Chapter 34
Times of Peace
Eleven years have passed since Earth was nearly destroyed by Toneri Ohtsutsuki. In the past eleven years, technology has become more advanced. Fewer people are becoming shinobi and are pursuing regular careers. Tonight is the night before the Seventh Hokage officially becomes the Seventh Hokage. Tonight is the final mission for the third iteration of Team 7. Joshu walks into the office of the Sixth Hokage. The Sixth Hokage is pouring some sake into a teacup.
"Father, why are you drinking on the job? Nobody should see the Hokage like this," said Joshu.
Kakashi stops pouring the sake.
"It's my last day as Hokage so give me a break. This will be your office tomorrow," said Kakashi.
"I know, but drink sake at home outside of the public view. You don't want to end up like Tsunade," said Joshu.
"Relax. I'm not that depressed. Why are you here anyway? Don't you have a wife to entertain?" said Kakashi.
"I want to go on one more mission with my team," said Joshu.
"Usually when it's the day before a person becomes Hokage, they choose to relax instead of going on a mission," said Kakashi.
"I'm not like everyone else," said Joshu.
"You are correct about that one. You're lucky that I have one mission right here," said Kakashi.
Kakashi pulls a scroll out of his desk.
"This one is a simple B rank. I know it is too easy for you guys, but it's the only one that I have. There's a small camp of bandits a couple of hours outside of the village. Your mission is to capture them and grab the stuff that they've stolen," said Kakashi.
"I should go get the team," said Joshu.
Joshu walks out of the Hokage Mansion. He walks to the Hidden Leaf gate. Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon stand next to the gate of the village.
"What's our mission Joshu sensei?" asked Moegi.
"We have to go grab some bandits," said Joshu.
"I was really wishing that our final mission together would be more exciting, but not everything can go my way," said Konohamaru.
"These bandits may be powerful so we can't underestimate them," said Udon.
"Let's get going," said Joshu.
Team 7 leaves the village and starts to jump through the trees. Two hours pass. Team 7 watches the bandits camp from the trees.
"When I heard that it was a camp, I didn't think it would be this large," said Konohamaru.
"They must have a lot of loot," said Joshu.
Joshu pulls out a pair of binoculars. He looks around the camp.
"There are twenty bandits around the camp. Their leader is probably in that big tent in the middle of the camp," said Joshu.
"We should all take down five bandits," said Udon.
"All right. Let's go," said Moegi.
The team jumps into the camp. Joshu uses his speed to zoom by five bandits, grabbing one of their chakra points to knock them unconscious. Udon throws a gadget in the direction of five of the bandits. The five bandits walk in the direction of Udon. Udon throws a smoke bomb containing knockout gas at the five bandits, knocking them out. Moegi throws shuriken in the direction of five other bandits. The bandits run in the direction of Moegi.
"Wood Style: Tree Limb Technique!" exclaimed Moegi.
Five thick tree roots come out of the ground and grab the bandits. The roots tighten and knock the bandits unconscious. Konohamaru jumps in the air and creates an odama rasengan. He slams it on top of the five bandits and creates a small crater full of unconscious bandits. The team regroups in front of the large tent in the center.
"That was quick," said Joshu.
"We are powerful you know," said Konohamaru.
Joshu smiles.
"Yeah, I know," said Joshu.
Team 7 walks into the large tent. A man with bandages wrapped all around his body sits on a makeshift throne.
"Oh, isn't it Joshu Hatake and his team of grown-up brats," said the bandit king.
"You're coming with us, so don't try to escape," said Joshu.
"I'm not trying to. I will fight the four of you like a man," said the bandit king.
"I don't think you know who you're messing with," said Konohamaru.
"I know exactly who I'm messing with," said the bandit king.
The bandit king stands up. He pulls a syringe full of a serum out of his pocket. He sticks the syringe into his arm. He starts to bulk up. He bulks up more and more until his enlarged muscles cause the tent to fall down.
"Who's more powerful now!" exclaimed the bandit king.
"This is going to be a long night," said Joshu.
