Naruto and Asuma stand before the Raikage. Asuma approaches him, bows, and hands over a scroll containing a message from the Hokage. Naruto observes the Raikage as he reads the message and he can tell right away that there's something that there's really something skeptical about him. His spiky black hair, his cold gray eyes, and the scar on his left cheek made him look like somewhat of a villain. The Raikage looks up and meets Naruto's gaze.

"So, the Hokage refuses to comply with the Lightning country's attack on the Sand village." The Raikage smirks at the blonde as he says this.

"Konoha is an ally of the Sand village, why should we attack it?" Naruto blurts out and receives a shush from Asuma.

"That's a valid question. Well you see, the sand people are not to be trusted. They once had a written agreement with Konoha to be their ally. Then what happens? They attack the Konoha with Orochimaru. Who's to say that they won't do that again?" The Raikage replies.

Naruto balls his hands and tries to hide his annoyance.

Asuma informs the Raikage, "Raikage-sama, it is true that treaties hardly mean anything but the Sand doesn't have enough military power to attack out village."

"But," the Raikage responds, "An army doesn't really reveal their power, even to their allies."

"We will leave it up to the Hokage. But, I can tell you at this moment that she will refuse to join your war against the Sand. If you do attack, we will fight along side of the Sand village." Asuma states.

The Raikage takes a deep breath and moves his cold stare on Naruto. "Very well."

Naruto and Asuma exit the Raikage tower and the blonde ninja releases a frustrated sigh.

"What is up with that jerk?"

Asuma answers, "The Lightning country is probably after the Sand's resources. The Sand village is rich in iron and they make a lot of profit from it. The cloud village hasn't been getting a lot of missions and their economy is dwindling. I heard a rumor that the Raikage has been losing a lot of money. He must be doing something suspicious with it."

"Then why don't the shinobi investigate?"

"He's the leader. It's very hard to question your leader's credibility. There will be people covering up for him and you could be tried for treason if you're not able to prove that he has done something wrong."

"When I'm Hokage, I'm going to fix him straight." Naruto says with a punch in the air.

Asuma laughs as they continue walking.

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Kakashi and his team are surrounded by dead ninjas in light blue garments.

"These guys died from chakra depletion. They're the same ones we fought before." Kakashi explains.

"5 of them are here, so what does that mean?" Sakura asks.

"They were doing something here or they had a base here." Sasuke replies.

"Their chakra points are completely burned and shut down." Hinata observes with her byakuugan.

"What should we do with the bodies?" Sakura questions.

"We'll take one with us and have it examined. We'll destroy the rest." Kakashi orders.

Back in Konoha, team 7 enters the Hokage office and sees Naruto and Asuma reporting to their leader.

"Tsunade-obasaan, that Raikage is no good. The cloud village is-"

"Naruto, I know of the Raikage. He's a jerk, and a creep. He's arrogant and ignorant but that's not to say he's stupid." Tsunade clasps her hands together and thinks.

"Should we warn the Sand?" Asuma asks while fiddling with his unlit cigarette.

"I'll send a message there immediately. We can't do anything about the Raikage but we'll keep an eye on him. Asuma you are dismissed, Naruto you stay behind."

"So, we're going to wait for the Raikage to do something bad rather than prevent him from doing it?" Naruto lashes.

"We can't do anything Naruto. His special team of shinobi is as highly skilled as our ANBU squad. It's difficult to infiltrate his office because he's heavily guarded. He protects himself more than the village itself. But let's drop that for now. Kakashi, what's your report?" The Hokage sighs.

Kakashi moves his eye to the Hokage and replies, "We encountered some more of the Akatsuki's experiments, except this time they're dead from chakra depletion. We took one of the bodies to be examined and they said they'll have the report sent to you by tomorrow night."

"Good. Kakashi stay behind. The rest of you are dismissed." Tsunade commands.

After Sasuke, Sakura, and Hinata leave, Tsunade turns to Kakashi and says, "How's the Uchiha?"

"He's cooperating…for now."

"How is he towards his teammates?"

