Chapter Ten: Tsunade
GM NASAI: Oh my gods... {faints}
A/N-K: Whoa, what happened to her?
A/N-Y: She saw the views for the story.
A/N-S: What views? {checks then faints}
A/N-K: A... a thousand?!
A/N-Y: Well over a thousand. OOH! I LOVE PEOPLE NOW! REMEMBER, GM NASAI DOES NOT OWN NARUTO! I NEED TO GO GET RID OF SOME OF MY ENERGY!
A/N-K: Yeah, read on.
Sarutobi's funeral was the same as it was in the anime; wet and somber. Now, I may not like getting wet on a daily basis but I could live with the rain if it meant attending Sarutobi's funeral. After all, it was beautiful, in a way.
As I stared at the dead leaders face, I couldn't help my overactive imagination as it entertained the idea of the Four Hokages in Heaven talking and joking around. I wondered if they were all trying to find the cure for paperwork. (I had to smile at the thought of Sarutobi yelling at Minato for leaving the paperwork to him for an extra twelve years.)
There was also one other reason we were out here getting drenched from the rain. Since we were the Unmei we were given the duty of standing on the other side of the deceased and watching the people grieve. Honestly you'd think people would want to see just their Hokage and not us. Yuuki told me about why we'd been subjugated to this torture earlier this morning; apparently everyone thought we could guide Sarutobi to the Gods. (Sorry people but we'd left our wings in our other bodies).
Speaking of bodies, Orochimaru's body had been burned earlier with a simple fire jutsu earlier that morning. Since he was a traitor not many people mourned him. Actually Anko was the only one who cried, and that was simply because she hadn't been the one to kill him. I'd patted her head and told her she could try again in the afterlife. If Daisuke hadn't already eaten him for breakfast.
"I'm going to miss the old man." I muttered. "He was fun to mess around with."
"You mean ditch paperwork with?" Yuuki asked dryly. I had to smile.
"What? I made an old man happy by getting him away from the old ball and chain. I regret none of it." She snorted before we went silent again.
"So begins another age; and a new future." Kana murmured. I nodded.
"I'm dreading what will come next." Itachi.
"We can give everyone a break today, but come tomorrow Naruto and Jiraiya will need to leave to find Tsunade." Yuuki murmured. Tears were coming down her cheeks.
Aren't ninja's supposed to not cry?" Kana asked. Yuuki held her head up high.
"I'm crying for a great leader who was exceedingly patient and kind. He was a grandfather and a father. He may have been old but he died so his village would live on and never have to suffer under Orochimaru." Her voice carried over the people. "No matter what anyone says I will always remember this man as an honorable teacher and person." I swear I could've heard the dramatic music playing.
(A/N-Y: Kana was playing her Ipod again.)
(A/N-S: Oh, I thought I was finally going crazy.)
(A/N-K: You can't lose what you never had.)
(GM NASAI: But I can 'lose' you three if you don't shut up!)
"And that is how he will remain." I said placing a white rose on Sarutobi's deathbed.
The next day dawned with a crisp start that belied the funeral we'd had yesterday. But since I had nothing against people picking up and moving on with love and respect for Sarutobi I was happy. As long as no one went overboard and became exceedingly drunk.
Sarutobi's death was another thing to discuss. Of course since the Village elders had died, of a heart attack, Sarutobi had brought in three new candidates. Shikaku Nara, Kakashi Hatake, and Kana (We were surprised at that). And since there was no Hokage every clan head was called to discuss a new Hokage.
And guess who everyone called in to hear their problems? That's right, the Unmei. Couldn't people try and think for themselves about what they needed and not wanted?
"I'm not going to like this." I muttered when Jiraiya joined us outside the council door. "I hate politics."
"It's all about how you represent yourself." Jiraiya said. I glared at him.
"And if we should elect you as Hokage?" Kana asked innocently. Jiraiya promptly turned around and started to walk away. "Oh no, get back here."
"I don't want to be Hokage! I'm not suited to the hat!"
