Disclaimer: I don't own the Naruto characters, but my mom says I'm still cool.
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There was a very big pause in the room. Naruto stared curiously at Kakashi, Kakashi
smirked back, and Sasuke and Sakura just stood amidst the confusion. What on Earth was going
on (or maybe the world was ending.). Finally, Tsunade's face cracked.
"Wa ha ha ha! That was the best!" She howled in mirth.
Sasuke and Sakura just stood there, non-reactive. What? Huh? ZUH? Tsunade kept
cackling as Kakashi vacated Naruto's coveted chair in favor of sitting on a desk corner.
"They bought it. Looks like I won the bet." Kakashi drawled cheekily. Tsunade's face
went from flushed with laughter to pale and stricken. That certainly shut her up. Leaning toward
Naruto, she looked around conspiratorially and mock-whispered into his ear.
"Naruto, lend me twenty dollars, I'm broke!"
Naruto's face went red.
"C'mon... I'll pay you back with my body..." She teased, leaning over just a little more
into his face and winking seductively. Sasuke faintly flushed while Naruto's face went even
redder.
"Bah! Tsunade-chan, how come you've never done that for me?!" A booming voice
broke in.
Tsunade stood up straight, youthful face instantly arranging itself into a distasteful
expression. "Jiraiya, the day I do that for you is the day a casino is built in this school and there
is no other man, woman, animal, or any sort of money-carrying life form to lend me cash to
gamble. In other words, NEVER." She frowned. Ouch!
Climbing through the open window, Jiraiya grinned vacantly while removing a series of
harnesses strapped to his body.
"Hey, pervert. You didn't just climb through that window, did you?" Naruto questioned
with a familiarness that surprised Sasuke. Then again, Naruto was so casual with everybody that
he could easily talk to a stranger as though he'd known them since birth. Still, Sasuke had never
known Naruto to call someone a pervert when he'd just met them.
Maybe it was because he had the power of Hokage backing him? Or maybe Naruto
actually did know him?
Free of the harnesses, Jiraiya pounded Naruto on the back a couple of times, and both
wore identical jerk-smile expressions. "Yep! There's no way I'm dragging my sorry ass up that
death march of a staircase just to see your ugly ass!"
"So you climbed up the side of the building instead."
"There were some very good foot holes along the wall."
"Ummm... Naruto... didn't you say you have something important to discuss with us?"
The timid Hinata spoke up without stuttering. She fiddled with a small purse she carried, like a
nervous child interrupting a serious adult conversation.
(Definitely doesn't let fame go to her head.) Thought Sasuke, remembering seeing an
infomercial hawking her products and catching the end of her home and family care show. Her
down-to-earth-ness was part of her charm.
A squeaky noise diverted Sasuke's attention from his thoughts and directed him to
Naruto, er... the Hokage, who had taken his seat and leaned back, gazing at everyone in the room.
Suddenly, his presence commanded attention, something he wasn't able to do before Sasuke had
left.
(Ten long years ago.) Sasuke reminded himself.
Apparently satisfied that all he had called were present, Naruto sat up straight and smiled
a noble grin that didn't seem like himself. It kind of made Sasuke wish for the old one.
"So... I assume we all know why we're here?" Naruto started.
"Actually, no." Sasuke stated, Sakura nodded in agreement. Everyone else stared at
them in mild surprise. Out of all the people Naruto was friends with, the people closest to him,
HIS OWN TEAM, had no idea what was going on.
Oblivious, Naruto rose from his chair and faced the window. The sky was of the clearest
blue, Naruto's hair the sun. Sasuke couldn't help but think that if Shikamaru were there to
capture the moment on film, another prize winner was guaranteed.
His back to the gathered audience, Naruto observed the grounds. "In case you haven't
noticed, " he paused, watching students walking below. "... the school is a bit shabbier than
when we were still students."
Sasuke snorted, 'a bit shabbier' was not the expression HE would've used. 'Dump' is
one word that went well; possibly even 'Cesspool'.
"To put it bluntly, the school is in the red. We're verging on broke." Naruto's voice
went flat.
"Broke? As in bankrupt? But how?!" Sakura blurted.
"And I bet you expect us to cough up the money to keep this place running, eh?" Sasuke
growled. He knew it! He knew there was a reason he was sent a notice of the funeral of a man
he barely knew. It was always about money! He should have known better than to think he
could just take it easy and be with the only people he had ever been close to. And Naruto...
