Chương 48: Chapter 44: A Depressed Dog.

Author Note: Nothing of importance, just enjoy the chapter, and if you have any questions, make sure to comment!

And like always, remember if you want to read up to 13-15 chapters ahead go to https://www.patreón.com/cornbringer

I'm currently updating the novel 2-8 chapters a day in patreeeeon. On chapter 60 so far, though by the end of today it will be chapter 64-66.

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Enjoy you sexy bastards.

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[Arata Takeshi - POV]

It had been a week since the incident with Orochimaru, and the events of that day still lingered heavily in my mind. Silently, I sat in my room, a book resting on my lap, but my thoughts were far from the words on the pages. The memory of Orochimaru's predatory gaze, his killer intent, and the chilling, painful feel of the cursed seal on my neck were constant reminders of how much I needed to improve to reach my goal.

Due to what had happened, my team hadn't taken any missions since that day. Mr. Yamato had put a stop to all missions, citing the need for caution and recovery. Itachi and Shisui seemed to understand, but the inactivity gnawed at me, even if that inactivity saved me from doing grunt work. Regardless, this forced break made me feel restless and anxious.

Maybe I wanted to do something just to occupy my mind? Who knows.

Then again, maybe I felt restless because I didn't like being watched 24/7, which was my current situation. After all, I knew I was under heavy ANBU surveillance. Ever since that night, I could sense their presence, shadowy figures moving silently around the perimeter of my home. It was annoying, but I could understand why they were here. They were there to keep me safe and monitor any unusual activity that might suggest a further threat. Even now, as I tried to read, I could feel multiple ANBU agents around, their chakra signatures faint but distinct to my heightened senses.

I turned another page of my book without really absorbing the content. It was a book on advanced chakra control techniques, something that should have been fascinating, but as I had stated before, my mind was elsewhere. My thoughts kept drifting back to that night.

I wasn't scared. I wasn't then, and I wasn't now.

Sure, I knew I couldn't defeat the snake, but that didn't mean I was scared; that just meant I was realistic.

I was simply annoyed that I hadn't been able to do anything else.

As I sighed, Tsuki, my sweet, adorable, loyal cat, nuzzled against my leg. Her presence was a small comfort that momentarily made me forget about things. She looked up at me with her large, curious eyes, as if sensing my turmoil.

"Not much to do, huh?" I murmured, reaching down to scratch behind her ears. Tsuki purred in response, her soft fur a soothing distraction.

I glanced out the window, seeing the familiar sights of the Uchiha compound. Life seemed to go on as usual for everyone else, probably meaning that news about Orochimaru's betrayal hadn't gone public just yet.

Smart.

In situations like this, it was best to do some damage control before letting people know, minimizing the chaos news like this would normally bring.

As I mused about that thought, the door to my room creaked open slightly, and I turned to see Mikoto peeking in. "Takeshi, dinner is ready. Will you be joining us?" she asked, her voice warm and inviting.

I nodded, closing the book and placing it on the bedside table. "Yes, Lady Mikoto. I'll be down in a moment."

She smiled, a hint of concern in her eyes. "Take your time. We'll be waiting."

As she left, I stood up and stretched, cracking my neck, before getting out of the room and walking downstairs. As I did so, I felt the presence of the ANBU even more acutely. They were good, almost undetectable, but my chakra sensing allowed me to pick up on their subtle movements.

During this week, I had managed to pick up their schedules just by sensing them and analyzing the differences in chakra patterns, coming to the conclusion that I was under the watch of three squads, consisting of fifteen agents that were watching my every move, making sure I was safe, and reporting back to the higher-ups.

It was stifling, but I understood the necessity.

"Takeshi," Fugaku finally said, breaking the silence as I reached the kitchen floor. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm fine," I replied, smiling. "Just trying to read."

Mikoto reached out and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "We're here for you, Takeshi. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

I nodded, appreciating their concern as I took a seat at the dinner table. "Thank you. I'll be okay."

"Big bwother!" Mito exclaimed, noticing me, her chubby toddler hands reaching out towards me from her high chair.

I chuckled lightly at her antics, reaching out to ruffle her soft hair. "Hey, Mito," I greeted, earning a giggle from her.

"Are you enjoying the book?" Itachi asked, leaning casually against the table with a bowl of home-cooked ramen in his hands.

"The book is interesting," I replied, and it would've been more interesting if I could keep my focus for more than a few minutes. "It brings a different perspective on chakra control and its application in Jutsu usage."

His onyx eyes gleamed curiously as he took a bite of his dinner. "How so?"

"Well," I began, serving myself a bowl of Mikoto's delicious ramen. "It discusses chakra efficiency in a way I hadn't seen before. It suggests that the key to using jutsu more effectively isn't necessarily about having strong chakra, but about controlling it properly and adapting its flow to each individual situation."

