We see the group walking to Konoha spirits high as they got Tsunade to become Fifth Hokage and almost manage to kill Orochimaru. Though the thought of Orochimaru still alive makes Lincoln incredibly angry he wanted nothing more than to kill him as he saw Hiruzen as a Grandfather like everyone else but knew better than to let revenge be something to drive him as he already had plenty to do so.

He glanced at the girl next to him making a note to talk to her later about the early month prior. Little did he know she was also having those same thoughts but for now they both had to keep them hidden until later. But she had something else on her mind...going back to her village, the thought made her uneasy as going back there means she would have to endure the same loneliness without the people she cared for.

Lincoln would notice this and gently touch her hand with his slightly gripping it as they walked this got her to calm down about going back as they held hands the rest of the way there. Naruto would notice this and give Lincoln this fox-like smile with Lincoln ready to kill him but gave Naruto a look that shut him up. After about a half-hour they finally made it to the Leaf they passed the village guards as they made their way to the Hokage tower. Once they arrived, a meeting was called by the Council to elect Tsunade as Hokage.

All council members gathered and asked Tsunade if she was ready to take the position as Hokage and carry on the Will of Fire. She would take a deep breath and say "I Tsunade Senju am prepared to become the Fifth Hokage of Konoha" the council nodded and gave her the Hat of Hokage declaring her the Fifth Hokage and tells her that she has to decide who will become Chunin, She nods and leaves as Jiraiya and Shizune meets her out a congratulates her on it telling her they already moved most of her belongings to the office so she should be ready to go she nods and heads towards the office to review the participants in the exams as well as what happened in the invasion.

She reads what happened and learns that Lincoln, Naruto and Fuu managed to take on Gaara who had released Shukaku the one tailed beast and had reviewed what happened during the Chunin Exams. She had seen that both Lincoln and Fuu got perfect marks on the written part, Naruto didn't answer anything but passed due to taking the final question but shined in the preliminary round and Final round along with Lincoln though Fuu had been taken out due to use of a seal on her by her own Teammate.

She reviewed the other applicants and made the decision, she had called Lincoln, Naruto, Fuu and Shikamaru to the Hokage office.

With the kids they had encountered Lucy as well as Lily on a walk. They talked about where they went and asked how the village had been faring since they left, they said the repairs are coming along fast so the village should be back to its original state in about two weeks. They are about to keep moving but then an Anbu appears and tells the three to come with them.

They are confused but follow telling the girls that they'll treat them later and left. They arrived at the Hokage Office along with Shikamaru they entered and asked why they were summoned she told them to follow her as they went into a room where the advisors were seated they were instructed to line up side by side and we're to come forward when their names were called she first called Shikamaru.

"For your levels of skill and strategy as well as defending Konoha I hereby declared you Shikamaru Nara as Chunnin." as she presented him his flak jacket he accepted it internally saying 'What a Drag more work' as he stood back as she called Fuu next

"Fuu though not a member of our village you fought to protect it, as well as your skills shown in the Chunnin exams. You have been promoted to Chunnin your village will hand you your flak jacket once you have returned."

Fuu bowed saying "Thank you Lady Tsunade it was an honor" as she pulled back with Naruto going up next with Lincoln telling him to be respectful.

" Naruto Uzumaki though brash you have shown to be incredibly skilled and perceptive. You manage to defeat the One Tailed Beast with the aid of Fuu and Naruto. I see no reason why you cannot become Chunnin so I hereby present you with your flak Jacket."

Naruto smiles taking it saying "Thank You Lady Tsunade" he tried his absolute hardest not to say Grandma Tsunade as he walked back to the others. Lincoln knowing it was him last walks up as she says

"Izuna you have shown not only Skill but strategy in the Exams as well as your use of the Kekkei genkai of the Sharingan and Wood Release. As well as helping Naruto and Fuu defeat the Sand Bijuu you have earned the right to be called Chunnin of the Hidden Leaf."

She then handed him his flak jacket as he bowed saying "Thank you Lady Tsunade" as he then went back with the others as she said "Now go make your villages proud" They bowed and we're excused to exit once they left Naruto jumped up in the air happy to have become Chunnin, Lincoln and Fuu were as well as Shikamaru just said "It's a drag that I became Chunnin I blame you Izuna I knew you would jinx it."

"Hehe hey sorry but it's not my fault you showed your strategic mind." as Lincoln held his arms up chuckling with the others.

Shikamaru just sighed and said he's gonna go home and sleep as he left. They rolled their eyes thinking 'classic Nara mentality', as Naruto and Lincoln put on their flak jackets as Lincoln took off his orange jacket they zipped them up happily as Fuu says "Can't wait to put mine on when I get back" as Lincoln puts his jacket back he says unconsciously "You would look cute in it" as he realizes what he just said as he turns to Fuu who is a blushing mess and Naruto is making kissing noises with his mouth laughing. Lincoln just punches him in the head as he says "Man you're worse than Sakura."

Just then they realized they have to get Tsunade to heal Sasuke as they went to her office she was already leaving going to heal Kakashi Sasuke and check in on Rock Lee. They joined her as she first healed Kakashi and made her to Sasuke with Sakura sitting by him as she placed her hand on his forehead she left as he got up and Sakura hugged him Naruto just looked on and sighed as Lincoln placed a hand on his shoulder.

Sakura then turns to them and sees the flak jackets and asks if they all got promoted to Chunnin. They nod smiling as Sakura congratulates them but Sasuke is angered as his Sharingan appears he throws off the covers standing up to face them as he stares at the boys and says "Both of you fight me. Now."

As everyone looks shocked at what Sasuke just asked.

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TO BE CONTINUED...