2 days later
Where's everyone? Sakura looked around and sighed deeply. She must be too early, anxiety was eating her mind for the whole night. She sat down at the nearest bench and placed all her luggage by her feet.
I quick nap won't hurt. She turned on her phone, played some music, and plugged her left airpod into her left ear. She leaned back and closed her eyes. It took her only a few seconds when someone scoffed. Sakura immediately opened her eyes and sat up.
Blue eyes stared at her, while half of the girl's face was covered with her blond bangs. " INO! " Sakura stood up and hugged the blond. Ino giggled and hugged Sakura back.
" Long time no see Forehead. " Sakura pouted and pinched Ino's cheek. " Ino-pig " Sakura moved aside her luggage and let Ino sit.
" Where have you been Forehead? I mean we work at the same hospital but seriously, I haven't seen you for almost a month. " Sakura chuckled at her and shook her head. " Still in the hospital but was kinda busy and locked myself inside the office after rounds and surgeries." Ino pouted at her and pulled out her phone, she started scrolling on her phone then showed her the messages that she left Sakura on Scroll.
" You never even replied nor viewed my messages, and when was the last time you opened a scroll? Are you like hibernating or something? " Sakura laughed so loud then covered her mouth when people started looking in her direction. Ino's giggle followed suit.
" So you're my partner for these 2 weeks? '' Ino shook her head and heaved a deep sigh. She looked at the people arriving at the parking lot of the hospital. Sakura followed her eyesight and knew these must be the people who would be going with them to Oto.
" I'll be in Oto for a week only forehead, but they plan to send someone immediately after a week to replace me. I don't know what's going on, honestly, I was not invited to the meeting, so basically, you had to fill me up with the dos and don'ts. " Sakura sighed and recalled the event in her mind while staring at Ino.
Sakura entered the conference room, the place was gloomy as well as the people inside the room. She saw 2 good-looking men in black suits, Chiyo-baasama the doctor from Suna, another man with silver hair while wearing a mask, the mayor and his assistant sitting behind him, and the Tsunade-sama. She sat beside Tsunade-sama who sat at the mayor's right side facing the silver-haired man.
" Good Evening everyone, I know we called a meeting on short notice, some of you may be in the middle of their work or maybe on their day-offs. As some of you didn't know, Oto called us for help. They seem to be short on staff, especially in the hospital, but I know Tsunade will not allow sending more than 3 doctors. " Minato, the mayor smiled at Tsunade when she scoffed.
" I said two, not 3, I can't send more doctors then risk their lives. " Tsunade's stern voice echoed in the room. Sakura smiled apologetically at Minato. Only Tsunade could stand up against Minato, not even the Police nor the ANBU can talk back to Minato like that. Another reason why she's feared by many. Minato nodded at her and faced everyone.
" Oto is not a safe place right now, I fear that the people we will send will be at risk if we send random people, that's why I want you to send the best of the best who would more likely survive alone or with the group. " Everybody nodded and Sakura jotted down everything Minato said with Tsunade's order.
The silver man cleared his throat and eyed everyone before eyeing Minato, " Sir I would like to send a group from ANBU, already had a list of those who volunteered, you can meet them tomorrow, we'll be having our quarterly evaluation, its if you are free? " Minato glanced at his assistant who scrolled through her tab. The assistant smiled and nodded at Minato. Minato looked at the silver-haired man and nodded.
" My assistant, Rin, will inform you tomorrow morning, on what time I'll be going. Kakashi, I want to see those on the list on the evaluation when I arrive so when can plan everything based on their skills. " Minato looked at the men in suits.
" Itachi and Shisui, as always, the both of you are inseparable, I want the air force and police on alert as always, since we have enough men from that department, how many men will you send? " The man with long hair stood up and handed the document to Minato.
The man calls for danger and justice at the same time. Sakura stared at the man who calmly talked to Minato as if its subordinate. Minato nodded at the man named Itachi, the long-haired man, and then asked for a plan from the short-haired man named Shisui. The talk was short but clear, it seems they already constructed a plan, and the plan looks flawless like the 2 men.
Tsunade kept glancing at Sakura, who wanted to avoid any eye contact with her. 'Shishou must be worried but I need to do this.' When Minato called out to Chiyo, she simply passed the decision to Tsunade who smiled at Chiyo. Until now Sakura doesn't know Chiyo's relation with Tsunade but what she knows is that Tsunade is very close to her. Tsunade made a quick glance at Sakura before speaking up.
" Tsunade, with Konoha's need for the staff because of the flu, I understand you plan to send 2 doctors only and with Suna's assistance. So who are you planning to send, since you haven't given me the list yet? " Sakura finally looked at Tsunade who was hesitant. Sakura knew Tsunade would hesitate, being close to Tsunade means Tsunade treating Sakura as if it's her own daughter. Sakura cannot let this relationship hinder the needs of the people of Oto. So, Sakura raised her hand. Minato looked at her briefly then at Tsunade who looked at her immediately.
