Hello guys. I'm here with another chapter but I also need to clear some things out about this story.
I have noticed a lot of complaints about Sakura. To be perfectly honest I hate Sakura before the time skip in canon and that is the Sakura that is present here. When you read my Sakura, don't think, 'legendary fourth shinobi war hero'. Don't think 'the second coming of Tsunade' think 'typical fangirl' but have faith. I will try and increase her self-worth.
Iyaoyas…while I understand what you mean about Sakura understanding Naruto best, I completely disagree. That honor goes to shippuden Sakura. Also it isn't about understanding your Kage that you get to advise him. It is about knowing the inner workings of the village, other villages and the shinobi world. I don't see Sakura having such experience or having any interest in such. I don't need another Genin buckling under the pressure like Naruto is. At least Naruto is solving his own problems.
Also about Konoha 11 or 12…I don't know. They really have no place in this fanfic. Look at what Shezza did with his fanfic 'Life in Konoha's Anbu' I absolutely love that. Naruto is constantly in the spotlight. And that is what I need. I can't have Naruto paired with Hinata, I'll rather go for Hanabi when it comes to understanding Naruto's position at least she has some training. You are forgetting, this wasn't an adoption, but a product of inspiration.
I would like using sex as a stress reliever for Naruto, he'd be following his dad's footsteps too. But let's wait and see from the other readers
Without any more rambling. Lets go on with the show.
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Chapter 8
The Finale
Naruto wiped the sweat and blood off his brow. He had to concentrate. He had already mastered the techniques Kakashi and Jiraiya had given him. Now, he had to master one he gave himself. Kaze Bakuhatsu (wind explosion) all he had to do was emulate the rasengan a bit, except this time he throws it. It explodes on impact and shreds the surrounding area to ribbons, would do more if he could just get it to hit his target.
He had two problems. He couldn't stabilize the swirling ball of wind. It exploded in his face every time. And when he did get it to stabilize, he threw it but it just dissipates in the air without ever reaching its target.
Naruto sighed and decided to call it a day. He had a very strong affinity for fire, thanks to Kyuubi. He had gotten the fire techniques in record time, according to what Kakashi said. His fire was also hotter than any fire he'd been close to, it was blue with a white tint to it. Kakashi didn't comment on it but he could tell he was thinking about it.
Though, training wasn't the only thing on his mind.
He had to give the Kyuubi his answer tomorrow, he really felt like delaying it. But he felt like he had no choice. He was rapidly beginning to lose face in the eyes of many. He needed to go away for a while, that would be soon.
He stepped back into his house and grabbed a towel to wipe his face. He threw it on the couch once he was done with it.
He looked out his window. It was late in the night and he had just come back from the office. He sighed to himself as he looked at the shining stars. Sometimes he wondered, if what the third had said was true.
"For each star is the soul of the dead. One day I will be shining brightly up there with your parents, watching over you"
He really hoped it was. He needed support these days. Speaking of the third. He walked the stairs to his room and sat at his desk. An old brown book lay in front of him. It had a red Konoha emblem on it. And by the handwriting, it was easy to tell it belonged to the third.
It was a diary the third kept for his successor. It was given to him by Asuma. The thirds son. So far, all he had gotten was that it started from the day he became Hokage. And with the thirds linguistic skills, Naruto was sure he had an exciting story to read.
He skipped to where he had stopped the last time he read and then began reading the thirds account of his life and experiences
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Naruto walked into the academy, waving at the passing children and responding to bows.
Today, he was tired. Though he had to put up a show of strength, even though he hadn't slept at all in the past night. The book had kept him up. The third's life and trials was so captivatingly put down. He couldn't resist trying to read it all. But alas, reading an old man's memoirs wasn't all that easy.
Naruto unconsciously rubbed his eyes clear of sleep. He walked into his office. He stared at his armchair for a while. Before forgoing it in favor of the couch nearby.
He collapsed onto the couch. Closing his eyes and feeling the air around him brush his face. He sighed contentedly at the luring feeling. He was about give in when the doors burst open.
He jerked to a stand, his white scarf slipping a bit at this. He looked around frantically, trying and failing to comport himself. Eventually, he gave up.