"They're fine for now. The girls talks to Sasuke and he either grunts or mutters something back."

"Mm…Naruto, come with me to the hall. Kakashi, you are dismissed."

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Naruto and Tsunade reach the hall and they find Shizune standing on the side.

"Fight me." Tsunade orders.

"What!" Naruto dodges a monstrous punch but he still felt it graze his ear.

"Why am I fighting you!" Naruto escapes her attacks.

"There's no reason, just do it."

Naruto looks at Shizune, who just smiles at him and watches.

Naruto suddenly finds himself unable to move and sees Tsunade approaching.

"This is an advanced binding technique." Naruto tells himself.

Tsunade proceeds to punch and hits nothing but air.

"What the?" She murmurs.

Naruto comes up from behind and attacks her with a kunai. She dodges his attacks him with her Ranshinsho technique. Naruto falls back and finds it difficult to stand up because his hands and fingers are moving when he's trying to move his feet.

"Ranshinsho technique confuses the electrical signals sent to your body." Tsunade explains.

"Electricity huh?" Naruto thinks. He gathers electric chakra and it spreads through his arms.

Tsunade hits Naruto and he stumbles back. He moves his toes and finds his hand moving. Noticing this, Naruto is able to hit his chest with his electric filled fist. The Hokage watches in confusion as Naruto punched himself. The blonde ninja is now able to move his body without trouble and charges towards Tsunade. As soon as he's a foot away from her, he disappears. Tsunade looks around and tries to get a feel for his location. Tsunade summons two slugs as a wave of kunais and shurikens head her way. The slugs dispose of the weapons by spraying them with acid and melting them. The Hokage turns around and sees Naruto running towards her with a balled up fist. He disappears in a puff of smoke as Tsunade connects a punch. The Godaime suddenly finds a kunai against her neck and her left ankle. Naruto smiles as he hangs from a ceiling and his kage bunshin crouching and prepared to slash Tsunade's leg. Naruto smile turns to shock as Tsunade disappears in a puff. He looks to Shizune and she transforms to the Hokage.

"Well done Naruto." The Hokage claps.

"W-What's going on?" Naruto yells. "Where's nee-chan?"

"Shizune's out on a mission."

"Then why did you fight me?"

"That's because I want you to take over for me when I retire."

"Huh?" Naruto crinkles his face.

"Naruto, you are part of the reason why I'm Hokage. You carry the same dream as the people that I loved."

"Hokage-sama?" Ryo enters.

"Uncle!" Naruto runs up to him and Ryo messes up his hair.

"Long time no see, Naruto."

"Yeah!" Naruto turns to Tsunade then back at Ryo. "Obasaan wants me to take over for her."

"Really?" Ryo smiles at Tsunade, who blushes.

"Well, I don't plan to step down anytime soon. So, Naruto will have to wait a while."

"Hokage-sama, I'm afraid I have to leave." Ryo informs.

"What? I've barely seen you." Naruto sadly states.

"I need to go back to Seishuku…"

"But you'll be back right." Naruto gives him a sad look.

Ryo looks to the Hokage then Naruto while thinking of an answer. "Sure thing…future Hokage."

Naruto laughs as he throws light punches at his uncle.

Ryo turns to face the Godaime and bows, "Tsunade-hime, it has been a pleasure working for you and Konoha."

Tsunade bows back and replies, "The village owes you for your kindness."

"Naruto take care of yourself and Howaito." Ryo states as he places a hand on Naruto's shoulder.

"Yes sir!"

After Ryo leaves, Tsunade goes to stand beside Naruto.

"You know the advisors were against my decision. They don't know that you're next in line to be Hokage. In order to prevent them from overthrowing my decision, I'm going to speak with some of the jounins and ANBU for support."

"Why me?"

"You have a gift that changes people for the better. The way you fought earlier tells me that you have grown as a fighter. You no longer work on impulse, but with your head and most of all with your heart. Also, I've heard of stories from your teammates how you fight to protect those close to you. I know that with your qualities, you'll be a great Hokage."

"Thank you, Tsunade-sama."