The return to Konoha was somewhat bittersweet. She had enjoyed those few days alone with Kakashi so much, no distractions and no duties, that she had almost forgotten about her problems and her work. A tiny part of her mind had thought of her brothers, but knowing they were safe in the village, she'd allowed herself to stop worrying and fully enjoy the beginning of their marriage. And what a beginning it had been. An arm wrapped gently, yet possessively, around her hips, pulling her against a masculine chest.
"We will have other opportunities to be alone, my love," Kakashi said, not even asking what she had been thinking.
"I know."
Ever since they had completed the magical ritual on the first night of their honeymoon, it felt as if she were connected to him by an invisible thread. Maybe because they literally were. She noticed the change in her husband right away; the calm, steady presence she constantly felt seemed to reassure him. She knew he perceived what she did, so he must have felt the love she had for him, just as she could feel what he felt for her every second of the day. Kakashi seemed lighter, as if a great weight had been lifted off his shoulders, his face visibly younger. Maybe it was the honeymoon, or maybe he had truly changed, but his usual neutral expression had given way to something else: a small smile, alert yet peaceful eyes, and relaxed features. She loved seeing him like that, happy.
They returned with the hiraishin, unlike the first time they had travelled to Uzu. Now that he had signed the contract, like every inhabitant of Uzushiogakure, she could simply leave using the teleportation jutsu. They appeared on the outskirts of Konoha and walked the last stretch hand in hand, at a slow pace. It was quite late, so no one stopped them on the street. They made their way to their home, the Hatake compound mansion, in silence.
She sensed her brothers' presence in their own house as they passed by, but no one came out to greet them.
"I can't believe we're going back to missions and the hospital tomorrow," she sighed.
"Me neither. It'll be like going back to normal but now you're an adult, and we're married."
She looked up from the suitcase she was unpacking, watching him remove the silk scarf he had worn instead of his mask. Leaning toward him on the bed, she kissed him, and as always, Kakashi accepted it. Whatever happened, she would be there for him.
"Do you want to go out for dinner?"
"I'd rather eat alone with you."
"Then, do you want to cook dinner together?" Kakashi asked, scooping her up effortlessly in his arms as he carried her down the stairs.
"I'd love to."
"Tomorrow we should stop by to see the Hokage. It wouldn't hurt to tell her in person that we're back, even if she already knows."
"Do you think now that we're all jonin or tokubetsu jonin, they'll put us on the same team? Seems like a waste of resources."
"Who knows? Sasuke and Naruto will need an experienced superior, so it's likely they'll assign them to you," Kakashi shrugged. "It also depends on the mission's level."
"I can't believe Sasuke and Naruto will catch up to me in rank in less than a year."
"Not in everything. Neither of them is ANBU."
"It's not like I'm a typical ANBU either. How many missions have I done with them? Three?" she laughed softly. Kakashi clicked his tongue with a mildly sympathetic look.
"That doesn't change the fact that you're still ANBU. The five years of your service haven't passed, and you've spent about three outside, so technically, you still have four left. Tsunade-sama and Commander Ryu can order you to take missions for them before you can retire," he said, wrapping an arm around her as she chopped vegetables. "Lucky for you, one of those five years has gone by smoothly. Don't think you've only done three ANBU missions. You spent a long time monitoring Danzo and helping the Hokage with the seals involving Danzo and Orochimaru, didn't you?"
Seina froze. Damn it. Kakashi was right, as always. She hadn't counted that, but she was sure that mission would appear in someone's top-secret files. Now that she thought about it, even when planning a coup like the Uchiha or trying to prevent a ninja civil war, paperwork always existed to record everything and avoid mistakes. In that light, it was obvious where her husband got the idea that she had already given a year of her life to ANBU. Those missions against Danzo hadn't been officially ordered by Shikaku, but they had been the Hokage's orders, just like ANBU missions, and she hadn't even realized it.
"Huh. I hadn't thought about it that way. Well, better for me."
