DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO

Welcome to the ANBU

- At The Western Border of Hi no Kuni -

(10:00PM)

"Any questions?..." a voice broke the silence, greeted by a collective silence.

"Alright then, I'll take that as a 'no' then. I'll ask one last time, and remember, I better not hear any questions later. Are there any questions?..." the voice repeated, met this time with an exception as someone raised a query.

"I have a question," another voice spoke up.

"Go ahead," the initial voice encouraged.

"Who are our targets again?..." the inquiring voice sought clarification.

"As I've said, we're after eight targets from the Yoshisada Family in Kawa no Kuni (Land of Rivers). Intel suggests they've made a deal with Iwagakure (Hidden Stone Village) to set up military camps there. That's what we know for now. Got it?" the first voice explained, its tone practical and factual.

"Good. Now, let's move. We don't have all night," the voice commanded, propelling the group forward. They advanced through the forest, their steps quiet, and conversation sparked among them.

"Kenjiro, right?..." a different voice inquired, seeking confirmation to which Kenjiro nodded in affirmation.

"Nice, I got it right. Anyway, you nervous?..." the voice asked, a touch of camaraderie in the question.

"Honestly?... A little bit..." Kenjiro admitted, his honesty a testament to the shared experience among the group.

"That's fine; it happens to everyone, so don't worry about it. We've heard good things about you from T&I (Torture and Interrogation). And not only that, according to your file, you're pretty good at lockpicking. Most people I know simply knock down the door and go ham, though I can see how lock-picking can be useful for covert missions," the voice complimented, acknowledging Kenjiro's capabilities.

"Yeah... It's pretty handy, especially when you get locked outside of your apartment..." Kenjiro quipped, evoking laughter from his companions, a moment of ease amid their mission.

"Ah-ha! We've got a comedian over here! I agree with that!... By the way... What made you join the ANBU?..." the voice probed, a curiosity about Kenjiro's motivations.

"Someone in the department simply recommended me. I figured I'd give it a shot..." Kenjiro explained.

"I see... I suppose you do have what it takes to be a part of the ANBU given that you have experience in, uh... 'Persuasion', if you know what I mean..." the voice hinted, its implication clear.

Kenjiro nervously chuckled, his laughter masking his uncertainty about his own capacity to embrace the darker aspects of the ANBU Black Ops.

- Somewhere in Kawa no Kuni -

(Midnight)

In the heart of Kawa no Kuni (Land of Rivers), a land celebrated for its serene beauty and crisscrossing rivers, the moon ascended the night sky, casting an eerie luminescence that bathed a grand, imposing mansion nestled amidst the embracing trees. A palpable stillness hung in the air, broken only by the occasional zephyr that whispered secrets through the leaves and the distant serenade of forest-dwelling cicadas.

This mansion, a possession of affluence bestowed upon a noble lineage, wielded a formidable sway in the realm of politics. The tendrils of their influence reached deep, intertwining with the very fabric of governance. Given the mansion's role as the abode of this illustrious family, its ramparts stood as a testament to prudence, a staunch bulwark against potential tumultuous tides.

Elevated to three stories, the mansion's silhouette pierced the heavens, while a steadfast rampart of unyielding concrete enveloped its domain, a guardian encircling its treasures. Above, watchtowers adorned the landscape, sanctuaries of observance where guardians stood sentinel, their gaze spanning the expanse in an unbroken vigil. Vigilance took the form of tireless sentinels, standing sentinel throughout the passage of sun and stars, an unspoken vow to safeguard the cherished occupants within

"Oi, Ryu," came a voice that sliced through the stillness of the night.

Ryu's gaze shifted, his attention captured by the voice's source. "What is it, Aoi?..." he responded, his tone a mixture of curiosity and wariness.

Aoi's request hung in the air, a casual query wrapped in the hush of the night. "Mind if I borrow your lighter?" he asked, his words a soft admission of a subtle need.

Ryu's response held a touch of concern, a friend's care veiled in words. "Sure thing, but isn't that your third cigarette tonight?..." His inquiry was gentle, a quiet reminder of moderation.

