The Pantheon of Nine

By: Finn Mertenz

A/N: For the people who read this story outside of the United States, I apologize that I use the imperial system instead of the metric system. When I uses terms like feet, centimeters, miles or inches please just humor me - I don't know what the fuck a kilometer is.

This chapter takes place during episode 80 of part 1 Naruto.

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO. I DO NOT CLAIM TO OWN NARUTO.


Chapter 52: The 5th Hokage Is Decided! The Mission To Retrieve A Friend.

11:27pm Thursday, June 15th 58SSP.

"Naruto!" The voice of Konohamaru echoed through the mud-filled road that he stood on.

Konohamaru was confronting Naruto and Gaara inside a small and narrow road that was lined with a wooden fence on each side. This road was lit only by moonlight as heavy rainfall continuously bombarded the muddy ground.

"Oh? Is that you, Saru?" Naruto answered while dragging the corpse of an unmasked-Anbu through the muddy road with his right hand.

While this Anbu was sprawled out in a limp and stiff fashion several other Anbu corpses surrounded Naruto and Gaara. Usually, battling inside Konoha would easily be noticed but the village was in so much chaos that no resources could be sent to investigate.

"Is it true, Naruto!? Did you hurt my grand-father!" Konohamaru demanded to know, causing Naruto to tilt his head slightly.

"You've already decided that it's true." Naruto remarked, forcing a disgusted scowl to bloom across Konohamaru's face.

Suddenly, Konohamaru hurled 3 Shuriken through the air that swirled towards Naruto only for him to catch each of the objects in midair with 1-finger. The honorable grandson then charged at Naruto only to be grabbed by the throat and lifted into the air.

Soon, Konohamaru began to gag as Naruto continued to squeeze down on his throat while his scarf dragged across the ground. During this, Naruto still held the limp corpse of an unmasked-Anbu in his right hand.

"If you were stronger you could've saved him, ya'know. But your weakness allowed him to die." After criticizing his student, both of Naruto's Rinnegan bugled before hypnotizing the 6yr old Konohamaru.

Naruto then tossed his paralyzed student against a nearby fence while dropping the dead Anbu to the ground. During this, a pair of Rinnegan pulsated and throbbed throughout Konohamaru's mind numerous times.

"Is that the best you can do? Even with all my training you're still nothing." As he spoke, Konohamaru struggled to stand up only to fail each time as a pair of Rinnegan continuously pierced his mind.

"I can't waste anymore time here, go bother someone else." After speaking both Naruto and Gaara turned around before walking away, stepping across multiple dead Anbu.

"Stop! Wait!" Konohamaru pleaded while digging his hands into the mud before crawling after Naruto.

"You won't get away! The Sarutobi clan avenges their own! I'll find you, Naruto!" As he screamed mud splashed on his face.

"I'll never forgive you, Naruto! I don't care how long it takes, I'll never forgive you!" While screaming he continued to crawl across the ground, staining his outfit and scarf with mud.

"You've become a demon, Naruto! Despicable! Heartless! Cowardly! How could you..." His voice broke off as he downcast his face in shame

While Naruto continued to walk away from his former student a sad expression covered his face, something Konohamaru would never see. Soon, Konohamaru began repeatedly beating his fist into the ground before he finally woke up.


Friday 7:14am, June 16th 58SSP

Numerous rays of sunlight shot in from the nearby window of Konohamaru's hospital room, illuminating his depressed face as he replayed his dream multiple times. Soon, a Fire hawk landed atop the window seal allowing Konohamaru to notice that his window was open.

At first the honorable grandson considered this bird just to be a normal messenger but after several moments he quickly realized it was an untamed hawk. This was something beyond rare, Fire hawks were almost an endangered species and all those that were found were always trained to carry messages.

Konohamaru felt awed while observing such a delicate creature before the hawk began staring back at him, causing his face to reflect off both eyes. It then became difficult for Konohamaru to describe his feelings, gazing upon such a rare animal was a delightful experience.

"Naruto did what!?" The voice of Sakura echoed through the entire hospital, abruptly scaring off the hawk before Konohamaru once again downcast his face in shame.