Kakashi kissed her on the top of the head, letting the subject drop. She had been curious about ANBU operations, but she couldn't imagine spending the rest of her life doing S-rank missions at minimum. She'd already told her teacher she planned to retire in the not-so-distant future, so staying in ANBU was laughable. Even if she finished her service earlier than expected, she had no intention of continuing. They had talked about it during their honeymoon, and she still hadn't changed her mind.
"I know you once said you'd stay with us in ANBU the day the whole team was inducted, but I don't want you to go back," she said after a few silent minutes of thought.
Kakashi turned to look at her, giving her his full attention.
"Why?"
"Why? Kakashi, my love, you've spent nearly fourteen years in ANBU. You've survived longer than most, and I don't want you risking your life anymore, not even for us. I know you said you'd retire when I do, but in the meantime… I don't want to lose you."
"…Alright," he finally replied, their eyes locked.
He didn't seem angry at the thought of never returning to ANBU. Of course, he'd still worry about them, who wouldn't?... But Seina didn't want to lose her husband on an S-rank mission he didn't have to take. Honestly, it felt like a massive weight she hadn't realized she was carrying had just been lifted. Kakashi must have sensed it, because he smiled softly, affection in his eyes.
"I know you can all take care of yourselves, so I'll try not to worry too much."
"Thank you."
They finished making dinner while laughing about all sorts of things: Asuma's blunders with Kurenai, Hayate's fear of buying Yugao a ring and the pressure he felt now that Kakashi was married, Guy's wild training sessions with Lee, and the look on Shikaku's face when Kakashi told him they wanted three children.
The next morning, Naruto knocked impatiently on the door.
"Nee-chan! I know you're back!"
Kakashi opened the door after deliberately taking his time walking down the hallway. No one could hear them from outside, but judging by Naruto's glare when the door opened, he had clearly imagined what they were up to.
"Hello, Kakashi. How was the trip? Did you have fun? What do you think of Uzushiogakure?" Kakashi asked rhetorically, trolling as usual.
"I can't believe you're my brother-in-law," Naruto muttered, visibly disturbed.
"That makes two of us."
Kakashi rolled his eyes and let them in. He answered Naruto's, and to a lesser extent Sasuke's, questions about the reborn Land of Whirlpools. Meanwhile, Seina went to her room to change out of her pyjamas into her jonin uniform, magically adjusting it until she could visit the seamstress for a properly tailored set.
"We have to see Tsunade-sama, so don't get too comfortable," she said as she came down the stairs. "Do you already have your jonin uniforms?"
"No. The old lady's been waiting for you to come back so she can officially activate us," Naruto replied.
"Then do you want to come with us to see her?"
Naruto and Sasuke both nodded. Kakashi, who had been reading a book, not one of his usual pervy ones, pushed off from the wall and joined them. They walked toward the Hokage Tower, chatting about their honeymoon.
"It's amazing what you've accomplished in such a short time. Your families would be proud."
"Hn," Sasuke grunted, clearly irritated at the mention of his family.
"I mean it," said Kakashi, realizing what Sasuke was thinking, just as Seina did. "No matter how power-hungry your father might have been, he would've been impressed by what you and Itachi have achieved. If the Uchiha clan were still alive, they'd be far more influential now."
"Why do you say that? Has someone made you a business offer?"
"No, not yet. But give it time. I'm sure some people have been waiting for us to come back from our honeymoon to reach out. You two literally built a prosperous country full of trade, protected by seals so strong they haven't been breached all year and that's without even being there. That alone will make more than a few people curious."
"Ugh…" she groaned. "Business meetings exhaust me."
"Fortunately for you, love, I can attend those meetings so you don't have to be present at every single one," Kakashi said, winking at her over his book.
Seina held back a laugh when she saw Naruto's slightly green expression upon hearing Kakashi's affectionate call. Would he ever get used to hearing Kakashi say he loved her? She hoped so, because she wasn't about to let Kakashi restrain himself just to please her brother. They reached the tower a few minutes later.
"Ah, Team 7. I'm pleased to see you all again," Tsunade-sama said with a broad smile, "and this time, to be officially reinstated as Konoha's shinobi."
"Finally! I was getting tired of training here doing nothing! Again!"
