Hmm guest didn't come under a name. Anyhow. My summary used to be better and less of a rip off. But it got close to no attraction with that. So I decided to try what worked for majority. This is only my second story here, my first got one review and zero favorites and follows. And that one review was from a friend. I gave up on it quickly. Anyway. I'll mix up the summary a bit. I'm glad you enjoyed the story.
Thor94: I see what you mean now. Looking back that was a bit harsh and it reminded me of all the super powered Naruto stories I've read…cringe worthy.
Toshiro: I'm glad to see you are still following. I promise to update as often as I can.
Toile Grant: 'Good'. It's the simplest comments that got this chapter out so fast. That simple word gave me the moral boost I needed to start this chapter early and update early too. I really appreciate it.
Well here's chapter eleven. Enjoy
Chapter eleven
Regime.
It had been over a month since Naruto came out to the world as the Fifth Hokage. Konoha residents was at an impasse over whether Naruto as Godaime was a good thing or a bad one. Regardless they celebrated the beginning of a new leader's tenure, if anyone had a problem with it, it was washed away in celebration and the making of merry.
The village had still been on the road to recovery from the recent invasion. Some things were lost, some destroyed, people missing. All this was placed on Naruto's work load, Tsunade and her assistant, Shizune had covered some of it. But a lot where placed in the HEO(Hokage's Eyes Only) section.
Currently Naruto sat in his office and faced the mountains of paper. He had to file, categorize and rank missions according to their difficulty and the client requests, form new teams from the academy, approve various kinds of construction, oversee construction, address the civilian's mundane requests, command the Anbu and even reward promotions where necessary. Like he was doing now.
He chewed on his pen and hummed in thought as he went through the Konoha Genin files wondering who really deserved a promotion. "Hiyori…what do you think?"
The girl looked up from her work to stare at her Hokage "Hm?" during the span of a month she had quickly gotten used to working with Naruto. She was good at noticing the disturbances in his mind and how to assist him with it. Though his friendliness always got the better of her.
"What do you think of this? Who deserves a promotion?" He said tossing the files to her
She flipped through the pages of the pages of file, skimming through reports of each Genin performance, humming all the while. "They all performed remarkably, except Kiba who lost to your farts, Hokage-sama" Naruto visible receded into the chair "But they don't have the mental maturity to handle Chuunin, all with the exception of Shikamaru Nara, who is already Chuunin." She gave a sigh and looked up "I say we wait until the next Chuunin exam. You still have that bet with Gaara of the sand to consider too, I am positive that they will grow strong enough to put us in the winning"
Naruto nodded, completely understanding what she was saying "I have another problem though. Team Seven is unbalanced. I'm Hokage and Sasuke is a flight risk, what do we do about that?"
"Why don't you just put some root Anbu into the team?" Naruto shook his head "I'd already thought of that. But I have to always assume that somehow, one day Orochimaru will get his hands on Sasuke. Then I'll need to fill in two spaces. Of course Danzou had recommended someone from the root to replace Sasuke in that event. But my replacement is what bothers me."
Hiyori sighed, walked over to his desk and sat on it "You have many options, you could disband the team or just find a Genin that can balance the teams make up in the academy reserves"
Naruto hummed and looked at her precarious position on his desk "I'll think about it, for now. We have somewhere to be." Not a moment later did the receptionist coming saying it was time.
Naruto went ahead, wearing his Hokage Haori and his hat on.
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Walking through the hollow halls of Konoha's most secure penitentiary. Naruto taught hard on what he was about to do once more. It didn't help that his assistant was still nagging him on the safety of his actions.
"Shut up already, Hiyori. I already told you we'll know if it's safe or not after we've done it then it will be a unanimous vote to keep him on the leashes…regardless of what I think or say" The last part came out a bit of a whisper. It was obvious Naruto wasn't happy with this either.
They'd finally reached their destination. The three elders were already there waiting.
"What took you so Goddamn long, Naruto?" Koharu badgered. Naruto sheepishly rubbed the back of his head "Sorry, I couldn't just resist Ichiraku's ramen. I had to make a stop" His hair had grown into something with semblance to that of Jiraiya's but not as ragged.
"That's the same excuse you use every time we need to meet. In fact it's your only excuse." Danzou joined in on Koharu's nagging. Homaru just stayed behind and glared.
Naruto let out a weak laugh and pleaded once more for forgiveness. "Well, I'm here now. Let's get him out. Ibiki!"
