"Boy," the old man spoke. His tone was always curt but the target of his call had long since grown accustomed to it. He didn't mean anything by it, it was simply his way. Still, he knew not to ignore the older man nor delay in response, even if he wanted to get lost in the beauty of the surroundings, lush forest greens and crystal clear waters.
"Yes, Grandfather?"
"This is where we part. You must return home and I shall do the same." The pronouncement shocked the younger male. He turned to stare at his only family in disbelief. The words seemed to bottleneck in his throat and he could barely organize his thoughts.
The child wanted to shout that his grandfather would be killed should he return, it was a foolish notion. He wanted to beg him not to, he still had so much to teach and there was time… wasn't there? Realization struck, it didn't matter if he'd be killed upon his return as he was dying anyway but he'd never allow himself to waste away. It was not how a warrior should die nor a man with unfinished business. "You're not well," he said plainly as he looked out into the wilderness, his sorrow not allowing him to meet his grandfather's eyes.
"I am not but do not mourn me, boy. I got several more years than I deserved and everyday spent with you was a treasure. I'd wish I'd gotten to do this with your father, I wish so many things but the past is unchangeable."
"What has happened has happened," the preteen added, the older man giving him an approving nod.
"Yes. Deceive others if you must, kill when you need but never lie to yourself. I lost sight of reality and it cost me greatly, learn from my example and be better than I ever was."
"I will, I promise."
"Then I know it shall be done as you don't go back on your word," the older man said.
"It's my nindo, my ninja way!" Naruto cheered, willing the tears not to fall from his eyes.
"Uzumaki-san," the crow masked ANBU called out and Naruto met the agent's eyes returning to alertness rapidly. He didn't know why but he'd been thinking about his grandfather a lot lately. True he missed the old bastard, his frankness and guidance. Maybe that was it. Or that he'd never be able to relate to him as a man, accomplished and sure of himself instead of grandchild and student. They'd never gotten nor will get to share a drink and shoot the breeze. Equals. He'd never show himself as his grandfather's equal and it hurt.
"Yes, Crow?" Naruto answered. He needed to focus, it wasn't time to reminisce about what was or ponder about what could have been. Later, maybe, but not now.
"They are ready for you, please enter… and behave yourself," the ANBU whispered in the last part. Naruto smiled. Cattle and pets behaved. He carried it how he carried it and dealt with the consequences. He strided through the ornate, wooden double doors and entered the hall. A series of tables organized in a rectangle took up most of the room. Quickly glancing he noticed the Fire Daimyo, whom he greeted with a short bow, the Daimyo's yes-men, Jiraiya, Shikaku and the Sandaime's advisors. Naruto was almost glad he got hounded into wearing the standard uniform or he'd feel underdressed.
"Jounin Uzumaki do you know why we have called you here today?" The Daimyo asked.
"No, Daimyo-sama, I do not."
"Hiruzen-dono chose you to be his successor, fitting as he once selected Minato-dono for the very same role. However, this has met with some pushback from concerned parties. While, ultimately, you will go through the process I am curious to see how you'd handle your detractors. Koharu-san, Homura-san, you have the floor."
Both of the geezers thanked the Daimyo and turned their gaze toward the teenaged Uzumaki. Naruto wanted to roll his eyes at the absurdity of two appointees weighing on such matters but if it was what the Daimyo wanted then it would happen. He made a conscious effort to keep his arms at his side so to not appear indignant.
"We have a few concerns," Koharu started and Naruto wished the crone would just spit it out. "First, are the series of charges of insubordination and other discipline issues."
"I was always cleared by Sandaime-sama himself and if I'm Hokage then short of Daimyo-sama I'd have no one to be insubordinate to. Problem, non-existent as it was, would seem to take care of itself." Naruto answered.
"But what of perception?" Homura asked. "What will our forces think if you have such a reputation?"
"I'm being selected to lead an army of assassins because I am the best assassin and can read and add. I don't tell myself fairytales and our ninja shouldn't either. Even the Shodai wasn't elected because he was such a nice guy. He was a nice guy that could drop a forest on you. The Nidaime wasn't considered nice at all. I have no idea if it's true but that's the perception. Sandaime-sama has the second highest kill out of any Konoha ninja, my dad the highest.
If they want to judge people on personalities then they can go to a pageant or something. I would be fair and consistent while ensuring I don't place the village in unnecessary risk," Naruto finished, leaving out the point that most of the ingrates of this village never wanted to be his friend anyway. Only when he stopped caring did it become a problem.
