For the Village
The Jounin Council controlled much of the village without the new Hokage. Because no one was solidly controlling the government, it was in chaos and destruction! The system of government was in shambles and the military in great distress.
"What is happening?" asked Ishimaru, the Jounin Council Senior. "The village should head in great prosperity? This is going out of hand!"
"I agree with you! Why not choose another Hokage?" said Akamatsu. "Our village is in great chaos and we, the Jounin Council could not even try to make things right. A great solution to this is choosing the next Hokage. And whoever will be the next shall give the right to make things in order according to his/her will!"
"Hmm," Ishimaru thought of it for a while and declared, "And so shall it be! We will decide the next Hokage of the village. Send an official notice to all ninjas in the village!"
Because of that, every single ninjas, whether they were Genin, Chunin or fellow Jounin, they were all informed about it! The recovery of the village was too slow, and that, the village needs a new Hokage. Many people were also informed about the news saying it is a new step towards the future if the next Hokage would still follow the dreams of the deceased Naruto.
"You know, I think it is good for them to choose the next Hokage."
"What? They should focus on recovery of the village first!"
"But, the next Hokage will assume office and will assure that the village will be restored. After all, we need a leader!"
Arguments fired up among the village. Because of the notice, many people who were thought of capable on becoming the Hokage saw this as an opportunity to make themselves worthy of that place. With the Jounin Council still on regular and emergency session, they received many reports and nominations for who will become the Hokage. This became a very heavy burden for the Council. Choosing the next Hokage and making sure the village is secured is a tough work.
"I received another report here Ishimaru-san!" reported Chozaru, a Jounin Councilor. "The reports will be filed up if you will not see them for yourself Ishimaru."
"Okay, I'm going, sheesh; this work is dragging me off!"
"Tell me about it!" said Suiren. "But, as I reviewed all of those reports, none of them fits the requirements!"
"Suiren, are there any other ninjas fit on becoming one?" Ishimaru asked. "We will be forced to choose the least favorite person ion our village, and that is Toshi!"
Everyone in the room was startled! Hearing Toshi's name made them very afraid if she will become one. But, just as when they mentioned Toshi's name, the high elders of the village came to the meeting room and interrupted!
"What is this!?" asked Hotaru. "The new Hokage should be Toshi!"
This unexpectedly shocked them to see the two in the room declaring Toshi as the new Hokage. "Ishimaru, your position is no longer fit for you!"
Suddenly, Nakamura arrived and set things right. "No woman!" he exclaimed. "You have no right to arbitrary declare someone as Hokage!"
"What!?" she angrily shouted.
"You heard me right!?"
"Why you little..."
"Hotaru, stop!" Homura interrupted.
The room was filled up with angry tensions and words. Because of this Homura explained, "So be it, you will choose your own candidate, but, be warned, we will give you only a week for you to find. After the week without any results, expect that there will be a new Hokage, with our candidate chosen!"
"If that's what you want, so be it!" replied Ishimaru. "We have the sole power to choose and appoint the new Hokage. But, as this is the situation, I guess, the Elders and Jounin Councilors will never have friendly ties."
Homura and Hotaru left with all tensions eased up. The Councilors is forced to choose a candidate. But the question is who will be the Hokage? With no fit candidate, Nakamura declared, "I nominate Senju Wakaru!"
Everyone was shocked to hear Wakaru's name . They began to think about it. "But Nakamura is he gone right? He left the village twenty years ago!" exclaimed Suiren.
"That's what you think; Wakaru has been all along in the Land of Fire continuing his journey in search for new power. What do you think of these fellow Councilors?"
"Why not?" replied Akamatsu and Suiren.
"Hmm, okay, but let me know if you find him? Is he really that powerful?"
"Suiren, Wakaru is considered to be the Toad Prince of the Hidden Leaf. With his power even greater than all of us here!" explained Ishimaru.
"So, now fellow Councilors, you will deliberate!" said Nakamura.
"Hmm, okay, let's do this, we will personally ask Wakaru, but finding him would be a trouble though."
"Ishimaru, don't worry, our sensory unit shall find him soon before we will set out to find him."
"Okay, Luna, Asashi and Hayumi shall be the first squad to make up the retrieving team for Wakaru. I will come too together with you Nakamura."
