Flash of Red and Black
Chapter IV
"Today, as you all know, is the second anniversary of the end of the Fourth Great Shinobi War. It was different from the previous three Great Wars. Many more lives were lost, much more damage was done. However, unlike the previous wars, it was not a war between the Great Nations. It was not a war that pitted us against one another to the detriment of the smaller nations. It was a war for the freedom of this world. It was a war in which all the Great Nations joined together under the title Shinobi in order to defeat those who sought to remove the world of its humanity. As one, we lost our comrades. And as one we made sure that their lives were not lost in vain. Now, though everyone from every country did all they were able in order to win this war, one man more than most enabled us to call ourselves victorious. And now, I am proud to present you the man hailed as Hero of the Shinobi World as my successor and the Rokudaime Hokage!"
Finally, I stepped out next to Tsunade onto the balcony of the rebuilt Hokage Tower. I felt somewhat awkward in my new garb in front of so many people, but as they bellowed and cheered, I forgot my discomfort and waved, giving my signature grin. Really, it felt like I'd fallen into a genjutsu. There were so many times when I thought that my dream wouldn't come true, but there I was, waving to the people below as the new Hokage. Had I still been my 12-year-old self, I would have been running around, blowing kisses to the crowd like I did after beating Neji in the Chuunin Exams. (Part of me still definitely wanted to do that, but I knew better with Tsunade-baachan standing next to me. Even with her getting older, I knew that her punch could pack a killer wallop. Literally.)
After a while, though I knew I had to do something more than just wave, so I waited for everyone to settle down and tried to calm my own nerves.
"Ahh… Hey there, everyone! Like Tsunade-baachan said, it's the second anniversary of the end of the war, and as it rightfully should be, this day is one for looking back and mourning the losses that we all still feel. But it should also be one of celebration! We are all still alive, the bonds that were created still hold strong, and we won! And I know that I was just called the Hero, but I only did what I could. I wasn't the only hero. Nara Shikaku managed to come up with a brilliant counter-strategy for whatever the enemy tried to throw at us. Yamanaka Inoichi relayed all the vital information and strategies to everyone as quickly as possible which saved countless lives. All the med teams saved more people than I even know the number for. The Kages worked together to fight the most formidable shinobi ever known to our history books. I was not the one who won this war. We all won it for ourselves and for our precious people. Even so, I am honored to have been chosen as Rokudaime Hokage. And just like the Yondaime, my father, I will protect this peace that we all fought for with everything that I have, dattebayo!"
For a very nervous moment, the crowd below was totally silent and I was afraid that I totally butchered my speech in spite of the last week of hard-core lessons that everyone put me through. (Tsunade, Kakashi, Shikamaru, Sakura, Neji, and even Gaara had locked me up for the week and forced me into speaking lessons to make absolutely sure that I would be able to not sound like a complete idiot. Tsunade had trained me in the ins-and-outs of being a Hokage and diplomacy and whatnot for about two years, but no one really quite trusted me with my acceptance speech. Hence the training. Brutal, deba.) But then the crowd erupted again with cheers even louder than before. I grinned sheepishly and did my signature head-scratch before glancing over at Baa-chan next to me. She just smiled at me, her face full of too many emotions for me to recognize before I turned back to the crowd. With more heart-felt smile, finally at least starting to register that I had finally reached the goal that I had held for so long, I took off the hat and bowed to the crowd. I stayed like that for a moment, letting the feeling of accomplishment sink in as the crowd quieted again. Then I straightened and put the hat back on.
With one last wave to the crowd, I headed back inside the tower and sat down onto my chair, sighing as I sunk into it. I basically left the room the way Tsunade did once it was rebuilt the same way after the Pein attack, but I rid the desk of Tsunade's sake and filled the drawers with my own precious items.
"How is it?" Baachan asked from behind me.
"Not quite real yet, honestly," I said, turning to smile at her. She smiled back and grabbed the hat off my head and placed it on the desk in front of me before leaning over and kissing my forehead, like she did what seemed like a lifetime ago.
