The next morning his route had moved. He now patrolled the border near the Land of Waves. He saw some people coming down the road. They appeared to be construction workers of different fields. Kenji pulled his mask down and landed in front of them.

"Stop where you are. Explain your purpose and intent for entering the Land of Fire." He said authoritatively.

An older man stepped up, he had a gray beard, glasses, and a bamboo hat. "We are the builders that your Village sent for. Are you going to be suspicious of all who enter your land?"

"I am tasked with making sure that our borders remain safe, I'm going to have to check your credentials." Kenji said approaching them.

They presented their paperwork and Kenji checked it over. After everything was cleared Kenji let them go. He watched them as they walked down the road. He went back to doing his patrol. That kid that was with that man, he had those eyes, eyes like Naruto.

As Kenji went back to his patrol he saw some movement in the trees. He watched from a safe position until he realized that it was Nensho. He dropped down, Nensho responded by throwing several shuriken. Kenji dodged holding up his hands.

Kenji lifted his mask, "Hey Nensho, what are you doing near the border?"

"I had to get away from Guy sensei for a little bit and I figured that this was about as far as I could get without being too far from Tenten. You out doing patrols?"

"Yea for now. Listen I need you to get back to the village for now ok?"

"Yea I guess I've been gone long enough and it is good training with Guy sensei. So long." Nensho disappeared into the trees heading back to the village.

After days of patrolling the border the commander called him back. The commander was going to a meeting with the feudal lord. He was to return to Konoha and guard Lady Tsunade. It meant that he would more than likely bored, but at least he would be close to Shizune. The commander activated his chakra in his a single finger. He placed it on Kenji's armor and singed kanji for squad leader on the front part of his armor.

"You are now deemed qualified to be a squad leader. We don't have time to stand on ceremony, but I think you deserve it." Kenji bowed and was sent to Konoha.

When he made it to Konoha he saw how much things had changed over the days. For one thing his house was nearly finished and the memorial stone was in place. He went to the tent she was in and called out to Shizune.

"Shizune. I'm here to guard Lady Tsunade, I will remain outside, but I wanted you to know that I'm here." He said turning to stand guard.

"I'm glad you are here Kenji, I'll let you know if I need anything or if anything changes about her condition." She said relieved.

"That's why I'm here." He said while standing at attention.

He watched people as they walked by and smiled as kids were beginning to play again and people were back to work. He had been gone a while doing patrols and it was good to be back in the village. While he was standing there Kento walked up to him. Kenji hadn't seen him in a while and asked how things were going.

"Oh good I guess. I suppose that you heard my father died while investigating the Akatsuki. I am now head of the clan at least. Glad to see that you finally made it into ANBU, if any one deserved it, it was my rival." He said first looking sad, then smiling.

"Yea, well I'm on duty for now. We will catch up later." Kenji said as he watched the area.

"Understood. I've got to go and help out at where the new academy is going to be built." Kento said leaving.

Kenji stood careful guard over Tsunade's tent and watched over her and Shizune. Sakura stopped by a couple of times and Kenji simply nodded. She may be a pain, but she was Tsunade's apprentice.

When it got dark another member of ANBU showed up. "Sir, go get some rest, I will guard the Lady Tsunade and Shizune. Nothing will happen to them under my watch I promise."

"I'm fine, however you can stand with me and that way we can have double guard. Then once your shift would have been over you can go back to your regular duties."

"Sir I must insist that you get some rest."

"I've made my decision. I'll get some rest when my body collapses, until then I will protect Lady Tsunade. Besides, how bad would it look if my future wife is staying up watching over her on her own and I go and take a nap?" Kenji said with a slight smile.

Shizune had overheard and was smiling. She wiped Tsunade's head with a cloth and let a tear roll down her face. She whispered under her breath, "Thank you so much Kenji, I knew there was a reason I loved you."

Kenji managed to hear her and smiled bashfully. The other ANBU operative, known as Kishia, kept an eye on him. She had to make sure that he wouldn't pass out. She would report to the second in command that he was staying on duty. They would have an ANBU agent sent to check on him and to take over if and when he passed out.

Tsun came by every now and then and Kenji would do his normal ruffling his hair. Tsun shook his head and had to ask, "Sensei, why do you do that?"

"I don't know really. I just always thought that if I had a little brother I would do that to him." Kenji said while smiling.

"I see, how is the Lady Tsunade?" Tsun asked looking at the tent a little depressed.

"Condition unchanged, Shizune is keeping careful care of her." Kenji stated succinctly.

"I see, well I have got to get back to work. So long sensei." Tsun said before leaving.

The word had come back that Danzo was the new Hokage, which many people were not pleased. Kenji didn't care, he would still watch over Lady Tsunade and die to defend her. Danzo used this devotion to keep an eye on her and had tried manipulating Kenji into working for him. Kenji didn't have any of it and threatened to leave ANBU to defend Lady Tsunade. Danzo decided that it was best to keep Kenji where he was, at least this way he could get what he wanted.

They also had received word that Sasuke was to be hunted down as a criminal. He was deemed to be a rogue ninja and to be eliminated on sight. Kenji had always assumed such, but apparently he was to be brought in alive until now. Oh well, Tsunade needed he here instead of tracking down the Uchiha.