"We know. We were just playing with you." Yuuki giggled.
"You were?" Jiraiya asked suspiciously.
"Maybe." I shrugged.
"It's hard to tell most of the time." Kana admitted.
"Let's go, we're already late enough as it is." Yuuki smiled happily.
"No! Please let me go!" Jiraiya begged.
"You're doing this with us so shut up and act your age." Kana growled. I snickered as his body got up and silently entered the room with us. You had to love Kana's telekinesis. It just made life so much easier.
"Who should we have?" A civilian asked as we entered the Meeting Room. I briefly admired how half the council was Shinobi and the other half was Civilians. Though why we needed civilians to help run a Shinobi village was beyond me. (Like I said I hated politics and therefore never paid much attention).
"Why not have a civilian be Hokage for once?"
"Should we interrupt?" Yuuki asked since no one had noticed us.
"Nah," I leaned against the wall. "Let's let them fight over this matter for a few seconds.
"For once I am in agreement with Shina about being lazy." Kana sighed.
"That wouldn't accomplish anything." Tsume growled. "Civilians do not know how a shinobi system works."
"As I recalled this is a Shinobi village." Shibi murmured. My point exactly. "Unlike civilians, shinobi follow a different set of rules. Why? Because we are the ones who protect this village."
"So you're saying you're bigger than us?" A civilian asked.
"I didn't see you wielding a kunai when Orochimaru attacked." Inochi said.
"Why don't you be Hokage Shikaku?" Choza asked.
"No. I don't have the experience necessary to lead a village." Lazy bastard. He could've probably studied a manual and figured out everything there is to know about being Hokage.
"Jiraiya-sama should be the new Hokage." Another civilian argued.
"HELL NO!" Jiraiya and Yuuki yelled. Everyone turned to look at us as we had entered unnoticed until now. I sighed pushing off from the wall. There went my relaxation time. I was actually hoping Tsume would strangle the civilian she'd been eyeing.
"I beg your pardon and I apologize for my sister but having Jiraiya as Hokage would be… bad. Can you imagine what would happen if we had a kabuki as a Hokage?" Kana said. I snickered at the revulsion on the women's faces.
"Then why not have one of you Unmei be Hokage?" Hizashi asked.
"No." I said. "As Unmei we are Fate, we are neutral. We cannot stay in one village as Kage and hope that the rest of the world understands. We don't exactly have just one home you know. Besides, we already know who will become the new Hokage."
"Who would that be?" Shibi asked.
"Tsunade Senju." Kana announced without warning. The civilians started to protest this very loudly.
"You've got to be joking." A civilian said. "Tsunade Senju has been in exile for years. She doesn't care about us."
"What has she ever done for us?" Another asked.
"Are you calling me and my sisters a liar?" I asked loudly. That shut them up.
"That's not healthy." Yuuki sang. There was a dangerous glint in her eye that promised pain should one not tread carefully.
"With all due respect Unmei but Tsunade hasn't set foot in Konoha for years. Why would she agree to become Hokage now?" Hizashi asked politely.
"Maybe because she's the better choice?" Kana asked rhetorically.
"You mock us?" A civilian asked sounding outraged.
"'You mock us?'" I asked in the same tone.
"Can't you see that having a civilian as Hokage would be the better solution? We would not care for war! We would only promote peace and allow other nations to see that!"
"By having ninja's put on a leash?" Kana asked doubtiously. "As Aburame-san said, this is a shinobi village. Have you ever heard of a civilian being Kage? What would you do for your village if we should end up in war again?"
"A hundred ryo says he runs like a child." Yuuki giggled.
"Impudent brats!" A woman hissed. I waved my hand and mouths snapped shut. I loved having my shields, they were so useful. I glared at the woman.
"I would watch your tongue Mistress Merchant. We don't take kindly to insults." Kana growled. The various empty chairs and tables started to shudder and shake violently. I waved Kana down.
