Sorry for the delay!! Mitsuko was happy when I said I'd post a new chapter, but then I got double the bad news. Well, really bad news and worse news. More deaths, actually. But I doubt anyone wants to hear about it. Moving on! (Plus I got distracted playing Tales of Legendia.)

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Chapter 21 Chibi Announcements

At the festival, Naruto and Gaara found themselves at the center of most of the contests. Well, Gaara did. The Kyuubi-container was seeking each one out, trying to prove he was the best. He almost won the eating competition, but he was against Choji, and anyone could have guessed the outcome. Unless you took into account that Choji's father was competing as well. Naruto came in third place.

Everyone complimented the two on their outfits, though no one would tell Naruto what his said on the back. As there were still a few people afraid of the Kazekage, he received fewer compliments on his clothing, causing Naruto to agree strongly with any comment Gaara did receive. The redhead didn't care much what everyone else thought. He just liked Naruto's reaction when he had first seen him. The three girls who had been there to see it, had all grinned at each other over the look on the blond's face.

After a meal for Gaara (who didn't compete in the contest), and a rest for Naruto (who complained about his stomach hurting), the pair were led to the base of the Hokage monument, where Tsunade would be making her speeches. It was expected for Gaara to be called up to the Hokage's side for the announcements, but the fox-boy was surprised when he himself was summoned.

The village roared and cheered its approval and delight at the group who stood (one relaxed, one stoic, and one looking confused but happy to be there) in front of the mountain. When the blonde woman began speaking, Naruto couldn't help but space out for a while. It was all just so boring listening to her go on about village history and pride. 'Yeah yeah, that happened, and we're all happy to be here, please get to the point.' He was brought back to attention when a tendril of sand found it's way to the back of his neck and took on the shape of a hand and forced him to look in Tsunade's direction. Realizing it was apparently something important, the teen forced himself to pay attention.

"As I'm sure you are all aware, that same Kazekage ('Oh, so she was talking about Panda-man?') has been our guest recently in order to help develop new trade routes and negotiations. One such negotiation was over the naming of future Kage, for either country. We agreed that any future Kage must first spend two years in the other's homeland in order to help strengthen future bonds, and prevent a war from arising again!" There was a loud outcry of joy, and Gaara's head inclined slightly. Naruto looked out over the crowd, noticing how Iruka was watching him like a proud parent would their child. Now he was even more confused. What the hell was going on?

Suddenly he was nudged forward by Shizune, and there was a death grip on his arm. Looking at Tsunade, whose hand relaxed slightly in its hold, the teen stepped over to stand beside her.

"The first person to be sent to Sunagakure will be our very own, Number One Unpredictable Ninja, Naruto Uzumaki!" The fox container's jaw fell.

"The hell?! Why am I being sent away, Baa-chan!?" Most of the people either went quiet, while a few laughed good-naturedly, and some cheered. The ones who went quiet were either shocked at the term 'Baa-chan', or the idea of Naruto leaving for another two years.

"You haven't listened to a word I said, have you, Brat?!" Another lump on the head later, the village was laughing, but not cruelly, and Naruto was pouting up at the Hokage. "It's because-" She practically ripped off the yukata and jammed it under his face, finally letting him look down at the words. "The council finally accepted my proposal to name you as the Sixth Hokage!" Another lump on his head was added, as Tsunade had actually planned a much nicer declaration.

It had taken a long time to get the council to agree. There had been too much of a debate revolving around the idea that Kyuubi might still one day overtake Naruto's mind and break free from its prison. It had taken her, as well as a group of influential people, demanding Naruto to be looked upon as any other candidate would. In that light, it was impossible to deny that he was a prime choice. He had proven his loyalty numerous times, he had trained under one of the Sannin, he was talented when it came to jutsu, and those that knew of his lineage took that into consideration as well. Not to mention the fact that Kyuubi also offered him a great well of chakra should he ever need it, though the time had come and gone when he'd denied the fox's aid. Sasuke had even been called in to testify that he had been able to witness Naruto refusing the demon's help.

Not that she'd tell Naruto that, though. And Tsunade was certain no one else would. They wouldn't dare annoy the Uchiha. Plus, there was now the Kazekage to contend with. No, the council members would keep their silence on this one. They liked living, after all.

