I do not own 'Naruto'
Recovery
The first thing Naruto noticed was the whiteness. The second was the smell of cleanliness. The third was the soul crushing emptiness of the place.
Great. He thought. I'm in the hospital.
Looking around, he saw that he was in a private hospital room. That wasn't unusual, people rarely wanted to be in the same room as him, let alone while they were recovering.
"Hello ANBU-San." Naruto spoke to the empty corner.
There was a moment of nothingness before the corner began to shimmer. Soon the form of the Cat ANBU began to materialize.
"Morning Uzumaki-San."
"What did I miss?" He asked.
"After you passed out the Sound and Sand Shinobi retreated, the invasion failed." Cat answered.
"When's the funeral?" Naruto asked sadly.
"In two days." The ANBU stated. "You slept for a whole day."
Naruto nodded, a day was all he ever needed.
"Will there be a special ceremony for the H-Hokage?" Naruto asked, nearly tearing up.
"Trying to put me in the ground already Naruto-Kun?" A familiar voice stated kindly. "I know you want the hat, but I didn't think it was that bad."
Naruto snapped his head to the speaker, Sarutobi Hiruzen was alive. Naruto leapt from his bed and ran into the old man, he hugged him as tightly as he could.
"Easy there." Hiruzen groaned. "These old bones can't take a hug like that anymore."
Naruto released the elderly man and gave him a wide smile, which the leader returned.
"How?" Naruto asked.
"Well it seems that your technique managed to save him." Cat answered, smiling underneath her mask. "The medics are still baffled, but others are calling it a miracle."
Hiruzen absentmindedly rubbed his stomach where the seal was located. He was no fool, he was on borrowed time given to him by Naruto. How much he wasn't sure, but each day was a blessing.
"Naruto, we must talk." Hiruzen stated seriously, and sadly. "After the invasion I realized that I don't have it in me anymore." He stated. "I don't have the chakra and my body just can't keep up anymore. I'm retiring."
"So you're giving me the hat?" Naruto asked in hopes of lightening the mood.
"Naruto." The Third spoke seriously. "I'm sending you on a mission with Jiraiya to find my replacement, the last of the Sannin."
"Tsunade Senju." Naruto stated automatically. "Grand daughter and grand niece of the First and Second Hokage respectfully, last of the Senju line and renown medic ninja."
"Unfortunately that's not all." The Third stated. "She has a bit of resentment to the village. She fills as if the village has taken everything from her."
Hm. Naruto thought. "That's...unfortunate."
"There's more." Hiruzen stated tiredly. "Your plan worked."
"Which one?" Naruto asked.
"How many do you have in motion?" Hiruzen all but demanded.
"Eight." The blond answered.
"...The one with Ranmaru and the heritage being revealed." The Third sighed.
"That's two down." The blond chuckled.
"There is to be a Council meeting once you wake up, civilian and Shinobi alike wish to see you."
Naruto looked away from the man who was like a grandfather to him. He had basically gone against the man, but it was necessity. Still, the rift was there between them.
"I...apologize." Naruto muttered. He wasn't sorry for what he did, he'd do it again if necessary. But still, he'd never want to hurt the kindly elder.
"Oh don't worry, I already have my payback." The Third stated with a cold smile.
"...Hokage-Sama?"
"Send her in." The Third ordered the ANBU.
The ANBU opened the door to reveal a red eyed Ino...who had a smirk? The young kunoichi looked as if she had been crying, and she was smirking?
The Third stood and made his way to the door as the young kunoichi made her way inside. With a subtle nod to each other, they effectively tagged out.
"Wait, old man!" Naruto pleaded. "Don't leave me with her! Hokage-Sama!"
Closing the door, Hiruzen left the blond to his just fate. The wrath of the woman he loved. A cruel and unusual punishment, but that was the way of the Shinobi.
"You reckless asshole, do you know how much you scared me!?" She demanded. "And what's this about you manipulating the Clan heads!?"
Hiruzen chuckled as he listened to the commotion through the door.
"Hokage-Sama?" The Cat ANBU spoke. "Aren't you going to tell him?"