Naruto only saw him as a source of money to save the school so he could keep the Hokage
position he had wanted since childhood.
Why did it always have to be like that?
"No, no! It's not like that at all!" Naruto whipped around, a horrified expression on his
face, outrage in his eyes. "Let me explain the situation before you lynch me." He muttered.
"Konohagakure has always been known as distinguished and highly selective school, and
that has also been one of the reasons money is tight. Many people think they have no chance of
getting in here, so they don't even try applying or auditioning. This has really hurt our
enrollment rates. With fewer students, we have less tuition money coming in."
"So why don't we end the scholarship program?" Kiba ventured.
Naruto shook his head violently. "No way! I refuse! I came here on a full scholarship
myself, and there's no way I'm going to deny that to a student who has great potential but no
money! NO!" A dead serious air fell upon the room, Kiba shifted uncomfortably, bearing the
full brunt of Naruto's passionate outburst.
Huffing, Naruto returned to the discussion. "To make matters worse, not only do we
have less potential student candidates, we also have new competition to deal with."
"Orochimaru." Jiraiya stepped forward.
"Yeah." Unsmiling and serious, Naruto looked very scary.
"What about Orochimaru?" Sasuke inquired.
"Orochimaru has started a rival school. It's called 'Sound' and specializes in models that
also double as musicians. Unfortunately for us, the boy bands it produces have become
extremely popular." Tsunade sighed. Jiraiya grumbled inaudibly.
"So what do you have in mind?" Sakura murmured.
"Glad you asked." Naruto grinned, not the soft one, but the feral beast one Sasuke knew
so well. Surrounded by the crowd, Naruto truly looked the Hokage he had always hoped to be,
that everyone secretly knew he would one day be. --Had that day truly come?
"I'm not asking you to donate money." Everyone nodded. He had already gotten that
point across.
"All I'm asking is..."
All breath was held.
"For everyone to..."
All eyes on target.
"Help save Konoha."
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Sasuke was the first to speak. "But... if you don't want us to give money, then how do
you expect us to save Konoha?"
"Easy. I want you to sell this place."
"WHAT?!"
Naruto winced, rubbing his ears. "Maybe I put it the wrong way. What I meant was that
I want you guys to start getting job assignments through the school again in order to promote and
advertise us!"
"But I don't understand..." Hinata whispered.
"Let me put it this way. Everyone here is the most successful out of their generation. If
you go to shoots appointed by us, bigwigs will notice you're going through Konoha and hire our
school more. It will generate more popularity! And, of course, a small portion of your payment
fee will go into the school"
"But Hinata, Kiba, and me no longer do model work." Shino, for the first time, pointed
out.
"That's where commercial advertising comes in. I'm asking you three to make a point of
mentioning Konoha whenever you can, whether it's to your producers or on air." Naruto beamed
hopefully.
Without hesitation, all three nodded in approval. Their business finished, Shino and Kiba
left, but Hinata stayed behind, nervously twisting her hand bag. "Uh... um... Hokage, sir..."
"It's Naruto, Hinata. I'm not expecting you to call me Hokage."
"Naruto... I just wanted to tell you good luck... and I'll, uh, be willing to do modeling
work as long as it doesn't interfere with my schedule..." Her piece said, Hinata bowed quickly
and stepped out the door. Naruto stared at her with an unreadable expression.
"What a sweet girl..." Sakura spoke softly.
"She sure is..." Naruto agreed. "That's probably why I married her."
"You-" Tsunade started.
"Married-" Sakura continued.
"Hinata-" Sasuke gaped.
"WHO IS QUITE POSSIBLY ONE OF THE HOTTEST WOMEN ON EARTH WHO
DON'T REALIZE HOW GOOD THEY LOOK?!!!" Jiraiya finished.
Naruto looked distressed. "Shhh! Keep it quiet! I didn't say anything about still being
married to her! Two years ago I went gambling and happened to run into her, and then we got
really wasted and woke up with a marriage certificate!"
"And then-?" Tsunade was a tad too interested for Sasuke's comfort. Naruto, on the
other hand, was completely honest and open.