As soon as the announcement was made, though, it was all out cheers. Those with sensitive ears (all of the Inuzuka clan and their dogs) would later complain of temporary deafness over the roar of the crowd. Even those who had already known were cheering loudly. It was such a reaction that Kakashi actually put away his beloved book. Even more surprising, as it was the advanced reader copy of the latest Icha Icha book, which meant the final copy wouldn't even be on the shelves for at least a month or two. Jiraiya had felt that he was celebrating by putting out a new book, getting drunk, and straying from research during the announcement. Afterwards, he'd be right back by the hot springs.

Sasuke, Neji, Shino, and Shikamaru would never be among the throng of people currently screaming in their joy. It just wasn't what they did. Expecting them to, was like expecting Gaara to don a pink tutu and perform the Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy. It wasn't happening. Ever. And if someone dared get the mental image, they would die before they could crack a grin.

Naruto, on the other hand, was simply sitting and staring in shock and confusion. He finally turned to look out at the crowd, where Iruka was waving at him, over to Sasuke, who stared back calmly. He turned to Tsunade, who looked ready to laugh. And finally he looked at Gaara, who merely nodded at him, his mouth tilting very slightly at the edge. As though that was the sign he had been waiting for, the blond was suddenly up and screaming out in delight.

"Yeah!! I'm the Hokage!! I'm the Hokage!!" He ended up glomping Gaara and hugging him, not caring about the slightly sandy feel to the other Kage's skin. The redhead hugged the container momentarily (and not in a way that seemed like he was), before pushing him away gently and pointing something out that the teen appeared to have missed.

"You're not the Hokage yet. You have to learn under me for two years." Tsunade finally did laugh at that, and Kakashi pulled out his book again, the best part already over for him. And as soon as that happened, a certain white-haired hermit began to sneak away.

"Wha?! Why?!" As the Fifth Hokage closed up the speeches, Gaara led Naruto away. He felt it wouldn't be best for anyone if it was found out Naruto had missed the entire speech.

"To help encourage peaceful relations between our villages. Besides, a Hokage is usually trained for a period of time before being allowed to take over." Before Naruto could even open his mouth to ask why, Gaara continued. "It's because there is a lot of paperwork and responsibilities that come with being a Kage. You have to know how to properly divide mission scrolls, how to write up treaties, how to speak with the council that your village has. Any mistakes could result in the deaths of your shinobi, and I know you wouldn't like that." As predicted, Naruto began shaking his head furiously.

Neither of them paid attention to the group standing nearby.

"We're lucky that that ended up being a condition of the treaty!" Sakura nodded in agreement with Ino's statement. The three girls were stalking- Um, waiting to congratulate Naruto.

"But it'll be quiet around here again, without Naruto-kun…" The other two looked at the Hyuuga heiress. She was right, of course. It would be.

"Konohamaru seems to like keeping things loud and active in lieu of Naruto, though." No one would argue with Sakura's point, there. Even old man Ichiraku had mistaken Konohamaru for his best customer once.

"Besides, it's only for a couple years, and since we know where he'll be, you can go visit him." All three girls murmured in agreement, then froze. Their heads turning slowly, they focused on the person standing behind them.

"Master!" "Hokage-sama!" Tsunade smirked back at them.

"What? It wasn't luck, by the way. I had planned on it already. Why else would I have a Rokudaime yukata, and just happen to wager it in a bet with you, Sakura-chan?" The pink-haired girl smiled lightly.

"I just thought it was a combination of your bad luck, and running out of things to wager due to said bad luck." Brown eyes narrowed.

"Oh, we're definitely having a rematch as soon as we get the chance." The girls laughed, and then turned back to the 'couple', as they had dubbed the two young men. But all that was there was a scroll. Disarming the trap on it, they read:

"Thanks, Baa-chan! But next time, no spying. Gaara didn't like that. The Sixth Hokage (HA!), Naruto."

"Damn brat."

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That's it for now!! Sorry this took so long, it wouldn't let me submit the stupid document for days!! Also, I'm putting up a new livejournal site JUST for my fics. I'll have to go change the link in my profile…

Anyone going to A-kon in Dallas?