"Sleeping on the job are we now?" said an amused female voice. Naruto looked up, and his eyes met those of sweet caramel. The eyes of Senju Tsunade. "What's wrong? Do I have something on my face?" she asked, snapping Naruto out of his little daze. Naruto bowed his head covering his blush, he'd been caught staring.
"Sorry…" he muttered.
"It's okay, I'm already used to it" she said, shrugging his apology off "Koharu came to the hospital saying the Hokage needed to speak to me. But you really don't seem like you are capable of having a reasonable conversation. You're completely wasted. What would make you deprive yourself of sleep Naruto?" the last part had a worried tint to it. It was easy to pick up.
Naruto shook his head clear of all his thoughts of pillows and cushions. He moved towards his seat and sat, signaling Tsunade to do the same. He sighed and picked up a pill, he wanted to get water, but it was just too far away. So he chewed on it. A few seconds later he was drowsy free.
Tsunade picked up on his regenerated strength and asked "Was that a…coffee pill?" Naruto nodded.
"Koharu made me have all shinobi pills. Yep, I've got them all here, soldier pill, Genjustu pill, chilly pill, Genjustu free pill, sleeping pills, and all sorts of poisons pills, even a stasis pill, you name it I am bound to have it" he said. He felt quite rejuvenated. Maybe he could use these in the night while he read the memoirs of the third.
Tsunade nodded slowly, understanding the usefulness in having those. She never liked her sensei's teammate, but she couldn't deny that she was a hardened veteran who earned her name through blood.
"Alright, so what do you need me for? Are you sick, dying…are you dead?" the last part was spoken silently, almost as if it all was a possibility.
He looked at her incredulously before asking "Why would I be any of those?"
He saw he shrug her shoulders "I don't know really, it's worth a shot I guess" Naruto heaved a sigh, he reached to his temples and began massaging them, he could feel a headache coming on. A backlash of these coffee pills, they kept you up, but with a stern headache. He was beginning to rethink reading in the night. He had a lot of work to do in the day. He heaved another sigh at the thought of having to do work with a headache. He slowly realized something, his breath didn't bounce off his scarf. Oh…right it was still on the couch. Eh, he did need some fresh air.
"I need you to take over as Hokage while I am gone training with Kakashi, Jiraiya and some Anbu" he waited patiently for Tsunade to scream at him for asking her to such.
It didn't come. He scrunched up his face at her unusual actions "You aren't angry?"
She looked at him weirdly, as if she was offended "Look, I may be short tempered but that doesn't really count when you are asking me for a favor. Besides that, I have so many other reasons to do you this favor. I need you to be strong, strong enough to bear that necklaces curse" she said. Pointing at the necklace that hung from his neck.
"Thank you, Tsunade. I'll be gone for at most a year, I have to reach my A-rank target and make a name for myself" he said. He could see Tsunade nodded slowly at this
"I understand Gaki, just make sure you don't stay away any longer. I saw Hiruzen, this job isn't an easy one"
Naruto gulped and dismissed her. If Hiruzen had a tough time with this job…no. he had to stop being the jumpsuit Naruto. He had to become who he is trying to portray. He made up his mind. He will take Kyuubi up on that offer
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In the midst of sand dunes and sandstorms, lie a great village. Well, not so great anymore. Sunagakure the village hidden in the sand.
Today, the 7th of July, today there was great panic. This wasn't panic in the public, but panic in the military forces. They had been soundly defeated by Konoha a few months back. The armada they had sent to help destroy Konoha, had only come back with not more than fifty. Their jinchuriki hadn't come back the same either. He had changed. He still had that scowl of his, but he seemed more comfortable around his sibling's. Maybe it was because their father had died. Whatever the reason. It was good to see he had gotten something the council could use as leverage against him. His family.
Though, the main reason for panic wasn't the survival of the Suna jinchuriki. It was because, up until this point, those tree huggers hadn't sent a peace treaty. And the people panicking, were none other than the three members of Suna's council
"What do we do now? We have no Kage, we can't do this all by ourselves can we?" said Kota Kaede. A new member of the council. The old one was killed off by the fourth Kazekage. Kota was a young one. About the age of forty. He really didn't have experience dealing with such matters. He was only chosen for his relation with the fourth.
