The familiar landscape of the Hidden Leaf Village greeted them as they walked down the well-trodden path. Kakashi kept a steady pace, his thoughts still buzzing with the recent mission and what he had accomplished in Wave Country. For now, his team was silent, the events of the last few days weighing on their minds.
"Alright, everyone," Kakashi said as they approached the gates of the village, "you've earned a break. Go and relax for the rest of the day. I'll handle the report."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow, clearly not too thrilled about the idea of downtime. "We just get to chill?" he asked, his usual serious tone coming through.
"Yeah. You've all done well," Kakashi replied, offering a small smile, though his thoughts were elsewhere. "We'll pick things up tomorrow. You'll need your rest."
Naruto grinned. "Finally! I can eat as much as I want, then!" He bolted off before anyone could say anything more, his enthusiasm almost infectious.
Sakura, always more subdued, smiled gently. "Thanks, Kakashi-sensei. We'll make sure to rest up."
Kakashi gave her a nod before turning his attention back to the village gates. With his team scattered, he made his way to the Hokage's office. The mission was technically over, but there were details that needed to be addressed—details that only he could explain.
Inside the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage was already waiting for him, his usual calm demeanor not masking the faint hint of curiosity in his eyes. Kakashi's presence was always a signal that something had happened—something important, something that would require the Hokage's attention.
"Ah, Kakashi," the Third greeted him, his voice filled with a mixture of warmth and professionalism. "I trust the mission was a success?"
Kakashi gave a small nod, his hands casually tucked into his pockets. "Yes, Hokage-sama. The bridge was saved. Gato's influence is gone, and the people of Wave Country are now free to rebuild."
The Hokage's eyes twinkled with approval. "That's excellent news. I'm sure Tazuna and the others will be grateful."
Kakashi refrained from mentioning the toll system, nor did he share the extent of his involvement in removing Gato. It wasn't relevant to the Hokage at the moment, and it certainly wasn't something Kakashi felt the need to explain. His own plans were his own—ones he would keep close to his chest.
"The team did well," Kakashi continued, shifting the conversation away from personal details. "They followed orders and handled the challenges as best as they could. Naruto had his usual moments of... unpredictability, but he came through in the end. Sasuke showed his strength, though he's still holding back. And Sakura has definitely improved, both in focus and combat."
The Third Hokage nodded thoughtfully, clearly pleased with Kakashi's assessment. "Sounds like they're progressing well. As for the rest of the mission, I trust you handled everything necessary?"
"Everything's taken care of," Kakashi replied cryptically, though his mind flashed briefly to the dealings with Zabuza and Haku. They were still under his command, albeit in a very different capacity than before. For now, they were waiting in the shadows, biding their time.
The Hokage looked at Kakashi, his sharp eyes catching the brief flicker of thought in Kakashi's gaze. "Is there anything you wish to discuss about the mission further? Anything unusual?"
Kakashi hesitated for just a moment before shaking his head. "No. Everything is as it should be. The rest of the details will remain between me and the team."
The Hokage seemed to understand, and his smile never faltered. "Very well, Kakashi. You've done well. If you need anything else, feel free to let me know."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama," Kakashi said, bowing slightly before turning to leave. His steps were deliberate, his mind already shifting toward the future—his organization, his plans, and the people he would bring into his fold. The mission might have ended, but his work had only just begun.
Later that evening, as the sun began to dip behind the buildings, Kakashi returned to his apartment. He wasn't interested in the usual comforts of the village. Instead, he focused on what he could do next. The money he had made from Gato's operations, the tolls he would be collecting from the people of Wave Country—it was all a means to an end. He had bigger plans, but for now, he'd let his team think it was all behind them. There was no reason to stir unnecessary questions.
Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura eventually reconvened at the mission debriefing. They had all returned to the village, but each of them was still processing the events that had unfolded during the mission.
"What happens now?" Naruto asked, eager to move forward.
Kakashi stood before them, giving them all a quiet glance before speaking. "For now, you rest. Tomorrow, we'll begin preparing for our next mission, but that's all for now."
Sasuke nodded slightly, though his gaze lingered on Kakashi. There was something in the older man's expression—a sense of purpose. Kakashi was hiding something, and Sasuke knew it.
Sakura, always more observant than the others, noticed the quiet tension in the air. She wondered what Kakashi wasn't saying.
But Kakashi remained silent, keeping his thoughts to himself. The truth was, he had much more on his plate than any of them realized. His time in the village was temporary, and soon enough, they would all be caught up in his plans. His true work was just beginning.