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Inoiki left the hospital after visiting Kakashi and Sasuke, his mind heavy with thoughts of their condition. The days that followed passed uneventfully, the village still reeling from the loss of the Hokage. With no new leader yet appointed, promotions were on hold, including Inoiki's anticipated rise to Chunin. He wasn't worried, though—he was confident his skills and contributions would be recognized when the time came.
Life continued as usual, with Inoiki carrying out missions alongside his team. However, there was one noticeable change: Kosuke was no longer part of their group. His departure had come suddenly, and the reason behind it had left a lasting impression on Inoiki.
The night before their first mission after the Hokage's death, Kosuke had come to Inoiki, his usual confidence replaced by unease. "Inoiki," he began, his voice hesitant, "there's something I need to tell you. I... I was assigned to this team by the Hokage. My real mission was to keep an eye on you—to observe your attitude toward the village and the Hokage himself. And I did. I reported everything back to him."
Kosuke paused, his gaze dropping to the ground as guilt weighed heavily on his shoulders. "Now that the Hokage is gone, I feel... I feel like I betrayed your trust. I can't keep working with you knowing what I did. It wouldn't be right."
Inoiki listened in silence, his expression unreadable. For a moment, the only sound was the soft rustle of leaves in the night breeze. Then, to Kosuke's surprise, Inoiki smiled—a small, understanding smile.
"You were just doing your job," Inoiki said, his tone calm and measured. "A mission given to you by the Hokage. It's not like you could have refused. A shinobi's duty is to follow orders, and you did exactly that. I don't hold it against you."
Kosuke looked up, relief flickering in his eyes, but Inoiki wasn't finished. "That said," he continued, his voice firm, "I won't pretend this doesn't change things. I can't work with you the same way knowing what I know now. Your decision to leave the team... it's the right choice. For both of us."
Kosuke nodded, his guilt easing but not entirely disappearing. "Thank you for understanding," he said quietly before turning to leave. Inoiki watched him go, his thoughts a mix of resignation and resolve. Trust, once broken, was hard to rebuild, and Inoiki knew better than to let sentiment cloud his judgment.
As the days went on, Inoiki adjusted to the new dynamic of his team, his focus unwavering. The village was in a fragile state, and he had no intention of letting personal matters distract him from what truly mattered—protecting Konoha and carving his own path, no matter the challenges that lay ahead.
With that, Kosuke left the team. The next day, Inoiki broke the news to Izumo and Kotetsu. When they asked for a reason, he simply told them it was personal—something only he and Kosuke knew. He offered a quiet apology, but there was nothing more to say.
Izumo and Kotetsu exchanged glances but didn't push further. They knew better than to pry. With the village already short on capable ninjas, no new member was assigned to their team. It was just the three of them now.
Determined to make the most of it, they focused on high-paying B-rank missions, taking on tasks that would bring both financial reward and stability to the village. Their assignments mostly involved dealing with bandits or rogue ninjas who had grown bold in the Fire Country after the Hokage's death. With Konoha's attention fixed on defending against the looming threats from other major ninja villages, lawless elements had begun to rise.
For Inoiki, these missions were little more than routine. His strength was overwhelming—like a tiger toying with mice. The battles were swift, decisive, and left little room for struggle.
Two months passed in a blur. Since all their missions were within the Fire Country, none took long to complete. By the end of it, Team Inoiki had successfully finished more than ten assignments, amassing a staggering 1.8 million Ryo. At Izumo and Kotetsu's insistence, Inoiki took the largest share—a full million—acknowledging that his power had been the driving force behind their success.
The team had grown efficient, but an unspoken tension lingered. The absence of Kosuke still weighed on them, and though they never spoke of it, it was a void they all silently felt.
After two long months, Tsunade finally arrived in Konoha, brought back by Jiraiya and Naruto. The very next day, she assumed her role as Hokage, though no official ceremony had been held to announce her leadership.
It took her a full week to assess the village's situation. During this time, she familiarized herself with the aftermath of recent events, including the Chunin Exams and the Konoha candidates who had participated. She carefully considered who among them was worthy of promotion.
One of her first acts as Hokage was healing Kakashi and Sasuke, ensuring their recovery from their recent battles. But when she examined Lee, her diagnosis was grim. She didn't sugarcoat the truth—his injuries were severe, and continuing as a ninja could cost him everything. She advised him to give up the path of a shinobi.
But, of course, Lee wasn't one to surrender so easily. And neither was Guy.
Their determination was unshaken, and though the odds were against them, their spirits burned brighter than ever.
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