With a jingle of keys Ibiki released the locks on the massive gate.
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The mood in the room was tense.
A messenger bird had just arrived with new Intel from the spy placed in Konoha. This news very much upset its receiver.
"Uzumaki…Naruto? Rather, Namikaze...Uzumaki Naruto?! Why am I just being notified when he took office over a month ago and was elected over seven months ago! It's almost been a year! Mabui?"
Mabui sighed. This truly was a time to be dissatisfied with his subordinate's performance but why was he taking it out on her? "I apologize Raikage-sama, but as mentioned in the letter he was delayed by Konoha's inconsistency. He could not be sure whom was Hokage and who wasn't, Konoha was constantly switching between Tsunade and this Uzumaki person. I can't say I blame him"
The Raikage threw a fist into the wall. "He should have reported it as soon as he found out there was a person bearing 'Namikaze' strong enough to occupy a Kage's seat" the buff, dark-skinned man walked back to his desk and sat "Does the Stone know about this? Also is the Mist still in civil war that they'd be unaware to this?"
Mabui only shook her head at both questions "All we know for sure is that this person is the Fifth Hokage and is holding the Sand as the Leaf's vassal. I've already sent orders to the spy in Konoha to dig around some more about this person's background so we know what we are dealing with" The Raikage nodded in approval
"Also…pool every shred of information you can from villages surrounding Konoha and every other Major Village. Surely something will turn up. And…get me Yugito and her team, they'll be delivering a present to Konoha for me"
Mabui smiled at that. Despite all his brawn the Raikage did have some good brains in that hard head of his.
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"What is the meaning of this? Naruto!" Sasuke was outraged and confused. He was released from his prison, given clean clothes, food to eat, and now was being asked if he wanted his chakra back. All this taking place in broad day light.
"What do you mean, Sasuke? Can't a guy just be caring toward a brother?" Naruto asked, barely stifling his snicker.
"Don't joke with me, Naruto! We aren't brothers! Why are you doing all this?" Naruto let out a cough. It seemed Sasuke wasn't in a playful mood today, not that he ever was.
"Why are we doing this you mean? This was a council decision. Your resultant behavior will determine what privileges are given back to you as a Konoha Shinobi and as when due. Now as I was saying…do you want your chakra back?"
Sasuke grunted and looked around his surroundings "First off…where are we going? I think I know this road"
Danzou smiled from behind "Why of course you do…it's the only road leading to the Uchiha clan district" Danzou declaration caused Sasuke's eyes to narrow with suspicion "Although…it won't be called that any longer now will it"
"What do you mean by that old man?" Sasuke had stopped to face Danzou properly. The whole group had stopped with him. This time Homaru answered "What else would he mean? The Uchiha clan is extinct. We kept this grave yard occupying valuable space in respect to your fallen clan and in trust to your loyalty to Konoha for over a decade. But now the last loyal Uchiha decided to betray Konoha. What else do you suppose we do?"
Realization dawned on Sasuke quick and Naruto gave him the summary of what will be taking place "We are refurbishing it and scraping it of every memory of Uchiha for the villages purposes. This will be your new yet old home, Sasuke. Get comfy"
Sasuke stood there in front of the new bustling Konoha Police Force. His eyes couldn't believe what he was seeing. "Believe me, I know what I am doing is cruel to you Sasuke…taking your home like this and making it into something the village will use for its own benefits. But it's better than the alternative. If you want you can take it as a punishment for your betrayal and you can hate me for it. But I'm just doing my job and filling up the holes in Konoha"
"Shut up! This is where my clan was. This is where we belong. This is my home. How dare you!?" Sasuke barely restrained himself from attacking, he had no chakra and he remembered what happened the last time he tried attacking Naruto clearly
"Unfortunately…no matter how much of friends you are with the Hokage. He cannot simply allow a clan comprised of one child to exist and have the same privileges as any other clan" Koharu looked solemnly upon Sasuke. "You must procreate and reach a minimum number of twenty adult males or females before being looked upon as a clan which can truly contribute to Konoha. Until then…the Uchiha clan has no place in Konoha."
Sasuke could only grind his teeth in anger as he watched construction take place on the ground his fathers had labored on.
"Let go of that anger, Sasuke. Truth be told, it's unwarranted. Itachi is the one who you should hold that resentment at, not Konoha, not me and definitely not yourself. You once said that restoring your clan was one of your goals right? Then let that take precedence in your ambition. If you fall to Itachi...the Uchiha clan is done for ya know?"