With the things set right and prepared. Ishimaru gave Suiren a task, and that is to take care for the village once they will leave. "Now, inform them! Assemble immediately!"
Luna was informed and quickly went to Asashi and Hayumi. But, the only thing was, will Hayumi go? Nevertheless, Luna must make sure her team shall report, the mission is a very important one!
"Alright Luna-sensei, I'll go!" said Asashi. "But what about Hayumi, will she go?"
Luna didn't answer him, but the only thing she must so is beg for her to come! "What is this mission all about Sensei?"
"It's about the new Hokage, we will set out to search for him and bring him back!" Asashi and Luna raced towards Hayumi's house to let her know and come! They saw Hayumi sitting in the balcony once again. It's what she does since the incident. "Umm, Hayumi dear, we are given a very heavy task, will you come?" begged Luna. "It's about the new Hokage, we are being teamed up with other high ranking Jounin to set out and search for him."
Hayumi got up and said, "For the village sensei! I will do it!" Asashi and Luna were shocked to hear this! Despite the troubles and misfortunes she experienced, she never said NO. She then prepared all of her things. The young Hayumi was determined to do something for her village Hayumi was to avenge her family!
"Asashi, please watch and keep a close eye on Hayumi will you?" said Luna in a low and murmured voice. "We got to be careful, she has the Sharingan."
Asashi caught his attention and Hayumi, as a fellow comrade and teammate, Asashi was concerned for Hayumi at that time. They all went and reported to Ishimaru who was also coming and waiting in the village entrance gate. As they drew nearer, the village cried through the wind as they search out for the next Hokage.
"Luna-sensei, are they coming too?" asked Hayumi.
"Oh yes, they'll handle most of the mission while we will have our hands full at the people who are going to interfere."
As they were assembled, Ishimaru signaled to go! The Konoha Hokage retrieval force was on action. Nakamura then received a report from the Sensory Unit reporting that Wakaru is in Tanzaku Quarters, a city of the Land of Fire kilometers away from the village. "Now, Ishimaru, I just received a report; Wakaru is in Tanzaku Quarters, it should be hours away from here."
"Hmm, okay let's speed up; I hope Luna's team would not delay us!"
Hearing this, Asashi was even more determined to protect and carry out his responsibility as a guard. Together with Hayumi, the two worked together just to impress Ishimaru, Luna and Nakamura. Their mission was no ordinary one; it was atop priority for the new Hokage.
They arrived in Tanzaku Quarters with high hopes; they travelled for just an hour and saw the lively city doing its normal days. It was an average normal day in Tanzaku Quarters wherein you can find people selling goods in the market, children wandering around playing with their toys, and people talking to each other and working as the was shining bright.
"This is the place, we've arrived!" said Nakamura. "We'll split up into two teams, Luna and your team, I and Ishimaru shall be the second team. Now let's move!" They split up and disappeared in the air as what a ninja always does during a searching operation or infiltration.
As the atmosphere in the City was joyful, Wakaru was in a Casino playing slots and cards to other gamblers around the city. As he drew luck into his money, he always wins unlike with his aunt Tsunade who always loses. His apprentice Sakurai Tokiko accompanied him in the casino. The sound of the slot machine played a beautiful harmony in Wakaru's ears as the machine turned what figure will be aligned correctly to his bet.
"Wakaru-sama, we should already go, we must hurry up and pay our bills in the bank here!" Tokiko said.
"What a sore loser! Can't even try and win in this little game?"
"What? Wakaru-sama, you forced me to!"
"Ha-ha! What a loser! I can't even call you my apprentice if you cannot value your master's truly beloved game."
Tokiko just silenced himself in his master's addiction to gambling games and machines. Then suddenly, Wakaru picked up a sense in the air. Just as when he sensed something, he loosed!
"Ha-ha-ha-ha! You're the loser Wakaru-sama!" Tokiko teased. Then, he caught his master's attention towards the surrounding area.
"C'mon Tokiko let's go," he said all of a sudden. "There's something I want to avoid. And it's not a good one."
"Really Wakaru-sama, or you just felt guilty you loosed for the first time!" Wakaru got out from the casino and hurriedly went to the inn, where he was staying. Tokiko caught up while he was going to the inn.
"What got into you Wakaru-sama?" he was amazed why his master is already packing his bag and things in a briefcase.