" Good evening Minato-sama, I'm Doctor Sakura Haruno, I'll be one of the doctors Tsunade-sama will be sending. " Tsunade secretly glared at her then looked back at Minato, " I still have not finalized the LIST" She glanced at Sakura then continued talking, " But I will send you the list tomorrow morning, I need to find someone suitable and can immediately solve the flu that has been spreading in Oto. "
Sakura looked down at the document at her lap then poked Tsunade's side to catch her attention. Their eyes met briefly then Tsunade looked at the document on Sakura's lap. Sakura stared intently at Tsunade, waiting for her silent reply, Tsunade sighed then nodded.
" Sir, " catching Minato's attention Sakura immediately stood up and passed the photocopies to everyone then stood at the end table opposite of Minato. She turned on the laptop and the projector. She glanced at the clock, it was very late, almost midnight but she needs to open this up or the people who will be sent will be at risk if no cure was found.
" I know we're about to adjourn the meeting, but this is a last-minute discussion, I want to have your time and everyone else's. We recently discovered this and I want to open it up. " Minato smiled at her for her to proceed. Sakura showed the pictures of the wounds and symptoms of the patients from Oto.
" Kidnapping is not the only problem in Oto right now, I've been observing the patients from Oto coming in here, some even faked their address but with the help of the staff they were able to pinpoint their original address, it seems most of the incoming patients are from Oto. All of them have the same symptoms and just this evening, Tsunade-sama took some tests and we found this. " Sakura showed the next photo of a cell with a weird-looking white blot attaching itself to the cell.
" To people, it looks like a blot from the picture, but all had the same outcome, it's no blot and we found out it's some kind of virus. I have a feeling Minato-sama that this is no ordinary flu, Oto is experimenting below with some kind of disease. The next picture will be gruesome but I want to show it to you all. But before that, Shizune-san? '' Shizune just in time came inside the conference handing bottled waters and plastic bags in case someone would vomit. Shizune looked worriedly at Sakura who smiled sadly at everyone.
Everyone as well as Minato tensed at the sight. Sakura showed a picture of a dead body that had turned white while half of it turned black and was swelling so much that nobody can see its original human form, with the head only available to be seen. Kakashi looked away as well as Shisui, but Itachi and Chiyo stared at the photo while drinking their water.
" I'm sorry for showing you this, but this is a serious matter, I don't think Oto is just short on staff nor in a kidnapping rampage, something is happening in there, someone is toying with science. That person died, we thought he was fine, but we extended another day before releasing him but it seems, he was not just having the flu, his body gave up just this afternoon then an hour later his body swelled so much then turned white while half of his body turned black. " Minato sighed deeply, losing his calm composure. Itachi, who was calm and cool, looked nervous. Sakura could feel her hands shivering and could feel her mouth go dry. She looked worriedly at Tsunade who was rubbing her temple.
" Thank you for opening it up Doctor Haruno, I guess we'll be staying over for the night, we need to plan this out, in case an outbreak is happening. " Sakura nodded and went back to her seat. Tsunade patted her thigh and went back to planning with the members.
Sakura stared at Ino who was too busy typing on her phone. She tapped Ino's shoulder then pointed at the incoming group. Sakura stood up and waved at Tsunade who was walking with Itachi. Itachi and Tsunade approached her. Even from afar, Sakura admired Itachi's calm and cool aura, it's like nobody really wants to mess with him. Ino on the other hand is fangirling. Sakura rolled her eyes and shook Itachi's hand who smiled at her then at Ino.
" Good Morning, Shishou, Itachi-san "
" Ah Doctor Haruno, early as usual. "
" Kakashi's still not here yet? Kakashi-san must be rubbing off his lateness towards his subordinates. " Shisui appeared behind Itachi who winked at Sakura and Ino, who blushed madly while Sakura rolled her eyes.
Itachi smirked at Sakura and chuckled at Shisui. Tsunade patted Shisui's head and looked around. " Kakashi informed me he and his team will be doing a head start, to survey the area. Itachi also knew about that. " Shisui rubbed the back of his head and smiled toothily. Itachi sighed and carried Sakura's luggage.
" Oh no Itachi-san I can do it. " Sakura pulled the luggage to Itachi's surprise he almost tripped.
The girl must have monstrous strength to easily pull Itachi like that. Shisui chuckled to himself then took Ino's bag who smiled flirtingly at him.
A black SUV stopped before them then a man in uniform opened the back door. Itachi placed Sakura's luggage at the back followed by Shisui.
Sakura hugged Tsunade tightly. " Take care, also take care of mom and dad, you know how they worry. " Tsunade nodded at her then patted Sakura's head. Tsunade then looked at Ino and patted her shoulder.
" Both of you take care. Okay? " Both girls nodded and went inside. The driver saluted to Itachi and Shisui.
" Be alert and cautious. I want you to update me every 30 minutes of your location and guard the girls. Do not leave them unattended and unprotected. You know what to do when you reach the destination. " Itachi's stern cool voice sent goosebumps on Sakura's skin. Itachi's looks and voice could kill, he'd be feared by anyone in the hospital and also loved. Sakura thought.
Itachi looked at them then nodded. " Have a safe trip Doctor Haruno and Miss Yamanaka. " Sakura nodded at Itachi and Shisui and waved Tsunade.
The vehicle turned on and Sakura leaned on Ino's shoulder as they talked seriously about Oto.
hey guys! early update cause my schedule is free. This is my first story uploaded in ff so as much as possible I want to update more. Will probably update anytime of the day. If I'm not busy.
-Luna