---Konoha - The Main Gates---
The afternoon sun beat down on the main entrance of Konohagakure. It was a lazy Tuesday. The usual traffic of merchants and mission-returning teams had slowed to a trickle, leaving the two eternal gatekeepers with little to do but swat flies and contemplate the meaning of boredom.
Izumo Kamizuki sat on a wooden stool, leaning back until the legs creaked ominously. He shuffled a deck of cards with ease, the sound a rhythmic thwip-thwip in the quiet air.
"...I don't know, man," Izumo sighed, staring at the empty road. "It's kind of boring today. Peaceful, sure. But boring."
"Tell me about it," Kotetsu Hagane yawned, standing by the gatepost with his arms crossed. He adjusted his bandage, squinting at the horizon. "I almost wish someone would try to sneak in just so I could yell at them. 'Halt! Identify yourself!' You know, the classics."
"Careful what you wish for," Izumo muttered, dealing himself a hand of solitaire on his knee. "Last time you said that, Guy-sensei came back from a mission walking on his hands and challenged us to a race."
Kotetsu shuddered at the memory. "Fair point."
He looked up front, his gaze sharpening slightly as a silhouette appeared on the road.
"Hm?"
The figure walked with an unhurried, graceful pace. No dust kicked up around their feet. They wore a standard Konoha flak jacket over a teal combat kimono, and their long black hair was tied back with dark blue ribbons that fluttered in the breeze.
Kotetsu squinted for half a second, his brain processing the familiar chakra signature. Then, his eyes widened.
"Oh… Oh!" He pushed off the wall with a grin, his boredom evaporating. "Haku? Back so soon?"
Haku Yuki stopped a few meters away. He inclined his head politely, a gesture that instantly erased any lingering tension at the gates.
"Good afternoon, Izumo-san. Kotetsu-san."
"Man," Kotetsu chuckled, folding his arms. "You make the rest of us look bad. I swear you left, like, what... five days ago?"
"Four," Izumo corrected absently, scanning the mission logbook. He glanced up at Haku with a smirk. "So? What was it this time? Escort? Bandit suppression? Please tell me it wasn't another missing-nin cleanup. The last bounty you brought in was still frozen when they wheeled it out."
Haku paused.
Just for a breath. His eyes shifted slightly, a flicker of something unreadable passing through them before vanishing behind his polite mask.
Izumo froze mid-sentence. The pen hovered over the paper. "…Ah."
Kotetsu winced, rubbing the back of his neck. "Right. Yeah. Nope. Forget we asked."
There was a shared, awkward silence… the kind born from long familiarity and too many years of shinobi protocol drilled into their skulls. B-Rank missions and above were often classified. ANBU-level ops were nonexistent on paper. And Haku operated in a gray area that terrified most Chunin.
"I forgot that it's confidential," Kotetsu muttered, looking at the sky. "My bad. Force of habit."
Haku's expression softened, just a little. "It's alright," he said, his voice gentle. "I appreciate the concern."
Izumo waved a hand, scribbling Haku's name into the logbook with a bit more force than necessary. "You're back in one piece. That's all we're allowed to know anyway." He slid the book forward. "Any injuries we should pretend not to notice?"
"Nothing serious."
Kotetsu leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "You say that every time. Last time you said that, your arm was dislocated."
Haku allowed a faint smile this time... brief, restrained, but real. A small patch of snow melted quietly from his sleeves as the massive wooden gates began to creak open.
"Welcome back," Izumo said, more sincerely now.
Haku stepped past them, his gaze already drifting toward the village streets beyond. "Thank you."
As he walked through, his footsteps silent on the pavement, Kotetsu watched him go, then exhaled a long breath.
"You know..." Kotetsu murmured. "Every time he comes back early, looking all calm like that... I somehow remember Kakashi when he cleared missions left and right years ago. Before he got lazy."
"Kakashi?" Izumo raised a brow, shuffling the cards again. He looked up at the clouds. "I wonder how he is? Is he still training Sasuke? Haven't seen either of them in a week."
"Probably doing something intense," Kotetsu shrugged. "Or reading porn. You never know with him."
---Hokage Tower - The Office---
"Ughhhh!"
A blonde-haired woman groaned, stretching her arms up toward the ceiling until her spine popped audibly. She was wearing a loose, sage-green haori with the kanji for "Gamble" on the back, draped over a pale inner garment.
This was Tsunade Senju, the Godaime Hokage. The legendary Sannin. The strongest kunoichi in the world.
And currently, the most bored bureaucrat in the Fire Country.
She let her arms fall and leaned forward again, her amber eyes focused and sharp despite the fatigue. Sunlight poured in through the wide windows behind her, illuminating the stacks of scrolls and papers piled high on the broad wooden desk… mountains of requests, budget approvals, and mission reports.
'Why do I have so much paperwork to do?' She thought, gritting her teeth. 'I bet the old man left half of this just to spite me...'