"You'll be a Hokage to surpass even your father, I'm sure," she said once she righted herself again. I smiled gratefully at her. Even without pulling on Kurama's chakra, I could tell that she was feeling a wild mix of emotions, and I couldn't blame her. I was in the same position, after all. After sitting quietly for a moment, though, I gave a small sigh, knowing that I needed to get down to business in order to complete the plans that I had for that evening.
"Sorry to have to get down to business so soon, but I need a favor, Baa-chan," I said, looking up at her. She nodded, though, as more unidentifiable emotions flashed across her face.
"Well, I need you to—" I started before getting cut off by the door suddenly swinging open, followed by a group of familiar faces filing into the room. Then the room was filled by a mess of congratulations and job-well-dones.
I laughed and smiled, before finally speaking up. "Thanks everyone, really. But I need to start working, and please stay since I've got assignments for you."
There was an obvious grumble from Kiba towards the back of the group, but everyone quieted and waited for me to continue.
"Ah, right, well, I guess, Tsunade, I'd really like to let you get on with your retirement, but if you could postpone that for a few months I would appreciate it," I said, thrown off by the sudden quiet and attentiveness, but I knew I'd have to get used to it sooner or later.
Tsunade looked at me, a bit annoyed, but nodded, wanting me to get on with it.
"Well, I'd like you and Shizune to help Gaara with the planning and strengthening of Suna's medical training program," I said, glancing at Gaara as I spoke, getting a small nod from him in return.
"Understood."
"Great! You can go anytime within the next couple weeks. Gaara, I'd appreciate it if you let them know the basics of what they need to know before you all go. And of course I'll arrange for an escort to see you all back. But that's all I need from you two for now. I'll see you at the Kage meeting tomorrow, Gaara"
Gaara gave another nod and left along with Tsunade, and I suddenly felt almost more nervous without her in the room. I kind of wanted her there to make sure I was doing everything right, but I shook the feeling off as I turned to the next order of business.
"Kiba, Hinata, Shino, you guys will be escorting Gaara and his guard back to Suna. Help them with whatever they need while you're there, but be back within the month for the Chuunin Exams. Also, I'm having a meeting tomorrow before the Kage meeting, and I want you three there. Other than that, until you leave you're free to do as you like," I said, getting a nod from the trio before they left the room.
"Ino, I want you to be the head of the new med-nin traning school that I'm starting. Get me a list of everyone that you need help from, and I'll be sure to make them available to you. You may want to discuss it with Sakura, since she's going to be head of the hospital and acting head med-nin until Tsunade and Shizune return from Suna. I want a full plan on my desk within the month. Get me a blueprint for the optimal building, and all materials you'll need for training. If you have any recommendations of med-nin that would make good teachers, get me their names. The sooner, the better. Also, I want you at that meeting tomorrow," I said, smiling at her. The more I spoke the more the look of surprise on her face was replaced with one of determination.
"Absolutely! I'll have it for you as soon as possible," she said, giving a quick grin. I could tell that she was glad to be recognized for her abilities. I knew all too well what that felt like, after all.
I just grinned in return for a moment before I turned to Sakura.
"Right, well, you already heard that I guess, but I'll be asking for your opinion on the plan that Ino draws up, so help her to make sure it goes well. Also, make up a list of qualities that academy teachers and jounin-sensei need to have in mind for recommending people to the school. And if you have anyone in mind that could make a good med-nin in the future, get their names on a list on my desk as soon as you can manage."
"Right!" she said, clenching her fist like she just got a mission to punch someone's face in. I grinned, glad to know she was into it.
"I want you at that meeting tomorrow too, but aside from that, you're good to go," I said before returning her not as she left.
"Choji, I'm sure you've already done some unofficial shadowing, but I want you to do some serious training beneath your father. Not so much shinobi training since it sounds like you already surpassed him there, but training to be on the Council and to act as my Clan Advisor, which means that I want you at both the meeting that I've been asking everyone to come to and the Kage meeting tomorrow. Got it?"
Choji gave me a confident nod and I smiled in return before he too left the room.
"Sai, I want you to head the project of finding out everything that Danzo knew and everything that he was hiding. I know the project has been going on for a while with little effort and fewer results, but I want it to be done thoroughly. Work with whomever you need to, but report to me on it regularly. I want to know everything. Also, give copies of the same reports to Shikaku and Shikamaru as they'll be my head advisors. If you need anything or anyone, get me the list and I'll have it done. But that's all I need from you for now."
