"Captain, Hokage-sama has assigned us a mission to observe, investigate, and protect an individual. The target's name is Sakura Haruno. He has assigned me, you, and Itachi for this mission. The further details are in the scroll." An ANBU came in front of Kakashi, who was looking blankly at his house, and informed him.
Kakashi nodded and took the scroll.
"By the way, what happened to your house?" The ANBU asked, feeling curious. It has been many years since he has observed this type of damage pattern.
"Has Tsunade of the sanin returned?" He mused. "Then the clan elders will not dare to launch a coup. I hope she returns, but the chances are slim."
"It seems you haven't read the scroll properly before giving me," Kakashi said to his subordinate.
"Hokage-sama sent it to you. How can I open it?" The ANBU stated.
"Read the scroll and you will know the answer." Kakashi handed him the scroll. The ANBU nodded and began to read the scroll.
"What?" He shouted after reading the part that mentioned the disaster that caused the current state of Kakashi's house.
"So we are going to keep an eye on her," Kakashi said to the ANBU.
"I think this will be a long-term mission. So, we will frequently interchange. We may also have missions outside the village because of the unrest in Kirigakure. At that time, one of us will be keeping an eye on her. I think this is why Hokage-sama assigned three of us to this mission." Kakashi explained to the ANBU.
"Also, to decrease the darkness in our hearts." Kakashi didn't say the last part aloud. The Hokage hadn't said it outright, but Kakashi knew for them this wasn't just a surveillance mission. Watching Sakura and Guy together, they were meant to learn something, whether he wanted to or not.
He also hopes that Itachi and Shisui will learn the lesson that the Hokage wants them to understand from this mission because he doesn't want to lose more friends.
*****
Kakashi was observing the interaction between Guy and Sakura as they were about to enter her home.
"Just follow what I said." (Sakura)
"I don't think Guy is going to follow what you said," Kakashi commented, looking at the scene. Of course, in his heart, as he was an ANBU now, and ANBU don't talk during their mission.
"But, you were out for two hours. Wait, who are you?" (Kizashi)
"Because the daughter you were worrying about put someone in the hospital."
"I am an elite jonin, the blue beast of Konoha, Might Guy." (Guy)
"You are saying that like every kid knows your name, and he will immediately recognize you."
"Oh, you are Sakura's teacher in the ninja academy." (Kizashi)
"If he became the teacher of Ninja Academy, no one would send their children there." Kakashi was clearly enjoying this mission.
"Haha, kids these days lack manners," Kizashi continued. "Back in our days, if we'd behaved like this, our parents would have scolded us for hours after the guest had left ."
"Yeah, yeah," Kakashi didn't want to comment on this one for obvious reasons.
"Elite jonin, I am elite jonin." Guy focused on the elite part.
"Thank god, I am not there. This is so cringe." Kakashi visibly flinched. "Haha, Sakura's face clearly tells what it feels like to be there in person." He didn't know whether Sakura's body was shaking because she was feeling cringe or she was angry.
"I am going to train her to become the best Kunoichi." Guy declared. "Even Kakashi's future student won't be able to beat her. So, as a responsible teacher, I have come to inform you."
"Why do you have to drag my name in everything? And you being responsible is the last thing I will expect in this world."
"Aren't you the ninja who runs around Konoha upside down?" (Kizashi)
"Oh, they know Guy. Of course, they know. How couldn't they know the weirdest person in the village?" Kakashi felt stupid for doubting Guy's popularity for a second.
"I first heard about him from Ino. So, we could ask Ino if you feel uneasy about me training with him."
"What? her? From what I have heard from Inoichi, the only thing she does is chant the name of Itachi's brother like she is a thousand-tongued serpent or something."
"It seems I have to save the day. What has the world come to? Without Hatake Kakashi, nothing happens these days."
*****
"Stop, Guy."
"Why?"
"Your mission is going to be completed." Kakashi pointed towards Sakura's house.
"What are you talking about? Didn't the Third Hokage call for me?" Guy asked, feeling confused.
"No, I lied to them so that they would believe you."
"What?" Guy was shocked at first, then began to cry. "I knew Kakashi, you are my true friend. You even broke the code of conduct of ANBU to help me."
"When did I break the code of conduct. It is written in my mission that I must help Guy become the teacher, Sakura." Kakashi opened the scroll and showed the part where the third Hokage had written to help Guy become the teacher of Sakura.
Guy didn't know whom he should get angry at, the Hokage or Kakashi.
*****
Itachi was running at full speed toward his home. He couldn't wait to see Sasuke. The past few months had been exhausting, and only Sasuke's happy face could make his stress melt away. He had finally been granted a mission, which was more like a short break.
But he knows it would only last for a few days. There are three people in the mission, so that we can alternate giving each of them time to rest in the village for a period of time.
He had no doubt he would be called again. Many shinobi from the Hidden Mist Village had become rogue-nin because of the ongoing bloodline purge. They had flooded the black market, accepting any quest they could find. The entire world had become chaotic; the only safe places were the capital cities of the nations and their ninja villages.
That was why he felt relieved when he entered the village. But as he returned home and neared the clan compounds, his heart grew heavy again.
Why do the clan elders have to destroy the peace we have? Don't they know what is happening outside? Didn't they participate in the Third Ninja War? Don't they know the horror of war better than I do? Why do so many of us have the Sharingan? Isn't it because we lost our loved ones? Those memories haunt us night and day, impossible to forget. Then why do they want more of our loved ones to die?
Itachi couldn't understand them.
"Have you got the mission detail?" Another ANBU showed up beside and asked Itachi.
