Chapter 2: Decisions
Barely an hour after his appointment as the Rokudaime Hokage, Naruto was already hard at work planning the restoration of Konoha.
Inside his office at the Hokage Tower to assist him with his decisions were Fukasaku, Kakashi, Shizune, Shikaku & Ibiki as well as the two elders, Koharu and Homura.
"Right then. Shizune Neechan, send our fastest runner to bring this message to Tazuna of Wave Country. His construction company can help us a lot with the rebuilding effort. I've already requested additional supplies and materials from Demon Country and Spring Country so by the time he gets here with his crew, everything will be ready." The blonde Rokudaime said, handing the dark haired apprentice of Tsunade a scroll.
"Yes Hokage Sama." Shizune replies causing Naruto to wince. Knowing Shizune's familiarity with the rigors and responsibilities of his new job, Naruto decided to ask her to assist him as she had assisted Tsunade when she was still the Hokage in the hopes that her presence might make his transition to power easier.
Upon learning that her adopted little brother was finally achieving his dream, Shizune was only too happy to accept his request for her help. But of course, since Naruto was already the Hokage, she'd have to follow protocol and treat him with the respect and formality befitting his new position despite his best efforts of convincing her that it was not necessary.
Watching Shizune leave the room with the scroll for Tazuna, Naruto already misses the casual relationship he had once enjoyed with her.
Shaking his head to clear his mind, he goes on to the next piece of business in the agenda and turns to the others in the room with him. Apart from Shizune and Danzou, these were the only people who knew of his appointment as Hokage. The active shinobis would have no problems following his orders since they were trained to follow whoever the leader may be though it was wierd having your own sensei address you with such respect.
The elders were an unknown factor. Koharu and Homura often sided with the old warhawk Danzou these past few years though to their credit, they seemed genuinely disturbed by the news that someone from Konoha was responsible for the creation of it's most fearsome enemy.
They were obviously not the traitors he was looking for since they seem to accept him as the Hokage.
Danzou was different story altogether.
Despite his declaration that he would support Naruto as Hokage, there was something about the old geezer that he didn't trust. If there was someone whom he'd suspect of having a hand in Akatsuki, this guy seems like the most likely suspect if what he heard about him was correct.
But even if he managed to convince Sai to talk, he doubted that the youthful ROOT operative knew anything more then he did. He'd have to put the mystery that was Danzou in the backburner for now because he had more important things to do.
"I'm sure Pein's attack on Konoha is old news by now and there might be some people out there who's looking to take advantage of our weakened state which is something we can't afford." Naruto said, looking over the large map of Konoha on the wall.
"Agreed." Ibiki rumbles. "And as per your orders Hokage Sama, I've deployed all available ANBU to patrol the village and it's perimeter. I've also recalled personell from non essential missions to help bolster our forces."
"That much black ops out in plain sight sounds suspiciously like martial law, you know?" Kakashi points out. The one eyed jounin was understandably proud of his student. Any doubts he might have had in Naruto's ability to effectively lead the village was immediately doused when he saw the look in the blonde's eyes. It was a look of confidence and empathy which inspired people to follow and believe. A look which he has seen in only one other person.
Minato Sensei.
"It can't be helped Kakashi Sensei, especially with our village in this condition. Besides, I think the villagers will appreciate seeing more ANBU around to maintain the peace. Good work Ibiki San." Naruto said though he didn't bother to tell the scarred interrogator and his sensei that he had asked Fukasaku to post sentry toads in and around Konoha for added security.
After studying the map again, he makes another suggestion. "But just to be sure, I'd like to reactivate the commisions of our shinobis in the Reserves Corp and temporarily press them back into active service to further reinforce our ranks."
"A show of strength as a precautionary measure eh? Smart move." Shikaku said thoughtfully.
"Not a show of strength Shikaku San. It's a show of solidarity." Naruto corrects. "It'll show everyone that despite all that's happened to us, we're still a strong' united front who are more then willing to fight to the death to defend our homes. That should be enough to make them think twice before messing with us."
"Indeed. If we use this method, we'll still remain a force to reckon in terms of military strength which will hopefully deter any hostile action planned against us." Homura said with an approving nod.
"What of the missions?" Koharu spoke up. "We can't suspend the village missions because we need the funds for reconstruction."