"No!" Sasuke screamed. "I must grow strong enough to beat him. I won't birth another Uchiha, only to have them breathing the same air as the person who killed their ancestors!"
Naruto only hummed. He had finally stopped at one finely made house. One Sasuke recognized any day. After all. It was his. "Should you choose to take Konoha's generous hand and remain loyal to her, this house will be yours, you will be assigned duties and will serve Konoha until the day you feel strong enough to kill Uchiha Itachi and get rid of a massive headache for us all."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes at Naruto "And if I don't want to?" Naruto's small chuckle became a full blown laugh "You go back to your cell and wait for Orochimaru to slip past me and break you out, so far he has been reliable…why not trust him?"
Sasuke spat at the sarcasm that practically dripped off Naruto's words. He would be in that cell until he was of no more use. Konoha would probably forcibly steal his cells and recreate the Uchiha clan from scratch.
He smiled. "Sure. Three square meals and a place to train. I'll take your offer"
Naruto laughed again. "I can't wait to see what sort of escape plan you'll cook up, hmm? Kill all comrades and abandon the mission? Sneak out in the night? Amusing" Sasuke flinched. Naruto had the same eyes he wore that night he faced Orochimaru. Bright blue and cold and heartless as Itachi. He'd seen through his plan quickly. But it didn't matter. He still had the upper hand.
"Sasuke…if you are to kill Itachi…you'll need the same brutal training he went through. You will be joining the Anbu from now henceforth. Get ready. It's going to be tough." Naruto turned to leave "Someone will be over to release the seal on you. I'll be coming to visit once in a while…Taka"
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Naruto walked in with Sasuke in tow. He held a small box of what comprised of the basic Anbu starter pack, the only thing he really liked was his mask. The rest dreadfully reminded him of the past. He'd been given a week to prepare. Mentally and physically and even though he complained to Naruto that regardless of what powers Orochimaru may have given him, he would be a dead weight to his new teammates. Naruto just shrugged and said 'You want to get stronger right? Well this is the fastest way, I went through the Anbu to properly become the Hokage you see now, if you want strength…find it the right way' He believed what Naruto said was true. This was the fastest way but it was also very hard.
He felt a pat on his back and came out of his stupor to find a room filled with kneeling Anbu operatives. He turned to Naruto-who had just set the Anbu at ease- and gave him a questioning look. Naruto just made a vague gesture towards the Anbu operatives. He soon felt like he was meant to introduce himself. "I'm Uchiha Sasuke. I'll be part of the Anbu from today. I look forward to working with you." He gulped. The blank stare of their masks was terrifying.
"This is my personal Anbu team. Most of their work is surrounded around me. Don't worry too much though, I don't like being sheltered so you'll get to go on missions from time to time…depending on my mood of course" Sasuke could very well feel Naruto's sadistic grin behind his scarf "Nevertheless, training continues. They will train you as they trained me. If you have an aptitude for it you may very well surpass them. Anyway, get acquainted" With that he left
Soon after he had dropped his things in the locker assigned to him a womanly figure approached him. He was familiar with this woman. "You feel familiar…?" Sasuke dumbly sputtered out. The purple haired woman smirked evilly.
"Ah. I smacked you into the ground the last time you dared to attack Naruto-sama. I'm Uzuki Yugao. Your team captain and training partner. Call me Neko during missions" at this moment her grin was as wide as Naruto's.
But Sasuke being an egotistical Uchiha refused to be put down "Hmm, Naruto-sama? You seem awful close to use his first name instead of his title" Yugao blushed but immediately extinguished the thought
"Of course we are. We spent half a year together…well as together as a guard unit can be" The one with the Frog mask pitched in his two cents and he saw Yugao regain her grin.
He quirked his eyebrow and thought "So what was Naruto like during that time?" Sasuke asked. "Huh? What makes you want to know? Finally found a heart?"
Sasuke quickly swerved around to face her "Just answer me…please" he tightened his fist as he barely restrained himself from screaming.
Yugao spat "You really want to know huh" Seeing the answer in his eyes she turned around and left. Leaving Sasuke without an answer.
Soon after Panther came up to him "Suit up. We have a mission" He turned toward the Anbu operative with a questioning look "What mission. I thought Naru- Hokage-sama said it was just training and missions once in a while?"
