Chapter 4: Naruto, The Rokudaime Hokage; Tsunade's Return.

The advisors came over to Naruto and explained his duties as Hokage. He told them he already knew because Shizune wouldn't stop bugging him about it the day he was named to be the Rokudaime Hokage. The advisors understood, they also told him he has the power of the Hokage in which he may use that power to enforce or destroy any rules within Konoha. They asked if there was anyone specifically he wanted on his council to help him make decisions concerning Konoha; such as the Chuunin exam or if necessary, war. "I would like Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura, Nara Shikamaru, Hyuuga Neji and Hatake Kakashi on my council." "Understood Rokudaime-sama." They then told him to go straight to the office to take his rightful place for the month. The advisors announced that Uzumaki Naruto, the Rokudaime Hokage will take the seat of Hokage for a month while Tsunade and Jiraiya are celebrating on their honeymoon. The Konoha villagers clapped in respect and Naruto left with the council members he chose to the office.

Shizune was already in the office ready to greet the new Hokage. "This is going to be great!" "Naruto-sama, there's a lot of work that needs to be done. Mostly paper work that needs to be signed and filled out." "There's a few things I wish to take care of; some promises I need to keep." "What would they be?" Shizune asked. "First of all, call Hyuuga Hinata here!" Shizune understood the order and sent the message. Hinata arrived with Neji by her side soon after. "Since you are the leader of the head family in the Hyuuga clan, I have a request to make as I promised someone a long time ago. I know that you have appointed Neji to be your advisor and successor. Neji cannot take the job as I have given him a new one here on part of my council. Of course he will return to you immediately after Tsunade comes back. That's not the problem though, eight years ago, I fought Neji in the Chuunin exam, if you remember." "I Do, Rokudaime-sama." "Back then, Neji told me the history of the Hyuuga clan, about the curse seal mark placed on the branch family members after the successor to the head family turned three. My request is to make the Hyuuga clan from this day forward, one family. The existence of the Hyuuga branch family will cease and you will all become part of the head family. The curse seal mark, after researching it and talking it over with Tsunade, we together have agreed that the seal shall stay in the family." "What is the meaning of this, Naruto?" Neji yelled. "That's Naruto-sama to you." "My apologies, Naruto-sama; what do you mean though?" "The seal is used to lock up the powers of the Byakugan. However, since I abolished the branch family, there will be no way to tell who should or shouldn't receive the seal. That is why; Tsunade and I decided that the seal will go to the weaker members of the Hyuuga. The young will be tested and trained in their abilities until they are six years of age. If they fail the training and are not very good at using the power of the Byakugan, they will receive the seal mark. However, if they succeed in the training, they will not. This system may not work as well as when there were two families where one family immediately got the seal while the other didn't, but at least there won't be conflicts among the Hyuuga about the head and branch families and the unfairness within it." Neji and Hinata understood the Rokudaime's declaration and said they will issue it immediately.

