A Whole New Level
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, at all.
Naruto kneeled in front of Jiraiya's grave, his body exhausted and his mind racing. If only the Pervy Sage had seen what he had accomplished, if only he could tell him that the Fourth Hokage was his dad. He would've known already though. Wouldn't he have?
"Yeah." Naruto mumbled to himself. He knew. Naruto looked up towards the sky and watched as a cloud drifted slowly overhead. Jiraiya was the Fourth's sensei, of course he knew. Hell, he imagined that several people most likely knew. It was the Fourth Hokage, how could he keep having a son secret?
Naruto furrowed his eyebrows as his thoughts drifted to his own sensei. The Fourth's student. Kakashi. Of course Kakashi knew. He always compared Naruto to the Fourth, always said he could surpass him, and always lingered his gaze on Naruto as if he was seeing a ghost from his past. Of course he knew, or at least suspected that Naruto was the son of his sensei.
As the cloud moved out of sight, Naruto decided it was most likely time to head back. His fight with Pein lingered in his muscles. He was exhausted. Mentally and physically exhausted. "Time to go." He stood up and began the walk home. To what was left of home. Everyone was alive though, and that is what made Konoha home to Naruto. He loved the people. Those who ignored him, those who acknowledged him, those who befriended him, and those he loved. It didn't matter who it was, he loved he people of Konoha with all of his heart, and showed it today.
Naruto smiled. He showed them. Whether or not anyone acknowledged him when he got back, he was proud of himself and his accomplishments. He avenged the Pervy Sage and gained an understanding of his enemy's ideals. An enemy, but a fellow student. Someone he truly understood.
As he took another step, he felt his muscles ache and his eyelids grow heavy. He slumped against the tree and started to fall forward. He wanted rest, just for a little while. As he drifted forward he felt himself caught against something soft, and instantly recognized the voice of the source. "Good job, Naruto." They were three simple words from his sensei, but Naruto could feel the pride radiating from them. Kakashi was proud. Naruto smiled and rested his head against his sensei's shoulder as he walked.
After what seemed like a few minutes, Naruto opened his eyes and watched as they slowly passed familiar trees. He looked at the ground and enjoyed the slow pace, the relaxing pace. "I saw my dad." Naruto mumbled sleepily but happily. Kakashi turned his head towards him with a wide eye, but decided not to question it.
"I saw mine too."
"Then it wasn't too bad of a day." Naruto said before yawning.
Kakashi's eye turned upward as he smiled from under his mask. "Not too bad at all." Kakashi looked down at his feet as he walked, his eye showing a mix of pride for Naruto and disappointment in himself. He always tried his best to teach Naruto, but Jiraiya had been the true master. Now, Naruto had become stronger than anyone in the Leaf. He had surpassed his predecessors. Not because of Kakashi, but because of Jiraiya.
"Kakashi-sensei?" The sleepy voice sounded from his shoulder.
"Yes, Naruto?" A moment of silence between the two made the moment intense yet awkward as Kakashi awaited the boy's response.
"Thank you. For everything. I couldn't have asked for a better sensei, and a better friend." Kakashi's eye widened and a lump caught in his throat. After everything, Naruto considered him a friend. That, in Kakashi's mind, felt a lot better than being just a sensei.
"And I couldn't have asked for a better student or friend." Just like that, Kakashi felt as though he and Naruto were closer than they had ever been. Naruto smiled.
As the two saw light at the edge of the forest, Kakashi smirked as he heard cheers coming from the village. His eye curved as he smiled, a glint of pride in them. Naruto truly was amazing. Now, he is the Hero of the Hidden Leaf. How will he react? Will he be happy? Confused? Kakashi decided to let the experience just play out.
Naruto's eyes widened as they entered the clearing to see millions of people, ninjas and villagers alike, waiting for him to come home. They cheered for him and cried for him. They laughed and they tossed their arms wildly. Naruto slid off Kakashi's back and it still felt as though he wasn't standing. Was this truly what it felt like to be acknowledged?
"You did it Naruto!"
"Welcome home Naruto!"
"Our savior!"
No, this was what it was like to be a hero, and a savior of people. To be loved by those you protect. Naruto gave the mass of people a confused look as they started barreling towards him with praise and laughter. Children gripped his legs tightly and he received hugs from ninjas who were brought back to life. Naruto felt as if he wasn't breathing, as if he was floating. Was he floating? He looked down to see his feet firmly on the ground, but numb from the loss of circulation due to the children's grips on his legs.