Panther snorted "I can sense your fear. Don't worry, with you on the team we'll hold back on missions outside the village. This is a self-assigned mission. Hokage-sama is meeting with some emissaries from Kumo. And by what is being said…they are pretty strong."
Sasuke furrowed his brows "How do you know they aren't just here for what they say they are?" At this Panther scoffed "Everyone that comes into Konoha under the banner of another and without any intention to pledge loyalty to Konoha is seen as an emissary, no…rather a spy until proven otherwise. Sasuke, we can't all trust the outside the way you do"
Panther sighed. Sasuke looked solemn. He had said too much "In any case. Our mission is to protect Hokage-sama until they leave the country" Sasuke gave him a look clearly questioning the reason for such a long duration "Kumo has a bad, stale and spiteful history with Konoha. One filled with war and betrayal. Well enough of that. You'll learn as you go. Also, if you really want to know about what Naruto was like during that time...you'll have to pass captains test. Now let's go"
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Naruto was watching an interrogation. Ibiki was marvelous at his job, he could feel the Iwa spy about to scream out all his secrets. He chuckled every time the grown man wet his pants and wondered when the urine in his body will be completely emptied.
"Godaime-sama, there's a Kumogakure emissary at the west gate" Naruto quirked his eyebrow at the Anbu before realizing he had no appointment with Kumo emissaries. He had no reason to let them in. but Ibiki's interrogation had put him in the mood for some foreigners.
"Let them in and direct them to my office. I'll be there as soon as I'm done here" He stepped in the interrogation room and stared at the Shinobi.
Ibiki stepped aside "Ah, I was just about-" "Do you know who I am? Tetsuya was it?" The man nodded "Well don't just nod dumbly. Speak up. Who am I? And what gives me away?"
Tetsuya gulped audibly before speaking "You are the Hokage. I can tell you are quite young though, almost as young as when the current Mizukage took office. As for what gives you away…your headband is different from other Konoha Shinobi. Yours simply has the symbol for fire instead of a leaf. And though I can't see the back of your cloak I'm sure it has your title boldly written in deep red, judging by the color of your cloak of course." Naruto spun around and confirmed all what he had just said.
"Ho Ho! My cloak is black so it needs a color that would really stick out. Like deep red. You have marvelous deductive skills. I'll test it again soon." The man gulped once more, unsettled by his nonchalant nature. "Is your Kage a busy person, Tetsuya? Do you often see them?"
The man stuttered and struggled with the question "I don't really see how that," Quickly remembering he wasn't talking to any child he corrected himself "Uh I mean…yes, yes his is. I almost never see him in person. Sometimes mission's assignments are delivered by messenger bird."
Naruto's grin widened and became more visibly. "So your Kage is a man, huh." Tetsuya's eyes widened considerably and he cursed out as Naruto and Ibiki laughed "I bet the Tsuchikage is still Ohnoki…the Stones fence-sitter. I wasn't born when Konoha was disgracing him as a Kage. But I bet he put up a fight"
"What's your angle with all this?"
Naruto stopped smiling "My angle? Why I simply just want you to stop wasting my time and spill all the details concerning Iwagakure Konoha is outdated in. So I'll offer you a chance at dual citizenship. Be Konoha's spy and I'll call off the assassination of your family" Tetsuya jerked in his chair, trying desperately to attack the man standing in front of him. Spouting threats he couldn't possible carry out.
"What did you think we did in the first days of detaining you?" Naruto unfurled a scroll and began reading out the names, ages, and occupation of everyone related to him. The poor man began to cry. Naruto only frowned. "Help me help you. You are the only Shinobi in your family. Your income isn't spectacularly fine as you are the expendable type. Fail your Kage once or twice and he'll stop relying on you. And that means you and your family will be in the pits, same thing happens here if you reject my offer and stay detained. So what will you do?"
The crying man nodded slowly "I'll do it" he whispered
Naruto nodded "I'm sure you can deduce what happens if you fail me. You will be sent back home with falsified information on Konoha, feed it to Ohnoki for me. You will send news of any and every new development by summon. I'm sure an infiltration and reconnaissance Shinobi such as yourself has one" Seeing the man nod again he turned toward Ibiki and gestured for him to follow.
They stepped out of the room and Ibiki spoke first "magnificent, Hokage-sama. You didn't even touch him. How did you know what to say to him?"
