If there is one thing that needs reform, it is the amount of time a shinobi gets for submitting a report on return from their mission.
But that would defeat the purpose of immediate reporting and the overall outcome of the mission. Yet he wishes there be some sort of special medication that allows his mind to concentrate on report writing. That invention will revolutionise everything.
Nevertheless, this is not the perfect world he is in, so the fairly roughened report he has spent the past few hours writing is now ready for submission.
"Thank you, Shisui, I will take into account your recommendations," the Third says.
"The details of the mission regarding Team B is slightly sketchy, but I've already explained earlier about the circumstances. Please review at your earliest convenience," Shisui says.
"I will do that. Well done on the mission's completion, Shisui. As expected of you."
He stares thoughtfully at the report before gesturing for the other two jounins.
"See to it that the relevant parties in this report are attended to," the Third says, "Don't leave anything out."
"Yes, Hokage," the two jounins chorus.
They disappear, leaving the Third alone with Shisui.
"Shisui, before you go there are a couple of things I need to ask you."
His tone is grim and immediately, Shisui anticipates the direction of their conversation.
"Things are mounting, are they not?"
Shisui surveys the backdrop with mild interest before speaking.
"Yes, though I believe something can still be done about it."
"What do you have in mind?"
"I'm going to try and settle things first, perhaps recruit allies from the clan."
The Third does not immediately respond. Instead, he stares intently at the previous Hokage portraits, as if psychically speaking to them.
"Shisui, you understand this plan may backfire? What would you do if it does not work out?"
"I'm still in the stages of planning but my last resort may come to utilising it," Shisui replies earnestly.
There is a brief silence. The Third is contemplating him, though it is more out of concern and perhaps logical tactics than anything personally judgemental.
"Very well. Please keep me in the loop with this," the Third says.
"Yes."
"Also, the last thing I need to ask of you. An autopsy report from another team's mission has arrived but the captain in charge is posted on another task. Please collect the report from the hospital on his behalf and analyse the results before sending it through to me."
"Yes."
"Very well, you are dismissed."
x
Not for the first time, he has accepted yet another load of reports that has nothing to do with his own mission. Maybe he should have outwardly protested. A bad call, considering the Third trusts him to complete all missions and reports on time - regardless of whether they are his own or not.
"Maybe I don't look overworked enough," Shisui sighs.
The hospital is deafeningly quiet with an air of gloominess that lingers heavily in the atmosphere.
Within the numerous wards, the beds lie empty, with the exception of two rooms, whose occupants are mysteriously hidden behind closed curtains.
The dim, deserted hallways are bare and clinical, its vastness is a strong representation of the loneliness experienced by the patients here.
Two levels above is the collection point for the autopsy report. It is infiltrated with laboratories, medical equipments and medications. There are no patient beds on this level.
At the end of the corridor is the autopsy room solely reserved for mission specific bodies. When Shisui nears, two disgruntled looking researchers are muttering to each other. The level of annoyance and frustration is clearly evident across their faces, and when he passes them, he catches a glimpse of their conversation.
"…honestly why on earth did they hire her?" The first woman says.
There is a sigh of irritation from the second woman.
"I don't know. The last thing we need is a weirdo in our lab. Can't they have put her in another division?"
"She has no idea how to work as a team."
"And did you see the way she speaks? She's a freak of nature, talking to herself like she has an imaginary friend or something."
"Honestly, it's downright creepy. I mean, her predecessor was okay, at least he was nice. It's a shame he died so soon."
"Regardless, they should have taken our feelings into consideration. I mean, we are the ones who have to work with her."
"Also…did you see the way she dresses too? I think her wardrobe consists of two outfits she rotates between. Yuck."
"How old is she?
"Like hell I know."
"Why don't you ask her?"
"And be caught talking to a freak?"
The women let out a chorus of malicious giggles before disappearing around the corner.
Is there really a need to speak like that behind someone's back?
Shisui frowns. Perhaps it is something he will never understand.
"Here you go, the autopsy report has been completed. Sign and date here please."
The woman in the autopsy lab hands Shisui the report, then disappears behind a pair of ominous steel doors.
On his way out, the sounds of a commotion at the opposite end of the corridor is undoubtedly calamitous to the ears. The voices are familiar, and when Shisui turns the corner, the two women from earlier appear to be arguing with someone.
"Can you not even do one thing right?" the first woman cries.