"Well, we had a good talk and then got it annulled almost immediately. We weren't
interested in each other." Seems Hinata's childhood crush was only just that.
"Any juicy details? Measurements?" Jiraiya pulled out a notebook and pen.
"Lech. I'm not even sure we consummated the marriage."
Sasuke wasn't sure how to feel about this, but Jiraiya visibly drooped.
"Anyway, aren't we getting way off-subject?" Sakura sweat dropped.
"Yeah, Naruto. How does me 'n Jiraiya play into this?" Tsunade crossed her arms with
dignity. Jiraiya was instantly at her side, pen and notebook vanished, vainly trying to look down
her shirt without looking obvious.
"I have a huge favor to ask of you, Tsunade."
"Oh, yeah? What?"
"I want you to continue being the Hokage in public."
Tsunade was taken aback. She certainly hadn't expected to hear that. "Why?" She
asked suspiciously.
"I plan to continue modeling with my old team." Naruto nodded at Sasuke and Sakura.
"That is, if it's okay with you two." Sakura nodded fervently. It was common knowledge that
she hadn't had an honest modeling job in ages. She didn't know that everyone knew that though.
Sasuke hesitated. He wasn't good at working with others, and had been uncomfortable
around Naruto as of late. But... His team was the only people he was close to... And he was
tired of the endless nagging from his agents and managers... Plus Konoha was the only place he
could truly call home, so maybe spending a longer amount of time there wouldn't be so bad...
(What are you talking about? You packed way more stuff than necessary for a quick trip! You
knew if you were going, you were going to stay for a while!) His mind admonished him.
He nodded. The pros outweigh the cons.
"So it's settled. Hokage's aren't supposed to do shoots once they're appointed to their
positions, but I'm making an exception to the rule. I've already taken this position without pay,
so it's only fair that I still am allowed to model."
"Then how will you get by, dummy?" Sasuke couldn't help but blurt.
"Easy, dumbass. I've saved my money. I can manage on what I've got put away."
Jiraiya jumped in before a fight could start between the two. "Hey, brat. What do you
want me to do?" He grunted, planting himself between the two glaring men. So much for
mature adults.
Naruto broke off his side of the glare and started laughing. "Just like old times, huh,
Assmunch? Sasuke gritted his teeth, but found himself nodding in agreement.
Old times indeed.
"So, Jiraiya, I know this is asking a lot... butcanyoustartmodelingagain?" He rushed.
"WHAT?!" The floor shook and windows rattled. Jiraiya had always been vehement in
his refusing to go back to modeling. No one knows why though.
"Well, I figured that if you took it up again, it will really catch everyone's attention. I
mean that a man of your stature would have everyone clamoring to hire out from our school."
Naruto sweet-talked.
It must have had some effect, because Jiraiya seemed to consider it.
"Tell you what, if you say yes, I'll give you my prize nudie pic."
"Deal." Jiraiya pounced.
Grinning mildly, Naruto scrunched his eyes and handed Jiraiya a picture from the desk.
Drooling, the older man stared at the legs, spent a few minutes at the chest, then made his way up
to the face before wailing in horror and dropping the paper at Sasuke's feet. Unable to help
himself, Sasuke grabbed the harmless scrap and glanced at it. Then did a double-take.
The body was definitely that of a sexy woman, but the face! THE FACE-!
"It's cool, isn't it?! Before I was cast as Q.B. Fox I was hired for a stage show with Marilyn
Manson and got to wear the naked chic outfit!" He gushed in pride.
It was disturbing... but not as much as it should have been. Naruto really had a skinny
build, and kind of looked feminine. He wore a long, blonde wig in the picture which made it
seem more convincing. If he hadn't been able to recognize that face anywhere, he would have
really thought it was a girl.
Still, it was pretty creepy.
Behind him he could hear Tsunade and Jiraiya leave the office, Jiraiya wishing loudly that
Naruto really was a girl before the door clicked shut; leaving Naruto, Sakura, and himself in the
room. Not for long, though.
"Sakura, the meeting's over, but I still need to talk with Sasuke. Why don't you go
downstairs and see if there's any jobs waiting for you?" Naruto smiled.
Easily consenting, Sakura turned to the door, but stopped herself and gave Sasuke a hug
instead, then Naruto.
"I'm so glad we'll be working together again!" She squealed.
