Naruto: Leaves of the Tree
Chapter 1
Disclaimer: I do not nor ever will own Naruto.
Naruto Namikaze was an enigma to most. He was the Prodigy. The Genius. A genin at 6. Chunin at 7. And a Jonin at age 8. His teammates were none other than Kakashi Hatake and Itachi Uchiha. All lead by Naruto's father, Minato Namikaze. This was before the 3rd War and before the announcement of him becoming 4th Hokage. So Naruto being a war veteran. One of the three Legendary Leaves. A name given to Naruto and his teammates during the war. And the only one to have been taught by two Hokage's and the three Sanin. He was also part of the Neo-Sanin. The other two Sanin in training being Anko Mitarashi apprenticed by Orochimaru, and Shizune apprenticed by Tsunade.
Naruto was always the strongest among his peers. Rivaled only in Ninjutsu by Jiraiya, Orochimaru and Hiruzen Sarutobi. Matched in Kenjutsu only by his Mother, Kushina. Only slightly slower than his father. Taijutsu was only matched by his mother's student Might Guy. He was trained in the extreme in taijutsu by his mother. Her other two students were Yugao Uzuki and Gecko Hayate. Both experts in kenjutsu. However outclassed by their sensei and her son Naruto. These three made up team 5. Then of course team 6. Composed of Kohona's aspiring Genjutsu Mistress Kurenai Yuuhi, Asuma Sarutobi son of the Third and only one to have a wind affinity besides Naruto, and finally Yamato. The distant great, great cousin of Tsunade Senju and the only one to have use of the Wood Style.
Together with Naruto, Itachi, Kakashi, Yugao, Hayate, Guy, Anko, Shizune, Asuma, Yamato and Kurenai, they are Kohona's Elite. All very exceptional shinobi and kunoichi. All were the best. All were Chunin with the exceptions of Naruto, Itachi and Kakashi. They were Jonin before the others even had their first Chunin exams.
And as most could tell Naruto was very popular with the ladies. He had a fan club that could amass an army of fan girls capable of destroying one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. His biggest fans were of course the kunoichi of his graduating class. But Anko, Yugao, Shizune, and Kurenai knew better than to win his affections by converting to the dreaded Fangirlism. No they knew he liked strong women. So what better way than to be the strongest kunoichi possible.
But while he knew of their affections for him he could not find it in him to choose one and break the other three's hearts. Cruel to them for never choosing one? Perhaps. But then he would never have to see them cry. Oh how he hated to see a girl cry. It was heartbreaking. So alas, he could never choose one of the four lovely ladies. He simply couldn't bear it.
"Naruto-sama, you are needed in the meeting room." Said a lizard masked ANBU. Naruto sighed and got up from where he sat. The top of his father's head. A place where he could think while watching over his village. And in a flash he was gone.
In the meeting room where his parents, Teams 5 and 6, his teammates, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Tsunade, Anko, and Shizune. All waiting for his arrival. When he walked in he was greeted by his four most adoring fans. With a quick smile and hello he turned towards his father.
"Now that you're here it's time to get to business. Now then, the war has been over for a year now. But until yesterday there never was talk of a peace treaty. Everyone is still slightly angry about their losses. But Iron Country has called for a Kage Summit. There a treaty will be signed. It will not form any alliances. But it will at least put us on relatively friendly terms." He stopped to let this sink in.
"Tomorrow is the Summit. I however will not be able to attend. As there is a possibility of an uprising in our village. I must stay to uproot the problem. So Naruto, as my son and chosen successor you shall take my place. As future Hokage and our current protector." He stated proudly. "Jiraiya and Orochimaru shall try and find out about this uprising. Tsunade and Kushina, you both will continue your work at the hospital. Teams 5 and 6 will be on standby for a possible Civil War. And Team Seven." He said looking at his three students. "It is of the most importance that you make sure this treaty is signed and agreed upon. Itachi and Kakashi, you will accompany Naruto to the Summit as his Body Guards." He said going into stern mode. It meant their couldn't be any failure.
"Ok, Itachi, Kakashi meet me at the gate at five tomorrow morning. Be ready for anything. Kurama doesn't like something about this trip." Naruto stated with narrowed eyes. Something felt wrong, to both him and his tenant.
With that everyone left the room with the exceptions of Naruto and his parents.
"Is something wrong Naruto?" asked his dad.
"No, maybe. I don't know. It may just be the feeling I get before an important mission." He said calmly. Both parents nodded. It was better to be prepared for missions of importance.
"You know Naruto, if you had a girlfriend you might have someone to help you remove your stress." stated his mother. With an ever loving smile. She was slightly mad that in 18 years Naruto never brought home a girl. She of course knew why he hadn't. But for the love of Kami, Kushina really, really wanted grandchildren.
"Mom, please don't start. Only four girls in this entire village are even close to ever becoming something like that. And I can't find it in me to choose one. Not at the price of hurting the others." He said with a sigh.
He left so he could gather his equipment for tomorrow. As he made it outside however he was stopped by four kunoichi.
"Hello Naruto-kun, would you by any chance want to accompany a lovely lady to dinner?" asked Anko as she draped herself over his shoulders. She had on that same grin she always had.
Yugao her only competition in being one to be vocal about her affections, didn't like that.
"Hey, Naruto-kun, I was gonna ask you for a date." she said miffed that Anko beat her to the punch.
"Will you both please stop fighting. You know Naruto hates it." Said a calm Kurenai.
Shizune was quiet. She normally was. She was really shy around Naruto. And while it was known that she liked the blonde she would never vocalize it like Yugao or express it in a way that Anko normally does. Kurenai was the same way. Except she wasn't shy about it. She would proudly state it if asked. But was never one to go and try to do something to impress him. Such as fight over him like Yugao and Anko normally did. And are currently doing. Again.
"Um, maybe we could all go to dinner? The five of us?" said a shy Shizune. She quickly glanced anywhere but at the two glaring purple haired kunoichis. She could tell they were mad at her. They made their intentions clear that they both wanted to have a private date with the Namikaze.
"That sounds great Shizune-chan." Naruto said silently thanking her for the save.
"Come on girls, my treat." He said as he walked off. The four followed and found a restaurant. They all ordered and had a good time. Anko still trying to crawl all over him. Yugao yelling at her to have some modesty as she and quote 'Tried to dry hump Naruto.'. Kurenai sat there and ignored the two and had a conversation with him. Naruto would try to converse with Shizune but she would answer quickly to remain silent. She was really shy around him.
Next Morning
"Alright it is time. Let's get going." Said Naruto as the three headed off towards Iron Country. They all grew worried and became paranoid. Something felt wrong. And it only got worse as they neared their destination.
So how was this. A new story I wanted to try out. It has been nagging at me for a while. The whole story has a plotline played out. However I have decided to give you my faithful viewers the chance to give it an option. Who will win Naruto's heart. Depending on your vote depends on your path. A hint. If a Foreign Kunoichi is chosen then there will be issues between the villages. And honestly I can make it happen with any girl but a Kumo Kunoichi would be the easiest. Go to my profile and place your vote. If any of you have an OC you would like to make the lucky lady simply give me a quick rundown on them and I will get further info from you later. So GO VOTE AND REVIEW!