Red Nara

- When the fighting is over, you'll be able to see the village, if you're still on your feet," he said with a sneer.

- That's how we always miss things," Senju grumbled quietly, but he was elbowed in the ribs by his teammate and shut up quickly

Like last time, we were assigned a part of the familiar hotel, but due to the smaller number of the delegation, each adult shinobi got a room for his own use, and the smaller ones were placed in two neighboring rooms so that they couldn't sneak past us unnoticed, but the opposite was also true - to get to the participants, they had to pass by the jonin's rooms first.

Of course, the Sunovians are watching everyone, and in order not to tarnish their reputation, they need to make sure that they don't get a mosquito, but the forces scattered around the village are watching everyone, and some risky scumbag might try to decide the outcome of the fight before it starts. With chakra users, you can never be sure of anything. That's why I put barriers in the genin's rooms, to make sure there was no chance of anything untoward happening, even from the shuttered windows.

After I had taken care of the safety of my charges, and taken care of the minor scuffs on the feet of the children who were not yet accustomed to walking on sand, I was in the process of settling into my room when Kei peeked through the curtain of the entrance.

- Ryo, Sakumo-taicho and Sarutobi are going to get the rosters," he said, "are you going with them?

- No, I'll go out a little later so I don't leave you alone with the kids," I shook my head negatively, "especially if it's better to do it closer to the evening, not in the heat of the day.

- Great! - The jonin rejoiced. - I'm trusting Hizashi-san to make sure no strangers sneak past, but I'll have one more fighter just in case.

With a nod, I waved my friend to fall onto the futon next to me, since there was no other furniture in the empty room.

- By the way, I didn't ask you on the way, but how are you doing on the personal front? - I asked him.

- A week before I left, I finally got what I wanted, albeit with some sacrifices in the process, but a woman like that is worth more than that," a dreamy, happy smile crept onto the face of the friend sitting next to me, and he looked up to the ceiling.

- Cheers to you," I grinned, "but just a friendly advice - don't delay with the kids.

- Мm...?

- It's just that now she's the most vulnerable emotionally, so despite the new support, she may not be able to withstand the death of even one of her genin. I've seen a lot of those on the front lines. So, as soon as the pregnancy manifests, you should transfer your friend to the reserve. You can support three, can't you?

- Even with the training of the sons of bitches, I get enough, not to mention the rainy day fund," Kei said.

- Ideally, Okuno-san should give up her kunoichi career and take it easy, but that's as far as it goes. It's going to be hard for her to get back to normal after all the bad luck and misfortune she's had, but it depends on external factors, so be careful not to talk about painful topics, and show your support and feelings.

- I'll do my best," Shibatori coughed, looking away in embarrassment.

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