"Interesting," Itachi murmured, his eyes thoughtful as he contemplated my words. "That would certainly shed a new light on the way we approach our training."

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[Hatake Kakashi - POV]

Being the captain of the ANBU squad assigned to watch over Takeshi Arata was just another mission for me, another day's job, but it had its… peculiarities. Takeshi was a name I recognized from Minato-sensei's and Kushina's letters. They had mentioned him many times, a promising young talent with a sharp mind and a gentle heart, with Minato-sensei saying we had a lot in common.

If the kid was any lucky, that wouldn't be the case.

They had wanted me to meet him, but I had rejected the notion multiple times for personal reasons. And now it was… too late.

It felt strange now, watching over him like this, after their death, knowing the warmth and affection they had for the boy.

Ever since that day, I had thrown myself into my work, focusing on my missions, on doing anything. And today, that anything was watching over the boy who had unexpectedly become a focal point of Konoha's attention after Orochimaru's betrayal to the village.

From my vantage point, hidden in the shadows, I observed Takeshi's every move, and I could see what Minato-sensei had seen in him. The kid was sharp, sharper than most shinobi I'd seen, and he carried himself with a maturity that belied his age. It was almost eerie and admirable to a degree how composed he remained despite the turmoil surrounding him.

The kid would fit well in Anbu, if he decided to go this path. Hopefully, he wouldn't.

I adjusted my position, ensuring I had a clear view his room. My squad was strategically placed around the area, each member ready to act at a moment's notice. Our presence was meant to be a deterrent of sorts in case Orochimaru came back, and in the case he did, our mission was buying everyone time until the Hokage could come.

If you asked me, I personally doubted Orochimaru would come back, as strong as the snake was, he couldn't take on the Hokage, or the entire village for that matter. Uchiha Fugaku was strong enough to match him, and when you added an entire clan to that, well, his chances were on the negative numbers.

But orders were orders, and we were here to watch and protect.

I watched as Takeshi entered his room, his posture tense. The kid knew we were here, he had known ever since we were put on this mission, but he never showed any signs of discomfort, like most. If anything, he seemed somewhat annoyed and understanding.

"Captain," one of my squad members whispered through the communication line. "All clear on the eastern perimeter."

"Roger that," I replied, my voice low and steady. "Maintain your positions. Report any unusual activity immediately."

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[Mitarashi Anko - POV]

Sitting alone in my room, I couldn't shake off the memories of that night. The image of Orochimaru, my sensei, the man I had admired the most, turning against us was burned into my mind. I hugged my knees to my chest, the silence of my room amplifying the thoughts swirling in my head.

How could I have been so blind? How could I have failed so miserably? My sensei, the man I admired and respected, had turned out to be a monster. And for some reason, it felt it was all because I wasn't good enough.

I glanced at the mirror, my reflection staring back at me with tired, haunted eyes. My hand drifted to my neck, touching the spot where Orochimaru had tried to mark me. I could almost feel it there, a brand of shame that I couldn't escape. If it hadn't been for Takeshi, I would have been cursed with that mark, forever tied to Orochimaru's twisted plans.

But amidst the fear and self-loathing, there was a sliver of gratitude.

Takeshi, that little brat, had saved me. A kid six years younger than me had stood his ground against Orochimaru, despite knowing he couldn't win, despite not being my friend, he stood his ground. The thought brought a small, bitter smile to my lips.

Imagine that. The great Anko Mitarashi, the prodigy chunin, saved by a genin from her own sensei. If anyone had told me this a year ago, I would have laughed in their face. But now, it felt like a cruel joke.

I leaned back against the wall, my eyes drifting to the ceiling. Takeshi's determination had been something else. He didn't flinch, didn't hesitate, even when facing someone as terrifying as Orochimaru. It was almost humorous, really. Here I was, a chunin, and I had been the one paralyzed by fear while a kid who had graduated a few months ago had taken action.

"Why?" I whispered to the empty room. "Why wasn't I strong enough?"

The silence was deafening, offering no answers, though I suppose I should be glad… I'm not sure how I would deal if the walls answered my questions right now. Taking a deep breath, I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. I had to get stronger.

I couldn't let this defeat define me. I wouldn't be Orochimaru's failure. I wouldn't let him win.

But as much as I wanted to push through this, the fear lingered, a shadow that refused to leave. What if I wasn't strong enough? What if I could never escape his influence? The doubts gnawed at me, making it hard to breathe.

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. I had to focus.

The brat had saved me, and I owed it to him, to myself, and to the village to get stronger. I couldn't let Orochimaru's betrayal break me. The road ahead was uncertain, filled with challenges I couldn't yet see. But I would face them, one step at a time. I would train harder, push myself further, and become the shinobi I was meant to be.

"Thank you, Takeshi," I murmured, the words barely audible. "Hopefully, I will be able to thank you in person."