Naruto: Path of the Ninja 3

QuDōtō and Kotetsu emerged from the dense forest, their forms barely visible under the pale moonlight as they landed near the group. Their breathing was heavy but controlled—clear signs of an intense battle. However, their expressions told the rest of the story. 

"Nothing?" Izumo asked, already guessing the answer. 

Dōtō grunted in frustration, rolling his shoulders. "We fought him, but he got away. Fast, skilled, and well-trained. We managed to injure him, but he had backup waiting to cover his retreat." 

Kotetsu sheathed his blade with a sigh. "Guy was ANBU-level, easy. Fire Release techniques, damn good with a tanto. If it weren't for the water techniques I picked up, I might've been toast—literally." 

Hakui frowned. "At least you're both alright." 

Dōtō turned to Izumo. "What about you two? Find anything?" 

Izumo and Hakui exchanged a glance before Izumo held up a small, decorated shōji piece. It was made of fine lacquered wood, inlaid with gold filigree, and marked with a distinctive clan crest. 

"This was found on one of the dead merchants," Izumo explained. "Whoever he was, he had connections. This could help us figure out why these bandits targeted him specifically." 

Dōtō took the piece, turning it over in his palm. "A merchant with ties to nobility or someone with power. If we track the origin of this shōji piece, we might get an idea of what this was really about." 

Hakui shifted uncomfortably. "That's not all. We tried to take the gloves off the bandits' bodies, but…" She hesitated. "It looks like they had some kind of fūinjutsu mark on them. Self-destruction seals." 

Dōtō's eyes narrowed. "Meaning?" 

Izumo exhaled. "Meaning whoever outfitted them made sure no one else could get their hands on that technology. At some point—maybe on a delay or triggered remotely—their bodies combusted. There's nothing left of them except burned remains." 

Kotetsu groaned. "Great. So not only are we dealing with enhanced bandits, but someone is covering their tracks." 

Dōtō pocketed the shōji piece, his expression unreadable. "This mission just went up a rank as it got more complicated." He looked toward the burning remains in the distance, the stench of scorched flesh still lingering in the air. 

"This wasn't just a random attack. Someone planned this." He turned back to the group, voice steady. "We're heading back to town to do some more investigating. The higher-ups need to hear about this, and we need to find out who this merchant was before we lose any more leads." 

The others nodded. 

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The group made their way into town, the distant glow of lanterns offering some respite from the night's grim events. The inn they found was modest but well-kept, the type of place that saw a steady stream of travelers, merchants, and the occasional shinobi looking for a place to rest. 

As they checked in, Dōtō took the initiative to sort out the sleeping arrangements. "Since I'm married, I'm sharing a room with Izumo," he declared, his tone leaving no room for argument. 

Izumo shrugged. "Fine by me." 

Kotetsu blinked. "Wait, hold up. That leaves me with—" 

"Me," Hakui finished, raising an eyebrow. 

Kotetsu exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "Tch. Fantastic." 

Hakui crossed her arms. "Not exactly thrilled myself." 

Dōtō shot them both a look. "Just deal with it. We need rest." He and Izumo took their key and made their way upstairs without another word, leaving Kotetsu and Hakui standing awkwardly in the lobby. 

Kotetsu sighed. "Alright, ground rules. No weird healer stuff while I'm sleeping, no lectures, and if you snore, I'm shoving you off the bed." 

Hakui rolled her eyes. "Ground rules? Fine. No dirty socks lying around, no complaining if I wake up early, and if you drool in your sleep, I'm kicking you out." 

Kotetsu gave her a deadpan look. "Oh yeah, this is gonna be a great night." 

They grabbed their key and headed upstairs. The room was small but functional—a futon on each side, a small table in the center, and a window overlooking the dimly lit streets. 

Kotetsu immediately collapsed onto one of the futons, groaning as he stretched. "Finally, some rest." 

Hakui, meanwhile, neatly set her pack down and pulled out a few medical tools, checking them over. 

Kotetsu cracked an eye open. "Seriously? You're doing work?" 

"Excuse me for being responsible," she shot back. 

"Responsible is one thing, obsessive is another." 

Hakui scoffed. "This coming from the guy who probably hasn't washed his headband in weeks." 

Kotetsu smirked. "Joke's on you—I lost my last one, so this one's brand new." 

Hakui let out a dry laugh. "Wow, you're just a model shinobi, aren't you?" 

Kotetsu stretched again, lacing his fingers behind his head. "I like to think I'm a man of balance. Work hard, slack off harder." 

Hakui shook her head, muttering something about "irresponsible idiots," before rolling out her futon.

Inside a modest inn, after a long day of travel. The bathroom is small but functional, and there's only one shower. Kotetsu and Hakui both standing outside the door, eyeing it like a pair of hyenas, marking their territory.

Kotetsu with a teasing grin says, "I'm going first. I've had the harder fight with taking on the bandits then that guy in the mask.

Hakui eyes him coolly, arms crossed. "I fought those bandits too, plus that injury was your own fault for being careless. That's your problem. Then she relaxes her shoulders as if coming back to her senses. " I'm fine waiting."

Kotetsu leans casually against the doorframe, smirking "Well, I'm not the one who's acting all huffy about it. I thought your caterpillar eyebrows would come alive and attack me for a second. You should probably take a break. You've been on your feet all day, haven't you?"

