AN- Important Notes - this chapter comes straight after the previous chapter. They were meant to be one whole chapter but ended up being too long.
- All Konoha scenes are relevant to the story! I know it may seem like filler and has got nothing to do with Naruto but it has a purpose.
Thousand Sunny
Pulling on a doorknob to close his bedroom door, Naruto fidgeted with the strap across his chest to readjust the position of his katana.
He wore black trousers and a dark blue vest with the Uzumaki clan crest on the back, one of the very few pieces of clothing's he stored in his wrist seals.
As Naruto strolled passed the girl's room nearby across the hall and made a turn to the kitchen, Nami in her usual nightwear sprung around the corner almost shocking the jounin.
"Oh, sorry." They apologies happily, nearly walking into each other and knocking foreheads.
"Late night snack?" Naruto questioned cheekily.
The girl waved the question away. "No, thirsty." Nami spotted his current attire. "What are you doing up so late dressing like that? It's almost midnight?"
"Oh this? I was planning to do some training before I slept, I've been a little lazy recently and that's not like me at all." He smiled widely.
Nami return a smaller smirk, this was the first time she'd seen or hear him train since he defeated Jagger so she was pleased to see him finally acting his usual self. "I see. Alright well, go have fun like I know you will, don't push yourself too hard okay?"
Naruto chuckled lightly. "I'll keep that in mind but I'm not promising anything."
After sharing a small laugh, Nami took a step to her right and Naruto a step to his left. Now blocking each other's way, the two took another step in the opposite direction simultaneously.
Blocking each other's way once more, they giggled again as Naruto reached for Nami's waist. "Okay here we go."
He grabbed and lifted her up from the floor. Nami's cheeks blushed instantly and she squeaked in amusement as she enjoyed the ride. He spun around softly and landed the navigator on her feet.
As Nami watched him chuckling away into the kitchen, she attempted to come down from her high of giddiness. Although it may have just been a little fun, the closeness and physical contact made her checks blush and heart pound like a drum.
She wisely allowed herself to calm down before entering her bedroom. Knowing it's late, she quietly opened the door and silently stepped inside. A single lamp in between the two beds illuminated the room.
To Nami's right, half of her double bed was occupied by a peacefully sleeping and smiling Angel. To Nami's left, Robin was nicely tucked in to her bed, the archaeologist had her back to Nami and seemed to be fast asleep. But Nami thought wrong as Robin dragged the blanket down to silently invite the navigator a place in her bed.
Now Nami had a choice, two potential places to sleep for the night.
Believing she could postpone another one of Angel's inevitable loving attacks in the morning, it turned out to be a very easy decision for the Cat Burglar.
Meanwhile, earlier in Konoha
"Kiba-kun just dropped these off, Tsunade-sama. Thankfully, these are the last pile of paper work for tonight." Shizune placed a large stack of documents on the Hokage's desk.
Tsunade's shoulders dropped and wanted to bang her forehead on her table. "Argh! When will this nightmare end?!"
Shizune smiled with sympathy and made her way towards the exit. The Hokage lazily reached for the document on top of the pile.
Her attention was caught immediately as the first document was not like any other paperwork. It was hand written, stamped with the Konoha's police force's insignia and signed by its captain.
Two separate and distinct emotions ran through Tsunade's veins as she read the contents of the letter. For one she was happy that the Leaf has just confirmed its next Hokage. On the other hand, there was also mass sadness and disappointment as the man who accepted the position wasn't the man she dreamed it would be.
'I'm sorry, Naruto. I wouldn't have consider this if we've heard even a single whisper to where you are. Please come home soon.'
Tsunade pushed back a tear and cleared her throat. "Shizune! Wait!"
Her assistance froze mid step and snapped into attention. "Y-yes? Lady Tsunade?"
The Sannin's face softened. "I want you to retrieve something for me, then deliver it to the captain of Konoha's police force."
New World, Sea Surface.
In minutes, Naruto found himself walking on the calm surface of the sea several hundreds of meters away from the ship. The beautiful silver rays of moonlight provided perfect lighting for the jinchuuriki's taste.
Satisfied with the distance from the ship to ensure he wouldn't disturb any of his sleeping crew mates, Naruto stared at the vast empty space of sea and took a deep breath.
"Let's do this, multi shadow clone jutsu!"
