Ghostly Figure

Chapter 1: A Weight of a Mission

-3rd Person-

~Flashback~

The dim light of the underground chamber casts long shadows on the stone walls, flickering as the torches sway gently in the draft.

The air is thick with tension, the kind that clings to your skin, making it hard to breathe. Three ANBU operatives stand before Danzo Shimura, the leader of Root, their faces hidden behind porcelain masks, their postures rigid with attention.

Danzo sits behind his desk, his lone visible eye cold and calculating as he surveys the operatives. The room is silent, save for the soft crackling of the torches. Finally, Danzo speaks, his voice as cold as the air around them.

"There has been an incident in a village on the outskirts of the Land of Fire," he begins, his tone measured. "Reports suggest that the entire population has been wiped out. The cause is unknown, but there are whispers of a child... a child with ghostly white hair and crimson eyes."

The ANBU operatives remain silent, but the tension in the room intensifies. Danzo's gaze sharpens, as if he can see through their masks, into their very souls.

"This child is not to be underestimated," Danzo continues, his voice lowering as if the very walls could betray his words. "Her eyes hold a power we do not yet fully understand. Those who have looked into them have... succumbed to madness, driven to commit unspeakable acts. The exact nature of her ability is still unknown, but it is clear that she is a threat."

One of the ANBU, distinguished by the silver hair visible under his mask, steps forward. His voice, calm and composed, cuts through the silence. "What are our orders, Danzo-sama?"

Danzo leans back in his chair, his fingers steepled under his chin. "Your mission is to retrieve the child named Yui and bring her to Konoha. She is not to be harmed. We need to study her, understand her power, and ensure it does not fall into the wrong hands."

The silver-haired ANBU nods, his mind already working through the logistics of the mission. But Danzo's next words give him pause.

"Kakashi," Danzo says, addressing the ANBU directly, "when you return, you are to bring the child to Kurenai Yuhi. She will assist in integrating the girl into the village. Kurenai is skilled in dealing with unique abilities, and her presence may help the child adjust."

Kakashi hesitates, the weight of the responsibility settling on his shoulders. Kurenai is known for her compassionate nature, her ability to understand and guide those who struggle with their inner demons. But Yui... Yui is something entirely different. Her power is not just a struggle; it's a potential disaster waiting to happen.

Danzo seems to sense Kakashi's unease. His eye narrows slightly, his voice firm and unyielding. "This is not a mission to be taken lightly, Kakashi. The child's power must be contained and understood. Failure is not an option."

Kakashi straightens, his resolve hardening. "Understood, Danzo-sama. We will not fail."

Danzo gives a curt nod, dismissing them with a wave of his hand. The three ANBU turn in unison, their footsteps echoing in the chamber as they make their way to the exit. But before they can leave, Danzo speaks again, his voice laced with a warning.

"Remember, Kakashi, this child is a weapon. Do not let your emotions cloud your judgment. She is dangerous, and she must be treated as such."

Kakashi pauses, the words sinking deep into his mind. He nods once more, though his heart feels heavy with the implications. He knows that Danzo sees Yui as nothing more than a tool, a potential asset for Konoha's strength. But Kakashi... he can't help but wonder what kind of life this child has led, what horrors she's endured to awaken such a power.

As they leave the chamber and step into the cool night air, the tension among the ANBU begins to shift. The silver-haired ANBU, now identified as Kakashi, pulls off his mask, revealing the solemn face beneath. His mismatched eyes—one dark, the other the crimson Sharingan—gleam in the moonlight.

"Let's move," Kakashi orders, his voice steady but carrying an undertone of concern. The other two ANBU nod silently, their faces hidden behind their masks as they follow him into the night.

~~~

As he approaches her, Yui's crimson eyes lock onto his, and for a moment, time seems to stand still. Kakashi's Sharingan meets her gaze without fear, the only thing keeping him from falling under her influence. But even then, he can feel the weight of her power, the darkness that lurks just beneath the surface.

Yui doesn't speak. She simply stares at him with those haunting eyes, as if waiting for him to make the first move. And in that moment, Kakashi knows that this mission is about more than just bringing her back to Konoha. It's about protecting her, guiding her, and ensuring that she never has to use her power again.

With a steady hand, Kakashi reaches out to her, his voice calm and soothing. "It's alright, Yui. I'm here to help you. You're safe now."

Yui hesitates, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. But something in Kakashi's tone, in the way he looks at her without fear, without judgment, makes her reach out to him in return. As her small hand slips into his, Kakashi feels a surge of protectiveness, a fierce determination to see this through.

The journey back to Konoha is long, and Yui remains silent the entire time. Kakashi keeps a watchful eye on her, his mind running through the instructions Danzo gave him. But as they near the village, he can't shake the feeling that Yui is more than just a weapon, more than just a tool to be studied and controlled.

She's a child, alone and scared, with a curse she never asked for. And Kakashi knows that the hardest part of this mission isn't retrieving her—it's helping her find a way to live with the burden she carries.

As the gates of Konoha come into view, Kakashi takes a deep breath, preparing himself for the challenges ahead. He knows that this is just the beginning, that the road to helping Yui will be long and difficult. But he also knows that he won't abandon her, no matter what.

He's made a promise, and Kakashi Hatake never breaks his promises.

~ End of Flashback~

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