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

Front of Konoha- Konoha Entrance Gate

Kotetsu leaned back in his chair, spinning his pen between his fingers in an effort to stave off the relentless boredom that had settled over him. The bustling sound of the Mission Desk was eerily quiet today, the low hum of voices a mere background murmur as ninja trickled in and out, but the bulk of the active-duty shinobi were out on missions. Kotetsu had already processed enough dull reports to last him a lifetime. It was the same every day—missions, logistics, and routine. He longed for something interesting, something that would break the monotony.

Ayane, seated across from him, glared at him over the top of her report. Her Byakugan was activated, and she wasn't letting him out of her sight as he fidgeted. She gave him an exasperated sigh, clearly not impressed with his behavior.

Ayane: "Kotetsu, stop messing around. You're acting like a child. We're on duty, not vacation."

Kotetsu looked up from his pen, grinning. He knew exactly how to push her buttons.

Kotetsu: "Oh, come on, Ayane. It's not like anything's happening today. A little boredom isn't going to hurt anyone. Besides, I've been so good—there's no one to yell at, no missions to sort out. We're just... waiting."

He slumped dramatically in his chair, throwing his hands up in exaggerated frustration.

Kotetsu: "I swear, I'd even take an assassination mission right now—something that at least requires some excitement. Anything!"

Ayane rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the small smirk tugging at her lips.

Ayane: "You wouldn't last a day on one of those missions. You'd be back before dinner, crying for your mommy."

Kotetsu: "I'd have you to cry to, wouldn't I? Then you could comfort me." He winked, his tone playful but also a little mischievous.

Ayane's eye twitched, her irritation growing despite the tease. She looked ready to retort, but before she could, a sudden gust of wind whipped through the room, causing a few loose papers to flutter across the desk. Kotetsu blinked, looking up just in time to see an Anbu in a bird mask swoop down from the rafters, landing silently before him.

The Anbu spoke, his voice cold and emotionless.

Anbu: "Kotetsu Hagane, the Hokage requires your presence. Immediately."

Before Kotetsu could even register the request, the Anbu was gone, vanishing in a blur of leaves, the room settling back into its previous quiet state.

Kotetsu blinked, a moment of confusion passing over his face. He looked over at Ayane, who was leaning back in her chair, looking amused.

Ayane: "Looks like the Hokage's finally fed up with you, huh? Maybe he's about to fire you for all those neglectful duties you've been slacking off on."

Kotetsu raised an eyebrow, his usual nonchalance returning.

Kotetsu: "Well, if that's the case, I guess I'll have to find a new job. Maybe I'll become a mission handler. I mean, it can't be harder than sitting here all day with you."

He pushed his chair back with a squeak and stood up, grabbing his weapons pouch from the desk. As he turned to leave, Ayane called after him, a teasing tone in her voice.

Ayane: "I bet you'll miss me. Don't worry, I'll leave your desk nice and warm for you."

Kotetsu grinned, his back still to her as he walked toward the door.

Kotetsu: "Sure, sure. Keep dreaming, Ayane. I'll miss your charming face, don't worry."

He left the Mission Desk, the quiet sounds of the room fading behind him.

As he made his way through the village toward the Hokage's office, a strange unease began to settle in his stomach. It didn't sit right with him that the Hokage would request his presence like this, without warning, without a mission or any indication of what was happening.

Kotetsu: "This is... odd. With over 10,000 ninjas on active duty, there are always people out on missions. Even in war, most are still out there making sure Konoha remains functional. We're not exactly short on resources. Why would the Hokage need to see me? And why now, when there's no immediate crisis?"

He turned a corner and passed by the busy streets of Konoha, the villagers going about their day as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening. But the more Kotetsu thought about it, the more uneasy he became. It wasn't just any summons. The Hokage rarely took time to speak with individuals unless it was of high importance. In fact, most of the time, mission assignments were handled by Chunin. Even during Tsunade's reign, the Hokage took on high-priority targets—children of clan heads, strategic decisions that required careful planning.

Kotetsu: "This can't be good. If the Hokage is calling me, it means trouble."

He approached the Hokage's office, a sinking feeling in his chest. He had to admit, he wasn't looking forward to whatever came next. A summons from the Hokage, especially this early in the morning, was never a good sign.

As he stood before the door, he took a deep breath and prepared himself for whatever news awaited him. Whatever it was, it couldn't be as boring as his day had been—he only hoped it wasn't going to be a bigger problem than he could handle.