Sasuke smacked Naruto on the back of the head, cutting him off instantly. Before he could start yelling at Sasuke, the Hokage cleared her throat, her expression both wistful and amused.
"I see you haven't changed much," she said, ignoring the abrupt mocking sound Kakashi made. "You'll be happy to know that you can pick up your new uniforms today."
"How's that possible? We haven't been to the seamstress nee-chan mentioned."
"I know, but I gave her the measurements the civilian tailor used to make your kimonos and yukatas for the wedding. That way we save some time."
"Awesome!"
Seina blinked, exchanging a subtle glance and smile with her teacher as she watched Naruto's exuberance and the faint smile tugging at Sasuke's lips. Kakashi, leaning against a wall and reading his book again while letting the Hokage speak to them, winked at her over the edge of his novel.
"Oh, and one more thing. You're summoned for a meeting this afternoon. At 1600."
Tsunade-sama didn't say what it was about, no matter how much Naruto asked. In the end, her brother gave up with a shrug. They left for the tailor's shop to pick up their uniforms, and Naruto, with Sasuke only slightly less excited, was so thrilled that they got there in five minutes.
"I can't believe it! We're finally getting our jonin uniforms!"
"Hn. My next goal is that jonin exam," Sasuke confessed. "I wish I'd taken it two years ago."
"It's never too late to move up. Besides, you're both still young. Some people take years to climb the ranks. Others never get past chunin."
"Don't be such a downer, Kakashi-sensei."
"I'm just saying you've got the time and the skill," he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "It's only a matter of taking the exam."
When she put on her new uniform, discarding the old one she'd magically resized, it truly felt as if she had returned once more to Konoha's shinobi forces. She looked at herself in the full-length mirror, adjusting her closed-toe boots and checking that not a single hair was out of place in her braided bun. Nothing had changed from the uniform she had worn for months before leaving the village, yet she still felt strange.
Kakashi noticed the moment she stepped out of the fitting room, but said nothing. Maybe because he knew it was nostalgia speaking.
"It fits you perfectly."
"Thank you."
She had the nearly irresistible urge to lean in and kiss him, but restrained herself. After all, they were in an official building. Kakashi, however, slipped his arm around her shoulders while they waited for Sasuke and Naruto. When the boys finally came out, Seina couldn't stop smiling. She was so proud of her brothers in their new jonin uniforms. She would never again see Sasuke wearing the typical Uchiha clothes during missions, or Naruto in his new black and orange yukata. Now it truly looked like the entire team had reached the same rank, even if Sasuke and Naruto were less than a year away from advancing to full jonin.
"You both look great."
For only the third time in his life, Naruto seemed at a loss for words. Sasuke smiled.
"Thanks, Seina."
"When do you think we'll get a new mission?" Naruto asked aloud as they left the building, weaving through the bustling village crowds.
"Who knows."
Seina sensed Naruto's next question before he could voice it. Knowing what he was about to ask, she cut him off with a mental touch. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Sasuke glance at her sidelong as Naruto opened and closed his mouth.
"I have a strange feeling it's better to keep quiet about the meeting this afternoon."
So far, their teacher hadn't told them the most important part: Orochimaru and Danzo. From what she'd managed to gather since her return, Danzo was still alive, kicking, and free. If she hadn't known a few things through Kakashi about what Tsunade-sama had been doing over the past three years, she might have started to wonder why they had come back to the village if nothing seemed to have changed, but something must have changed for the better.
"Do you guys want to eat in the village?" Kakashi suddenly asked.
"Ramen!"
Sasuke sighed, turning to look at her with mild despair, but when he saw her smile, he only groaned in exasperation. Sasuke liked ramen, but he preferred having more options on the menu in case he felt like something else. Unfortunately for him, Naruto's favourite ramen shop only served ramen. They all walked to Ichiraku, but, much to her brother's dismay, all five stools were occupied.
"What!? How is that possible!?"
"Tough luck, dobe," Sasuke said with a wide grin, pretending to comfort him with an ironic pat on the shoulder.