"And we won't. But with your approval, I'd like a few proposals to mission assignments in light of our current situation." Naruto answered, looking at the two old advisors who both nods for him to continue.
"I know it's been a tradition to have civilian members help with the mission assignments for our shinobis but I'd like to change that. Starting now, only ranked and experienced shinobi officials will be the ones who'll make the decision on mission classifications. I've seen too many reports on missions gone awry because they were improperly classified and given to teams whose skill level aren't enough for the task. Likewise, assigning a highly skilled shinobi to a menial task is a terrible waste of valuable resources when his talents could be put to much better use elsewhere." Naruto said as he looks around the room.
Finding no objection to his initial proposal, he continues his briefing. "D ranked missions will be done exclusively by genin teams who will be supervised by the Chunins. Chunins were meant to be squad leaders after all so I think it's high time they started pulling their weight and leading their own units like this will be good practice. C ranked missions will be assigned mostly to chunin teams and depending on the difficulty and threat level, we'll have a jounin supervise or allow the odd genin teams to participate here and there. Just don't count on that happening very often."
"Higher ranked missions are another story altogether. I'm now issuing a rank requirement for them. Only high chunins and above will be assigned to B ranked missions and the A ranks and higher will be handled by no less then tokubetsu jounins, full jounins, ANBU or even Sanin class shinobis and team members will be chosen according to mission parameters." Naruto declared with a grim look. "By doing this, we increase the chances of mission success and minimize our casualties."
Shikaku was impressed. Uzumaki Naruto was the Hokage for a grand total of only forty five minutes thus far and yet he took control of the situation like an old pro and even came up with a suitably working plan for Konoha's recovery. The kid was a far cry from the prank loving brat who used to be chased around for his troublesome antics.
"Ok then. Now that we have those out of the way, there's another thing which I'd like all of you to take care for me." Naruto said as Shizune arrives from her errand. "Perfect timing Shizune Neechan coz this concerns you too."
The dark haired medic nin simply nods her head as Naruto looks at the faces of the rooms occupants. They were the people whose judgement he knew he could trust. At least most of them anyways. He wasn't as sure with the senior advisors but by virtue of their long time association with the Sandaime, Naruto was willing to give them a chance to prove themselves. "I know that I've asked you to withold my identity as the Rokudaime Hokage till the proclamation in about a week's time, right? The reason for this is that I plan to go back to Myobokuzan to complete my senjutsu training with Fukasaku Sensei."
"Hokage Sama! You can't leave us at a critical time like this." Homura protested. "Surely you can complete your training here in Konoha."
"You do not have the correct conditions and the facilities for this kind of training." Fukasaku replied bluntly. "It has to be back in Myobukazan."
"Look. The fact of the matter is that my battle with Pein only showed me just how much further I need to go before I can call myself a real Hokage. With the kind of opposition we'll be facing, I'll need all the advantages I can get. I need this training guys and I need your support for this." Naruto said.
After a minute of silence, it was Kakashi who speaks up after giving the elders, Shikaku, Ibiki and Shizune a nod. "We understand Hokage Sama and we will do everything we can to assist you. What is it do you want us to do?"
Naruto nods gratefully at his jounin sensei and spoke. "In my absence, all of you will be in charge of the day to day operations for the next week as all the major decisions have been made."
"Shizune Neechan will handle the administrative functions of this office and the hospital." Shizune nods at this.
"Kakashi Sensei and Ibiki San will be in charge of the shinobis and ANBU." Both Kakashi and Ibiki nods as well.
"Shikaku San. Anything clan related will be your job." A muttered "troublesome" was the only answer from the Nara clan leader.
"And Civilian concerns will be taken care of by Homura Dono and Koharu Dono." The two elders acknowledge their instructions with a curt nod.
After giving his instructions, Naruto bites his thumb to draw blood, speeds through the handseals and slams his hand on the floor. "Kuchiyose No Jutsu!!" A green sized toad wearing a yellow bandoleer across it's chest who looks to be about as big as Fukasaku appears in a puff and looks up at Naruto.
"I'll leave Gamahiko with you guys just in case you'll need me in an emergency. And don't worry coz he won't be as defenseless as the last toad we left with you." Naruto stated with a smile as the toad puffs up it's chest and breaths out a rather large stream of flame.
