Haruno Sakura was a leader, even if she did not know it herself. Her leadership qualities weren't the most obvious kind, apparent the way that they were in Uzumaki Naruto, nor were they the underhanded techniques that Uchiha Sasuke favored, but she had the spark, the potential, that if fully utilized could easily put her on the same footing as her childhood teammates.
These hidden qualities first came to light during the war, when during the battle Sakura, ordinary, average, not great Sakura was able to ignite hope within her comrades in face of Naruto's injury.
"If we're all going to die, we might as well go down fighting" She had yelled, fearless despite the situation and her words had given her fellow shinobi hope.
And then the girl, the teenage girl with no family line, no demon to help her, had gone on and held her own during the battle, she ended up playing a big role in ending the war in their favor.
Furthermore, after her teammates left the village on a journey of self-discovery and healing, she stayed behind and put the needs of the village before her own.
Granted that no one could really blame Naruto or Sasuke for needing a little time away, it was hard to forget that it was Sakura that stuck around, it was Sakura that raised Konoha back to its former glory.
The battle scars were still visible, but Konoha was healing, largely due to her help.
And so, five years after the war ended, on the date that marked the end of the war , no one residing in Konoha was surprised when Hatake Kakashi, fully backed by the Jonin Council, offered Sakura the position of the Seventh Hokage.
That is to say, no one but… Sakura.
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The twenty two year old jonin was bewildered to say the least. This wasn't the way she expected her day to go at all. Maybe it was a bad idea pulling a 30 hour shift right after a S rank mission, all the stress had made her delusional.
"I don't understand, I'm not Naruto" She blurted out feeling slightly mystified.
"Leave us" Kakashi motioned towards his council.
Sakura counted to 6 and the room was cleared leaving her alone in the Hokage's office. She was upto 46 when Kakashi spoke again.
"You're not Naruto, no. Naruto has been gone from the village for the past five years Sakura, and you…You have been here, where the citizens needed a leader like you the most. This village is your life now and you have become its heart."
"There wouldn't be a village if it wasn't for Naruto"
Kakashi shook his head "Noone is denying his contributions-"
"Contributions?!" She cut him off harshly "He put his life on the life for this village over and over again, and now- now you want to hand over his dream to someone else?! And me of all the people! As if I would even consider taking the position that is rightfully his. I can't believe-"
"Haruno" Kakashi murmured quietly "A little bit of respect is in order, I believe"
She stared at him in shock before stiffly apologizing "Gomen, Hokage Sama"
"Yes," He nodded, acknowledging her apology "Now listen to what I have to say. No body, least of all me, is denying Naruto's contributions to this village. He is one of the best shinobi that Konoha has ever produced and even a better person, but the fact of it remains: He's been gone. He hasn't returned to Konoha since the end of the war. Don't give me that look Sakura, I understand why he had to leave, but you have to see things from an unbiased perspective. He's gone and you remain"
"So, I'm the next best option?" Her voice held a trace of bitterness
"Sakura-" She shook her head cutting her sensie off "Sorry, that was uncalled for. I still donot understand why you can't remain Hokage till he returns"
"You know as well as I do that my role as Kage was meant to be only a temporary one. All the other nations now have Kage's from the next generation and they're getting antsy, I can't wait for Naruto forever. You are also one of the best that Konoha has, and frankly speaking, in light of everything that you've done for the village over the past few years, even if Naruto was to show up now, he would still face quite a bit of competition from you"
"I…I never did any of this to become kage, I did it for Naruto. I'm not a leader, I can't be a kage."
"Take some time to think about it Sakura. Don't underestimate yourself, you've got what it takes to be a leader, trust me on that. You're a good shinobi, Sakura, but believe me when I say this"
A pause "Say what?"
"You could easily become one of the greatest. You're dismissed."
Xxxxxxx
Three days later, against her better judgment, Sakura accepted. She was initiated a week later. Robe, hat and all.
"It's only till Naruto and Sasuke kun get back" She told herself firmly.
But, what the young woman did not know was that the thing about having power is that very few people are able to relinquish it.
Xxx
Naruto and Sasuke had begun their travels separately for despite fighting together during the war there was still bitterness between the two. Not that either of them would ever voice it, not Naruto because he was set on believing that the end of the war meant that everything was perfect again and Sasuke because he was….Sasuke.
Around 3 years after the war, sitting in a bar, Naruto admitted to himself that he was mad, angry, furious, pissed off, at Sasuke for leaving in the first place. For not confiding in him and for a million other things.
It was around the same time that Sasuke admitted to himself that he was relieved, happy, glad that Naruto had never given up on him, that they were brothers and most of all that Naruto, too lost his arm during the war.
They both had their arms back, of course, but it would have been humiliating had he been the only one that lost a body part.
It was shortly after these revelations that the two happened to cross paths. Both were on their way back to the village but this chance meeting occurred. Add a group of mysterious shinobi and chaos ensued. In the end both of them decided to travel with the Homonoki tribe to a remote island, overseas, and a 6 year delay in their return to the village occurred.
Both boys, because despite everything that had happened, they were still boys, not men repaired their relationship and 9 years after the end of the war were bonded more tightly than ever. The goal to become hokage never once left their minds and it was all that each thought about on their journey home. Little did they know, they would be in for a very big surprise.
Xxx
"Konoha's such a great place around this time of the year especially. Idate and I are considering moving there once little Amane is born" A voice floated towards them.
"That kage of theirs has done an amazing job" The second voice chimed in.
Once the women were out of earshot, the blond shot his companion a grin "Hear that, Kakashi sensie is doing a great job in my place!"
Sasuke simply smirked, shaking his head at the last statement, before a thoughtful look crossed his face
"Do…do you think it'll be okay…with Sakura?" He voiced his concerns albeit a bit hesitantly
Naruto's grin grew wider at this "Of course it will. She's our Sakura chan! She's always been the steady one in our group."
In a little over two hours, Naruto Uzumaki would find out how wrong his nonchalant statement was.
Xxx
A/N : I JUST WATCHED shippuden episode 372 and idk this just came to me and here's the first chapter..I haven't written anything in years now omg its been long! Anyway, I'm not sure where I'm going with this, the first chapter just came to me, I'll update the story once I have a proper outline. Leave me a review! ALSOOO Ideas are welcome and if anyone is willing to beta pls inbox me. Hugs :D