Sai nodded and disappeared as I turned to Shikamaru.
"As I said, you and your father will be my head advisors. But really, I need you to be a quick study because you know that I'm still an idiot, so I need you to fill in all the connections I don't make. Also, I want you to review the list of active shinobi and let me know if you have any recommendations for their assignments. I'm going to be counting on you a lot. Also, you're coming with me to both meetings tomorrow."
"Troublesome, getting to work so quickly, but I got it," he said in his usual drawl, but I grinned, knowing that I could always count on him.
"Lee, I want you at the meeting tomorrow. Really, I wanted to save it for the meeting, but you may as well know now that the meeting is for people that I'm officially declaring as jounin, which means you too. I still want you at that meeting, but I'm letting you know now because next year, I want you to take on your own genin team. Prepare however you see fit until then, and I'll see you tomorrow."
Lee, of course, cried with joy and went about with his usual exuberance before leaving to immediately begin training as I turned to his teammates.
"Tenten, you'll also be at that meeting tomorrow, so I'm sorry it won't be much of a surprise for you anymore, but I also want you ready to take on a team in a year. Until then, train as you need. I leave it to you," I said, giving her a nod as she left.
"Neji, from now you're head security advisor. Make sure all foreign dignitaries and visitors are safe, and make sure that the Kage meeting tomorrow is secure. You're also in charge of security at chuunin exams. I know that the job isn't much in times of peace, though, so when you've got the free time I'd like it if you'd help Sai out with whatever you can. I leave it to you."
He nodded and left with a simple, "Understood," as I turned to the youngest group.
"Moegi, Udon, Konohamaru, you're all going to be entered into the next Chuunin Exam in a month. Until then, Moegi, I recommend that you train with Tenten. I'll let her know tomorrow if you agree," I said looking at her and getting a nod in return. I smiled as I turned to the next soon-to-be-Genin. "Udon, you'll be with Lee. You two should be able to balance each other out some, got it?" Udon, though obviously nervous, nodded and I smiled before turning to the last of the team.
"Konohamaru, you'll be training with Choji. I'll help out when I've got time, but I can't say how often that will be. Sound good?"
"Got it, Naruto-niichan!"
I smiled and nodded before dismissing the three and turning to the last one left in the room for the moment.
"Already busy on your first day, huh?"
"Figured it was best to get straight to it," I said, stretching as I got up from the chair.
"Maa, it looks like you're doing just fine. Even your speech went well."
I smiled at him before looking out the window behind me and sighing. I knew that there was a lot of work to be done still, but it was going to have to wait a little longer.
"Ready to go?" Kakashi asked, standing next to me now, also looking out at the sun just starting to set.
I just nodded before following him out of the tower silently to the new Hokage Residence. Again, I left it basically the same as Tsunade had it, but I moved in my own stuff once she moved all her things to her new house on the outskirts of the village.
Inside I took off the Hokage robes and hat and placed them on my dresser before heading back out, Kakashi following behind. We made a stop at the Yamanaka flower shop on our way to our real destination: the graveyard. Most of the other villagers paid their respects that morning, before my coronation, but I knew that it would be better to do it afterwards.
Once there, I silently went around, placing a single flower on each stone. And to those that fell during the most recent war, I said a silent thank you for their sacrifice, while at the same time apologizing that I wasn't able to save them. And to every single person I made a silent promise that I would take care of the village and their loved ones as best I could in their stead. Finally, I made it to the memorial of my parents and for the first time since leaving my new office, I let my voice be heard aloud.
