Disclaimer: I disclaim anything I claim, further claiming will be null and declaimed...

Last movement in my first step in the Naruto section. To those who have welcomed me and reviewed my story, I thank you deeply. For those of you who don't, well 3000+ hits do tend to have an impact, at least it wasn't completely ignored. So please, enjoy.

Finale – Hope

Hope, the last stand for a human being to ever make. When his strength leaves his body. When his mind can't stay another second focused. When his spirit has been crushed to nil. When he is left with nothing else, there's hope.

Rather grim, I know. I don't deny this however, as a shinobi is a life where such situations occur. A person shouldn't be faulted for thinking the worst of things. Their view is a result of their experiences, and everyone's experience is different. To look at them as less of a person or a kook is to deny a piece of the human condition.

Still, there is the good type of hope. Optimism, I believe, is the term used to describe this...

Which brings me to the present day, and the end of all these entries. As it stands, Konoha is finished with its rebuilding, and the economy and business that thrived here is slowly coming back.

A lot of internal confict is going on. Particularly, the people involved with the Council of Elders. As many know, the Council is made up of a representitave from each of Konoha's major clans, including the Hokage's advisors: who are usually the oldest people in the village.

The conflict is going on because the Council is in store for a huge change in its ranks. The investigation into Hanzou and his 'Root' program is busy taking up the Hokage's time. As for the others, most of them are near retirement from politics, so their successors need to be chosen.

I found out about one of those chosen, and quite frankly, its a much better choice when compared to the others...


"Naruto-kun?"

Naruto, upon hearing his name, stopped his mid-morning training and turned to see his visitor, who he gave a smile.

"Hinata-chan, something up?" he asked her. Hinata nodded, and sat herself down on a nearby log.
"I wanted to talk with you on something, is that okay?" she asked.
"Well sure, but are you sure you want me to listen? Why not Kiba or Shino?"

Hinata turned her head slightly, and Naruto could see some rather serious concern in her eyes.

"I think Kiba-kun and Shino would, for lack of a better word, overreact, to what I'm about to discuss."

Naruto pondered for a moment, but then felt that Hinata knew what she was doing (better than himself at least). He found himself a seat next to Hinata and rested his elbows on his knees, waiting for Hinata to begin.

"My Father has been rather pleased with my progress," she stated, "so it was decided last night, with himself as the deciding vote, I am to be the next head of the Hyuga Head family."
"Well," grinned Naruto, "that certainly is a big deal, congratulations."
"But then there's the problem Naruto-kun, the head family leader is also the Hyuga representitave for the Council. And Councilwomen aren't shinobi, they're more or less politicians."

It took a moment for it to sink in for the young man. But he got it, and that Hinata had a rough choice ahead of her: quit her shinobi life, or refuse to become the successor.

"I'm rather conflicted as you can obviously guess," she said to him with a somber smile on her face.
"Well Hinata, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the reason you became so dedicated to this job is so your father would acknowledge you?" he asked.
"Yeah, and don't get me wrong, I couldn't be happier now that I've gotten it. But, this is all I know how to do. Plus, I'm rather scared as to the pressure."

"Meaning?"
"Well, what if I made a bad decision?"

It was with this comment that Naruto laughed and raisied his head to stare at the sky.

"Hinata, if one bad decision was all it took to ruin your life, I shouldn't even be here right now," he looked to her with a goofy grin.

Hinata was taken bad at that, but giggled slightly at his joke.

"Besides Hinata-chan, I think you would be a great leader. No offense, but some of your family members are not the most open people in the world. If anything, having someone as kind and considerate as you representing the Hyuga could only make things better."
She looked to him, "do you really mean that Naruto-kun?"
He simply nodded. "Sure I do! Think about it, as representive of the Hyuga, what would your first goal be?"

Hinata closed her eyes and thought about that, about what her family could do. Truly, the Hyuga were the most prestiegous house in Konoha, with respect and fear from everyone who met them. Still, that didn't say anything to the internal conflicts, and how the Head family still enslaved the Brach family.

Wait a moment...!

"That's it!" she exclaimed standing up, shaking Naruto a bit at her enthusiasm.
"What's it?"
"The seal. If I become the Head family's leader, I can impose that the cursed seal be banned from our clan! Then the Branch and Head could merge, as equals."
Naruto whistled at the prospect. "That's a great idea Hinata-chan, but I'm sure it won't be easy to convice the others."
"I'll work at it, besides," she turned to Naruto, "with you as the Kage, I'm sure you can use your influence to help me out." She beamed him a smile. Naruto had really yet to get used to a 'happy' Hinata.

She ran off on me after that. Sure enough within the few months, she became her family's successor. Everyone has had their worries and doubts about Hinata for the longest time. Ever since her Chunin exam, she has strived to prove them wrong. Lately, she has been very adamant of convincing her fellow family to ban the Cursed seal, and despite her dissenters, I hear she has a strong and loyal base of Hyuga ready to support her.

I'm really happy for her, she's going to make a great leader for the next generation of Hyuga shinobi.

Oh, did mention that the mutt finally got the courage to ask her out? The two have been going steady for a good few months now.

We also have had a lot of good relations with the Village hidden in Sand lately. Of course, that goes without saying, as me and the Kazekage are tight pals. He still manages to find time to come over and bug me, but not as much lately. The diplomacy has payed off, as we have vital trade routes, weapon supplies, information ties, and secret safety shelters scattered all over between us.

The village hidden in Rocks has fallen to our combined efforts, and thankfully, we managed to negotiate a peaceful surrender. No one wants to make even more enemies, when they can become allies. With Rock on our side, we now have a good number of forces against Cloud and Sound. Still, it looks like this war will be around for a while. Oh well, that's what my generation of ninja are for: so that our next generation may never have to go through such a troublesome time.