Sasuke couldn't help but notice she made sure to squish her chest extra hard against
Naruto. Warning bells went off in his head, but she let go and left before he said anything.
(Not a good sign) His brain cautioned fleetingly.
"There aren't going to be any jobs for her down there." Sasuke stated as soon as the door
shut.
"I know."
"Then why are you giving her false hope?"
"That's why we're doing team work again. Not just for Konoha, but for her." Naruto
frowned into his lap. "She's a mess Sasuke. She may not look like it, but things are going down
hill for her."
"Her 'down hill' has been going on for a while. Why are you helping her now?"
Naruto perked up. "Because now I have the position to help her. And Konoha. If
Sakura's working with us, she can rebuild her reputation. Together, we can rebuild Konoha"
It was eerie how Naruto can sometimes make sense. But at that moment, Sasuke knew
why Naruto had been chosen for the Hokage position.
"Oh, yeah, Sasuke, thanks for last night." Naruto eyes were downcast, and a blush
painted his cheeks.
"Why?" Really, why?
"You don't remember? Naruto frowned. "Last night I woke up and started crying again,
and you told me to shut up because Iruka wouldn't have wanted me to be like that."
"Really?" Wow. It wasn't like Sasuke to say something like that.
"Yeah. And you're right. Iruka wouldn't have wanted that... it's just that he was mad at
me before he died. I didn't tell him I was appointed Hokage because I wanted to make a public
announcement when I was ready and make him proud. But he knew I was hiding something and
felt hurt that I wouldn't tell him. And he died before I told him..." Naruto shook a bit.
"How... How did Iruka die?"
Naruto closed his eyes. "Adult Cot Death. Like Crib death, but for adults." A few tears
sprung in his eyes, but a strong hand on his shoulder distracted him.
Sasuke stared down at him, an unreadable expression on his face. "He would have been
proud."
"...You think so...?"
"I know so. A complete dead-last like you rising to the rank of Hokage? I'm very sure he
would be."
"Thanks asshole."
"No problem, dobe."
"By the way, Sasuke. You and I have a photo shoot tomorrow morning."
"... You accepted a job with me before I even consented to working with you again?"
Naruto stuck out his tongue. "Be ready by seven!"
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There was a very big pause in the room. Naruto stared curiously at Kakashi, Kakashi
smirked back, and Sasuke and Sakura just stood amidst the confusion. What on Earth was going
on (or maybe the world was ending.). Finally, Tsunade's face cracked.
"Wa ha ha ha! That was the best!" She howled in mirth.
Sasuke and Sakura just stood there, non-reactive. What? Huh? ZUH? Tsunade kept
cackling as Kakashi vacated Naruto's coveted chair in favor of sitting on a desk corner.
"They bought it. Looks like I won the bet." Kakashi drawled cheekily. Tsunade's face
went from flushed with laughter to pale and stricken. That certainly shut her up. Leaning toward
Naruto, she looked around conspiratorially and mock-whispered into his ear.
"Naruto, lend me twenty dollars, I'm broke!"
Naruto's face went red.
"C'mon... I'll pay you back with my body..." She teased, leaning over just a little more
into his face and winking seductively. Sasuke faintly flushed while Naruto's face went even
redder.
"Bah! Tsunade-chan, how come you've never done that for me?!" A booming voice
broke in.
Tsunade stood up straight, youthful face instantly arranging itself into a distasteful
expression. "Jiraiya, the day I do that for you is the day a casino is built in this school and there
is no other man, woman, animal, or any sort of money-carrying life form to lend me cash to
gamble. In other words, NEVER." She frowned. Ouch!
Climbing through the open window, Jiraiya grinned vacantly while removing a series of
harnesses strapped to his body.
"Hey, pervert. You didn't just climb through that window, did you?" Naruto questioned
with a familiarness that surprised Sasuke. Then again, Naruto was so casual with everybody that
he could easily talk to a stranger as though he'd known them since birth. Still, Sasuke had never
known Naruto to call someone a pervert when he'd just met them.
Maybe it was because he had the power of Hokage backing him? Or maybe Naruto
actually did know him?
Free of the harnesses, Jiraiya pounded Naruto on the back a couple of times, and both
wore identical jerk-smile expressions. "Yep! There's no way I'm dragging my sorry ass up that
death march of a staircase just to see your ugly ass!"
