Here you go, a new chapter. I hope you all enjoy it.
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A day later, early in the morning, in the Senju compound;
Naruto walked out of his room before locking the door behind him. Turning back around, he walked slowly towards the living room.
His Headband was proudly displayed on his forehead, keeping his vibrant red hair from his eyes. Most of his slightly long, red hair his pulled back a way from his face with several strands framing his headband and face. He is wearing his Jonin flak jacket, underneath it, he wears a dark blue long-sleeved shirt and pants. The standard attire for a jonin.
His flak jacket and utility belt were filled with all the things he needed, keeping his back free from the need to carry anything aside from Naruto's prized position. His sword, Yamato.
All in all, Naruto right now is the image of a very young Konoha Jonin shinobi going to war.
As he reached the living room, he could see Akari sitting with a solemn look on her face, with her daughter sitting right beside her. Near them sat his mother, who wore her usual attire consisting of a grey, sleeveless, kimono-style blouse and dark bluish-grey pants, with a grass-green haori over them. That green haori had lost the word 'gamble' that was on its back long ago. Tsunade still gambled from time to time in her free time, but it was no way near the amount she did before the birth of her son. She didn't wear her battle attire from the second shinobi war, as she isn't expected to fight on the frontlines, only overseeing and managing the main base hospital safely behind the frontlines as the main doctor and medic.
Near her sat a bag that contained various things, but mostly storage scrolls containing all that she needed.
But Naruto's focus did not stay on them for long as his eyes looked at his little sister, who was deep in his mother's embrace. He could see her trembling slightly with the sound of muffled, soft crying and sopping coming from her.
As Naruto fully entered the room, the first to spot him was Akari and her daughter Karin.
"Ni-san," Karin called as she stood up and started running towards him.
Hearing her, Tsunade looked at her son while Mito pulled herself from Tsunade's embrace before dashing towards Naruto.
Naruto sat on his knees and opened his arms, making the two little girls jump into his embrace.
Naruto hugged them close as he patted them on the back, especially Mito, to soothe her. He doesn't know why she is so upset, but he could guess the cause.
"What made you sad, Mito-chan?" Naruto asked with a soothing tone, making Mito look up at him with puffy red eyes and a tear-filled face.
"Ni-chan. P..Please don't go." Mito said between sobs
"What brought this on, Imouto-chan? I always go on missions." Naruto said in a soft tone, to which Mito shook her head from side to side.
"T…this is different. You, Kaa-chan, and Shizu-nee-chan are going t..together, which means it is a really bad mission. I don't want any of you to get hurt." Mito said between sobs with a fearful tone. Hearing this, Naruto patted the back of her head as he held her close.
"You don't have to worry, sweetheart. You know that we are strong, right?" Naruto said softly, to which he felt Mito nod slowly in his embrace.
"Then there is no need to be sad or cry. And don't worry, you will not be alone. Akari-oba-san and Karin-chan will be with you. Mikoto-oba-san and Yoshino-oba-san will also come to visit you, and they will bring your friends. With them around, we will be back before you know it." Naruto said with a soft, reassuring tone.
Upon hearing this, Mito looked up at her brother before slowly bringing up her right hand and extending her pinkie finger towards him.
"Y..you promise to come back?" Mito said with a trembling voice. Karin also presented her pinkie finger, following Mito, as she looked at Naruto expectantly.
Usually, giving such a promise is a taboo in the ninja world, but Naruto will do whatever he can to make his precious little sister happy.
Naruto gave a gentle smile as he grasped their pinky finger with his own, both little fingers in his right hand.
"I promise, we will be back," Naruto said with a soft tone.
This scene brought a warm smile to Tsunade and Akari's faces, who looked at the trio with soft eyes.
"I am ready, Tsunade-sama." Shizune's voice came as she entered the room. She wore an outfit similar to Naruto's with a bag hanging on her back.
"Ok, let's go," Tsunade said as she stood up and picked up her own bag.
Naruto gave her a nod before looking back to the two children and giving them a final hug.
"Stay safe," Naruto whispered before letting them go with a smile.
He then stood up and walked towards the main door along with Shizune and Tsunade. And after putting on their footwear, they exited the house.
"Good luck and come back safely," Akari said as she held the door open with the two young girls standing beside her.
Naruto, along with his mother and Shizune, waved towards them, and they waved back. Mito waved with one hand while the other dried what was left of her tears.
"Ready to go, Buntaicho?" Reiko's (Pakura) voice came as the trio exited the Senju compound. Her voice came with a slightly teasing undertone, trying to lighten up the atmosphere.
Reiko is wearing the same outfit as Naruto and Shizune, with her Anbu mask no wear in sight. It was her first time participating in anything without her mask. But with her makeover and the confirmation of her supposed demise a while ago, she has nothing to worry about. The only thing she would need to be careful about is if she decided to use her Scorch release. She tries to use it as little as possible, using her numerous Katon and Futon jutsu instead.
"There is no need to call me that, Sensei," Naruto said with a sigh.
"I know, I know. Just messing with you, Naruto-Kun." Reiko said with a smile as she joined the trio. She still lived near the Senju compound, and she knew Naruto and his family.
Naruto's family knows her as his teammate, except for Tsunade, who knows who Reiko really is.
Tsunade was shocked the first time Hiruzen told her who Reiko was and how her son was the one who brought her to Konoha. It is very rare for a foreign shinobi to be accepted in a different Hidden village after all.
Reiko was also shocked when she got to know that Tsunade Senju had a son, the same boy who saved her and became her Anbu team captain. A secret that she kept to herself.
With all of them ready, they walked with no hurry towards the gathering point, as there was still enough time before they set out.
To be continued.
Guys and Gals, show me those powerstones.
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I hope you all enjoyed the chapter.
'100 power stones if you want an additional chapter with next week's release.'
I would appreciate feedback, comments, and power stones from you guys. I would like to read all of your comments. I would like to know if I am doing well and if you enjoy what I write.
Thank you all for your support.
1331 words
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