"What is this!? Are you leaving?"
"Yes Tokiko, we're leaving now, I sensed something elusive that's why we should go!" he replied in great distress. "I don't want those things to come near me nor to you, for now, do they pose a great threat to us. Let's pack, and leave after."
Tokiko followed his master's instruction and orders. Since he was serious about it, he was looking out for some nostalgic people he might meet.
It was already afternoon, and the sun was shining brightly and giving off a scorching heat! Ishimaru and the others regrouped for a while and found a place to stay in.
"This seems to be a nice place, the Tanzaku Spa Inn," said Ishimaru.
"What!? A spa?" asked Luna curiously.
"Yeah, what about it?"
"Oh nothing, I am just a little tired, and a Spa is the best thing to my shite and beautiful sexy body!"
"Oh man!" cried Asashi. "It's going to be a long night for us all."
Hayumi then suddenly slammed Asashi's head and argued, "Oh no, you're not going to ruin this time with your pathetic and sloppy boringness Asashi!" She kept on arguing with him until they got inside and prepared for their separated baths.
"Oh man, when a woman is stressed, she's like a monster that got out from a world!"
"Tell me about it!" replied Ishimaru.
"What happened to you?"
"Oh nothing, it's just my wife, she has the same attitude you know. Sheesh, we keep o arguing every time she's stressed saying it's because of me!"
Everyone's bad and stressed day would soon be gone by a dip in the spa. Little did they know that Wakaru was going out and leaving the village silently and quietly? With the silent and cold night coming in, the City became silenced as the people took a good night's rest. Wakaru and Tokiko however were leaving with Tokiko dragging a luggage that contained Wakaru's stuff and another luggage of his stuff.
In a silent and lighted street in a castle of the City, they silently crossed the street. Meanwhile, Asashi just took a very relaxing dip in the men's spa. Together with Ishimaru and Nakamura, the three enjoyed a very silent and relaxing time for their own rest. Same with the women's spa, Luna and Hayumi enjoyed a quality time together getting to enjoy a very relaxing moment. Luna was very relieved seeing his student, Hayumi got rid of her bitter feelings. It was a great disadvantage to their team compared to the others.
At midnight, in a lighted and quiet street in Tanzaku Quarters, Wakaru and Tokiko were heading for the gates to leave. They passed on a great Castle of the Daimyo, but were abandoned due to irregularities. As they take each step, Wakaru sensed something bad. To their amazement, the ground began to shake and so was the castle. And all of a sudden, the old and historical castle broke down! Piles of rubble covered the once quiet street. The tremor was isolated, and was not heard by the people. In the darkness and dust that spread in the entire area, Wakaru prepared for something he hadn't expected. There emerged Kazumo, the criminal of the Hidden Leaf who joined Akatsuki. Until now, Kazumo conducted heinous crimes that forced other Villages to make a reward in exchange for his head!
"What is this?" asked Wakaru curiously to himself. "I've got a bad feeling about this, Tokiko, step aside."
"Wakaru-sama, make sure you don't do something stupid. That man is very dangerous."
Tokiko faced Kazumo in hopes to answer why he was there. "What are you doing here Kazumo? Is this supposed to be a nice greeting to your old mate?"
"Hmm, let me think? No!"
"Then why are you here with that criminal smile you have on your face?" Kazumo was disturbed all of a sudden and continued, "Wakaru, let's get straight to the point, I am here to offer you something."
"Whatever it is my friend, I will not accept it!"
"Oh really?" he replied in great threat. "So, would you not hear it first? After all, the exchange is death!"
"Okay then, let's here it," he replied to the grievous threat of Kazumo to him. Wakaru prepared himself for the worst.
"Hmm, where should I start? Ah yes, the Akatsuki has formally asked you to join our organization."
Wakaru thought of this, and replied, "I see, the Akatsuki has been waning, isn't it? Considering your enemies since the past war, your organization suffered the most killing most of your members! And now, the once mad man of Konoha has come here to invite me, what a surprise!"
"You know, you don't have to give your decision right away. I'll give you until tomorrow, Wakaru. Remember Wakaru, death!"
