This story takes place after around six months after the ninja war. This is a fan fiction and I will not be making any money from this project.(But if you want to me $10 for pizza I'm not going to stop you.) The content in story falls under the United States Fair Use Law 107. The Naruto Franchise belongs to it's creator Masashi Kishimoto, as well as the publisher Shueisha and probably more peoples' names I couldn't find on the internet. (Insert more legal stuff here) And finally, this story is non-canonical and was written by a 20 year old college student sitting in her bedroom with no pants on stuffing her face with Cheetos. I'm an English major at my university and will be applying my skill here. Reviews and critique is always welcome, I can handle the truth. Okay sorry for all that garbage, sit back, relax and enjoy the garbage that comes out of my brain!( Author's note: I know Kakashi became Hokage right after the war, but I thought it was a little more realistic to have Tsunade in office for a little longer, hope that's ok with everyone)
Chapter 1
The Monday air was still crisp from the morning's rain, dew drops still dwindling on the window panes of the Leaf Village. Although it was almost eleven, the sun's warmth decided to stay incognito behind the fluffy clouds draped all along the sky, drifting lazily along with the wind. It was the perfect weather for a stroll, or perhaps a cup of tea on the porch with friendly company and reminisce about the past together. Tsunade gazed out the window, wishing to be anywhere than where she was. The meeting room in the Hokage tower was full of the board members all discussing politics, money, the local village drunk who was persistent on walking out on his bar tab every night. She tapped her bright red nail against her cheek. The image of sake and a round of poker flooded her mind. "God I just need to get out of here," she thought to herself. Peering an eye over to Shizune who was (like always) playing an active role in the conversation. Tsunade furrowed her brow in annoyance. "We've been on the topic of the excessive number of loiterers around the south side of town for an hour and a half." Cursing at herself she stood up from her chair located at the head of the long dark table. "Okay, I think we can call it a day here. None of these matters are urgent so if you excuse me, I'm going to my office and finishing my paperwork." Shizune's eyes widened as she tried to protest her mentor but before she could muster out a single word Tsunade cut her off. "Shizune, office, now." The jonin followed the Hokage up the wooden stairs, passing by several ninjas leaving for their missions. All of which paying respect to Tsunade by bowing of course. " I can't stand those drudging meetings!"Tsunade exclaimed while pulling open her office door. "Those board members will talk about anything that isn't important for hours." She plopped herself into her desk chair, propping one elbow on her ordinate desked, fully adorned with mission files and other miscellaneous papers and forms. Tsunade massaged her temples and let out an annoyed groan. "Well milady we recently got out of a war, everyone is still on edge." Tsunade looked up, wishing that the day was just over. "It's just with the Kage summit next week and al this paperwork I'm just a little strung out is all." Shizune nodded her head with empathy for her mentor. She was an intelligent and fearless woman, the first female Hokage and a survivor of the last war. "I'm sorry that you feel that way milady. "Shizune paced over to one of the file cases against the wall. The case was monstrous in height, filled with important documents regarding information and news from the other surrounding nations. She pulled open one of the many drawers and picked up one single envelope. "I hope that this doesn't add to your list of worries." The envelope was quite large, constructed of thick red paper with gold leaf trim along the edges, sealed with a black wax stamp. "This came for you today. It seemed important, so I didn't want to open it for you." Tsunade's eyes lit up as she reached for the envelope. "Who is it from?" Shizune shifted her weight and adjusted the hair by her face. "The Land of Muse I believe," Shizune said with confidence. "Huh. They haven't contacted us since the time of my grandfather. I can't imagine what they could possibly want now." Tsunade stated. "I really don't know too much about that land, other than it doesn't follow the normal ways of this nation." Shizune confessed, giving an awkward grin. "You're half right Shizune," Tsunade assured. "The Land of Muse is considered its own independent nation. It branched off more than seventy years ago. Since its located in the far south, way past the Crescent Islands, the other Lands didn't have too much to say about it." Shizune frowned and looked back to the envelope. "But why did the branch off in the first place?" Tsunade began to open the wax seal. "I'm not certain since the Leaf doesn't have much records of it, and there's hardly anyone still alive who would know. If I had to guess, it would be the fact that the Land of Muse has an emperor and a long family lineage, and they didn't want to lose that power." Tsunade explained. The pulled a pale-yellow paper out of the envelope and studied it. "Emperor Amago Morokatsu is requesting my presence in the Land of Muse to kindle an alliance with the Land of Fire…" Tsunade trailed off with disbelief. "But- why would they send the Hokage something like that? Why not the feudal lord?" Shizune asked in disbelief. Tsunade rolled her eyes. "That guy is an air-headed baffoon. I don't like discussing politics with him, so I don't blame the Emperor either." Tsunade put the document down and closed her amber eyes. "What could this mean for the leaf village? Would this alliance benefit the future generation?" Tsunade was deep in thought when Shizune finally broke the silence. "Maybe we should dwell on this for a bit Milady. "Right. But I don't want to wait too long. Bring me a scroll, a messenger hawk, and a bottle of wine."