Hello, this fic is my own continuation of chapter 449 of Naruto. That's it, really. I should warn you though. I've been keeping track of the story via the wiki, so some stuff may not be accurate. Anyway, on with the show.

Naruto: Exile.

Chapter 1: Flight of the Slug.

The moment Naruto stepped into the village of Konoha, the villagers swarmed him, congratulating him on defeating Pain, patting him on the back, wondering about the bouquet of roses he has. However, an ANBU came up, telling Naruto that Tsunade wants to see him. When they reached the hospital, Naruto headed for her room.

"Hey Baa-" He started, but when he saw Tsunade's state, he stopped. "-Chan?"

"Naruto, I told you not to call me that." She said weakly.

"What happened?" Naruto asked. Tsunade was lying in bed, her appearance matching that of an old lady, something she would never choose.

"I used a lot of chakra and strained myself. It will take a few weeks for me to recover." Tsunade explained. Then, she turned her attention to the roses in Naruto's hand. "Now then Naruto, where did you get the roses?"

Naruto explained how he got them.

"I see." Said Tsunade. "Naruto, due to the events that have happened, I am going to circumvent normal procedures and promote you to Jonin."

Naruto looked like he would jump out of his skin, but instead he just nodded and said, "Thank you."

Tsunade looked surprised for a brief second before continuing. "Now then, I would like you to help out with rebuilding the village."

Naruto nodded, and left the room as Shizune walked in.

"He's definitely matured, Shizune." Tsunade said to her assistant. Shizune would have responded, if not for:

"YEAH!"

". . .Well, at least he waited until he was outside." Said Tsunade.

"It has been decided," Danzo stated to Homura and Koharu, "That now is the time to act."

"And if it doesn't work?" Homura asked. Danzo smirked.

"I have a backup plan."

Tsunade had been reading the reports involving Pain's attack, but the moment she came across the report mentioning that Shizune had died, stared at that part in shock, eyes widened at the realization. When the report slipped from her fingers, Shizune looked worried.

"Tsunade-sama?" She asked. No response from the Slug Sannin.

"Tsunade-sama?" Shizune asked again. When she got no response, she knelt down next to the bed.

"Tsunade?"

Suddenly, Tsunade wrapped her arms around Shizune, tears running down her cheeks.

"Why-" Shizune started, but when her eyes turned to the report on the bed, and what Pain's Human Path did to her, she wrapped her arms around her sensei.

"I thought I lost you." Tsunade said in a whisper. While she wouldn't admit it, she had come to think of Shizune like a daughter. Guess that was one other thing she would have to thank Naruto for.

"I'm sorry Tsunade-sama, I-"

"Don't be sorry. It wasn't your fault."

The embrace lasted for few more minutes, because Danzo, Ruiner of Heartwarming Moments, was outside. Dismissing the ANBU outside her room, the Elder entered, flanked by two ninja from ROOT.

"Hello Tsunade." Danzo greeted, bowing politely.

"Danzo, I'm busy reading these reports." Tsunade answered. She was reading the report while Shizune stood nearby. "What do you want?"

"Tsunade, since you are not well," Danzo explained, "The council has decided that since you are not healthy enough to lead, I am to succeed you as 6th Hokage."

"Danzo, I am clearly awake and able to lead," Tsunade responded sternly. "Why would the council decide on a new Hokage already?"

"I told them that they were making a mistake." Danzo replied. "But there is some bad news though."

Tsunade and Shizune looked at each other for a brief second before turning back to Danzo. Something wasn't right.

"Two shinobi were found dead recently, and they were identified as Lady Tsunade and her assistant."

Right when Danzo finished that sentence, the two ROOT ninja advanced on the Slug Sannin and her apprentice. Tsunade threw her blanket at the ROOT shinobi coming towards her and leapt out of the bed. Tsunade's apprentice, on the other hand, had thrown some sebon needles at her attacker. While the ROOT-nin sidestepped most of the thrown needles, some made their way into his arm, and when he flinched, Shizune punched him in the face, sending him to the ground backwards. As more ROOT ninjas entered to assist, Tsunade picked up the bed and threw it at them and the ROOT-nin who just got the blanket off. But Danzo, who had moved early in the fight, had stepped in and chopped off Shizune's head with his katana and then stabbed it into Tsunade's chest.

"You've lost." Danzo said, kicking the dead Sannin off his blade. . . and frown as she turned into a log. He spun around and looked at Shizune. Sure enough, he had also decapitated a log.

"Substitutions?" He growled.

Tsunade smirked.

"Looks like I haven't lost completely." She said to herself and then kneeled down. Fighting off the ROOT-nin and using the substitution drained what little chakra she had regained.

"Shizune," She said in a quiet voice. "We must find Naruto."

Nodding, Shizune picked up Tsunade and leapt through Konoha's rubble.

Okay, so this is my take of what happened after chapter 449: Tsunade is still awake, but with the village in ruins and chaos, Danzo has decided to assassinate her. However, since she's escaped the attempt, Danzo is gonna send more ROOT ninja after her until she is either killed or driven out of Konoha. Then, he can bring the village under his control and can deal with Tsunade later.

As for the moment between Tsunade and Shizune, I was going for a heartwarming moment so it could be a bit OOC.

The fic will shift between humour and drama/seriousness, just to let you know. Initially, I want it to be more serious at the beginning and get more light hearted as it goes on.

And finally, be sure to leave a review.