The ocean's surface ahead of Naruto was consumed by a big cloud of smoke as far as the eye could see. Seconds passed and the smoke disappeared, in its place were hundreds of Naruto shadow clones. The numbers were so vast that even the original wasn't exactly sure how many. Though if he had to guess, he would say it reached around the high hundreds, maybe even a thousand shadow clones.
The real Naruto nodded at army of blonds. "Okay guys, this is going to be a full training session. You all know the drill as we've done this hundreds of times before. Remember, don't hold back and fight me with the intent to kill."
All of the Naruto clones nodded, shifted into their fighting stances whilst the original smiled in satisfaction and also shifted into his fighting stance. "Phase one! TAIJUTSU!"
The first ten shadow clones at the front row sprang into action and charged at an excited Naruto. 'Oh I've missed this.'
Girl's room
It's been silent for the last five minutes inside the women's quarters. Angel's sleeping soundly in Nami's bed while the navigator herself shared the bed with her assumingly asleep best friend.
The girls laid face to face as the Nami struggled to fall asleep. She could only watch Robin's peaceful face as her thoughts was a million miles away.
"You spoke with him yesterday didn't you?" Robin whispered, keeping her eyes shut with a tiny smirk.
Nami flinched from shock that her friend was awake. She quickly recovered and focused on the question. "Y-yeah I did, how did you know?" She whispered in return.
Robin kept her eyes closed. "Naruto was his usual self again after you two disappeared for an hour, so it's only naturally for me to think you had something to do with it, you do have some sort of special influence on him."
Nami's expression saddened "Oh? You noticed that too huh?"
"Well it wasn't that too difficult to spot, he'd been spacing out quiet frequently lately and that's not like him. Whatever you said must have worked because all of that stopped since he came out with his new hairstyle." Robin said happily.
However, thoughtful Nami was less as cheerful. "Yeah, I guess?"
Suspicious of the navigator's low-spirited tone of voice, Robin opened her eyes to see her distant friend staring at nothing. "Nami?"
Sea Surface. 5 minutes into phase 1 of the training session.
The surrounded Naruto ducked under a punch with ease, eliminated another attacking clone with a roundhouse kick. He quickly spun around and blocked an incoming kick from the previous clone with his forearm, dropped to his knees, spun and whipped the clones standing leg with the back of his heel in dazzling speeds. He stood only to dodge another punch, then he moved his body to evade a kick from an airborne shadow clone. The two attacking clones closed the distance as one was preparing for a punch and the other a jumping kicking. Naruto caught the clone's fists in his hand, ducked to avoid the incoming kick, said kick accidently eliminated the other clone in Naruto's hand. The original grabbed the attacking leg, lifted the weight of the entire shadow clone and used the clone as a club to eliminate another incoming shadow clone.
It may have been in a matter of seconds, but as Naruto finished eradicating another group of ten shadow clones, another ten clones were already surrounding him and within striking distance.
Girl's room
"Oh." An understanding Robin declared.
For the last fifth teen minutes, Nami did what all girls do when something in their head's bothering them, share it with their best friend.
The navigator told everything from the moment she walked inside the aquarium, to Naruto's unwillingness, to his relationship with his teammates, his complicated feelings towards Sakura and finally, his failed attempt to return home, all in splendid detail. Robin would be lying to herself if she said all that information wasn't difficult to process but her understanding of the situation was adequate.
Nami sighed as she finished her moment of sharing. "I feel so stupid to forget about where he came from. Of course he's still thinking about his old life, that's where he truly belongs." Nami whispered with self-disappointment.
"The worse thing about it was that I was secretly happy to see him stay. I knew it could have been his last chance to see his old friends and to achieve his dream but somewhere inside me felt relief. What's wrong with me? How can I be that selfish? I'm the worst friend there is."
Robin eye's softened. "Nami, you can't blame yourself for forgetting his situation. Since he decided to join us, Naruto-san hasn't shown any signs of home sickness or even mentioned anything about wanting to go back to his old life. It truly seemed like he had accepted his new life here with us." The archaeologist paused and observed Nami's unconvinced expression.
"Do you want to know a little secret?" Robin questioned in a cheeky, almost naughty manner.
Curious Nami made eye contact.
"You're not the only one happy to see him stay." Robin creaked a small guilt smile, shocking her best friend.
"Don't get me wrong I want what's best for Naruto-san it's just… I'm sure everyone would be sad if he decided to leave and I, I also don't want to lose anyone of my close friends." Robin's frown slightly while Nami sympathised but couldn't find the words to reassure her friend.