"So you climbed up the side of the building instead."
"There were some very good foot holes along the wall."
"Ummm... Naruto... didn't you say you have something important to discuss with us?"
The timid Hinata spoke up without stuttering. She fiddled with a small purse she carried, like a
nervous child interrupting a serious adult conversation.
(Definitely doesn't let fame go to her head.) Thought Sasuke, remembering seeing an
infomercial hawking her products and catching the end of her home and family care show. Her
down-to-earth-ness was part of her charm.
A squeaky noise diverted Sasuke's attention from his thoughts and directed him to
Naruto, er... the Hokage, who had taken his seat and leaned back, gazing at everyone in the room.
Suddenly, his presence commanded attention, something he wasn't able to do before Sasuke had
left.
(Ten long years ago.) Sasuke reminded himself.
Apparently satisfied that all he had called were present, Naruto sat up straight and smiled
a noble grin that didn't seem like himself. It kind of made Sasuke wish for the old one.
"So... I assume we all know why we're here?" Naruto started.
"Actually, no." Sasuke stated, Sakura nodded in agreement. Everyone else stared at
them in mild surprise. Out of all the people Naruto was friends with, the people closest to him,
HIS OWN TEAM, had no idea what was going on.
Oblivious, Naruto rose from his chair and faced the window. The sky was of the clearest
blue, Naruto's hair the sun. Sasuke couldn't help but think that if Shikamaru were there to
capture the moment on film, another prize winner was guaranteed.
His back to the gathered audience, Naruto observed the grounds. "In case you haven't
noticed, " he paused, watching students walking below. "... the school is a bit shabbier than
when we were still students."
Sasuke snorted, 'a bit shabbier' was not the expression HE would've used. 'Dump' is
one word that went well; possibly even 'Cesspool'.
"To put it bluntly, the school is in the red. We're verging on broke." Naruto's voice
went flat.
"Broke? As in bankrupt? But how?!" Sakura blurted.
"And I bet you expect us to cough up the money to keep this place running, eh?" Sasuke
growled. He knew it! He knew there was a reason he was sent a notice of the funeral of a man
he barely knew. It was always about money! He should have known better than to think he
could just take it easy and be with the only people he had ever been close to. And Naruto...
Naruto only saw him as a source of money to save the school so he could keep the Hokage
position he had wanted since childhood.
Why did it always have to be like that?
"No, no! It's not like that at all!" Naruto whipped around, a horrified expression on his
face, outrage in his eyes. "Let me explain the situation before you lynch me." He muttered.
"Konohagakure has always been known as distinguished and highly selective school, and
that has also been one of the reasons money is tight. Many people think they have no chance of
getting in here, so they don't even try applying or auditioning. This has really hurt our
enrollment rates. With fewer students, we have less tuition money coming in."
"So why don't we end the scholarship program?" Kiba ventured.
Naruto shook his head violently. "No way! I refuse! I came here on a full scholarship
myself, and there's no way I'm going to deny that to a student who has great potential but no
money! NO!" A dead serious air fell upon the room, Kiba shifted uncomfortably, bearing the
full brunt of Naruto's passionate outburst.
Huffing, Naruto returned to the discussion. "To make matters worse, not only do we
have less potential student candidates, we also have new competition to deal with."
"Orochimaru." Jiraiya stepped forward.
"Yeah." Unsmiling and serious, Naruto looked very scary.
"What about Orochimaru?" Sasuke inquired.
"Orochimaru has started a rival school. It's called 'Sound' and specializes in models that
also double as musicians. Unfortunately for us, the boy bands it produces have become
extremely popular." Tsunade sighed. Jiraiya grumbled inaudibly.
"So what do you have in mind?" Sakura murmured.
"Glad you asked." Naruto grinned, not the soft one, but the feral beast one Sasuke knew
so well. Surrounded by the crowd, Naruto truly looked the Hokage he had always hoped to be,
that everyone secretly knew he would one day be. --Had that day truly come?
"I'm not asking you to donate money." Everyone nodded. He had already gotten that
point across.
"All I'm asking is..."
All breath was held.
"For everyone to..."
All eyes on target.
"Help save Konoha."
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Sasuke was the first to speak. "But... if you don't want us to give money, then how do
you expect us to save Konoha?"