"Shut up and let us think Kota!" a female voice barked. "We will chose the Godaime when the time comes." She looked him in the eye with her brown eyes. Her old wrinkly figure exuding power. "Right now we need to think reasonably. Konoha has already chosen their Kage. So far we haven't gotten any message on who he or she is. All we know is that the person is short, has blond hair and hides behind a white scarf. So we have to calculate our actions carefully" she said
"But you do know the daimyo has cut off all funds to us, we are more crippled than before this invasion, Chiyo. Another attack will not help matters" the woman now identified as Chiyo scowled and scoffed at her equally old brother
"Who said anything about an attack? I just want to know if Suna is going to survive this. If we do not get help from Konoha, starvation will be on our doorstep in no less than a few months"
Ebisu didn't react to her words, but Kota did. "If Hiruzen was still alive then maybe we would have a chance at getting help from them. But if their Hokage is who I think it is…then there is no hope" he shook his head at the futility of their hopes.
Chiyo kept her scowl on as she spoke "I know very well of who you speak. I agree if it is him, there would be no hope for Suna." She said. Her eyes fierce with confidence in her words. "But! He is not short and neither will he hide his face when he has finally achieved his dream. If it is his puppet, a name would have been given. There's is no doubt in mind that Danzou is not Hokage!"
Ebisu smiled at his sister. He opened his mouth to reply but was interrupted by…
"Elders! A message from Konoha's Hokage!" Said Baki, in his hand was a piece of white paper, folded into with a red ribbon, with a big red seal on it
All three of the elders were on their feet. A letter from Konoha's Hokage? This is what they've been waiting for. Yet why does it feel them with dread.
Kota gulped, he moved forward and stretched out his arm "I'll have that, Baki" his eyes were strong with resolve. He was willing to prove his worth to these cranky elders.
Baki nodded vigorously and handed the paper to the Kota. He did it as quickly as possible and backed away, as if the folded white paper had offended his somehow.
Kota held the paper in his hand staring at it as his teeth clenched every once in a while. It felt like many minutes pasted until Chiyo finally broke him out of his trance "Well!? Are you going to read it or should I?" she said, her arm stretched out and waiting for the paper to land in her hands.
Kota glared at the old woman before holding the letter closer "Tch! Always underestimating me, I'll show you" he muttered under his breath venomously. He took another gulp before slipping off the ribbon and breaking the seal. He began to read the hand written letter to his small audience. The hand written was well put he noticed.
To Sunagakure
I am the Godaime Hokage of Konohagakure. You of Sunagakure, have defiled our previous peace treaty. In return you have gained nothing but contempt from us. I like my predecessor, wish for nothing but peace. But alas you have forced my hand. As Hokage I shall pass out my judgment on you…if you perform such acts, ever again in the future. You have received a pardon from Konoha, as it was our shinobi that deceived you lot. But your foolishness for following your equally foolish Kage into battle against us, Konoha, shall not go unpunished. So therefore, in regard to your recent treasonous acts, you shall offer a quarter of your bordering country land. If you do not comply.
You shall be annihilated.
Best regards
Godaime Hokage.
Kota had his eyes widened to their very extent. They were finished. "We're finished! The Hokage is a sadistic bastard! Best regards?! How are we meant to give him a quarter of the wind? We aren't in charge of the land for god sake! The daimyo has already forsaken us in favor of Konoha! Goddamnit, what am I supposed to tell me family?" the man was on the verge of crying. He held the slip of paper tightly and looked at Chiyo with determination
"Chiyo! We are going to Konoha, we cannot sit here and deliberate whether to get destroyed or not, Ebisu! You go to the daimyo, take this letter with you as prove that Konoha isn't going to lie back. Baki you lead the village while we are gone, understood?" they all nodded to the man. It seemed like none of them had a better plan
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Deep within the depths of Konoha, lay an Uchiha. Cursed with jealousy and hatred.