Naruto smiled sadly "What I said there wasn't a lie. Once you had gotten his name out of him in past sessions. I had Anko infiltrate the Stone." Ibiki gasped "She's the one holding his family hostage. Well…not really. I just assigned her to watch over them in preparation for this time. I told her if you did your part well then she'll be his handler in Iwa until she can give him Konoha's trust and let him run things on his own."
Ibiki's mouth hung agape "Then what about the assassination?" Naruto only sighed "His family was never in any real danger. Telling him, that I, a new Kage he knows nothing about would hold his family hostage if he didn't cooperate sounds pretty solid. I bet no one would be able to call my bluff. That aside if Konoha Shinobi were caught and accused of killing citizens of Iwagakure on their own soil…that would very well be an international incident. I'm trying to secure Konoha not take her to war. Have some faith in me. Ibiki."
With that he left
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Naruto walked the shortest and less crowded road to the Academy. A little perturbed that Ibiki couldn't discern his aim with that interrogation- His aim was obviously to make that Iwa Shinobi turn his loyalties to Konoha. He wouldn't have been caught if the security was as lax as it usually was- That he couldn't tell whether he was bluffing or not. He wondered if he was a complete mystery to Konoha that way too. He kept telling that it would be well with time. But he was getting unsure every day.
He put that matter aside and got his mind ready for the matter at hand. Kumogakure…what did they want? Formally sending their Shinobi here without informing Konoha beforehand certainly raised a few eyebrows. In any case, he would find out soon.
He stepped into his office and observed three things. Firstly there were four foreign Shinobi in his office, secondly; Two were bickering while the other two stood still, Third and final; His assistant was staring lustfully at one of the two standing still. He could only sigh at her antics.
He made his way to his desk and did his best to make his presence known. His assistant quickly went to his side. He got comfortable in the seat and let out a sigh. His eyes strayed to the two still bickering and back to the one he presumed to be the captain -the one Hiyori was gaping at-the one with the large chest. His eyes stuck to hers for a while before he sensed something. He looked to his left and saw the other woman gazing at him. Seems she's the captain. He met her gaze then directed it to her squabbling subordinates. He got the expected results.
"Karui, Omoi! Stop. The Hokage is present" she announced, her eyes never leaving Naruto's figure.
"Huh? You're telling me this runt is the Hokage? The one you continuously told us we had no idea about and should mince our words with? Speak only when spoken to? Yugito-sensei" She eyed Naruto in his seat. "He's just about our age. I bet he's the Hokage's kid or something, hmph"
Silence permeated the room. Hiyori's mouth lay open and the Kumo Shinobi-at least the more experienced ones-went tense. Naruto only cocked his head to the side.
"Kumogakure must have some pride in themselves…training such Shinobi without fear or caution in the face of foreign world leaders." His red eyes drifted lazily to the girl that spoke "However…as long as you aren't the one calling the shots…you keep silent"
Naruto callously snapped his fingers, suddenly Yugito was picked by a wind and violently thrown out the window behind him. The Genin screamed for their sensei while the one whose name hadn't been spoken yet tried her best silencing them.
Naruto picked up a pen and began his paperwork "Rest assured….a fall from fifty feet wouldn't kill a trained Shinobi" Naruto grinned as if he found something amusing "Much less the Jinchuriki of a cat"
The sound of footsteps resounded through the office, drawing looks to what was Yugito, unscathed. "Very perceptive of you, Hokage-dono." She smiled "Throwing me out of the window was a bit excessive don't you think?
Naruto's red eyes glowed with murderous intent "On the contrary. I just rather didn't want to kill you before hearing whatever you had to say. Besides you deserve more than that for not staying your subordinate in the face of a Kage, should such a thing repeat itself I won't be so merciful. Now…don't waste anymore of my time, speak"
"We are here to offer…" She quickly unfurled a scroll on the floor and revealed its contents. Six other scrolls popped into existence "…this!"
Naruto hummed thoughtfully as he scratched his chin "And what is that?"
Yugito's eye twitched violently for a moment but she remained calm "It's a peace offering from the Raikage, in hopes that Konoha and Kumo can start anew and bury the hatchet with you, the Lord Fifth of Konoha."
Naruto stayed still for some seconds. Then spoke one word "Uzumaki" Yugito visibly flinched "Ah...so you are aware of that incident. At the time the third let it slide, so did my mother. However…my mother didn't raise me as I'm sure you know. Your Raikage was probably gambling on the fact that I knew about what they did to her, well I know. I also know your Raikage ordered my friends kidnap and another friend's father dead. I'd say my grudge goes deeper than simply kidnapping my mother."
