50 chapters, I made it! I'm honestly so proud of this and I'm so happy people are still so invested, I only hope you enjoy it as it continues because I'm still writing and I'm nowhere near finished yet! Enjoy this chapter guys!
Naruto didn't know how long she'd been sleeping when a gentle hand on her shoulder drew her into wakefulness.
She opened her eyes slowly when she did, and she smiled tiredly when she saw her mom peering down at her, a fond little smile on her lips. She did notice that Sakura was no longer curled up next to her and she tilted her head and looked around as Rin pulled back.
Kakashi and Sakura had left the room, but Hiruzen and Jiraiya were both stood at the bottom of the bed.
Jiraiya gave her a wide grin when he saw that she was awake, though there was concern in his eyes, "Nice to see you awake sleeping beauty."
"Ero Sennin." Naruto yawned as she used her left arm to drag herself up so that she was sitting. "Sandaime-sama."
"You has us all very worried Naruto-chan." Hiruzen's expression was filled with relief as he moved to sit down beside the bed, "There were a few moments there that we thought you weren't going to recover even with the Kyubi inside of you."
"I'm tougher than that." she cracked a grin, starting to fully wake up, "It'll take more than the first two Hokage's and a Sannin to kill me."
That made Jiraiya laugh, "The fact that you can say that without exaggerating is pretty impressive brat, I'll give you that much."
"I kicked butt and you know it."
"You certainly managed to cripple Orochimaru." Hiruzen nodded, "I must thank you. While I do wish you had told me your friends explained why you chose not to and I understand-though I must caution you that if a similar situation happens in the future you will be punished for not informing me."
"Of course Sandaime-sama." Naruto nodded, "I just... whatever you did, however you reacted would have caused issues-whereas if you didn't know but we planned the counteraction-"
"Your plan worked, you won't be punished and neither will your friends Naruto-chan don't worry." Hiruzen shook his head, "You undoubtedly saved many lives with your actions and your injuries are punishment enough I feel, how is the Kyubi?"
"Hurt, missing three tails." Naruto bit her lip, "He'll need time to heal up right and he won't be helping me heal unless I'm really hurt."
"That's certainly punishment enough I think." Hiruzen nodded seriously.
"What about-what about Gaara and his siblings-"
"They've left-they asked to be sent a letter when you wake but they had to return home to deal with the fallout of the death of their father."
"Of course." Naruto nodded, "That makes sense. You... you won't hold it against them?"
"If the attack had gone ahead as was undoubtedly planned I would have placed several sanctions against Suna for their actions and it could have caused war-but given the fact that your intervention and the Sand siblings actions revealing Orochimaru's deceit led to Suna switching sides and aiding us I have decided to leave it be-our alliance is stronger now than ever ironically, given Gaara-san and his siblings high opinions of yourself and Sakura-chan."
"Thank kami." Naruto felt her shoulders loosen slightly. "Gaara's my friend and I'm starting to not dislike his siblings-though I don't like how they used to treat him."
"They all like you." Jiraiya chuckled, "His siblings kept saying that they owed you a lot and that if you ever needed help Suna would offer a hand of friendship."
"Good to know." Naruto smiled softly. "I'll have to try and visit at some point."
"I'm sure you will." Hiruzen smiled fondly, "But before you visit them, I assume your mother has told you about the trip Jiraiya wishes to make."
"I have." Rin nodded.
"I wanna go." Naruto said quickly.
"I believe it would be a very good idea-especially as it will get you out of Konoha for a little bit."
"Why would that be a factor?" Naruto frowned in confusion and Jiraiya let out a loud laugh.
"Kid you saved the life of the Hokage, you managed to turn what could have been a devastating invasion into a resounding victory by befriending three Genin and by following the Hokage-and some Anbu have blabbed so the rumors going around about the fight are pretty accurate, face it you're going to have fans after all this, everyone's going to want to meet the girl who saved the Hokage. They're calling you Konoha's Savior. You're what we in the business call a hero."
Naruto's face turned a rather bright shade of red at that. "So much for not drawing too much attention to myself. Sorry mom I know-"
"People were going to notice you sooner or later-at least if the truth comes out now people won't think the worst based on the fact you're a Jinchuriki-and I'd like to see Danzo get his hands on Konoha's hero."