But I think the best day I've had so far was 'the Passing.' As many know Tsunade-bachan is very OLD! Yeah, I said it, this is my book, she aint' going to see it! Her special medical techniques haven't helped her life-span either. In short, Tsunade ...-sama will be gone soon.

Funny, I make fun of her a few sentences ago, and now I'm almost in tears knowing she'll soon be gone. She really believes in me, and helped to make sure I have a chance to prove myself to the village. She may always pick on me, but I know she cares for me deeply.

Anyways, because of this, people have been keeping on her about deciding the next Kage. She's wanted to keep it quiet, but still, its practically public knowledge now. So, she announced me as Rokudaime of Konoha.

As happy and awed as I was when she said this, I received a rather harsh punch from her after...oh about my fifth time runing about the village screaming my lungs out. She let me know straight out that firstly, I won't be Kage for at least another seven years, and secondly, that my 'real training' has just begun.

Boy did she mean it.

I have never read so many books in my life: History, Art, Philosiphy, Politics, Buracracy, Economics, War, Diplomacy, Ninjitsu, Genjitsu, Kinjitsu, the Jinchuriki, the Nine Hells. Hell, the only reason I'm able to stay up here is because I managed to get a significant part of the reading done.

Still, this is nothing. I finally made it this far, and yet the harder parts have yet to come. All my life, I wanted to be recognized, and appreciated by the village. I thought that being the Hokage would do that.

Still, what was that saying I found in that book? "It's not the destination, its the journey." For all its worth, I made myself recognized way before I got this far. I had friends, collegues, and people to support me in every way.

And now I can achieve my dream.

That folks, is hope. Its not when you strive to find your dream, its when you already have, and look forward to what comes next.

"Naruto!" called a voice, and Naruto closed his book imediately.
"Sakura!" called the young man, and shortly, the pink-haired woman ran over.
"What are you doing up here?" she asked.
"Not much, just...taking some time to think is all." he said with a foxy grin.

Sakura took a seat next to Naruto, and layed her head on his shoulder, taking in the view.

"Things are finally looking up for me Sakura," he said.
"Good things come to those who wait," she replied.
"And wait, and wait, and wait..."ranted Naruto, with a joking look on his face.
"What's that supposed to mean?" she taunted.
"Oh you know, just that I'm so great, and tough, and handsome, and yet I had to wait a good 18 years before anything nice happened for me, and don't even get me started on-"

He was caught off from his rant by Sakura turning his head towards hers.

"You talk too much," she simply stated and silenced him with a kiss.

Naruto, not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, groaned as he deepened the kiss with his girlfriend, tossing the battered blue book off of the monument.

After a minute, Naruto pulled back. "Well now's a good time as any," he said to her, and reached into his pocket for something.
"I waited too long as it is for us to fall in love, I don't feel like wasting anymore time. Plus, when I become the Kage, I dont' think I'll get a better moment than this."

Finally finding what he was looking for, he pulled out a case, and handed it to Sakura, who opened it and found a rather ornate necklace. It was a mix of chains of gold and white gold, which linked together in sequence. On the end was a kiyubi, with each tail made of a different brillant stone.

"I had that made a while ago. I told myself I would give it to the person I wanted to be...my wife."

Sakura looked at the necklace and then Naruto, after a few rounds of this, she smirked and started to put it on.

"Don't think just because you're the Kage I'll be all 'Miss Good Little Wife'" she said to him, trying to sound cocky despite the tears forming in her eyes.
"Wouldn't have it anyother way," he smiled, and began another deep kiss with her.

"Hey, what's this? A book? ..."

"NARUTO!"

Naruto snapped back and just grined like a fool. "Uh, I'll have to talk to ya later Sakura. Bye, love you!" with that he ran as if he had the entire ANBU squad chasing him.

There we go folks. All done with this little tale of mine. Now I know its short, but keep in mind, like Naruto said, "This is my opus" and like any piece of music, you start slow, build up greatly, then end gently and softly. As far as I'm concerned, I didn't have anything left to write in here.

Its all good anyway, as I just got yet ANOTHER idea for a story. Not sure on the details just yet, but from the bits and pieces I've got up so far, this one will be big. Really Big. Probably even bigger than my first epic, and that one was over 45000 words!

"Thank You" To the Following:

Mod Soul 792
Thanks for the kind words. Yeah, I'm not sure why so little reviews, given the number compared to the number of hits, its like...0.0004! I'm going to cry! Just kiddng. I appreciate the reviews I get, and I know I'm asking too much to have all of my stories have over 100 reviews.

pr0t0man
Yeah, it was short, but it fit nicely. Besides, its just like I planned anyway. Thanks for the review.

doom-stay982
Sorry to dissapoint. Glad you liked the concept. I borrowed it from music, as many classic pieces were structured to portray a set of feelings. It could be a giant piece reflecting one emotion, or a set of pieces to show many. This was example of the latter, with the theme showing the basic overview, which is common in both writting and music. Thanks for the review!

full-metal-sousuke
You'd think so, but I decided being pissed off and blasting the door off with a rasengen was enough. Naruto deserves at least a LITTLE credit, he grown up quite a bit. People are surpised at people who have the same type of personality as Naruto, and they tend to be some of the most creative geniusus I meet. Thanks for the review!

Dirac-Blade
You've been the one reviewing me for a while, and I greatly appreciate that. A one-time reader is nice, but its the constant readers you thrive for on the Fanweb. Thanks!

Until my next story, KPAAF.