Briefing the Old Man

Dropping off part of the documents with my supervisor Tokuma Hyūga before going to my house quickly they allowed me because It was close to the sarutobi compound and my mom almost burned down the Hokages office last time she didn't see me immediately I came home and also because I was the Hokages son.

"Welcome home!"

Before I could even say a word, my mother pulled me into a tight hug.

She always does this. Treats me like I'm still some academy brat who doesn't know which end of a kunai to hold. But I didn't mind. Not really.

"Thank you, Mom," I muttered into her shoulder. "But I have to report something urgent to Lord Third I just came to see you first."

She sighed and loosened her grip. "Okay, okay. Just make sure you tell him I said you're to come straight home after. No wandering off!"

Even while saying this her eyes didn't leave my bloody arm and I could see her holding herself back

"Will do." I smiled. "Is elder bro back yet?"

Her expression dimmed slightly. "No not yet."

I nodded. "Alright. When I'm done, we can catch up properly."

With that, I darted down the road, feeling for the first time in months what it was like to walk through the village without my guard up. The streets felt lighter. Children played. Civilians bartered. For a moment it felt like Konoha again.

Hokage's Tower 10 Minutes Later

It hadn't changed a bit.

Stacks of documents were piled high on the Hokage's desk, just like the day I left for my mission. Lord Third was hunched over, signing papers with slow, deliberate strokes. Two ANBU stood behind him like statues.

Honestly? If you ask me, I don't know why they're even posted there. I've seen what this old man can do. If something ever went wrong in this office, I doubt anyone not even a full ANBU squad could save the attacker from him.

Anyway, time to break the silence, i adjusted my headband and stepped in with a wide grin.

"SARUTOBI KENTO, REPORTING BACK FROM DUTY, SIR!"

His pen stopped. Without lifting his head, he exhaled through his nose like he always did when amused, mildly irritated or both.

"Still as loud as ever," he muttered, finally looking up.

The Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, my father looked tired, Not the kind of tired that sleep could fix.

War tired.

Soul tired.

But when his eyes landed on me, there was a flicker of warmth.

"Come in, Kento. Close the door. And stop shouting."

I smirked. "Old habits."

He gestured toward the chair in front of his desk. "Let's hear it. Give me the short version first.Then drop your report in the front desk,The full debrief will follow with the Council."

I sat, back straight. The grin faded from my face.

This part was serious.