"What? He's going to have an early graduation?"
Hiruzen, who was smoking his pipe, was caught completely off guard. He had expected Tsunade or even Orochimaru to be the ones making waves like this, but not Kaizen.
From the corner of the room, Danzo let out a rare chuckle.
"Hiruzen," he said, standing with his hands clasped behind his back, "I want to conduct the boy's test myself. If he passes… I want him under my wing."
Hiruzen blinked. The idea unsettled him, but when he looked at Danzo, a strange warmth flickered in his memory. 'Since our teacher died, this is the first time I've seen Danzo laugh again… Maybe I should really give this Kaizen to him.'
"Very well," Hiruzen finally said after a moment's thought. "In three days' time, you will conduct his exam."
Danzo smiled, a rare expression on his usually cold face. He rose from his seat and exited without another word.
Back at the academy, the announcement caused a stir.
"Are you sure you can do it?" Tsunade asked with genuine concern in her voice.
Kaizen, ever calm, replied with a smile. "Don't worry so much. If I fail, I can just study again."
"Well then, I'm going to graduate too!" Jiraiya shouted, full of enthusiasm and excitement.
"Idiot."
Tsunade's fist came crashing down on his head.
Orochimaru, ever silent, just stared at Kaizen. There was a flicker of something in his eyes — curiosity, or perhaps suspicion.
"Well then, I'm gonna leave first," Kaizen said, waving goodbye to the three as he headed for the exit.
But just outside, a towering figure awaited him.
"Brat. Come with me," the man ordered, his voice low and commanding.
"Huh?" Kaizen froze. "Danzo-sama?! Why are you here?"
"I heard about your early graduation. I'm the one who will judge if you qualify or not. But before that…" Danzo's expression didn't change. "I want you to come with me. I want to hear your opinion about something."
Without waiting for a reply, Danzo performed the Body Flicker Technique.
Kaizen's eyes widened—Danzo's speed was immense. But Kaizen instinctively followed, using his own Body Flicker. In an instant, he appeared at Danzo's side.
"You?!" Danzo stopped, visibly stunned. But then, to Kaizen's confusion, he smiled. "Let's go."
Kaizen nodded, still nervous. 'Shit, is he gonna kill me?' he thought, sweat forming on his brow. He wanted to back out, but if this was a trap, he knew retreating would only hasten his death.
They arrived at a high mountain overlooking the village. The scenery was serene, the central village bathed in golden sunlight.
Danzo sat down on a nearby stone, waving at Kaizen to do the same.
"You know, Uchiha Madara was one of the founders of this village," Danzo began, his tone distant. "Along with the First Hokage, they built a place where clans could thrive. The Uchiha did much in the last war. My own friend… sacrificed his life for this village."
Danzo's face looked genuinely somber, and for a moment Kaizen forgot who he was talking to.
"Kaizen," he asked quietly, "what do you think of the Uchiha?"
Kaizen blinked, confused. 'Is this AU?' he thought. This Danzo was too different from the one he remembered. But when he looked into Danzo's eyes, something seemed off. They didn't look sad.
'Continue acting,' Kaizen told himself.
"I… I think they're dangerous individuals," Kaizen answered, whispering.
Danzo raised an eyebrow. "How so?"
Kaizen swallowed hard. "Their eyes… they hold too much power. If that power isn't contained, it becomes a double-edged sword. One that bleeds its own wielder."
Danzo turned silent.
Kaizen started sweating profusely. 'Shit. It is AU,' he thought as he saw Danzo clench his fists.
He braced himself for death.
But instead, Danzo suddenly burst into laughter.
"HAHA! Kaizen, I like you," he said, still chuckling. "Become my student… after you graduate. You can't reject the offer, of course."
Kaizen blinked. Cold water washed over him—but it didn't last.
"This…" Danzo continued, his voice turning stern, "is your real mission for graduation."
He stood, gazing toward the horizon.
"Kill ten Uchiha. Make sure no one discovers your identity."
Kaizen's breath hitched.
"And after three days," Danzo said with a final glance, "your formal graduation mission will be to find the culprit."
"Understood?"
"…Yes, sir." Kaizen replied quietly.
Danzo gave him one last smirk before walking off, disappearing into the shadows.
Kaizen stood there, frozen.
His hands were trembling.
'What the hell kind of mission is this…?' he thought, his face pale with worry.
Suddenly—
Ding!
You've received a mission!
[Secret Mission: Masked Executioner]
Objective: Kill 10 Uchiha without revealing your identity
Reward: Danzo Apprenticeship
Kaizen sat there silently, the wind brushing against his cheeks. His heart was beating hard in his chest.
'If I fail… I die.'
He looked at his trembling hands.
'If I succeed… I hoped I don't die.'