The owner's mirrored image stared back at him, messy blonde locks sat atop the owner's visage, his sky blue image blinking back and nearly closed. With a yawn, he turned the sink on to wash his face, with it, the last dregs of fatigue and exhaustion as the cold water immediately brought him to life.

Naruto Uzumaki blinked as he let the water splash down his whiskered face. Staring back into his mirror image, he touched his whiskered cheek. He didn't know how he got the whiskers. Or rather he did; he knew it had formed after he had received his Watch and became one of humanity's vital forces and assets against the Corrupted. It was that the whiskers formed after his receiving it that he attributed it to the Watch itself. He snorted slightly, recalling the memories of Ino and other classmates calling him Whiskers as a nickname.

Regardless, it was a permanent birth mark on him now.

Stepping out of the bathroom, he made his way into the kitchen, pausing just to hear the loud snores of his mentor and godfather, Jiraiya, from his own room. He shook his head amusedly at the man. While the man's perverted antics were… annoying, to say the very least (he could go into his room right now to see the abundance of bikini models and magazines), Naruto respected him a great deal for his tremendous power as a Counter. The man himself had also raised and taught Naruto while his father was out busy with his duties.

Speaking of which… Naruto flipped his phone up to see if his father received his text from the day prior. No such luck. He sighed. Even though he should have expected it, his father being the CEO of Konoha Institute, and far too busy nowadays with reports from the Administration and paperwork, he hoped his father would have time to respond. But it seemed that he was always busy. It was as a child that he wished he spent more time with him, but he now just accepted it. He did, however, receive one from Sakura.

Morning. How r u?

He responded. Pervy sage still sleeps. Swear he drinks more than granny

Oof. ;D

Cooking a simple breakfast of eggs and toast, (because he was sure as hell he wasn't going to trust his perverted mentor with anything in regards to cooking after the last time), Naruto finished and knocked on his mentor's door. "Pervy Sage. Wake up. It's time for breakfast!"

A loud snore was his only response and Naruto shook his head, knocking on the door once more. "Pervy Sage, come on! Wake up!"

The man did not answer, and Naruto sighed, bracing himself. He was going to have to enter his room again, it seemed. He knew both of them shouldn't have gone out drinking, or rather, him abandoning Naruto to simply drink. It was up to him to fix his mistakes.

With a few deep breaths, he entered.

The room was dark, the shades preventing any form of light from reaching within the owner's room. Jiraiya laid haphazardly on the bed in the corner, blankets tossed askew as the man laid in his clothes from the night before, rumpled and dirty. On the floor however, were a pile of dirty magazines and other suggestive material.

Naruto felt his face turn red and he choked on his breath as his eyes fell to one… suggestive material of a woman in such a revealing outfit. Another was in a bikini, and the blonde immediately turned his eyes up, forcing his eyes away from it. But it was too late. The images of the models burned and engraved themselves into his peripherals. He wished he could forget he ever saw them.

Forcing his attention back on to the man away from an object of the magazines, Naruto reached out, shaking the man. "Pervy Sage, wake up! It's morning!"

"Mmm… Tsunade… You look so majestic…"

Naruto's eyes twitched. "Pervy Sage, wake up!"

Suddenly, before Naruto could even say anything else, Jiraiya shot up from his bed, his eyes shot open wide and sparkling and he reached out, latching onto Naruto's hand, bringing his lips onto Naruto's hand.

"Indeed…" He spoke in a low voice, looking up into Naruto's eyes, wagging his brows. "I knew you were just playing hard to get, Tsunade… It seems you do care for me after all!"

Naruto stared, appalled and horrified. Then, his eyes began to rapidly twitch as he disgustingly drew the hand that he was kissed in back, and as any other sane person would do, he reared his fist back and planted it into his godfather's jaw. "WAKE UP, YOU DAMN PERVERT!" A loud crack sounded out as his fist made contact with his jaw.

Jiraiya was the next to scream as pain flared throughout his jaw as he was launched back, courtesy of the strength that was granted to him as a Counter and through intense training. Naruto only put enough strength into it to wake him, and with his own training, Naruto knew he wouldn't be severely wounded or harmed.

"OWW! WHAT THE-! OWW!" The man screamed loudly as he cursed, clutching at his jaw, pain flaring through it. Then, as his eyes refocused on Naruto, he screamed. "What the hell was that for, you damn brat?! What's your problem?!"