Aoi's reply bore a hint of defiance, a glimpse of his own choices. "Yeah, so what?..." he retorted, a nonchalant shrug accompanying his words.

A conversation danced in the air, a moment of shared vulnerability. "Nothing, I'm not an expert, but I think you shouldn't be smoking that much in one go," Ryu's voice carried a friendly caution, his concern interlaced with camaraderie.

Aoi's comeback painted a grin in the darkness, a playful tease. "Pfft... You're one to talk, didn't you relapse two weeks ago?..." His words held a lighthearted jab, a reminder of shared struggles.

Ryu's defense carried a trace of embarrassment, his response honest yet tinged with chagrin. "W-Well, at least I tried to quit!" he shot back, a mix of pride and sheepishness in his voice.

Aoi's laughter, a bright note in the night, carried a camaraderie all its own. "Yeah, exactly! You 'TRIED', yet here you are. Just shut up and lend me your lighter," Aoi's words resonated with camaraderie and a touch of mischief.

Ryu's reluctant acquiescence held a sigh, a concession amidst the camaraderie. "*sigh* Fine..." he relented, the weight of his concession woven into the syllables.

With the lighter passed between them, the ritual of lighting a cigarette began. Yet, fate had a twist in store, casting a shadow upon the night's banter. A misplaced grip, a cigarette lost to the ground below, and Aoi's descent from the watchtower set the stage for the night's unexpected turn.

"Screw him... I was just trying to help," Ryu's mutterings hung in the air, a mix of frustration and resignation. Suddenly, a barrage of shurikens materialized seemingly out of thin air, each finding their mark on Ryu's body. The lethal projectiles punctured multiple vital points, ending his life in a swift and gruesome manner. His body succumbed to gravity's pull, falling lifelessly.

Aoi's search in the darkness held a touch of determination, a quest for a fallen treasure. The struggle to locate the wayward cigarette painted a picture of perseverance. Amidst this nocturnal endeavor, an elusive thud and rustling stirred nearby bushes, a whisper of unease in the night's symphony.

"Oi, Ryu. Did you see something from up there?..." Aoi's inquiry sliced through the silence, a question unanswered, yet not dismissed. Undeterred, Aoi persisted in his quest to light the cigarette, the soft hiss of the lighter a symphony of determination. But as the night's drama unfolded, a realization unfurled—a lighter devoid of its lifeblood, a revelation of futility.

"Damn it... Out of juice..." Aoi's exasperation found voice, a testament to the night's whims.

Then, a new voice, uninvited and unfamiliar, painted a note of mystery onto the canvas of the night. "Here," it whispered, the offering of a lighter a thread woven into the night's fabric.

"Thanks," Aoi's gratitude was swift, unaware of the gravity concealed within those words. The unknown voice's existence dawned on him, an unsettling revelation that disrupted the night's harmony. The lighter slipped from his grip, replaced by a sword drawn from its sheath, a response to an intruder's challenge.

But the response was futile, a grim realization that unfolded in the cold embrace of steel. A clean cut, a rush of blood, and Aoi's vision dimmed as life's fragile grip slipped through his fingers. The night bore witness to his fall, and his gaze, fading but not forgotten, caught sight of four figures breaching the mansion's hallowed grounds.

The quartet pressed onward, delving further into the mansion's grounds as each step carried them deeper into the heart of their mission. Their determination was unwavering, their purpose clear: to navigate the labyrinthine halls while erasing any obstacle that dared cross their path.

As they penetrated the interior, their actions bore the weight of stealth and precision. Guards stationed in their way met a swift, calculated end. Silence was their ally, their movements a symphony of discretion. With every dispatched guard, they understood that a full-scale confrontation would consume precious time and endanger their mission's success. Advancing further, the group ascended to the second floor, their movements precise and purposeful. However, the precariousness of their position became evident when a patrol of guards, wandering the mansion's interior, nearly exposed them. In the brink of this perilous encounter, quick thinking and honed skills came to their aid.

