A/N: If you're wondering why there's a mention of Minato and Kushina below, it's because I decided that they should stay alive and since this is an AU and all, why not? ;)
I know the chapters are short and all, but I kind of feel that sometimes chapters just need to stop… there. Instead of running on with a line break in between. Sorry if you're not used to it.

Reviews are always appreciated. :)

It was 16:19 in the morning when Team 7 and their mentor returned with one criminal in tow.

Despite the fact that it was in the wee hours of the morning, the A.N.B.U. HQ situated in Konoha was very much alive and buzzing with activity. Agents often worked at irregular hours, depending on their task and the urgency of the matter, so it wasn't really much of a surprise to anyone.

Agents and admin staff were all rushing about; time is always of the essence, more so for the A.N.B.U. A single second could determine the outcome of a situation. There was a lot of thumping and noises of new sneakers squeaking against the pristine floors as everyone hurried from place to place, whether it was to get missions approved, or to jet out of the place and to their mission's designated destination, or even to just go home and get some shut-eye before the new day began.

Sasuke spotted some teams from other branches of the A.N.B.U.; and figured that their mission destination must have been nearer to the Leaf A.N.B.U. HQ, thus they reported there instead. One of the members caught his eye—a boy perhaps somewhere around his age, with a head full of red hair. But what was most striking about him was the gigantic gourd he carried on his back. Sasuke then looked at the other two members in the redhead's team: A taller, older blonde who carried a large traditional fan on her back, and another teen clad in black from head to toe, with a few bulky scrolls on his back. No doubt they were probably more specialized in Battle-engagement than anything. The Uchiha then noticed the way they were dressed. Full protection from the desert's harsh winds and sands. Clearly they were from the next town's A.N.B.U. branch, the Sand.

Sasuke's train of thought was derailed when Kakashi Hatake, team 7's mentor, ushered the three kids he was in charge of into the office of the Leaf A.N.B.U.'s chairperson. The former had been so distracted and fatigued that he hadn't noticed that they'd already reached the office.

As they stepped into the spacious office, a middle-aged lady greeted them. "Nicely done, Team 7. That was fast. To think you only left for the mission two hours ago." Her gaze drifted towards the prisoner. "Plus, he's a notorious one."

"Thank you for the compliment, Tsunade-sama!" Chirped Sakura. It wasn't everyday she got praised by her the head of the organization. Tsunade smiled and snapped her fingers, and the two guards stationed behind her led the prisoner away speedily.

Now Naruto was eyeing the money (a bonus for the mission) on Tsunade's table eagerly. Sasuke shot his friend a disgusted look. The least he could do was at least pretend to be less greedy.

"Okay, Team 7, here's your bonus," Tsunade said whilst filling out a form, then proceeding to hand Kakashi their bonus cash—a grand total of 200 bucks, which meant 50 per person.

"YES!" Naruto hooted with glee as the money was placed in his hands. "More ramen!"

"Naruto, control yourself," Tsunade chided, albeit with a smile. "Minato and Kushina have really spoilt you."

"Yeah right. They restricted me to one bowl of ramen a day!"

" Too much ramen is unhealthy, dobe."

"Sasuke's right. They're doing it for your own good, Naruto."

Team 7's mentor watched Naruto's expression reflect his disagreement and decided it was time to make the kids quiet down. Somehow he figured his team launching into an epic argument of sorts about ramen in the chairperson's office wouldn't go very well for his record.

"Uh… thanks and we'll be leaving!" Kakashi eye-smiled at Tsunade and pushed the squabbling teens out of the office. It was almost daybreak anyway, and his team needed to attend school.

(Frankly, he wanted to send the kids off to school real quick so he could spend some quality time reading his book.)

And so, after showering and changing into their school uniforms, Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke were wondering why their mentor was being such a nag as they exited the HQ.