Sakura managed to wake up from her injuries over 10 hours ago but not once did she leave Sasuke's side, until Kakashi woke up. These members of team 7 sat in an isolated room of the Konoha hospital with a thick curtain separating Kakashi's side from the rest.

"Late last night, Naruto left the village." Kakashi once again mumbled while laying in his hospital bed, unable to even move.

"But why would Naruto leave? Where would he go? The Land of Waves?" Sakura shot out numerous questions, causing her exhausted Sensei to sigh.

"I don't know." Kakashi replied, too disappointed in himself to answer.

"I'm sure when Sasuke wakes up Naruto will come back and everything be normal again, no problem." Sakura exclaimed, fully aware that Naruto was the only link she had to Sasuke.

"One-hundred and seventeen." The voice of Guy spoke about after he suddenly appeared in between the doorway.

"U-Um... What does the number 117 have to do with us?" Sakura stuttered in response, causing Guy to slowly walk towards the immobile Kakashi.

"That's the number of corpses Naruto left behind." Guy explained, forcing Sakura's jawline to fall open while both of her emerald Green eyes bulged.

"Did you find out where he went?" Kakashi asked as his child-hood rival towered on his bedside.

"He took two prisoners out of foundation custody, both of which were Sound ninja. There is no mistake, he is heading for the Sound Village." Guy answered.

"What about Orochimaru?" The voice of Jiraiya rang out, causing Guy to dramatically jump atop Kakashi's bed before pulling the curtains back.

Jiraiya's entire body was covered with an extensive layer of bandages while his entire right arm from below the upper-bicep was missing. Also, both legs were held in the air by hospital equipment while a halfway opened porno magazine rested on his chest.

"Oh! Lord Jiraiya! I didn't know you were sharing a room wit-...!?" Guy's sentence became cut-off after he looked down and noticed his right foot was digging into Kakashi's stomach.

"I need to get out of this hospital as quickly as possible, I get let Naruto get too far." Jiraiya proclaimed, eager to bring Naruto back.

"But... Lord Jiraiya, your wounds will take time to heal." Guy replied while continuing to stand atop an immobilized Kakashi, whose visible eye was now solid white.

"4 weeks, tops." Jiraiya remarked.

"But how can you be so sure?" Guy questioned.

"Naruto broke 17 of my ribs, shattered my right and left shoulders along with 14 others bones while rupturing 6 of my internal organs... But none of that compares to when Tsunade first caught me peeking on her." Jiraiya explained, causing a stern and serious expression to grow Guy's face.

During this conversation, a shocked Sakura slowly backed up against the nearby wall before clasping her hands together while staring down at the floor. While this occurred, memories of her friendship with Naruto and Sasuke floated through her mind, causing her to quickly run out of the room.

"Hmm..." Guy mumbled while grabbing his chin before entering a thought provoking stance.

"But anyway, what about Orochimaru? Did he help Naruto leave?" Jiraiya asked, even if he would never admit it the toad Sanin still loved his former teammate.

"We don't know what happened to Orochimaru, we can't find him." Guy answered, causing Jiraiya to close both eyes while mentally downcasting his face, unable to move.

"There isn't time for either of you to move and without a Hokage to give the order no one can react so... I will go and bring Naruto back personally, for Lee." After he spoke, an elderly yet young woman stormed into the room in an elegant fashion.

She had long Brown hair which was tied back into a ponytail while her dark Blue eyes contrasted her fair-skin. She was roughly 52yr old and because of her age multiple creases could be seen at the corners of her eyes and mouth. Also, her attire consisted of a Purple kimono-like dress with a Sarutobi clan white haori worn over it that matched her sandals.

"Absolutely not." This unknown woman declared, causing Guy to finally fall off the immobilized Kakashi before hitting the ground.

"First lady Biwako! Forgive me, I didn't know you were here." Guy apologized after quickly jumping up.

"My husband is dead, Guy. I'm no longer the first lady of Konoha, but since Danzo's death I've been appointed as the 3rd member of the Konoha council." Biwako remarked, shocking Jiraiya with the news.