He looked past all the people holding him to find the one person he was looking for. Her pink hair was dirty and hung loose as she walked towards him with an agenda. Her eyes were looking down, the shadow of her hair blocking their intent as she stepped as close as she could to him. He felt an ache in his head as he watched her fist knock him to slightly hunch him over. Then he felt warm. For a second, he panicked that he had pissed himself. Then, he felt her arms squeeze him tightly and her fingers grip his jacket. "You idiot." She whispered.
Naruto just stood there with his arms at his side, confused on how to react. Did he hug back? He felt someone grab his arm and put it around Sakura's back. Turning his head slightly right, he saw Kakashi, with an eye smile, give him a thumbs up. Naruto only shook his head and gripped Sakura tight. "Was pretty cool, huh?" Naruto said with a cheesy grin on his face. Sakura only nodded and smiled.
"It was pretty cool."
Kakashi looked back to his two remaining students. How things have changed. Multiple times he had wished he could go back in time to prevent Sasuke from leaving. From tearing Team 7 apart. Yet, he realized at this moment, Team 7 would never be closer. What if the roles had been reversed? What if Naruto had been the one to leave? Kakashi couldn't imagine such a scenario. Naruto was Team 7. Without him, they would be any other team out there, but Naruto made it special. Naruto made it strong. He made it funny. He made it alive.
Iruka couldn't help but shed tears of joy for his beloved student. Naruto Uzumaki definitely earned the acknowledgement of the Leaf now. What a ninja he was. He looked beside him to see Konohamaru no longer crying or cheering, but just looking at Naruto with pride and awe.
"Ya know, Iruka-sensei? It's pretty amazing that we get to witness the greatest ninja in history." Iruka's eyes widened. The greatest? Iruka turned his attention back to the orange clad genin. Was he the greatest? He had accomplished so much, had saved his entire village, all while carrying such a burden inside of him. Tsunade could not stop Pein, Kakashi could not stop Pein, no other ninja even put up a fight. Yet here was Naruto Uzumaki, defeating not just one, but all of the Peins. The greatest.
"Yes. I suppose that is pretty amazing. And at such a young age. I never would have thought," Iruka stopped himself and looked towards the remains of the village, "No, I definitely knew it. I could feel it in my heart back then. Naruto always had a passion for being a ninja that no other student I've had could rival. He didn't just want to be Hokage, he knew he would be Hokage. Naruto knew that in his heart because he wanted it so bad, he wouldn't take no for an answer. And here he is. A hero. A true ninja. If he were to be Hokage right now, I would support the decision no matter his age. Naruto has what no other person has."
Konohamaru looked up at Iruka with a curious face. "What is that exactly, Iruka-sensei?"
Iruka looked down at his old student and gave him a wide grin. "The heart." He stated simply.
Shikaku stood beside Kakashi and watched as the crowd threw Naruto up into the air, chanting his name. "I am worried, Kakashi. A part of me wants to enjoy and cherish this moment, but the logical part of me is concerned over the safety of Konoha." Kakashi peered over at Shikaku lazily.
"Now now, Shikaku. The time for that will come later. For now, everyone needs this bit of joy to keep themselves sane. Pein's attack, not only crippled Konoha, but proved that we were hopeless without Naruto," Shikaku glanced at Kakashi, "you see, they realize this. Look at them, they want to be as close to him as possible. They are comforted by his presence. They know that if something happens, he is the only one they can look to."
"Which brings me to my next concern," Shikaku began, "Naruto is going to be expected to do many great things now. He not only gained acknowledgement, but he proved that he is the strongest ninja in Konoha. Kakashi, this is a heavy burden on Naruto."
Kakashi looked over the sea of people at his blonde student, before smiling and giving Shikaku a light tap on the shoulder. "He'll handle it. He knows plenty about carrying burdens." Shikaku's eyes slightly widened, before he nodded with a smirk on his face. Naruto definitely could handle it.
Kakashi walked alongside Yamato, his stride lacking the usual laziness. "Kakashi Hatake." He heard as he opened the door to the temporary council room. "We have summoned you to announce that you will be the Hidden Leaf Village's Sixth Hokage." Just as Kakashi suspected. Yamato however, had his jaw on the floor and his legs in the air.
"It is already decided then? Who were the choices?" Kakashi questioned. He had his suspicion and needed to know. He was sure that the other candidate, if they were involved with the council, would not be pleased. He would have to know the candidates so he could be wary of them.
"It is decided. The other candidates were Danzo Shimura."
Yup. Definitely needed to be careful of him.
"You, of course."
Also needed to be careful of that one. So handsome and charismatic. He could take the position right out from under him. Kakashi snickered.
"And Naruto Uzumaki."
Whoa.
"Naruto?" Yamato asked, in shock. Kakashi stayed silent, but was also shocked at the news.
