“Long day and a long mission.” Raito sighed as he appeared on a quiet road. Looking at his house, Raito let out a small smile before it dimmed down.

Shaking his head, Raito started walking towards the house where a figure was waiting for him. “Hey, Shika.”

“Raito?” The lazy Nara turned his head and stood up. “I thought you weren’t gonna come home.”

“I wasn’t but I love my bed too much.” Raito shrugged and walked passed by, opening the door. “Let’s go in. I can make you something hot.”

Shikamaru nodded and started, “Listen, I wanted to talk about-”

“Yoshizawa Raito.” An ANBU appeared from the shadows and called Raito.

“Bad luck,” Shikamaru shrugged and looked at Raito.

Raito also sighed and sent a voice transmission to Shikamaru. “I’ll leave with a shadow clone?”

“I’ll take the guest room.” Shikamaru walked in and closed the door.

“Hokage-sama has something to ask you.” The ANBU added before disappearing back to the shadows.

“Get good sleep, you say.” Raito rolled his eyes and disappeared from the doorsteps.

The unpleasant smell of the disinfectant covered the hallway of the Konoha hospital. Some say it’s unpleasant and ‘makes me wanna gag’ but some say it’s angelic. Not because of the smell but because of its properties to kill the tiny creatures invisible to the naked eyes.

‘After all, it’s for the patient’ but it’s really for the medics in the hospital. The long grueling hour at the hospital, interacting with the diseased and infectious at all times, eating whatever is available on the go, and some even work till they collapse on the grounds.

Even when they tell the patient to eat healthily, exercise more, smokeless, and enjoy life. (Enough of the ranting.)

While patients were sleeping, the interns and the new medics, some of them anyway, were on their study desk with books on their hands, trying to cramp as much of the words in their brains.

Some doctors were in their house and sleeping on their comfortable bed whereas some were at the hospital, checking in on the patients.

The receptionists were still on the reception with a cup of coffee on their hand as they checked through the registers for any mistakes they had made.

Everyone was busy in their work, except for one Haruno Sakura. She was taking a stroll down the hallway with a clipboard on her hand while checking on the patient.

A small smile plastered on her face as her cheeks reddened as she stopped by a door. Looking through the gaps of the door, she saw a patient that was admitted today.

Coming in with multiple bruises and cut injuries, unconscious or even a severe case of chakra exhaustion was an everyday thing on the Konoha hospital, who look after all the shinobis but for a fourteen-year-old Uchiha Sasuke to come like that, it plunged Sakura’s heart. Thanks to all the top-level medics and tons of chakra therapy, Sasuke was quickly healed.

“Sasuke-kun.” With hearts in her eyes, Sakura fluffed in glee.

‘Do it, Sakura. Get inside that room and do it.’ Inside her mind, an image of herself gave her encouragement.

“Just a small peck. No one will notice.” Sakura smiled and looked at both ends of the hallway. Finding no one, she slowly opened the door.

“I wouldn’t do that, Sakura.” Someone grabbed her shoulder from behind and pulled her back.

“Who?” Sakura grabbed the hands on her shoulder and swung her another fist straight towards the figure.

“[Bind]”

Threads of blackish things appeared from the figure binding Sakura’s limbs in the hold. Before she could speak or shout, the figure covered her mouth and let out chakra.

“It’s me,” Raito walked out of the stealth, the shadowy cloak disappeared and revealed his face.

“You didn’t see me today. Sasuke is fine inside and you have other patients to visit.” Raito activated his ‘[Hypnotic wave]’ and commanded Sakura.

“I… need to check on patients.” The light in her eyes dimmed and pupils dilated.

Letting her go, Raito passed by her and walked through the door, before closing it.

Sakura stood in a daze for a couple of seconds before walking up. She looked at the clipboard and raised her brows in surprise. “I need to finish the list so bad.”

After a quick glance back, Sakura let out a sweet smile and left.

Inside the room, Raito was looking at a very different thing. While Sasuke was still in bed and hooked up to a monitor, standing beside him were Jiraiya and Sarutobi and behind them Anko and Inoichi. The old medic, whom Raito had met multiple times now, stood at the other side of the bed with some of his own men as he explained the situation.

“Sasuke, himself is trying to tap into the power of the cursed seal. We can try to stop him by occupying his mind with things or erase that part of the memories but the desire to get power is rooted deep within his heart.” The old medic sighed, looking at Sasuke, and shook his head. “It’s like a damned festering tumor.”