"Hey, kaa-chan, tou-chan. I really did become the Orange Hokage today, even if I don't wear quite as much orange. Everyone knows about you guys being my parents too, now, thanks to Tsunade-baachan last year. I guess she wanted to get the word out so that it would more easily cement me becoming Hokage. I still use kaa-chan's name though. It'd be weird to switch now. Ah, I tried growing my hair out to be all cool like Kakashi's, but apparently not everyone's hair can fight against gravity as much as his, but I still look pretty bad-ass—like how I imagined the hero from the Ero-senin's only good book, so that's pretty cool too. Ah, also tou-chan! Baa-chan thinks I'll surpass you as Hokage! You'd better believe that I will, dattebayo! It'd be nice to have a little advice from you, but I guess you've already done more than enough work, so I'll let you off. And kaa-chan, I didn't exactly fall for someone like you, but I think you'd be happy. Anyway…Until next year, I guess," I said, holding back my tears. I finished and then I felt Kakashi's hand on my shoulder as he set an entire bouquet on their memorial. I smiled a little and nodded and he guided us through the now-dark streets back to the Hokage Residence.
Inside, he pulled me against him and I breathed slowly, trying to calm the crazy rollercoaster that my emotions went through during the day before my stomach growled loudly, reminding me that I hadn't eaten since breakfast.
I stepped back, laughing and scratching the back of my head, trying to will away the heat from my face.
"I guess we should get some dinner."
"We haven't gotten groceries yet," I said, slipping past him to check the fridge. I hoped in vain that Tsunade may have left some grub behind.
"Ichiraku, then?"
"Is my name Uzumaki Naruto?" I asked, grinning at him.
"Well that's debatable," he said with a smile that dared me to argue.
"Oh, shut it. Ramen isn't debatable. Let's go!" I said, dashing out, ready to have at least one big bowl of my favorite food. The best part of the new housing situation: Ichiraku was even closer.
I bounced into the ramen shack, Kakashi following closely behind.
"Ossan! How's my favorite shop doing?" I asked, grinning at the man behind the bar. He turned and grinned back, recognizing my voice instantly.
"Naruto! Good that our new Hokage hasn't forgotten his roots," he said, grinning happily at me.
"I'll never forget you guys! No other ramen could even compare!"
"Well, what'll it be? On the house tonight for the new Hokage and his friend!"
"You're the best, Teuchi-ossan!"
"Nope! Naruto's will be on me again this time," said a familiar voice just behind me.
"Iruka-sensei!"
"Well, how was the first day on the job, Naruto?"
I grinned at him before looking away, relaxing a bit more.
"Nerve-wracking … But it's awesome, isn't it!? I finally reached my goal!" I said happily as Kakashi ordered each of us a bowl of miso ramen.
Iruka smiled at me before reaching over and ruffling my hair a bit. I pouted like a kid at the gesture.
"You really did do it, didn't you? But! The dream has only just begun. You still have a lot more to do, you know!" he said, smiling at me. I could see the pride on his face and I couldn't help letting my pout fade to a grin.
"I know, I know. And I'll be relying on you to teach even more awesome shinobi, Iruka-sensei!" I said, smiling at him before turning to the steaming bowl that Teuchi just placed before me.
"Of course! But you know, I've been doing my job for a while. I know what to do, so you should be worrying about yourself right now," he said seriously, but his expression was still soft. (I ignored the fact that I saw Kakashi nod in agreement after he inhaled his food.)
"Well, I've got lots of people to help me out with that. I'm going to be relying on everyone a lot. But my job is to worry about everything and everyone, isn't it? And not just in this village either. As the Hokage, it's my responsibility to help all the other nations to continue recovering from the war, and I have to make sure that our ties with the other countries get stronger. And in order to do that, I'm relying on you and the other teachers at the Academy to make sure that the students don't think of the shinobi of other nations as enemies, but as comrades. It'll be difficult since the villages are pretty far from one another and the students don't really have much of a chance to meet kids their age from the other nations, but they are the ones that will be able to cement the bonds that we created during the war," I said, furrowing my brow as I stared into my food, as if it could somehow give the answers I needed like how it gave Jiraiya the inspiration for my name.
Then I gave a little sigh and looked back over to Iruka, smiling at him. He was staring back at me like he'd just seen the most fascinating jutsu in the world, but I ignored the strange look.
"But! I guess I can wait until morning to get started on all that. For now, my favorite meal in the world needs to be eaten!" I said grinning before digging in happily, finishing it off almost as quickly as Kakashi finished his own.