She picked up her pen. One hand steadied a thick bundle of documents while the other moved with aggressive ease, signing her name with enough force to nearly tear the paper.
Knock. Knock.
Tsunade raised her head from the paperwork, scowling. "Come in!"
The office door opened silently.
Haku stepped inside. He bowed deeply, his movements fluid and precise. "Good afternoon, Lady Hokage."
"Ah, Haku," Tsunade's scowl softened into a nod of recognition. "Quick as always."
Haku offered a small smile before walking toward her desk. He unsealed a scroll from the tattoo on his wrist and placed it gently on the wood.
"A-rank mission to escort and protect Fire Daimyo Ambassador Shibata Norigana... complete."
"Mm," Tsunade nodded, picking up the scroll. She broke the seal and scanned the contents quickly. Her eyebrows rose. "Already? That trip usually takes a week round-trip."
"We made good time," Haku said simply.
"Is there any detail that needs to be shared?" Tsunade asked, looking up.
"Hmm..." Haku thought for a moment. "The escort proceeded without incident. The ambassador arrived at the summit site on schedule, negotiations concluded as planned, and we returned via the assigned route."
He shook his head.
"There were no hostile encounters, no irregular chakra signatures, and no security breaches. There were no signs of anyone leaking the itinerary details. All objectives were completed within parameters."
Tsunade nodded again, satisfied. "Clean work. As expected."
She opened a drawer, pulled out a clearance scroll, and signed it. She stamped it with the official Hokage seal… a satisfying thump.
"As usual, give this to Shizune and claim your reward," Tsunade said, handing it to him. "Do you plan on taking any missions immediately? I have a backlog of B-ranks that need cleaning."
Haku hesitated. He took the scroll. "If it's okay with you, Tsunade-sama... I'll take a one-month break before I go active again."
"..." The Godaime Hokage stared at him. Haku was one of her most efficient assets. But looking at him… calm, composed, but carrying the subtle weight of constant vigilance… she sighed.
"You may do that," Tsunade relented, leaning back in her chair. "It's been peaceful since I've become Hokage anyways. Go rest. Or train. Whatever you workaholics do."
Haku smiled and nodded his head. He turned to leave.
But before he could take a step... his eyes widened. His body froze.
"..."
"...What?" Tsunade raised a brow at Haku's sudden pause. "What's gotten into you?"
Haku was staring at a spot near the window. A spot that had been empty a second ago.
"Alaric-sensei?"
Hearing that name, Tsunade's eyes snapped wide.
She stood up instantly, her chair scraping loudly against the floor. She spun around.
Leaning against the window frame, bathed in sunlight, was a tall man with platinum blonde hair. He wore a crimson coat draped casually over his shoulders like a cape. He was holding an unlit cigar, looking at them with a relaxed, almost lazy expression.
"Y-You..." Tsunade sputtered.
She couldn't believe it. Someone had sneaked up on her. In her own office. Through the strongest barrier seals in the village.
She hadn't felt a thing. Not a fluctuation of chakra. Not a breath of wind. If he had been an assassin, she would be dead.
The realization hit her like a punch.
She gritted her teeth, her chakra flaring. "How dare you sneak up on the Hokage of Konoha!"
Alaric raised a brow. He looked around the office, realizing something.
'Oops,' Alaric thought. 'I forgot where I placed the Hiraishin marker. I think it was under the desk... wait, no, on the window latch. And I forgot it was Tsunade now. I thought it was the Old Man. He usually just sighs.'
"Oops... sorry," Alaric said, raising a hand in apology. "Old habits."
Tsunade glared at him, her fists clenching. But she didn't attack. She knew who he was. Jiraiya had told her everything… the invasion, the seals, the sheer absurdity of his power.
She looked up at the ceiling.
"What the hell are you guys doing!?" Tsunade roared at the empty rafters. "If he was an assassin after me, I would've been dead! Get down here!"
Rustle.
Eight ANBU dropped from the ceiling instantly, landing in a kneeling formation around the desk. They looked terrified... not of Alaric, but of Tsunade.
The squad leader, wearing a Bear mask, cleared his throat nervously. "We apologize, Hokage-sama. We... didn't notice Jonin Alaric Kenway's sudden appearance. And... well... we've sort of grown accustomed to his... style of entrance."
"Accustomed!?" Tsunade looked ready to punch a hole in the wall.
Alaric ignored the drama. He walked past the kneeling ANBU and stopped in front of Haku.
He grinned, placing a heavy hand on Haku's shoulder.
"Haku! How are you? You've grown tall! You're what... six foot now?"
Haku blinked, still processing. It had been two years. "A-Ano, Sensei... we're in the presence of Lady Hokage..."
"..."
Alaric looked at Haku, then at the fuming Tsunade.
"Ah, sorry-sorry," Alaric scratched the back of his head. He turned to Tsunade and offered a dazzling, charming smile. He bowed his head slightly… just enough to be polite, not enough to be submissive.