"Shut the hell up! That's the last time you're drinking, you perverted old fuck! You're not drinking anymore after this!" Naruto retorted furiously. He wiped his hand on his jacket, but even then it would still be tainted. The blonde shuddered. No amount of soap or water would wash away the feeling of the old pervert's lips on his hand.

Jiraiya glared, "What?! You can't tell me what to do! I'm older than you and outrank you, brat!"

"Old enough for not even Granny Tsunade to want you!"

Jiraiya's eyes bulged in fury as he attempted to untangle himself from his bed. "That does it you brat! Come here so I can properly teach you manners!"

"I'd like to see you try!"

The rest of the not so eventful morning turned entirely on its head as Jiraiya chased Naruto out of the Uzumaki household.

"Hey, Pervy Sage?"

"Yes kid?" Jiraiya couldn't help but still be irate at Naruto for forcing him to chase him, especially in his clothes from the day before. After an hour of chasing Naruto, he gave up, with both master and student returning back to the Uzumaki household after both had gained unnecessary attention from other people. Maybe this was why they kept receiving complaints from neighbors? He wondered if this was the reason why their neighbors from the past months moved out.

"You're gonna come to Konoha right? Dad's probably want you for today."

Jiraiya nodded as he chewed on a piece of toast. His own former student, now the current CEO of one of the most recognized TASKFORCE companies, was often busy with work, especially duties and tasks that required a Counter of only S rank. Minato, his now former student, would now have to take on managing the company along with its stocks, as with his own former teacher.

As he himself had been commander of his own team, with Minato being one of his students under his command, there had been a meeting following his teacher's passing regarding the next CEO of Konoha Institute.

Jiraiya himself had been suggested, but the man refused the position. He needed time to properly mourn his teacher's passing, even though his teacher had insisted that he was not going to live any longer.

Minato was next to be suggested, though a few had questioned his age, many were in favor, especially that the man had officially retired his services as a Counter and due to his experience and title as the Yellow Flash; the reaction was split. He vividly remembered those in favor cited that Minato's experience and his own studies, along with his close friendship with Jiraiya's own teacher, gave him knowledge and experience to lead said company and manage its stocks and shareholders. Those who were against cited that Minato was one of the S ranked Counters of the company and was the very face of Konoha Institute, and his official retirement would damage Konoha's reputation and might against the Corrupted, and even its denizens faith. His skill and presence on the battlefield against the Corrupted was unmatched by very few, such as Kushina Uzumaki and his rival and closest friend, Fugaku Uchiha, both of whom reached S rank. But even then, there were only a few Counters who could be counted on a single hand who could reach even Minato.

His heart turned slightly at the thought of Kushina, and his heart reached out for his former pupil, glancing at his godson, the legacy of both parents. Though Minato hid it well behind a smile, he knew his student well enough that the man was still grieving over his wife, and he could not blame him. Jiraiya still was grieving over his teacher after all.

In the end, Minato had been voted as the CEO, and Minato had been forced to put aside his grief to present a new face for the company, as the Administration would require lest the company be dismantled entirely.

Naruto looked much like his parents. He was not even close to his parents level of skill yet, but he could see the potential within him. He could see it in how the boy fought.

And Jiraiya was damned sure he was going to do the best he could to bring it out within him. Minato would have wanted that. And so would Kushina too if she was looking over them now.

Konoha Institute.

Standing tall and proud over like a monolith that overlooked the city itself, it was a sight that many found to be akin to a governmental capital building. The symbol, circling around to be a bird, though representing a leaf, was to show off the "Will of Fire", a motto that was made by its very first CEO, Hashirama Senju, who molded it in the days following the Old Administration. The motto was to cherish and fight against the Corrupted and for each fallen ally, by death or Corruption themselves, to keep their memory alive in their hearts and continue persevering against the odds, no matter how difficult it seemed. Engraved below the very statue of the bird itself, it had been a sight to its many employees as a way for them to give them hope against any difficulty in life.

Naruto and Jiraiya entered, after showing off their IDs to Izumo and Kotetsu, the two Soldiers who also acted as guards for the company. Naruto knew them long since he had first become a Counter and joined the company, the two greeting each other with smiles and a nod.

The two exited the vehicle and glanced around, many employees who also began to exit to begin another day at Konoha Institute. Naruto noticed many employees' eyes on him and Jiraiya, but he could feel their gazes on him. He sighed. Being the CEO's son unfortunately granted the attention of many employees, especially on him being a Counter and trained by Jiraiya, one of the legendary Squads within Konoha Institute, the Sannin.

"Hey, Naruto! Is that you?"