The advisors asked if there was anything else he needed to take care of before he started on his work. Naruto thought long and hard, "Do I get a ceremony like Tsunade did when she became Hokage?" "No! Because you will be the Hokage and since this is temporary, I suspect that you won't take the seat of Hokage for a while. Unless, Tsunade requests you join her as joint Hokages like the Yondaime did with the Sandaime. They were both Hokages at the same time. However, the Yondaime went to wars instead of the Sandaime." The advisors told Naruto. "I see; then the people I picked for council jobs will only last a month?" Naruto asked. "That depends on Tsunade's decision when she returns. If she chooses to have you be by her side as the Rokudaime Hokage, then half of the members you chose will take a seat on the council, otherwise, they will return to their previous responsibilities before being chosen." The advisors responded. "Ok." "So, if you were to take the seat along with Tsunade, who would you definitely like on your council?" "Hmm…I can't choose!" Naruto said as he put his head down on the table. "Rokudaime-sama, you must choose now." The advisors told Naruto. "Hmm…well…let's see, Shikamaru is in charge of strategic training in the academy. Sakura is the hospital's number one medical ninja. Neji is the Hyuuga heir chosen by Hinata, and is also the new head family advisor. Kakashi is still a leader of Genin three man cells and he also handles collecting and issuing Anbu missions. I CAN'T CHOOSE! Also, Sasuke is the leader of the Uchiha clan but since there are not that many members I can definitely make Sasuke a part of my council." "Hmph" Sasuke said. "Naruto, what are you going to do? You've chosen Sasuke for sure, I understand why but I have the responsibility at the hospital and I don't think I can be part of the council if war happens. I'll be needed there almost all the time." Sakura said. "I don't mind being part of this council. I've already taught many students over my eight years period at the academy; in which I can ask one of them to be a teacher at the academy to replace me, so therefore, it makes me available." Shikamaru explained. "My loyalty to the Hyuuga won't perish, but I believe my place is in Hyuuga. I don't think it would be wise for me to take on this job." Neji exclaimed. "I have better things to do than sit at a table to do paperwork, I have to go on missions with my team and handle Anbu work like you said. Besides, you're not my student anymore, you're my superior." Kakashi said. The advisors and Naruto left to discuss what they were going to do as they took into consideration about everyone's comments. They later came back with an answer. "Everyone, I have decided that all of you who chose not to be a part of this council will return to their old responsibilities wherever they are. Those people who chose to take a seat on this council will follow me and advise decisions for the month. Until Tsunade returns, those who took the job on the council will have to find replacements if needed. If Tsunade chooses that I will not be needed as Rokudaime Hokage now, we will all resume our old lifestyles until I am needed to take the seat of Hokage." Naruto explained. Sakura gave Naruto a kiss before she left to return to the hospital. Neji understood as well as Kakashi and they left together. "Rokudaime-sama, we should begin your work that Tsunade left for you to do while she is gone." Shizune said. "Ok, let's get cracking."

Naruto with Shizune entered the Hokage's office, While Naruto assigned Sasuke and Shikamaru to issue missions that needed to be done today to whoever was available. Naruto was asking Shizune how much work he had to do as they were walking towards the office. Shizune opened the door for Naruto to find that Tsunade left over two weeks of paperwork not completed all in piles. They also had a note on them saying, "Take care of these for me. Thanks  Tsunade" "AHH! What is all this?" "Paperwork, Tsunade was getting ready for the wedding so she abandoned her work for two weeks and left everything for you to do." "How am I supposed to finish all these?" "However you like." Shizune responded as she smiled. Shizune left the room in order for Naruto to do his work. Naruto sat in the Hokage's chair asking himself what he could possibly do to handle all of this. Satsuki came into the office. "Naruto, what is all this?" "Paperwork. By the way, its Rokudaime-sama or Naruto-sama for the month." "Sorry, my apologies; paperwork that Tsunade-sama left you?" "Yep." "Anyways, are there any S rank missions for me to do?" "Hmm?" Naruto took out the mission charts, "The charts say…No, there are no S rank missions, only B, C and D missions are available for now. Those are being taken care of my Genin squads that Sasuke is assigning." "I see, ok then, have fun." Satsuki said as she was about to leave. "Wait, I have something to ask you." Satsuki wondered what it was. "When did Sasuke get so soft? I saw you two at the wedding, hand in hand, even though Sasuke looked like he didn't want to be there." "Huh! You saw us?" Satsuki replied as she blushed. "It wasn't obvious, but I could tell by Sasuke's face. If he was actually bored, he would have used a quiet earth jutsu to escape while he left a clone in his place." "Hehehe…that's true, he would." "So when did this all happen?" Naruto asked making a smirk. "A few months ago…it wasn't anything special like when you asked Sakura. But it was still sweet enough that I fell for him." "I see, guess he couldn't think of anything. Hehehe." "Anyways, if there are no missions, then I might as well go home." Satsuki said. "Alright, see you later."