While saying this, Kazumo disappeared together with the dust, leaving the two on the piles of rubble. Tokiko watched his master thinking of the dreadful meeting they had. "Wakaru-sama, I think we should go, it is better off…"
"No, let's stay here for a while, I want to do something first." Wakaru changed his mind about their plans to leave, but with a tension starting to rise. He could not afford to go or he'll face any consequence which is truly life threatening. Tokiko was even more amazed and concern seeing his master would be seen like that. The cold breeze blew over their heads and the two returned to the inn where they were staying.
Meanwhile, in the spa, it was time to rest. Luna and Hayumi prepared themselves for a good night's rest in their bedroom. And so were the gentlemen, Asashi rushed to his room and hastily rode on his bed and made him comfy. "This is the life, a very nice and interesting one I suppose." Ishimaru and Nakamura also went to bed marking the end of a very tiring day. The rescue team rested setting aside their problems.
Dawn came after a few hours and they all went to prepare themselves for the busy day. Still with no clue of which part of the city is Wakaru staying, Ishimaru was determined to put a little more effort of the retrieving team with just a week. "Asashi, I'm giving you a copy of the picture of Wakaru, make sure that when you scout in the city, you can ask some information and directions where he's headed."
"All right, I got you." Ishimaru handed him the copy and also instructed the same with Hayumi, Luna and Nakamura. When they all got the copy they were ready to set out one by one. They would search for Wakaru hardly today and must find him whatever the cost may is!
"Hey, this man is handsome!" said Luna.
"No doubt he resembles the First Hokage, talk about physical appearance," replied Nakamura.
"Heh! This guy isn't that handsome!" said Asashi.
"Okay, let's set aside that argument first," interrupted Ishimaru. "Let's focus; with little time we have, we must focus even harder."
Ishimaru gave the signal and all went off to scout and find Wakaru. The morning atmosphere was the best time of the day to start any mission. Noon came still with no information until. Asashi was walking down a street when it came to him to talk and ask an innkeeper. Little did he know that it was the inn that Wakaru was staying!
"Hey old man!" said Asashi to the innkeeper. "Where could I find this man, he's really needed for out village."
The innkeeper was glad to help out. When he saw the picture, he drew his face even closer and was shocked to see that it was Wakaru in the picture. "Hey, wait, it's my customer! That gorgeous man that came in here, he tried to leave the city due to some problems and at midnight, he returned!"
Once Asashi heard of this, he wasted no time and ran to Ishimaru as fast as he can. Ishimaru was in the City gates looking for some clues of whatever it was. He was amazed that Asashi was running fast as he can towards him. He already knew that it was great news.
"Ishimaru-san, I found Wakaru!" Asashi desperately reported as he breathed due to tiredness.
"Really, then we must call for the whole team to meet at the place. Make sure he doesn't leave that place, I'll try to get Nakamura as fast as I can!"
Ishimaru also contacted Nakamura, because of this; they were filled with much joy after a very long and tired search for Wakaru. The Retrieving Team then met at the inn. The innkeeper met them and was scared as soon as they came.
"Don't be scared mister, this is really important, the Hidden Leaf Village is in big trouble, and that man is about to become the new Hokage," explained Nakamura to the innkeeper.
"In that case, I'd better help out. He's on room 7 on the topmost floor."
Meanwhile, Wakaru sensed a great familiar chakra in the place. He got up from his bed and prepared for the worst case scenario.
"Okay, what are you doing now Master?" asked Tokiko curiously.
Wakaru looked at him with serious eyes and forced him to not answer any more questions. "Okay Wakaru-sama, I'll just help out." With the rush of the wind through their heads, Ishimaru, Nakamura, Luna, Asashi and Hayumi went up. They together found the door and with high hopes that he would not let them down. Ishimaru knocked on the door and waited.
"I'm coming!" said on a voice inside.
When the door opened up, Tokiko was the one who faced them. "Okay?" asked him. "What is this? What do you want?"
"We are from the Hidden Leaf Village, and we are here to speak in behalf of the people to your master," replied Ishimaru. "The Jounin Council has sent their representatives, I, Nara Ishimaru, the senior councilor, Hatake Nakamura, the majority leader, Suzuna Luna, a High Jounin Officer and these two Genin here."
"I'm not sure if I am allowed to let you in but…."
Just as when Tokiko hadn't finished what he said, Wakaru opened the door suddenly and let them in. They were all shocked to see him, the future Hokage of the village. They all sat down in the center of the room.
