Scene I: The Kami Have Arrived
Konohagakure. The "hidden leaf". Quietness emanated from those giant gates. It was hard to believe that the Akatsuki's Pain had destroyed it only a few months ago. A precession of traveling ninja made their way to the Fire Country's most prestigious town. Their headbands bore the mark of a campfire, the symbol of the Barbeque Country's Flame Ninja. Two of them were dressed the attire similar to one of the five kage. A long haori, not the robe that once dotted the five kages' attire. One had his eyes covered by his headband. A second headband on his waist bore the mark of the country, Everlasting Rain. The mark of the Rain Ninja, a rain drop surrounded by several others. He walked with a cane stretched out, tapping it along. The other, the taller of the two, had brown hair that stood up on either side. He kept his face looking down at the ground. At his arm, a kunoichi with four miniature blonde pigtails and an outfit that defied the laws of physics. Her sleeve on one side wasn't attached to anything and the coat had so many breaks in it held together by bandages that it was surprising it remained on her body. The others were simple. One kept his headband holding up his extremely long hair. Not that having it in two long tails didn't help. His attire was similar to that of the Hyuga clan, a long tunic and baggy pants. Another with bright pink hair and eyes wore the brightest blue dress. At one side was a picture of the sun.
The ninja made their way to the gates with a slow and steady gait. It seemed the one with the cane was guiding them there, but took all the time he felt like. When they finally made it to the gates, two guards came up to them.
"How can we help you?" One asked, but then quickly added, "If you have business with the Hokage, we have to request you wait. The rokudaime is out on business."
"Don't worry, we're still earlier than we anticipated, so we can wait." The kunoichi with the pigtails answered. She tugged the ninja at her arm along, almost the same way as one would with a leash.
The group proceeded to peruse the town. Stopping for lunch at Ichiraku. A few customers sat on the stools of the ramen bar. They'd heard from locals that this was a good lunch spot. Not that the dango here wasn't good, but that if Anko was there, there would be none left. The chatter sparked the travelers' attention.
"I can't believe he's still chasing after Sasuke after all this." A ninja in red armor and swirls on his cheeks commented as he finished off his fifteenth bowl of ramen. "Now, I have no one to compete with." Then, taking another bowl, "Ikitakimasu."
"You mean Sasuke Uchiha, desu?" The ninja with the two headbands asked, "Right, Chouji-san?"
"Yes, but do I know you?" Chouji asked carefully slurping up the remaining broth in his bowl. His eyes held telltale confusion.
"I'm afraid not. Yet, I know all about you, desu." Then, "Where are my manners. I am Noriyasu Chanro, the Daikami and former godaime Garasukami, desu."
"I am Yuzuke Aruke, chief advisor to this one over here. He's the rokudaime Garasukami, Tzu Udino." The one in the pigtails commented as Tzu slurped up a bowl of ramen, looking quite shy. Though, his glancing at her made Chouji wonder.
"I am Kazesan Hyoudan, an advisor and chief of the ansatsu butai for Tzu-chan." The one with the long hair and soft features said quietly. At first, Chouji thought it had been a young woman, but from the deep voice alone told him it was a guy.
"Nori-chan." Came a quiet voice.
"Oh, yes. This is my wife, the lovely Lena Sakura, sandaime Mizukami. Ok, honey, desu." Noriyasu pointed to the one in the blue dress and instantly became embarrassed. "We came here for aid from your Hokage. But, it seems by the time we arrived, our letter to the godaime wasn't received."
"Oh, it was received." A voice came from behind, as the traveling ninja turned to see, there stood a ninja covering one eye with his headband and with his white hair sticking to one side. "It's just that, her honor, Tsunade Senju has retired and the rokudaime is seeing to some business at the feudal lord's." Then, he added, "He should be back sometime today."
"What is the Daikami, Garasukami, and Mizukami?" Chouji asked. His tone said he'd never even heard of them. Kakashi said nothing.
Suddenly, there was a flash of smoke and someone coughing. As it cleared, there stood a ninja with his face, neck and hands wrapped in bandages. A golden pipe stuck out of the bandages where is lips would be. "Let me, Raido Takanawa the Barbecue Country's historian, explain." He cleared his throat. "The gokami of which there are seven, are similar to the gokage which there are six. While there are the Hokage of the Hidden Leaf, Mizukage of the Hidden Rain, Tsuchikage of the Hidden Stone, Raikage of the Hidden Clouds, Kazekage of the Hidden Sand, and Hoshikage of the Hidden Stars... there in the western world, are the gokami. The five gods. In the Barbecue Country, the Garasukami, glass god. In the nation of Oak, the Kinzokukami, metal god. In the nation of Everlasting Rain, the Mizukami, water god. In the country To Sail by Wind, the Kuchiyosekami, the summoning god. In the Light Lands, the Raikami, the lightning god. Those are the five gods. However, in the last five years two more have been added to their ranks. The Kagekami, shadow god, of the County of Night within the New Morning Nation and the Daikami, the great god, he who brought us all together and rules over the wolf ninja in the County of Wolves in the Deer Lands, Noriyasu Chanro-chan."
A toad came hopping up to Ichiraku, looking around for a place to sit. There was one lone spot at the bar. "Naruto-niichan, there's one left." The frog hopped onto the bar. "O-ji-chan, one pork ramen with the works."
A young blonde-haired ninja in an orange jumpsuit and red and black haori came from the other side of the curtain. "Yo, Chouji, Kakashi-sensei." Then, he noticed the other ninja in the ramen bar. "Oh, you guys must be here from the western ninja nations. I think Grandma Tsunade said something about you guys coming."
"Yes." Kazesan said quietly. "We've come to see the Hokage."
"Oh, what a pretty lady." Naruto complimented as he eyed the long-haired ninja.
Kazesan blushed and looked down in his lap. "My wife would be very angry if she heard you say that."
But, Naruto wasn't listening. He was busy slurping down a second bowl of ramen. "Chouji, sorry I'm late. How many have you had already?"
"I'm on eighteen." He smiled.
"I guess I have to pick up the pace. O-ji-san, five more bowls of ramen quickly."
"Right."
"You know when the Hokage will be back?" Lena asked suddenly, her impatience always in her voice.
"When I beat Chouji here, I will take you myself." Naruto said with a smile, stacking his seventh bowl. "Ji-san, hurry, dattebayo. Five more."
