[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/iSnnGW5.png[/img][/center]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/VxtAacm.png[/img][/center]
[color=gray][sub][center][color=d0dbd8][b]Location:[/b][/color] Ichiraku Ramen, Konohagakure[/center][/sub][/color]
[hr]

The newly appointed Jonin couldn't help but grin at his students' surprise when they peered their heads behind the curtains of Ichiraku Ramen. Any citizen of Konoha knew that the ramen stall was the place to go for a shinobi on the run. Particularly if they didn't have the luxury of disposable wealth. He had eaten at the stand many a time in his own youth. 

[color=d0dbd8]"Let's just say I had a feeling this would be where you'd go."[/color]

As for how he'd managed to slip away from his newly assembled squad without them noticing, well, frankly, it'd be kind of embarrassing if he hadn't of been able to give a trio of twelve year olds the slip. Granted, he'd hoped one of them would've at least figured it out [i]before[/i] they'd gotten to the food stall. He'd have to add situational awareness to his teaching curriculum.

He let his mind wander off while the trio filed into the stools. In truth, he'd hoped to order something to go for the lot of them and have them be on their way to the hospital right as the three had arrived. That was, of course, before he realized he had no idea what sort of food two out of the three liked. Whoops. He hadn't exactly set an [i]exact[/i] time with Sawako now that he thought about it. He'd only told her to expect him and his team at the hospital "some time" after the graduation ceremony. That gave him some leeway, right? Yeah.

Kitanai nodded to himself assuredly before facing his students once more.

[color=d0dbd8]"Consider this a celebration for your graduation; and maybe a bit of a peace offering before what comes next. It's on me, so get whatever you'd like."[/color]

Kitanai gave the three a knowing smile and thanked the spirits for his newfound Jonin salary before settling in.

[hr]

Some time later, Kitanai had led his students to the village hospital. He'd made sure to maintain his silence whenever any of them asked what they were going to be doing. As he'd hoped, the building wasn't overwhelmingly busy when they arrived. As such, he had his students take a seat in the waiting room and swiftly made his way to the front desk and informed the attendant of his team's arrival, thanking the staffer as they disappeared towards the back of the establishment. He turned back to his squad and stood up straight as he began to address them seriously for the first time.

[color=d0dbd8]"I don't know if Toshiro informed you, but you have one last test before becoming full members of Konoha's shinobi forces. What is that test, you ask? You will be serving as assistants in this very hospital. You will be working under a trusted acquaintance of mine. Treat her instructions like you would my own. The final decision on your success or failure lies with her and myself. Good luck."[/color]

As the Jonin finished his statement, one of the doors of the hospital slid open, and with a curt nod, Kitanai took his place standing next to his team.