"C'mon, make yourselves comfortable here," said Wakaru. "Tokiko, kindly make tea for our visitors, as we wait, let's discuss why you are here Ishimaru."
"Let's get straight to the point Wakaru-sama; the village was attacked by Hidden Cloud without warning a week before. At that time, Naruto conducted a Chunin Exam for the two villages in hopes to bring peace. But, our great expectation soon was corrected when the Hidden Cloud bombed buildings and killed off civilians. The Raikage was able to kill Sakura, Shikamaru and other high ranking officials."
"I didn't know what happened; I heard it was a rumor!"
"That's why we are here; the Village has requested you to become the next Hokage."
Wakaru was speechless; he encountered another problem at his hands. That's why, avoiding them was the best way!
"Hmm, after a decade of being gone from the village, still you would accept me?"
Hearing this, Asashi was really pissed off. Hayumi resisted Asashi from interrupting the conversation. Luna on the other hand also held and grasped Asashi.
"The past Hokages of the village was able to protect the village and gambled everything just for it!" explained Nakamura. "We still believe Wakaru-sama that you, a descendant of the First, Second and Fifth Hokage can truly restore peace for the village! And we are our only hope for this chaos we have experienced since the Hidden Cloud's treacherous plans.
"Only a fool could take on that job! I am never really a Hokage type of person. Ishimaru, my former student and apprentice, you were able to…"
Asashi then stood up and interrupted with a high voice, "You are the fool here! Don't make funny of the old man!"
"Silence Asashi," said Hayumi.
"No, he needs to understand. After leaving the village, you were not there to protect it after they granted you the freedom to walk for freedom. Imagine, the great Prince of Konoha refusing even to lend a hand! I don't care if even you are the next Hokage, because being Hokage is my dream!"
Wakaru was touched with his last words. And he stood up and argued, "Oh really, then proved it! A lowly Genin like you could dream, but something like that is impossible for you! Now, where shall we start, oh yes, let's have a duel kid!"
Everyone was shocked in the room to hear it all of a sudden. A duel between a great Sage and a Genin, it's truly unheard of!
"You bet! I'm going to prove you that you're wrong!"
Wakaru was even more shocked to hear him agree in the battle. They all went outside with Hayumi hoping that Asashi wouldn't be injured fatally. Luna was also in the same situation, he just hoped her own student would be safe. With Kazumo's deal with Wakaru running out, Kazumo appeared at the City again to hear what decision Wakaru made.
"One finger is all I need boy, after this, you're gonna be sent in the hospital for messing with a Sage and not to mention, a Sannin!"
"You're just talk old man, I'm gonna show you my real power!" Asashi then prepared himself for the duel. And suddenly, he ran towards Wakaru with a great chakra focus on his hand! Wakaru was amazed when he did that, the power and circulation of the chakra was perfect, it was the Rasengan!
"What is this boy doing!?" asked Wakaru to himself. "Is this the 6th's Technique, the Rasengan?"
It was not just Wakaru who was amazed; Ishimaru, Nakamura, Luna and Hayumi were all mesmerized by what Asashi's doing. "What is this chakra?" asked Nakamura.
Ishimaru smiled and said, "That boy has mastered the Rasengan? It's completely unheard of! He should be a Chunin right now!"
With Asashi coming towards Wakaru at full speed, Wakaru put his finger on the ground and broke it with his brute strength!
"With just one finger, he broke the ground and made a deep and large crater!" Hayumi was schoked and exclaimed.
Asashi who was charging continued and when he got close he was about to slam his Rasengan to Wakaru when again, when he touched the ground with his finger, it shook the ground and it opened forcing Asashi to stop his technique.
Because of this, Wakaru seized the opportunity to throw away Asashi with his finger again. But instead of touching the ground, he touched Asashi's forehead and sent him flying yards away!
"Asashi, get up, are you okay?" asked Hayumi desperately. "He has no severe injury, but he's unconscious!" Luna also rushed to aid Asashi, but Asashi managed to get up again.
"Hmm, it seems that you are tough boy!" said Wakaru. "A Genin mastering the Rasengan, no wonder fools like to day dream about becoming Hokage. Ishimaru, I don't accept it!It's just a fools game!"
