29 Chapter 28 (1/2)

Note--the following events are of Naruto Shippuden timeline and thus these happens after a time skip!

The day was unequivocally uneventful for me. Despite having to deal with this mountainous pile of labour extensive paperwork that was increasing every time I had turned away out of spite just for the sake of procrastination, it just had to be done on this quaint desk of this depressing, dark, bland and scarcely furnished office of mine. It used to be worst but this had certainly top those worst days easily and thus I was stuck there throughout the day and into the night. Suna and Konoha had been working closely with one another since the recent Chuunin exam. ROOT had been tasked to closely monitor the two countries' safety during the exam, a kind gesture from the Hokage that was willingly sharing resources with the Kazekage. At least, that was what people were allowed to know if they got high enough pay grade. It was actually my own suggestion to the Hokage herself. ROOT had since been operating under the watchful eyes of the two Kages. How of a tiresome time to be living in. The desk was littered with Intel, mission reports and candidate list for new ROOT operatives that I was compiling with Sai-san. There was one other missive that I was expecting today, Fu's report on his current assignment. My pen scratched the paper loudly as it glided on it to form words in the reports I was reviewing. The sound was filling up this empty room and enthralled me deep into what I was doing right then.

”You seemed to be highly immersed in that particular paper, is there anything fancy in there?” someone loudly said.

In a surprise, my blood pressure skyrocketed as the blood left my heart at a rapid pace and of course, my breathing stopped as a familiar black cat registered in my peripheral view at the left corner of my desk. It took me a few moments to level out my nerves and the cat waited expectantly for my reply.

”At the very least, announce your entrance, Juzo-san,” I chided the old cat. The taciturn ninneko chuckled at my exasperation as the familiar mahogany-black-Mangekyou-insignia scroll puffed into existence. In turn, a timid knock was heard from the door. I gestured at the doors for the cat's sake in the hope that he would learn some more human mannerisms that he lacked thereof. Quickly, I hid the scroll in my flak jacket.

”Come in,” I announced and the door creaked open. The familiar Aburame walked into my office with a piece of paper in his hand. Torune had been on the roster with Fu since I sent that Yamanaka on a mission to shadow my best friend and my senior on their journey. They both actually hadn't been doing it in secret, instead, they went about without mask and voluntarily follow the idiots literally. It's not like I was against it, it's just that, they had been helping Naruto on his study with Jiraiya-senpai. I could only hope that the knucklehead didn't trouble my operatives. What I meant was, that Naruto isn't the most diligent student when it comes to studying. Both of them hadn't made any indications that something bad had happened and I am not inclined to ask them.

”Director Hikari, sorry to bother your discussion with Juzo-dono, but this just came in this morning,” Torune said as he passed me the paper and I quickly fetched it to read the contents. It was encoded, of course, Sai had been very helpful in teaching me the Root signature secret codes for reading the encrypted messages. A smile made its way on my face.

”Our favourite idiots are coming home,” I breathed and Torune managed to chuckle. One thing I had noticed is that both Torune and Fu had become somewhat loosen up and absorbed a bit of my senpai and my friend's behavioural characteristic in which they weren't as stoic as the first time I had known them.

”This is good news, I guess or the Akatsuki had really onto them now. Jiraiya-sama did tell us that if worst comes to worst, they will return to the village,” he stated. I couldn't help but agree, I placed the paper on my 'In' tray that was ever piling up with paperwork for me to review. Torune dismissed himself soon afterwards as I became deep in thought about our ever-elusive adversary. My Root operatives and ANBUs alike had failed to get a whiff about the organization. I couldn't blame them though as the organization was immensely secretive even to its own member but Itachi had already provided me with enough information from time to time--the Akatsuki consists of S-rank criminals as well as having a Rinnegan wielding leader and possibly being controlled or manipulated by 'Madara', that guy would be the most paranoid ninja in the organization so Itachi couldn't risk exposure just yet. Such was also the same as Orochimaru's case, the deranged Snake Sannin had slipped through our grasp every time that we got a whiff of them and along with him, Sasuke. I sighed as I thought about my lost teammate, my weaknesses had led him into the dark path. If only that I was more hard-headed, he would've returned way back before he disappeared. I had to think of some tactics to get him back here without any major action on Team 7's part. Thinking of those Uchihas brought me back to the recently hidden scroll in my jacket, without a second thought, I withdrew the scroll to read it.

”The Forgotten One,

There is an unprecedented situation about me that both of us need to meet face to face. Meet me at a Dango shop near Taki and Fire border.

Sign,

The Forsaken One

P.S: We will be having a long discussion.”

I rolled back the scroll before I set it ablaze. I didn't even miss the cryptic postscript at the end that I could only assume that he had found out about his amnesty. There was only one culprit of this predicament and it was sitting on my desk right now.