Hinata wakes up from her deep slumber. She looks at the empty spot of the bed next to her and gets up. She quietly walks to the kitchen and doesn't see her husband looking for a midnight snack. She walks to the room of her two children and sees them sleeping soundly. Before she leaves their room, she hears the doorbell ring. She runs to the door and opens it. She sees her exhausted husband leaning on Konohamaru.
"What happened?" asked Hinata.
"We had to deal with a giant guy. We beat him, but Joshu is exhausted," said Konohamaru.
Konohamaru places Joshu in Hinata's arms.
"Thank you. I'll make sure he wakes up on time for tomorrow's ceremony," said Hinata.
"Ok. Good night," said Konohamaru.
"Good night," said Hinata.
Hinata closes the door. She places her husband's body on their bed. She kisses his forehead and moves to sleep on the couch. A long night passes. The alarm next to Joshu goes off. Joshu doesn't wake up. Even though Joshu doesn't hear his alarm, his kids do. A black-haired boy with light brown skin and a light-skinned girl with black hair enters the room.
"Jeiden wait. We can't just barge into daddy's and mommy's room," said the girl.
"Shush Sutefu. Mom told us to wake him up anyway," said Jeiden.
Sutefu walks over to her father and starts to grab his cheeks to try to wake him up. Joshu doesn't wake up.
"I know the perfect way to wake him up," said Jeiden.
Jeiden gets onto the bed. He jumps in the air and lands on Joshu's stomach. This wakes Joshu up.
"What the hell is wrong with you! That hurt you know!" exclaimed Joshu.
"We were just waking you up. Don't get mad at me," said Jeiden.
"What time is it?" asked Joshu.
"It's 8 daddy. You have to get up," said Sutefu.
"Oh yeah, it is today. Get ready you two. We'll be leaving in an hour," said Joshu.
An hour passes. Joshu puts his shoes on near the door of their house. He looks at the clock and sees that his children are still not in the living room. He walks into their room to see what's going on and he sees his son cowering next to the wall. He runs in front of his son. He sees that his daughter has activated her Byakugan. He places her in a genjutsu and forces her to return to her normal happy mood.
"You guys can never just get along for a few minutes. Come on. We've got to get going," said Joshu.
Joshu grabs his children's hands and they teleport to the Hokage Mansion. Hinata turns around to see her children and husband.
"There you are. Everyone's waiting for you," said Hinata.
Joshu enters the Hokage Mansion. He walks up the stairs to the rooftop. He sees Haku, Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Obito, and Kakashi standing and waiting for him.
"And here's the man of the hour," said Kakashi.
Joshu walks towards the group.
"You arrived just in time. We were going to start without you," said Obito.
"I'm not always on time you know," said Joshu.
"I know. You're just like your father," said Obito.
Sasuke walks over to Joshu.
"Make sure not to mess this up. If you do, I may have to take your spot," said Sasuke.
"I don't think you have enough power to hold this position," said Joshu.
"We'll see," said Sasuke.
"I guess I'll go address the crowd," said Kakashi.
Kakashi walks to the balcony to address the large crowd.
"Good morning everyone! Our ceremony will begin now!" exclaimed Kakashi.
Sakura walks over to Joshu with a cloak and hat in her hands.
"This is your Hokage cloak and hat. Put it on before you address the villagers," said Sakura.
"Thank you Sakura," said Joshu.
Joshu puts on the cloak and hat. He walks up to his father.
"Are you ready?" asked Kakashi.
"I was born ready dad," said Joshu.
Kakashi walks back to the group.
"Greetings villagers of the Hidden Leaf! I'm your new Hokage as you should already know! Since I was a young boy, I dreamed of becoming this village's kage! Since I was a young boy, I trained for many years to experience this very moment! As Hokage, I promise to protect this village with my life! I promise to be the beacon of hope for this village and the world! I promise to help raise the next generation because every single villager from this day on is my family! I love you all so hopefully you love me too!" exclaimed Joshu.
The crowd erupts in cheers. Joshu starts to wave to the crowd.
"He still is that shy little kid that always wanted to be Hokage. Back then, I resented him for sharing the same dream as me, but now I understand that he is the perfect man for the job. I'm proud to call him my friend," said Naruto.