"Of course, he did save the village after all. Experience though, proved to be more valuable in this time of crisis." The elder spoke.
Naruto? The more Kakashi thought about it, the less surprising it was. He was almost tempted to decline the offer so that Naruto could have a chance at it. Yet, Naruto would probably say no. Not before he saved Sasuke. Or would he? "I need time." Kakashi spoke.
"You have no time. There is a summit that you need to prepare for very soon. It is the reason we have chosen a new Hokage so quickly. Otherwise we would have waited for Tsunade-sama to recover."
Kakashi sighed. Hopefully Naruto would understand. Besides, he wasn't even sure if Naruto would beat out Danzo. Kakashi had no clue what Danzo was capable of. "Very well. Anything else?"
"You must choose two bodyguards to accompany you to the summit. No more, no less. It is being held in the Land of Iron. You have 3 weeks to prepare before you must set out."
Kakashi only nodded before leaving the room silently.
"Whoa! Kakashi-sensei this is awesome!" Naruto ran throughout the room looking through all the cabinets and folders. Sakura was in the middle of the room, standing politely, but fuming.
"Naruto," Kakashi sweat dropped, "that is still classified information you are going through." That didn't stop the blonde as he peered under the Hokage's desk looking for anything interesting.
"Naruto." A chill ran down Naruto's spine as he heard Sakura's cold voice.
"Heheh. Yes, Sakura?" He scratched the back of his head and laughed nervously. Kakashi tilted his head to the side and gave a small smile as the two of them bickered. He hoped this never changed, regardless of any titles or ranks.
"There is something important I must ask of you, Toad-sama." Kakashi jested. Naruto developed a depressed aura around him at the new title.
"Kakashi-sensei, how could you?" Naruto murmured as his head and shoulders slumped over. Sakura only giggled, furthering Naruto's embarrassment.
"All jokes aside. I am requesting that you come with me to the Kage's summit in the Land of Iron," Naruto stood straight and adopted a serious look, "you will be my bodyguard, along with Shikamaru." Naruto nodded. Sakura only looked left out as she looked between the two.
"Um, sensei, what should I do?"
"You will be the head of all medical services. With Lady Tsunade in a coma, all medics will be looking to you for guidance."
Sakura hung her head. She was always the teammate left out in Team 7. Kakashi and Naruto would be off doing something that could change the world. At a Kage Summit. Here she was stuck in the village, in the background, as always. She knew that taking care of the wounded was important, but she wanted so desperately to be by their side as they conquered everything.
"Sakura," Naruto's voice sounded out beside her, "you're always important to Team Seven." He gave her a thumbs up and a small, but enlightening smile.
"I know, but…" She began.
"I am sorry Sakura," Kakashi interrupted, "please realize, the only reason I am going to this summit is because I am Hokage. Do not feel like the odd person out. The fact is, Naruto has become the strongest ninja in our village." Sakura's eyes widened at the realization as Naruto just scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "You are almost as strong as I am, Sakura. Naruto is on another level. To be honest with you, I am a little left out too."
Both Naruto and Sakura looked at Kakashi curiously. "Whattya mean Gramps?" An immediate crash ensued.
"Do you always have to insult the Hokage, Naruto?!" Kakashi sweat dropped as he saw Sakura hovering over Naruto's collapsed and beaten body, lecturing him.
Kakashi let out a small cough to refocus their attention. Both the students stood straight, especially Naruto. "I mean, with the way Naruto is growing right now, he has not only surpassed me, but even the previous Hokages. I am going to be honest with you right now Naruto, you were a candidate to be the Sixth Hokage." Sakura gasped and Naruto's eyes widened.
"Me?" Naruto whispered. Sakura only looked at the blonde in disbelief.
'Naruto as the Hokage? At 16?' She thought to herself.
Kakashi watched the two's reactions before continuing. "Yes. You are the Savior of the Leaf. The Toad Sage. The Kyuubi Jinchuuriki. The Slayer of Pein," Kakashi watched as both of his students lingered on every word, "and, even if they do not know it, you remind them of your father."
Sakura rose her eyebrows and looked between Kakashi and Naruto. His father? Who was his father? She paused as she looked at Naruto and saw a photograph of the Fourth behind him. It couldn't be, could it? She let it go for now after seeing the discomfort in Naruto's eyes.
"I am not my fath-" Naruto paused as Kakashi tossed him an odd, three-pronged kunai.
"I figured you would want to try and figure this out, it was his trademark jutsu after all." Naruto stared at the kunai in awe. His father's kunai. "I watched him use it in war. He could single handedly take out entire battalions of enemy ninja." Sakura had no doubt in her mind now. Naruto was the son of the Fourth Hokage.