”Did you told Itachi about my decision regarding him that you unceremoniously forced me to tell you a few months ago?” I darkly questioned the cat as he gnawed on the fish nonchalantly. Even worst, Juzo merely huffed at me. I blew a heavy breath as I wiped my whole face and I grumbled about taking away the fish and tossed it to Tora before I whipped up an empty scroll to write my reply to Itachi. Juzo immediately disappeared from my office after I sealed the scroll that I was sending through him. Soon afterwards, I finally could go home, seeing as it was already late and Hitori might get angry at me tonight. Wouldn't want to mess with an angry Hitori, you'll burn, literally.

The next morning, I woke up to Hitori's shouting from the kitchen as per usual. In all honesty, me coming home late at night had never failed to numb down our nocturnal activities. Hitori never even muttered a single complaint about my late return and instead, she made do with what she had and made each and every night so meaningful. I could already smell the brine scent of dashi broth simmering on the stove. With a heavy sigh, I opened my still drowsy eyes and stood up from the bed. With no clothes on, I could see my whole body on the mirror that we used as a closet door. It was littered with scars, more so on my thighs. Much to my relief, I had seized harming myself and I was thankful to Inoichi-sama that helped me and Sakura. The most profound scar was from the balcony of the Konoha General Hospital. That one had really made its mark on our lives, Sakura and me. We are now the better version of who we once were.

”Honey, you will be late for your trip!” Hitori shouted yet again. She was no doubt had finished whipping me and my escort a bento.

”Yes, yes,” I said as I scurried into the bathroom before she got even mad with me.

My bath was brief as Hitori had already prepared the hot tub and the bathrobe for me beforehand. Now, the protection detail was once a privilege for a director of a ninja unit in Konoha that was going out on a mission outside of the village but since my meltdown at the hospital years ago, Tsunade-senpai had made it her business to ensure that I would always be accompanied by someone if I am going outside of my village, or anywhere actually, as a precaution. I sighed thinking of this village that had done so much for me that I couldn't afford to let them down and I will not let them down. After the delicious breakfast, I went back to the bedroom to change into my travelling gear. I wore my black jumpsuit with the Root khaki robe on top of it and my mask was safely hidden out of sight within the robe and also not to mention my trusty Fudo Masamune along with a few others supplementary weapons are safely stored in scrolls which were in my back porch. Afterwards, I went to the front door to wear my sandals and stood up to face my love who was holding two bento for me.

”Here is your bento and one for your escort. Who is it going to be?” she asked as she handed me the bento. Our fingers barely grazed one another and a strike of static electricity could be felt. She blushed pink signalling that she had felt it too. When our eyes met, it was the first time we met all over again. Feelings of longing, excitement, and expectation were overwhelming our sense as we get closer and closer to one another. I risked a peck on her cheek, to which she replied with ensnaring me in a vice-like hug and kissed me passionately to which I indulged gladly. When we were done, we were both panting and wanting more. Too bad that it had to end for now.

”To answer your question, it's Sai. Thank you for the bento and last night,” I breathed, trying to dispel our lust to no avail. She was looking deeply in my eyes like a kitten wanting a piece of the fish that I was eating.

”Wait for me. I won't be too long and when I am back, let's go out on a date?” I coaxed and it worked. Her face had brightened up considerably.

”Hurry back! I want to go to the Dango shop,” she exclaimed happily before she waved at me. Chuckling, I shunshinned into my senpai's office. Tsunade-senpai was finishing some paperwork as Sakura was waiting for an errand from her master, Tonton was happy to see me of course as I always spoilt her with a treat if I ever came across the pet pig for the day.

”Hey, morning, Hikari-kun! You're going out?” Sakura beamed as we high-five as we had always done every time we met. She still rocks her signature maroon colour but now she had gloves added to her attire that was slightly altered to suit her taijutsu style. That glove is there for a damn good reason and you wouldn't want to mess with her, trust me, I learned that the hard way. I quickly reached into my back pocket and tossed a treat to Tonton who was appreciative for it.

”Yeah. Morning, Sakura, Tsunade-senpai. How's the paperwork wars?” I greeted the Hokage who immediately blew a heavy sigh. Who in the right mind would like doing paperwork?

”Che! You would know. What's the business?” she asked as she placed down her brush. My expression was turned into a serious one.

”I am meeting the spy. ROOT official business, you know?” I calmly said as I gave her a knowing look. She was silent at first and was understanding the fact that I was meeting Itachi. She never really agreed with my decision regarding the rogue Uchiha but she hadn't got much choice since Itachi is the only spy the five nations couldn't provide. The man though was no doubt would be unwilling with my decision and had other plans in mind regarding his future.