Inoichi added to the medics explanation, “Diving deeper into his memories, we found that he has been having nightmares of the night of the Uchiha massacre. According to Jiraiya-sama and other Sealmaster, the curse seal is forcefully triggering those memories. Orochimaru is taking the opportunity of that event to heighten Sasuke’s emotions and make him tap into the power of the cursed seal.”

Jiraiya dipped his head down and touched the seal on Sasuke. Letting out a breath, Jiraiya said, “This seal has a two-way protection. Since the curse seal is affecting him, that means this brat is…”

“Although he doesn’t remember using the curse seal at the forest of death anymore, his body and the unconscious mind already has felt the power.” Inoichi let out his thoughts and looked at Raito then added, “If we don’t do anything about it then he will soon be a threat to the people around him.”

‘So much for a good night sleep.’ Raito sighed and continued looking at the scene in front.

“The evil suppression seal was for the old curse seal. The brats said that the new seal was guaranteed to extract the seal altogether.”

“It was meant for extraction?” Jiraiya looked in a slight surprise and looked at Hiruzen.

Hiruzen shook his head in Jiraiya’s inquiry then looked at everyone and said, “Not this one Anko. This isn’t for extraction.”

“If it was then I would already have done some magic.” Jiraiya snorted looking at the place where the curse seal was on Sasuke.

“Go home and get a good rest everyone. Two ANBUs will stay and the rest at the premises.”

“Hai Hokage-sama.”

“Raito, stay. Hokage-sama needs to have a word with you.” Inoichi sent a voice transmission and waited by Hiruzen’s side.

“I have a mission tomorrow. Can't I go home? Even DRAGON told me to go home and get a good sleep.” Raito rebutted giving a side glance at Sasuke in the bed.

Everyone left the room with no questions asked, leaving Hiruzen, Jiraiya, Inoichi, and Raito, in his robes and mask. The room was much more spacious than it was before with everyone clearing the room.

“Raito,” Hiruzen called out.

Raito unequipped the mask and robes then canceled the stealth and walked out of the shadows with a small smile on his face as he called out. “Jii-chan.”

“You want to add something?” Hiruzen asked

“Um… The extraction seal doesn’t work on the new, improved curse seal, so I used the modified evil suppression seal, which is just a suppression seal and not extraction seal on Sasuke.”

“Also, Naruto was the one who worked on that modification and not me. So I really don’t know much.” Raito answered cutting Jiraiya who was about to open his mouth and ask questions.

“Raito…” Hiruzen called and added, “Give it a chance.”

“Hmm.”

“Listen, kid, if that extraction seal work as good as you think it does-”

“It works,” Raito said with a bit of force. “For the old curse seal.”

Jiraiya smiled and added, “If it really does then let me have a look and I’ll give it back after the problem is solved.”

With mouth slightly open, Raito shook his head and said, “It’s made specifically for Anko-nee and the old curse seal, not for Sasuke and his new, improved curse seal.”

“Try it on him and he may actually die… just saying.” Raito looked at Sasuke and said what he had in mind but seeing Hiruzen looking at him, Raito shut his mouth.

“…” Jiraiya sighed in exhaustion. “Why does it have to be this kid?”

“Because this kid does things.” Raito raised his brows and brought out a large scroll.

Pushing the scroll towards Jiraiya Raito shrugged, “That’s all.”

After giving the scroll a glance, Jiraiya found the opening and was about to open it when he sneaked a peek at Raito, who had a faint smile on his face, “Anything you want to add, kid?”

“The scroll may or may not have a restriction seal and a trigger seal,” Raito added with a fake cough and looked down.

“…” Jiraiya looked at the big scroll then turned back to looked at Hiruzen and Inoichi, who were trying to suppress their laughter.

“Tell me what do you want? Jutsu? Fuinjutsu or something else?” Jiraiya took out a storage scroll and unrolled it.

“…”

“Kid, make your wish. I even also give you a signed copy of my books.”

“Hokage-sama, they have arrived and wish to see you.” An ANBU appeared behind Hiruzen and spoke softly.

“I’ll be taking my leave first.” Hiruzen looked at Raito then at the other people in the room before leaving with a smile on his face

“Umm… here.” Raito gave the large scroll to Jiraiya and forced a smile on his face. “There are no restrictions or trigger seals. I was just joking.”