"He definitely knows there's more to you than meets the eye." Hiruzen frowned, "He's asked repeatedly for exact information on what happened on the rooftop but I've told him that it was a private battle and he doesn't need to know. It won't be long before people start figuring out who you are though so a little trip away will hopefully give the village a little bit of time to calm down and settle."
"I..." Naruto blinked slowly as she processed the information, "Yeah, yeah that might be good. It'll be weird having people treat me like a hero."
"Get used to it." Jiraiya clapped her on the shoulder, "Even if it calms down while we're gone, from now on you're always going to be a hero."
"We are trying to keep the information as contained as we can-but don't be surprised if people outside of Konoha know about you." Hiruzen added, "There's only so much we can do."
"Am I gonna end up in the Bingo books of other villages?"
"Probably-definitely in Oto's bingo book." Jiraiya looked somewhat amused "As the news spreads you're gonna gain a hell of a reputation kid."
"All I did was help-"
"You are the reason I'm alive." Hiruzen said firmly, interrupting her mid word. "Naruto-chan if you hadn't come up with a way to stop my reanimated predecessors then I'd be dead now. And you managed to critically injure Orochimaru. You should give yourself far more credit." he paused, a slightly amused smile on his lips. "I certainly think that within perhaps four to six years you'll be more than ready to wear this hat." he tapped at the brim of the hat on his head, and Naruto's eyes widened, a grin spreading across her lips.
"You mean that?"
"Certainly, I have no doubts that within a few years you'll surpass us all Naruto-chan. You're a brilliant shinobi and you will one day be the best of us all."
Naruto felt like her face would split in half she was grinning so widely, "I'll get to follow in my fathers footsteps?"
"I have no doubt about that." Hiruzen chuckled, "I'm glad to see you're so pleased."
"Y'know." Naruto gave a sudden cheeky grin, "Can I maybe try on the hat."
"Hmmm..." Hiruzen's smile was almost teasing, "I don't know-technically speaking it's not allowed for anyone other than the Hokage to wear the hat-"
"Please." Naruto pouted, "C'mon I saved your life."
"Hmmm... I'm not sure-" he laughed when Naruto gave him a wide eyed pouting expression and he lifted the hat off her head and turned it, carefully lowering it onto her head, and Naruto grinned proudly, straightening up slightly as she looked around, "How does it look mom? Ero Sennin?"
"Stunning." Rin laughed brightly, "Like you were born to wear it honey, I don't think it's ever suited anyone quite so much as it suits you."
"Yep. You're gonna rock the hat when you're old enough." Jiraiya grinned, "And I'll the the man who's had two of his students be Kages."
"You'll be the Kage maker." Naruto piped up with a grin, "Wait-I'll be able to give you orders Ero Sennin-"
"Hah." Jiraiya laughed, "I barely listen to sensei half the time these days, do you really think I'd listen to you."
"Ugh! You suck." Naruto poked her tongue out at the old man, who very maturely responded in kind, and Rin sighed loudly.
"Children children, behave-"
"At least I am a child." Naruto pointed out smugly. "You're an old man."
"I'll give you old-" he reached out, ruffling Naruto's hair and ignoring her yelp of protest.
"Hey! Stop that!"
"No, you asked for it brat."
"Dear kami stop." Rin groaned, "I see now why sensei always said it was a good thing you were his sensei not Kushina's."
"Jiraiya please." Hiruzen was clearly trying to hide an amused smile as he shook his head, "Try to act like an adult."
"Eh, fine." the man stopped ruffling the pouting blonde's hair, a grin still on his lips as he stepped back "I should probably be preparing to head out tomorrow anyway."
"You should. I'll help Naruto-chan pack her bags as well tonight-I know Sakura's had hers packs since she found out about the trip."
"Ugh." Jiraiya groaned, "Kami help us all if Tsunade-hime agrees to train Sakura-chan."
