Codename "Hikari"

The Anbu was a special ninja unit established by the Second Hokage Tobirama. Its full name was the Assassination and Tactical Special Unit. At this moment, he had just received an order from the Hokage to join the Hokage's Direct Anbu.

"Long time no see, Kaede-senpai!"

"Long time no see, Shisui. I've heard a lot about your exploits." Looking at Shisui appearing at the entrance of the Anbu base, he wasn't surprised. Given Shisui's ties to the Third Hokage's faction, entering the Anbu was only natural.

"I just did what I had to do." Shisui blushed slightly, touching his hair, a sincere expression beneath his sunny smile. He was a child without guile, and fate had been too unfair to him.

Shisui had been raised by the clan, and now he was allowed to join the Hokage's Direct Anbu. It seemed that in the clan's eyes, he was the one who would connect the village and the Uchiha.

Otherwise, how could those stubborn old men have let their carefully cultivated Shisui into the Hokage's Direct Anbu? Thinking of those old fogies being forced to bow their heads, Kaede felt nothing but contempt for them.

The two of them followed an Anbu ninja—wearing a black tight-fitting suit with a white vest over it, the rest of their gear no different from other ninjas—into the secret base.

They had been walking for a while. This place was underground, a dim environment that seemed to bury countless sins. None of the Anbu ninjas were saints; they weren't the strongest in the village, but they were definitely the most skilled in combat.

"We're here. The captain is waiting for you inside. Go on in."

Kaede walked in front, Shisui following behind. Kaede was more than a head taller than Shisui, who was still a somewhat adorable child at this age. Since he hadn't attended the ninja academy, he had no friends his age.

After all, he bore the responsibility of reviving the clan. He was a youth the Uchiha elders had high hopes for, with little time for play. Moreover, Shisui was an orphan, easy for them to control. But they probably didn't know that the hope they had carefully nurtured would ultimately become the fuse for the Uchiha's destruction.

After a "knock knock" at the door, the two were allowed in. Kaede and Shisui knew that the man before them would likely be their future Anbu captain.

"My code name is 'Kabuto.' You can call me by my code name or just 'Captain.' When I received the order from the Third Hokage, I disagreed with having the two of you join my squad. You're too young for this place.

But after I reviewed your mission logs, I changed my mind. You do have the strength to join the Anbu. So now, you can choose your own code names."

Kabuto pointed to the two sets of Anbu uniforms and a row of masks behind him.

"Yes, Captain!" Kaede and Shisui replied in unison.

This captain seemed like a decent person—that was the thought that crossed both their minds.

They went to the changing room, put on their uniforms and masks, and thus became members of the Hokage's Direct Anbu. Kaede knew that Shisui joining the Anbu at such a young age was probably the fluttering of his own little butterfly wings.

This realization startled him. From the moment he stepped into the ninja world, everything might be different. His foreknowledge and memories might not be reliable.

"Shisui, have you thought of your code name?" Kaede's voice was a bit low, his face hidden behind a bear-faced mask, as he asked Shisui.

"Ahaha~ About that... I really haven't thought of one yet. Have you thought of yours, Kaede-senpai?" Shisui touched his spiky hair, troubled.

He was still a child, his mind not yet mature. Hesitation was a child's nature.

"Then let me pick one for you. How about that?"

"Please do, Kaede-senpai."

Though the mask covered his face, Kaede could tell Shisui was very happy. Building a friendship with someone his age was something he desperately wanted.

"How about 'Shun'? What do you think?"

"Shun," huh. It was about what he expected. Kaede-senpai really was a reliable comrade.

"What's your code name, Kaede-senpai?"

"Me?"

In distant memories, a deafening question echoed: "Do you still believe in light?"

Kaede: I do, because I am the light of the ninja world.

"How about 'Hikari'?"

"Hikari... Senpai, do you have a dream?" Light was synonymous with hope.

"I want to become a Hokage like those before me, to bring true peace to the entire ninja world. You have that dream too, don't you, Shisui?"

"Senpai~" Shisui stood frozen in place, his eyes sparkling as he looked at him. Such a grand dream lingered in Shisui's mind.

He had always wanted to change the relationship between the village and the Uchiha clan. He hadn't even thought of a dream like that yet. Kaede-senpai was such a warm person. It was an honor to be his teammate.

Kaede reached out, tapped Shisui's masked forehead, and patted his hair. "Shisui, are you willing to bring peace to the ninja world with me?"

At that moment, Shisui became very serious. He stood straight and nodded firmly. "Kaede-senpai, I will do my best."

Beneath his mask, Kaede's lips curled with a hint of slyness, his smile wide.

"Kid, didn't your parents tell you not to trust strangers? Oh, right. He doesn't have parents. That explains it."

Gentle and kind Shisui had always had a naive side. Kaede had easily earned his trust. Both being Uchiha, combined with Kaede's premeditated wolfish intentions, little white flower Shisui had simply fallen into his bowl.

"It looks like you've chosen your code names. According to Anbu rules, when carrying out missions, you must address each other by your code names. Remember that.

Our squad has two more members, 'Swan' and 'Sparrow.' I'll introduce you when they return. For now, you can go home and prepare. Starting tomorrow, you'll be eating and sleeping in the Anbu for a long time, learning codes, interrogation, and Anbu-specific ninjutsu."

Kabuto came in from outside, settling them in. Kaede noticed that this captain seemed to have a bit of a talkative streak.

"Yes, Captain. We'll take our leave then." Kaede led Shisui out of the Anbu and headed toward the clan compound. On the way, the two chatted enthusiastically, and even when they parted, Shisui was reluctant to say goodbye.

After sending Shisui off, Kaede felt a twinge of guilt. Was it really okay to deceive a kid like this? But he hadn't lied about anything. His true intention was to solve the ninja world's war problem. No one liked this chaotic world.

It was just that his motives toward Shisui weren't pure.

"Kid, deceiving you wasn't my wish. But who can blame me when this world is full of betrayal? As compensation, I'll save your life."

When he got home, he teased his little sister Quan. Tomorrow, after he left, he might not be able to come home for many days.

"Kaede, will we still be able to go on missions outside the village together?" Tong was very unhappy. With Kaede entering the Anbu, he wouldn't have time to do missions with her.

"There's a chance. I probably won't stay in the Anbu forever. I should step down in a couple of years. So for now, go continue studying medical ninjutsu at the Konoha Hospital."