Naruto started on his paperwork as he made five kage bushins to help him. A few hours later, Shizune came back and found Naruto sleeping with all the paperwork filled out and completed. Shizune was shocked to see that all the work had been done in correct order and piled neatly across the table that was at the side of the room. Shizune began to put them away. Meanwhile, outside Konoha, five tall dark figures stood in the forest area. "Is the plan ready to go?" Yes sir, another person said. "It's time to take over Konoha since their Godaime is out of town. There is no one to stop us." The five dark men stood in front of an army consisting of hundreds of people. "FOR OROCHIMARU!" shouted the five dark men. The army agreed and began to move out. Night was approaching as the army of mysterious people came closer to Konoha. The watch guard who was assigned to stand post for the night at the front gate saw that the army approaching. The guard told his partner to warn Hokage-sama and the council about the mysterious people coming. When the guard arrived at the Hokage's office, Shizune was still there filing the paperwork away. The guard stormed in, "Hokage-sama! There's an emergency!" Naruto instantly awoke to the wailing guard. The guard explained that there was an army of people approaching Konoha and that they were too dark to see if they were invading ninjas or not. "Ok, Get Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura here immediately." Shizune took the order and called for Sakura and Sasuke. Within minutes they arrived; Naruto explained to them the situation, "We have an emergency, the guard says there is an army approaching Konoha. Your orders are to stop the army outside the gates using whatever you can think of to scare them off. If it doesn't work and they began to attack, counterattack however you like. Sasuke, take the front gate; Sakura take the west. I'll come soon after I handle some evacuation and then I'll take the east. Understand?" "Yes" Sasuke and Sakura smiled and left immediately. "Hokage-sama, you shouldn't have to go, I'll go get someone else." The guard said out of concern. "Don't worry, I have a plan." Naruto smirked. Sasuke and Sakura arrived at their posts to find the army had surrounded all of Konoha from the east, west and front gates like Naruto said. The five leaders of the army were at the front gate. "Step aside, little boy!" one of them called out. Sasuke got a closer look to find out that the army was full of sound ninja. "What is your purpose here?" Sasuke asked. "Revenge, we want to avenge Orochimaru's death by destroying the place he couldn't. We took four years to gather everyone together again to strike back at Konoha." The army began their attacks and Sasuke had no choice but to use his ability against them all in order to get rid of them faster. "Mangekyou Sharingan! Tsukuyomi!" The five leaders along with around a hundred men were being tormented by Sasuke in the world of Tsukuyomi. At the west gate, Sakura used a genjutsu technique combined with the kage bushin so it made it look like there were a million Sakuras. Naruto rushed to the east gate to find the guards fighting it out with the army. Naruto summoned Gamakichi and did a combination transformation jutsu to turn into a smaller Kyuubi demon fox to scare them off in which it worked perfectly. Afterwards, Sakura held all of the west gate army personnel in a genjutsu binding until anbu arrived. Naruto trapped the east gate personnel inside the frog's stomach cage while Sasuke tied everyone else but the leaders to nearby trees. Sasuke then gathered up the five leaders while they were unconscious and brought them to the interrogation chamber in Konoha.

Ibiki along with Anbu interrogated the invaders after Sasuke released them from the Tsukuyomi to find out that they were Jounins of the sound who trained under Orochimaru when he created the hidden sound village. But eight years ago, a team from Konoha destroyed the hidden village and later they found out about Orochimaru's death at the hands of Konoha ninja. The leaders said they spent four years gathering everyone who once trained under Orochimaru in the sound to invade Konoha in his name. Naruto then came into the room. "Man, you guys are idiots, this is Konoha, where some of the best ninja in the world live; like me, the Rokudaime Hokage." The sound jounins were amazed that such a young guy was Konoha's Rokudaime Hokage. "If you idiots ever invade my home, our home ever again; I'll see to it that you have a horrible death!" The Jounins of the sound understood Naruto's warning; Naruto told Anbu to take care of them in whatever fashion they desired. Naruto and Sasuke left afterwards. "That was a total waste of time." "You said it, my first day as Hokage and this happens; great." "You know, you made a quick decision on how to handle the situation, maybe you will become the greatest Hokage of Konoha." "Thanks, Sasuke." Naruto and Sasuke were walking down the stairs to see if there were any damages when Satsuki came running towards them calling out for Naruto. "Naruto-sama! Some of the sound ninja are still trying to break through to get their leaders back. What should we do?" "Hmph, is this another test?" Naruto asked as he looked up into the sky. "Who are you talking to, Naruto?" Sasuke asked. "Huh? No one, just talking to myself." Satsuki asked about the situation. "Tell them their leaders are going to die for attempting such an idiotic invasion and to go home before he gets there otherwise they will all die as well." Satsuki understood the order and proceeded with it. "That's kind of harsh don't you think?" "It's just to scare them, so they'll leave. I don't think those idiots would die in order to retrieve some stupid leaders." "I see."