Naruto slouched in his seat, his eyes were half-lidded and his body entirely free of any sort of guard "Go ahead…try and kidnap me. I won't fight back." At this point one of her subordinates decided to speak up too
"We are clearly trying to make peace, can't you see that?" Her fist trembled with unbridled fury at Naruto's provocations "Don't bother attacking Yugito-senpai! I'm a captain on this mission too!"
Yugito made to apologize for her partner but Naruto silenced her "What is your name?"
The young woman, looking about the age of nineteen looked positively confused "I am Samui of Kumogakure"
Naruto got out of his lazy posture and leaned forward "Samui…listen. There will only ever be truly peace with Kumo when it gives Konoha a Jinchuriki to wedlock…Darui of the black lightning will also be great. Sabotaged Ninjutsu scrolls will never really get you anything. Tell Ay the Unruly that true peace only comes with sacrifice. Now if you don't have anything left to say" He looked toward Yugito then back to Samui "Get out of my village"
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"Don't you think you were a bit harsh? Well I know you meant most of what you said but…that came out hard" Hiyori was quick to review the encounter with the Kumogakure Shinobi "I mean you could have at least offered them a night at a hotel instead of throwing them out into the cold night to immediately travel back to their village which is at most six days away?"
Naruto winced. "Yes…that might have been a little excessive…but like I told you before. This was the Raikage's test. It's what leaders do to know what type of person their dealing with now. He wants to know if I'm any worth worrying about. And I have every intention of making it clear that I am." Hiyori nodded in understanding all through his explanation.
"You've said that before and I understand it's to protect Konoha. But this isn't who you really are. At least this wasn't who you were when we met" She plopped down on the nearby cushion and let out a sigh "You don't keep grudges, you don't keep peoples grudges. You dissolve those grudges."
"Hiyori. I am the face of Konoha. Almost literally. Imagine it like this. I am in a business with people. If I am too generous with my input into that business, I may be the only one to get hurt when it fails. If I am too greedy I can miss out. And if I trust my partners too much I may end up getting ganged up on and eaten up…Konoha, cannot get ganged up and be eaten. I agree with Danzou that the third made a mistake. Even if the sand was being controlled he should have monitored them."
He rose from his seat and hung his Haori and Hat "It's gotten late. And I've had too much excitement for the day to do more paperwork. Hiyori. I'm heading home. Tell the elders and Jiraiya to be at my door in two hours. I need to speak with them"
Hiyori faintly nodded. Worried stained her face as she watch her young leader walk out.
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Naruto had set off to his residence to get some food and rest but…his body just refused to go to sleep, despite the tiredness he felt. So he went ahead and worked on the remaining paperwork regarding the Uchiha clan's renovation. It would be a while before it was truly renovated. Some things in truth still remained the same despite what he had told Sasuke.
It wasn't long before he heard a knock on his front door. He incredulously checked the time, disbelieving two hours had already passed. He quickly went ahead and opened the doors for the four, letting them in to his home. He directed them to his sitting room; two two-seater and one three-seater cushions around a small brown wooden table. They sat and he made a shadow clone to go get some tea before joining them himself.
"So. What did Kumo want?" Danzou began, straight to the point as the usual
Naruto waved the question away with a one-worded answer "Peace" He quickly spoke again before any more questions could arise "We'll talk about that later. Right now I need your expert opinions on something" He said, his eye making contact with each one of them.
"Okay? What is it Naruto?" Jiraiya inquired
Naruto heaved out a sigh "Its war…do any of you feel war looming? Do any of you look at the village and see it burning?"
Homaru shook his head solemnly "It wasn't too long ago that the village was burning"
"I think we should prepare for another attack. And I don't mean in the near future I mean in every future. I want the academy preparing for war" Naruto blow into his hands. He couldn't help feeling this uncontrollable fear of whatever was to come
Jiraiya shot up from his seat "Naruto! Do you have any idea what you are saying? You'd be robbing children of their childhood!" Jiraiya barked
"They'll be robbed of their childhood when they are killed prematurely, Jiraiya!" Jiraiya flinched at Naruto's outburst and comeback. Biting his lips he sat back down
"I think it's a wonderful idea" Jiraiya shot a glare at Koharu
"I agree" Homura said
"So do I. It's about time we start being what we once were. We can't prepare for peace. All we can do is wait for it. But we shall do so growing and defending our nation" Danzou tapped his cane onto the ground "Excellent observation, Lord Fifth"
Naruto nodded. "Jiraiya you've been ruled out by majority. But I have a job for you. I need you to take over as vice-principal of the academy, relax, not as much paperwork. But you'll mainly overseeing and monitoring the principal's teachings…Danzou's teachings"
"What!? Danzou? Taking care of kids? Have you forgotten about the root so soon?" Jiraiya was in total disbelieve today.
