"Senior Kakashi."
An ANBU member from Root stepped forward and, after verifying Kakashi's identity, let him into Root.
Following the route he remembered, Kakashi reached the Root Leader's office and found Tenzo, who was on leave.
"Yo, Tenzo, what are you doing?"
Tenzo lay listlessly on the sofa, while the ceiling lights shone in different colors, giving the place a distinctly bar-like feel.
"I'm contemplating life."
Tenzo let out a feeble groan.
He had been working so much overtime lately that he was sick of it. Now that he finally had time off, he had to get some proper rest.
"I see. Itachi sent me. Where should I go?"
Kakashi nodded and asked casually.
"Head outside, then go to the laboratory area."
Tenzo raised a hand and pointed toward the door as he spoke to Kakashi.
"All right. Let's go to the baths sometime."
Kakashi pushed the door open and left. Following Tenzo's directions, he reached an area with noticeably more guards.
"Senior Kakashi, you're here."
A Root member carrying a large writing brush on his back walked up to Kakashi and raised a hand toward him.
"Lord Tobirama and Lord Orochimaru have been waiting for you for quite some time."
Kakashi narrowed his eyes at the boy before him, apparently recognizing him.
"You're... Sai?"
"Yes, that's me."
Sai nodded.
"It's been a while. You've grown so much."
Kakashi reached out to pat Sai's head, but Sai dodged him outright.
"Senior Kakashi, we're on duty right now."
Clearly, Kakashi's "workplace harassment" displeased Sai considerably.
"Tch, you've become a slippery little brat."
Kakashi's expression stiffened, and his lips moved beneath his mask as he grumbled.
"Follow me."
Sai led Kakashi into the laboratory Tobirama had specified earlier.
Rather than a laboratory, it was more like an operating room.
The lights were