"Fuck off, teme. You're probably jumping from joy inside," Naruto hissed, swatting his hand away and crossing his arms in childish frustration. "Where are we going now?"
"Why don't we go for yakiniku?"
They turned toward the barbecue restaurant, her brothers walking ahead of her and Kakashi while arguing about what to order. Seina couldn't help but wrap her arm around her husband's waist, feeling euphoric again as she saw her family slowly returning to normal. She leaned slightly against him as he affectionately placed his arm around her shoulders.
The meal went by quickly. She barely noticed it was time for the meeting until Kakashi stood up from his seat.
"We should get going if we want to walk there."
"Already?"
"That went by so fast," Naruto agreed. "Well, let's see what the old lady wants."
"Naruto…" Kakashi sighed as he heard his brother call the Hokage 'old lady'. "I see Jiraiya-sama didn't teach you manners."
"The old pervert?" Sasuke snorted mockingly. "Did Seina ever tell you about the time she broke his ribs with a punch for staring at her chest? How was he supposed to teach us manners?"
Kakashi turned to look at her, one eyebrow raised and an unamused expression. Seina heard her teeth grind at the memory of that day.
"I'd almost forgotten about that. He didn't see me naked, but he was definitely staring hard."
"Hmm…"
Seina's husband said nothing more on the subject, but it was clear he was thinking about it as they walked back to the Hokage's office. To her surprise, it was Shizune waiting for them there, Tsunade-sama was nowhere to be seen. She immediately noticed the protective seals she had placed reactivate before Shizune spoke.
"Tsunade-sama is waiting for you in her private residence. She told me you can use the secret tunnel that connects the tower to the Hokage's mansion."
The tunnel she referred to was narrow, designed so that only one person could pass through at a time. It had been built to prevent a large number of shinobi from infiltrating either the tower or the Hokage's mansion. The walls were reinforced with thousands of fuinjutsu seals, a gift from the Uzumaki to Konoha decades ago. Kakashi didn't hesitate to use the tunnel. She had used it once before herself, though not to reach the Hokage's private mansion, but rather the ANBU sect somewhere hidden in the mountain of faces.
"Finally, you show up," said a voice as they emerged into the large hall. "We've been waiting for you."
It was Shikaku, dressed in a jonin uniform like theirs, though he looked much more tired. When he looked her way, he smiled faintly and gave Kakashi a firm pat on the shoulder before turning toward one of the mansion's most secure rooms. There, as always, waited the ANBU commander, the Hokage, Inoichi, and, curiously, an older woman Seina had never seen before.
"Now that everyone's here. Unfortunately, Shizune had to stay in the office since it's still early, but it's better for everyone to think you're talking with me in the public office," said Tsunade-sama, walking in with a tray of drinks and snacks. "You all know Shikaku and Inoichi. The ANBU here is Commander Ryu, and this lady is the head of the Psychic Evaluation Department, Tomoyo Akutagawa."
"Why are we all here?" asked Naruto seriously. "Does this have to do with… you know?"
"With Danzo?" Her teacher smiled, though with a trace of irritation. "That's right. Over the past three years, I've been quietly recruiting more loyal people so I could move against him from the shadows and Tomoyo was essential."
"The captured Root ninjas," Seina thought aloud.
"Exactly. I don't know what Kakashi has told you about this whole mess involving Root, but thanks to Shikaku's strategies, the ANBU teams, Inoichi's interrogations, and Tomoyo's help, we've made great progress. We're in the final stretch of taking down Danzo without losing a single person."
Then, the Hokage began explaining everything her team had done. She described how they discovered where and how Danzo recruited his members, how they discreetly warned the clans to avoid his recruitment tactics, how they captured his operatives when he sent them on missions, how they gradually took control of every orphanage in the Land of Fire to prevent him from coercing the matrons into giving up children, how Jiraiya, during his three years away from Konoha, developed a way to paralyze Danzo's seal so they could interrogate his followers, how they now held them captive in the interrogation department's secret floor, and how Tomoyo had worked with her right and left hands to rehabilitate each of them so they could return to society once Danzo finally fell…
Seina knew Tsunade was being this honest about such confidential matters because of Sasuke and, to a lesser extent, because of Naruto and herself. Sasuke was officially the head of the Uchiha clan, even more so now that he was a veteran shinobi and an adult in the eyes of the civilians. Konoha owed much to him and his clan, because although the Uchiha had once contemplated a coup, they hadn't carried it out, which made them technically innocent. You couldn't judge someone for something they hadn't done yet, even if everyone knew they had considered it and it was only a matter of time before they acted.