Like Kakashi, Jiraiya was severely disappointed in himself and unable to believe that he once again failed his fabled moment of selection. The toad Sanin always tried his best to fulfill his destiny but it seemed as if each attempt only placed him further away.

"Regardless if Orochimaru or Naruto killed my husband, the fact is that child has left Konoha defenseless." Biwako proclaimed.

"While root did act in the shadows it was still an important part of Konoha, something my husband knew, without them our village has lost a vital resource for war." While speaking, a depressed look grew across Kakashi's concealed face.

"Orochimaru's invasion was bad enough, but with the loss of root and our Jinchuriki… If war was to break out right now we would be completely defenseless." After she spoke Guy began flexing his right arm.

"Then send me to retrieve Naruto, I know I can bring him back." Guy suggested, fully aware of his own strength.

"Did you not hear me? We're completely defenseless." Biwako repeated while taking one step towards Guy, causing him to sweat in the process.

"I've known you for over 30 years, Guy. And you're easily the strongest ninja in Konoha, because of this the council orders you to patrol this village." After speaking Guy preformed a thumbs up with his right hand before smiling so wide that his teeth sparkled.

"Stronger than Kakashi, eh? Then I guess I'll go do 500 laps around Konoha for every citizen inside the village!" Guy declared while turning around before running full speed and jumping out the window.

However this window wasn't open, causing Guy to shatter an entire window that sent shards of class through his body before falling over 3-stores. Despite these injuries Guy continued running out to the edge of Konoha, determined to preform his laps.

"Somethings never change..." Kakashi mumbled, completely used to Guy's antics at this point.

"Jiraiya." Biwako spoke out, silence the hospital room as the injured toad Sanin stared at Hiruzen's former wife.

"We've already suggested your name to the Daimyo, if you say yes... You will become the 5th Hokage." While she spoke Jiraiya shook his head from side-to-side several times.

"Absolutely not, the moment these injuries heal I must track down Naruto. I apologize but I can't get distracted here, if you need a Sanin then go grab Tsunade." The toad Sanin remarked.

"The village will crumble if we wait even one more day, we can't go hunting for our Hokage." Biwako protested before turning her gaze on Kakashi.

"Kakashi Hatake, the name copy cat ninja gives great strength to our village while your father was the legendary White fang... Would you become the 5th Hokage?" As she spoke Kakashi sighed various times.

"A supportive role suites me best... Besides, you already met the strongest ninja in Konoha." Kakashi mumbled, causing Biwako to abruptly stare off at Guy's previous direction while a small grin bloomed across her face.


Meanwhile, inside Sasuke's hospital room.

"I don't know if you've heard... But Naruto left the village." Sakura spoke gently while holding Sasuke's left hand with both of hers.

Sakura was sitting in a hospital chair that she placed directly beside Sasuke's bed so she could watch him sleep, something he continued to do. Even though Sakura was talking to a sleeping Sasuke she felt happy staring at his calm face.

Suddenly, Sakura bit down on her lower lip while clenching Sasuke's hand tightly as she used Haku's training to fight off the urge too cry. During this, numerous memories of Sasuke ignoring and complaining about Sakura floated through her mind.

"I know why you never tell me anything... I know why you never want to talk too me... It's because you've always hate me, huh?" As she spoke, Sakura forced a fake and weak smile while continuing to bite her lip.

"Do you remember our first day as team 7? When we took the bell test and went out for Ramen as a team afterwards?" Sakura then took a brief pause as if she was wait for the unconscious Sasuke to reply.

"You probably don't... I mean why would you? But... That day was the best day of my entire life Sasuke, because I got to spend it next to you" While speaking Sakura continued to force a fake smile.

"I knew you hated me, I've always known... That's why I was so excited to be a member of team 7, I thought we would finally be together. I thought being friends with Naruto would make you love me, but you still just see me as some annoying girl." After she spoke a single tear fell from Sakura's right eye, struggling with her emotions.