From the corner of my eyes, I noticed Kakashi watching me, his face full of what looked like pride. The look made my heart warm, and as I called for another bowl from Teuchi-ossan, I noticed that Iruka had the same look on his face before he started eating his own bowl of ramen.
My heart warmed more, and I finished off my second bowl more slowly, trying to keep myself from grinning while eating my food. Once Iruka and I finished, we all stepped outside, thanking Teushi-ossan for another delicious meal.
"I'll see you later, Iruka-sensei! Umm, I'll probably stop by the Academy sometime this week. It depends on how the meetings go tomorrow, so I'll be sure to let you guys know."
"Okay. See you later, Naruto."
I grinned and waved before heading back until Iruka called out again.
"Naruto?"
I turned and looked at him, confused.
"I'm proud of you, Naruto. I'm sure your parents and Jiraiya-sama are too. Congratulations." He said, smiling at me before waving again and leaving. I just stood there, a little stunned, but smiling at his retreating back.
"Thank you, Iruka-sensei," I said, probably too quietly for him to hear, but apparently Kakashi did since he dropped his hand onto my shoulder, squeezing it softly.
I smiled and turned to him, finally mobilized again and started heading back to the residence. After walking a few blocks, though, I changed directions, leaving Kakashi slightly confused.
"I have…somewhere else that I have to go tonight for just a bit. It won't take long, I promise." I said, not making eye contact. Apparently he understood well enough and fell behind, still following me quietly.
Eventually, we arrived at the new third training ground, and I knew that Kakashi already figured out why I was there and so he just stood at the edge of the grounds quietly. After all, he knew as well as anyone that rogue ninja weren't allowed memorial stones in their original villages. So, this place would be the closest Sasuke could have as a memorial site in Konoha, since the Uchiha compound was destroyed and rebuilt totally differently. The training grounds were destroyed too, of course, but they were at least reconstructed to be similar to before the Pein attack.
I sat there, silently remembering everything I could about him, and lots of memories prior to him leaving Konoha flashed through my mind. However, the most distinct memories were the ones after he left. It wasn't until I relived killing him that I started crying, though.
I ached from my core wishing that he could have been in the village to see my acceptance speech and to receive his orders, probably to become an ANBU or to become one of the top jounin in Konoha. Heck, he probably would have already been one. Maybe he would have been the one becoming Hokage instead of me, dattebayo! I knew that it would have been so easy for our roles to be reversed.
Once there were a few cracks in the ground from where I banged my fist, I finally stood up and tried to calm my breathing.
"I did it, teme. You'd still call me 'Usuratonkachi,' but I did it. It'll be a long time, probably, but I'll see you later," I said finally.
Immediately after I finished, Kakashi was beside me and ready to head back. Kakashi still had his old apartment, but he spent more nights with me or out on missions than at his place. I offered to let him move in officially several times, but he insisted that my place wouldn't hold everything. I couldn't disagree with that, of course, but he also didn't want me to bother with having to get another new place. And even once I had the news that I would officially become Hokage, and thus take over the new Residence, he still refused to officially move in, saying that he wanted me to have time to get "settled" first. I wasn't going to give up, though. I had a reputation, after all.
When we arrived at the Residence, I walked in and took off my shoes and immediately headed to the bedroom. I didn't even care to take a bath before going to bed since I was so worn out. I could just take a shower in the morning. Kakashi followed, apparently opting for the same, and slipped into bed next to me once he changed.
I felt dead-tired, and I was sure that he could tell since he just rolled onto his side and hugged me.
"Iruka is right. I'm sure they're all extremely proud of you, Naruto. I know I am."
I smiled and leaned against him, glad more than anything to hear those words from him specifically.
"I think Sasuke would be proud to call himself your friend and rival."
That, of course, left me choked-up again. I turned around to face Kakashi and hugged him back, squeezing him a little too tightly.
"Do you really think so?" I asked after a few moments silence, feeling my eyes sting.
"I'm sure," he said, giving me a quick squeeze back.
I nodded and stayed there for just a little longer before letting go and turning back around, sniffing away more unshed tears, hoping with all my might that what he said was true.
Alright, so apparently my brain refused to allow this to be the last chapter, so there will be more to com! I hope I can get them up as quickly as I did this one, but I can't make any promises. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter.