O muse,
Sing in me and through me tell the tale
Of that boy skilled in all the ways of contending,
A wanderer harried for years on end…
The newly reformed Team 7 stood in the aftermath of the Fourth Shinobi World War.
Obito's body had been sealed away by Hashirama, Tobirama, and Hiruzen via the Reaper Death Seal Jutsu. The dead Shinobi resurrected by Kabuto's Edo Tensei returned to the Corpse Summoning Scroll by Orochimaru. But mysteriously, Zetsu and his clones had vanished from the battlefield. The sealed Bijuu were released from the Juubi, and Kurama had finally been unleashed.
Everyone was a bit suspicious when Orochimaru claimed to have seen the light, so it was decided that members of Anbu Black-Ops would follow him around for a while; just to be safe.
Orochimaru and Tsunade soon joined the rest. Tsunade, Gaara, Mei, Onoki, and A stepped up to declare the war's end.
"My fellow Shinobi," announced Gaara. "For years our villages have had many unnecessary quarrels. But I and the other Kage are here to announce that the period of war has come to an end."
"The time of the Five Hidden Villages is over." said Tsunade. "The Akatsuki has been defeated, which means we don't have to be divided. We have thought long and hard, and we have decided that our villages will combine into one giant nation."
At first everyone was silent. But then someone started to clap. And before long everyone started to cheer.
"The five of us will still rule as the leaders," announced Tsunade, "However, after everything I've been through in this war, I will be resigning."
The Shinobi gasped, shocked. Even the other Kage were surprised at this. Then Kiba spoke.
"Well then who's gonna be the next Hokage?" he asked. Tsunade smiled.
"I have decided that my position will be taken by a Konoha Jonin. I've already made my decision. My replacement will be the Copy Ninja, Kakashi Hatake."
The crowd started to clap. Kakashi was surprised. First he is chosen to be Hokage, then Tsunade wakes up from her coma, then she resigns, and he is chosen again.
Raikage A spoke up. "Well in that case, I now pronounce this war, concluded."
The entire crowd cheered and clapped, and roared and howled. The long war was finally over. When everyone settled down, Gaara spoke.
"As the Kazekage, I would like to recognize the three Shinobi that helped to end this wretched war." Tsunade spoke up.
"I give you the next Legendary Sanin, Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno!" The crowd clapped and cheered, and Team 7, as surprised as they were, stepped up in front of the enormous crowd of Shinobi, and smiled at their admirers.
"We did it." said Naruto. "They're acknowledging us."
"Wasn't that always part of your dream?" asked Sasuke.
"Yeah," said Naruto. "I can't believe it; the three of us, after all this time. We surpassed the Sanin!" He smiled in the way he always used to. But he had never quite been this happy.
They walked back down, to find some old friends waiting to say goodbye. The Bijuu stood in a line with Minato at Kurama's side, Naruto standing before them.
"I guess you'll be off now." said Naruto to Kurama and Minato.
"Yes." said Kurama. "All of the Bijuu must now return to the other realm. Madara and Obito have been defeated. Our purpose here is done."
"And you're going too, Dad?" asked Naruto.
"I'm afraid so." said Minato. "It was so great to see you. I'm proud of you, Son." Naruto began to cry. He hugged his dad, and Minato hugged him back. "I'll miss you." he finished.
"I want to thank you, Naruto, for finally freeing me." said Kurama.
"No, Kurama." said Naruto. "I want to thank you. Without you I would have died countless times. It's thanks to you that I survived."
"Don't just thank me," said Kurama, "Thank your father."
"And don't just thank me," said Minato, "Thank him, too." He looked up to the sky.
"Thank who?" asked Naruto. But just then, a flash of light came down from the heavens, and the spirit of Jiraiya appeared. Naruto's eyes widened, and he smiled. "Pervy Sage!"
"It was because of them that I was able to protect you." explained Kurama. "Minato's jutsu, and Jiraiya's will power gave you the strength to use my power."
"It looks like I've done good. My student saved the world." said Jiraiya, rustling his hand through Naruto's hair. "You did good kid." He was surprised by Naruto hugging him.
"Why didn't you ever tell me you were my Godfather?" asked Naruto.
"I never found the right time. I died before I got the chance. I'm sorry for that. I wish I would have had more time with you."
"I forgive you," said Naruto, "and I'm the one who's sorry."
"No," said Minato, "It's the three of us who should apologize. Jiraiya Sensei, Kurama, and I are sorry for making your life so difficult. We'd better be on our way now." Naruto started crying again.
"Please don't leave. I can't survive without you guys. Dad, Pervy Sage, you guys are my family." He looked up at Kurama. "And you, believe it or not, are my friend, Kurama."
Kurama frowned. "It's been fun, Naruto. Sorry I didn't befriend you sooner."
"Our memory will never die, as long as you remember." said Jiraiya. The three of them spoke in unison.
"We'll always be in your heart. We'll be watching over you."
"I'll never forget you." said Naruto, drying his eyes. Then Minato, Jiraiya, and the Bijuu faded into the sky. Naruto turned around to face Sasuke and Sakura.
"Naruto," said Sakura.
"We did it, guys." said Naruto. The three of them hugged. It had been a long time since the three of them were so close. The memories came rushing back, and they smiled.
Naruto and Hinata met each other, and paused staring into each other's eyes.
"Hinata." said Naruto. "I'm so sorry for being the fool I've been. I've been so blind. All these years I've been chasing after Sakura, but I never even realized that there was a sweet, beautiful, and strong girl right in front of me." He frowned. "I really owe it to you, so if you don't like me anymore, I understand. Just promise that we can still be," He was interrupted by Hinata, who kissed him. At first he was surprised, but then he returned her kiss. Everyone clapped.
"Naruto-kun," said Hinata. "I would never hate you, and don't ever think different. I-I love you."
"And after all these years, Hinata, I've realized I've fallen in love with you too." said Naruto clasping Hinata's hand.
"You don't know how long I've wanted you to say that, Naruto-kun." said Hinata smiling.
"I'm glad to hear you say that, Hinata." said Naruto. "You've always been there for me, and I know I've never been able to realize that. And now I want to make it up to you. So," He knelt down, still holding Hinata's hand. "Hinata," said Naruto, "Will you marry me?"
Hinata felt like she was going to faint. Her face turned bright red, as it had all the times before. But those times didn't matter anymore. She was no longer afraid. She caught herself.
"Naruto-kun, of course!" She began to cry, and she threw her arms around him. Naruto hugged her back. The two of them were happy.
It was decided that, as soon as they got back to Konoha, the two of them would be married. It had been quite some time since any of them laid eyes on the villages. The next day, after they all got some well-deserved rest, they would all return to their homes.
A/N: That's the first chapter! I'll post the next chapter as soon as I can. Read & Review!