By the time we reached the Hokage Building, the first light of dawn had begun to spill across the village. The rooftops glowed faintly gold, mist curling between the alleys like lingering dreams of the night before. Sakumo led us through the concealed ANBU entrance on the roof, our footsteps silent against the tiles as we descended into the Hokage's office below.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, pipe already lit, smoke curling lazily in the morning light. His eyes sharpened the moment we appeared. "Team Fang," he said, calm but expectant, "report."
Sakumo stepped forward, producing a sealed scroll. "Mission complete, Hokage-sama. This contains recovered intel and items from the Iwa encampment."
Hiruzen unsealed the scroll while Sakumo began the verbal report, calm, precise — the picture of professional restraint. But as he moved to describe the ambush, the Hokage's brow creased.
"The main force of Iwa shinobi was larger than intelligence suggested — roughly sixty in total. Nearly half were jōnin-level combatants, the rest chūnin or lower," Sakumo said evenly. "We were boxed in before we could retreat, caught in a classic human-wave ambush."
Hiruzen's fingers tightened on the pipe. "And yet… you survived?"
Sakumo's gaze flicked toward me. "Yes, Hokage-sama. Heaven Fist acted first."
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow. "Heaven Fist?"
Sakumo's voice remained steady. "As the first wave of kunai and shuriken rained down, Heaven Fist deflected all of them — without jutsu. A single 360-degree spinning kick created a pressure wave that sent every weapon off course. Then he moved between the enemy like a surgical storm. Every target he struck ceased to exist. Completely erased. Even the ground bore subtle signs of displacement where he moved."
Hiruzen's eyes widened, pipe nearly slipping, "…He WHAT?!!!"
Even the hidden ANBU — perched in the shadows, trained to suppress any reaction — twitched, some covering their mouths, some shoulders shaking slightly, all trying desperately not to break their discipline.
Raven coughed behind her mask, trying desperately not to snort. Hawk's suppressed laugh escaped anyway. Serpent's shoulders shook slightly as she tried to hide a grin. Falcon, utterly failing, trembled with silent laughter. Even Sakumo's stoic mask cracked into a faint, knowing smirk.
Hiruzen pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling slowly. "Fine. Mission successful. Debrief complete. All of you, dismissed — and Ryo…" He pointed his pipe at me, deadpan, still flustered. "…try not to erase half the countryside next time you sneeze."
I bowed slightly, grin hidden beneath my mask. "No promises, Hokage-sama."
Sakumo's voice, calm and dry, added, "After Ryo's intervention, the enemy morale collapsed instantly. We pressed the advantage — Hawk, Falcon, and Serpent handled the retreating units while I cut down the remaining jōnin. Within minutes, the ambush force was neutralized and the camp secured."
Hiruzen shook his head slowly. "…So, sixty enemy shinobi, nearly half jōnin, a full ambush, and it was turned around by a single kick followed by… erasure?"
"That's one way to summarize," I said jokingly.
The Hokage exhaled, smoke curling around him, the first rays of dawn spilling over the office. Outside, the village was calm — golden light bathing the streets, a quiet contrast to the chaos of the night we'd just survived.
The team filed out after a long pause, laughter still bubbling quietly beneath their masks, occasional smirks exchanged, and even Sakumo allowing himself a faint shake of the head. The first light of morning seemed to acknowledge our return — soft and warm, almost teasing — as we began the walk back to the ANBU base. The forests surrounding Konoha shimmered in the sunlight, birds calling cheerfully, and the gentle glow filtering through the trees gave a sense of calm that almost mocked the chaos of the previous hours.
Sakumo led the way, calm and unhurried, letting the team move shoulder to shoulder behind him. The boys joked quietly among themselves, teasing about heading to an izakaya to unwind after such a "grueling" mission.
"You know, after a mission like that, a visit to the Izekaya is mandatory," Hawk said, elbowing Tiger and grinning. "Ryo, you're coming too."
Raven, walking slightly to my side, suddenly looped an arm around me and hugged me playfully. "Hey! Don't corrupt him with your dirty minds," she said, glancing at the boys, her tone teasing. "Some of us still have a semblance of decency."
I let out a soft chuckle, shaking my head. "I'll survive. Besides," I added with a sly grin, "I already have a few girls waiting for me, so I don't need to unwind like you lot."
The boys groaned in mock offense. "Hey! That's not fair!" Hawk protested, while the rest of the team burst into quiet laughter, careful not to break the rhythm of their stride.
Even Sakumo, usually composed and serious, let out a low chuckle from the front. "Raven's right… but you can join after you are older."
By the time we reached the ANBU base, the light, playful atmosphere lingered, though professionalism soon took over. Sakumo led us directly to the records room. "Mission completion reports need to be logged," he said, his calm authority still in place.
