Seldom could argue that Konohagakure no Sato was the perfect hidden village; founded by the perfect union between the two strongest clans in the lands and the first of its kind. It was an example of the promise often accompanied with peace, good governance and mutual cooperation.
It was beautiful; a product of strife and sacrifice and sheer, unadulterated loyalty: a jewel nestled between a thicket of Hashirama forests.
And the Yondaime Hokage sincerely hoped it remained that way by the time he returned.
“I think he got caught up in something” Cue a dismissive wave of gloved fingers, “Trust Bakashi to be late today of all things.”
“Ano..but Rin too?” Something didn’t add up, and the Yondaime’s fingers tightened around the records in his hands.
Maybe he hadn’t told them the proper time? Kami knew he had taken care of things for the most part; rescheduled most of his important meetings, informed his ANBU reserve commander, informed key Jōnin personnel...
Kami, he had even written out a guide (complete with footnotes, doodles, and annexes as to potential ‘what-ifs’) and had given it to Kakashi to safeguard the night before.
So why wasn’t he here? In fact, both Rin and Kakashi were absent. Brows furrowed lightly at the thought as blue hues flickered to the thick scroll in his hand; the last of the civilian farmer records he had intended to entrust to the three out of which, ironically, only Obito was present.
And Naruto, for some reason. But then again, the boy did follow the Uchiha around like a henchman.
“Don’t worry, sensei” Obito reassured him for the third time, “Naruto and I will tell Bakashi and Rin everything, ne?” Naruto nodded next to him, fists clenched under his face and practically hopping from one sandaled foot to the other.
“Hai tebayo!” Sky blue hues, much like his own, practically sparkled and he couldn’t help but melt. That was apparently all the distraction they needed, for the next thing he knew, the scroll had been plucked from his grasp and two pairs of hands were already pushing him out the door.
And with that, the Yondaime was unceremoniously kicked out of his own office.
“I feel like you’re worrying too much.”
“Maybe you’re right.” He replied absently, brows still furrowed in thought before a tap to the shoulder prompted him to turn to the bemused Nara. Shikaku, for his part, had a traditional shit-eating grin on his face, one which he found particularly annoying at the moment since it was clearly at his expense. Somewhat miffed, blue hues flickered to the rest of his four man entourage; Genma, Raido and Iwashi seemed well prepared, backpacks slung comfortably over their uniformed shoulders for a trip that could be considered practically routine.
Except it had been a while since they (the Hokage, along with his Guard Platoon) had last been summoned to the Daimyo’s Residence. Usually, Shikaku would serve as an apt representative but this time it concerned something about additional lands and shinobi clans who wanted to align themselves with the Fire Nation.
It was cumbersome work, really. “Can we travel normally?” Genma groaned from his sot next to Raido, “No offense Hokage sama, but I just had lunch.”
Oh? “You know, that’s not a bad idea.” The Namikaze mused, fingers curled under his chin as if in thought. Genma and Raido barely had time to exchange a look before the same hand met his open palm, “I know. We’ll use this opportunity to test how well the three of you can identify my markers.”
Cue a collective groan, but he would hear nothing of it. “Its good practice, ne” the Yondaime smiled, tan digits pulling a marked kunai from the weapons pouch strapped to his waist. A beat later, he had disappeared with barely a flicker of blond hair and white haori. All was silent before--
“I hate it when he does that.” - Shiranui Genma, circa every time the Yondaime did that.
“Seconded” - Everyone else, circa whenever Genma said it.
Normally, the Yondaime would spare his platoon the extra trouble, but he couldn’t help it. This would, at the very least, help him expend some of the trepidation he felt; despite the fact that Konoha was probably as stable as it would ever be, and that the team he had entrusted his office to knew the day-to-day village affairs almost as well as he did.
It was just a week. Between a genius, a talented medic turned jinchuriki, and an Uchiha, what could possibly go wrong?
@konohagakurekakashi @strawberry-medic @swirleysarefun @himekushinada