“What the…” Jiraiya let out a breath then unrolled the scroll and gave the few lines a quick glance. “I am sure the Sealmaster are going to love this.”

“It could have been so much simpler if you had used lines and numerical Fuinjutsu.”

“…” Raito looked down and nodded a few times. Jiraiya was so absorbed that he didn’t notice but Inoichi gave Raito a sideglance.

After closing the scroll, Jiraiya tied the scroll with a rope and attached it to his back, on top of the other scroll. “Those oldies from Nara and Yamanaka will have sleepless nights for a long time.”

Inoichi just smiled it off then sat beside Sasuke.

Raito took out a couple of spring water bottles and gave it to Inoichi before leaving with Jiraiya.

“This kid…” Grabbing the bottle, Inoichi smiled and opened the cap.

“To one long night.” Taking a big gulp, Inoichi looked at the window, where the moon was covered by the clouds, blocking its radiance.

Outside the hospital, Raito walked alongside Jiraiya, enjoying the night breeze.

“That sealwork is all from Naruto’s Secret Uzumaki Fuinjutsu book that only he can read. Although he can't use it on his own, he helped me make this one.” Raito tried explaining then turned quiet all the way to the end of the road.

Jiraiya looked at Raito and sighed, “If you have something to ask then go ahead, kid.”

“…” Raito took a deep breath then looked at Jiraiya.

“Jiraiya-sama, can I ask?”

“Kid, just ask away.”

“Is there really going to be a war? Like killing Jii-chan kind of war?” Raito gestured and asked with a solemn face.

“…” Jiraiya looked at Raito then crouched. Placing his hand on Raito’s shoulder, Jiraiya said, “From my view, it’s only us and them. You understand that, right?”

“Mm.” Raito nodded.

“They are still doing things on the dark, which means that we have a big chance of winning.”

“Just like how you caught the traitors and revealed the enemy’s plan. The same type of things is happening all over the place.”

“We all are working hard, working together to defend our village.”

“Konoha has stood strong in the great wars and she will stand tall after this war too.”

Turning his head to the tower, Jiraiya added, “Sensei survived two of the three great shinobi war. So, I don’t think that this small one will do anything to him.”

Jiraiya turned towards Raito then let out a small smile and said, “Like everyone else you also have a job in this war… to protect the people, protect those who cannot protect themselves and most important keep yourself safe.”

“…” Raito nodded and let out a forced smile.

Jiraiya smiled and stood up, feeling good.

Just as Jiraiya was about to make a turn, Raito’s voice stopped him, “Jiraiya-sama, can you call Tsunade-sama? To the village, for this war… to save Jii-chan.”

“…”

“If you two join up, I am sure you can beat that Orochimaru… or even the Kazekage. Or… or they might even cancel the war if they see who are in the village.”

“Can't you?”

“…” Jiraiya looked at Raito and his teary eyes, which were threatening to fall.

“Whatever you have heard is just speculation. The old man isn’t gonna die.”

“He has survived the great ninja war, where every great nation was going against Konoha.”

“JUST ASK HER TO COME!!” Raito shouted in anger and released a large amount of chakra.

“Calm down, calm down, kid.” Jiraiya hurriedly signaled the ANBU from coming and crouched down.

After calming Raito, Jiraiya narrowed his eyes and rubbed Raito’s head, hiding his face. “Just why do you think the old man is going to die?”

“I eavesdropped. I heard you and Jii-chan were talking about war and the thing from the Poison Hall.”

“Poison hall?”

“Mm. How he may die in the hands of Orochimaru.”

“That’s not going to happen.” Jiraiya furrowed his brows.

“Please ask Tsunade-sama to come back.” Raito grabbed the hand on his head and looked at Jiraiya in the eyes.

“I heard from Jii-chan that Tsunade-sama left after the war because she had a problem. But by now…”

“If it was that easy to…” Jiraiya mumbled then looked at Raito with a smile and said, “I will try… but no promises, alright?”

“Mm.” Raito nodded and a smile returned to his face.

“Now go back home and get some sleep,” Jiraiya said with tiredness in his voice as he disappeared from the spot. In his mind and heart, there was another problem brewing.

Standing alone in the middle of the road, Raito called out his skill list and started thinking. “I need something… but what?”

Raito let out a breath then disappeared, flickering towards home.