Note: hopefully I can make something of this story. The action will come momentarily, I just need to set up the events for it. but plz R&R, give me a helping hand if you think it needs improvement. I'm always looking to make things better.

Chapter 2: A Development

"ARG! There is just so much work," Naruto complained as more stacks of papers and scrolls were piled onto his desk.

It had only been three days since the official ceremony for the Rokudaime happened. It seemed that Naruto was supplied with at least a year supply of work and this was just stuff coming in from this morning. A few empty cups of ramen were laid about on the floor around his chair from the few overnight stays where he had to finish up things.

"So much, so much, it simply is just so much stuff."

Naruto twitched for a second and proceeded dwindling down the work. As he flipped through some of the papers, he came to a stop on a certain scroll with the insignia of Kazekage. He examined it for a few seconds and gently opened it up. He read through the contents of the scroll a few times to take in all the information it entailed. He placed the open scroll on top of his desk and leaned back in his seat with his hands resting on the back of his head. After taking a little time to collect himself, Naruto called in Shizune.

Shizune came in with a few more documents and was dressed in her usual outfit. She was somewhat relaxed and displayed a little sadness in her face. Tsunade's death had greatly affected her just as much as it did Naruto.

"What can I do for you Naruto-sama?"

"Could you tell me who brought in this scroll right here," he motioned to the open scroll he just read, "The information on it is extremely secret and I want to know why someone didn't deliver it personally."

"Actually someone did deliver it personally. She is still in town taking care of some other things. I could have her come in to speak with you."

"She?"

"Yes, Temari of Sunagakure brought the scroll from the Kazekage this morning."

"So desu (I see). Well please send her in when she is done. I would like to speak with her right away," Shizune bowed and walked to the door to make her leave, "oh and Shizune."

"Yes, Naruto-sama?"

"Could you please inform Team 8 and Kakashi-sensei to come by to see me today?"

Shizune bowed her head in understanding and made her exit.

Naruto leaned back in his seat thinking of when the last time he had seen Gaara. It had been months since he had been deployed on a mission to Sunagakure. He briefly got to see the extremely busy Kazekage. Things have indeed changed since those days though.

But this information that Gaara has sent him is not a congratulations of his new appointing to Hokage or a pleasant letter of greeting. This was top secret military intelligence of the Sound Village. It appeared that Gaara has placed an informant inside Otogakure and the information that was received was a little unnerving. It appeared that the village has been amassing shinobi in key positions for what looks like an attack on Kaze no Kuni (Land of Wind).

"What is Sasuke planning?" Naruto could only ponder.

Naruto stood up from his seat and walked over to the window. He looked down at the beautiful and peaceful Konoha. The lingering feeling of war held tightly on his shoulders. Soon this place would not be so peaceful but instead be ravaged in the fruits of war. Naruto's thoughts were abruptly ended by a gently knocking at the door.

"Please come in."

A pink haired kunoichi gingerly approached the rails above the heads carved into the mountain overlooking all of Konoha. She too felt the heavy sadness of losing Tsunade. Her teacher was gone from this world but most of all a mother-like figure. A calm morning had fallen on Konoha yet the will of fire will continue to turn.

"Kakashi-sensei do you think Naruto will be alright?" she asked

Behind her stood the famous copy-ninja. His visible eye skimmed the rest of the page of his Make-Out Paradise book and then he quickly shut the book.

"He will be fine Sakura. He may be of the youngest shinobi to ever be appointed Hokage, but you have to remember it is Naruto. It has been his dream to be Hokage his whole life don't ever doubt that he would let Konoha down."

"I know Kakashi-sensei, but I'm worried about Naruto being as it was Sasuke who killed Tsunade-sama."

"Indeed it was. It is Naruto's decision to decide what to do now and it is our duty to follow him in his decision. I am worried too but all we can do is be there for him as well as Konoha. Besides Sakura, you forget that you and he are part of the 3 Neo-Sannin."