"Tsunade Senju will be the next Hokage. She has the Will of Fire Sarutobi talked about and though she hides it, it burns bright. I know many of you are hesitant to accept the one Sannin besides Orochimaru who left the village but Tsunade is a good leader."
"Yeah and I'm a good trader." A civilian snorted. I glared at him making his mouth snap shut.
"It's either Tsunade Senju or Kakashi Hatake." I cocked an eyebrow.
"EH?" He looked up from his book looking like a deer in the headlights.
"And I'm sure none of you would like the village to be run by Kakashi when he's always three hours late to anything but a A-rank or higher mission. Especially when he always has his head in that book of his." Kana sighed. The ninja side all shuddered as the civilians looked mad about that.
"Very well… Who would you suggest go bring Tsunade back? Every ninja who has gone after her has returned nearly beaten to death." Shikaku asked.
"Shina, Jiraiya and Naruto Uzumaki-sama." My sisters chimed. I nodded.
"What? You want the demon brat-" The civilian didn't get to finish his sentence as I calmly walked forward and placed my hands in front of him on the table. I leaned in to stare into his wide eyes.
"I'm sorry Merchant-san but I think I didn't hear you quite right." The table groaned and cracked as my shield pressed down on it. I smiled sweetly sending out a blast of my KI. (Who knew that would come in handy?) "What did you call my otouto?" I cocked my head as sweat started to bead on his forehead.
"I-I-I-"
"I don't think you meant to call him a demon… did you?" I growled the last two words. The table groaned loudly as I applied more pressure.
"N-no... No I-I…"
"Are you sure?" The table started to bend and twist. "You know, I'm getting tired of everyone insulting my otouto. How would you feel if I called you merchant all the time?" I'm pretty sure I had his legs and a certain member of his trapped tightly by now. "I'm going to ask again and you'd better tell me. Did you call my otouto a demon?"
"N-NO!" He yelped. "I-I'm sorry. I-I-It won't h-happen again!" I smiled pulling back.
"Good. I'll be holding you to your promise Merchant-san." I walked away. The table in front of him was twisted and cracked but still holding strong. I ignored the looks of fear and respect.
"Did you have to stop him?" Yuuki asked sadly when I was beside her again. I snorted.
"You and Kana would have killed him if he had finished his sentence. I just decided on the path with the less bloodshed." I shrugged.
"Are there any more stupid objections or questions?" Kana asked with a grin on her face.
"When do you leave?" Tsume asked looking very amused.
"In one hour. We'll be gone ten days." I said promptly.
"Very well then. Shina Unmei, Jiraiya of the Sannin, and Naruto Uzumaki will be leaving on the 'Tsunade Retrieval' mission." Shikaku nodded. "Good luck."
"Luck's got nothing when you have Fate on your side." Yuuki chirped. I rolled my eyes.
"You're such a dork." Kana sighed.
"That was very impressive of you back there." Jiraiya commented as we waited for Naruto by the gates an hour later. "I don't think anyone has ever publicly defended the gaki." I shrugged.
"Naruto has always lived a hard life because of what's inside him. No one knows the stubborn, brave, and kind person he is."
"But you do?" Jiraiya asked.
"Have you learned nothing about him in the month you trained him?" I asked, astonished.
"Kid is stubborn along with being a dunce." Jiraiya said without lying. I snorted.
"Be that as it may, Naruto is the most pure soul I have ever known. He won't ridicule anyone just to be mean. He'll always go out of his way to help someone. And no matter how hard I've tried to dissuade him, he would rather take a kunai for his friends then let them get hurt." I looked at him. "He's a fast learner and a good student. He picked up on the Rasengan and summoning jutsu in one month"
"It could have been a fluke." He offered.
"While he may not be smart he could be. You just need to help him by being his godfather." Jiraiya stayed quiet to think.
I hummed a Disney song to pass the time. (Don't ask which song it was. It's embarrassing.)
(A/N-K: Then why are you singing it?)
