I decided after seeing a few other efforts on the Missing Hokage challenge by Perfect Lionheart that I would toss my own into the ring. I am a big fan of the couple of Naruto and Hinata. I hope my effort is worth the time to read.
Additional Notes (January 2011): After leaving the story sit unattended for over a year, I sat and re-read the entire thing to get a feel for it once more. I found that the story does not read like one of mine at all so I am expanding and editing my work. I will keep the spirit if the original challenge but several plot points will no longer be met.
The Missing Hokage Challenge
The Departure
The rains began shortly after the first medic squad had returned to the village. They carried Akimichi Choji through the gates into the ninja village known as Konohagakure. The rookie ninja was in critical condition from eating his clan's special food pills as a boost to his chakra during a life or death battle. He achieved his victory over the Sound jonin but the victory came at a terrible price. He currently was a shadow of his former self with most of his body fat burned off as chakra. The pills carried a poison in them that would kill the boy shortly if not treated.
Hyuuga Neji was brought in next. with multiple puncture wounds completely through his body. He also had defeated a jonin of the Sound. His enemy used techniques that had given the jonin the appearance and abilities of a spider. The jonin used those spider-like abilities to attack the boy from a distance and took advantage of the boy's weaknesses. In spite of being outmatched in power, Neji had prevailed in his battle through cunning and intelligence. The teen was taken into emergency surgery with Shizune, the Hokage's apprentice, handling the job of focusing healing chakra from several sources to perform a needed miracle on his life threatening wounds.
Inuzuka Kiba arrived next with a kunai wound to the abdomen. It was fortunate to have missed the vital organs so he would be able to recover completely with little fuss. His dog partner, Akamaru, had several torn muscles but the vet said with proper care he would recover completely as well. Like his comrades, he had been forced to divert to face a jonin of the Sound. His battle did not fare as well as the previous ones. He was saved by Kankuro of the Desert. The ninja from the allied village known as Sunagakure was a puppet wielding ninja. Kankuro finished off the two wounded Sound jonin that had fought against Kiba.
Next to return was a larger group. Nara Shikamaru had only a splinted finger to show for his battle but he looked very worried and worn. He had nearly won his fight but in the end the sheer power of his opponent threatened to overcome him. It took the arrival of Temari of the Desert to bring a victory over their enemy. Another Konoha ninja named Rock Lee was limping along being helped by the most unlikely of people, Gaara of the Desert. Gaara was the very person who had inflicted Lee's wounds months before during the Chunin Exams. Temari followed along with them but she just looked bothered by the whole situation as she berated Shikamaru. They had only returned to the village after encountering the jonin Hatake Kakashi on his way to support the final member of the chase team.
The rains lightened to a mist as the hours passed with no word on the final missing team member. Guards at the gate called out that several people were approaching rapidly. The pink haired Haruno Sakura stood up from the bench she waited at and peered through the mist. The girl was waiting for word on the missing members of her squad; Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke. She recognized the strangely vertical silver hair of her sensei, Kakashi holding a battered orange and red figure. A few steps behind was a copy of the man with a dark bundle held over one shoulder.
Sakura ran through the open gate along with several more medics holding stretchers. The medics all tried to go past Kakashi to take the dark bundle but Kakashi stopped them with a command.
"Treat Naruto first. That trash can wait."
Sakura stopped as if hit. She looked closer and saw Sasuke was tightly bound with wire and blindfolded. The medics stood still as well until they heard Kakashi yell "MOVE!" The look in his one visible eye was pure anger and the medics moved without pause after that.
"I'll carry this trash to the security wing myself," said as the shadow clone handed the bound boy to Kakashi before dispelling.
The medics hustled off to the hospital with Naruto. Kakashi followed behind them. Sakura slowly turned to watch them take her teammate and crush away.
The teammates, teachers and close family of the wounded genin were all packed into the waiting area hoping for word. The hospital itself was a madhouse by the time that Tsunade could finish stopping the self inflicted poison going through Choji's body. The Akimichi red pepper pill was a last resort and considered a suicide move. And yet, Choji had taken it to ensure his victory and prevent the Sound jonin from following after his comrades.