About an hour later, Naruto returned to his office where when he entered, he received a letter via a bird from Tsunade. In the letter she said, "Naruto, I hope you haven't destroyed my village yet. I also hope that you are doing a fine job. So far, Shizune has sent me two letters stating that you can't decide on things important very well yet but you also know your responsibility when it comes to paperwork, hahaha. Jiraiya is doing fine and hopes you are handling everything well. He tells you to train more even if you're Hokage now. He also says that you and Sakura should step it up a notch; unless there are problems between you two, than forget it. Tell Shizune to stop bugging me and tell her to bug you about problems in the village, I'm on vacation. I'll be back in a month, you better not destroy Konoha for doing something stupid otherwise if I come back and Konoha is a mess, I'm blaming everything on you and strip you of your title as Hokage. Do you best! Tsunade." "HUH? Strip my title…crap…" Naruto saw that Shizune had left more paperwork that needed to be filled out and he decided to get right to it. Naruto was about to return to work when there was a knock at the door. Shikamaru entered, "Hokage-sama, it's been twelve hours since a Genin team led by Lee headed towards the country near the Rain village. They were assigned a D rank mission and they haven't returned yet." "What did you say?" "A Genin team led by Lee hasn't returned yet." "No not that part, they were headed towards the countries outside the Rain village?" "Yes, sir. Is there a problem?" "Shikamaru, assign Anbu to look in the area. I have a bad feeling about it." "Right away." Shikamaru left just as Satsuki was about to come in. "Hokage-sama." Satsuki stared at Naruto. "Could it be?" "I don't know whether or not it's true, but I do know it seems awfully similar to your case." Satsuki demanded to go help the Anbu find them as she didn't want to see someone come back with their team dead. Naruto allowed her to go and Satsuki left immediately.

Anbu personnel were gathered by Shikamaru at the west gate. Satsuki came just in time and told Shikamaru that Hokage-sama added her to the mission as leader. The Anbu understood as they knew she was an ex-anbu and could handle it. They all left searching as they traveled towards the rain village. Naruto stood in his office staring out the window. "Please don't let it happen again!" The Anbu with Satsuki were in the country outside the Rain village searching as morning was approaching. Just then, Satsuki spotted Lee on the ground. Satsuki told the Anbu to stay and keep their guard up. "Lee!" There was no response. "Lee!" slowly, but surely there was a twitch in lee's eyebrow. Lee woke up to find Anbu and Satsuki around him. "Where's my team!" Lee sat up in a panic. Satsuki commanded the Anbu to search for Lee's Genin team. Satsuki asked him what happened "We were assigned a simple mission earlier that Shikamaru gave my team and me. We were to help a farmer who had lost all his workers in the recent rain storm and replant his fields. As we were working, a team from the rain attacked us. I commanded my team to run and hide. They ran off concerned for me as I took all the rain ninjas on." "So, your team should be ok, right?" "Should be. I have no idea where they are though. I fought them off and when I finishing, one of them with his last needle threw it at me. The needle had a sleeping drug in it and I guess I fell asleep afterwards." The Anbu then returned shortly after with three young Konoha Genin. "Lee-sensei!" They all said. "We were worried about you!" Called out one of the students. "I'm glad you're all Ok." Lee said as he hugged his students. Satsuki was relieved that the same incident didn't happen. Satsuki and the Anbu led Lee's team back to Konoha for medical treatment. Upon their return, Naruto greeted them and asked Anbu to take the Genin to the hospital where Sakura will be waiting to perform any treatments. The anbu understood the order and carried the Genins to the hospital. "I'm sorry, Naruto-sama, I was careless and should have handled the situation better." Lee said as he bowed afterwards. "Don't worry about it, as long as everyone's safe is all I cared about." Lee smiled and then fell to his knees. "Lee, you ok?" Naruto asked. "I'm fine, just a little tired." Naruto told Satsuki to help Lee get to the hospital for rest. Satsuki understood and took Lee there. Naruto returned to the office to find Shizune waiting.