Seeing that line of argument was going nowhere, Koharu continued. "There are also concerns about your burden," she said but was interrupted.
"Yea, well, Sandaime-sama still believed I could govern you lot so what are ya gonna do?"
"We meant the bijuu," Koharu replied with a bit of heat.
"Never had a problem once, not in the village and not during a mission. I won't entertain baseless concerns," Naruto explained neutrally.
"Lastly," Homura continued, "are questions of your loyalty. We know you have connections outside of the village." Naruto narrowed his eyes at the elderly man and wondered how Danzo managed to control his puppets so well.
"Yes, I'm planning to run off to Uzu- oh, y'all let it get razed to the ground. Still wear the spiral with pride, though."
"He means your grandfather," Koharu stated.
"Who is dead and has been for years."
"But he was the leader," Homaru offered but was cut off.
"And had been deposed for years before his death. I'd never stepped foot in Ame until Jiraiya requested I run down some intel."
"And you did battle with the leader, the God of Ame and his angel," Koharu pointed out.
"He had a sensory jutsu that alerted him to my presence so I didn't have a ton of choice."
"You could have run," Koharu pressed.
"You haven't been in the field recently so you may have forgotten that your enemies don't let you run away just because you want to. I had to create an opportunity to escape and I did or we couldn't be having so much fun together now, Koharu-chan." Naruto smiled when she scowled at him. If they were going to be annoying then they'd get annoyed.
"Look, Hanzo the Salamander was my grandfather, there's nothing I can do about that. I'm not going to invade Ame to avenge him or any other ridiculous notion some may have. Did those who hold this against me even care when my father was nominated?"
"He didn't raise your father, your father didn't spend years being trained by him," Homura responded.
"Probably for the best, even the Old Bastard admitted he had no chill before Nagato nearly punched his ticket. However, wasn't it better that someone trained me or did you think my daily diet of isolation and neglect was a winning recipe?" It was the Daimyo's turn to adopt a hard look, something not missed by the advisors.
"We have reservations but trust Hiruzen's judgment," Koharu said.
"Then there is nothing left to do but make it official; congratulations, Uzumaki Naruto, you are the Godaime Hokage."
"Thank you, Daimyo-sama."
"Now, I would love to stay and drink you under the table, Naruto-kun, but I must be getting back to my own nest of vipers," the Daimyo jested, signaling an end to formality.
"If they ever get too bothersome you've got an in with some high level assassins," Naruto joked back.
"Don't tempt me or I might just take you up on it."
The Daimyo and Naruto shared a few more words before the man and his cadre departed. Naruto then turned to the ninja in attendance. There was a lot to be done. The Sandaime had mentioned considering him a replacement but it was when both assumed he had a few more years to wear the hat, Naruto assumed Jiraiya would be named as a stopgap measure. He'd been wrong.
"I'll keep this short. First order of business is finding the security leaks that allowed a two village army to kick our door in and punch us in the mouth. That failure has us looking inept."
"We did beat the invasion back," Homura observed.
"I'm aware, seeing as how I neutralized Oto's summoning teams and gave Suna's jinchuuriki a beating. So, you going to continue telling me my business or can we proceed?" Seeing Homura silenced, Naruto continued. "Moving on, it's still in our interest to have Suna as an ally. I'm assuming Daimyo-sama will play his games with his Wind Country counterpart but we'll do the same. I'm ok with showing some flex but the one non-negotiable term is Baki being turned over to us."
"Why?" Jiraiya asked.
"An invasion, however you may feel about it is business. We can handle it as such. Killing one of my ninja when you're a guest isn't. He pulled a job during the Chunin Exams and he'll stand tall on it."
"And should Suna refuse?" Shikaku asked.
"They won't. They got the drop on us and still failed, whatever they hoped to get out of it didn't materialize and their Kage was killed by Orochimaru. If we look incompetent, then they look weak. Our shameful chocolate is pairing up nicely with their tragic peanut butter. Let's hope Onoki throws his back out before he gets any ideas."
"What about Orochimaru?" Danzo inquired.
"Hey, Patch, I was wondering when you were going to join in," Naruto greeted. "I'm not going to over dedicate resources to tracking him. If he can give Jiraiya the slip then our other ninja won't have much luck but if I ever get a solid lead on his whereabouts I'll see to him personally.
Alright, some final bits of business so I can let you go, there will be some administrative changes. I'm not being smothered by hours of documents everyday, there's no reason for it and I refuse. Danzo, give Jiraiya your designs for the curse seal you used by the end of business today. We'll have various levels for admin staff based on rank and seniority. That should handle most of the security issues.