Shizune along with a half dozen medics managed to heal Neji with medical ninjutsu. The boy would be out of action for weeks but he would recover with minimal scarring thanks to the chakra based healing of the medics. Kiba was resting comfortably once the wound in his abdomen was stitched closed. Shikamaru had his finger checked over and had been waiting for word on his best friend Choji. The three Sand ninja were siblings and they stood off to one side merely waiting for word on the one person they actually wished to hear about.
Tsunade walked down the hallway in silence holding a single file with the name Uzumaki Naruto. She went into the room and gasped as she read the file once more. Cracked jaw, two crushed cervical vertebrae (half healed), punctured lung (half healed), five ribs over injured lung were shattered or missing, severe burns from electrical jutsu. The detailed list continued down half the page with minor wounds after that. Tears fell down her face as she feared she would be burying another precious person due to the cursed necklace. If it were not for the demon sealed inside of Naruto, the boy would have already been dead back in the Valley of the End.
"Hey, baa-chan," whispered out a weak voice. "You look terrible."
Tsunade looked up with a start. Naruto was awake already! Fighting back to urge to hit the boy for calling her 'granny', she moved closer to the bed and spoke in low tones, "You should be sleeping, gaki."
"Hurts too much to sleep, baa-chan." Naruto said.
"You just sleep and get better, Naruto. You've earned it." Tsunade quickly made the hand signs and put a forced sleep jutsu on Naruto. He faded out before he could make another sound. "You definitely are a special one Naruto. Never change," she whispered as she gently kissed his forehead.
Tsunade wiped her tears away then turned and left the room to go deal with telling the people waiting what was going on.
The joint council of Konoha normally had little power within the walls of Konoha. The only time it did was in the time there was no Hokage or the first three months after a new one was appointed. Beyond those conditions, Konoha was in actuality a military dictatorship with the Council relegated to dealing with civilian matters.
As those three months had not yet elapsed since Tsunade took office as Hokage, the Council still enjoyed the reins of power in Konoha. They were meeting to find out the details of the so called 'Uchiha Retrieval Mission'. Uchiha Sasuke was charged with fleeing Konoha with intention to defect to the Sound village.
Kakashi was called in to give testimony regarding his students.
"I arrived at the Valley of the End just as Sasuke was walking off in the direction of the Sound. I saw his teammate, Uzumaki Naruto, on the ground beaten near to death. I immobilized Sasuke and brought him back to Konoha. If I had been even a minute later, I would have lost him in the rain."
One of the minor clan representatives spoke up, "Uchiha Sasuke has already claimed in sworn testimony that he was disoriented after defending himself from an insane monster and thought he was heading back towards Konoha. Could you have been mistaken about his intention to flee? Could he have been disoriented and merely been walking in the wrong direction?"
"When I stopped Sasuke, he did not appear disoriented at all, Councilor," Kakashi replied.
"I beg to disagree, Hatake-san. Had you stopped to find out why Uchiha-sama was going in the direction he was? No, you did not. All you did was strike him down and cruelly bind him and carry him back to Konoha with no other medical treatment. Upon arrival, you called off the medics who tried to treat his wounds and tell them not to treat him, but rather to treat his teammate first."
"Uzumaki Naruto had been subjected to several life threatening injuries at the hands of Uchiha Sasuke in the course of his assigned mission to return the fleeing genin to Konoha at all costs. Uchiha Sasuke had minor injuries and could wait. Any triage nurse would have made the same choice."
"But you are not a triage nurse, Kakashi-san. You should have allowed the trained professionals to handle such things upon entrance into the village," the councilor stated before the next one spoke.
"Uchiha-sama has testified that he was disoriented after being drugged by the Sound forces. He thought he was facing and defending himself from a 'demon covered in red chakra' were his exact words. He could only be referring to the Uzumaki boy attacking him. We know of Uzumaki's 'condition' and I find it miraculous that Uchiha-sama was able to defend himself from such an onslaught in his state."