"Hokage-sama, is everything alright?" "Yep…a close call though, I was quite worried." "Where is the team now?" "Heading to the hospital for treatments, they're all going to be fine." "Phew…" "Shizune, you sent a letter to Tsunade didn't you?" Shizune was shocked to hear what Naruto had said. "Yes sir." "There is nothing to worry about my decisions or actions. I handled missions, paperwork, a night invasion and rescue on my first day and I'm only Hokage for the month. I think I can handle it without Tsunade sending me threats of taking back the title of Rokudaime Hokage from me." "Huh? What do you mean take back the title?" Naruto handed her Tsunade's response to Shizune's letter. Shizune quickly read it and understood that Naruto was fit for the job but laughed at the part about Jiraiya commenting that Naruto should "step it up a notch" with Sakura. Shizune then explained that most of the missions handed out yesterday afternoon have returned with the paperwork that needed to be signed. Naruto understood that there was more paperwork. "Hokage-sama, how did you finish two weeks worth of paperwork in only a few hours? Tsunade takes forever to fill those out." "I cheated a bit…I used the kage bushin no jutsu and they helped me sign a few of the papers out." Shizune laughed at how Naruto handled his work as she was leaving, Naruto called out to her. "Shizune, don't worry, I'll protect this village with my life no matter what happens." Shizune smiled and returned to hand out missions for the day.

Around noon, Naruto had finished the paperwork for the missions assigned the day before; this time on his own. Soon after, there was a knock at the office door. "Enter!" Sakura walked in with a picnic basket. "Hi, sweetie; I brought you some lunch!" "Oh! Even when we're both so busy, you still find time to make all this?" "I made it last night before I went to bed." "I see; thanks." Naruto leaned over to give Sakura kiss. They ate the lunch Sakura prepared and Naruto was stuffed. "That was good!" "Really? It's my first time preparing a full meal for someone else. I didn't know if it would turn out good or not." "It was perfect!" Sakura then packed it back up and gave Naruto a kiss. She told him that she would be at the hospital till night. "Maybe we can go out tonight with Sasuke and Satsuki. It's been a while now." Sakura smiled before Naruto could give a response. Meanwhile, Sasuke and Shikamaru were handing out the easy missions bored out of their minds. "This job…is this all we do?" Shikamaru asked. "I don't know. Naruto said something about making decisions when the time came." Sasuke said. "I had more fun in the academy…but then again…I don't have to deal with all the children." Shikamaru commented. "Hahaha…I guess there would be more exciting then handing out missions; usually we would be completing these." "How troublesome."