Naruto turned around, smiling at who it was. "Iruka!"

A ponytailed man with a scar across his nose greeted with a smile. "Good morning, Jiraiya!"

Jiraiya chuckled, waving a hand. "Iruka. How is the Technology Department doing?"

Iruka shrugged as the three walked to the entrance. He clicked his tongue, before he snapped his fingers. "Ah! Actually, there has been a rumor about a shipment of Titans that is said to arrive and the Department Team is going to rebuild and reprogram them."

Both Naruto and Jiraiya knew. Iruka was one of the employees in charge of the Technology Department that made various pieces of equipment for Counters like themselves. They also had in large parts built smaller tools and transport ships, along with programming AIs. It was a task that was not only tedious but also required a studious mind.

Naruto was thankful to Iruka and many of his employees for the equipment he had used as a Counter. He was sure that he wouldn't have been able to survive any Corrupted attack when he had been out on the field.

"Really? Where was it found?"

Iruka shrugged, "Izumo told me it was one of the mining facilities outside of the city and was broken when they found it, but he and everyone else isn't too sure about that, and I can't blame them. It seems far too suspicious. A batch of Titans not in operation? Better chance we get a batch of Janus."

Jiraiya nodded, narrowing his brows in concern. "That does seem suspicious. Was there anything else they found?"

"Nope. Nothing. We're all still deciding what to do with them. The Torture and Interrogation Department is working with us to see if we can analyze if the thing is programmed to attack anyone who the company is not affiliated with, Future At War. There have been incidents of Mechs attacking civilians in the past. Anko thinks we can hack into the thing if possible to reprogram it if the situation calls for it. But just in case…"

Naruto nodded in agreement. The crazy lady, frankly so, was part of both Departments and though he was sure she had a few screws loose, he couldn't deny her effectiveness in said areas of expertise.

But before Iruka could explain further, his phone rang, and he picked it up. "Iruka speaking. Yes? Okay. I got you." Pocketing it, he smiled. "Well, duty calls. I'll see you both later."

Both Naruto and Jiraiya smiled as they said their goodbyes and waved to Iruka, who took a path down the hallways to one of the elevators.

Jiraiya watched Iruka leave, then turned to Naruto. "You heard him. Duty calls, kid. I'll see you later. Your dad probably wants me now."

Naruto smirked, nodding goodbye to his mentor. "Later, Pervy Sage." When he heard Jiraiya call out that both of them will be drinking later after work today, Naruto snorted, but held his tongue. You wish.

"Hey, Naruto!"

Naruto turned, smiling once more at the sight of one of his friends. "Kiba!"

A rowdy boy with mahogany hair stood, approaching him with a fist bump. Naruto knew him as the squadmate of Team Kurenai. The Squad was renowned for tracking and scouting the Corrupted even after reaching Normalside, "Morning, man!" Akamaru barked as Naruto reached out a hand to brush against the dog's fur, licking his hand.

"Morning! Where's Hinata and Shino?"

"Both of them are out with their Family Alliances or something. Hyuga and Aburame? They're at some meeting. That's why Neji isn't here either." Kiba shook his head at the overreaction of both the Commander and his son named Rock Lee when they heard the news. Tenten simply rolled her eyes and walked away to begin target practice with the holographic Corrupted. "It's just me now. Commander Kurenai states to take it easy for the day, but keep ready in case we're going out to scout. Corrupteds have a really distinct god awful smell, you know?"

Naruto nodded. The Inuzuka Clan he knew were specifically dog breeders, but due to their hounds' unique physiology and scent of smell, which were even above regular pups, they were able to track and smell Corrupted down. Team Kurenai he knew, due to their unique ability as a scouting squad, were able to even guide and track the Corrupted without any form of technology even available.

Yet it also entailed a higher level of danger from Kiba's own family. Because any living being could be turned into a Corrupted, animate or inanimate, it spelled a danger for Akamaru and a large majority of the family's breeders, which could turn Corrupted themselves, and due to the unique sense of smell, they could smell out any trace of humanity within Normalside and turn more into it.

Naruto knew that because of that fact, that Kiba was far more protective and concerned of Akamaru than ever before.

"So what's going on with your life, CEO's kid? Yellow Flash and Red Death's prodigal legacy?"

The blonde groaned, slapping his face into his hands. "Please don't mention that." The reaction from what he got from other employees coming in to work was something he was never going to get used to, even as he grew older.

Kiba looked around, "Anyway, where's Sakura and Sasuke? They're still not here yet?"