Scrolls, maps, and details were carefully documented — enemy strength, tactics, casualties, and anomalies. Ryo maintained his usual composure, the flawless professionalism of his actions during the ambush reflected in the precision of the report, though the others stole glances at him, still processing how the youngest member of Team Fang had moved through sixty enemy shinobi like he was untouchable.
Once the paperwork was done, Sakumo finally relaxed slightly. "Alright. That's it for today. You're free until the next mission. I'll recall you lot directly when we're assigned the next operation."
A chorus of quiet relief spread through the team.
The team disbanded and headed toward the changing rooms. Inside, the air was filled with low murmurs of teasing and mock competition. Hawk flexed lightly, smirking at Tiger. "Think you've been skipping arm day?" he joked, making Tiger scowl and puff out his chest.
The others playfully dragged me into the men's changing room, joking and shoving lightly as I swapped my mission vest and mask for normal clothes. As I stretched casually, a few of them froze mid-motion. My abs — a perfectly defined eight-pack, lean and strong — caught their attention first, then the rest of my frame: toned, balanced, and deceptively powerful, every muscle functional without unnecessary bulk.
Hawk's jaw dropped. "…How?!" he muttered, a mix of awe and disbelief. Tiger blinked rapidly, trying not to look too impressed. Even Sakumo let a small smirk escape, shaking his head as if conceding some unspoken truth.
"Some of us just… train consistently," I said, cracking my knuckles with a faint grin. "Nothing special."
The boys groaned in mock jealousy, rubbing their arms or abs as if sheer will could magically get them to my level. Laughter filled the room, light and teasing, the kind that only comes when warriors relax after a life-or-death mission.
After shower and changing, some went straight home to sleep, while others stayed in Konoha, stretching or wandering the quiet streets, enjoying the rare calm. I took my usual route to the Senju compound, the soft morning sun brushing against my skin, a gentle reminder of the shadows we walked to protect — even as the village carried on, unaware.
By the time I reached my villa at the edge of the Senju compound, dawn was just brushing gold across the horizon. The air felt fresh — a gentle calm after the storm of yesterday's mission.
I stepped inside the villa, sensing three faint chakra signatures in the house. A soft smile tugged at my lips—I knew immediately that my lovely girlfriends had been waiting up for me. Before anything else, I set about tidying the rooms, picking up scattered books, folding blankets, and straightening cushions. Even little details mattered; home should feel welcoming.
The quiet sounds of me moving—sliding mats, gently stacking items, the soft clink of a vase being adjusted—eventually stirred them from their sleep. One by one, they peeked out, relief softening into warmth when they saw me.
"Ryo!" Kushina called softly, Mikoto and Tsume echoing. Without hesitation, all three leapt toward me, wrapping themselves around my torso in a tight, simultaneous hug. Their warmth pressed against me, soft and steady, hearts racing with relief. I held them firmly but gently, letting them bury their faces in my chest.
"All good, my lovely girlfriends," I murmured, a small chuckle escaping me as their soft breaths tickled my shirt.
Instantly, all three froze slightly, their cheeks flushing bright pink against my chest. Kushina's fingers dug lightly into my shirt, Mikoto's arms tightened instinctively, and Tsume's usual composure melted into a shy, flustered smile.
I rubbed their backs gently. "Now… why don't you freshen up a bit? Breakfast will be ready soon."
Reluctantly, they pulled back just enough to breathe, still blushing, eyes lingering on me with warmth that made my chest feel full. Their playful whispers and shy giggles trailed behind them as they went to freshen up.
With the villa now tidy and the air filled with a gentle calm, I moved to the kitchen to start cooking. The sunlight spilled through the windows, warming the room and signaling a peaceful morning ahead—one I intended to make as comforting as possible for all of us.
By the time I set the dishes on the table—fluffy pancakes stacked high, perfectly cooked eggs, sizzling sausages, and a fresh fruit bowl glistening with morning dew—the aroma immediately drew them in.
"It smells so good!" all three chorused in unison, hovering slightly over the table, cheeks still lightly flushed.
I grinned, a mischievous glint in my eyes. "Hot off the stove. Much better than yesterday's lunch, don't you think?"
Kushina laughed softly, Mikoto nudged her shoulder playfully, and Tsume shook her head with a faint smile, still trying to hide the blush creeping onto her cheeks.
Tsunade strolled in, sniffing the air and shaking her head with amusement. "I knew I smelled that cooking again. So you finally came back! These girls were worried sick yesterday, asking me over and over when you'd return."
I chuckled, glancing at the three—completely red now—and felt a small warmth in my chest. "Well now the three of you can relax," I murmured. "Your lovely boyfriend is back."
The three froze for a heartbeat before soft giggles escaped them, their expressions shy but undeniably happy. They lingered close, eyes flicking toward me as though measuring if I was really unharmed.