Sasuke sighed. That was no good. His hair was ruffled, and his eyes were half lidded. He had a broken tile in his right hand. He'd been using that to write. "I need more emotion in my words. More will, more pain, more…hatred!" as he said those last words the air around him became thin. He could feel…
"Orochimaru!" he swiftly turned around and sprang to his feet, facing the Sannin that had tormented him and his…old teammates. This time he wasn't in a woman's body.
He was in a black haired Konoha guard, or to be more precise, he was in his warden, his eyes were slit as always.
Sasuke opened his mouth to talk, but was cut off "I know. You want to know what I want, right?" seeing Sasuke nod, he continued immediately "I want to know if you are ready to achieve more power than those who suppress you"
Sasuke walked forward slowly he reached Orochimaru and stared up at him without fear, despite the pressure that was being released "I am ready for anything, if it means killing Itachi" Orochimaru raised an eyebrow and mouthed 'and?' "And Uzumaki Naruto! They will pay!"
Orochimaru smirked viciously "I'll be back for you Sasuke, in the meantime…garner your hatred" the body he possessed convulsed and then vomited out a black snake. The snake stayed for a while, staring at Sasuke. And in some way. It smirked
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Konoha.
At night time it shone brightly. Naruto stared over his village. He didn't want to sleep. And in a strange twist, all he wanted to do was sleep and accept the power that would be bestowed upon him. In all honesty, he was more scared than anything. But he had to. For the sake of Konoha.
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In front of him stood the four Anbu, all of captain rank. They made a square around him. And he sat in the middle. Jiraiya, Tsunade and Kakashi stood nearby with suppression seals in hand.
He was going with it. The had wanted to kill him at first, but once they each heard his reason for taking the Kyuubi on his offer, they seemed to mellow down.
But he couldn't indulge the Kyuubi without taking precautions. The four Anbu captains were to create a seal around him, it would hold him and whatever power that came out of him. If he goes berserk and breaks the seal they're holding…well they would have to face the Kyuubi. But not without the suppression seals his teachers held. If it came to that he would never speak to the demon again.
"Okay…I am ready. Set it up!" Naruto commanded. His eyes closed tightly, he sat in a lotus position.
The Anbu erected the seal. Four blue rectangles flew to the sky and encompassed the Godaime.
Kakashi held his tag tightly, secretly waiting for everything to go horribly wrong. He never was in support of this. In fact, all he wanted to do was stop the ritual.
Naruto placed his hands into a seal and slowed down the flow of chakra in his body, allow kyuubi's chakra access.
A few moments later he slumped over.
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PLOP…PLOP…PLOP
The familiar sound of his mindscape woke him up.
He rose from the water that seemed to be translucent. He looked up to the tailed beast he had come to make a deal with. He clenched his fists, trying his very best to get a grip on reality.
This IS happening
He was scared. Scared for his village and scared for his sanity. Kyuubi's power is overwhelming. Taking it on and not going on a rampage would be a miracle.
He clenched his fists again, his nails biting into his flesh. No matter the cost, he would protect his precious people.
"I am ready Kyuubi..." the giant beast nodded in recognition and beckoned him behind the bars of the seal. And then it all went black.
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Outside Naruto's mindscape. Was the Godaime Hokage, submerged in red hot boiling chakra.
The Anbu struggled to contain the chakra. It lashed out at the walls of the seal, pushing it to its limits.
All three legendary shinobi scattered and assumed tactical positions. They would all attack if the seal failed.
Right now, the Godaime didn't seem to be in control, or even awake at all. He just floated.
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Naruto floated through the darkness. He had no idea where he was. But he could feel, he could feel the power that surrounded him, even in the darkness. It was vile, full of hatred and spite.
He kept on walking, he felt like puking. He had been tricked. He should have never listened to the damn fox in the first place. Now here he was floating in his own mind, with no control over what happens.
Konoha was doomed if his contingency plan failed. But it couldn't, could it?
He shook his head. No he couldn't be thinking that way now, if he was going to spend eternity here.