"Councilor, the technique Uchiha Sasuke used to inflict a near fatal wound on Naruto was the Chidori I taught him. It requires a focus and level of control that no person could attain while being drugged and disoriented. That he continues to hold onto that testimony of being disoriented and you believing such drivel lead me to believe that nothing I say will convince you otherwise."
The council stopped that line of questioning once Kakashi had made that statement. They had already made their decision and did not desire to be confronted with facts.
Mitokaro Homura stood as he had been elected to read the verdict of this hearing.
"In our opinion, it is quite clear from testimony that Uchiha Sasuke was taken under duress from Konoha and drugged by Sound forces. The chunin leader and the genin on the retrieval mission have all testified that Uchiha Sasuke was sealed inside of a barrel for transport. When released from it, Uchiha Sasuke fled while disoriented in a direction away from the combat which happened to be toward the Sound village by mistake. The panel finds that he is innocent of the charge of desertion and the full Council has voted to override the Hokage's sentence of treason in accordance to its power under the laws of Konohagakure."
"This Council has also deliberated the conduct of Uzumaki Naruto in this instance. Sadly, we cannot find that he used excessive force in his attempts to retrieve Uchiha Sasuke as the genin Uzumaki was obviously overmatched by Uchiha Sasuke's prowess. However, we must consider Uzumaki Naruto's other actions."
"ANBU reports large amounts of demonic chakra present at the Valley of the End. This means that Uzumaki either willingly accessed the demon's energy or that the seal is weakening somehow. The Kyuubi that Uzumaki keeps contained is a constant threat to the safety and security of Konoha. If the seal weakens enough to allow it to be released, the demon will escape and continue to attack our village. We cannot contain such a creature with the means Konoha no longer possess and killing Uzumaki Naruto might also cause the demon to be released."
"Therefore, it has been decided for our own safety and by a vote of 32 to 8 within this joint Council that Uzumaki Naruto shall be banished from Konohagakure and not allowed to return without permission. The vote is by more than a two thirds majority and as such the Hokage cannot override this decision in the future."
Tsunade rose to speak to the Council.
"I wish for all present to know and for this to be recorded for the Fire Daimyo as well. This entire proceeding has never heard the testimony of Uzumaki Naruto in his own defense or in the proceeding in the matter of Uchiha Sasuke's attempted defection. Uzumaki Naruto has been in an induced medical coma for the past two weeks to aid in the healing of the grievous wounds inflicted on him by Uchiha. The testimony given by Uchiha Sasuke does not match the physical evidence collected by ANBU and other specialists. I feel his testimony is biased, incomplete and more than likely a falsehood. Without hearing the testimony of Uzumaki Naruto, any decision reached is a travesty of justice and should not be allowed to stand."
Danzo rose and bowed politely, "I understand and agree with your concerns, Hokage-sama. I myself voted against the movement for banishment but I was also overridden on that point." Danzo sat after his brief statement.
Homura continued, "The order of banishment will become effective a week after Uzumaki's health being certified by a physician decided upon by this Council. With that, I pronounce this hearing closed and its decision to be final."
Jiraiya, the Toad Sage and mentor of Naruto leaned in close to Tsunade.
"If you wish to find some means to prevent the banishment, I suggest you work quickly. The boy is nearly healed thanks to the power of his prisoner," he said.
Tsunade went into her office and calmly sat down. Her eyes betrayed her calm demeanor. "Shizune, bring me my stamp and official parchment. Also, find out who our most trustworthy messenger is. I have some deliveries to the Daimyo to be made and I do not want the Council finding out about them just yet. I have some planning to do and little time to get it done."
Sasuke chuckled as he relaxed in the bath in his home. Fooling those sycophants on the Council had been much too easy. The major ninja clan leaders were all against him but there were enough civilians and minor clan leaders to nullify them. Without Naruto awake to refute his testimony, they had eaten up everything he had said. He had even managed to get the idiot banished by telling about the red chakra the blonde had been tossing about. That had gotten some serious attention from the Council but none would tell him why. It was no important matter really. Within a year, the guards on him would be removed. Once that happened, he would be away from this hellhole faster than he had with the Sound Four.