"I will." He answered as his smile lessened. "Though I think he deserves to have some moments of happiness after such an event."
The ANBU nodded, it was all she could do. She didn't agree, but she wouldn't talk against the village leader on such a personal matter. Her job was to protect the villagers and kill those who would cause it harm. Simple.
After being scolded by his girlfriend, who wouldn't stop kissing him in happiness-yeah, he didn't understand anything. Was she mad at him or was she happy to see him unharmed.
"Women." He muttered. "Troublesome."
"What was that!?" Ino demanded.
"Nothing dear!" He quickly answered.
He watched as she continued to swagger down the village road, that's right, swagger. She had found out everything. Everything. How he manipulated the clans and how he turned down the CRA, for her. It seemed that being picked over a harem was all she cared about.
"...and I want this in green and this in gold." Ino spoke, breaking his train of thought. "Hey, are you listening!?"
"Of course dear." He answered as she continued on her shopping spree.
Did I say being the only woman of his dreams was all she cared about? She also cared about him buying her an entire new wardrobe. Something about restitution for all of the stress he's been causing her. A way back into her good graces.
Bullshit.
She just knew he'd do anything for her.
-Council Meeting
Naruto entered the meeting room to see the Shinobi and civilian Councilmen already there.
"Good to see you Namikaze-Sama!" A civilian greeted.
"Councilmen, Clan Heads." Naruto greeted with no emotion.
"As you are all aware, Naruto here is the son of our deceased Fourth Hokage and Kushina Uzumaki. They married in secrete and after their deaths I gave Naruto here his mothers name as protection from his father's enemies." The Third stated. "You've all seen him use his father's skill, and I have documents for further proof."
"But why were we not informed." A civilian asked. "Surely if we had known, he'd-"
"Either be a weapon or dead." Naruto answered. "If not either of those, I'd be another arrogant nobleman with a God complex." Before they could speak, the blond tuned to the village leader. "If I may Hokage-Sama." Naruto spoke politely. "What I have to say is Shinobi Clan business and would like to have the Civilians escorted out."
"What, but we-"
Before the Councilmen could finish protesting, the ANBU herded them out. Once they were gone, Naruto turned to the Shinobi.
"Everyone have their contracts?" Naruto asked.
All of the Clan head pulled out a scroll for the contract they would be using for the clan.
"I will personally go over them." Naruto assured. "Once I return from my mission I will have them either signed or we'll sit down for a discussion, sound fair?"
With a resounding sound of approval, Naruto gave a polite bow.
"Is there anything else we need to discuss."
"Yes, for this it will require the other's to return." The Hokage spoke.
Five minutes later, the Civilians were back and sending Naruto silent glares, though they wouldn't say anything. Angry, yes, but they still wanted to be in his good graces.
"Councilmen and Clan Heads, I am retiring." Hiruzen spoke.
There was a resound gasp from the occupants. Even the most reserved members couldn't hide their surprise.
"Who will be your successor?" A Shinobi asked.
"I have decided to elect my student Tsunade to become Hokage." The Third stated. "She has the power, the experience and the respect."
"She also has an extensive heritage." Danzo stated.
"That's why I'm sending a team to return her." The Third stated. "We need her here, to heal and lead this village. Her teammate Jiraiya and Naruto will be the one to retrieve her."
"A former friend and what's possibly the last family member she has." Shikaku stated. "A bold combination."
"Consider it my last act as The Professor." Hiruzen chuckled.
While he was chuckling, no one else could see the humor in it. His retiring was like the end of an era, one they had found safety and prosperity in. And now they were to place their future in the hands of a person who hadn't been in the village for over a decade.
"Hey, have faith in the man that's led this village to success through all the hard times." Naruto stated as he felt the atmosphere. "After all he trained this woman himself, surely his ideals passed on to her."
And if she's a danger to the village, I'll kill her.
Review
Sorry! Sorry! Sorry! I know it's been awhile and this is a short chapter, but I needed to get this out of the way. Next chapter will be longer, and a much shorter wait.