In need of a Hokage
This an AU of the events following Pain's defeat and the Five Kage Summit, and afterwards the Fourth Great Ninja War. If I get around to it I may even do about The Last, but that'll have to wait until I've seen the actual thing first. (If anyone knows a website that you can watch it for free with English Subtitles I'd be grateful). This is a NaruHina fic but it won't be a soon as you might think, but it's definitely before the War.
Chapter 1: Aftermath of Pain
As Kakashi walked through the woods, with the young sage on his back he smiled inside, his student had done what many other shinobi had failed to, he had changed an S-class nuke-nin and convinced said nuke-nin hat his way of peace was going to work. He knew this as Katsuyu, Lady Tsunade's summon had relayed what one of her slug clones had seen and heard. Today had been both the worst and brightest day for the village, Naruto, who was shunned from infancy had finally proven to the people of the village that yes he was the jinchuriki of the Nine-Tailed Fox, but he was far from being the demon, he was Naruto Uzumaki, The Hidden Leaf's Hyperactive Knuckleheaded Ninja, but more so, he was now the Hero of the Leaf. Not only had he beaten Pain, but he had done so with as little help as necessary.
Kakashi remembered what he had heard from Katsuyu. Naruto, from behind apparently had the same pose that his sensei, Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage struck when defending the village from the Nine-Tailed Fox. He of course had known of Naruto's connection to his deceased sensei, but the Third Hokage had forbidden him from even mentioning anything to do with Naruto's parentage to him, a fact that Kakashi thought to be cruel. He knew, deep down that regardless of his sensei's sacrifice, Minato-sensei was proud of Naruto, and who he had become, of course Jiraiya would be just as proud of his apprentice as well. Jiraiya had told Kakashi all about Naruto's exceptional ability to grasp concepts on the fly, but only by actually attempting the concept in the first place. Ironically Naruto could be one of the smartest of his generation, heck even his class, but due to factors such as how he was treated as a child he was dubbed the Dead Last in the academy due to his lack of book smarts.
As the student-teacher duo stepped out of the forest Naruto stirred. Kakashi could tell just from the slight movement his student made that h was awake.
"You did good Naruto, you did good." Was the praise he gave Naruto, he truly had done good, even better than good, he had blown all expectations out of the water, just like in the Chunnin Exams.
"Thanks Kakashi-sensei." Was the struggled reply from the exhausted blonde.
Just then there was a huge uproar from in front of them, the whole Village was there, just to praise their Hero, the boy that they had shunned for nearly sixteen years. Shouts came bounding across to them, some asking how Naruto was, others thanking him for saving the village. If Kakashi could describe the emotions on his students face, he would need a lot of paper, he could definitely see joy, and pure happiness, but if one looked underneath the underneath you could see the turmoil that Naruto was facing, some emotions such as rage and hatred leaked through is façade if one looked carefully enough, but Kakashi knew that they were just because of Naruto's past, and that the village as a whole now looked to him with adoration and respect.
-*-Flashback-*-
"Alright why don't you introduce yourselves one at a time?" Kakashi asked the trio of Gennin.
"Introduce ourselves?" Sakura asked, obviously confused to the question. "Well what are we supposed to say?"
"Things you like, things you hate, dreams for the future, hobbies. Things like that."
"Why don't you tell us stuff first? I mean before we talk, tell us about you so we can see how it's supposed to work." Naruto asked, also curious, the expression was worn by him like an old jacket.
"Me? I'm Kakashi Hatake, things I like and things I hate… I don't feel like telling you that," That led to exasperated gasps from both Sakura and Naruto, "My dreams for the future… well I never really thought about it, as for my hobbies, I have lots of hobbies." Kakashi concluded, in his usual aloof tone of voice.
"That was totally useless, all he really told us was his name." Sakura observed grudgingly, to which Naruto nodded in agreement, Sasuke, the third Gennin in the group jut looked on indifferently, as per usual.
"Okay, your turn, you on the right, you first."
"Believe it! I'm Naruto Uzumaki. I like instant ramen in a cup, and I really like the ramen Iruka-sensei got me at the Ichiraku Noodle shop, but I hate the three minutes you have to wait after you pour the water in the ramen cup. My hobby is eating different kinds of ramen and comparing them, and my future dream is… To be the greatest Hokage! Then the whole Village will have to stop disrespecting me and start treating me like I'm somebody, somebody important!" Naruto exclaimed.
-*- Flashback End-*-
'Well Naruto, you finally did it, even if it was before your dream of becoming Hokage, the villagers are treating you like you are somebody important, because you are now, you along with every other ninja who has done great deeds for the Village.' Kakashi thought to himself.
Meanwhile Naruto was thinking about a plethora of things, such as Nagato's final gift to him and the Leaf, his and Konan's belief that he could achieve what Pervy Sage had been looking for. He was also mulling over what the Forth Hokage, his father had told him, how that he believed in him to find the answer to world peace and then there was what he spoke of concerning the masked ninja, who said he may well have been Madara Uchiha, the first leader of the Uchiha clan and Sasuke's ancestor. The final things he was thinking about were, the Village's praise and worrying of his safety, and Hinata, the young Hyuuga Heiress had risked her life, when his was surely going to finish. That confused him, why would the overall shy young woman risk her life for him? She said it so simply, because she loved him, him of all people. It all made sense, her shy attitude, especially when he was there, the constant fainting around him and other incidents such as the healing balm she gave to him at the preliminaries for the Chunnin exams. That still didn't explain why she did, it couldn't be as simple as she let on surely. He made a mental note to ask her about it soon enough.
