Chapter 2: A Warm Welcome.
Sakura was working on the budget documentations for the war effort. Sad to say, too much of the village's money was going to the war. Most of the shops were going out of business in order to support the war. She pondered on how everything was going so badly. The alliance between the Five Kages was broken. About a year after the war started, Iwagakure broke the alliance and joined the Akatsuki faction. It was bad because Iwagakure had the best military out of the Hidden Villages. She read about their wars with Konoha in the past. They all said the same thing: their numbers were so massive, the Earth shook at their arrival. Then they attacked the village, to show Akatsuki were their loyalties laid. Konoha won, but it was at the cost of many innocent lives.
She couldn't help of thinking about Naruto. She heard that he was coming home to claim the title of Hokage. She couldn't be more exited. But she was also worried about how he felt about her. She had changed a lot after he left. She was about five-nine, with a very curvacious figure. Her body filled out nicely. She was well-toned, large breasted, and a well sculpted ass. Many people thought that she was Tsunade's daughter, because of her looks. Sakura also inherited Tsunade's skills as a medic and her knowledge of jutsu. In some ways, Sakura surpassed her teacher. For one thing, she was much better with Genjutsu than the Hokage. She also learned how to use Sage Mode. The only thing was she didn't make a contract with the slugs, much to her mentor's dismay. She kept her contract a secret. Saying that she would only use it when it was almost unavoidable.
Shizune walked into the room with a glum look on her face. She spent almost six days looking after Tsunade. She looked like she was in worse shape that Tsunade. She was extremely pale, almost like a ghost. Her eyes were bloodshot.
Shizune forced a smile," How is everything going?"
" Not so well," sighed Sakura," we are over-budget. In fact, I'm not sure how we are going to keep the village going."
Shizune walked towards a chair, but almost fainted due to exhaustion. Sakura helped her associate," Maybe you should get some rest. I'll be able to handle things. There is not much to do here anyway."
Shizune shook her head," No. No, I'm fine. I just need to take a break."
Sakura glared," Listen, Tsunade-sensei would want you to get some rest. I'm getting all of my best people to look after her and tell me her condition every hour on the hour. So get some rest."
Shizune was about to say something, but stopped herself before she made her comment. She looked down and said," Maybe you're right. I'll go home to take care of myself. I just ask one thing: take care of Lady Tsunade." Sakura nodded as Shizune left the room.
Naruto and his men were riding along in wagons. They were about four hours away from Konoha. He unfortunately was sitting across from Hiashi Hyuga, while the others were in a different wagon. The tension in the cabin was so think, a sword made of chakra wouldn't be able to slice through it.
Hiashi poured two glasses of wine," I think that we got off on a bad start. Why don't try to clear the air. We get everything out into the open."
Naruto was handed a glass of wine," I don't drink. Why don't you do first. I want to know what you think of your newest Hokage."
Hiashi glared," You don't deserve the title of Hokage. You don't even deserve to be a ninja. People say that you are like your father, but you could never measure up to Minato. Your father was the greatest ninja Konoha had ever seen, maybe even the world. If he was given enough time, he could have been the most powerful shinobi that ever lived. Instead, he married that Uzumaki whore. She held him back. And because of you, we lost not only the finest ninja in the world, he left us with a little abomination that shouldn't deserve life, let alone the greatest title the village can give to a respected human being."
Naruto simply chucked," That's nice. I'm sorry you felt that Baron."
Hiashi was shocked," What did you call me?"
Naruto smiled," What you didn't think I would get some information about my father. I had no idea that you two were on the same team. And that you also had a nickname. The White Baron, the man who not only killed more innocent lives than any soldier during the war, but you nearly sold out your entire village to the Rock. I'm surprised you weren't put to jail or killed on the spot." Naruto looked at the councilman as his glass was shattered due to the tension of his grip.
" Lets just say that my father was very influential in the council at the time. But you are just bringing up ancient history. Because of Minato's actions, no one even remembers the White Baron. What do you think about me?"
Just as Naruto was about to say his piece, there was a powerful shock that knocked the wagon to its side. Naruto and Hiashi got out of the wagon and saw that all of the others were knocked in the same way. As everyone got out, flaming arrows rained from the heavens and were hurdling towards the wagon caravan. But everyone was able to jump out of the line of fire with superhuman speed. They stood on the branches as they saw their attackers. They wore pure white jackets with hoods that their faces. There was only five of them. They just stared at them and finally left. When they turned around, they saw a kanji for the word "Yugare". Then they vanished. Everyone was pissed, now they had to walk.
Sakura was waiting at the gates, waiting for her boyfriend. But she was surprised that almost the entire village was here to greet the returning shinobi. But she was happy to see the members of the Rookie 11 who decided to stay in the village, opposed to the frontlines. Kiba and Akamaru were a couple of rows in front of her. He had grown a lot in the four years. He created his own set of weapons that were gauntlets with razor sharp claw-like blades attached to them. He was also about six feet tall. Akamaru was about the same height.
Shino was standing right next to him. He hadn't changed much. The only real visible difference was he wore so much clothing, his skin was barely visible.
Ino was standing right next to Sakura. Both of them still remained friends, but she gave up being a ninja. So she decided to take care of the Flower Shop full-time, instead of going to war.
The crowd was getting restless. They were waiting for one person: Naruto. Because of the war, Naruto became a legend like his father. It was almost sundown when they came. Wagons were brought to transport them, but instead they walked in a straight line. In front of them was Naruto, standing proud with his men. Sakura dashed through the crowd and jumped over the gate.
Naruto saw Sakura standing in front of the gate. With the wind blowing in her hair, she looked like a goddess. They both ran towards each other and embraced one another.
Naruto smiled and said," I missed you."
Sakura looked up," I missed you too. Welcome home, Naruto-kun."
The two of them continued their embrace, not wanting it to end.
Madara Uchiha stood in front of a statue of a creature with four horns on it's head, four serpent-like legs, bat-like wings, but the torso and face of a human. When he turned around, he saw five figures in white robes appear before him.
Madara smiled," Did you make your presence known?"
One of the figures stood before Madara and said," He is aware. But will it be the spark we need?"
Madara looked at the statue," Everything is being set into motion. Our master will be pleased."
I hope you guys like this chapter. Sorry that it is short, I wanted to put in a Kind of welcome home part for the returning characters, but I have way too much homework for college that I have to do and I wanted to post something. Hopefully I might be able to put it in the next chapter. Please review and leave comments on what you want to see. Later.