"Naruto... You've always liked him more than me, Sasuke. I never understood why and I still don't but I know how much you care for him... Because that's how much I care for you." After speaking Sakura allowed an extensive period of silence to fill the room, a silence pierced only by the sound of a nearby clock.

"I wish you would smile more, Sasuke. You have such a beautiful smile and the only time I see it is when you and Naruto are joking around... That's why I decided to become stronger, I didn't have any jokes like Naruto so I thought if I became strong than you would like me, you would accept me..." Sakura's words then drifted off as she downcast her face.

"But I see how things truly are now... You'll always hate me and love Naruto, you like him way more than you like me... And that's why... That's why... Why!" Sakura quickly jumped out from her chair, knocking it over in the process.

Sakura then sat atop Sasuke's bed before leaning halfway over his body while twirling his hair in her left hand. Soon, Sakura began inch closer and closer to Sasuke's face until their noses were touching before she quickly stole a kiss from her unconscious teammate.

Afterwards, Sakura quickly stood up off Sasuke's bed before walking towards the nearby opened window and placing one foot outside on the roof tile. At this moment, Sakura glanced back at a sleeping Sasuke while love, pain and regret filled her emerald Green eyes.

"That's why I'm going to bring Naruto back." Sakura then disappeared in a blur of Leaf's, ready to sacrifice anything for Sasuke's happiness.


20 minutes later, inside the Residential district of Konoha.

"Quit complaining, this will be my 1st mission as a Chunin." Sakura snapped out while Ino, Choji and Shikamaru followed her through the street.

"You haven't even told us what the mission is." Ino complained only for Sakura to completely ignore her.

"Shikamaru, I thought you said they were around here." Sakura remarked while glancing from side-to-side while cheek the doorways of each house, clearly looking for someone.

"Yea, they're supposed to be volunteering today." Shikamaru explained before raising his right hand into the air and waving at a group of 3 Leaf ninja.

"Yo! Kiba! Hinata! Shino! What's going on?" As he spoke, Shikamaru leisurely walked up to team 8 with his own team and Sakura close behind.

"Not much, just helping clear out rumble and debris from some homes, what's up?" Kiba asked, really the only member of team 8 that talked at all.

"We're leaving right now, grab your stuff." Sakura ordered, greatly confusing both team 8 and 10.

"What's the deal with team 7? They always act like they're in char-...?!" Kiba's sentence became cut-off after Sakura's grabbed the collar of his jacket while raising 3 Senbon to his face.

"We need to go, where's team 3?" Sakura asked after pushing Kiba down, embarrassing him.

"O-Oh...Uh... Um..." Shikamaru mumbled, speechless after seeing this side of Sakura.

"Neji and Lee are both in the hospital recovering while Tenten is trai-...?!" His words became cut-off mid-sentence as Sakura stomped past him.

"Lets hurry, pick up the pace Kiba." Sakura barked out as Kiba still sat on the ground rubbing his ass.

Soon, Sakura escorted all 6 members of team 8 and 10 through various separate streets and roads on her journey to find Tenten. During this Ino stared at Sakura's back with a mixture of awe and confusion, shocked to see her friend like this but unable to understand why before they all disappeared into the streets of Konoha.


Meanwhile, inside the Konoha Council Chambers.

"We must decide who will become the 5th Hokage." Biwako declared as she sat at a long rectangular shaped table that was lined with 5 different Fire delegates, all 3 council members, the Head-captain of all Anbu and Shikaku, the greatest living mind of Konoha.

At the end of this table sat a rather small yet elderly man who wore the iconic Fire Daimyo headpiece while he fanned himself numerous times with a hand held fan. Also, the room they sat in was dark and dimly lit with a large banner of Konoha resting behind the Daimyo.

"I don't know... Shouldn't we wait for the 3rd Hokage to be buried? Or atleast wait for his funeral, this seems a bit rushed." The Daimyo mumbled in a fickle and weak tone.

"Absolutely not, Konoha is in chaos we need leadership, my husband would understand the dire circumstances." Biwako barked out, causing the Daimyo to hide behind his fan.