”You must be extra careful, Hikari-kun,” Tsunade-senpai finally breathed. Concern was still evident in her expression. It was funny how a strong-willed woman such as she had that expression on her face. It was like how out of place a Hercules beetle would be if its shell was pink. Of course, I had to laugh.

”Senpai, you know that I always have an escort with me, one of my men at that. I confidently trust his ability. Write me quick paperwork for those two at the gate, will you?” I explained and she hastily whipped up a piece of paper and write the particulars before she signed it and gave it to me. ”Thanks, senpai. See you, Sakura-Tyrant.”

I shunshinned out of the office before any excessively strong fists rained on me and made my way to the gates with ease. The scenery when I normally run was a flurry of images to me and I found it somewhat comforting to me, being distracted by it and all. The balance between speed and clarity had made me enchanted and took my mind off the countless burden I bore throughout my days in Konoha. I owed a shard of my peace of mind solely to Inoichi-Sama, as he said I was that some piece of work--all broken but mended enough to be just sane. In no time at all, I arrived at the gate to which I was the first to arrive.

”Oh, Hikari-sam...” Izumo greeted before I immediately shunshinned behind him with a sharp kunai on my hand directed at his left carotid. The man was quick to correct himself.

”Sorry, kid. My bad. It's a habit you know,” Izumo said nervously, earning him a good laugh from his partner.

”Hahahahaha! That's what you get for tricking me to pay for your booze last night!” Kotetsu barked. ”So, what's up, Hikari-kun? It's way too early for your standard and I'm surprised that Hitori let you go out on your own.”

”Ha-ha, very funny. I am going out for a bit with one of my men--official Root business,” I said before I handed over my paperwork to them. Kotetsu looked over the document before stamping it and put it aside. Out of nowhere, Sai who was clad in khaki robe and mask appeared in a cloud of smoke. The two jumped a bit to the sudden appearance.

”Good morning, Director, Izumo-senpai, Kotetsu-senpai,” Sai said in his signature monotonous voice. The said two swallowed down the bile that was in their throat. They, like all other ninjas in Konoha, was still getting used to us Root. Maybe it's the mask or maybe it was our monotonous ways to clarify and joke about things in general.

”Morning, Cat-san. It's been a while since we saw you,” Kotetsu nervously greeted Sai. I wore my mask as Sai made an effort to converse with them as I get ready for our journey.

”Ah, Director Hikari didn't seem to put me on outside mission much these days. Maybe I am taking Tiger-san and Boar-san's place as his favourite. Maybe I am getting a promotion?” The mouthy pale expressionless guy joked with a monotonous tone. Izumo and Kotetsu's sweat dropped due to being baffled by the words.

”He is reading a book on human communication skills as a past time. Don't mind him.” I said to them. ”Let's go, Cat. You still need to brush up your joke more.”

”Safe travels, Oni-kun,” Izumo said before I waved at them and turned the other way to run.

It took us the whole morning to reach fire border and a few hours more to the Dango shop that Itachi mentioned. For the whole trip, I discussed with Sai about his progress on his interpersonal skills. It was essential with what I had in mind with how ROOT was heading today. Sai had it worse than the rest as he was actually suppressing his emotion rather than losing it entirely as that bastard had wanted. He was struggling to bring it out in the open rather than the others that were learning it back as he still thought that it was wrong for him as a ROOT operative. Danzo had fucked his mind good. I curse internally at the bastard. His heartless ways had messed up the entirety of the operatives. Some may not even show progress at all but I know someone who could possibly pierce through his shell as he did to my right-hand guys. Before long, the Dango shop was already within sight, so, we slowed our pace as we reached the shop.

”Welcome to my humble Dango stall, shinobi-san,” the old man running the joint greeted us with glee. At least, the customer service wasn't bad thus I might order some Dango as we wait for Itachi.

”We're expecting one more person, Oji-san. Table for three, please and I'd like to have some Mitarashi while you're at it and a takeaway later for the road.” I said and the old man quickly gestured us to our seats before he made his way back to the kitchen. There wasn't any noticeable character around here rather than the civilians seemed to be accustomed to seeing a masked man in a robe sitting here at the Dango shop. I shrugged to the situation before I eased myself more into the seat.

”Who are we meeting, by the way, Oni-kun?” Sai finally broke the silence.

”Our most valuable asset,” I replied before a flock of crows gathered together to reveal the raven-haired Uchiha clad in black robe lined with red clouds. Sai was quick to reach for his weapon and stood up. I was faster though as I grabbed his forearm and pulled him back to his seat.

”You're early,” Itachi murmured. He was still figuring us out because he wasn't sure which of us was me.