～Join my Patreon to read 40 advance chapters.
------------------------
The next day.
Konoha, Anbu Headquarters.
"Captain, I heard we're getting a new recruit, and a medical-nin at that?"
"Yeah, something like that. I don't know the specifics."
After a routine surveillance mission, a few Anbu members were chatting idly.
"I heard it's a girl, and her medical ninjutsu is supposed to be amazing, but her age... might be a little young," one Anbu member said.
"Oh?" another Anbu member's interest was piqued. "A girl? How young?"
"I'm not sure about that, I only know she was specially selected by Lord Hokage," the first Anbu member replied.
"Then her medical ninjutsu must be incredible... A medical-nin who can join the Anbu, tsk tsk, that's not simple."
"From now on, we won't have to panic so much on missions, huh!"
"Yeah! Why panic with a girl around? Who really panics? Do you?"
...
Kakashi, sitting nearby, remained silent.
It wasn't that he was too distant from his teammates, but right now, his mind was elsewhere.
"A very young... female medical-nin."
Instantly.
Two faces appeared in his mind at the same time.
One was Rin, long gone, forever frozen in his memories.
The other... was the Uchiha girl he had only met a few times.
Haruko.
The first time they met was at the Ninja Academy. Her healing smile had once pulled him back from the brink of death.
Then, in the forest of the Uchiha clan grounds.
He had intended to thank her but had unexpectedly run into his old employers, Root.
That was their first real meeting.
And it was then that he had witnessed Haruko's medical ninjutsu.
After that, he saw her less frequently. He was only ordered to watch over her in secret for a few days before he returned to the front lines.
The Hidden Mist... was getting restless again.
And recently, the Hidden Cloud had joined them.
On the surface, Konoha was still harmonious and peaceful, but in reality, there were casualties every day.
The Anbu, this place of masks and codenames.
He didn't know how many times the faces behind those masks had changed.
He only knew that he was still alive.
And that he had found a small reason to keep living.
That's right...
Haruko and Rin are so similar.
The same outstanding talent for medical ninjutsu, the same smile that seemed to heal everything.
However.
Fate didn't seem to be very kind to either of them.
Rin had departed long ago.
The other girl must not be having an easy time recently either.
He never expected that man to actually defect.
Even now, whenever he recalled that scene, Kakashi's heart still palpitated.
Orochimaru, his face pale and blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, had given him just one look, a look filled with disdain.
And he... he hadn't even dared to move...
Frankly, it was a bit pathetic.
But that was the closest Kakashi had ever felt to death!
It was hard to imagine... just what level that man's power had reached.
And in his eyes, what kind of existence was he, Kakashi?
Just a brat... probably.
Then...
What about Haruko?
As his student, what kind of existence was Haruko in his eyes?
Kakashi didn't know.
What he did know was that because of the man's betrayal, Haruko's life would certainly not be easy now.
That smile probably wouldn't appear for a while, right?
He hoped she could move on quickly.
If possible, it would be better for her not to be a ninja, but just an ordinary person.
Marry, have children, and live a peaceful life.
Kakashi had actually thought about it for himself.
To throw away the mask, toss the headband, and retire to the mountains, no longer concerning himself with the village's affairs.
How relaxing that would be...
However.
Obito probably wouldn't be happy about that, would he?
This eye, which belonged to Obito, should at least be able to see Konoha every day...
Knock—
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
It was a polite knock, giving the occupants plenty of time to react. He wondered who it could be.
Kakashi thought to himself.
An Anbu member quickly moved forward and opened the door.
The figure outside was revealed.
"Hello, seniors. My name is Uchiha Haruko, codename: Tea. This is my first day, please take good care of me!"
The voice was pleasant, yet somewhat childish.
It was a girl with long black hair tied into a ponytail, looking capable, lively, and with a sweet smile.
Kakashi's eyes widened in shock.
This girl... he knew her!
"Haruko?!"
"What are you doing here?!"
"No... why are you here?!"
With this series of shocked questions, the atmosphere in the squad room instantly became a bit awkward.
The other squad members, who had been about to greet the new girl, didn't dare to speak.
Although Kakashi wasn't old, his ability and reputation were well-established, and he was their captain.
The captain had questions.
The squad members naturally had to let the captain ask first.
"Eh? Kakashi-senpai? You're here too?"
Qingchuan looked at Kakashi with "surprise" and asked.
"I'm the captain of this squad," Kakashi answered reflexively.
Then, as if he had realized something, his brow furrowed.
"Don't tell me you're the... exceptionally talented medical-nin specially approved by Lord Hokage?"
"Of course!" Qingchuan nodded decisively, then shyly lowered his head...
"As for talent... it's just so-so. As long as I don't hold everyone back, that's good enough!"
Looking at the girl, her smile still in place.
Kakashi, not knowing how to respond.
Fell silent.
———— 🌟🌟 ————
ps:Support and join my Patreon
patreon.c@om/chenc11 [Remove @]
You can read up to 40 premium chapters.