The next thing he pondered was even more fulfilling for him. The Hyuuga Elders had approached him with an offer. They wanted him to marry the clan heir, Hinata. He smiled evilly. He knew the meek stuttering girl had a crush on Naruto. He could gain control of the Hyuuga by taking her as a political wife. Even more fun, he could rub it in the idiots face that the only girl that truly wanted him, he could never have.
Tsunade looked at Naruto's chart. She could not hide the fact that he was well enough to be brought out of the induced coma. Damn that demon and its accelerated healing of the boy. She walked toward his room with a heavy heart. She was about to open the door when she heard a soft voice inside.
"I wish I could talk to you like this when you were awake, Naruto-kun. I miss your energy and your smiles. Father says they are going to send you away soon. He did not want that to but too many were against you. It seems so many bad things are happening in Konoha now. The clan is pushing Father very hard as well. The Elders arranged a marriage for me with that Uchiha against Father's wishes. I hate the Uchiha but that is not an issue to them. He is the most prominent bachelor near my age in the village. I would give up everything; even lay down for that caged bird seal if I could marry you instead. But the only thing that could save me from the arrangement the Elders made would be someone of clearly higher status, royalty or the son of a Kage."
Tsunade cleared her throat and Hinata whirled in panic. Her face found a new shade of red as she saw Tsunade smiling at her.
"Tsu - Tsunade-sama, I didn't see you there," the girl stammered out.
"So, the stutter is only present when you are surprised or in front of Naruto, an awake Naruto at least. Were you telling the truth just now Hinata? Would you give up everything for him?"
"Yes, Tsunade-sama, I would."
Tsunade nodded, "Good, he could use someone like you in his life. I want to meet with your father as soon as possible, Hinata-chan. I have some business I wish to discuss with him on a personal matter, not as the Hokage."
Hinata brought Tsunade in to meet with her father in private the following day. Hiashi had made time for the Hokage without hesitation and they disappeared into his office. Hinata waited outside for nearly an hour before she was called into the office along with Neji and Shizune.
Hiashi looked like his normal stern self and Tsunade had a slight smirk on her face.
Once Hinata was seated, Hiashi began speaking.
"Hinata, Tsunade-sama has made me a series of offers regarding your future. Will you trust me to accept them for you without you knowing all the details at this time?"
"Yes, Father. I trust you," she replied with confidence.
Hiashi nodded. "Good, then you must sign these three scrolls before you. The first is an apprentice agreement making you an apprentice to Tsunade-sama. She is impressed by your own self taught medical skills and feels you could go far with proper guidance."
"The second is a contract allowing Tsunade-sama acting as marriage broker. Your signature is required in addition to mine as you are a ninja of the village and hold status as a legal adult within the village. She has offered to betroth you to the only son of a Kage. His name cannot be revealed at this time but I can assure you that you would find him more acceptable than that traitorous Uchiha."
"The third is an agreement to allow Hanabi to move ahead of you in succession for clan heir. This is designed to protect your sister from both retaliation from the Elders and the Caged Bird seal. As Heir Primus she cannot be sealed for any reason. You must only sign that one after the second because the betrothal agreement has a stipulation that you must be free of the Caged Bird seal. Hanabi is not of age to be married to the Uchiha so she would be safe from that. It would also allow you to return as heir should something happen to her. Neji and Shizune will serve as witnesses to your signatures."
Hinata looked at Tsunade for a moment and only paused long enough to pull back the sleeve of her kimono and take up the official brush before signing her name to each scroll.
Naruto finally opened his eyes as he was released from the jutsu that kept him asleep. He was tired and sore but felt much better than he had. A dull pain in his neck and ribs told him that he was nearly completely healed. He looked to see Tsunade and Shizune both smiling at him but something was off with both of them.
"Um, did I die or something?" he asked trying for a joke.