Kakashi and Shikaku, get with the Jounin Sensei and anyone else you need to about Chunin promotions. Kids got their moment in the spotlight trampled on, let's at least acknowledge their efforts. And lastly, Koharu and Homura, I request you tender your resignation as advisors to the Hokage." Naruto raised his hand to cut off their complaints.
"Believe it or not, this isn't personal. The Sandaime had been prepared to leave office twice, are you two really telling me your contributions are so vital that you cannot do the same? If not, then I'll expect you to share your knowledge to the advisors I select. It is, after all, for the good of the village. And Danzo, your allowance here was always a courtesy extended by the Sandaime. I will not continue said courtesy." Naruto continued, indifferent to how anyone thought about his pronouncements.
I'll be leaving the village tomorrow morning for a brief recruitment mission but when I return I expect to have those reports on my desk. If there is nothing else, all are dismissed but Kakashi and Jiraiya." He waited for everyone else to leave and signed to Jiraiya he required a privacy barrier. The Sannin erected it and Naruto felt secure to speak again. "Once Danzo gives you what you need, kill him." The order didn't seem to bother Kakashi one bit but it did surprise Jiraiya.
"Kill him? Just like that?"
"You can take him out to dinner if you like, a walk under the stars but I thought killing him outright might be easier for you. Really, as long as it's done you can follow your truest desire."
"I want to chidori his heart."
"Well, you also have to let Kakashi chidori his heart," Naruto said, appreciating Kakashi having gotten into the spirit.
Jiraiya placed his hands on Naruto's shoulders, gaining the new Hokage's full attention. "You need to slow down, Naruto. Too much change too rapidly can be destabilizing."
"Hiruzen is gone, we were just invaded. Things have already been destabilized and our old normal allowed it to happen. Change now is the perfect time or we're little better than a fattened pig ripe for the slaughter."
"You worried about the Akatsuki?" Jiraiya asked, surprised by Naruto's visible scowl.
"Fuck Nagato and his merry band of dead men. He better stay his ass in Ame or I'll finish what he started."
"So, you didn't take the opportunity to flee? The Elders were right?" Kakashi asked.
"I didn't find anything there worth running from." Jiraiya tightened his grip on Naruto's shoulders, looking his godson in the eye. That twelve year old apprentice had grown into a respectable sized man, but still a few inches shorter than the Gama Sannin. Nagato had forced Naruto to use the Kyuubi's chakra, something Naruto was loathed to do. It was a sign of how dangerous and powerful the once shy boy had become. That Naruto left Ame under his own power was a testament to the same.
"Slow down," Jiraiya repeated.
"I can't for now," Naruto said and Jiraiya knew that would be the best he could do. He often wondered if Naruto thought time was his biggest enemy. He used to think he was simply impatient but after his Senjutsu training he had to reassess. Losing his parents the day he was born, his grandfather relatively young, he just had no faith in the future. Jiraiya understood but didn't want his godson to burn out running too far ahead of where he needed to be.
"I guess that's the best I'm going to do but we definitely need to celebrate. I've trained two Hokage and no one else can say that. Oh, the ladies will flock to me. 'Jiraiya-sama, how did such an unparalleled genius of a sensei come to be?' they'll ask. And I-"
"Sorry to kill that weird, little fantasy but there is someone I need to go see so our plans will be put on hold until I come back with Tsunade."
"You think she will?" Jiraiya asked, trying to sound neutral but his voice betrayed the hope that she would.
"I do. I'm just asking her to be an advisor, if she wants to do anything else beyond that I'm sure I can make it happen."
"You're the only one that could," Jiraiya said with a pout.
"Mah, mah, didn't you have somewhere to be, Godaime-sama?" Kakashi asked, blandly.
"Yes, yes I did. Thank you, Jounin Hatake," Naruto answered and both men looked at each other for a moment before Naruto chuckled. "That felt weird."
"Yes, let's not do that again."
Jiraiya put Naruto in a headlock while throwing a peace sign to Kakashi. "See how I train 'em, Kakashi? Youngest Hokage at eighteen and still humble, still a man of the people, still- OW!," Jiraiya exclaimed as he let Naruto go, the newly elected Hokage having pinched his godfather on his side.
"You can call me Godaime-sama, Perv."
"Brat."
"I am your Hokage, Old Man."
"Gakikage."
"You're so lucky I don't have time for this, now if you could drop the barrier I'm needed elsewhere."