"And since the Sand village has betrayed us, we've lost our greatest ally." Koharu proclaimed.

"I've already sent 3 squads to investigate the Sand village, they lost roughly 2/3 of their Shinobi forces while their Kazekage is missing." The Head-captain of Anbu who wore a Fire hawk mask spoke out.

"And... They've lost their Jinchuriki." Shikaku explained, causing a stern expression to bloom across every face in the room.

"I'm well aware that the Sand village has suffered the same crippling fate as us, but the matter of our Jinchuriki must wait until a next Hokage is decided." Biwako remarked.

"After what happened to Konoha... We, the Fire country will proudly fund to rebuild this village, Hokage or not." An unnamed Fire delegate declared.

"That's the problem, without a Hokage it will become difficult to establish a budget and organize any construction projects, the 5th Hokage must be chosen before we leave this room." Biwako argued while the Daimyo continuously fanned his face.

"I was thinking Jiraiya would be nice... I've always wanted him to become Hokage but he doesn't seem interested." The Daimyo mumbled in a weak tone.

"Biwako has already asked Kakashi Hatake aswell, and he refused the position." Homura explained, causing the Daimyo to sigh.

"Oh...? The copy cat ninja and the son of the revered White fang? That would have been a good choice." The Daimyo proclaimed.

"Speaking of revered parents, I would like to suggest 1 more name to the council... Might Guy." Biwako spoke in a confident tone.

""Hmmm... The son of the Eternal Genin?" The Daimyo mumbled in response, fully aware of legendary man known as Might Dai.

"Yes, he distinguished himself among our village be single handedly taking out a whole platoon of Sand ninja." Shikaku answered.

"Also, he father died fighting the 7 Swordsmen of the Mist... And only 2 of them managed to survive." Biwako explained, causing the Daimyo to sink deep into thought.

"I was honestly looking forward to Jiraiya so much that I don't even want to decide..." The Daimyo once again mumbled in a weak tone.

"I don't know... He isn't that famous or well-known... Most of his fame is a result from his father... But I hear he is quite virtuous and powerful, more so than Kakashi... I hear he's a loud-mouth and childish." Each of the Fire delegates became debating and talking among one another.

At this moment, Biwako stood up before slamming both hands atop the table while her chair fell to the ground. This action silenced the discussing delegates while the Daimyo continued fanning his face.

"I will not allow this village that has stood for almost 60 years to crumble after my husbands death, we don't have time for your politics or debates. You will name Might Guy as the 5th Hokage and our village will survive." Biwako ordered while glaring at the Fire Daimyo.

Usually it was a bad idea to insult or threaten a Daimyo in any way but the Fire Lord was an extremely weak and fickle man who would change or shift his opinion depending on who was in the room.

This statement caused the Daimyo to once again hide before his fan while his train of thought raced as the entire room was filled with a brief period of silence. Soon, the fire Daimyo snapped his fan shut before placing it on the table while looking out across his numerous advisers.

"Please locate the 5th Hokage." The Daimyo ordered, causing multiple shadows in the room to flicker and wave as Shikaku and the Fire-hawk masked Anbu disappeared into a search for Might Guy.


30 minutes later, inside the Market District of Konoha.

"Hey now! I really should get back to my laps." Guy protested as numerous kids clung to his leg while others rode on his shoulders as he walked.

"Noooooo! Walk us around the block? Do push-ups again! Can you run on the side of that building? My mum said you're really cute." Multiple kids talked to Guy while others continued jumping on him, slowly dragging him down until he completely fell.

"Dog pile!" A group of children screamed before swarming over Guy's limp body.

Suddenly, over 6 children were quickly thrown into the air before Guy jumped up and began juggling the group of kids in midair. During this, numerous other kids began clinging to his legs.

"Only 6 of you?! I could easily juggle 9." Guy proclaimed as the children he juggled began to laugh and giggle several times.

During this, a nearby group of parents watched from the side-walk with expressions of joy and happiness on their face. Guy had a special way with kids that forced many parents in Konoha to learn of his name, all of which held great love and respect for the elite Jonin.