By harnessing their chakra, they melded with their surroundings, an eerie mirage against the ceiling. With careful control, they clung to the ceiling, avoiding detection by blending seamlessly with the shadows. Their heartbeats remained steady, their breaths held in anticipation as the patrol meandered past them, oblivious to the figures concealed just overhead. Moments passed and the patrol group left the area, the quartet then dropped back to the ground as gentle as they could to prevent making loud sounds that would attract attention to them. The group then continued making their way up to the mansion by passing through the hallway, eventually they reached a corner.

"Hachiro, check if there are any guards," a man's voice was low and commanding. Hachiro nodded, his eyes focused on the small mirror he had retrieved from his pouch. With practiced skill, he angled the mirror to see down the hallway without putting himself at risk of being spotted. Hachiro then spotted two guards stationed by the stairs, their postures alert and ready for any intruders. he relayed the information to his teammates with a subtle nod.

"Alright then, I got this. Kenjiro, Aseri, wait for my signal," the man whispered, his voice confident and sure.

"You got it, Etsuya-san. Kenjiro, follow my lead," Aseri's tone was firm, a sense of camaraderie and trust evident in his words.

Etsuya's fingers danced through the hand seals, his chakra flowing seamlessly as he initiated his jutsu. "Hijutsu: Kagmane no Jutsu (Hidden Jutsu: Shadow Possession Technique)," he murmured, his voice barely audible. In an instant, his shadow detached itself from his form, blending seamlessly with the darkness that surrounded them. The shadow slithered silently towards the guards stationed at the stairs, the guards unaware of its approach as it merged with their own shadows. Etsuya held his breath, maintaining control over the shadow, but not yet activating the technique.

"On three... One... Two... Three," Etsuya's voice was a mere whisper, but it carried the weight of their impending actions. In perfect synchronization, Aseri and Kenjiro exchanged a quick, silent nod before emerging from their hiding spots. The guards spotted them, their eyes widening as they reached for their weapons to sound the alarm. But before they could react, the jutsu took effect. The guards froze in place, their bodies paralyzed by Etsuya's shadow possession.

Resigned to their fate, the guards felt the weight of the impending end. Among them, Kenjiro prepared for a swift and merciful blow, aiming to end their lives without unnecessary suffering. Yet, as his intention took form, his attention was drawn to Aseri's choice – a path far more brutal and savage. In a swift, practiced motion, Aseri drew his sword and swung it with brutal force, severing the guard's head from his shoulders. Blood sprayed in an arc, the sight both horrifying and mesmerizing. Blood stained the wall behind the guard and some of it even sprayed on Aseri's face. The guard's body fell to the ground, lifeless. Kenjiro's heart pounded as he watched Aseri approach his target with ruthless determination.

As the surge of adrenaline subsided, Kenjiro found himself haunted by the gruesome tableau Aseri had painted with her brutal kill. The memory etched itself into his thoughts, a stark contrast to his own methods of ending lives with a measure of humanity and mercy. The darkness that simmered within the realm of shinobi, often hidden behind the façade of honor, was laid bare before him.

Kenjiro's gaze fixed upon Aseri, their eyes meeting in a moment that carried the weight of understanding. In those eyes, he detected an absence of remorse, a void where empathy should have resided. What disturbed him most was the hint of enjoyment that seemed to flicker within Aseri's gaze – a chilling revelation of the depths to which one could descend.

Aseri's nonchalant query jarred Kenjiro from his contemplation, drawing his attention to the bloodstains that adorned Aseri's face. The nonchalant gesture, the casual wiping away of blood, seemed surreal in the wake of the violence that had just unfolded.

Caught off guard, Kenjiro stumbled over his words. But before he could formulate a coherent response, Aseri's voice cut through. "I got something on my face?..." The question, tinged with a careless tone, held an unspoken challenge.

"I uhhh..." Kenjiro's reply faltered, but Aseri preemptively swept away any need for a response. "Did I get it?..." Aseri's query, seemingly innocuous, provided an escape route from the disquieting conversation.