"Hah." Naruto laughed, shaking her head, "Sakura-chan has a hell of a temper-"
"She does." Rin grinned, "I'd love to see Sakura able to use Tsunade's strength to pummel anyone who looked at you funnily... actually when one of Sasuke-kun's fangirls demanded to know what 'Evil witch' made their precious Sasuke-kun so upset Sakura had to be pried off her by Kakashi-kun. And Sasuke looked like he wanted to hurt the girl."
"Really?" Naruto grinned slightly, "Sakura-chan doesn't surprise me but... Sasuke was-"
"You two might have had a falling out but he still cares Naruto-chan." Rin rolled her eyes fondly, "He was terrified you were dead.
"Did he visit while I was out?"
"No, and when Kakashi asked him if he wanted to Sasuke made some stupid excuse but I think he just didn't want to see you like that again."
"Huh." Naruto blinked slowly, a thoughtful look on her face before she gave a little shrug, "We'll see if he's willing to talk to me by the time I get back from getting Tsunade-sama."
"I think that's a good idea." Rin smiled softly before glancing at the two old men, "Now, Hokage-sama. Jiraiya-sama, I think that if we've discussed all that we
need to discus it might be a good idea for you both to leave so I can get Naruto out of the hospital gown and into her normal clothes and we can go home."
"Of course Rin-san." Hiruzen nodded, smiling softly, "Do you think you'll need an Anbu esc-"
"I doubt anyone would try anything." Rin shook her head, "I just want to get us home safe and let us pack-Karin-chan will be incredibly relieved to see you safe."
"How is she?"
"About as okay as can be expected." Rin gave a half hearted smile, shaking her head, "She looks up to you and you got pretty badly hurt so it scared her but don't worry sweetie she'll be fine."
"We were making progress." Naruto frowned softly, "She's been through so much mom and she was starting to get all confident-"
"By the time you're home from your trip she'll be back to where she was before the final exam." Rin promised.
"We'll leave and let you get changed Naruto-chan." Hiruzen nodded, laying a hand on Jiraiya's shoulder and half dragging him out of the room, closing the door behind them.
Once the door was shut Rin pulled out a bag from under the bed, and she helped Naruto change into the fresh clothes, it was awkward, given the fact that Naruto wasn't able to use her right arm very well, but it did work and once she was changed Rin hooked their arms together.
"I already cleared it with the nurses." Rin smiled, "So we can just head straight out and home. I'll pack you a bag while you get some more sleep."
"Yeah, I do still feel kind of tired."
"If you feel tired while travelling you're going to tell Jiraiya okay?"
"Yes mom." Naruto nodded obediently. "Of course I will." Good." Rin planted a kiss on top of Naruto's head, "I'll be ordering Sakura-chan to keep an eye on you and she's going to be fairly protective for a while I think."
"Ugh." Naruto pouted, "But mom I literally fought against two Kages and one Sannin and I came out alive she doesn't need to be overprotective-"
"Naruto, honey you nearly died-"
"Details!"
"You-kami help me Naruto you're ridiculous honey." Rin was stifling a smile as together they headed out of the hospital room and then out of the building entirely onto the streets of Konoha.
As they walked Naruto could feel eyes on her, could see people freezing and whirling around to look in her direction as they walked past them-oh yeah. She could definitely see what Jiraiya had meant. People were literally staring at her now.
It was weird.
And she could hear whispers too.
"Is that her?"
"She's the one!"
"Oh wow she's so young-"
"Look over there-"
"It's her!"
"She looks so normal."
"She must be so strong-"
And Naruto felt like her face was on fire as her mom drew her closer and wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
"Breath honey, just block it out." Rin's voice was almost amused, "It's not like you to get flustered at attention."
"They're so... all I did was-"
"Was save the Hokage?" Rin asked teasingly, "Wow I wonder why everyone's so excited it's not like you did anything completely amazing."
"... Shut up."
Rin laughed loudly at that, shaking her head as she forged forward through the staring crowds until they made it home.
As soon as they opened the door Karin was sprinting down the hall towards her and Rin moved away just as the red haired girls arms wrapped around her tightly.
"Naruto-san don't you ever scare me like that again!"
"It's okay." Naruto hugged Karin back gently, "I'm okay." she let out a breath.
And she was okay. All of the pressure of the exams and knowing there was going to be an attack was gone-and that felt wonderful.