Despite half of their village being burnt or destroyed many of the surrounding parents and children couldn't help but smile anytime Guy was present, his charisma was that strong. These smiles soon evolved into a barrage of laughter that filled the entire street, evidence that the Will of Fire burned brightly inside Might Guy.

Guy then noticed an elderly woman that was struggling to walk towards a nearby store, causing him to catch all 6 of the giggling children in between his arms before gently putting them down.

Afterwards, Guy walked up to this woman and escorted her to safety while ignoring the various children that still clung to his legs. At the same time numerous families and Ninja continued to enter the Market District before smiling after each of them noticed Guy.

"Such a nice young man, thank you Guy." The elderly woman praised her helper.

"Anytime Ms. Auzuki." Guy replied with a sparkling smile wide upon his face before turning around just in time to notice 8 kids dog pile him.

These kids each laughed and giggled as they began wrestling with Guy who was pretending to fight them off in a dramatic fashion. Soon, Guy lifted his feet into the air with a child resting on each one, making them feel like a bird flying through the air.

Even though Guy was distracted by this group of children he was still able to notice when a group of Anbu appeared atop the nearby rooftops. However instead of investigating the Anbu Guy continued wrestling with kids while pretending some were birds.

At this moment, a pair of feet stomped beside Guy's face forcing him to roll over before he and the surrounding children glanced up at the enraged face of Biwako. This face instantly dispersed the surrounding kids as Guy began to sweat while bowing his hand.

"Forgive me, Lady Biwako... I got distracted here." Guy mumbled while staring at the ground, unable to see the smile that now covered Biwako's face.

Suddenly a small crowd of parents, children and ninja began huddling around Guy and the 3 Konoha council members that stood in the street. During this, numerous faces began to smile after noticing the hat that Biwako held in between both hands.

"We charge you with the defense of Konoha." Biwako explained, creating a confused look on Guy's face before he glanced up only for both eyes to bulge as his jawline fell open.

"Stand as the 5th Hokage, Guy." As she spoke she extended both arms forward, offering the fabled Hokage hat to Guy.

This statement created a brief period of silence pierced only by the occasional praise and cheering from nearby citizens. During this, the face of Might Dai floated through Guy's mind.

Father... Guy thought about his dad before a wide smile bloomed on his face while he quickly stood up.

Guy then grabbed the iconic Hokage hat before placing it on his head while preforming a thumbs-up with his right hand as a sparkling smile etched across his face. At the same time a gently gust of wind blew in from the South causing several dozen leaf's to float and dance through the street, signaling the era of a new Hokage.

"Forget 500! I shall do 1,000 laps around Konoha FOR EVERY SINGLE CITIZEN! LET'S GO!" After screaming the elite Jonin surged past the Council members with such speed that the earth partially uprooted itself.

"Wait! You have paperwork!" Biwako protested as Guy was already 40ft away.

"Have Kakashi bring it to me!" Guy screamed before completely disappearing from sight.

"He does know that Kakashi's in the hospital, right?" Homura asked.

"Never a dull moment with Guy around." Koharu remarked as Biwako smiled from ear-to-ear.


Meanwhile, beside a collapsed portion of the Konoha wall on the Northern outskirts of the village.

"Man this is such a drag, why did you bring us out this far?" Shikamaru asked while Sakura escorted team 8, 10 and Tenten to the edge of Konoha.

Sakura then stopped walking mid-stride while her former classmates each stared at her back, greatly confused with how she was acting. This created a brief period of silence that was pierced only by the sound of Choji eating potato chips.

"Our volunteer work was more fun than this." Kiba complained before Akamaru barked in approval.

"I have no complaints." Shino mumbled, forcing Kiba to jump over 5ft into the air with shock.

"Damnit Shino we've talked about this, don't be so creepy or atleast make some noise every once and awhile, I completely forgot you were there." Kiba once again complained.

"Sorry." Shino apologized from behind the raised collar of his tunic.

"Shikamaru... You won your match so are you a Chunin yet?" Sakura asked with her back still directed towards her friends.