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Kotetsu finally arrived at the Hokage's office, slightly out of breath but still carrying that signature, laid-back demeanor. As he entered, he found the room already filled with tension, and the last thing he expected was to see Team Ro gathered there, all in full ANBU gear—silent, imposing figures with their faces hidden behind masks. The air was thick with purpose.

Hiruzens Sarutobi, sitting at his desk, looked up from a stack of papers as Kotetsu entered. His gaze softened for a moment, and a warm, almost paternal smile formed on his lips.

Hiruzens: "Ah, Kotetsu, right on time. I'm glad you could join us."

Kotetsu, looking at the intimidating group of ANBU, scratched the back of his head, trying to mask the confusion on his face. He hesitated, still unsure of why he was being summoned. The Hokage gestured for him to come closer.

Hiruzens: "First off, let me thank you for your excellent work, Kotetsu. You've done a fantastic job in protecting Konoha, particularly your recent efforts in identifying two enemy spies. Without your vigilance, we could have lost valuable information."

Kotetsu blinked, raising an eyebrow. He had been working, but this was an unexpected acknowledgment.

Kotetsu: "Wait, you're talking about me? Really? Are you sure about that? I'm just here to do my job... just routine stuff, right?"

He looked around the room, pointing to himself for emphasis, as if confirming that he was the one being thanked. His lazy demeanor didn't quite match the weight of the moment, but the Hokage simply smiled, amused by Kotetsu's usual irreverence.

Hiruzens: "Yes, Kotetsu. It's because of your keen observations that we've been able to identify and neutralize threats before they could escalate. Normally, I'd have the ANBU handle matters like this, but given your involvement in these recent cases, I think you're best suited to handle what comes next."

Kotetsu blinked again, processing the information. The shift in tone wasn't lost on him. The Hokage's words were serious now, the room's atmosphere tightening.

Kotetsu: "Okay, I'm starting to think something more serious is going on here…"

Hiruzens gave Kotetsu a steady nod, as though to confirm the shift in priority.

Hiruzens: "Your unique insight and proximity to the investigations make you the right person to oversee this next phase. Which is why I've asked Team Ro to join us here today."

Kotetsu turned his attention to the silent ANBU members. The atmosphere in the room was thick with a silent intensity, each member cloaked in their ANBU uniform, their faces hidden behind masks, their posture rigid and serious. Kotetsu's eyes skimmed over each one, recognizing them all from previous encounters: Kakashi Hatake, Yōji Aburame, Kō, Itachi Uchiha, Yūgao Uzuki, and Yamato. Their presence spoke volumes.

Kotetsu: "So, what's going on? I thought you were just gonna give me a pat on the back and send me back to my desk."

The Hokage's smile faded as he turned more serious, his gaze now focused on the members of Team Ro.

Hiruzens: "We've been dealing with a significant threat from Kusagakure. Recently, five shinobi from their village attempted to sabotage one of our streets by burying explosive tags beneath it. They were caught by one of our patrol teams, but the situation was delicate. We couldn't afford any trace of their involvement to remain in Konoha—both for our security and to avoid further escalation."

Kotetsu's eyes narrowed, realizing the gravity of the situation. He'd suspected something was off with Kusagakure's sudden interest in Konoha, but this confirmed it. This wasn't just about intelligence gathering anymore—it was about direct action.

Kotetsu: "And you're sending Team Ro after them?"

Hiruzens nodded gravely.

Hiruzens: "Indeed. The mission is clear. Team Ro is tasked with eliminating the saboteurs—ensuring that none of them leave any trace that could point back to Konoha. I trust you all understand the importance of discretion and precision. Failure is not an option."

The room grew still as Team Ro silently acknowledged the Hokage's orders. Kotetsu's attention was drawn to Kakashi, who gave him a subtle nod, his posture relaxed but sharp-eyed beneath his mask. The others—Yōji, Kō, Itachi, Yūgao, and Yamato—remained stoic, but Kotetsu knew their presence here was not by chance. This was a mission that required the best.

Kotetsu sighed, a small grin tugging at his lips despite the severity of the situation.

Kotetsu: "Well, guess I'm not getting back to my desk anytime soon. Alright, so what's the plan? You want me tagging along, or am I just overseeing the operation from here?"

Hiruzens looked directly at Kotetsu, his tone becoming even more serious.

Hiruzens: "You'll be providing oversight, Kotetsu. Your expertise in identifying enemy tactics will be invaluable in ensuring that no stone is left unturned. Team Ro will eliminate the saboteurs, but you will need to help identify any further signs of sabotage or infiltration."