Later that night, Naruto was still in his office completing the never ending paperwork that was coming in by the hour. Shizune had come in four times since this morning to hand Naruto a cup of tea. Naruto decided that he needed to have some fun and that the paperwork could be left till tomorrow. Naruto was about to leave just as Shizune was about to come in. "Naruto-sama, there's still lots of work to do." "I'll leave it till tomorrow. Just organize everything for me and you can go home as well. See you tomorrow." Naruto left and headed into town. Naruto walked by a local barbeque house where Chouji was celebrating with his team. Naruto walked into a bar where he wanted to get a drink. When Naruto walked in, he heard a familiar voice; it was Sakura's. Naruto had totally forgotten about what Sakura said earlier at lunch about going out with Sasuke and Satsuki because of all the work. "Hey, sweetie, over here!" Naruto walked over to the table where everyone was sitting. He sat down beside Sakura and ordered a drink. "Where were you? I told you to meet us here by seven, it's nine already." "Sorry, I had a lot of work to do. I am Hokage after all." "At least you caught us here; otherwise we might have left before you came." Satsuki said with a smile. "Good thing I did huh? Hahaha…" The bar tender brought over Naruto's drink and told him it was on the house since he was the Rokudaime Hokage. Throughout the night, they had talks about a Hokage's Duty and his work load. Sasuke and Satsuki said they had to leave as they had a mission in the morning that Sasuke assigned himself to take on with Satsuki. An S-rank mission that required them to assassinate a rogue ninja who was terrorizing a small village with the followers he gathered. Naruto asked why he assigned himself a mission Sasuke said he was bored handing out the missions already and wanted to do something. So he took the S rank mission that no one wanted to take on. Naruto understood Sasuke's decision as he and Sakura said their goodbyes. When they returned to the table, Naruto had a strange look on his face. Sakura knew that there was something wrong but didn't know what it was. "Naruto, what are you thinking about?" "Huh? Nothing much…Don't worry about it." Naruto replied. Sakura knew he was lying and that there was definitely something wrong. "Naruto, you can tell me. If there's something wrong, you can always talk to me." "Alright; Sakura, we've been together for almost a year now. I'm living my dream to be Konoha's Hokage and you're already one of the best medical ninja ever in Konoha history. We're both so busy with our work that lately, we don't seem to find time for each other like we did before." "Well, we're both very important people in Konoha now. Eventually these things happen, there's not much anyone can do about it." "I see." Sakura grabbed Naruto's hand and held it tight. "Nothing's going to change, not yet ok?" "Yeah." Sakura smiled at her dearest and Naruto did the same.

The month seemed to fly by with more stupid people trying to invade with Naruto taking care of the situation easily. Sasuke and Satsuki returned from their mission to mark down another Shinobi Swordsman of the mist dead. Naruto filled out all the paperwork and had personally assigned Anbu missions to scout around to keep peace around the countries. Sakura figured out a way for Naruto and herself to spend more time together by creating a schedule that said that they will spend lunch and early evenings together. They were getting closer with each day on this system. The day had finally arrived when Tsunade and Jiraiya were supposed to return. At around noon that day, they came back the same way they left; on top of a frog. The entire village was gathered to Hokage's office where they welcomed back Tsunade. "Tsunade-sama, Jiraiya; welcome back!" Naruto greeted the Godaime and his former sensei. "Jiraiya? Since when did you ever call me that? What happened to Ero-sennin? Hahaha." Jiraiya asked. "It would seem inappropriate to call you that since you're married now." "Hahaha! That's true!" Jiraiya exclaimed. "Naruto, did anything go wrong while I was gone? Shizune didn't send me any more letters after that first one." "Well, lots happened but you told her to bug me and not bug you since you were on vacation; in which she listened and brought in piles of paperwork about every waking moment." "Hahaha; she does that with me too! She should relax a bit." "Did you win any money at that new Gambling facility Sasuke got you passes to?" Naruto asked. Jiraiya answered for his wife. "She did win…over a million ryou…but…she blew it all later in the week and we ended up coming back with nothing." "Hehehe…well…there was a high chance that I'd win more…" Tsunade said. Naruto stared at Tsunade funny. "You still suck gambling huh." Tsunade laughed and asked him what happened while she was gone. After talking to Tsunade, they went up to the Hokage's office. Just outside in the hall, Naruto finished explaining everything that occurred. "So I see; you've handled quite a few things while I was gone heh? A few night invasions, missions, Anbu assignments and more; you did a great job." "Tsunade-sama, whatever you choose to do is your decision; I'm not going to bug you about it. I can wait to be the Hokage." "Decision? What are you talking?" Tsunade asked. "The advisors told me that you had to decide whether or not to make me Hokage along side you just like Sandaime did with the Yondaime." "Oh, well…I've already decided that you will be Hokage when I step down. Right now, I think you're better off continuing your training, staying a Jounin and becoming an even greater ninja." "I see; that's fine with me then; I'll see you later ok?" "Sure." Naruto left as Tsunade stepped into her office and found piles of unfinished paperwork. All with a note saying, "Tsunade-sama, this is payback for the work you left me! It's only fair…Hehehe  Naruto" "NARUTO!"