"You're so mean, aren't I going to be your other advisor?" Jiraiya asked. Naruto scoffed, playfully.
"That'd be a waste, you'll give me your opinion whether I want it or not. Might as well save the seat for someone else." The Uzumaki exited the conference room, two ANBU waiting patiently just outside. Both dropped to a knee when they saw Naruto, something he'd have to get used to. "Rise or at ease or whatever command gets you two to stop." Both ANBU returned to their feet and satisfied the awkwardness was done, Naruto headed for the exit.
It took no time to notice he was being followed.
"Yea?" he said to the ANBU.
"We're your protection detail, Godaime-sama," the cat masked ANBU answered.
"Oh, no. I'm not being shadowed every minute of every day. Shoo, go do some black ops stuff. Make Konoha proud, will of fire and all that." The two ANBU briefly looked at each other, the crow masked agent deciding to speak this time.
"ANBU Commander Dragon ordered us to guard you and his orders regarding your safety supersede even your authority, Godaime-sama."
"There is no way that is in the Konoha charter, 'ttebayo. Ugh, you made it come back!"
"The Sandaime added it just a month ago, Godaime-sama," Neko informed him.
"That wiley, old coot. Whatever, I won't undo his little law but you let Dragon know I won't be surrounded by inhuman voids. You better have some personality or something or I'll play Kono ball: ANBU Edition, with the quickness."
"Understood," Crow responded.
"Great, now go away." Both ANBU looked at him with apparent confusion. "What I'm doing isn't strictly Hokage business so I need some privacy."
"We'll be discreet," Neko said. The ANBU agents watched various emotions run across the Godaime's face, most pronounced being frustration and vexation until he resigned himself, at least for now, to his new normal.
"Fucking… fine." Naruto refused to be deterred by that meddlesome, old man. He moved about the village, visiting various shops. None of the villagers bothered him, most weren't particularly warm but he paid them no mind. Unlike Hiruzen, he didn't need their love. They'd give him fear or respect. As he made his rounds it was not lost on his guards that every item he purchased found its way into a picnic basket.
Patterned. Predictable. Formulaic. Routine. That was her life. Some may call it boring, and she'd admit that there were days that drug on more than others but she'd been a kunoichi once, a Jounin at that. Excitement was overrated, if anyone bothered to ask her. At least, that kind of excitement. For the other kind, the heat one would experience between lovers… that died the day she was supposed to. It was her penance, every adult member of her clan faced one.
Some lost lives. Some freedom. Her husband lost his pride. Death would have been kinder but that's the point of a punishment, to inflict harm. So, she lost her husband but kept her life. More importantly, she gained her children. Unshackled from the burden of her clan's simmering resentments, her husband's unfulfilled ambitions or the need to pretend to be a perfect, docile wife she got to be a real mother. Affectionate, opinionated, alive.
Mikoto was busying herself with some light cleaning when she heard the commotion outside. Another thing that was predictable were the reactions of the children when a certain boy- man, she corrected- came into the district. It always added ten to twenty minutes to his travel as dark haired, dark eyed kids begged for his attention. For such a brash person, it often surprised Mikoto how patient he could be with the children. What wasn't remotely shocking was the awe and affection the children had for him.
The tale had spun into legend and even for those present it was hard to separate fact from fiction. What was known was a fallen Uchiha had come to wipe out the clan and one boy with more guts than sense challenged. The Untouchable Man faced the Irrepressibly Valiant Salamander. And somehow the boy did what even his father couldn't. By claiming one head he saved the Uchiha and got justice for his parents.
She smiled when she heard the expected knock and welcomed the blond into her home. Seeing what was hanging from his wrist, she felt the need to tease him. "Finally come to steal me away, Naruto?" The young man clenched his heart as if deeply hurt by the question.
"If only, Mikoto-san. But the fates were too cruel for I play the part of a refined shinobi but I am a scoundrel at heart."
"A real rake, legend has it," Mikoto agreed. She was rewarded with a face-splitting smile.
"Aye, it is my curse so we must ever be two ships passing in the night."
As soon as she saw the reflection of the kunai being thrown in Naruto's eyes, Mikoto activated her Sharingan. Without ever turning she caught the flying knife right as it passed her shoulder. She turned to glare at the individual that threw it.
"Get away from my wife, brat," Fugaku said with a slur. She internally sighed at him having gotten started with the alcohol already.
"There are a lot of reasons that was a mistake, Fugaku but for your safety you should make sure it doesn't happen again."