Shizune smiled in the tent when she heard Kenji defend Lady Tsunade. Kenji managed to find time to get some sleep finally. He had been afraid of someone attacking Tsunade if he fell asleep. However, the ANBU commander had showed up and had a long talk with Kenji.

"You can trust your brothers and sisters here in ANBU, we are not the foundation. I know that you are Lady Tsunade's ANBU, but even she would understand that you need sleep to better be prepared to protect her. So please, for Lady Tsunade, go lay down and go to sleep." The commander said placing a hand on Kenji's shoulder.

"Yes sir. I'll get right on it." Kenji said yawning, Kishia and one other ANBU led him to a tent to get some sleep.

Kenji awoke the next morning refreshed and left the tent he was sleeping in. He saw Sakura enter the tent and walked over, nodding to Kishia as she was the one that took over his post. She patted his shoulder and disappeared back into town. While he was standing guard he saw Sai walking up to the tent. Kenji still had very little trust for Sai, but knew that Kakashi did, so he let him into the tent.

While he stood there he heard the conversation turn towards Sasuke and Naruto. Kenji shook his head, he preferred to ignore the ramblings of children and their love triangles. As he paced the area in front of the tent Shikamaru had walked up. He waved to Kenji and Kenji nodded. He took a moment before entering the tent. A lot of people were visiting Lady Tsunade's tent. It's not a conference room, if you want to talk politics take it somewhere else.

He turned to the other ANBU operative guarding Tsunade, "I'm going to go get some food, and I'll be back in a minute."

The ANBU operative nodded and Kenji ran to where his house was finally finished. He walked past the house and made his way to get some food. While he sat and ate he saw Guy walking up to him.

"Hey Kenji, how are you feeling? Any guilt my friend?" Guy said with a serious look on his face. His face then changed to a big smile. "I have noticed that you are guarding the Lady Tsunade diligently. Everything will be fine ok, take care of yourself."

Kenji shook his head, the he watched the people of Konoha. He would think about his time in the village. He remembered the beatings and the hate. He understood Naruto's need for attention, his need to be noticed, and he was proud of him. If anyone should be the next Hokage for any reason, it should be him. Kenji listened to people talking about the very thing he thought. Kenji finished his meal and then went back to guarding Lady Tsunade.

Night had fallen and Kishia appeared to take over Kenji's position. Before Kenji left to go to his house he turned to her. "I'm glad that you are watching Lady Tsunade as well, regardless if it's because of Danzo's orders, just the commander's order's, or if you are just doing what your heart desires. I can think of no one else that I would rather have watching over her and Shizune. Keep up the good work." He said moving into the Tent.

"Thank you Sir. I'll be sure not to break that confidence." She said as he disappeared further into town.

The next morning Kenji had woken up early and left his house. He took a stroll around town, watching people and how things had changed. People were still working diligently on the rebuilding of the village. He looked up at the cliff face with the monuments to the Hokage's. How would they react seeing what had befallen their legacy?

He made his way back to Lady Tsunade's tent. As he was walking he saw Sakura, she seemed to still be shaken up about yesterday. He shook his head and continued to her tent when she stopped him.

"Kenji sensei. Are you going to track down Sasuke? That is your job isn't it, a trained killer for Konoha." She said, she was on the verge of tears.

"I do as your Sensei instructs. She has not yet sent me after the Uchiha boy. Her last command before she sent me on my mission was to protect her against Danzo. I will do just that. If he were to come here to harm the Lady Tsunade or anyone else in this village, then I would be forced to act. Understood?" He said smiling at her calmly. Hopefully that calms her fears.

Kenji, when he got to in front of Lady Tsunade's tent. He meditated a while when he heard a sigh come from inside the tent. He looked inside and saw Shizune still wiping Lady Tsunade's head with a cloth. He coughed to get her attention, which she turned and nodded. He came inside and gave her a hug. She cried a little more and he put her head on his shoulder.

"Things will get better. Lady Tsunade will wake up and reclaim her right to be Hokage from that devil Danzo. I've never really been good at these things, but what I am trying to say is that Lady Tsunade couldn't be in better hands and I trust in your care. I have faith in your ability as well as your diligence. I love you Shizune." He got up to leave and go back to his post when Shizune held his sleeve.

"I love you too." She said before letting him go, "and I feel better now thank you."

Kenji nodded and went back outside. He had a tear in his face and leaned against a tree right near the tent. Kento walked over to Kenji and sat on the ground next to him. Kenji looked at him and shook his head.

"What do you want Kento?" Kenji asked

"You know, Kenji, if you weren't busy I'd ask if you wanted to do another competition. However you are guarding a treasure, not just the Hokage, but the future of your clan. I only hope that it will be sooner rather than later that things fall into place. I wanted you to know that I have faith in you."

"Kento, I have a very important question to ask you. Will you be a part of the ceremony? I would really like you there."

"Kenji, I would be honored." Kento said getting up and going back to work in the village. Kenji nodded as he left.

Just as Kishia came to replace him Tsun had come up. Kenji ruffled his hair and Kishia approached Kenji. Tsun stood back as they changed the duty. He saw Kishia looking at Tsun.

"Kishia this is my former apprentice Tsun. Tsun say hello to Kishia." Kenji said smiling.

"Um…hi, so you were his apprentice. That's cool do you want to maybe chill out with me tonight while I'm here with Lady Tsunade?" She said blushing behind her mask.

"Maybe. I'll definitely look for the cat masked girl." Tsun said sarcastically.