Robin's frown was quickly faded and replaced with a genuine smile. "So if wanting one of your nakama to stay with you is called being selfish, then I guess that's exactly what we are."
Nami's lips involuntarily curved as a wave of happiness and reassurance rushed her system. "Thanks, Robin."
Sea Surface. 20 minutes into phase 1 of the training session.
Naruto performed a couple of back summersaults to avoid a kick to the face, he was forced into a defensive stance as another shadow clone attacked with great wrath. The original blocked, swayed and ducked until he found an opening which then he delivered a bone crushing kick to the ribs.
Disposing these shadow clones were mere child's play for Naruto. They were nowhere near as fast nor as strong as Jagger, but it was their overwhelming numbers that were forcing the original to break a single sweat. However, thanks to Guy's expertise and insane training of Taijutsu, Naruto's become more strategic when it comes to hand to hand combat; so much so that every move is precise and calculated in order to conserve energy and be as efficient as possible.
Only clone left standing behind a sea of waiting shadow clones. The original smirked as the lone clone prepared itself. Naruto tensed every muscle in his body to utilise the same speed of a training weight-less Lee, a technique he liked to call Enhanced Taijutsu Speed, or ETS for short.
In a split second, Naruto appeared and delivered a spinning kick to the face of the clone.
With the clone's elimination, Naruto was faced with the sea of waiting shadow clones. The end of attacks means only one thing, a well sized fraction of Naruto's creations are gone and it's time for phase two.
The original slowly unsheathed the katana on his back and prepared himself.
Likewise, half of the remaining shadow clones released their blades to confront their master. The ring of hundreds of swords initiated the second phase of the training session.
"Phase two! KENJUTSU!"
Girl's room
For five silent minutes, Robin watched her thoughtful friend staring at their bedroom ceiling as unknowingly to both ladies, Naruto mercilessly slaughters his shadow clones one by one with his blade.
Robin wondered what Nami was thinking and how the mechanics of her mind processed the concept of attraction and love. Sexual attraction with strong, meaningful feelings were hard to come by considering Robin's unconventional upbringing. Perhaps that's why it's so hard for her to recognise her own feelings for Zoro. Perhaps that's the reason why she developed great interest into Nami's love life as it gives her something to compare to, something to use as a measuring stick to match these foreign feelings deep within her with someone who's more in touched with their emotions, someone who's had more experience in the field of romance.
As Robin analysed her friend, Nami's thoughtful face took a dramatic turn into one of shock. As Nami's eyes widened and cheeks begun to blush from a sudden realisation, Robin's train of thought was cancelled and she focused on the astonished navigator.
Nami hastily covered her face with her hands and furiously shook her head in shame. "Oh my god, he said that didn't he, he said, and the next day I-"Nami groaned, grabbed the covers, threw them over her head and tucked her knees to her chest from overwhelming embarrassment. "I can't believe I did that, what was I thinking?"
Robin nudged closer as her interest in this new development grew. "You know, if there was an award for the most one sided conversation in all of history…"
Sea Surface. 5 minutes into phase 2 of the training session.
With one, simple move, Naruto sliced another one of his shadow clones into nothingness as another group of ten clones were already on the approach.
Tired of being attacked, Naruto took the initiative and became the attacker. He tensed his body and utilised ETS and dashed past the oncoming shadow clones like a bullet to eliminate his foes in a heartbeat. The clones didn't even know what hit them.
When Naruto finally stopped, he was surrounded in a sea of the sword wielding Naruto's.
One by one, the clones engaged but the original blocked or dodged then countered all with fatal blows.
Naruto speed, power and accuracy with his katana is only matched by his graceful footwork. Despite the barbaric nature of the training, it looked almost as if Naruto was gracefully dancing on the surface of the ocean. This fighting style is all due Uzuki Yugao's incredible teachings, the elegant footwork and accurate slashes are all ways to evade attacks, conserve energy and remain calm in the heat of battle.
Speaking of battle, the real Naruto pared with one clone, used ETS and eliminated said clone and five others behind him.
The constant stream of shadow clone attacks continued while frustration begun to surge within the clones as they have yet to fail a single cut on the original.
Girl's Room.
Nami shook her head from underneath the covers. "Nope, I'm not saying anything, too embarrassing."
The archaeologist smiled and pressed a reassuring hand on Nami's shoulder. "I'm sure you're overthinking things, I bet it's not as bad as you're making it out to be."