"Nah... I don't think they had time with the invasion going on but I got no complaints, that promotion would be troublesome." Shikamaru answered while digging both hands into his pant pockets.

"I see..." Sakura spoke before her words trailed off.

"What's wrong, Mrs. forehead?" Ino asked, attempting to cheer her friend up.

"I know Sasuke's in the hospital but I'm sure Naruto would help if he could, why don't you just go talk to him." As she spoke Sakura clenched both her fists tightly.

"Ye-... Yea... Naruto would definitely help, that's the type of person he is..." Hinata stuttered while twirling her fingers together as her face began to blush.

"Now that I think about it I haven't seen that blond twerp all day, where is he?" Kiba questioned.

"Auuahmm - Auuahmm - Auuahmm." Choji groaned while eating several dozen mouthfuls of potato chips.

"Naruto would for sure cheer this place us, this is such a drag." Shikamaru mumbled.

"I'm sure he's just visiting Lee at the hospital." Tenten suggested before a tense silence filled the air.

"Naruto left the village last night." Sakura explained, shocking her former classmates while a paralyzed Choji dropped his potato chip to the ground.

"What? What do you mean he left the village? Naruto would never something so troublesome." Shikamaru protested.

"Yea, besides where would that twerp go? He would get crushed in the real world." Kiba argued.

Na-Nar-Naruto... Hinata stuttered in her mind while continuously twirling her fingers.

"As a Chunin, I have the ability to authorize the formation of an emergency squad to handle any mission that's a direct threat to Konoha... This is my mission, I'm going to bring Naruto back." Sakura declared, forcing Ino's jawline to drop once she noticed her friend wasn't joking.

"This is such a drag but shouldn't these missions contain a squad of 4? All of which need to be Jonin or Chunin." Shikamaru explained before physically pointing at the 8 ninja gathered together.

"We don't have enough Jonin so I just grabbed 2 squads of Genin, Kakashi-Sensei is in the hospital while Asuma and Kurenai are volunteering to rebuild houses." Sakura answered.

"And I haven't seen Guy all day..." Tenten mumbled, unaware that her Sensei was just named the 5th Hokage.

"I'll take complete responsibility for this mission, all blame or consequences will belong to me. If any of you want to leave just walk home now... I'll do this alone if I have to." Sakura declared, determined to make Sasuke smile.

"Geez girls are so dramatic... Do you know where he went?" Shikamaru asked while shoving a finger into his ear before cleaning it.

"He's going to the Sound village... So if we take this path and use Kiba's sense of smell we'll find him." Sakura replied before an extensive period of silence filled the surrounding air.

"I'm in, this gives me a chance at payback for what that twerp did during the Preliminaries." Kiba remarked, still embarrassed over losing to Naruto.

"M-... M-... Me too." Hinata mumbled as she continued twirling her fingers together.

"I can't let these two go by themselves." Shino explained, causing Kiba to roll both eyes in response.

"I don't got anything better to do." Tenten proclaimed, upset that both her teammates were in the hospital.

"I can't let you run off by yourself, Ms. Forehead." Ino spoke before smiling.

"I shall let him have one of my chips, only one though." Choji declared, evidence to the deep friendship he shared with Naruto.

"This sounds like such a drag... But I guess we'll drag through it together." Shikamaru sighed before yawning into his right hand.

During this conversation Sakura slowly downcast her head before staring at the ground as her former classmates watched. At the same time various separate memories of Naruto and Sasuke replayed themselves inside her mind.

"Thank you, everyone... Lets go!" Sakura ordered before dashing past the collapsed wall as her friends followed behind, beginning their long journey North.

After several moments the jogging figure of Guy ran into this now empty clearing beside the collapsed wall before glancing from side-to-side numerous times. While this occurred Guy began sniffing and smelling the air while both of eyes narrowed under his new Hokage hat.

The 5th Hokage could smell that something was wrong in the air, a smell that he couldn't get over while staring through the collapsed wall. Guy then went back to jogging around Konoha while a sense of dread sunk into his mind, unable to shake off the bad feeling he felt.