Naruto shook his head. "Nope." He would prefer if Sasuke wasn't here at all. "Douche's a fucking asswipe."

"Pretty sure he thinks of you the same way, Naruto."

Both the two turned to see one of the Uzumaki's closest friends and teammates. "Sakura!"

Sakura Haruno approached her teammate with a smile, dressed in her usual attire. The sole female member of Team Kakashi went up to her teammate and punched his arm in a good natured jab. The blonde winced slightly. Never underestimate Tsunade's ridiculous strength. Even for a Counter, it was simply absurd.

She nodded towards Kiba. "Morning, Kiba. Ino texted me that Hinata's in her family meeting. What's up with your team?"

Kiba nodded, "Commander Kurenai said to take it easy for the day, but otherwise, it'll just be me and her in case we're called up."

A voice called out to him from a distance, and a wave of a hand to both members of Team Kakashi. Naruto and Sakura waved back at the crimson eyed figure of Kurenai.

Kiba shrugged, "Well, guess that's her. I'll see you both later. Tell Sasuke I said hi." He sauntered away to Kurenai as both departed as well, joining their friends in their usual work duty.

Sakura turned to Naruto. "Want to get something to drink while we wait for Sasuke and Commander?"

"Sure."

Both paid at a vending machine and took a sip of their drinks as they took the time to chat about the current day's events while waiting for their Commander and last teammate. "Hey, so did Commander ever tell us what we're going to do today?" Naruto pondered as they sat at one of the many tables in the recreation center used for breaks and activities itself.

Sakura snorted, "Naruto. It's Commander Kakashi. Remember that test we did when we first formed? He just says the most cryptic shit to scare us before any of his tests."

Naruto shuddered, "Yeah. Don't remind me."

A grin formed on Sakura's face as she recalled a memory. "Especially since you got caught in his traps since you overestimated your own strength and despite Sasuke and myself telling you not to rush in-"

Naruto shut her off with a glare, his cheeks reddening at the memory he could still see. "Don't remind me!"

Sakura laughed even as Naruto shot her with a stony glare, but dropped it soon after as he couldn't help but recall it. Kakashi had been his father's student and Naruto was secretly glad that Kakashi wouldn't have gone easy on him simply for being his father's son. Despite Kakashi's laziness and laid back attitude, it was just a facade to the image of the powerful individual underneath.

"How's Granny by the way?" She was glad Naruto didn't ask her about Tsunade's recent retirement from the Institute. Both he and Sasuke likely knew the true reason behind her retirement as she handed the papers to the former's father, but out of respect for her, they did not question her about it. "How's Shizune?"

"She's fine. Both of them are fine. They said morning."

Their discussion came and passed and both enjoyed the tranquility of the morning before they would soon get to work. Both received a text from Sasuke that he arrived.

Morning for Sakura came quickly as it came. She did her hair in the reflection of her mirror, and after a quick breakfast, she spoke up. "Shizune! I'm leaving!"

Shizune approached her with a smile, hugging her. "Good luck, Sakura!"

Sakura smiled, "Thank you, Shizune." She returned one of her adoptive sisters the hug. The faint smell of alcohol hit her as Tsunade left her apartment. Despite her drunken state, she looked at Sakura and smiled, still able to speak without slurring her words. "Well, someone's all ready for work at Konoha Institute."

Sakura blushed at the praise of her mentor. "Thank you, Tsunade Sensei."

Tsunade waved a hand over. "Yeah, yeah. Come on and give me a hug, kiddo. I want to see you off."

Sakura's face turned red once more, but she returned the hug to her mentor. "Now all the old mushy and gushy shit is out of the way, go get 'em! Say hi to your team for me!"

Sakura smiled, saying her goodbyes before she sat back in her car, shaking her head with a smile. Retrieving her phone to text Naruto, she saw his responses, feeling some pity for her teammate and friends for having to deal with Jiraiya. While many within the company respected him for his strength and duty to the company, his "less than stellar" antics were something that only a few knew and turned those few away, especially towards women.

As she started up the car, she began to drive out her apartment. The familiar streets of the city were filled before she noticed her phone ringing. Parking to a nearby gas station, she flipped it open. "Ino!"

"Hey girlfriend! What's going on!"

"Morning, Ino! I'm just about heading to Konoha."

"Ah! Well! See you there!" Ino's laugh filtered through the phone, before she answered. "I'm just about heading there!" Sakura could hear the honking of various cars and the rumble of the engines as she drove away.