"Sakura, Sasuke, Kakashi, forgive me, I have failed you all. I-" before he could finish his sentence, a bright light shone through the darkness
He shielded his eyes and when the light died down, he was back in the seal. He stared gob smacked at the Kyuubi, before his face twisted with rage.
"What was that? Explain yourself!"
The bijuu just stared down at him. Naruto clenched his fist and opened his mouth to demand an answer when he heard
"Relax…"
Naruto shifted his gaze downwards to meet the red eyes of his doppelganger. He opened his mouth again but was cut off
"That was you dying, well, dead." This time Naruto screamed what he wanted
"What! You never told me anything about dying!" he jabbed an accusing finger up at the bijuu, beckoning him to explain.
The huge fox to a breath and let it out through his nose, the air ruffled the Naruto's clothes down below "The process of you receiving my eyes and body is strenuous, in fact, you are expected to die before any progress in the transformation can take place, the only reason I didn't die along with is because of-" the bijuu couldn't finish it sentence before it was cut off by a new comers voice
"Is because of me" Naruto turned to observe the newcomer and his eyes became saucers once he realized who he was staring at "You are pretty clever Kyuubi, how you knew I was still in the seal, I'll never know. But luring me out to protect the shinobi world from another rampaging demon was smart, I was going to save this chakra for when Naruto needed it the most, but it seems that even in death, I cannot escape my duties as Hokage" the man talking turned to Naruto, who was still too shocked to say anything "Naruto, nothing could make me more proud than I am now" the man walked towards Naruto, knelt down to his height and looked at him with all seriousness "we need to talk, Kage to Kage" the man snapped his fingers and the terrain changed, becoming more…otherworldly
Naruto got to his feet and spoke his first words since the man appeared "Yondaime Hokage…father, why are you here, why aren't you in Konoha ruling?"
The fourth chuckled and began to explain his predicament. After a while Naruto began to nod in understanding
"Naruto, you must know something about the day of the Kyuubi attack, the day you were born. This information is very vital, so listen carefully" Naruto nodded, seeing the man in front of him get serious
"Kyuubi did not attack the village out of spite, well not at first anyway, he was being controlled by and Uchiha, I don't know who but I have my suspicions, I believe it was Uchiha Madara. As absurd as it may sound that is what believe. The culprit escaped before I could properly discern his identity. I had to seal the Kyuubi in you as a last resort, for that I am deeply sorry. I was the Yondaime Hokage, my village comes first before any other thing. I hope you understand"
Naruto nodded but Minato didn't seem to be convinced, he knelt down to Naruto's height and held his shoulders, looking him straight in the eye "Naruto, I know I have failed as a father and I never expect you to forgive me, but as your Hokage, I do not need your forgiveness, I did what had to be done, for the sake of Konoha's survival for your survival, no one will ever blame you for protecting your precious ones, and if they do…well you'll have to look down upon them as fools" his body started fading and Minato gave a grim smile "looks like my times up, I'll miss you Naruto…I and your mother will always love you. Be good to Konoha" he kissed his son on his head and faded away
The otherworldly terrain reverted back to its normal sewer look. Naruto clenched his fists, refusing to cry. He wouldn't cry any longer, he would face his pain head on, without any regrets. He would be strong.
He turned around to face Kyuubi and his doppelganger "So, what can this new body do?" the Kyuubi stared at him and his doppelganger moved to answer
"Your eyes increase your presence, your KI is more potent, so basically you can make any one below tokubetsu Jounin faint just by looking at them, we thought it'll be good for your rule as Hokage. We also made it so that you can activate and deactivate it like a kekkei genkai, I'm sure you don't need Genin peeing their pants every time you look at them. Your body has grown taller to accommodate the new, stronger muscles that have developed, and your hair is also longer too"
Naruto looked down at himself, noticing he did feel more ripped and he also felt like he was standing on a stool. He felt his hair, it was indeed longer, and he could easily make a pony tail with it now. He nodded in satisfaction, at least now no one would call him short
"What else?"
"Apart from your physical strength, speed and regeneration increasing, you are fire proof"
Naruto stared at his double with wide eyes "Fire proof?"
His double nodded sagely "Yes, but that doesn't mean you cannot be burnt"
Naruto looked at himself confused
"Yes you are fire proof, but not heat proof, the sun can still get you sun burned, steam based techniques are also exceptions, so beware"
Naruto nodded at this he looked up at the Kyuubi and sighed "I'll keep my end of the deal, thank you" the beast nodded in acceptance and waved him away
The wind caught up and he was once again blown out of his mindscape
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Naruto woke up to white walls and the strong smell of antiseptics, his nose cringed in disgust. Hospital, he hated hospitals.
He looked around, seeing no one in sight he made a move to get up…until he pushed the lump that had been sleeping on his covers.
Naruto face palmed and mentally scolded himself for not noticing the person sleeping besides him. He looked to see who it was and his eyes widened in surprise.
"Sakura…?" he was really surprised at her presence here. 'I thought she hated me…' he quickly deactivated his red eyes and pretended as if all was right in the world
Said girl frowned and scrubbed her eyes as they adjusted to the light. Finally getting full vision, her eyes landed on her old teammate, Naruto.
"Naruto! You're finally awake!" she gasped in delight. Naruto saw many emotions flash through her eyes as she spoke. Genuine happiness, fear, guilt, and then hope.
"What do you mean finally?" Naruto asked. Surely he had only been here a day, right?
Sakura shook her head and began "Sorry, you've been asleep for a week, everyone is tight lipped about whatever made you go into a coma but it's still a relieve that you're awake" her eyes held concern and a bit of…love?
"Sakura…what are you doing here?" she recoiled back as if being slapped, she hung her head down and held her hands together. She scrubbed her feet on the ground and muttered an apology.
Naruto shook his head and explained "No, what I mean is, I thought you and Sasuke…hated me now…" he whispered it out silently.
Sakura shook her head, but then nodded "I did, I really did. But when I heard you were in a coma from your assistant…I still hated you then, but soon, as time passed. I came to the thought of losing both of you. I couldn't bear it, I could live with Sasuke in prison because I know he would still be alive, but you dead, I can't live without you Naruto. I knew you loved me Naruto, yet I sold myself out to Sasuke like trash, just to spite you…I'm very sorry, Naruto, please forgive me" her eyes were already moisten, all it took for a tear to fall would be a bat of her eyelash
Naruto held her shoulders as she crumbled down crying, repeatedly apologizing. He pulled her up to eye level and realized he was actually carrying her since he was way taller. So he set her on the chair provided by the hospital and whispered for her to stop crying and look at him.
She sniffled and wiped her tears from her eyes "Please don't hate me the way Sasuke always has…please, don't tell me I'm annoying, please don't-" before she could plead to him again she was stopped by Naruto's lips on hers.
Her eyes widened at this, his eyes were closed, but hers weren't, she swiftly closed her eyes to enjoy the acceptance she was receiving, but it was too late, it ended.
Naruto looked at her with the same longing for acceptance she had "I forgive you with all my heart Sakura, please don't push me away"
Her mouth hung wide open as he stared into her soul. He lips moved to form words but they were interrupted by…
"Huh?...Naruto! You're awake!" Tsunade had spoiled the moment. She turned to Sakura with fury in her eyes "Sakura! I told you to call me when he woke up!" Sakura murmured her apologies and Tsunade 'hmph'd'
"Naruto…you look well, considering you were dead for four hours! We almost called the council!" Naruto bowed his head and apologized as well
"So…who has been doing my paperwork for one week?" Naruto asked joyously
Meanwhile Tsunade glared balefully as she check his vitals "I have…is it me…or are you as tall as I am?" Sakura's head picked up at this as she examined the one who had just kissed her. It was true, he was way taller, and he also seemed to have a body that was older than him. She blushed as a perverted thought crawled into her mind, asking her what else in his body could possibly be older
Naruto leaned in and whispered into Tsunade's ear "results of the ritual, Tsunade" her eyes widened and she nodded in understanding, not that she could ever understand how bijuu's work
"Well Naruto, you seem to be in tip top shape. Now, you have some visitors" she said seriously
Naruto only smiled "You mean Kakashi? Mah! He'll get over it" Tsunade shook her head at the young Kage
"He's not over it. But no, not him. You have visitors from Sunagakure, they say you threatened them in your letter. They arrived two days into your coma and have refused to leave without seeing you directly. Do you have the strength to meet with them?"