The cheering noise from the villagers suddenly came roaring back to his sense, his training with the Toads must have paid off if he could simply tune that much noise out. The cries of happiness and concern for him actually made him ready to cry.
-*-The next day-*-
Naruto was sat on a pile of newly cut timber ready to go towards rebuilding the village when Sakura came running to him.
"Naruto! Come quick, it's Lady Tsunade!" her voice leaking with terror made him jolt up from his position and he ran after her. A few minutes later they both arrived at the "hospital", in reality it what a group of tents surrounding a larger one with the red cross embroidered across the sides.
Sakura led Naruto further in towards a small tent with four ANBU guarding the corners, there were probably more hiding around the tents as well. Sakura then motioned for him to follow her into the tent. Inside was Tsunade Senju, Godaime Hokage, but she looked so frail and old, they weren't the only ones there, Kakashi-sensei was there as well as Shikamaru Sai and Shizune.
"W-what's wrong with her?" Naruto croaked (A/N no pun intended).
"She used up too much chakra during the invasion, including after you arrived, she was still trying to heal herself when you sent Gamakichi away with her." Shizune said, in her no nonsense doctor voice.
"When do you believe she will wake up?" Kakashi asked, voicing his concern, everyone knew he was worried, if Naruto could, which he could, then so would everyone else.
"Her condition is stable for now, but as to when she may wake up, well it could be from around two weeks to two months."
"Well we all know that this is gonna be a drag, don't we?" Shikamaru said, analysing the situation with the most scrutiny.
"Lady Shizune, may I ask to why we five are here, I can understand yourself and Sakura, but as for myself, Kakashi-sensei, Shikamaru and Naruto I am rather confused." Sai asked, he was getting better at feeling again but he was still of ROOT so it was coming hard to him to regain his emotions.
"Well with the elders sadly unable to be saved in time," This earned a gasp from Sai as his eyes went wide with uncertainty, "I was able to get those Lady Tsunade trusted completely here."
Shizune sighed, this was going to be a long day.
"We need a new Hokage until Lady Tsunade is revived, and then there is the matter of your Sage Mode Naruto, with Lord Jiraiya's death, doesn't that make you the newest Toad Sage?"
"Shizune, I know that I won't be chosen as Hokage, I'm too young, too brash, hell I was hated until recently, so I get what you're saying, but yeah, I think I'll go ask Geezer Toad about it later." Naruto said, he realised after he said it that he was actually ok with not being Hokage right now, he was still too young to rule the Village, but as long as he could help the village until then he was happy.
"So are you putting Kakashi-sensei in as a nomination for Hokage, Lady Shizune? I mean it'd make sense, he's a seasoned Jounin and he has earned respect from the village since he attained the rank." This came from Shikamaru, who again was probably right, Shizune wouldn't want to lead the village, Shikamaru himself was too lazy to do so, and Sakura and Sai weren't cut out for leading the village.
"If that's what is necessary for the Village then I accept the proposal." Kakashi sighed, this'd probably mean less time for Make Out Tactics.
"Then I can get in contact with the Fire Daiymo?" Shizune asked, relief written all over her features.
The group nodded an affirmative, except Sai, he looked extremely troubled.
"Lady Shizune, did you say that Lord Danzo was dead?" he asked.
"Sadly, yes, he and the other two elders were crushed by rubble whilst we were trying to rescue them and some others from the ruins of the Hokage Tower."
"Then, I'm free." Sai whispered, thanking whatever gods were out there looking over him.
"Free from what Sai?" Sakura asked, curious to why her new team member suddenly looked so relaxed and happy.
"I was originally a part of ROOT, a black-ops unit with the ANBU black-ops themselves, we never reported to the Hokage unless Lord Danzo told us to do so, he had every one of us sealed so that we could never speak of what he was doing, had done or planned to do, but with his death he cannot trouble us any further."
"I would like to mention that Danzo had some very strange things seen during his Autopsy, in his right arm were several Sharingan, from some of the deceased Uchiha and in his right eye was a Sharingan that was documented to have been Shisui Uchiha's mangekyo."
"Did you find Shisui's other eye?"
"No so far, we have recorded the eyes of Shisui, Fugaku who was Sasuke's father, and some minor Uchihas whose eyes must have awoken during Itachi's attack upon the clan."
"Okay then, Shizune, this conversation remains a secret between us six, and when Lady Tsunade wakes up, we need to brief her too."
"Ok, Lord Hokage." Shizune said with a smirk.