Nami slowly accepted her friend's words and unwrapped herself from the covers to show the top of her head.
Robin found some delight in Nami's flustered form and her smile grew twice as large. "There you go, now, tell me what happened?"
The younger women faced the opposite direction in order to hide her blushing cheeks. "Okay, well, don't think bad of me but, remember when I told you earlier that the day we met Naruto was also the same day he confessed to his teammate? Yeah… about that, a couple of days later, after he rescued me from Enel, I sort of…" Nami paused to suppress her embarrassment.
"You sort of what?" Robin questioned with great interest.
Nami winched and force the words out of her mouth.
"I sort of… kissed him a little bit, just a little bit."
Nami closed her eyes and prepared for the judgement, but surprisingly, the room was silent.
For a minute, Robin finally released a fit of giggles she'd been holding back.
Nami quickly shifted positions to face her amused best friend. "Robin!" She whispered as loud as she could. "What's so funny!? I'm being serious! Here I am, kissing this cute boy just days after he had his heart broken by the love of his life and I even thought it was a good idea. Oh, that kiss must have been so weird and confusing for him. I'm so embarrassed right now I could die." Nami covered her face with her hands once again as Robin's giggles stopped.
"Wow, so you two have already kissed. I must say Nami that was a bold move even for you." Robin ensured to use her mischievous voice.
If possible, Nami's hand covered cheeks developed another shade of red. "Hey, I had a perfectly reasonable explanation for what I did."
Robin smirked playfully, loving this mortified side of Nami. "Oh I bet you did."
Nami pouted. "I knew telling you this would be a bad idea." She whispered to herself.
"Okay, I'm sorry, no more teasing I promise. I just needed to get that out of my system, I can't believe you'd get so worked up about a kiss. Anyways, I'm serious now." Robin replied truthfully. "So how did this kiss happen?"
Nami removed her hands from her face but avoided eye contact. "It's not important, he wanted some girls to stop looking at him so I played the 'he already has a girlfriend card.' We kissed, the girls left and I told him that I was helping him out as a friend, we barely spoke about it since."
"And why haven't I heard about this sooner?" Robin joked playfully with a raised eye brow. "I'm a little offended to have been kept out of the loop for so long, I thought we we're best friends, Nami?" Although she used a bantering tone, Robin hid some truth in her joke. To this day, Robin's still disappointed in how she had to find out for herself about Nami's and Luffy's secret relationship that the navigator had yet to share with her. Then again, Robins never told Nami about her current, secret relationship with Zoro, so the raven haired women could empathise and respect Nami's privacy.
The navigator smiled awkwardly. "Yeah, sorry about that, nothing really happened afterwards so I guessed there was nothing much to tell?"
Robin nodded in understanding. She took this conversation about relationships an opportunity to do some comparison research.
Sea Surface. 15 minutes into phase two of the training session.
Naruto raised his katana above his head to counter four blades simultaneously. The original and four shadow clones met in a gruesome stalemate. Metal grinded on metal as five blonds fought for supremacy.
However, this deadlock exposed Naruto's back from the rest of the clones. Knowing the graveness of his situation, Naruto summon all his strength and screamed a mighty roar before out powering the clones and deliver a wide right to left horizontal slash to all of their stomachs.
He checked behind him to counter any oncoming threats, several beads of sweat flew of his forehead before he dashed to the next shadow clone. Fatigue begun to creep its way into Naruto's muscles and he sure as hell knows why.
The clone's frustrations are making them attack with greater numbers and force. The only way the original can counter them is by speed, and the only thing that gives him that advantage is his enhance physical taijutsu speed (ETS), since his shadow clones lacks the chakra capacity to perform said jutsu.
On the other hand, Naruto is fully aware of the benefits and risks of ETS.
Although ETS is mind-blowingly quick, quicker than any shunshin or any other jutsu Naruto has in his arsenal without Kurama's chakra, the risks of ETS is just as great as its rewards. Prolonged use of ETS caused early fatigue, massive strain on the body and immense chakra depletion even for a chakra powerhouse such as Naruto. To this day, Naruto's number one suspicion of his early fatigue in his battle against Jagger was his carelessness with ETS.
