Naruto:This Time, I, Kotetsu Hagane, Will No Longer Be Lazy

Hiruzen sat back in his chair, letting the silence settle over the room as he took a slow drag from his pipe. The scent of tobacco filled the air, mixing with the weight of unspoken thoughts. Before him stood Team Ro, the most elite of Konoha's ANBU, their masked faces unreadable. The Hokage's gaze settled on Kakashi first. 

"Kakashi," he began, his voice calm but measured, "what is your assessment? Do you believe Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki are telling the truth?" 

Kakashi, leaning slightly against the wall with his arms crossed, exhaled through his mask before answering. "I do. They didn't show any signs of lying, and honestly, they don't have the background for deception of that level. Neither of them has any history of questionable loyalties, nor have they ever been involved in anything that would make us suspect them. They're straightforward—competent, but not the type to weave some elaborate cover-up." 

Hiruzen nodded slightly, but his expression remained unreadable. He shifted his gaze toward Itachi, who stood with his usual composed demeanor. 

"Itachi," Hiruzen continued, "how close are the two to your father?" 

Itachi was silent for a moment, his dark eyes betraying no immediate emotion. "I do not see them around often," he admitted. "At most, I have noticed them speaking with him a handful of times, but nothing that would suggest a deep connection. However—" he paused, his tone carrying subtle weight, "my father is consistent in his methods. If he has found them useful once, he may use them again." 

Hiruzen hummed in thought, taking another slow drag from his pipe, allowing the ember at its tip to glow before releasing a thin stream of smoke. 

He reached into his desk and pulled out two files, thick with records and mission logs. Setting them on the desk, he traced a wrinkled hand over the worn covers before flipping them open. The contents detailed the lives of Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki—from their Academy days to their recent involvement in the spy's capture. His fingers skimmed the pages before his gaze settled on Yugao Uzuki. 

"Yugao," he said, "you were briefly classmates with them at the Academy. What is your assessment of their character?" 

Yugao stepped forward slightly, her voice steady but thoughtful. "They were competent students, not particularly exceptional in any one area, except for Kotetsu's high talent with the sword. In the academy their personality was the opposite to what it is now. Kotetsu was more distant, singularly focused and didn't talk much in the academy. Izumo was impulsive, reaching out to talk to people. If I had to sum them up, I'd say they were loyal—to each other first, then to the village."

She hesitated briefly, not wanting them to come across as a problem. "That being said, they've never been involved in high-level operations before now. If Fugaku Uchiha is using them, it may be because they're easily overlooked, but come across as trustworthy" 

Hiruzen took in her words carefully, tapping the pipe lightly against the ashtray before making his decision. "Then you will be the one to keep an eye on them." 

Yugao gave a sharp nod, accepting the task without hesitation. 

"Report back any unusual behavior," Hiruzen continued. "Do not interfere unless necessary—simply observe. If Fugaku intends to use them again, I want to know why." 

Another long puff of smoke filled the room as Hiruzen leaned back. "Everything spoken here today is confidential." 

The members of Team Ro bowed slightly before vanishing into the shadows. 

Konoha's Gate

The air was warm, the usual murmur of voices drifting past Kotetsu as he leaned against the gate. His eyes scanned the horizon, lost in his thoughts, the weight of recent events pressing down on him.

"The power disparity in this world is staggering."

He muttered under his breath, his gaze shifting over the village as he recalled his first meeting with the Hokage. Walking around the village, you never really feel it. The Hokage's office had always seemed so distant, like a far-off beacon of authority. But after meeting Fugaku Uchiha, the Jonin who held an almost oppressive gaze every time they passed, and the ANBU who watched them like hawks, Kotetsu felt it. The Hokage, too... the elderly man who carried himself with a warm, grandfatherly demeanor. At first glance, he appeared harmless.

But Kotetsu knew better. "I could feel it. His overwhelming presence. His words were like those of a sly fox. When he narrowed his eyes at me, I felt like a tiger was waiting to strike."

The memory sent a shiver down his spine. He was glad he'd been smart enough not to lie to the Hokage, or else the old man might've ended him right there. His mind raced, recalling the subtle yet undeniable power play unfolding before him.

"This only proves I need to be stronger," Kotetsu thought to himself, eyes narrowed. He didn't want to be just a pawn in someone else's game. He wanted respect. "We're just... not in their league yet," he thought.

"Me and Izumo were basically ordered to assist Fugaku, and now we find ourselves caught in the middle of his and the Hokage's power struggle."

It wasn't their job. They weren't even meant to be here, but their weakness had led them to this point. They'd been pulled into something much bigger than themselves.With a sigh, Kotetsu glanced over at Izumo, who was standing beside him, also lost in thought. There was a certain bitterness in Kotetsu's chest, but he didn't let it show. He let out a quiet breath and looked at his partner, deciding to break the silence.

"Hey, Izumo," Kotetsu asked, turning to him. "When do we get a day off around here? I don't even know the schedule anymore. You're always barging into my apartment, dragging me out to work..."Izumo turned to look at him, blinking in surprise for a moment, like Kotetsu had just asked something ridiculous. The replies with "Tomorrow."

Kotetsu blinked in surprise, "Tomorrow?" He chuckled softly, the exhaustion finally breaking through. "Guess I can finally get some sleep, huh?"The village continued on around them, life bustling as usual, but Kotetsu couldn't shake the feeling that the storm was far from over. Still, for now, a day off would do.