"Hello, Tsunade-san," he greeted. He reached into his sleeve and unsealed a Konoha headband, holding it up so she could see the shine. "You might... or might not know me. I was granted by the Old Man to have a three-year break from my shinobi service. I'm back early."
Tsunade's glare softened, though the vein in her forehead was still throbbing. She waved her hand at the ANBU. "Get out. Back to your posts."
The ANBU vanished.
Tsunade sat down heavily, massaging her temple. "Jonin Alaric Jonathan Kenway, right?"
Alaric nodded.
"You were expected three days ago," Tsunade grumbled. "Jiraiya said you'd be back. Where have you been?"
'Hmm...' Alaric thought quickly. 'Can't say I was playing house in another dimension.'
"I apologize," Alaric smiled apologetically. "I was supposed to arrive here earlier, but when I tried to pass by the Land of Water from the Land of Honey... I encountered a black cat."
Tsunade blinked. "A cat?"
"A black one," Alaric emphasized gravely. "I'm a heavy believer in superstitions. So, I had to take a detour. I journeyed to the Land of Wolves, then the Land of Sky... then I got lost in the Land of Lightning, stopped for a drink in Frost, took a bath in the Hot Springs... and well, here I am."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
Tsunade stared at him. Haku stared at him. Even the portraits of the previous Hokages seemed to stare at him.
"Amazing," Tsunade said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She looked at him with profound disappointment. "Another Kakashi. Great. Just what Konoha needed. I hope it rains black cats tomorrow so you'll be miserable for the rest of your life."
"Heh," Alaric chuckled. "Anyways, is there anything I should know? I haven't been around for the past two years. Did the Akatsuki make a move?"
Tsunade sighed, leaning back. "Actually... yes. We have a lot to discuss."
---The Kenway Compound - Living Room---
An hour later, Alaric and Haku were sitting in the main living room of the estate.
The compound was exactly as Alaric had left it... pristine, luxurious, and quiet. He had refurbished it from the ground up before leaving, and the seals had kept it dust-free.
Alaric sat on the plush sofa, legs crossed, smoking a cigar. Haku sat opposite him, sipping a cup of freshly brewed tea.
"So," Alaric started, smiling at his student. "A Jonin, huh? That was fast."
"Yes, Sensei," Haku smiled, nodding his head. "Two years ago, after you left... I ventured to Kirigakure by myself. I needed to know what happened to my homeland."
Haku's eyes grew distant for a moment.
"It turns out that the Godaime Mizukage led a rebellion. She ended the Blood Mist era. It is... peaceful now. Or trying to be."
"Good," Alaric nodded. "And then?"
"After that, I came back to Konoha," Haku continued. "I did missions on my own. Lady Hokage advised me to join a Jonin team, but... I work better alone. Thankfully, she allowed it after I cleared five A-ranks in a month."
Haku took a sip of tea.
"I took the Chunin exams... won first place. Then I took the Jonin exams five months ago... also first place."
Alaric thought about it. He nodded. "You were already more than Jonin material when I finished training you two years ago. The exams were just a formality."
Alaric took a drag, blowing smoke toward the ceiling. "What I want to know though... how do you fare against the others? Naruto? Sasuke? How are they now?"
"I'd beat them both," Haku answered without hesitation.
There was no arrogance in his voice. Just fact.
"Sasuke is strong. He has mastered the Curse Mark to a degree, and his Sharingan is potent. But he relies too much on anger. He telegraphs, so it's easy for me to read… especially when you taught me a version of your Uchiha kata."
Haku set his cup down.
"Naruto only arrived in the village yesterday with Jiraiya-sama. We haven't sparred yet. But I can sense him. His chakra is... vast. Denser than before. He became strong... but not strong enough to touch me. Not yet."
"Ohh?" Alaric grinned. He put his leg down and leaned forward, interested. "That's quite bold. Is that confidence... or bravado?"
The ice-user chuckled. "You know I don't speak nonsense, Sensei."
Haku's eyes sharpened. A fire lit within them… the will of a shinobi who had honed himself to a razor's edge.
"...And if you don't mind..." Haku said softly. "I wish to spar with you."
Alaric raised a brow.
"I wish to see," Haku continued, "how I fare against people of your level."
"..."
Alaric didn't reply immediately. He took a long, slow drag from his cigar, eyeing Haku through the smoke. He assessed the boy's chakra, his posture, his resolve.
He chuckled.
"Sure," Alaric said, standing up. "Let's pick an available training ground. Training Ground 44 should be empty enough."
He walked to the door, pausing to look back.
"You remember what I told you before I left? That if you slacked off, I'd train you until you wished for death?"
Haku stood up, his hand resting on his sword.
"...Yes."
"Good," Alaric grinned, his eyes flashing. "Because now that you want to fight me... you better be ready to die."
.
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