Naruto hummed, his hand on his chin. Coming to a conclusion he sighed
"I'll meet with them, right after I have a shower and eat Ichiraku ramen, I'm ridiculously hungry" Tsunade nodded in affirmative
"You go to the Hokage's residence and have a shower, I'll-"
Naruto cut her off right there "Why there? What happened to my house?"
Tsunade shrugged and sighed, looking over to Sakura who had stood quietly observing them, signaling Naruto to the obstruction of free speech "I'll tell you later, I'll go call the Sand, meanwhile…" her eye bounced off of Naruto to Sakura to Naruto "…you two catch up" and with that she left
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"…you two catch up"
Sakura swallowed and she turned to look at Naruto, he sported the same blush she did. The feeling was mutual she guessed.
She opened her mouth to say something before the awkward silence swallowed all her courage, but Naruto beat her to it
"Uh, well, um… after I have my shower…would you like to, join me at Ichiraku ramen?"
Sakura's eyes popped out and she blurted out her answer before he could finish. Her blush only got more intense as they stared at each other. Finally not being able to contain it she muttered something and excused herself from the room
Naruto just stared at her running off, before sighing to himself
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Naruto reached the residence and saw Jiraiya waiting for him
Before he could speak Jiraiya had already spoken
"You look taller, well anyway gaki. Its time for that trip, as you are going up, come down with proper gear, okay?"
Naruto nodded in agreement they had wasted too much time "Did you get what I asked for?"
The toad Sannin nodded and produced a scroll for his jacket, unfolded it and in a poof of smoke, there was a scythe in his hands. It was six feet long with a wickedly curve black blade. The blade protruded from the handle and had a cross at the end. It had a silver chain wrapped around it too.
"It's riddled with seals, you can absorb attacks with this and dish it out as well" Jiraiya was grinning at his work. He handed it over to Naruto who took it with a bow
"Thank you sensei, I appreciate it" Jiraiya nodded and began to leave
"Just get ready to leave, with me, Kakashi and his Anbu friends"
Naruto nodded to himself and felt the scythe in his hand. It was surprisingly light. His hand strayed to the blade and as his hand glided upon it, he made a mistake and nicked his finger. He recoiled and searched his finger for injury. He licked the blood off but didn't see the injury.
He smiled to himself, almost chuckling he thought 'Hnm, looks like my doppelganger wasn't joking when he said my regeneration increased'
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Naruto sat patiently at Ichiraku ramen, waiting for Sakura to arrive. He'd sworn not to order before she arrived, but that was proving hard to accomplish, his stomach growled angrily at him, telling him to forsake hormonal feelings for the sake of ramen
He opened his mouth, ready to order twenty bowls of ramen from the old man when Sakura arrived. She had done her so she had two fang like bangs hanging beside her temples, and the back was tied up in a red bow. She wore a red kimono that stopped above the knee and continued with black leggings, tied with a yellow obi. It had a white segmented hem and she wore black gloves and black slippers.
Naruto bit his tongue at this, he felt he hadn't worn good enough clothing to match her cute dressing. He wore his normal black cloak except, instead of wearing his usual scarf the cloaks high collar covered his face. His hair fell over the back of the cloak giving it more color
He stepped down from his stool to greet Sakura. "Hey…"
"Hey…"
Another awkward silence ensued. Until he sensed something. He grabbed her hand and pulled her to the stools, and sat. "I don't have much time to spend, emissaries from Suna are waiting for me"
Her eyes saddened at this "I wore this…because Tsunade told me you'd be leaving for a year for special training tomorrow, I wanted to make the most of things. But considering you just forgave me…what was I thinking…you are the Hokage, I really cannot be distracting you" the last part was a whisper, she didn't want to get on his bad side for spilling his secret.
