Chapter Ten:
A destined meeting…
Naruto and the new Raikage!
The training had been long and hard. But all four candidates where satisfied with the results, and we're as ready as they were ever going to be for the Jounin exams. It was the morning before the exams; life in Konoha went on as normal for the citizens of the village. But for the shinobi, that was a different story. Everyone was gearing up and on edge as they knew in one day's time a great event was to take place that only they would get to witness. But the Jounin exams were not the only event about to take place, for today would be the day that the new Raikage would arrive in the village to sign the new peace treaty that would cement the future's of both hidden villages. It was also time for Naruto's destined meeting. The said teenager had started his day early as he often did when big events were going to occur. The blonde teen had already gotten through his morning workout, and after his normal morning breakfast at his favorite ramen stand, he returned home to shower and prepare for the day's events. Naruto had been nervously thinking all morning about his upcoming meeting with the new leader of the hidden cloud village. His thoughts would be interrupted a little after ten o'clock in the morning as a man wearing an Anbu mask come to his apartment to request his attendance at the meeting in Tsunade's office.
"Naruto-nii, are you ready?" His sister asked looking at the unusually nervous blond.
"Naruto-kun, are you alright?" The love of his life asked with slight concern in her voice.
"I'm fine and I'm as ready as I'll ever be. Let's go guys." Naruto replied as the three teenagers left the apartment and began their walk to Tsunade's office. Half way there they were joined by Neji, Sasuke, and Gaara who all decided to join Naruto in meeting the new Raikage. The walk had been quiet and uneventful as the teens all arrived and were quickly ushered in. The group entered the office to find Tsunade at her desk as usual with Shizune at her side. The group then noticed the man standing next to Tsunade, he was a man in his mid thirties, he was wearing the normal kage hat and robes, he had brown hair and violet eyes, the man greeted them with a warm smile.
"I see you arrived with quite the group behind you Naruto." Tsunade said to the teen. "Not that it matters, all of you more or less has the right to be here."
"So you must be Naruto, it's a pleasure to meet you young man." The Raikage said walking up to the blond teen extending his hand and giving the boy a smile. Naruto nervously accepted the man's hand and returned the handshake.
"How'd you know I was Naruto?" The teen asked.
"It wasn't that hard to pick you out considering your sister Akina had grown up in our village and she was your twin sister. That and you very much resemble your father, the great yellow flash himself." The man replied.
"I see… that would make sense I guess."
"You look rather nervous, something I've been told is totally opposite to your character. Do I really worry you that much?" The man asked.
"I don't really know what to think. Everyone has said I did this great and remarkable thing. I don't think I did anything. I was merely protecting my precious people. The guy who was in charge before you, kidnapped and hurt my sister and my girlfriend, I wasn't just going to sit back and let them be killed. So I just did what was natural to me." Naruto told the man.
"Very true, but honestly in doing what came natural as I'm sure you've been told, you opened great big opportunities for not just Konoha but for the cloud as well." The man said. "You see our previous ruler had long sense fallen from grace but he had the full support of some powerful people, it took these past few years dating back to the Chuunin exams where Akina had finally left us and joined your village to trigger everything. He made a mockery of the previous Raikages and almost tore our village apart. While I will not lie and say everyone was one hundred percent behind the peace treaty I assure you that the village as a whole, the majority felt it was time for this change and are very happy to see it come. My village has done a lot of hurtful things to which I'm sure may never fully be atoned for but I assure you this peace treaty is a step forward to that bright new future. I, the Rokudaime Raikage humbly want to thank you for stopping the previous Raikage and help push us all forward and helping us to stop living in the past." The man stopped at the end of his speech to watch the faces of the people in attendance, everyone deep in thought taking in all that was said. "Lady Tsunade I would now like to officially sign our new treaty so that these youngsters here can go about there business, tomorrow is a big day for all involved."
"Yes, I believe all is in order and I would be very happy to sign this treaty." Tsunade replied and signed the document making it official on Konoha's end. The Raikage wasted no time also signing the document. It was now official the two village once at war and always very wary of each other were now peaceful allies much like Konoha and Suna were.
"Naruto-kun, I look forward to see you in action tomorrow, please do your best and good luck to you all." The man said to Naruto and the rest of the group.
"You don't have to worry; we're going to kick this exam's butt." Naruto said returning to his normal self. The group all left shortly there after walking in silence down the streets of Konoha.
"So what do you all make of that?" Sasuke asked. "Especially you Neji, the Hyuuga clan were the most hurt by the hidden cloud village. I thought for sure you'd have something to say."
"I had thought so as well, until I entered the office. The man had a certain air about him. Maybe it was all just an act, but the man generally seemed happy to be here and happy to have the two villages at peace. I guess there really wasn't anything I could say." Neji replied.
"Well guys I've been stiff all morning, I'm going to go train a little more, get some ramen then relax. The exams are tomorrow and I for one can't wait." Naruto said to the group.
"I've got to go finish up some things as well; I'll see you all tomorrow." Sasuke said to the group as he turned and left the group.
"I believe I'm going to home and relax, I've done all that I can, I am looking forward to possibly facing you tomorrow Naruto." Neji said to the teen.
"Okay Neji, see you tomorrow and good luck." Naruto replied with a smile as the Hyuuga teen left the group leaving the Uzumaki siblings, Hinata, and Gaara to talk together down the street.
"Naruto-nii, I think I'm going to grab Gaara here and head off, see you guys later." Akina said and promptly grabbed the red haired teen and dragged him off much to his surprise and utter confusion.
"Well that was kind of weird." Naruto said with a grin.
"I think it's kind of cute, Naruto-kun. Gaara-san is more clueless about relationships then you ever were." Hinata said with a smile.
"That wasn't very nice Hinata-chan." Naruto said faking a pout, only to see Hinata cutely stick her tongue out at him. "Well I'm going to go train a bit, I'll be home later Hinata-chan."
"Alright, just be careful, don't over do it, you wouldn't want to hurt yourself before the exam." The girl said to the boy as he waved goodbye then turned and took off toward his favorite training spot.