"More like or something, Naruto," Tsunade said with a wan smile. "I have to be the one to tell you this before I do anything else and you are misinformed. The Council that holds power between Hokages has decided that you are to be banished from Konoha in about one week's time. I did not have enough of them on my side to prevent it. I have not been Hokage long enough to get all the power of the position. As soon as their doctors examine you, the exact time will be set for your … banishment," she finished barely choking out the final word.
Naruto looked down, "I see."
"Head up, Naruto. You are not going alone. I'll be damned if I will let them do that to you without doing something in return. I only came back to this place because you convinced me it was the right thing to do. The fools on that Council will rue the day they crossed me."
"What are you going to do, Baa-chan?" Naruto asked.
Tsunade grinned like a cat about to eat a captive bird.
"First, you are going to sign a few things for me," she informed him.
"The Old Man told me never to sign anything without reading it and telling him about it because he was my official guardian."
"Well, as Hokage, I became your official guardian so I say these things are okay. First one is you are going to become my official apprentice, effective immediately. The second and third I need you to trust me on. They deal with other issues involving your heritage and your parent's estate."
"My parents? You know who my parents were?" Naruto looked up hopefully.
"Of course I do. I should have been there when you were born, gaki. I just cannot tell you who they were right now. But, I want you to know that they loved you and wanted you in their lives. They both died the day the Kyuubi attacked. Just trust me, okay?"
Naruto slowly nodded and reached for the brush.
One week later, Naruto stood at the eastern gates of Konoha looking at the friends he had made; Team 8, Team 10, Team Guy, Kakashi, the Ichirakus, and Iruka with the Konohamaru Corps. He had learned that none of their parents on the Council had voted against him. The clans of Aburame, Akimichi, Hyuuga, Inuzuka, Nara, Sarutobi, Yamanaka and strangely elder Shimura Danzo had all voted against his banishment. The Hokage's vote there was not added. Kakashi, Iruka, TenTen and Lee had no family on the Council.
Sakura and Sasuke were nowhere in sight. Naruto did not wish to see Sasuke but he felt sad that Sakura was not coming to see him off.
He hugged each one in turn. Hinata almost fainted but only turned a deep maroon. Even Shino gave him a goodbye hug and his bugs buzzed as well. Tsunade waited off to one side with the Sand Siblings. Naruto picked up his small bag and climbed upon the back of a summoned frog and headed out. He headed east toward the Wave until he was out of sight.
Tsunade nodded. "Now, Hinata go get ready. We are traveling to the capital then on to Sand village with your betrothed."
Everyone looked at Tsunade with a puzzled look. Sasuke had been bragging all week about his betrothal to Hinata while she had kept herself within the Hyuuga compound to avoid him. Hiashi merely sniffed in a haughty fashion. "I decided that she would be better off marrying the son of a Kage instead of that vile traitor. As her father and clan head, I am within my rights to overrule the clan elders in that way."
It was common knowledge that the Sand Siblings were the children of the Kazekage and none of them were married. Most of the people gathered smiled at what Hiashi had done. Losing Hinata to another village was a small price to pay over her being forced to marry that Uchiha. Ino hustled off with this latest gossip.
Two hours after Naruto departed, a wagon waited near the western gates. Hinata sat in it wearing the traditional clothes of a bride traveling more than a day to meet her husband. Gaara, Kankuro and Temari would be traveling back to Sand with the cart. Once more the friends were saying goodbye when another group approached. Several Hyuuga elders and Sasuke led the group.
"Where are you going with my bride?" he said in a loud voice.
"Hinata is not your bride," Hiashi said in a not so patient voice. "She accepted betrothal to the son of a Kage. He outranks you socially and he has the wealth of his inheritance to support them. You have no claim upon her."
"She is mine," Sasuke said as he reached toward Hinata. Hiashi struck out once and closed a tenketsu point on Sasuke's wrist which paralyzed the boy's hand.
"If you attempt to touch my daughter again, you will not have a hand to draw back, Uchiha," Hiashi said with malice in his voice and a fire in his eyes.
The Hyuuga elders approached Hiashi and he showed them the scroll with Hinata's acceptance of Tsunade acting as marriage broker for the arrangement. As one, they bowed to Hiashi and left with honor satisfied. After all, the son of a Kage did outrank even an Uchiha.
Tsunade put on the Hokage hat and sat in the cart with Hinata. An ANBU drove the cart as Shizune drove a second cart out of Konoha. the rest of the ANBU guard for Tsunade surrounded them and the Sand Siblings as they filed out the gate.
The small caravan made its way to the capital. The carts were much slower than ninja could run and the group found itself bored. Tsunade tossed the Hokage hat to one side as she relaxed in the sunshine. Hinata just sat nervously. She did not like the idea of being sent off as a bride but she trusted her new master and teacher.
At night the caravan would stop at an inn. The girls noticed that Tsunade did not seem to be too interested in making good time on their journey. As ninja they could have run to the capital already. The cart in truth was unneeded as the supplies could have been stored within special seals. They realized that Tsunade was planning something but the blonde Hokage was not telling her secrets.
It was on the third day out of Konoha when something finally happened. The group was a few miles outside of the capital when the ANBU tensed up. Tsunade chuckled and told the guards to relax. This was someone she was expecting. The cart moved forward once more. Around a bend in the road Naruto was waiting for them.
Tsunade smiled.
"You're right where you were supposed to be Naruto. I'm impressed."
Naruto grinned and rubbed the back of his head as he normally did, "I can do some things right baa-chan."
Tsunade beckoned Naruto closer before popping him in the forehead with a finger.
"You have to call me sensei, apprentice."
Naruto frowned and rubbed the slight bruise the high power impact had made.
"You took on Naruto-kun as an apprentice too, Hokage-sama?" Hinata asked.
"Yes, I took both of you on as my apprentices. Along with doing a few other things that are going to surprise the heck out of Konoha," Tsunade said with an evil chuckle.
The ANBU looked at each other but no one said a word. They already knew most of what Tsunade had planned and no one on this detail had any disagreement with it
At the Daimyo's palace, the ANBU waited outside. The Sand Siblings made their own way through the city to the embassy of the Wind Country. They were entitled to stay there due to an agreement between Suna and the Wind daimyo.
It was nearly an hour's wait before Tsunade, Shizune, Hinata and Naruto were called in the see the Daimyo.
The group entered into the audience chamber of the Daimyo and bowed to the middle aged man. Jiraiya stood off to one side with a smirk on his face. The two teens were surprised to see the Toad Sage waiting for them there. They did not forget their own manners and bowed to the ruler of the Fire Country. Hinata did it flawlessly as she had been trained in etiquette since she could walk. Naruto had a harder time and he looked awkward but still he put out his best effort.
"Ah, Tsu-hime, I have all the paperwork you requested signed for you. So, these are the new apprentices?"
Tsunade smiled, "Yes. Neither one knows everything yet but they soon will."
"Well, I would let you have some fun, but those idiots on the Council in Konoha have irritated me. This one is personal." The Daimyo snapped his fingers and a secretary brought up a tray containing a number of scrolls. The Daimyo opened the first one with a deft sureness and a flourish.
"In the matter of Uzumaki Naruto's heritage and inheritance, I find in his favor. He is entitled and ordered to receive his parents' possession. He is to have title of all lands and properties outside of Konoha transferred to his name and the market value paid for all of his parents' lands and properties within Konoha from Konoha's funds immediately upon receipt of this judgment. Those funds shall be transferred out of Konoha's possession into a financial institution of his choosing" The ruler pulled out his seal and stamped it on the document, making the judgment legally binding.
The Daimyo set aside the first document and picked up a second. "I recognize the promotions of Uzumaki Naruto and Hyuuga Hinata as well as their appointments as apprentice to Senju Tsunade." He stamped that one and moved to the next scroll, marking each with his seal and giving the documents full force of his position behind them.
"I authorize and order the payment of all of Senju Tsunade's gambling debts from the funds of Konohagakure."
"I authorize Senju Tsunade and her apprentices to be free from any ties or obligations to Konohagakure should she step down from her post as Godaime Hokage."
"I accept the resignation of Senju Tsunade from her post as Godaime Hokage."
"I authorize the appointment of Jiraiya, the Toad Sage as Rokudaime Hokage in place of Senju Tsunade. He shall rule with full power immediately upon assuming the title."
"With my seal upon these documents, even the so called Council of Konoha cannot override them without committing treason," the Daimyo chuckled. Naruto was stunned by what he had seen and heard accomplished in a few short minutes and stamps by the Daimyo.
"Now, on the last thing you asked about, Tsu-hime. Shall we take care of it now?" the Daimyo asked.
Tsunade bowed to the feudal lord of the country and spoke clearly. "I defer to your judgment on this matter, Daimyo-sama."
The man smiled and waved his hand to either side of the hall. "Everything for it is ready."
Jiraiya walked up to Naruto and tugged him towards a side room the Daimyo had gestured to.
"Let's go, gaki. You need to get changed."
Naruto was dragged along while he was still confused and silent.
Shizune was leading Hinata off to a doorway on the other side of the hall as well.
Once the teens were gone, Tsunade pulled out a scroll and unsealed a small chest. "Your payment as agreed upon."
The Daimyo smiled and peeked into the chest. His smiled seemed to grow larger as he looked over the contents of the small chest as he nodded. With a gesture, he instructed Tsunade to stand to one side of his throne. He placed the chest next to his throne and signaled to his majordomo.
"Bring the others in," he commanded.
The majordomo ushered in a number of people who were all looking confused. The remaining members of Team 7 and Team 8, Team 10, Team Guy along with their sensei. Ichiraku Teuchi and Ayame, Iruka, the Konohamaru Corps, the clan leaders of the Rookie Nine genin and several Hyuuga elders were soon waiting in the hall before the Daimyo. They had been summoned to the capital the previous day. Tsunade taking several days to take the trip had been so the Daimyo could make final preparations for this very gathering.
Fifteen minutes after their entry, Jiraiya led Naruto back in wearing an elaborate kimono and had managed to get Naruto's hair slicked back flat with large amounts of hair gel. He deftly dragged Naruto up to the dais before the Daimyo. Everyone began talking among themselves seeing that.
More minutes dragged by until Shizune signaled from her door. The majordomo clapped for silence. Shizune led in Hinata dressed in an elaborate white wedding kimono. She could not see where she was going because the head piece veil hung low; hiding her face and blocking her vision. The girl just followed Shizune up to the Daimyo.
The daimyo grinned expansively and opened his arms. "It is rare that I get to preside over an occasion such as this. Arranged marriages are normally political affairs and while this one is on part such a match, it is also one I am glad to be a part of. As both parties have previously agreed, I announce their arrangement completed."
"Uzumaki Naruto, son of Namikaze Minato, the Fourth Hokage of Konohagakure and Uzumaki Kushina, last member of the royal house of Land of Whirlpool and my own dear cousin, I present your bride, Hyuuga Hinata, daughter of Hyuuga Hiashi, leader of the Hyuuga Clan and Hyuuga Tsuki his wife. Greet each other for the first time as man and wife."
There was a loud thump in the room as Sakura fainted.
Naruto and Hinata had both been shocked by the suddenness of this event. He had been about to protest but when Naruto looked and saw the love her eyes held for him, all of his reservations were cast aside.
Hinata blushed heavily but her white makeup hid most of it.
"Hello my husband," she said in a clear quiet voice.
Naruto stood in silent shock until Jiraiya poked him in the back and he stuttered out, "Hello my wife."
The Daimyo laughed at the shyness of the teens and gestured off to a side hall, "Come, a feast awaits!"
Everyone was led into a large hall where the Daimyo sat after carrying in his small chest.
Jiraiya leaned over to Tsunade, "What's in the box?"
"It was his fee for letting me out of the Hokage job. The first numbered copy of the first printing of every one of your books. The ones that you gave to Sensei," she said with a chuckle.
Jiraiya leaned back his head and laughed.
Next Chapter: Konoha Learns the Truth.
Ah, I love shotgun weddings. Don't you?
Edited and reposted January 2011