"Easy. I want you to sell this place."
"WHAT?!"
Naruto winced, rubbing his ears. "Maybe I put it the wrong way. What I meant was that
I want you guys to start getting job assignments through the school again in order to promote and
advertise us!"
"But I don't understand..." Hinata whispered.
"Let me put it this way. Everyone here is the most successful out of their generation. If
you go to shoots appointed by us, bigwigs will notice you're going through Konoha and hire our
school more. It will generate more popularity! And, of course, a small portion of your payment
fee will go into the school"
"But Hinata, Kiba, and me no longer do model work." Shino, for the first time, pointed
out.
"That's where commercial advertising comes in. I'm asking you three to make a point of
mentioning Konoha whenever you can, whether it's to your producers or on air." Naruto beamed
hopefully.
Without hesitation, all three nodded in approval. Their business finished, Shino and Kiba
left, but Hinata stayed behind, nervously twisting her hand bag. "Uh... um... Hokage, sir..."
"It's Naruto, Hinata. I'm not expecting you to call me Hokage."
"Naruto... I just wanted to tell you good luck... and I'll, uh, be willing to do modeling
work as long as it doesn't interfere with my schedule..." Her piece said, Hinata bowed quickly
and stepped out the door. Naruto stared at her with an unreadable expression.
"What a sweet girl..." Sakura spoke softly.
"She sure is..." Naruto agreed. "That's probably why I married her."
"You-" Tsunade started.
"Married-" Sakura continued.
"Hinata-" Sasuke gaped.
"WHO IS QUITE POSSIBLY ONE OF THE HOTTEST WOMEN ON EARTH WHO
DON'T REALIZE HOW GOOD THEY LOOK?!!!" Jiraiya finished.
Naruto looked distressed. "Shhh! Keep it quiet! I didn't say anything about still being
married to her! Two years ago I went gambling and happened to run into her, and then we got
really wasted and woke up with a marriage certificate!"
"And then-?" Tsunade was a tad too interested for Sasuke's comfort. Naruto, on the
other hand, was completely honest and open.
"Well, we had a good talk and then got it annulled almost immediately. We weren't
interested in each other." Seems Hinata's childhood crush was only just that.
"Any juicy details? Measurements?" Jiraiya pulled out a notebook and pen.
"Lech. I'm not even sure we consummated the marriage."
Sasuke wasn't sure how to feel about this, but Jiraiya visibly drooped.
"Anyway, aren't we getting way off-subject?" Sakura sweat dropped.
"Yeah, Naruto. How does me 'n Jiraiya play into this?" Tsunade crossed her arms with
dignity. Jiraiya was instantly at her side, pen and notebook vanished, vainly trying to look down
her shirt without looking obvious.
"I have a huge favor to ask of you, Tsunade."
"Oh, yeah? What?"
"I want you to continue being the Hokage in public."
Tsunade was taken aback. She certainly hadn't expected to hear that. "Why?" She
asked suspiciously.
"I plan to continue modeling with my old team." Naruto nodded at Sasuke and Sakura.
"That is, if it's okay with you two." Sakura nodded fervently. It was common knowledge that
she hadn't had an honest modeling job in ages. She didn't know that everyone knew that though.
Sasuke hesitated. He wasn't good at working with others, and had been uncomfortable
around Naruto as of late. But... His team was the only people he was close to... And he was
tired of the endless nagging from his agents and managers... Plus Konoha was the only place he
could truly call home, so maybe spending a longer amount of time there wouldn't be so bad...
(What are you talking about? You packed way more stuff than necessary for a quick trip! You
knew if you were going, you were going to stay for a while!) His mind admonished him.
He nodded. The pros outweigh the cons.
"So it's settled. Hokage's aren't supposed to do shoots once they're appointed to their
positions, but I'm making an exception to the rule. I've already taken this position without pay,
so it's only fair that I still am allowed to model."
"Then how will you get by, dummy?" Sasuke couldn't help but blurt.
"Easy, dumbass. I've saved my money. I can manage on what I've got put away."
Jiraiya jumped in before a fight could start between the two. "Hey, brat. What do you
want me to do?" He grunted, planting himself between the two glaring men. So much for
mature adults.
Naruto broke off his side of the glare and started laughing. "Just like old times, huh,
Assmunch? Sasuke gritted his teeth, but found himself nodding in agreement.