"Yes," Itachi replied.
"I have talked with the captain. He agreed to let you keep watch on her during the day when she goes to school." The ANBU said to Itachi. "Now, you can spend the rest of your time with your brother until we get assigned to the next mission."
Hearing the schedule, Itachi was even happier. He knows that the target is in the same class as his brother. So, he can observe his brother's class. He can know how Sasuke behaves in school and if he has made friends or not.
"Thank you," Itachi replied. He knew Shisui arranged this so that he could spend most of his time with his brother.
"Haha, what are you thanking me for. Thank Hokage-sama, for arranging this mission for us when the ANBU has such a heavy workload." The ANBU denied modestly. "I will also go home. Also, say hi to Sasuke for me."
"Ok," Itachi replied in his usual reserved way.
After a minute or so, Itachi reached his home. He first went to see his father.
"I have returned."
"Umm," his father nodded in response.
"Itachi, you have returned." He heard his mother's voice from the Kitchen.
"It has been so rare to see you at home these days." His mother appeared with tea for his father. "Would you like some?" she asked.
"No," he doesn't want to drink tea now. "It isn't peaceful outside the village due to the bloodline purge in the hidden mist. The rogue-nins of hidden mist are causing chaos everywhere. So, ANBU are busy now." Itachi said with a focus on the bloodline purge. He was trying to inform and warn his father.
Fugaku's face got uglier hearing the bloodline purge. "Don't talk about ANBU missions at home," he scolded Itachi.
Itachi didn't say anything and went to find Sasuke. The relationship between him and his father wasn't good. His father always had very high expectations of him. He fulfilled his expectation, but his father was never satisfied. He had done everything his father told him, but a coup against Konoha was the line he drew from his father. After he made his stance clear, their relationship deteriorated.
Itachi found Sauske at the Uchiha clan's training ground. It was the training ground assigned to the clan leader. He used to practice here, and now Sasuke is practising here.
"When will I be able to throw Kunai like Itachi?" Sasuke said in frustration. His one kunnai missed the target.
"When will Itachi come? He always promises to teach me, but breaks it every time." Sauke complained, taking out another Kunai to throw.
"I will show you how it is done," Itachi said, appearing beside Sasuke.
"Itachi," Sasuke called excitedly,
"Look carefully," Itachi said, holding a few kunai in his hand.
*swoosh*
*thud* *thud* *thud* *thud*
All of the Kunai hit the targets, even those on the back of the log.
"So, cool," Sasuke said with stars in his eyes.
"When will I be able to use Kunai like you?" Sasuke sulked.
"If you practise every day, you can also do it. I was also weak at your age." Itachi said, patting Sasuke's head.
"Don't lie, Mom says that you were at the same level as a genin before you started the academy and completed the academy in one year." Sasuke retorted.
"I wasn't like that. She is exaggerating. Moms tend to do that to inspire their younger children." Itachi said with a smile.
"Hump, even Shihui said that, and he never lies. Dad also said that you performed the fireball jutsu in one try." Sasuke's voice became weak when he talked about his father.
"Don't be upset. I will teach you everything, then you will also become like me." Itachi tried to cheer Sasuke.
"Really, then father will praise me too," Sasuke said excitedly. Itachi's heart ached hearing Sasuke's deepest desire, a praise from his father.
"But, you promise every time and forget it." Sasuke began sulking again. Seeing Sulking Sasuke, Itachi couldn't help but marvel at his mood changes.
"I have a break for a few days. So, I can teach you." Sasuke's face brightened again.
"Wasn't yesterday your first day at Ninja Academy? I wasn't here to witness it. So, why don't you tell me about it?" Itachi asked Sasuke.
"Okay," Sasuke nodded. "Let me tell you, all of the ninja clans were present there. The Third Hokage gave a speech, and then the classes started. The rest of the day was pretty boring, but there was a girl named Sakura who said she wanted to become the strongest ninja. How could a civilian become the strongest ninja? Only a Uchiha can become the strongest ninja, just like Madara. She doesn't even know that you need the Sharingan to become the strongest. I think-"
"Sasuke," Itachi interrupted. He was shocked by what his little brother was saying. Sasuke was speaking just like the other clan members. Had he heard this from someone, or were they teaching him these ideas?
"You are wrong, Sasuke. You shouldn't say that. The strongest ninja were the past and current Hokage. They fought and defeated many enemies. They even gave their lives to protect others. The Fourth Hokage gave his life to protect everyone, including you, when you were just a newborn baby," Itachi explained patiently.
"But our ancestor, Madara Uchiha, could control the Nine-Tails like a pet with his Sharingan. The Fourth Hokage couldn't even defeat it," Sasuke replied, pride swelling in his voice.
Once again, Itachi was stunned. Were his clan members truly saying things like this?
They were becoming ungrateful. He knew the horror of the Nine-Tails. He had never felt such terror from anything else, not even from the masked man who called himself Madara Uchiha, who was also responsible for the awakening of his own Sharingan.
If the fourth Hokage hadn't given his life to protect them, then none of us would have survived. During the battle, only, third Hokage and the fourth Hokage were able to cause damage to the ninetails; other ninjas were only cannon fodder, and now they are saying this. This wasn't just disrespectful to Fourth Hokage, but also stupid and ungrateful.
"Who told you about this?" Itachi asked. Sasuke is his bottom line. If they try to do anything to Sasuke or teach something stupid then it will not end well for them.
"I heard the clan elders when they were talking with father," Sasuke replied, feeling he had done something wrong.
"I have to talk about this with my father. I can't let them lead Sauske to the wrong path." Itachi decided.