Chapter 11 – Hokage Apprentice
"Talk"
'Think'
Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Kishimoto sensei. So…yeah.
"How would you like to be my successor?" Hiruzen asked with a smile.
Shisui gaped.
…
…
"Say what?"
"How would you like to be my successor?" Hiruzen asked, still smiling and now, with his eyes too (He was clearly enjoying the situation).
"I…I…" stammered Shisui before taking a deep breath and said calmly "With all due respect, I don't think I am strong enough for the title, I believe there are others with more experience that is suitable for the position, Hokage-sama"
Hiruzen stood up, walked to the window and watched the faces of the Hokage "The generation above you definitely has more experience and perhaps, more wisdom, but they are holding important positions either in their clans or in Konoha to be given the mantle of Hokage" he said, thinking of Shikaku, Inoichi, Chōza, Hiashi, Shibi, and a few more belonging to Minato generation
"Besides, they are also set in their ways to lead which I think, may be unsuitable in the present days" added Hiruzen, thinking of Danzō and his way which was still warped to the war time.
"You are right when you say you are neither strong nor experience enough. What I would like to propose for now is, to name you my successor and Hokage-apprentice. You'll learn the intricacies of Konoha politics, perhaps forming plan how you want to govern Konoha and once you are ready, I will gladly step down and pass you the hat" explained Hiruzen and added "That would give your clan the recognition that they wish, and also, the wish of the Shodai Hokage" Hiruzen said with a smile "Hashirama sensei wished to give the title Shodai Hokage to Madara but he was outvoted"
Shisui contemplated for a while before nodded his head "I accepted your offer and I thank you for this honour, Hokage-sama"
Sarutobi Hiruzen beamed happily; there few that has the skills and the minds to be a Hokage, but Shishui's Will of Fire shone the brightest.
"I will propose this to the Daimyō"
Meeting with the Daimyō
"I would like to propose Uchiha Shisui as my successor" said Hiruzen.
"I object! He is inexperienced" Shimura Danzō protested.
"I have taken that into consideration. He will be Hokage-apprentice for a period of time and will take the hat when he and I determined he's ready" explained Hiruzen.
"Why him?" asked Utatane Koharu
"First, his skills is one of the finest amongst his clan members and his generation. Second, he is the uncle to our jinchūriki, and it is customary for jinchūriki to be related to Hokage. Third and most importantly, he has prevented Konoha from going into war twice now" said Hiruzed.
"I understand one of the wars was with Kumo, what's the other?" asked Mitokado Homura.
"Konoha civil war" Hiruzen said succinctly.
"Why were we not informed?" questioned Homura again.
"Too many cooks spoil the broth" another brief answer from Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Any objection?" asked the Daimyō.
Danzō was seething inside. He wanted the Hokage position and he longed for Shisui's eyes; his mangekyō sharingan was one of the most powerful ones. With both eyes and power, he can make Konoha the most powerful shinobi village. With Shisui being appointed as Hokage-apprentice, Danzō could no longer summoned Shisui thus there is almost zero chance to attack him in secret.
"Seeing there is no objection, Uchiha Shishui is now Hokage-apprentice" said the Daimyō.
There were celebrations at Shizuka's house. Shizuka, Naruto, Noriko, Kosuke, Keiko and Shisui were celebrating Shizuka's recovery, Noriko's dōjutsus and Shisui's appointment.
"Shisui-ojisan-" said Naruto "what does being ap-appre-apprentice means?"
Shisui looked down at Naruto. At this moment, he was leaning near the window, observing Shizuka talking to Kosuke and Noriko chatting with Keiko.
"Being Hokage-apprentice means that the Hokage is training me to take over his job once he thinks I'm ready"
"You must really strong if you can be Hokage" said Naruto in admiration.
Shisue gave a low chuckle "Being a Hokage is more than just being strong. To a Hokage, the whole village is his family, and it is Hokage's duty to cherish and protect the whole family. That is called the Will of Fire, do you have it Naruto?"
Naruto scrunched his face, and the he looked sad "No…the villagers are mean to me and Noriko"
"But you wish to protect Shizuka-obasan right?"
"Yeah" Naruto then brightened up and asked "Does that mean I've got the Will of Fire?"
"Yup" Shisui said with a smile "I believe, eventually, you will have more people who will cherish you and you must cherish and protect them. In fact, I think you've already got a few of them. Teuchi-san and Ayame-san from Ichiraku Ramen was nice to you. The dango lady gave you free dango now and then. So does the bun lady, the candy lady…" Shisui trailed of "hmmm…what's with you and food ladies?"
"They like to pinch my cheeks and called me adorable" pouted Naruto "I'm a boy! I'm not adorable! Noriko never helped me when they do that, she just laughing"
Shisui grinned and thought 'have to ask Noriko to take photo'. Out loud he asked "So, are you going to allow anything bad to happen to them?"
Naruto thought for a moment "If anything bad happen to them, I cannot get delicious food anymore. No, I don't want that to happen"
"And if you could protect them, would you?"
"Yes"
"Congratulation, you will of fire has just gotten bigger" said Shisui cheerfully as he ruffled Naruto's hair.
"Does that mean I can become Hokage-apprentice like you?" Naruto asked hopefully.
"Of course, Naruto. I'll keep the hat warm until you are ready for it" Shisui said, smiling at Naruto's beaming face.
End Chapter 11
Omake
"Among your generation, you and Kakashi has the skills and the minds to become Hokage. However, I'm afraid that emotionally-wise, Kakashi is unsuitable" said Hiruzen to Shisui.
"I was also considering Maito Gai-"
At that statement, Shisui lost his composure "G-Gai sir?"
"Yes. He is… … …definitely unique young man. His skills are on par with you and Kakashi, his mind might need for polishing…but he is the only one succeed in bringing Kakashi out of his shell" Hiruzen contemplated "Konoha might benefit a dose of youth…yes, yes -"
"I accept sir!" Shisui yelled.
"Eh?"
"I accept your offer sir" said Shisui, trembling at the thought of Hokage Gai.
Hiruzen smiled and inwardly, he smirked 'hook, line and sinker' he thought while inner Hiruzen laughed maniacally.
Obasan - aunty
Ojisan - uncle
Ojiisan - grandfather
Shodai Hokage – First Hokage