In the hospital she didn't have to deal much with cocky or overconfident people. Most doctors were nice, kept to themselves, did their work, and were quiet. As she never expected to be called up for a mission again. But given how she was one of the younger medics, she still had some use before the shinobi corp forgot about her entirely.

So, this was a big change to what she's use to. Hakui wasn't one to lose her temper and get into a shouting argument with people. But their was just something about this guys stupid looking face that made her want to give him a good beating. But that last comment. The comment on her eyebrows. 

As a child she was sensitive about her appearance with her being teased as a child because of her bushy eyebrows.

Y-You bastard! What did you say! Hakui took a moment to take a quick breath before speaking. You should know better than to try and guilt-trip me. I'm capable of waiting." She doesn't even flinch at his teasing. Also you want to talk about my appearance then what about you, your not particularly good looking and those bandages, what are you hiding under there. Unlike you we can't all hide behind things.

"Oh you have some bite to you? Well that's better, and here I thought you'd be a wall flower this entire time." Kotetsu gives a grin thinking things got more interesting.

Then he raised an eyebrow, "are you sure you're not affected, acting mature and all but you're practically twitching to get in the bath and relax. Maybe kick your feet up in the water."

Her eyes narrowing slightly, still unamused "And you think you're any different? The fact that you're whining about it shows you can't handle a little patience." Her voice is steady, no warmth or humor in it.

Kotetsu grins, ignoring her coldness "Alright, fine. I'll go first, then. You wouldn't want to make me wait, would you?" He pushes past her and steps into the bathroom, his grin wide and smug.

Hakui spoke, her voice is sharp as she calls after him "You're a man, aren't you? Making a lady wait for her turn?" Her words are cold, cutting through the air like a blade.

Kotetsu pauses in the doorway, looking around dramatically "Lady? What lady?"

This guy she thought, getting a tick mark, does he not see me as a woman? How dare he! She thought. Hakui voice remains steady, unamused "You know exactly what I mean."

Kotetsu chuckling under his breath, turning to face her with a smirk "That's cute, Hakui.

Cute? Hakui blinked, is this guy, is he hitting on me? As a child she didn't get any compliments growing up, by the time she was older and was promoted to Chunin she'd go to the bars with her friends and received some attention and halfhearted compliments. But that was when liquor was in their system. As a medic she knows alcohol can significantly impair judgement. But this. Kotetsu was sober and saying this to her. Has he no shame? We're on a mission still.

Hakui goes to take a seat. Ready to end this back and forth before it could escalate, but then she heard his voice.

To make it fair we can settle this with a simple question.

Question? What kind of question?

A question of who's older. Its simple to the point with there being a clear winner

Hakui thought about it as it seemed fair enough. The two were brief classmates but never had enough time to get and know each other. Not to mention if they did they certainly forgotten about it as its such a minor detail and their not good friends who catch up with each other. 

Okay deal, older shinobi walks through those doors and gets the first shower.

Okay on the count of three we say what month we were born.

She nods.

1

2

3

July! August!

Kotetsu then raises an eyebrow, then with a confident smug look says " Hah look at that I'm older. That means I get to go first. You should show some respect to your elders little guy."

Hakui cursed inside her head. 'Y-you why are you looking at me with that dumb look on your face!' This guy is so annoying he acts like he won some great prize over me. Hakui snorts "You're barely older than me, and you're not getting any special treatment because of it."

Kotetsu grins. "Oh, what's this. Shouldn't you be bowing your head and pouring me drinks with both hands while calling me senpai? Truly Hakui is this how you treat your betters."

Hakui playfully narrowing her eyes "You really think you're that important, huh? You do remember your day job is just to watching some rusty gate, not exactly fulfilling work. 

In Hakui's mind comparing their two jobs was so far apart she'd call you foolish for trying to draw a comparison. To her she's constantly trying to research and get better at her craft. While this guy just fools around watching paint dry because he's not skilled enough to leave the village and protect it against enemy nations. But isn't smart enough to be given precise task like her. Today she saw what him and Izumo could do but she chalked it up to a fluke and if not that just proves their all muscle no brain.

He shrugs nonchalantly from the comment, hearing it plenty to know what she means. "I am that important. And if you want to argue about it, I'll just go ahead and take my shower first." He gives a smug smile.

After they both took their baths the two laid on their futon in silence for a moment before Kotetsu spoke up again. "Hey… uh, back there. With those bandits. You held your own." 

Hakui blinked, a bit surprised. As a medic they weren't exactly known for combat skills due to how easy they tire out, with the only notable ninja being Tsunade. But for the rest of them they're told to stick in the hospital. With them often hearing the backhanded compliments other ninja's giving them. With it being much worse apparently in the time of the second Hokage. Having a title of being useless. So to hear thanks from a ninja while on a mission was nice.

"Thanks… you weren't so bad yourself." Hakui said with a light red hue under her cheeks from the praise.

Kotetsu grinned. "Don't sound so shocked." 

Hakui just sighed, reminded it came from this idiot. "Let's just get some sleep." 

Kotetsu chuckled, closing his eyes. "Yeah, yeah." 

The night carried on with the quiet hum of the town outside, and despite their bickering, neither could deny they felt just a little more at ease knowing someone had their back.