CHAPTER 11

Chapter Summary: Suzuki Hiroshi reconnects with Team Minato. He bonds with Uzumaki Kushina. He gets promoted to chunin for his efforts. He is invited to Konoha R&D but the Konoha Hospital and the Sensory Division fight for him. He decides to tell the Hokage his secrets.

Team Minato was the same as ever but a little different.

Minato-sensei was still the same kind, warm, and gentle person that he was. Rin-chan was much more confident and outspoken but I guess she's just coming out of her shell more. Obito was still noisy as ever but seems a little more tamed. Kakashi was still aloof and distant but he appears to be warming up to the whole team.

Throughout the week, each of them made their way to talk to me individually. I think Minato-sensei told them about everything that happened while I was at the frontlines. I may have worried him with my episode of 'almost breaking down' when I woke up. He must have told each member of Team Minato to check on me to get me to talk. Sorry for him, I have nothing to talk about.

I don't think most of them got to do what Minato-sensei wanted them to do, though.

Rin-chan came in one day to talk about medical ninjutsu.

"Did you know that there's an ongoing competition with the hospital staff about who could fully learn and master the Water Jellyfish Jutsu to the same degree as yours?", Rin-chan said excitedly.

"How'd people even know what I did on the frontlines?"

"Did you forget that the one who grilled the jutsu out of you was a high-ranking hospital staff?"

Oh right, Ono Seina. I nodded as I remembered.

We talked about small things but then we reached about the medical ninjutsu that we were working on together.

"Oh! I actually have the material you asked for all ready! Do you want me to drop it off here so you could read? It must be boring to just stay here. Maybe you could think up on something new?"

"I actually thought of something while I was on the frontlines."

I proceeded to tell her about the medic-nin that 'woke up and chose violence'.

It was evident that she was surprised the Chakra Scalpels could be used that way. So I pitched my idea to her.

"I was thinking of making a modified version of the Chakra Scalpels that was much more lethal and threatening. I get that medic-nins don't usually get much frontline action but I keep thinking back to how easily we were infiltrated."

The jutsu I was talking about was actually from the same episode as the appearance of Water Jellyfish that I dug up from my past life's memories. But nobody here knows that.

"That would be good! Medic-nins tend to be too underestimated. It would be nice to have something that would let enemies think twice when targeting us."

We talked some more but she eventually had to leave to pick up her shift in the hospital.

Obito came in to talk about Jutsu Creation. Or so I thought.

"How do you so easily create jutsu?", Obito asked.

Why is he asking that?

I shot back at him. "Why? Do you need help with a jutsu or something?"

"I do need help with something. Not with jutsu, though.", he seemed to turn red.

I treated that as an answer in itself. "Oh, so it's about Rin."

He looked at me with wide eyes and a red face. "How did you know?!"

Is he serious? "It's written on your face.", he looked down to his lap as if he was shy about it.

I sighed and relented. "Okay. What do you need help with exactly?"

He sat up straight and became attentive. "Can you ask her about me? Like, does she like me like I do with her?"

Seeing how serious he was about this, I suddenly became evil enough to tease him. "No. Why? It's because I like her and I want to date her. I've actually asked her about it already and she said she'd think about it.", I made the lie more believable by smiling so smugly.

And I think it was worth it as I saw his face contort into horror and helplessness. "What?! No- I- But she- No!"

Okay. I feel a little bad about it now seeing as how he's about to cry.

I still laughed, though. "Did you seriously believe that?! Oh Kami."

He got the situation after I said those words. "You're the worst! How could you say that?! You know I like her!"

"Yeah yeah. Let's go back to the topic now, okay?" He settled back to his seat and became attentive once again. "I honestly don't know what to tell you here."

His face became downcast.

I continued with what I wanted to say. "I could give you advise though. And I say that you should probably keep any romantic feelings to yourself for now."

"What?! Why?!", Obito complained.