"Anyone who tries to mess with me is toast." The toad called Gamahiko declared with pride as he hops up to Kakashi's shoulder who eyes him with some amusement.
Fukasaku could only chuckle at his subordinate's antics. Despite his small stature, Gamahiko was sharp witted, quick on his feet and quite formidable especially with his fire jutsus. Naruto made a good choice in summoning the young toad here.
But before anyone else could speak, a purple haired female ANBU wearing a cat's mask appears in front of Naruto.
"What is it Cat?" Naruto asks briskly, knowing that the ANBU wouldn't interrupt their meeting without a valid reason.
"Forgive me for my interruption Hokage Sama. But a contingent from Kumogakure is here to see you with an urgent message from the Raikage." Cat replied, causing Koharu to raise an eyebrow in surprise.
"Kumogakure?" The female elder asks. "But we haven't had any diplomatic contact with them since the Hyuuga incident. What on earth could've happened that they need to send a team to deliver a message to the Hokage?"
"Hyuuga incident?" Naruto repeated with a frown. "Are you referring to the attempted kidnapping of Hinata?"
"Yes." Ibiki confirmed. "Kumo denied any wrongdoings of course and demanded compensation for the death of their ambassodor who was the one killed by Hyuuga Hiashi when he tried to abduct his daughter."
"But instead of delivering Hiashi, it was Hyuuga Hizashi who volunteered to sacrifice his life and be delivered to Kumo in Hiashi's stead." Naruto finished grimly.
Homura nodded sagely. "Yes. But Konoha had no alternative because we were still recovering from war as well as Kyuubi's attack. We wouldn't have survived if Kumogakure decided to declare war on us."
"I don't believe that for a second. There's always a way but we just didn't look hard enough." Naruto stated bluntly. "In any case, what's done is done and like Koharu Dono said, they wouldn't send a team here for no reason. Nonetheless, I'd like your team to escort them to the tower Cat. Make sure to take the quickest route that's furthest from the Hyuuga Clan compound just to be safe."
"Understood Hokage Sama." Cat said with a bow before vanishing. Naruto then turns to the other occupants of the room. "Now then.... Does anyone have a clue what Kumo wants with us?"
"Any reason we may think of at this point will be just pure speculation." Shikaku pointed out. "But based on Jiraiya Sama's info, their jinchuuriki was one of those captured, right? So I think it's safe to say that their reason for coming here may be related to Akatsuki. An alliance maybe?"
"That would be a logical conclusion." Ibiki said thoughtfully. "But then again, we also know that at least six confirmed Akatsuki members including Pein and Konan are either dead or no longer a threat to anyone so isn't it a little too late to forge an alliance?"
"We can't discount the possibility that they have even more members waiting in the wings to replace the ones killed or removed from their roster." Homura pointed out. "Not to mention that they now have control over most of the Bijuu."
"In any case, let's just wait for the contingent from Kumo and listen to what they have to say." Naruto cuts in. "After which, we'll make our decisions accordingly."
The rest of the time waiting for their guests from Kumo were spent in relative silence before muffled arguing can be heard just outside the office. The argument was abruptly silenced as someone knocks on the door.
"Enter." Naruto calls out and the door is opened by the ANBU Cat who bows before speaking. "Hokage Sama. The messengers from Kumo are here to see you."
"Send them in." Naruto instructs and watches silently as the Kumo contingent enters the room. The group consisted of a blonde and busty, serious looking and fair skinned kunoichi wearing a somewhat provocative outfit which displayed her "assets", a dark skinned kunoichi wearing a bandana and had a perpetual scowl on her face and finally, a lazy looking, dark skinned male with a sword strapped to his back.
The blonde kunoichi steps forward and speaks. "Greetings. My name is Samui and these are my subordinates Karui and Omoi. We are emissaries from the Raikage sent here to deliver an important message for the Hokage. May we speak with her?"
"Actually, the Hokage is a 'he' now and that would be me. Uzumaki Naruto, Rokudaime Hokage at your service. What can I do for you?" Naruto said as he walks forward to meet the contingent.
The Kumo kunoichi Samui looked surprised. She was told that the Hokage was Tsunade of the Sanin and not a mere child. But of course, she was too polite and disciplined to express it.
Her companion Karui however, had no such qualms.
"Stop messing with us!! We came all this way from our home with an important message for the Hokage and not some wet behind the ear punk like him!!" Karui snarled, pointing at Naruto.
