Church of Bones

"Uchiha Sōgetsu, by order of the Lord Hokage, I'm to take you to the Anbu."

On the corridor outside the Hokage's Office, an Anbu wearing a white animal mask was already waiting.

Code name "Elephant." According to rumor, he was one of the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's most trusted personal guards. Sōgetsu narrowed his eyes slightly and activated his Spiritual Vision to observe the other party.

The color of the Ether Body's aura leaned toward black, meaning the man's emotions were not good—tinged with some kind of sorrow.

"Alright, I appreciate the trouble." Sōgetsu behaved very politely.

But for an Anbu, emotions were nothing but unnecessary baggage. The man gave him a cold look and gestured for Sōgetsu to follow.

Well, looks like he's not buying it.

Sōgetsu sighed inwardly. Though he'd already known the outcome, he couldn't help cursing under his breath: the Second Hokage really didn't do anything human.

Thanks to Tobirama Senju's policies, as the Uchiha Clan grew larger and internal conflicts with the Hokage faction intensified, the Uchiha Clan's reputation in the entire village of Konoha at this time—while not quite "hated by men and dogs"—wasn't far off.

Following Elephant to the Anbu headquarters, Sōgetsu could clearly feel that the atmosphere here seemed very heavy.

Almost everyone's emotions were laced with a faint sadness.

"Is it because of Hatake Sakumo's suicide?" Sōgetsu narrowed his eyes slightly, roughly guessing the reason for the Anbu's low mood.

Hatake Sakumo, an Elite Jonin, was known as Konoha's White Fang.

His name struck fear into the ears of ninja from all nations, even surpassing the Legendary Sannin in deterrent power.

The fact that ninja who would sacrifice their lives to complete missions would voluntarily say, "If you meet Konoha's White Fang, you may abandon the mission," spoke volumes.

Hatake Sakumo wasn't just a powerful ninja; he also held the position of Anbu Division Captain. Internally and externally, he was undoubtedly a powerful, inspiring symbol.

Yet this very powerful spiritual "symbol" died from a ridiculous suicide for a reason that was almost a joke.

He abandoned a mission to save a comrade, only to be blamed by that same comrade, and ultimately couldn't bear the ostracism and gossip, choosing suicide.

Heh. No matter how you look at it, that reason is complete nonsense.

A man who carved out a fearsome reputation with a single short blade—Konoha's White Hair—would kill himself over something this trivial?

At the end of the day, the White Fang was just in the way. If anyone's to blame, it's himself. Who told him that the White Fang, admired by everyone in Konoha, had achievements and fame that were about to overshadow the Lord Hokage himself?

From that perspective, calling it "suicide" isn't really wrong.

The process of joining the Anbu wasn't very long. With the Hokage's written order, all he needed was to pick a code name and register the relevant information.

For example: name, age, gender, skilled in ninjutsu, missions completed in the past, and so on.

"Uchiha Sōgetsu, male, age fifteen, Jonin, code name Owl, skilled in Medical Ninjutsu, Psychological Therapy?"

The Anbu in charge of registration looked up at this point, staring at him with great surprise.

The Anbu's full name was the Assassination and Tactical Special Forces. As the name implied, they were a special unit responsible for assassinations.

Medical Ninjutsu wasn't unheard of, but very few people would write in their files that they specialized in it.

And what the hell was that "Psychological Therapy" supposed to be?

"It's treatment focused on the mental realm, similar in theory to Medical Ninjutsu." Sōgetsu seemed long accustomed to that kind of surprised stare, and smiled:

"The human heart is very fragile. Sadness, pain, fear. Even the slightest injury can leave an irreparable scar. My responsibility is to help these people soothe the wounds on their hearts."

"I... roughly understand." The Anbu's expression was odd.

"By the way, I've recently opened a new treatment program." As he spoke, Sōgetsu handed over a business card.

The Anbu looked down and saw written on the card: Sōgetsu Psychological Clinic.

Under the other's puzzled gaze, he explained with a smile: "Wish Fulfillment Therapy. It allows patients to realize their past dreams in their sleep and make up for past regrets. If you have time, you can come try it. Since we'll be colleagues, I can give you twenty percent off."

Holy shit, 100,000 Ryo per session?!

Seeing the price on the card, the Anbu shuddered and nearly dropped it in shock.