Kotetsu gave a small nod, finally understanding his role in all this. He wasn't just a bystander anymore—he was directly involved in the next step of Konoha's defense.

Kotetsu: "Got it, Hokage-sama. Leave it to me."

With that, the Hokage dismissed the team. The ANBU members stayed behind for further briefing. Why Kotetsu met them at the gate.

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Scene: Hokage's Office (Continued)

Team Ro remained in their positions, and the air grew heavier as the Hokage's tone shifted to something far more serious. His eyes moved from where Kotetsu once stood and back to his ANBU as he continued with an air of purpose.

Hiruzens: "Kakashi, you're in charge of this mission. I trust your judgment to execute it as you see fit. However, if Kotetsu uncovers anything of importance, you're authorized to act, but only if it doesn't expose us or put your team at risk. Understood?"

Kakashi, ever the professional, nodded curtly, his usual nonchalance replaced with a quiet intensity.

Kakashi: "Understood, Hokage-sama."

Hiruzens' gaze grew heavier, and the tone of his voice darkened slightly.

Hiruzens: "I also need you to keep an eye on Kotetsu. I've had Yūgao shadow him for a few days. She reported a slight change in his mindset—he's been more focused on getting stronger, but we can't pinpoint the reason behind it. It's subtle, but it raises concerns. It's a small possibility, but there's a chance Kotetsu might be planning something… a betrayal, maybe. We need to know where his loyalties lie."

A brief silence hung in the air as Team Ro processed the implication of Hiruzens' words. Yugaou stood there, expression unreadable, though a flicker of surprise passed over her. She had a good sense of the Hokage's intentions, but hearing it spoken aloud left a cold sensation in her chest.

Hiruzens: "If he turns out to be loyal, then we've gained a valuable asset. If he's not, we'll know soon enough. I trust you to handle this with discretion. Be vigilant."

Kakashi nodded, his gaze steady.

Kakashi: "I'll keep an eye on him."

The Hokage gave a final nod before turning to the ANBU members.

Hiruzens: "Go. Complete the mission swiftly and discreetly. We cannot afford any mistakes."

Team Ro nodded as one, turning to leave the office

 Konoha's Gates

The sun hung low over the village as Kotetsu stood by the gate, leaning against the stone wall, staring off into the distance. Ayane was there, her expression neutral and distant. She didn't greet him with her usual banter, but instead, her sharp eyes scanned the area, seeming more preoccupied than usual.

Kotetsu pushed himself off the wall, eyes narrowing as he watched her approach.

Kotetsu: "You seem to be in a bad mood today. What's the matter, Ayane? Miss me already?"

Ayane didn't even spare him a glance, her tone flat and unaffected.

Ayane: "Don't get ahead of yourself. I've got things to do, Kotetsu. I'm not here to entertain you."

Kotetsu, undeterred by her coldness, leaned closer, his grin ever-present, but with a slight edge to it.

Kotetsu: "Right, I guess you've got more important things than me. You always do. Don't work yourself too hard, though. Not all of us are made for such a serious life."

Ayane's eyes flicked to him, but the usual warmth wasn't there—only a sharp, calculating gaze.

Ayane: "If you're done wasting my time, then just leave already."

Kotetsu was going to ask what's wrong when the sound of rapid movement interrupted their exchange. From above, Team Ro descended, their figures cutting through the air with practiced precision. Kakashi, ever the leader, landed in front of Kotetsu, his expression cool but purposeful.

Kakashi: "Kotetsu, we're leaving."

Ayane watched silently, a shift in her stance betraying her quiet curiosity. Kotetsu took a slow step back, acknowledging the change in the air, his teasing tone now absent.

Kotetsu: "Looks like it's time for me to go. Duty calls."

He turned toward the group, giving Ayane a final glance over his shoulder.

Kotetsu: "I'll be back, Ayane. You'll survive without me, I'm sure."

Ayane didn't respond, but her eyes lingered on him for a moment longer than necessary, a flicker of something unreadable passing through her gaze. Then, without a word, she turned, her expression neutral once again, though Kotetsu couldn't shake the feeling that something about the encounter had shifted.

As Kotetsu joined Team Ro and they moved off into the distance, Ayane's gaze remained fixed on the path they took, though her face was unreadable. Her thoughts were clouded, and for once, she found herself considering the possibility that Kotetsu might be more important than she thought.