36 - New team members...

Tanzaku City...

After a full day, Kirito was still sleeping, which made everyone a little bit worried.

"What do you think, Lady Tsunade?" Kakashi asked, looking at the kid with a worried tone.

"It looks like he might have used the Gates the whole time during his journey to the Land of Wind to look for the medicinal plant. It caused his body to suffer a lot of stress and his cells to get a little burned up," Tsunade said after inspecting the results.

"He really pushed himself to the limit," Monkey said with a sigh.

"Yes, I don't think anyone without Teleportation Jutsu could have made it back in that short time," Crow nodded.

"And he used the Gates for more than half a day with his small body. I don't think even Guy could have done it," Kakashi said with shock and worry about the kid. After all, without him, Kakashi might have been dead a long time ago.

"Don't worry, he will wake up after a day of rest," Tsunade said while going out of the door. But before she vanished, she added, "Take care, and don't disturb me anymore. He will be fine after a little rest."

As Shizune was going out, Kakashi said, "Then we will be returning to the village."

With that word, Kakashi took Kirito's mask and put it on his face. He then put the little kid on his shoulder and started moving, making sure not to awaken Kirito.

They started moving back to the village because they had to return as soon as possible. They had completed their mission, and Kakashi had also received a call from the village last night.

•••••••••••••••

While the ANBU team was about three hours away from the village, Fox woke up above Dog's shoulder.

"Where am I?" Fox asked as he felt someone holding him tightly while moving at a fast speed.

"You finally woke up, kid?" Kakashi asked while stopping on a tree branch.

"You really took your time sleeping," Monkey joked as he also stood beside Fox.

"You did good, kid," Crow said with a smile while patting his head.

While removing Crow's hand, Fox asked, "So how long was I out?"

"You slept for almost 2 days," Monkey answered from the side.

'It really took a lot out of me... but it wasn't for nothing...' Fox thought with a nod while looking at Dog and asked, "Are we returning to the village right now?"

"Yes, we got called back in the collar just a few hours after I recovered. Also, thanks, kid," Kakashi said with a nod.

"Oh..." Fox nodded and added, "Okay, let's go," while putting a food pill in his mouth because he felt hungry.

With that, they started moving back to the village.

•••••••••••••••

After returning to the village, Kirito went to their apartment to see how his brother was doing, while the rest, except for Kakashi, returned to their homes.

Kakashi didn't go because he was the team captain of this mission.

[Unlike a normal mission, in an ANBU mission, the Captain is the only one who goes to talk with the head.]

After Dog finished reporting, Hiruzen gave a slight nod and asked, "So you're telling me that Sasori killed the Third Kazekage?"

"Yes," Dog simply nodded.

"Okay, I will send the news to the Sand and let them take care of everything," Hiruzen said while blowing his pipe.

"What about the new team?" Dog asked, as he was told his team would be changing a little bit.

"We will be adding Izumi Uchiha to your team with Hana Inuzuka," Hiruzen said while passing Dog two pieces of the document, then added, "About the current Uchiha in your team, Shisui will get his own team, while Itachi will be joining him until we find stronger shinobi to fill in the gaps for Itachi to get his own team."

[Remember, currently Kakashi is the strongest Jonin-level shinobi from ANBU and the current head directly under Hiruzen. Now don't ask why because it is how it is. Remember the Third War and the Nine Tails' attack. Yes, I am just going to say a lot of shinobi died at the time.]

"Will I go on the next mission with the kid only?" Dog asked, surprised by what he was ordered just now.

"The thing is, the Lord of the Land of Snow asked the Fire Lord to send some visitors at the same time, not to disturb the people's fair... " Hiruzen said with a nod.

"So we need to start our journey in a week," Dog said with a nod.

"Also, remember to look after the kid and be careful of the Fire Temple's shinobi," Hiruzen warned him with a serious tone.

"Understood..." With that, Dog disappeared from that spot.

After getting out of the Hokage Tower, Kakashi looked at the sky while thinking, 'I need to train a little...'

As he was going towards his house, he noticed Saito standing in front of the bookshop and thought, 'I should ask Saito-sensei to let me train with Kirito...'

As Kakashi approached Saito from behind, he turned around while picking up the last copy of Ichi-Ichi Paradise and said, "Sorry, kid, I am not going to give it to you..."

••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Meanwhile, in Twin's apartment...

Kirito returned home with a happy face after completing his mission and returning safely back to the house.

'I really missed the village...' He thought while moving from one rooftop to another.

'I wonder what my brother is doing right now...' Kirito thought while arriving in front of his house.

As he opened the door, rage took over him because of the scene that came in front of him after opening the door. He shouted, "Naruto~"

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