I rolled my eyes at his immaturity. "Do you know what she talks about with me? It's always about medical ninjutsu and things related to healing. She says people are hurting right now. Do you know why she talks about that? There's war where our borders are. She's worried about the lives of other people. She's worried if those she cares about would live to see the end of this war. She can't get on with things like feelings and relationships. At least not yet."

Thankfully, he understood what I said. "I know there's a war and I'm also worried that I might die and not get to say what I want to her. It looks like she has a crush on Kakashi, too. I might never get the chance to say that I like her if it's not soon."

I was surprised at that. So, Obito has that kind of side, too, huh? That's nice to know. I've always just seen him as an immature and righteous boy that I didn't think he was capable of something like that.

"What do you care more about? Her wants or yours?"

He seemed to have an answer already as he sighed without any complaints.

"Why not do what Kakashi does?", I suggested.

"What? Be a rude and arrogant prick?", Obito quipped that I chuckled at.

"No. Try to be more serious about life. Train harder and be more mindful. Actually, you'd be hitting two birds with one kunai that way. You'd be able to compete with Kakashi in the eyes of Rin and you'd be gaining strength to make sure you live through the war as well as protect Rin."

His eyes shone in understanding and determination.

I hope this helps him avoid being crushed by a boulder.

Surprisingly, Kakashi didn't seem to be so aloof when he came to me.

"Was it true what you did?", Kakashi asked.

"What exactly do you mean I did? I did a lot of things there."

"Minato-sensei told us how you stayed to protect your team."

Oh, now that's interesting.

"Ahhh, that. Well, yeah, I did do that."

"Why? Wasn't the mission to locate the enemies? You should've made sure to go back with the information, even if it was at the expense of the lives of your comrades."

"The information was being sent already through my [Origami Messenger Jutsu], so technically I already did the mission. It was my choice to defend my teammates. Plus, I needed to eliminate the enemies so they couldn't bring back information to their village.

Kakashi seemed frustrated and confused at that point. "But that wasn't the mission."

I looked outside the window and saw the swaying trees with the village bustling with activity. "Why do you think shinobi exist, Kakashi?"

"To serve and protect the village."

"And what does this 'village' encompass? What makes up of it?"

"The citizens of the village."

"There you go!", I exclaimed which made him confused much more. "Although the shinobi of this village are expected to die for the village if needed, they are still citizens of this village. Their families and friends are citizens of this village. I would have failed my purpose as a shinobi of the village if I couldn't protect my fellow citizens. I chose to stay that time because as a shinobi I was expected to protect everyone in the village; even if it cost me my life."

Kakashi still seemed confused but my message got through to him however little he received from it.

I pondered for a bit and continued speaking. "You know, I always looked up to your father." His eyes widened at my words. "Hatake Sakumo was strong. Very strong. I wanted to be like him. But then, I heard of what he did and it just disappointed me."

"Because he failed the mission, right? That's what everyone in the village said so as well.", I scoffed at that. The impact of Hatake Sakumo's choice of failing the mission for the lives of his comrades was felt by most villagers. There were even rumors about how Hatake Sakumo's failure on his last mission helped pave the way to the Third Shinobi War so a lot of villagers hate Sakumo. Honestly, I think something is amiss. The mission was a confidential S-rank mission. Not even the Civilian Council was supposed to be privy to the information for that. Which begs the question; who exactly started the rumors? I'll think about that later.

I shook my head. "Oh, no. I commend him for choosing his comrades over the mission. It was a choice befitting of the Will of Fire that the previous and present Hokages preach even. The disappointing news I heard was how he died." Kakashi stiffened at that. "It was pathetic. He was weak. He let the words of ignorant villagers get to his head and he just died wastefully. He should've lived; lived to fight this war that his failed mission may or may not have kickstarted. He should've been on the frontlines cutting down his enemies and showing this village how we should live; to protect our own and to shed our blood for our own. I wish he would've been alive to slap on the faces of those who admonished him how wrong they were in judging him. He should've lived to let others see just how fiercely he was trying to protect everyone in this village."

Kakashi's eyes looked very hollow. "How about you, Kakashi? Will you be like a disappointment like your father and just take his own life to appease the villagers or would you do what he couldn't and actually fight through everything to let them know that you value everyone's lives equally with or even above the mission?" I didn't get a reply. "You should probably think on that, Kakashi."

Kakashi only nodded at that and silence pervaded my hospital room. I really hope he thinks on that. It would be a shame if he realizes the importance and weight of friendship and comradery when it's too late.

Minato-sensei visited with Uzumaki Kushina to finally introduce her to me properly.

"Hiro-kun, this Uzumaki Kushina; my girlfriend."

I just stared at them as if they said something boring. "Yes, Minato-sensei. I kind of inferred that the first time I met her with how you held her so dearly." Their faces hued with red. "Of course, that is if you treat every beautiful woman you come across with like that. Which would honestly disappoint me, Minato-sensei."

At my words, Minato-sensei struggled with his own.

Uzumaki Kushina laughed goodheartedly "Awee. Aren't you a charmer, Hiro-kun?"

Minato-sensei was able to grab hold of his words once more. "He indirectly called me a playboy! You should at least try to defend me.", he pleaded to Uzumaki Kushina.

I ignored what Minato-sensei said and spoke to him again. "Be careful, Minato-sensei. I might just charm your girlfriend away from you." I then ridiculously made a handsome pose which made Uzumaki Kushina laugh out loud.

She went near my bed and wrapped me in a comfortable hug. "Awee! Hiro-chan is so cute! Can I call you Hiro-chan?", she asked so sincerely that I thought she would cry if I said no.

So of course, I said yes. "Only if you let me touch your pretty red hair."

When I complimented her hair, she hugged me more tightly as if not wanting to let me go.

According to my past life's memories, Uzumaki Kushina was bullied due to her hair. Fairly enough, it was quite striking and distracting but it doesn't justify how she was bullied because of it. It was so pretty and smooth.

Minato-sensei was sulking in the corner of the hospital room while Kushina-nee-san and I were bonding.

After a few days, I was finally out of the hospital. The upside was being able to walk around the village once again; it was quite stuffy in the hospital room. The downside was that I was still not permitted to continue my rigorous training regimen until after two weeks have passed. I just took what I can and chose not to dwell on it.

Team Minato congratulated me by treating me to food at an Akimichi restaurant. Their food was heavenly. Even the simplest of foods had flavors so complex that I couldn't exactly describe in words. It made me think how I should introduce the recipes of my past life to this world. If they were as delicious as I remembered them to be then they should sell very well.

HOKAGE's OFFICE

It kind of makes me want to cry how the only thing I got to do after being discharged before going on with shinobi duties was eat.

"I have read reports on your actions on the war front, Hiro-kun and I must say you have done a lot. Not only did you help with the efforts in recapturing the forward camps, you also contributed in bringing in vital information that would have cost us a lot were it not to reach us; twice at that, and you also contributed on the lowering of casualties by providing a new medical ninjutsu of your own creation."

I quickly interjected after that. "I'm still in trouble for that one, aren't I?"

The Hokage chuckled. "Yes, I'm afraid so. Anyway, because of your valiant efforts and sacrificing heart, you are hereby promoted to the rank of chunin. I hope the Will of Fire will continue to burn in your heart as brightly as it should."

I was shocked at what he just said. Promotion? I'm a chunin now?

I was so excited that I forgot any sense of decorum. "Oh! Thank Kami! Thank you, Hokage-sama! I was dreading at even the thought of going through an exam just to be promoted!"

The Hokage raised his eyebrows. "You do know that to be promoted to Jonin, you need to take the Jonin Exams?"

I stood straight again. "Of course, Hokage-sama but it would still take me years before I take those. And the future is the future me's problem. No sense in me thinking about it for now."

He chuckled at what I said. "Anyway, I'll be presenting to you your chunin vest which you may or may not wear; that is your choice as it is not compulsory, and your future career choices.

"Career choices?", I asked to clarify.

"Yes. As you know, there are a number of options that chunins can choose from. First and foremost is to be relegated to the Chunin Corps; they mostly accept the usual C-rank and B-rank missions which require you to go out of the village. Second is the Division Assignment where you will be invited to join the ranks of a certain division that handles part of Konoha's day-to-day operations. For you alone, there were three offers; the Konoha Hospital, Konoha R&D, and the Sensory Division. I'm sure you could understand why they want you."

"The Sensory Division should have heard about my abilities in sensing while Konoha R&D should have heard of my talent in jutsu creation seeing as people gossip about my Water Jellyfish Jutsu. What I don't understand is the Konoha Hospital. Why would they want me exactly?"

"They heard you have perfect chakra control. They wouldn't have tried to wrangle you if you didn't show interest and talent in medical jutsu through your creation of the Water Jellyfish Jutsu."

I just sighed at how much trouble the Konoha Hospital loves giving me. "I take it those are not all my options?"

The Hokage chuckled. "It's envious how your talents are so well-coveted even within the village. But anyway, yes, you have a third option which is Jonin Apprenticeship. Uzumaki Kushina offered to take you under her wing to extensively teach you fuinjutsu. It seems Minato has told her about your potential in the art."

I sighed exasperatedly. The second option was appealing enough and now an Uzumaki Seal Mistress is willing to teach me?!, "I thought I could have had easily shot down the third but you just made it harder."

The Hokage smiled. "You don't have to stress about it now. You still have until next week to decide so don't worry too much. Now I also have another issue to discuss with you." He gestured his hand like he was flicking away something and his ANBU guards suddenly disappeared from my senses. Okay? What is this now?

He then proceeded to activate the office's privacy seals. Two sets of privacy seals. Just what is he going to talk about with me?

He tiredly sighed. "You and your clan have been too sacrificing that I can't have you going into much more danger anymore. You are just like your grandfather."

I was shocked. "How'd you know-?"

The Hokage raised an eyebrow at my question. "Oh? So you do know your lineage?"

Shit.

Seeing that I really couldn't escape it anymore, I just made up a lame excuse. "Would you believe it if I said the Second Hokage came to me as a ghost?" He amusingly raised his eyebrow some more.

I sighed.

"We can talk freely here. No one can see us nor hear us. Tell me why you've been hiding it. You know, the reappearance of the Senju would boost morale. It could also possibly bring back family of yours, Tsunade."

"Forget about her. She's probably gambling and losing a lot if what Tatsu told me about the First was true." And from what my past life's memories has on her.

The Hokage laughed for a while until he stopped as he realized I spoke another name that was familiar to him. "Wait, you said Tatsu. Do you mean Tsurutatsu? Of the Cranes?"

I decided to trust in the Hokage and asked him. "How much time can you spare for our little chat, Hokage-sama?"

He tilted his head questioningly.

A/N: Heeyyyyyy! I'm back just after a few days! I'll just be posting this one chapter for now. I planned on uploading ten storyline chapters supposedly but I still am not done with the side chapters that I had wanted to write. But, after this upload, I am planning to write them immediately. I wasn't able to put the side chapters into words since I was focusing on writing the chapters for another fanfic. It's still in its infancy but with the right amount of care and love, I could see the potential it has. It's based on the Young Justice TV series and I hope you could give it a read just like you did with this fanfic.

I am also absolutely thankful for those that followed, faved, and reviewed this fanfic. Everything is very much appreciated. I don't think I would be able to reply to your reviews much though even if there are just few of you right now. I'm quite shy and I don't know what to say to any of you (*ﾉ▽ﾉ). Do know that I am taking in your suggestions and comments. I am also relishing in the reviews that show support for this fanfic. I love reading them to boost my self-esteem.

Once again, I plan on uploading ten storyline chapters today. But, I'll upload this one first and then write the side chapters dedicated for the ten chapters that I plan to upload. I'm just not sure if I could do upload today because a typhoon is coming our way and it's supposedly big and destructive. Wish us luck.

Thank you for taking your time in reading this fic and I hope to hear more from you!