Old times indeed.
"So, Jiraiya, I know this is asking a lot... butcanyoustartmodelingagain?" He rushed.
"WHAT?!" The floor shook and windows rattled. Jiraiya had always been vehement in
his refusing to go back to modeling. No one knows why though.
"Well, I figured that if you took it up again, it will really catch everyone's attention. I
mean that a man of your stature would have everyone clamoring to hire out from our school."
Naruto sweet-talked.
It must have had some effect, because Jiraiya seemed to consider it.
"Tell you what, if you say yes, I'll give you my prize nudie pic."
"Deal." Jiraiya pounced.
Grinning mildly, Naruto scrunched his eyes and handed Jiraiya a picture from the desk.
Drooling, the older man stared at the legs, spent a few minutes at the chest, then made his way up
to the face before wailing in horror and dropping the paper at Sasuke's feet. Unable to help
himself, Sasuke grabbed the harmless scrap and glanced at it. Then did a double-take.
The body was definitely that of a sexy woman, but the face! THE FACE-!
"It's cool, isn't it?! Before I was cast as Q.B. Fox I was hired for a stage show with Marilyn
Manson and got to wear the naked chic outfit!" He gushed in pride.
It was disturbing... but not as much as it should have been. Naruto really had a skinny
build, and kind of looked feminine. He wore a long, blonde wig in the picture which made it
seem more convincing. If he hadn't been able to recognize that face anywhere, he would have
really thought it was a girl.
Still, it was pretty creepy.
Behind him he could hear Tsunade and Jiraiya leave the office, Jiraiya wishing loudly that
Naruto really was a girl before the door clicked shut; leaving Naruto, Sakura, and himself in the
room. Not for long, though.
"Sakura, the meeting's over, but I still need to talk with Sasuke. Why don't you go
downstairs and see if there's any jobs waiting for you?" Naruto smiled.
Easily consenting, Sakura turned to the door, but stopped herself and gave Sasuke a hug
instead, then Naruto.
"I'm so glad we'll be working together again!" She squealed.
Sasuke couldn't help but notice she made sure to squish her chest extra hard against
Naruto. Warning bells went off in his head, but she let go and left before he said anything.
(Not a good sign) His brain cautioned fleetingly.
"There aren't going to be any jobs for her down there." Sasuke stated as soon as the door
shut.
"I know."
"Then why are you giving her false hope?"
"That's why we're doing team work again. Not just for Konoha, but for her." Naruto
frowned into his lap. "She's a mess Sasuke. She may not look like it, but things are going down
hill for her."
"Her 'down hill' has been going on for a while. Why are you helping her now?"
Naruto perked up. "Because now I have the position to help her. And Konoha. If
Sakura's working with us, she can rebuild her reputation. Together, we can rebuild Konoha"
It was eerie how Naruto can sometimes make sense. But at that moment, Sasuke knew
why Naruto had been chosen for the Hokage position.
"Oh, yeah, Sasuke, thanks for last night." Naruto eyes were downcast, and a blush
painted his cheeks.
"Why?" Really, why?
"You don't remember? Naruto frowned. "Last night I woke up and started crying again,
and you told me to shut up because Iruka wouldn't have wanted me to be like that."
"Really?" Wow. It wasn't like Sasuke to say something like that.
"Yeah. And you're right. Iruka wouldn't have wanted that... it's just that he was mad at
me before he died. I didn't tell him I was appointed Hokage because I wanted to make a public
announcement when I was ready and make him proud. But he knew I was hiding something and
felt hurt that I wouldn't tell him. And he died before I told him..." Naruto shook a bit.
"How... How did Iruka die?"
Naruto closed his eyes. "Adult Cot Death. Like Crib death, but for adults." A few tears
sprung in his eyes, but a strong hand on his shoulder distracted him.
Sasuke stared down at him, an unreadable expression on his face. "He would have been
proud."
"...You think so...?"
"I know so. A complete dead-last like you rising to the rank of Hokage? I'm very sure he
would be."
"Thanks asshole."
"No problem, dobe."
"By the way, Sasuke. You and I have a photo shoot tomorrow morning."
"... You accepted a job with me before I even consented to working with you again?"
Naruto stuck out his tongue. "Be ready by seven!"
.
.
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