If Sasuke had wanted to, he could have placed the Hokage and Konoha's authorities in serious trouble. All he needed to do was sow doubt so that people would start questioning whether the story about his clan was true or not. And if the Hokage had tried to cover up the truth, that would only have implied that Sasuke's accusations were valid. It could have created chaos among the shinobi ranks as no ninja liked to think their leaders or advisors might use them to destroy their own family for something they hadn't even done yet. That weakness could have made Konoha, and the entire Land of Fire, easy prey for its enemies.
Thus, Tsunade-sama, although she hadn't caused that mess herself, had to handle reparations for the Uchiha clan, because Konoha owed them that. She owed Sasuke Danzo's head and that of her advisors. She owed him Itachi's exoneration. She owed it to him that everyone would know the truth. And she owed him the peace of feeling safe within his own village.
"We had to think carefully about it, but we allowed some of his teams to carry out certain missions so he wouldn't grow suspicious," sighed Shikaku. "Luckily, those missions genuinely benefited Konoha, even if the methods weren't… of our preference."
"Even so, it was clear he suspected something. He's not a fool. Fortunately, we manipulated the councillors into asking Tsunade-sama to launch a recruitment campaign," said Inoichi with a mischievous smile. "Tsunade-sama held several meetings with the clan heads and the council, with Danzo present, so there was a mass enrolment of clan children in the academy."
"I see. That makes it harder for them to disappear into Root without anyone noticing they're gone," said Sasuke. Inoichi and Shikaku nodded.
"Once that door closed, he tried to recruit from the orphanages. There are three in Konoha, and one of them is under renovation after a 'sudden' collapse," Tsunade said with a mischievous grin, "so the children were distributed between the other two. Of those two remaining orphanages, one has always been under Hokage control ever since Naruto and Seina were placed there, so he didn't even bother trying. The other one… well, let's just say we replaced the matron with a retired shinobi loyal to Konoha."
"We also increased entry and exit security, so for a few months he became cautious and didn't send his ninjas far from Konoha," continued Shikaku. "That gave us time to replace the matrons and caretakers of nearby orphanages with loyal personnel."
"And he didn't suspect anything?" asked Naruto incredulously.
"We expected him to, so we countered it by placing ANBU agents in the orphanages disguised as children to be recruited. Once inside Danzo's base, these ANBU replaced the recruiters without Danzo realizing it and have been 'recruiting' more 'children' for almost two years now," Tsunade-sama said slyly. "As of today, we have nearly five ANBU teams infiltrated in Root without him knowing. We don't want to kill Danzo's actual recruits as they're still his victims, brainwashed people, but we can keep swelling his ranks with our loyal shinobi without him realizing he's not recruiting anyone real. That keeps him satisfied, even though we know he's irritated by the fact that some of his teams 'fail' their missions, teams we now have imprisoned."
"And when will you finish him off already?"
"When Itachi finishes his probation period. Then we'll have no reason not to expose him. The few people still loyal to him will be easily subdued, and we'll hold a public trial where we'll present all the evidence we've gathered. That will boost public morale while we execute Danzo: civilians and shinobi alike will feel at ease knowing Tsunade-sama fulfilled her duty, Danzo will lose all credibility, and Itachi will return to Konoha as an innocent man. At the same time, Tsunade-sama's actions will send a message to our enemies: we neutralized a major threat without a single loss, so we remain strong and now more united than ever."
Sasuke smiled dangerously, finally having an end date. In less than six months, Danzo would be executed as the traitor of Konoha and the murderer of the Uchiha he was and Sasuke, Itachi, and the rest of the team would be in the front row to witness it.