"Y-Yeah," Kenjiro acquiesced, his voice a mere whisper. The exchange left him shaken, struggling to grasp the dichotomy between Aseri's detachment and the depth of his own turmoil.

He yearned to end the conversation, to retreat from the unsettling moment. In his heart, he grappled with an unsettling truth – the realization that the line they walked, as shinobi, was far more treacherous than he had ever dared to fathom.

After neutralizing the guards, Etsuya and Hachiro emerged from their concealment to join Kenjiro and Aseri. As a united quartet, they pressed forward, ascending the floors with a purpose that had become their shared mission – to clear their path of any opposition. Steel met flesh, and the resonance of jutsus marked the end of lives, their steps unwavering as they advanced toward their final destination: the top floor, where the bedrooms awaited.

"You're up, Kenjiro," Etsuya's voice cut through the tension, and Kenjiro acknowledged the responsibility with a nervous nod.

Kenjiro approached each bedroom door, tools at the ready for lock-picking. While the option of balcony access existed, the potential risk of being spotted outside by guards prompted Etsuya's decision to prioritize caution. The slow, careful process of lock-picking unfolded, minutes ticking away as each door yielded to Kenjiro's expertise. With each successful entry, they gained access to the bedrooms.

"Way to go, Kenjiro," Aseri's voice held approval, followed by a supportive pat on Kenjiro's shoulder.

Etsuya's directive echoed through the tense air – Kenjiro would glean information from each member of the Yoshida Family and they were tasked with eliminating two family members each. Silent agreement rippled through the group, including Kenjiro, though his reluctance was palpable. He consoled himself with the belief that their targets were asleep, and death would come without suffering. It was a thin comfort, but one he clung to in the face of their grim task.

The group moved in silence to the first room. Inside, the grandparents lay in slumber, blissfully unaware of the impending danger. Etsuya's question lingered, momentarily suspended in the air, before Hachiro stepped forward. His steps were cautious, his motions deliberate as he produced a kunai. In one swift but controlled action, he drove the kunai into the eyes of both grandparents, bringing an end to their lives in their sleep.

The somber procession continued to the next room, where siblings rested in oblivion. Kenjiro's apprehension was almost palpable, but it was Aseri who took the initiative. Without hesitation, Aseri enacted the act, ending the lives of both brother and sister, his actions disturbingly swift and matter-of-fact.

The subsequent room held only the uncle. Before Kenjiro could muster the resolve, Etsuya moved ahead, taking charge of the situation. With a kunai in hand, he executed the uncle, mirroring the actions of their previous eliminations. Each passing room added to the growing weight on Kenjiro's shoulders, a gnawing reminder of the cost of their mission.

Finally, they reached the last room, within which the husband and wife slumbered. Etsuya acted once more, ending the husband's life, leaving the final task to Kenjiro. Yet, as Kenjiro surveyed the room, a chilling realization struck him – only one person remained, when there should have been two.

Voicing his confusion, he turned to his companions, seeking an explanation for the discrepancy. The room's haunting stillness met his inquiry, and his teammates offered no reply. Etsuya, however, moved with purpose, crossing to the other side of the bed. There, he gently revealed the truth, pulling back the blanket to unveil the wife's pregnant form.

The revelation landed like a heavy blow, crashing upon Kenjiro's conscience. The reality was unbearable – they had left an expectant mother, along with her unborn child, as the final targets. The gravity of the situation gripped him, the weight of moral dilemma and ethical horror pressing down.

Kenjiro's disbelief was interwoven with a sinking realization that his comrades had known all along, that they had willingly led him to this precipice of darkness. He could expect to meet the sickest people of humanity with minds so wickedly twisted that it left you reeling off of the face of the earth - but nothing could have prepared him for this.

(A/N: I hope I did a good enough job to make a story out of the prompt that was given to me, also I apologize that this story is late and also to the readers of my main fic, sorry for not updating for quite some time. Regardless, that's all! Love ya and cheers! ^^)