𝐎𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫

002; 𝐁𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐎𝐍 𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒

┌── •✧• ──┐
𝐁𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐎𝐍
𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒
└── •✧• ──┘

Shikamaru and Sai with the other medics waited at the back gates of Konoha, his heart started to beat rapidly with his lips ran dry. Soon, six-figure walks further toward the gate. A cheer erupts as some shinobi reveal themselves and run toward the wounded group with the medics following them. Sai couldn't help but sigh in relief to see them.

Akiro finally rested on the stretcher as the nurses carried him to the hospital with the others, before he closed his eyes, he grabbed Shinjiro on his wrist causing them to halt in their tracks and stare at Akiro who weakly smiled "Thank you, captain" He whispered in such relief.

Shinjiro lips curled up to a small smile and clasp their hands together before letting go "Get better soon." he responded and let the medics take him away. His eyes immediately darken when Sai walks in "It's good to see the mission is a success".

The boy just nodded "hai".

Sai couldn't help but pull him into a hug, it wasn't tight nor suffocating, it was just a hug that somehow warm you. Shinjiro just stared blankly at the ground yet his eyes started to water "I'm sorry" he heard the man mutter.

Karina just watches them in pure silence yet she didn't notice herself sobbing before she can't take it anymore and let her legs weaken as she knelt on the ground, crying. Shikamaru quickly went beside her as she cried on his shoulders.

"You're home now. You guys are not going anywhere" Shikamaru comforted, rubbing circles on Karina's back.

The news of their arrival back spread like wildfire, he and his team were in the hospital all together to recover.

Sakura ran towards the hall of the hospital, the hint of hope flashes through her eyes as she arrived at the number of doors on her way. She looks frantically at the doors if she ever spotted the boy she hasn't seen for six years.

Her steps have slow as her breath hitched at the sight. Shizune aids Shinjiro who tries to walk by himself yet he slightly leans on the walls "Shinjiro..." she mumbled, yet her faint voice slightly echoes through the hall and reaches both ears.

Shinjiro quickly looks at her with wide eyes "Mama..?" Shizune couldn't but tear up when Sakura quickly sprinted towards the boy and embraces him entirely. Shinjiro knees weaken making both of them knelt on the ground yet her arms were still around him. Her fingertips were combing his hair while she whispered soft words "You're home. You're finally home. My little boy" she says in relief.

-🫐-

Sakura watches Shinjiro sleeps soundly while holding his hand, after their small reunion, Shizune ordered him to rest after his few minutes of exercising his legs. He didn't know that his chakra was almost drained.

The door slid open quietly as Sasuke arrived at the room with someone behind him. Sakura smiles at the sight as the two entered themselves, she gestured for them to stay quiet when she felt him stir up a bit. Sasuke grunted a bit before nodding.

Sarada steps out from his shadow and took a small glimpse of her brother. A large bandage on his left eye and both of his arms were bandaged too.

"He must be exhausted" Sasuke broke the silence and went beside his wife, staring at Shinjiro longingly. Sarada still stood beside the door and watches her parents talk.

Sakura nodded and sadden "he is. He almost died there, Sasuke-kun," she says with a hushed tone.

The girl just bit her lip while listening "He was a child yet he changed so much" Sakura couldn't help it as she cries quietly while kissing his palm, the man just stood there in silence but his hand rests assuredly on her shoulder. She felt his hand move and she quickly wipes her tears dry as she sees Shinjiro's eyes start to flutter open.

"Yumeko.." he whispered.

The name made Sakura and Sasuke's blood ran cold. They all stare at Shinjiro who unconsciously reached his palm out on the ceiling before he gains his senses when Sarada grabs his hand.

"... Sarada..?" He breathes out in surprise.

Sarada said nothing but grips her hand together with his "Welcome Home.." she murmurs. Shinjiro let out a small smile "I'm Home.." droplets of tears were now streaming down Sarada's cheeks as she started to sob "Aniki..." she cries. Sasuke couldn't help but smile as Shinjiro slightly panicked and tried to calm Sarada who kept on crying over him and muttering about him every chance she gets.

"Don't leave me anymore.." Sarada pleaded as she tries to wipe the tears away yet she was too busy sobbing all over again. Shinjiro held a bitter smile before nodding "I won't. Don't worry.." he reassured and caress her hair slowly as she still hold him tight, not wanting to let go any sooner.

Sarada felt herself drifting off to sleep while holding her brother's hand, Sakura reached out another apple for him to take which he gladly do so, and pops it in his mouth, chewing it softly.

"Karina has reported everything to Shikamaru so there's no need for you to worry about anything." Sasuke broke the silence in the room as Shinjiro pats Sarada's hair softly.

Shinjiro nodded before he looks at him "Who did that to you..?" The question was directly asked towards him as Sasuke suddenly touched his eyepatch.

"Was it your student that you told me from your letters?" He asked further.

The man sighs "He was not on his mind. He's been controlled. You can't blame the kid, Shinjiro." He said, making Shinjiro hum "But he knew that he is a vessel of an Otsutsuki... He defeated one during the last chunin exam, am I correct?" Shinjiro let out a smirk.

"He might be growing as a young adult but you should remind him... He will never be the same in the future as he is today. There is always a consequence when you defeated a god." He whispered in the end.

Sasuke grew quiet as Sakura looks down "Without your rinnegan.. How will you investigate the Kara's hideout? You can't possibly use that boy's karma, that'll be too risky." Shinjiro says with thoughts running wild in his mind.

"And without the nine-tailed beast, you can't guarantee Lord Seventh will defeat an Otsutsuki." Sasuke looks over Shinjiro abruptly "The only solution Lord Seventh has is to kill h-" Sakura cut him off quickly "Shinjiro!" She exclaimed quietly. Sarada stir up in her sleep before sleeping soundly.

Shinjiro said nothing afterwards yet he stare longingly at the sky.