"Yeah, but so is Sasuke," she responded very flatly.

The conversation was cut short as a flash of a person appeared in front of Kakashi. Genma pulled the senbon out of his mouth so he could speak clearly.

"Kakashi-san, Hokage-sama would like to see you as quickly as possible," Kakashi bowed his head in understanding and just as quickly as Genma came he was gone.

"Well it seems I must be off then…"

"Kakashi-sensei I want to come to," Sakura cut in.

"Then let's not keep him waiting."

"Come in!"

Kakashi and Sakura casually walked to Rokudaime's office. Team 8 with Kurenai and Temari were already present.

"I've called you all in for a very important mission."

"What rank is it?" Kiba interrupted.

"It is going to be an S-rank mission and you will be split into two teams. First and foremost I have received information from the Kazekage that Sound-nin have been collecting forces in several locations around Kaze no Kuni. One team which will consist of Kiba, Shino, Kurenai, and Temari as your escort will check the said locations to determine their numbers and set up," Naruto handed Temari the sheet that gave the projected locations of the enemy, "the other team which will consist of Hinata, Kakashi-sensei, and Sakura-chan as well will accompany me to Sunagakure for a meeting with the Kazekage and his council.

"Wow looks like someone has really grown-up," Kiba snickered.

"But N-Naruto who is going to be in charge while your gone," Hinata asked.

"Well he should be here shortly," just as Naruto finished his sentence a knock came at the door, "You can come in!"

In walked a man clad in a tactical vest and black clothes. His hair was tied up and it seemed he did not want to be there.

"Finally made it huh crybaby," Temari commented with a little laugh.

"How troublesome," Shikamaru said dully, "What did you need Naruto."

"Well today is your lucky day Shikamaru. You're going to stand in my place as Hokage while I go to Sunagakure," Naruto said with a toothy smile.

"Oh even more troublesome. I should have never woken up today."

As Naruto explained the situation, Shikamaru looked to pay more attention but not too much. He nodded in understanding and knew he had no way out of this.

"Fine I'll do it Naruto, but you will owe me one for this."

"Good then it's settled. We will be leaving right away. You are all dismissed and we will meet at the gates," everyone left all except Shikamaru and Naruto, "Shikamaru?"

"Yeah, Naruto."

"It is possible all of this is a diversion by Sasuke to get me out of Konoha so he could attack. Tighten up security and sent some scout teams around the areas to check for anything out of the ordinary. I more than trust you to take care of Konoha in my absence."

Shikamaru nodded his head in agreement and Naruto made his leave. He walked over and sat in the Hokage's seat. He heaved a deep sigh and thought to himself.

"Man this is very troublesome," was all Shikamaru could think to say.

Everyone stood waiting at the gates for Naruto to show up; even Kakashi was on time for once but he was reading his dirty book as always. Then suddenly a puff of smoke appeared in front of them and there stood Naruto. He was dressed in similar shinobi attire as Kakashi but the only difference was that Naruto wore a jacket that looked exactly like the one Yondaime would wear.

"Sorry I'm late guys. I had to stop by Ichikaru's and have some ramen," he said with his toothy smile and his hand on the back of his head.

"Always being the same Naruto," Sakura said while everyone laughed.

Naruto raised his arm and pointed his finger towards the forest with the biggest smile on his face

"And we are off. Remember we must be discrete and once we reach the border we are to split into our respective teams. Let's go."

In a dash all of them went off into the distance. Only a few hundred yards from the gates stood a shadowy figure on a branch. The figure rose up as the Konoha-nin and Sand kunoichi dashed by.

"Seems like Sasuke is making his move. Hm, maybe this time I will finally get my revenge," said the eerie character as he pushed up the glasses on his face and disappeared.

Note: Again R&R plz and give me some tips on how to improve this story. I'm hoping to put a little action into the next chapter.