"Karui!" The male called Omoi whispered harshly but to no avail.
"What? You can't expect us to believe that this lame looking hick is the Hokage, do you?" Karui asks.
To her credit, Koharu was the first to come to the defense of the new Hokage. "Watch your tongue Kumo nin. How dare you speak that way to our Hokage. Don't forget where you are right now."
"And you don't know who you're messing with you old bat." Karui stated as her hand drops to her weapon pouch.
Before things could escalate any further, a loud crash makes everyone jump in surprise. The source of the disturbance was Naruto who had split the thick oaken table with a single blow.
"I've always wondered why Tsunade Baasan broke stuff up whenever she got pissed. Now I know why." Naruto said with a smile as he looks up at the gobsmacked expressions of the others before turning to the Kumo nins with a serious expression. "My apologies for the rather violent act but it was the only way I could get your attention and at the same time, prove a point. I also apologize if everybody here seemed a little high strung. But considering what we've been through, it's only natural."
"Of course. Please accept my apologies for my subordinate and you have our sympathies for your current plight." Samui said quickly, hoping to salvage whatever diplomatic relationship they had left after her subordinate's outburst.
"Don't worry about what your sibordinate said Samui San. Worst things have been said about me in my life and to hear someone speak her mind so bluntly is kinda' refreshing." Naruto said dismissively, causing Samui to sigh in relief. "And also, save your sympathies for the ones responsible for the attack on Konoha. They'll be needing it a lot more then we do."
The young Hokage's last statement confused the Kumo contingent. From what they heard, Pein of Akatsuki was the one who attacked Konoha and he was the one whom Naruto defeated.
"Pardon me Hokage Sama. But wasn't Pein of Akatsuki the one who's responsible for the attack on Konoha?" Omoi asks.
"Pein WAS the one who attacked Konoha but he's not the source of all our problems." Naruto clarified as his tone of voice suddenly became as cold as ice. "Somebody else is behind all of this and I intend to find out who and make them pay for all their crimes. Whoever and wherever they may be."
"I see." Samui said thoughtfully before straightening up and continuing. "Then perhaps we will be able to provide with some assistance on that."
"Can you elaborate further? Is that the reason why you were sent here?" Kakashi asks.
"Indeed." Samui confirmed. "Our Raikage is calling for a Kage's Summit of the five major countries at the Land Of Iron to discuss the activities of the group called Akatsuki. He believes that the summit will prove beneficial to everyone concerned."
"I'll be there." Naruto said without a second thought. "If it has something to do with thinking of ways to beat Akatsuki, then I'm in. When will the summit be?"
"Ten days from now." Omoi was the one who replied. "But in the interest of security, you may only bring two bodyguards because it'll be the Land Of Iron who'll be providing security for the summit."
"Hokage Sama. Do you think it's wise to accept the invitation so freely?" Ibiki asks. "After all, having five Kages under one roof is a prime target for terrorist organizations if they find out about it. And no disrespect meant to the Land Of Iron, but a security concern of this magnitude may be a little too much for them."
"But we may never have an opportunity like this again." Naruto stated heatedly. "This is a real chance for us to take down those bastards once and for all and maybe along the way, all our countries can finally learn to coexist with each other."
"Sadly though, this cycle of conflict has been going on for far to long for it to stop this abruptly Naruto Chan." Fukasaku said, shaking his head.
"I promised that I'll be the one to break the cycle and I don't intend to break my promise Fukasaku Sensei." Naruto said resolutely.
"There is another reason why we were sent here." Samui interrupts and when she was sure everyone was listening, she continues. "The Raikage's brother Kirabe who's also our sensei was kidnapped by members of Akatsuki."
"Why would Akatsuki kidnap him? The only reason why they'd do that is if he was a...." Kakashi started before realization sets in.
"A jinchuuriki." Shikaku said flatly as he scowls. "Our intelligence reports that your jinchuuriki was already captured by Akatsuki so this would mean that you have more then one in your ranks. Which one?"
"The Hachibi." Karui reveals. "Which brings us to the second reason why we're here. The Akatsuki member who captured him, was none other then Uchiha Sasuke."
Author's Notes: Hey guys. An update for all you loyal fans. I'll be working on my other stories so R&R please.