Early fatigue, a cost Naruto learned early from watching Lee's and Sasuke's fight with Gaara in the Chuunin exams. When Sasuke displayed ETS against the former one tailed jinchuuriki, Sasuke's body couldn't maintain the enhance speed for long due to his physical form, the strain on his body was too much and thus use of ETS was limited. That's the point when Naruto trained his body to the absolute max, training day in day out nearly as hard as his friend Lee since increasing muscle strength and size was the only method to increase the usage of ETS.
However, as much as Naruto has significant accessibility with ETS, he has to admit he can't maintain the enhance speed for as long as Lee since Lee is a Taijutsu expert. Naruto has to split a majority of his time to other training exercises.
The original ducked under a blade and continued running through the sea of blonds, he sliced one shadow clone, and another, pared another's blade, front flipped and slashed several of clones in mid-air.
As soon as he landed, three jumping clones from different directions were already within striking distance.
No time to block, their ferocity and extended attacking length left no time. Naruto utilised ETS to slice three attackers and to create distance away from hundreds of clones.
Standing on his original spot, Naruto faced his merciless enemies. He nodded in satisfaction as their numbers were reduce significantly. By his estimation, Naruto would guess only around four hundred clones remained and no more than one hundred kenjutsu clones were still standing.
The jinchuuriki took a deep breath to settle his breathing. "Phase three here I come." He smirked with excitement.
Girl's Room
"So, um, how did you feel when you kissed him?" Robin asked gingerly.
Nami took a moment and smiled as a rush of warmth flooded her chest. "It was… amazing. Even before we kissed, there was this feeling inside me that I've never felt before, a feeling that told me to forget where we were or who was looking and just have him you know. When we finally kissed, the way he was holding me in his arms just felt so right. I wasn't scared or anxious, okay, maybe I was a little nervous but I think that's normal when kissing a guy for the first time right? Besides that, I felt relaxed, comfortable, and I was happy, really happy."
Robin creaked a smile for her friend's happiness but her thoughts immediately turned to Zoro. She admits she experienced similar feelings to what Nami described but are they actually the same? If so does that mean she fancies Zoro romantically?
Despite all this comparison work, somewhere deep inside Robin knew what her answer was going to be. Ever since the events with the Jagger pirates, Robin's felt this undeniable pull towards an answer. Her certainty however wasn't strong. But slowly and surely, that pull has been reeling her in towards a decisive decision.
Nevertheless, support from this pull or not, the archaeologist remained doubtful. This decision could jeopardise or worse, end her friendship with Zoro, it could ruin their team work and overall experience as a member of the Straw Hat pirates. Robin had to be indisputably, undeniably sure that her decision was the right decision.
Realising the long pause in the room, Robin erased these thoughts of Zoro for tonight.
However, attempting to think of something other than Zoro made the job harder than it originally was. So, trying to fill the void in the air, Robin question the first thing that came to mind.
"I see, um. Earlier you said you kissed him just a little bit? How little was this kiss precisely?" Robin's uncertain question quickly became one she was slightly proud of as Nami's embarrassment continued.
"Jeez, Robin, I thought you said you were going to take this seriously." Nami blushed and spun to face the opposite direction once again.
"I was being serious." Robin replied with a guilty smirk. "I think?"
The older women took Nami's silence as a sign to continue. "I just thought this kiss sounded more heated than you described it to be. Did you guys use tongues?"
Nami twitched and quickly hid herself underneath the covers. "Wha- ho- how can you even ask me something like that so casually? Don't you feel embarrassed? Jeez." Nami's attempt to change the subject failed miserably.
Robin recognised her tactics and didn't take the bait. She reached over and poked Nami on the shoulder. "You did, didn't you?"
Nami paused and mentally sighed in defeat. A single nod confirmed Robin's question and the archaeologist couldn't help but giggle with a dash of pride. "You really know how to show a guy your intentions don't you."
Robin's giggles stopped as Nami lightly kicked her friend's shin with her foot. The navigator blushed as she relived the wonderful memory and pouted.
"Baka."
Sea Surface. 20 minutes into phase 2 of the training session.
A right to left diagonal slash on the chest dispelled one of the last remaining phase two clones.
Naruto spotted the last two clones standing next to each to each other, he threw his katana with insane speed and accuracy into one of the clone's chest. As soon as the hilt left his hand, Naruto used a raiton shunshin to follow his blade.
The katana reached its target and the original pulled the sword from his chest before the clone disappeared and slashed the final clone with another slash to the chest.
