Back at Kohona, in the Hokage Office…
Sasuke and Naru were red in they entered the office, being carried by the kind-hearted shinobi prodigy, Itachi as Team 7 returned with the tycoon's employees.
The Hokage was chuckling at the sight as he puffed on his pipe. Itachi was one of the most powerful and promising ninjas in the village but was also a sweet and protective mother hen. It seemed that Naru and Sasuke are being punished for what has happened on the mission to worry the older Uchiha.
"I take that your mission has gone well?" He assumed as Itachi finally let Sasuke and Naru go.
"Yes, Hokage. Gato has been slain and we were able to safely bring the Bridge Builder to safety. They will bring payment and the trade agreement soon." Kakashi answered.
"I have been watching your progress and I am quite impressed. Well done, all of you." The Hokage smiled with a pip in his mouth, "However, you disobeyed some of our rules and went on an A-ranked mission without my permission. Luckily, I sent Itachi to resolve many of the dangers with you. But your team must still be disciplined."
He puffed out a trail of smoke and looked to Team Seven.
"You will all be continuing D-ranked missions and will not leave the village until further notice. Is that understood?" He informed the group.
"Aw, man!" Naru whined as Sasuke simply breathed but swallowed his complaint.
"No whining. Be thankful you are still having your pay and were even allowed on this mission. Also, you three-you four are still not off the hook with me." Itachi advised as Kakashi realized he was not safe from Itachi's punishment.
"Well, I will leave that to you, Itachi. Be sure to instill some discipline into them, especially their leader." The Hokage encouraged the same while Naru and Kakashi tried to make a break for it, only to be caught by the one-armed shinobi.
His sweet smile hid a demon's.
At the Uchiha Estate…
Naruto was sweating hard as she was plucking the bounties of the garden from the earth.
Team Seven was plucking more veggies for the baskets lined up for four, all the while Itachi brought the bundles in.
"Be certain to collect them all! I would not wish for any of the produce to rot or be met by bugs!" Itachi shouted at the group as Sasuke glared at his brother, "Hard work is good for you, and as a future husband and a brother as well as a dear, dear friend, it is best to see all of you flourish! Even if by means of manual labor!"
"How can attending to your garden be good for us?" Sasuke questioned his brother.
"Garden, he has acres!" Naru proclaimed in a dramatic fashion, Sakura secretly agreeing with her.
"Well, it will teach you humility, independence, self-control, and punishment for disobeying your leader and worrying your brother and or future husband!" Itachi reminded as he spotted Kakashi, "Pick up the pace, Kakashi! Your students are already ahead of you!"
"Yes, sir…" Kakashi moaned, not lost in the irony of it all.
Itachi sighed a bit.
"If you all finish things up, I will make you all a big dinner!" Itachi offered as he earned an eager grin from his future wife.
"Big meal? Count me in!" Naru shrieked with delight as she was more energized than before.
It warmed his heart to know how much the woman he loved adored his cooking. She also knows how to light a fire in Sasuke as he himself began to pick up the pace as well. It seemed that their relationship was getting better. Good, they were getting closer. It may not seem like it, but they were getting closer as a family.
Happily, Itachi entered the house to prepare for dinner.
At the Dining Room…
Itachi prepared what he promised as Sakura and Naru marveled at the presentation.
Everyone clasp their hands and thanked Kami for the meal as they began to eat.
"I am very proud of all of you. You showed determination and it paid off." Itachi smiled as he poured some tea.
"This is the best! You should start your own restaurant, Itachi!" Naru swooned with her mouth filled with food.
"Maybe one day." He grinned at her.
"Hmm," Sasuke grunted, but Itachi knew it was in agreement.
"I'm surprised that your garden was massive," Sakura added.
"Yes, well, I prefer meals made from where you know where it comes from than canned and preserved produce." He admitted as everyone continued to eat and talk.
All the while, Itachi would need to have his brother and Fiancé prepared for the next month to come, for they would need to prepare for whatever was coming like he did what felt like so long ago.