Ch 139

Getting ready to meet the Hokage wasn't something I took lightly. I'd been awake for a while, nerves working quietly under my skin, twisting in a tight rhythm in my chest. 

The morning had been peaceful, filled with good food and some laughter, but now the heaviness was returning, subtle and familiar. 

I could feel it settle in my shoulders as I tightened the last strap on my gear. Just because this wasn't a combat mission didn't mean I could go unprepared. Not when I didn't fully trust what this meeting might bring. 

I stared at my reflection in the mirror for a moment. I looked like someone from here again, like I belonged in Konoha. 

But there was something in my eyes that didn't quite match the warm morning light filtering in through the window. A piece of me that still didn't belong anywhere. 

I exhaled and turned away before I thought about it too much. Overthinking never did me any good, and I had enough of that running wild inside me already. 

When I stepped outside, I was caught off guard by the sight of Sakura and Sai waiting at the front gate. 

Both looked too serious for their age, like kids playing at being soldiers. I raised a hand in a polite greeting, offering something neutral. They didn't respond. 

Sakura looked away, and Sai's expression was unreadable as usual. I couldn't help the amused snort that escaped me. 

They were young, but not stupid. I'd heard enough about their generation to know they weren't going to just take someone's word about me. I didn't blame them. Still, it stung a little. 

Moments later, Naruto burst through the door, Shikamaru at his side and Shikaku not far behind. "Sakura! Sai! What are you doing here?" Naruto asked, wide-eyed and obviously surprised. 

So, this wasn't planned. Interesting. 

I turned to Shikaku with a raised brow. "Are they coming with us?" "No," he responded, shaking his head. 

He didn't get the chance to say more before a familiar, lazy voice floated down from above. 

"Yo." I tilted my head up. Kakashi was on the roof, half crouched with one hand raised in greeting like this was just another regular morning for him, which, knowing him, it probably was.

He landed beside us a moment later, eye crinkling in his usual sleepy expression. "I figured I'd tag along for the walk. It's been a while since I got to stretch my legs." 

I didn't say anything. His presence, while unexpected, didn't bother me. If anything, having Kakashi around felt oddly stabilizing. He wasn't someone easily shaken, and that energy had a way of grounding people near him. 

We started walking, and I kept pace just slightly behind the older adults. Kakashi started to slow a bit, before walking beside me. He didn't hesitate with his words. 

"You're not hiding," he said, not quite a question, but close. 

I turned my head slightly, hands in my pockets. "No need to." 

He came to stand close beside me, arms crossed loosely, but his eye was steady. Too steady. Watchful in the way a man gets when he's angry but trying not to let it bleed through. 

"You should've sent a message," he expressed quietly. "Any sign. Anything." 

"I thought I was doing the right thing," I replied, voice flat. "Maybe I wasn't." 

"You weren't," he responded, and though his tone didn't rise, I felt the weight in his words. "But I'm glad you're alive." 

I didn't answer. I didn't trust what might come out. He sighed, eye narrowing slightly. "They made you do this alone. That was the mistake." 

I swallowed, my throat tight. "They made me survive," I whispered. 

Kakashi was silent for a while. Then, quietly: "Never again." 

The silence after stretched until we reached the administrative building. The guards stepped aside without a word, but I could feel their eyes following me, curiosity and caution flickering behind their masks. 

Walking in, I immediately noticed Ibiki Morino, and my first reaction was a slow, tight frown that I didn't bother hiding as I turned to Asuma. 

"You sure you're keeping your word?" I asked, voice low. 

This man, the literal head of the Torture and Interrogation Division, was not someone you just happened to invite to tea. His presence meant something. It meant tension, pressure, fear. And I wasn't stupid enough to believe he was here for decoration. 

Asuma shook his head calmly. "We won't keep you tied up for long. You're barely older than our students. Couldn't imagine it." 

"Last generation would say otherwise," I muttered. "You all grew up in a war." 

I didn't say and I grew up in the aftermath. Didn't need to. Still, I met Ibiki's gaze evenly. 

"Keep your word," I said again. 

I didn't care for reassurances, I needed action. And while I didn't fear him, I knew better than to underestimate someone like him. 

He gave me a curt nod, which was, honestly, more than I expected. They must want to unnerve me. It worked. 

Then the door opened. And she walked in. Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage. Golden hair tied back, coat flaring behind her, and that commanding presence you could feel before you saw her. 

She walked like a woman who didn't need to prove herself, because she already had, a thousand times over. She looked at me. And I looked at her. 

"You've made it," she nodded politely. 

"I did," I answered, standing straight. She took a long breath, then... relaxed. Just slightly. 

"Come on," she nodded toward a side room. "Let's talk. You, me, and a couple of old men pretending they're just here to supervise." 

I blinked, surprised, but followed without hesitation. Inside the Hokage's office, everything was... less tense than I expected. There was tea on the table. 

Kakashi was already helping himself. Asuma leaned against the far wall, arms crossed but relaxed. Ibiki took a seat in the corner like a lurking shadow, Shikaku beside him. Tsunade sat at her desk and gestured for me to take a seat across from her. 

"So," she began, pouring herself some tea. "Tell me what you want, Ishi." 

I blinked again. "Excuse me?" 

"You came back," she said. "And so far, you've been quiet, respectful, helpful. But I don't believe you walked into this village just to have a family reunion." 

I hesitated. "I want to be seen as reliable." 

She raised an eyebrow. "Reliable enough for what?" 

I exhaled. "Reliable enough that if something happens again, like last time, you won't hesitate to trust me." A silence settled after that. Not hostile, just... heavy. 

Tsunade took a sip of her tea. "You're not wrong to be cautious," she answered finally. "But we don't operate on fear. Not anymore." 

"I know," I replied. "That's why I'm here. I want to rebuild what I left behind." 

She studied me for a while. Then, in a surprising turn, she asked, "Do you like sake?" 

I blinked. "I... don't dislike it?" 

Asuma chuckled. "She always asks that." 

"It's a good way to get people to talk," Tsunade said, then leaned back in her chair. "You've been through a lot. You're still standing. That means something to me. But I'm not the only one you'll need to convince." 

"I'm aware," I answered quietly. 

"Good." She smiled faintly. "So let's start now. Tell me something useless. Something random. No strategies. No secrets. Just... talk." 

I had to pause at that. My mind scrambled to find something normal. 

"I like fruit," I responded. 

There was a pause. Then Kakashi let out a quiet laugh. "Didn't expect that." 

Tsunade grinned. "See? Already we're getting somewhere."

A/n It's been a month, I KNOW! I'm so sorry that many of you waited so long but exam season is over and I will post more chapters so you can get your summer reading on! Enjoy~