I lay in bed recovering from a bad spell, they stood around me.
"You'll be fine soon, sweetheart," Mom said, gently brushing my hair. Her voice trembled, but she smiled anyway.
Dad chimed in, trying to sound strong, "We'll take you to the best hospital, alright? I've already made calls. Don't worry, son."
And Ken, grinning wide as always, held my hand and said, "When you get better, we'll watch anime and play games all day."
I laughed. We all did.
That memory… It was perfect. Too perfect.
That night, I told them to go. Dad had an important business event. I didn't want them missing it because of me.
"It's fine," I said. "I've taken my medicine. I'll sleep early."
They hesitated, but I insisted. I forced a smile.
They left.
And I never saw them again.
Late that night, the hospital called. An accident. I was told to come immediately.
I didn't believe it. Couldn't.
But when I arrived, reality shattered every denial I tried to hold onto.
My parents… were gone.
Instantly. On impact.
And Ken… was barely holding on.
I don't remember much of that week. Just white walls, the sound of heart monitors, and the hollow ache inside me.
Then, a miracle.
Ken opened his eyes.
"Bro… where's Mom and Dad?" he whispered.
I froze. I couldn't speak. I lied. I had to.
"They're fine. Just resting. You'll see them soon."
He smiled, weak and tired. "Okay…"
Then his voice broke, "It hurts, brother… so much…"
I held his hand tighter. "You'll be okay. I promise."
I believed that lie too.
Until he was gone.
Cardiac arrest, they said. Sudden. Unpreventable.
I lost everything in a blink. My world had no light, no reason left.
Then came the relatives, strangers with forced smiles and cold eyes. A distant uncle, his wife, and their son, Ron. They took me in.
At first, they were kind.
Then, the mask slipped.....