It was dawn when Tsunade and Shizune reached Konoha gates, seeing them the Root Anbu escorted them towards the Hokage tower immediately.

On reaching the tower, she along with her apprentice were teleported to her sensei's office.

Tsunade in rage asked Sarutobi about cutting her leave short.

Sarutobi replied:

Tsunade stunned by the Hokage's calm visage, asked him what did he want. To which he replied that her medical program has been approved, & she is given necessary budget to upgrade facilities and increase medic-nin within three month period i.e. just before chunin exams.

She accepted & was about to leave when she was told that her debt was payed by the village. Tsunade didn't say anything but Sarutobi told her that she should train regularly to keep her S-rank status.

Hokage then turned to Shizune and told her that she is given permission to increase poison experts in village.

Sarutobi sighed after they left.

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On the other side of the village we see Kakashi Hatake practicing with saber and white chakra.

Taking a break he sat down under a tree drinking water, he tought about how he is relying less on his sharingan nowdays.

He felt his stamina, chakra capacity increase to new heights.

The white chakra in his body which lay dormant was now fully integrated into his system. The white chakra healed his sharingan eye, so now he can turn it on & off on will, and also felt less drain.

He achieved SS-class status. And has completed 153-D rank, 45-C rank, 120-B rank, 186-A rank, 45-S rank missions. He felt he was ready to take the given responsibility.

That evening, he took his team to picnic near a remote area.

Team 7 noted their sensei's hesitation and told him to spit out what was worrying him. He blurted out that he was going to be the next Hogake & they have to keep this a secret.

Team 7 bugged eye sat there shocked, snapping out of their shock they hugged him saying congratulations.

Later that day he was infront of memorial happy for the first time, has he was strolling back home he bumped into Shizune and stopped.

Staring at the spot where she left he was overcomed by a protective feeling for the women, so he jumped on the roof and followed her till she reached her house. Taking support against the wall, calming his rising heartbeat, he went home.

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Shizune reaching her home shut the door and reached her hand towards her flushed cheeks.

Tsunade decided to tease her, & asked about the lucky man.

Shizune told Tsunade and was told that she made a good choice.

Later that night Shizune hoped that her feelings be both sided.