Mikoto watched her husband activate his own Sharingan, taking it to the Mangekyou stage and she knew Naruto would meet his gaze because the boy didn't back down even when good sense demanded he should.
"Another unfit Namikaze. Let's hope your reign is as long as your father's, Hokage-sama," Fugaku spat, each word coated with bile.
"Ah, once a cop always a cop. I'm glad you're still dialed into the goings on within the village. It's that kind of dedication and service I'll expect from Konoha's premiere clan in these coming days."
"Of course you can expect that of the Uchiha, Naruto-kun… although I guess I can't call you that anymore," Mikoto said before the two could break out into a fight.
"For you, Mikoto, I will always be Naruto-kun," he responded. She, lightly, pinched his whiskered cheek in acknowledgement.
"She's out back," Mikoto finally informed him of the location he really came to see. Naruto nodded and went in that direction, passing Fugaku without incident. When the married couple was alone, Fugaku turned his glare on her.
"Why not literally prostrate yourself in front of that boy since it being metaphorical clearly isn't enough?"
"Oh, if I were several years younger, husband, I might do just that." Mikoto grinned at his reaction, that one hit.
"You dare disrespect me?"
"You disrespect yourself, Fugaku. I simply endure your ruinous behavior because that's my punishment. Wife to a broken man, it's barely better than being wed to an untrained boy."
"Shut up, Mikoto!" Fugaku spoke, his voice hardened.
"Or what? Will you strike me? Leave bruises that never quite go away?" she laughed at the thought. "You haven't been able to hurt me for years." Mikoto said no more as she went back to cleaning, having meant every word. She could never forget how placid and broken she'd been when her children were young. Being reared by an overly strict father and doormat for a mother. To grow old with that fractured man, that would be her burden until she departed this world and she was fine with that.
Naruto forgot the sad man as quickly as he left his presence. He exited the back of the house and followed a cobblestone path still on the property. A hit of anxiety swelled within him. It felt so uncustomary, so foreign that he didn't know how to respond. He didn't have a reason to be nervous, at least he didn't think so.
He picked up the pace, concluding that nothing could be resolved by himself. With a light jog he soon found his target, sitting on top a red and black blanket beside a creek. He joined her, offering a smile as his greeting.
"You're late," she said in observation, not admonishment.
"Sorry. Apparently, the Crones wanted to raise a stink before I was named Hokage," Naruto groaned. "What was the Sandaime thinking?" he asked as he started to unpack the basket of goodies. Itachi began to help him but was confused by his question.
"You expected he'd name you, yes? I assumed you'd long been atop the list of candidates, Naruto-kun."
"I thought I'd be fourth at best, behind you and his two students. Maybe even Kakashi. No, Itachi-chan, I did not expect he'd name me his replacement."
"Naruto-kun, I haven't been a full-time kunoichi for years," Itachi said but seemed more focused on the selection of pocky in the basket. Narught said nothing but was still saddened she'd given up her career because of what Danzo orchestrated and the Sandaime allowed to happen. If she wanted to walk away because this life didn't suit her, he'd never question it. But the guilt over having nearly slain family because she was coerced into doing so… that didn't sit right with him. It was her life, though, so he could only respect her choices if she wasn't being harmed by them.
"Would you consider being one of my advisors?" he asked bluntly. He saw her look unsure so he presented his best argument, "I mean, you do owe me," he said. He quelled the laugh that wanted to spring from his mouth as Itachi ever-so-slightly quirked an eyebrow at him. "Oh, you don't believe me? Well, what's that saying about a fool learning from the wise?" he asked.
"A wise man can learn more from a fool than a fool can learn from the wise," she answered neutrally.
"See!" he said with great emotion. "You've been scamming free lessons off me for years, Itachi-chan. Well, checks come due!" She returned to the basket, Naruto knew it was her refusing to show her smile. She believed it would only encourage him and she was right. As she got near the bottom of the basket she began to speak once more.
"Setting aside my leader-"
"And boyfriend," Naruto cut in
"- is openly calling himself a fool. Your foolishness is unintentional and therefore you don't get credit for teaching. Me." The last two words came out staccato as she removed a small, black box from the basket. She turned to see Naruto now on one knee, eyes filled with emotion.
"Advisor or not, I want you to be my wife," he said and not for the first time, he managed to truly shock the taciturn kunoichi.
Little idea I had, I make no promises on how far it'll go. And hey, if you want it then give me a holler and we can see. This and other writings were posted on my substack: slythefoxx2 dot substack dot com so subscribe.