A typical B-rank mission paid around 50,000 Ryo. This was almost as much as an A-rank mission!

"No thanks." The Anbu shook his head decisively.

Are you kidding me?

Risking life and limb to complete an A-rank mission, the cut was only about 30,000 to 40,000 Ryo. Who the hell would spend that on some psychological therapy?!

"Alright."

Sōgetsu felt a slight regret. It seemed completing the Side Quest still had a long way to go.

"Alright, you can go back now."

Elephant, who had been silent on the side, cut off his sales pitch and said, "If there's a mission, someone will notify you."

"Okay, I'll head back then." Sōgetsu waved goodbye, and before leaving, smiled: "If you ever need psychological treatment, feel free to contact me."

Staring at Sōgetsu's back as it gradually disappeared into the dim corridor, Elephant's eyes grew heavy. "Owl... an unsettling code name."

"You seem quite wary of him, Elephant," said the Anbu registering the files. "Is it because of the name 'Uchiha'?"

"No... it's not just because of the Uchiha."

Elephant shook his head, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes. "It's just a feeling, Lin Jiao. I don't know why, but when I face him... I get an uneasy sensation."

"Perhaps you're just mistaken."

Lin Jiao smiled, offering a casual reassurance. "No matter how you look at it, that guy's just a somewhat talented Uchiha brat."

"I hope so."

Suppressing the unease in his heart, Elephant let out a deep breath. "Lord White Fang's funeral should be today, right?"

"Ah, I heard it's today." At the mention of White Fang's name, Lin Jiao's voice dropped a few notes, carrying a faint, barely perceptible sorrow. "Lord White Fang actually... I still can't believe it. Do you think Lord White Fang really would have—"

"Lin Jiao!"

Before Lin Jiao could finish his sentence, Elephant's gaze turned sharp, and he barked, "Shut up! Don't forget—we're Anbu!"

"Yeah, we're Anbu."

Lin Jiao lowered his head bitterly, saying no more.

Did Lord White Fang really die by suicide?

He didn't dare ask, let alone seek the truth. Because they were just Anbu.

And the Anbu's greatest duty was to obey the Hokage.

After a long day's work, he finally returned to the Uchiha Residence.

In the dim room, having washed away his fatigue, Sōgetsu was about to sleep when he casually lit the unremarkable brass-colored candlestick sitting in the corner.

"Hopefully, tonight will bring good dreams."

Closing his eyes, he sank into a deep sleep.

A haze of dark mist spread through his dreams, time stretching infinitely, perception hazy and blurred.

Like starlit visions, they flickered in and out of the black fog, mingling with whispers that murmured like secrets—now illusory, now manic, now restless.

Scattered thoughts converged, sinking deeper into the dream.

Falling, falling endlessly.

At last, they hit the bottom of the dream, and the drifting consciousness reassembled.

The gathered consciousness formed a vague, shadowy figure, standing inside a towering, magnificent cathedral. Every pillar, every arch that supported the church was built from the bones of different races, densely packed and chaotically stacked together.

The dome was thick with countless white skulls, their hollow eyes gazing down at the hall below.

On a massive cross forged from bones, countless hands twisted and coiled, as if reverently clustering around it. Despite its eerie nature, there was not even a hint of malice—instead, it was filled with a sense of sanctity.

On every window and door of the church, transparent, distorted faces struggled as if trying to break in, stretching outward in exaggerated arcs.

A moment later, another hazy figure appeared within the towering Church of Bones.

The first figure, standing beneath the Bone Cross like a devout worshiper, seemed to have anticipated this. Smiling, he spoke slowly: "Now then, can you answer my question? Having witnessed your own fate firsthand, do you still intend to walk this path?"

The second figure was silent for a long time before speaking in a complicated tone: "Is the future really as you described it?"

"You can choose not to believe."

The first figure's voice was light and calm, gentle yet carrying an undeniable certainty.

"Then... I accept."

The second figure let out a bitter sigh. "I hope our efforts can change the future you've described."

"The future proclaimed by the Lord shall unfold and become reality."

Beneath the veiled silhouette, Uchiha Sōgetsu smiled faintly. "Welcome to the Twilight Hermit Society, Hatake Sakumo!"

December 2nd, cloudy.

Bought two scratch-off tickets today, net loss of 40. Damn it, why didn't I win? Kind readers, please have mercy and toss me some collections, recommendations, investments.