"I think I know what I'm doing. Danzou, truly speaking…for children training to be Shinobi. Real Shinobi…not the drones you created. How long do you think they'll need?"
Danzou hummed, slightly hurt that his root were called drones "I'd say two and a half years roughly speaking"
Naruto nodded "That's good but make it three. The Chuunin exams are now mandatory…We'll have one each year. At the time of graduation for each academic class. No more waiting for the other nations."
"Naruto…why are you doing all this?" Jiraiya asked worriedly "Don't turn into, Yagura"
Naruto lowered his head. Vividly remembering what he had seen in Kirigakure when he'd gone there on a mission. It was awful. Comrades from the same village killing each other. And all of it was instigated by the Kage. But he wasn't like that…he knew what he was doing would indeed protect the village.
"Jiraiya-sensei…I have no doubt that I will protect this village. But for when I die. I need the village to protect itself. Until the Sixth is named. My reason for all this…well." He took a gulp and recounted what had happened with the Kumo Genin "I had no doubt that she could have beaten Iruka, Kotetsu, and Izumo without any problems. And that scares me. Their captain could be said to be easily mid-Jounin level. Not to talk of Yugito…their Jinchuriki. Highly skilled. Taking her down won't be easy. Then they have Darui of the black lightning…and another Jinchuriki. Along with their Raikage. A war with Kumogakure will not end well. We need numbers."
Silence permeated the room as they all contemplated the significance of his words.
"Fine…I'm on board. I'll watch Danzou like a hawk" Jiraiya gave in, proving his point by staring intently at Danzou.
Naruto let out a small laugh "I'll put this all into law tomorrow. I'll need your backing with the Shinobi council of course." He looked at all of them in the eye. Silently saying he trusted them "That's all. Dismissed"
They all made to leave but Naruto called Danzou back "Danzou…I'll need you to look into Kumo for me, silently as always send your most trusted root on this. I'm sure it's clear who they must report to first." Seeing the old man nod, he continued "Also. Let out a rumor that Konoha is going to war. Something that will motivate Shinobi to train, I'm sure you understand"
Danzou nodded. "You know…Naruto." He purposefully used Naruto's name but his voice held no mockery or scorn in it when he said it "This has been the happiest meeting I've had with any of your predecessors. You truly know what it must take to protect Konoha. But the best part is…you compromise. Something Hiruzen and I never could do." It was then Naruto realized the old man had been smiling the entire time.
"But! Despite being Hokage. You are still a child. Trust others with the heavy stuff until you are ready. Do not push your friends away. In fact…let them in…they all could be of invaluable assistance to you"
With that the old man left his house.
Naruto took a look around him. It was empty. He had achieved his dream and received the recognition he had so longed for…but where was the happiness he thought he would seize?
For the first time since his first months as Hokage. He cried
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AN: Another chapter bites the dust…this one in particular is to reveal some more of the stress being Hokage impacted on Naruto. Because he was taught so he pushed away his friends for fear they would be targets for assassination. But now he is leading a lonely life. The one he started with in the first place. The one that motivated him to seize his seat as Hokage so as to quench the seas of loneliness that dwelled in his heart. But in this chapter. Danzou reveals it had been all for naught. And that's why in out next chapter we are going to finally see some more of Naruto's generation.
This chapter is also about how Konoha/Naruto will relate with other villages. He isn't as cruel as Danzou…but he is a cruel liar who has the power to back up his threats…that's Naruto's M.O as Hokage. He means no harm but can very well harm you.
This chapter was also about Sasuke and what was to be done with him. I hope this agrees with the Sasuke haters as well as the lovers. He got what he wanted fully blown into his face. ANBU. But he is tied to Konoha.
Also. I'm a bit disappointed. I asked for thoughts on what I should name Naruto's two S-rank jutsu but I've got no reply. Its like you guys just skip the authors notes….how rude!
Fav and follow please. I've gotten tired of begging for reviews so…do as you like..
Genocideshinobi~