(A/N-S: Because it's easier to remember then one sung by Ariana Grande. I can't hit those high notes.)
(A/N-Y: Don't the dogs sing when you do?)
(A/N-S: Shut up that was one time!)
(GM NASAI: Will you be quiet and let the readers continue?)
(ALL: Sorry)
"In our future, are we close?" Jiraiya asked a while later.
"Hmm, Naruto considers you a parent figure. He loves you the way Minato loved you." Jiraiya nodded. Before he could ask anything else Naruto ran up with the rest of Team7 behind him.
"Onee-chan! You're coming with us?" Naruto asked glomping me. I hugged back.
"Of course I'm coming. I'm not going to miss Jiraiya getting his ass handed to him by Tsunade."
"HEY!"
"So you're all going?" Sasuke asked. I checked his bond with Naruto to see it was still as strong as ever. (Good, good let them stay that way. It would be hard for Sasuke to deflect even if he wanted to. MWUHAHAHAHA!)
(A/N-K: You sound like Smeagol.)
(A/N-S: Shut up Kana!)
"Yeah. We'd take you but Kana said she still needed to beat you and Kakashi senseless for being late." Sasuke paled. "I'm not going to spare you just to have my ass chewed out for it later."
"But won't it be dangerous?" Sakura asked.
"If it is I can just use a Ra-" I covered Naruto's mouth.
"What did Jiraiya tell you about that?" I warned. Naruto gulped. "Good boy."
"Are you sure you'll be okay?" Kakashi asked.
"Don't worry they'll be fine. They have me." Jiriaya boasted. I raised an eyebrow. Kakashi looked at me. I found it reassuring that he trusted me more than the Sannin.
"They have me Kakashi. They'll be fine." I said. "I'll keep Naruto from absorbing any Ero stuff too if you want."
Kakashi nodded. "If you don't mind I'd like to still have a cute little Genin when he returns." I chuckled.
"Will do."
"Be careful Naruto." Sakura said. Naruto beamed. I had to say I was proud of Sakura. She didn't resemble her old self from a month back anymore. (Kana had talked her into chopping her hair off again. Though this time it was done at a salon.) Sakura was also wiser, not much but enough to notice. Even Kana was proud of her.
"We'd better get going now." I said looking out the gates. Itachi and Kisame were going to be looking for Naruto soon. "Sasuke, you remember what Sarutobi told you about him?" Sasuke frowned.
"Yes."
"If you still want to ask him, stay with Kana." I said. He frowned but nodded. I looked to Kakashi. "The sword absorbs chakra." He nodded. He'd know soon. "Let's go boys. The sooner we get there the sooner I can come back here."
"I'm waiting on you two." Jiraiya grumbled.
"Come on Ero-sennin." Naruto yelled as we started running.
"WHAT DID YOU CALL ME GAKI?" Jiraiya yelled. I laughed.
"We told you it was a good nickname." I called back.
GM NASAI: I knew there was a reason I loved all of you guys. Thanks for reading and reviewing my story. Unfortunately I will be ending this story... next Monday. That's the last chapter.
A/N-Y: So start reviewing so she'll make a freaking sequel!
A/N-K: We can only do so much people. It's your job to say what you want.
GM NASAI: Don't go giving them ideas for a revolution.
A/N-S: I'm not going out that easily! We came back for a reason so why not do a freaking sequel.
GM NASAI: You remember when I said I wasn't evil enough to demand reviews? Well I'm starting to think that if I can get a thousand views why can't I get any reviews that say they like my story? It can't be that hard to just say right?
A/N-K: You're turning into a dictator... I like it. About time you crossed over to the evil side.
GM NASAI: I'm not a dictator. I'm just saying people could review more. That's all. Anyway, this was a shorter chapter then I had planned but I'm starting to feel the 'bleh' attitude my siblings exhibit. So I need some pick me-ups.
A/N-Y: Why don't you drink some sugar? That'll pick anyone up.
GM NASAI: {Sigh} Anyway, read and review people. Merci!