"See you!" Ino's laugh was the only response and Sakura smiled at the thought of her. Ino had been her childhood friend through the years, and though she was now a Counter, her objective requiring her to put her life on duty for the benefit of humanity, and assigned missions, she was far too busy to see Ino. On the chance that she did, however, Ino insisted on celebrating with a girl's night out, so to say, with Tenten and Hinata whenever possible by partying, as all of them went to the same high school together, along with her teammates.

As she drove to her destination, and arrived at the front gate of the Institute, the front gate was guarded well by Kotetsu and Izumo. The Soldiers stood, greeting her good morning before she presented her ID.

Parking her car, she exited her vehicle and entered the building, greeting various other employees good morning. As her eyes fell to her surroundings when she entered, she was greeted with the sight of them moving across the massive complex, chatting and shuffling papers as they worked on laptops and flat screens that laid across.

She recalled the information that she received through text. Tenten was target practicing with her rifles. She was unsure if Naruto was here yet, since he lived with one of her mentor's teammates, Jiraiya, and texted him quickly to see his response. He responded with a well timed answer.

"Guess who, Sakura!" She felt a pair of hands blinding her from behind, and Sakura simply smiled.

"Ino."

"Alright, Ino. That's enough. Sakura will be busy soon with her team." The deep reverberating voice of Inoichi spoke up. Ino lifted her hands away and Sakura turned to one of the employees within the Institute, and yet also her best friend's father.

Sakura bowed politely, smiling at him. "Good morning, Inoichi. Sir."

Inoichi returned it, "Good morning, Sakura. How are you? How is Lady Tsunade?"

"We're doing fine, sir." She could recall the heavy smell of alcohol. Though her mentor tended to deny such claims with anything regarding the Toad Sage, she and Naruto often wondered about the stages of their relationships. They were far more alike than on the surface.

Tsunade, despite being one of the best Counters, had retired her services following Hiruzen's death. Many assumed it had been due to her grief and sorrow with her teacher's passing, though Sakura had known her mentor better, and knew that she was hiding the true reason of why she had retired.

Sakura would not judge her for this. She was the closest to what she had to a mother.

Inoichi was glad to hear that she was doing well. He turned to Ino. "We have work to do Ino. Shikamaru and Choji are waiting for you. I have to get to Shikaku and Choza."

"Yes, dad." Ino smiled, waving to Sakura as she turned to follow her father. "I'll see you later!"

"Let Tenten know I said hi!"

Both father and daughter pair of Yamanaka departed, and Sakura took off to find her teammate. No sooner than later, she found him with Kiba. Following Kiba's departure with Kurenai, both sat at the recreation center, waiting for their teammate.

Sasuke stepped down the stairs of his home, the smell of breakfast foods hitting him. "Sasuke! Good morning!"

He nodded, "Good morning mother." He glanced at the empty seat where his father usually would have sat. "Where is father? Is he still out with the Nanahara Family Alliance?"

Mikoto Uchiha nodded, "Your father is still discussing relations with the head, Miss Nanahara Chinatsu."

Sasuke recalled the various times their family and the Nanahara family had been acquainted in the past decade, forming an alliance to better combat the Corrupted. He had been brought into a few of the meetings by his father and interacted with the head of the Nanahara Family Alliance. He knew the purpose of it was to provide those of respective families a better relationship between both and any possible future relations.

"Hn." He sat down and ate breakfast, pondering the assignment today. Likely if there were no available missions on the roster, Kakashi would assign him, Naruto, and Sakura another test or training to keep themselves sharp.

Finishing his breakfast, Sasuke dressed though not before Mikoto gave him a kiss on his cheek. "Good luck! And make sure to get along with Naruto!"

"Yes mother." Though he wasn't going to entirely promise on that last part. It wasn't his fault Naruto did stupid shit that he, Sakura, and Kakashi had to deal with. Someone had to call him out.

Mikoto narrowed her gaze. Sasuke sighed, letting the corner of his lips pull up. "Yes, mother. I'll get along with Naruto and try not to provoke him."

If he was honest though, Naruto got easily provoked. It wasn't as if he was going out of his way to aggravate the idiot.

The Uchiha matriarch smiled, "Good!" It had been her wish for her and… Kushina's son (her heart bled at the thought of her closest friend's death), and she had her own rivalry of sorts with Kushina. Her husband and Minato had been rivals as well, and close friends. Though her son would never admit it out loud and neither would Naruto, both were as close and intensive as her and Kushina's husbands had been.

Entering into his car, Sasuke texted Sakura and Naruto.

Morning.

Morning.

Unsurprisingly, Naruto had a few responses in his message to him. Sasuke responded in an appropriate way.

Emo fag. Morning.

Learning more words, dumbass. Good for you.

Fuck you too. 3

Sasuke drove down to the company, arriving as he recognized both Naruto's and Sakura's cars as he flashed his ID to both Izumo and Kotetsu. Parking, he left and entered the building. Glances were thrown his way as a few recognized him, a large swath of those entering and exiting. Sasuke took the direction down to the recreation center, purchasing a drink as he found Naruto and Sakura sitting, waiting for him.

"Morning, Sasuke."

Sasuke nodded to Sakura. Then he turned to Naruto. "Morning, idiot."

"Morning, asshole."

"Dumbass."

"Prick."

"Retarded moron."

"Douche."

"I wonder how you haven't got us killed yet."

Naruto flipped him off. "Shove it up your ass, you arrogant fuck."

Sakura sighed, muttering under her breath as she heard them argue and insult each other. "I almost wish Kakashi was here."

As if some God answered Sakura's wish, a voice answered, cutting off Naruto and Sasuke's train and slew of insults towards each other. "Yo!"

All three members of Team Kakashi turned to see Kakashi strolling towards them with a lazy hand raised, his mask hiding his face, though the man's eyes were shut and his brows raised in an eye smile.

"Nevermind. I'll take it back. Can you just leave?" Sakura spoke up, gesturing to both her teammates. "I would rather hear these two argue like a married couple." When they continued to argue, even after noticing Kakashi, she smiled at the two of them. "Both of you shut up or I'll emasculate the two of you."

Naruto felt a chill creeping back his spine, along with Sasuke. Both turned to each other, and to Sakura, to which both swore that they saw a devil-like figure horns appear behind her. "Yes, ma'am." They shuddered, terror etched on their faces for a moment, deciding their lives were far more important than continuing their feud with each other.

"Not nice, Sakura." Kakashi pouted when Sakura flipped him off in response. "Well, since Team Kakashi is here and ready to report for duty, we're going to do some patrolling."

All the members of Team Kakashi stood up. "Patrolling?" This was not common in their usual assignment and task.

Kakashi nodded, "Well, since Commander Kurenai and Kiba are the only ones available to report for their assignment, that unfortunately means we're the only available."

"Kiba never told us this earlier." Naruto sighed. "Likely he forgot."

"What about Commander Asuma's team?" Sasuke questioned.

"He was originally going to assist in tracking and patrolling but unfortunately, all three of them were called off to the Institute's other parts.

Sakura recalled Inoichi and Ino informing her of managing work elsewhere. "So that just leaves us then?"

"Yep. Kurenai is just handling a few things right now, so we can wait for a few minutes before we-" Kakashi was cut off before his phone rang. He answered it. "Kakashi speaking."

"Yes… Sensei? What is it? Yes, Naruto's here."

Naruto recognized whom Kakashi was speaking to. "Dad?" Both Sasuke and Sakura halted him. Sasuke shook his head. "Wait, you idiot." The three watched Kakashi as he spoke into his phone, all traces of laziness from his face morphing into a serious and cynical look he had ever since he had first joined as a Counter.

"We're going to be transferred away from here? To where? You can't discuss it over... At your office? All right, we'll be right up there." He ended it.

Naruto stepped forward. "Was that dad?" Sakura and Sasuke remained quiet, waiting as well.

"We're needed at Minato's office." Kakashi answered. His gaze on them was serious. "The three of you have your equipment?"

The three members of Team Kakashi nodded.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's not keep dad waiting." Naruto eagerly followed Kakashi up to the elevators, with Sasuke and Sakura trailing behind.

So as in game lore, it is stated that not all humans become Counters and very few people receive a Watch to become one, hence a majority of the characters from the series will unfortunately not be Counters.

That will also include other Squads, who as in their series, provide support in a similar manner in the home series, however. There will be only a select number of characters beyond Team 7 who will be Counters. This does not mean that they are in any way useless, as Eddie Squad consists of only one Counter, Orca, as she is the only Counter, and the rest are Soldiers, and in story, Soldiers are often also depicted in strategizing to take down Corrupted rather than pure power. I'm sorry if my prior AN implied that all the Squads would become Counters, I forgot that small piece of information from the game, especially since there has been proof that it's quite the contrary that Squads only consisted of Counters.

As for who, you're going to have to wait and see, beyond what is shown so far.

Lee is also going to be Guy's son in this AU, since it's more simple to explain it away.