Naruto frowned at her reasoning and scolded himself for talking about work. "Stay here, I'll be right back"
She nodded and watched him walk into an alley and she saw some figures converge from the roofs to his position. A few seconds after the shadows ran off to somewhere and Naruto came out with his biggest eye smile
She chuckled as he sat beside her and boasted "I'm all yours" the eye smile becoming more pronounced
"You know…" Naruto looked at her, she had successfully gained his attention
"your impression of Kakashi-sensei is getting better, even though you try hard to make it your own original trade mark" she said accusingly, but playfully.
Naruto pouted "I was wondering when someone would figure it out"
They shared a laugh and they ordered their food. Naruto had a bowl of miso ramen in front of him and Sakura had a bowl of salt/vegetable ramen.
Naruto frowned at this "You really should let go sometimes, Sakura. You're not getting any younger" at this Sakura turned to glare at him balefully, he could only shrug "it's true. Why starve yourself when you can eat your fill and shed it all off while training?"
Sakura frowned and played with her chopsticks, mixing and turning the ramen with it "I want to look good at all times, like Ino"
Naruto stopped gulping down his food and wiped his lips. He turned to look at Sakura seriously "Sakura, as Hokage I must be concern with all my shinobi wellbeing. But as your friend I'll tell you this for sure, there's nothing good looking about a corpse"
Sakura turned to look at her friend, she pushed away the salt ramen and yelled "I'll have three bowls of pork ramen!"
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Naruto walked towards the council chambers, slowly but surely. He had ended his little impromptu date with Sakura with a smile on his face. He could actually now believe that perhaps there was hope for team seven. Perhaps he should release Sasuke. Perhaps not. Koharu and Homaru had told him his decision was right. No one should dare defy the Hokage and get away with a light punishment, not matter who, with exception of the predecessors.
He had honestly enjoyed his time with Sakura, maybe he should take the others out sometime when he comes back from training with the Anbu. Maybe.
The guards guarding the council chambers opened the doors as he walked.
As he walked in, he spared a glance at the emissaries from Suna, they were old. Tsunade was here, so was Homaru and Koharu. They all stood and waited for him to take his seat.
When he did they all sat. He adjusted is hat, making it so that a shadow is cast over his eyes.
When he spoke he spoke with authority that amazed him. Usually he forced the authority into his voice, but now it came free of charge
"What is it that you Suna want? I have given you our demands, I will make no withdrawals" Naruto's voice was deep and seeping with power
The male out of the two was the first to speak "What! You make us wait for days and then send your Anbu here to tell us you will be delayed. And you offer us no apology!"
Naruto simply tapped his finger on the table "You hold less importance to me than even Takigakure, Suna!" Naruto activated his eyes and glared daggers at the man. He shivered "I could care less if you waited years! Now answer me, what is it that you seek?!"
The man fainted
Naruto spat in disgust and looked over to the old woman "Please tell me you have more valor than the swine you brought here"
The woman gulped and answered "Yes, I do. My name is Chiyo, and you are?"
Naruto stared at the woman asking for his name "I, am the Godaime Hokage, are all Suna this foolish?"
The woman recoiled as if being slapped, but ignored the jab anyways "I am here concerning your demands for peace"
Naruto stared at the woman balefully "And what of it?"
Chiyo took in a breath "I am sure you are aware that it is the wind daimyo that controls the wind country"
Naruto nodded impatiently "Yes, I am fully aware, just like fire daimyo controls the fire country, what is your point"
Chiyo swallowed and got to the point "In your demand, you requested a quarter of the wind country. Surely you know it is not within our power to grant you said land"
Naruto scoffed "You have wasted my time. That is your problem not mine. At the moment all I want to do is slaughter you lot for attack my village. If I do not have a quarter of the land of wind by the end of the next month…" Naruto stood up and left. Leaving the threat hanging.
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AN: Yeah, this is more than 5k words. That's cuz it's a Christmas special!
I am so sorry for playing my awesome readers. It turns out…this is a Naru/saku fic
Though I still stand on what I said in my opening AN. No advising position for her.
Naruto is as tall as the third. He will grow taller in the next chapters, and his hormones will grow stronger too.
Next chapter will be a time skip, so those of you that have been craving some action…here I come!
Please review and fav and follow
~Genocideshinobi~