Mikoto finally stepped forward, curiosity overtaking her shyness. "Ryo… what's that mark on your arm?"
I flexed subtly, letting the left bicep show. "This?" I said, feigning casualness. "Just a little badge for work… nothing fancy."
Tsunade smiled knowingly. "That, girls, is the ANBU tattoo. Means he's officially part of Konoha's elite — under the Hokage's command. Strong enough to handle missions normal shinobi wouldn't even dare touch."
The three exchanged wide-eyed looks, awe and happiness lighting their faces. Kushina's hands reached instinctively toward me, Mikoto's arms fluttered a little, and even reserved Tsume's mouth curved into a shy smile.
I leaned slightly, voice teasing. "So… now my lovely girlfriends know one of my little secrets. Pretty impressive, huh?"
Their eyes widened, then they melted into soft laughter, the kind that warms from the inside out. Kushina's fingers twined with mine for a brief, playful tug, Mikoto leaned slightly closer, and Tsume's shy smile deepened, her gaze lingering.
Tsunade chuckled, shaking her head. "And just to be clear, he's under Hokage command, not anyone's personal squad, so no weird ideas, girls."
I smirked at her, voice light. "Yes, yes, obeying orders… mostly. But don't worry, I'll tell you just enough action to make breakfast interesting."
I gestured toward the plates. "Now, eat while it's hot. The first bite might just make the world feel right again."
Kushina giggled, Mikoto teased, "Ryo, don't hog the pancakes!" and Tsume added softly, "Make sure you eat too…" Their voices intertwined, laughter and light chiding floating across the table.
I picked up a pancake with a flourish and winked. "Oh, don't worry, I saved a few just for you," teasing Kushina first, then Mikoto and Tsume in turn, watching their blush deepen and soft laughter escape.
Even Tsunade, sitting across with a smirk, shook her head at the playful chaos. "You've got these girls wrapped around your finger, Ryo," she said with an amused glance.
I leaned back slightly, savoring the moment. "And they love it," I murmured, earning a playful scoff from Tsunade and a chorus of small laughs from my lovely girlfriends.
The morning sun spilled through the windows, bathing the room in a soft, golden glow. The five of us shared breakfast together, laughter and playful teasing filling the air. After the chaos of missions and the dangers of the world outside, this quiet moment felt like a sanctuary—a small pocket of safety and warmth I intended to preserve for as long as possible.
Once the meal ended, the girls and Tsunade excused themselves to change. I stayed behind in the kitchen, carefully preparing bento boxes for their day. Each lunch was arranged with care: warm rice, perfectly cooked sides, and little treats tucked in to brighten their afternoon. The simple act of packing their meals felt grounding, a way to keep the morning's comfort lingering even after they left.
By the time they returned downstairs, the bags were ready. The four of them—Kushina, Mikoto, Tsume, and Tsunade—lined up expectantly, cheeks still faintly flushed from the morning's warmth.
I leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss on Kushina's forehead, then a quick peck for Mikoto and Tsume. Their surprised squeals and shy smiles made my chest swell with warmth.
Then, with a mischievous grin, I shamelessly leaned toward Tsunade, pressing a quick, teasing kiss on her cheek. Her eyes widened, fists clenching immediately as she lunged forward, but I laughed, sidestepping with ease and giving her a playful wink. "Can't catch me, Tsunade-san."
Her scowl softened for just a moment before she turned, muttering something about the audacity of youth. I chuckled, standing tall and watching as the four of them stepped outside. The girls headed off toward school, their bags swinging lightly at their sides, their laughter carrying down the path. Tsunade waved, heading toward the hospital—or wherever she had to be—with her usual mix of sternness and fond amusement.
Once the door clicked shut, I sighed, closing the house behind me. The quiet was sudden, almost startling. I moved through each room, tidying up, arranging things neatly, and restoring the calm order that always seemed to follow chaos.
With the house finally in its place, I made my way to the study. Mito's scroll waited patiently on the desk, containing the complete fuinjutsu inheritance of the Uzumaki Clan. I unrolled it carefully, eyes scanning the first page, which displayed the simplest of seals—a one-finger seal capable of temporarily sealing chakra.
I flexed my fingers, already feeling the faint hum of chakra as I prepared to practice. Today was for learning, for mastery, for laying the foundation of skills that would one day rival even the most seasoned ninja. Quiet filled the room, sunlight spilling over the scroll and illuminating each intricate symbol. The day had begun peacefully, but I knew the road ahead would always demand focus, precision, and patience. And I intended to meet it head-on.
(A/N): Wow… I'm completely wiped. I was all set to upload this chapter when I realized it was an absolute mess. Tinkering with all the tiny details after a long day of work nearly broke me—but hey, perfection takes time, right? I really hope you enjoyed it, because I'm now officially crawling into bed. Sleep, here I come.