-*-Four Days later-*-
With construction happening all through the village it was shocking news when not just one caravan of people arrived but three. Many were touched by such generosity of the first two caravans. Those were the carpenters and builders of Wave country, they had all heard the news of the attack and who had beaten the man responsible, so Tazuna had asked them to help the young man and his village who had helped them years ago. The second caravan was men and women from Suna who had also heard to the attack and Gaara Subaku, the fifth Kazekage sent them out as soon as word reachd him, Naruto was there for him when he needed saving, so he would do the same when Naruto and by extension his Village needed aid.
The third caravan was the most shocking though. This caravan was none other than the Fire Daiymo's. That meant that there was something big going on with the higher ups. This also meant that the other great nations had heard of the attack and may well be planning an attack to finish the Land of Fire's Hidden Village.
-*-With Naruto-*-
"Well then, I guess this was bound to happen anyways, eh Ma?" Fukasaku sighed to his wife, Shima. This was said referring to the sight of Naruto Uzumaki appearing once more upon the sacred grounds of Mount Myoboku. If his gut instinct was correct the lad would want to become what Jiraiya-boy was, the Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku, not that he nor Shima had any qualms with that, even some of the other toads would vouch for him, especially Gamabunta and his sons, Gamakichi and Gamatatsu. Those three greatly respected the young man before them.
"Yes, it was bound to happen, but we need to see if he can pass the challenges like Jiraiya did, even his student couldn't face the challenge and come out victorious."
"Yes, but we must remember that Minato-boy was strong in other ways that could sometimes be said to surpass certain points of sage mode."
At this point Naruto had reached them and bowed respectfully towards the two elder toad sages.
"Hey Geezer sage, Granny sage." Naruto said, respectfully, eve with his use of slightly offensive nicknames.
"Hello Naruto-boy, I must thank you once more for whatever you said to the man behind Pain, if it were not for you, well…" Fukasaku trailed off.
"Hey, no big deal Geezer toad, you were used against me by Pain, so in the end I had to try and reason with him, regardless of all the hate filled and unforgivable actions."
"Well my thanks to you anyway lad."
"Naruto, I hate to sound rude, but why exactly did you return here, I thought your Sage training was completed, well as complete as it could be considering your tenant." Shima asked, really understanding the reason behind Naruto's appearance.
"Well, with all the chaos back home, and the village deciding on Kakashi-sensei as the next Hokage until Granny Tsunade recovers, I thought I should try and remember Pervy Sage in a way that everyone would know who he was."
"Ah… So you'd like to become the next Toad Sage?" Shima asked, with a bittersweet smile, especially with the reasoning behind remembering Jiraiya.
"Yeah, I thought that would be ok, if Great Toad Sage agrees as well, but ya know, I don' really know what I need to do." Naruto said rubbing his neck awkwardly.
"Well then, Naruto boy," Fukasaku said, in hi no nonsense voice, "If you really do want to become the next Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku, we need to see if you have what it takes, Jiraiya-boy's student, Minato-boy couldn't hack it, so why do you think you can?"
"My dad couldn't do this?" gasped Naruto, from everything he had learnt about his idol, to even think that his father couldn't complete this, well it was a huge shock to him.
"Yes, Minato-boy, bless his soul, couldn't complete it, mainly because of the Shinobi War, the third one, as I'm sure you're aware of his involvement with the shinobi of Iwa."
"So if that hadn't of happened, he may have become a Toad Sage instead of Hokage?"
"To some extent yes, but remember Jiraiya-boy was also offered to become Hokage too."
Naruto looked down at his feet thinking about all the possible implications of this training could mean to the village. After a few minutes pondering over what would be the best option for the village he looked back up at the two Sage Toads saying, "I'll do whatever it takes to be Hokage, and I'll do the same for this, for Pervy Sage!"
The two toads smiled upon the young man before them, when he had first arrived he was young and reckless, but his training had paid off and he had changed into a mature young man, albeit with some childish antics in there too.
'This boy will make a fine Toad Sage, Jiraiya-boy, you chose well.' Fukasaku thought as the trio ascended to the Old Toad Sage's chambers.
And that's a wrap for chapter 1, yes I know that Naruto as a series has finished but like most people who write fan fiction, it is entirely their own ideas of what may have happened, or even what some believe should have happened, me I like the whole franchise bar three things really, 1. How long it takes for an English dubbed episode is just too long, 2. Obito as a villain just doesn't seem right, especially with the backstory of what he was like, and 3. Jiraiya never telling Naruto about his parents, yeah I know he speaks about the fourth Hokage, but only as the title, not as a parent of Naruto.
But yeah, rant over, please leave a fave or even follow that'd be nice, also if you have any ideas that I could mull over to do with the story feel free to message me about it, BUT bear in mind just because you suggest it does NOT mean I will change MY story for YOU! Ok, at the end of the day, you sirs, madams both young and old do not have to read this, this is purely the imagination of a young man going absolutely insane so if it isn't you're cup of tea, don't drink it, or in this case read it.
"The Author would like to remind all readers that he will not tolerate any 'Flaming' he also would like the reader to know that in his left pocket is a Mars bar and is in fact one of the few things he owns, unlike the Anime and Manga series that is Naruto, Naruto Shippuden and all associated media, they belong to the owners."
Chapter 2 is on its way, be prepared for some kind of Troublesome adventure to begin.