- Shades of Grey -

A new moon rests in the sky, not a cloud in sight. The people of Konoha sleep soundly with little worries or cares. The heat from the day seems to cool gradually as night continues to take the earth.

A lone ninja is briefly seen jumping silently from rooftop to rooftop. He arrives along side the Hokage's office, watchful for any late patrollers. With the area clear, the ninja leaps to the windows beside her office. He forms a few hand signs before he sinks into the ledge beneath his feet and reappears through the floor in the large, oval office.

Making his mission quick, he moves towards the desk, using the same hand signs to move his right hand through a locked drawer. He pulls out the file he was looking for, opening it to the first page:

ANBU FILES: Confidential

The ninja allows himself a small, mocking laugh as he flips it open towards the back of the file. "Perfect," he says aloud.

Mission: S-rank

Location: Amegakure

Team: Capt. Hatake, Kakashi; Uchiha, Itatchi; Rin.

Status: Complete

Report: Erased.

The ninja pulls the mission log from the file and shoves it unto his pouch. Replacing the file back into the drawer, he the prepares to leave. He detaches the ANBU mask tied to his hip and wraps it around his head before entering as he came. He leaps down to the streets below, falling in sync with the nightly ANBU patrol.

A small grin forms behind his hawk mask as he heads towards the village gates, "Soon, Hatake." He whispers, "then no one can save your jinchuriki."