"We are your seniors, follow our orders or there will be trouble," the other sneers.
Shisui's height is a good advantage in certain circumstances. He stands afar to observe, his gaze tracks the source of noise over the women's heads.
There is a third woman, a girl, not much younger than him, with her back turned against the other two. Another bizarre but quieter sound is emitting from her, and it takes several moments for Shisui to realise that she is speaking very rapidly.
"Two test tubes containing potassium stored to the left of the shelf behind the sixth counter towards the back. Ten empty beakers rinsed with ethanol stored beneath each station. Labels to be erased…"
There is a loud groan from the second woman.
"She isn't even listening!"
"For the last time, the instructions change so put those beakers onto the trolley for treatment. Are you stupid?" The first woman shrieks.
There is a deafening crash as the second woman pushes the girl to the ground. A flurry of books and scrolls disperse into the air and lands dully on the ground.
"Give me that-"
Shisui does not enjoy impeding on other people's business, but he will not stand for bullying.
"Hey, that isn't very nice," he intervenes.
He manages to lodge himself in between the two women and the girl.
The first woman almost retaliates, but she suddenly holds herself back at the last second.
"Oh," she says quickly, "Shisui, sorry."
The woman gives a brief bow of apology.
"Let's go," she continues hastily.
Then she takes the other woman's hand and disappears from view.
Beside him, the girl is busy picking up the fallen contents of her box. And something of this scenario evokes a strong sense of deja vu.
"You are-" Shisui starts.
But his words are consumed by the sounds of the girl's incessant muttering.
"…potassium stored to the left of the shelf behind the sixth counter towards the back. Ten empty beakers rinsed with ethanol…."
Without further questioning, Shisui assists with collecting the items. And when he gives them to its owner, she gazes curiously as if they are magically floating in midair.
"Here, take them," Shisui says, "I hope you're okay?"
There is a fleeting silence. Her watch is strangely stoic, as if she is revisiting unpleasant memories. But it disappear seconds later and her watch slowly moves to Shisui's face.
"It's you again," she states monotonously.
"Huh?" The word leaves him in bafflement, "Oh right, I think I've seen you before-"
"It's the guy who told me to stop apologising," she interjects blankly.
"Eh?"
She stares absent-mindedly at him, as if he is the most boring thing she has ever seen.
"The 'it was just an accident' guy," she continues impassively.
Shisui returns her response with increasing incredulity, albeit he is careful not to display it.
"I'm unsure what you are trying to say."
"The guy who told me to stop apologising," she answers.
"Do you really have to put it like that?" Shisui replies.
"I'm sorry," she says dully, "How about the guy with the couple?"
This time, the look of disbelief is evident across his face.
"I'm not sure what you're getting at but-"
"I'm sorry," she interrupts swiftly, "How about-"
"Shisui is fine," he interposes loudly.
"Shisui," she states and there is a momentary pause, "Are you trying to be my friend?"
For a split moment, her look of disinterest and boredom flickers to something that appears like curiosity.
"I never had that intention…" Shisui answers slowly.
The confusion hits incredibly hard. He is uncertain of what to say or think in relation to the oddity of this situation.
"That mustn't be right," the girl says, "I've read that if someone tries and helps you when you're being bullied, that means they want to be your friend."
"Oh…"
The stark admission is overwhelmingly discomfiting. Still, Shisui is unsure if he should tell the truth and risk offending her, or lie and lead her to awkward situations in future.
"Maybe the book is wrong. I find that hard to believe," the girl says pensively.
She stares at the ground, as if concentrating on a difficult and complex problem.
And had Shisui not encountered her earlier and seen the varying expressions of her embarrassment and fear, he will have no trouble believing that she is a robot.
"I'll think about it," the girl says eventually, "Thank you for your help," and she gives a brief bow of respect, completely disregarding the look of astonishment on Shisui's face.
"One moment," he says quickly, "you never introduced yourself."
The girl stares wildly, a look that increasingly pushes the boundaries of what most people would deem respectful.
"Honoka," she answers shortly.
Then she is turning in the opposite direction, head down and muttering to herself as if nothing too out of the ordinary has just happened.
"Two test tubes containing potassium stored to the left of the shelf behind the sixth counter towards the back. Ten empty beakers rinsed with ethanol stored beneath each station. Labels to be erased…"
If there is one thing Shisui has learnt, it is the diversity in people's personalities. He has never come across anyone so strange before.