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Shizune looked at Hokage Rock and just took in the mountain overlooking Konoha until she found herself lost in thought. It had been an eventful few days. Tsunade, the legendary sannin that she dedicated herself to serving after the death of her uncle, was going to become Hokage and join her grandfather and all the great ninjas on that monument. It was something that she never thought would happen in all the years that the two had spent away from the village, but thanks to fellow sannin and Tsunade's former teammate Jiraiya and his student Naruto Uzumaki, the two had returned home. And the thought put a small smile on Shizune's face.
"Hey, Shizune!"
The sudden shout snapped Shizune back to reality and Tonton oinked to greet Naruto, who stood next to Shizune and looked at the Hokage faces.
"So, when do you think Tsunade's going to be up there?" Naruto asked. "I still can't believe that she's going to up there before me."
"I'm not sure," Shizune replied. "Lady Tsunade was just inaugurated yesterday, and well, how long do you think it takes to carve a face in a mountain?" Naruto just let out a sigh. "Are you still upset that Tsunade was able to beat you with just a finger?"
"Hey! I was still able to master the Rasengan!" Naruto retorted. "And I have the necklace to prove it." Naruto held up the necklace that once belonged to Tsunade's grandfather the First Hokage. It had been around the neck of Tsunade for what seemed like an eternity, as if fate had wanted her to have that necklace, a feeling not helped by the fact that her uncle Dan and Tsunade's brother Nawaki had died while having it. And now, the ninja in orange and blue who shared their dream had that necklace.
"Can I tell you something, Naruto?" Shizune asked. "That necklace belonged to some people that were very close to Lady Tsunade. Ninjas that had the same dream that you do." Shizune and Naruto turned back toward Hokage Rock. "Tsunade's little brother was striving to be Hokage and so was my uncle. He wanted to protect Konoha, and when he died…" Shizune hung her head. "…Lady Tsunade didn't take that very well. I'm honestly still kind of processing the two of us being back here." Shizune turned to Naruto. "You know, if it wasn't for you, I really think I'd be dragging Lady Tsunade away from one of her gambling excursions after she's well knee deep in it," she said with a smile. "She's already overseeing blood, so that's a plus." Tonton oinked in happiness.
"Well, Konohamaru's starting to accept someone being Hokage other than his grandpa," Naruto said. "And Rock Lee's doing much better after that work on his spine. Oh, and Sasuke and Kakashi-sensei are due to be out of hospital soon."
Shizune smiled and let out a small chuckle. "Great medical work and storming into a fortified office and surviving traps completely unscathed can do a great deal in earning one's respect," Shizune said with a chuckle.
"But I'm still going to be Hokage someday!" Naruto said with his usual enthusiasm before turning back to Hokage Rock. He pointed to a part of the mountain where there was no face, which Shizune figured was most likely the place where Tsunade's face would be carved. "I'm going to be the greatest Hokage the Hidden Leaf Village has ever seen! Even better than Tsunade! Believe it!" The only thing that stopped Naruto's shouting was the growling of his stomach. "But right now, I could use some ramen? You ever been to Ichiraku? They're the best?" Naruto asked.
"I can't," Shizune said. "I have to make sure Lady Tsunade is actually doing her Hokage duties." Shizune moved to Naruto's ear. "Between you and me," she whispered, "I really have to make sure she doesn't do anything like go on a gambling spree now. Wouldn't that be awful?"
"I guess," Naruto said. "Suit yourself on the no when it comes to ramen. See ya, Shizune!" And with that, Naruto ran off to fuel up on his favorite thing in the world.
As Naruto ran off, Shizune paid him no attention. Instead, Shizune looked at the uncarved portions of Hokage Rock and tried to process how Tsunade would look with the Hokages from the days of old. She found herself thinking of Dan and Nawaki and their dreams and how Tsunade went from supporting their pursuits to thinking the dreams were stupid to having faith in the position of Hokage and the dreams of those who chase the title again. She thought of how she went from dragging Tsunade away from the gamblers when she was out of money and caring for her when she was puking her guts out among other less than savory things to being her assistant as she prepared to forge a new era for Konoha. The thought brought a smile to Shizune's face. There were many ups and downs in the years away from Konoha and away from being a ninja, and in all of that, Shizune being at Tsunade's side was the only constant. As Shizune thought of the past and the coming days where Tsunade would be fully in the Hokage role, a rather tender thought about her and Tsunade came…only for it to vanish as quickly as it formed in Shizune's head. Shizune walked away with Tonton, though that thought would occasionally return to Shizune.