The real Naruto straightened himself and faced the last remaining three hundred or so shadow clones and smiled. His breath was faintly fatigued and the twitching in his muscles was fairly evident. But it was nothing he wasn't used to, he still had plenty of chakra and stamina for his favourite part of training.
The blond sheathed his sword and took a deep breath. "Phase three! NINJUTSU!"
Girl's room
"How do you think people fall in love?"
Nami's eyes expanded as she stared into Angel's sleeping face. "That's a rather deep question for a mid-night chat don't you think? What suddenly brought this on?"
Robin shrugged lightly. "Nothing really-" She lied beautifully. "I'm only curious as to why people feel what they feel. Emotions are what motivates us to be who we are today and love, apparently, is the strongest emotion of them all."
"Wait-" Nami spun around to meet Robin in the eyes. "Are you telling me you've never been in love before?" She questioned with fear.
Robin smiled but expressed no emotions. "Never had the privilege to. I've been running away from my past for so long that love was never a necessity for me."
Nami's expression fell. "Oh, I'm sorry, I never knew." The navigator took Robin's hand and squeezed it gently. "Don't worry, I'm sure the perfect guy for you is out there somewhere Robin, I know he is. You know what, I bet he's closer than you think he is." She reassured optimistically. "You watch, I bet you'll fall over heels for the next cute guy we see on the next island."
Robin's smiled at her supportive friend.
"Thanks but I was kind of hoping you could answer my previous question?"
Nami was taken aback. "What? Me?" She released Robin's hand, sat on the bed and leaned on the backboard. "Why me?" she asked flustered.
Robin followed Nami's action and leaned on the backboard. "Well, you love Naruto-san don't you?"
Nami blushed and waved her hands to dismiss Robin's claims. "Love? What- I don't think-" Nami could hear her heart beat in her ears. "I mean, I like him in a way I've never liked anyone else before and it's different but I think it's still a little too early to be calling it love?"
Robin's interest peaked. "I see. So, what is it about him that you like exactly?"
Sea Surface. 5 minutes into phase three of the training session.
Summersaulting and cartwheeling from left to right, gracefully evading the elements, Naruto continues to dodge water attacks, streams of lightning and harsh slashes of wind from the army of clones in front of him.
Although some of these jutsu were too close for comfort, Naruto had the biggest smile on his face. He truly missed this sensation of training.
Naruto danced around a kunai that missed his cheeks by centimetres and advanced. The sudden approach from the original stunned clones for a moment to allow Naruto to perform a single set of hand signs.
Naruto took a deep breath to expel his jutsu. "Wind style – Vacuum Blast!"
A whip like stream of violent wind targeted the mass of shadow clones. The ocean surface begun to shake as a good, small handful of Naruto's shadow clones were eliminated from the razor sharp winds.
Another small group of clones who survived the attack leaped up into the air and charged their hands with a lightning jutsu.
The original recognised the jutsu they were planning to use and a small smirk curved his lips. 'They're really not holding back are they… good.'
Quick as a flash, Naruto ripped his the bandage from his wrist seal and summoned a single shuriken.
The airborne clones had gathered enough chakra and aimed at their creator. "Lightning style – Lightning Beast Running Jutsu!"
Twenty black lightning shaped wolves appeared in the sky and charge at the original.
By now, Naruto balanced the single shuriken on his finger and applied wind chakra to spin the weapon violently. Satisfied with his jutsu, Naruto threw the wind enforced shuriken towards the pack of raging lightning wolves and quickly completed another set of hand signs.
"Wind style – Wind Shuriken Clone Jutsu!"
Naruto's wind shuriken multiplied to outnumber the attacking wolves two to one. The superior wind jutsu sliced through the lightning wolves with ease and their individual casters in the process.
With the airborne threat handled, Naruto's attention was snapped to the familiar sound of wind jutsu.
His mind exploded with rage as he spotted one of his shadow clones was attempting to form a Rasenshuriken.
"Oi! You! What the hell do you think you're doing?! We can't be setting of explosions in the middle of the night or we'll wake everyone on the ship! Then it will be me who's gonna face an angry navigator in the morning!"
The guilty clone twitched and dispelled his jutsu. He rubbed the back of his neck and smiled awkwardly. "Oh yeah, I forgot about that. My bad, I was sort of lost in the moment."
The surrounding Naruto's shook their heads. "What an idiot." "How could he forget something like that?" "Do you know how angry Nami would get if we woke her up." "Nah, what about Zoro?" "Zoro would probably sleep straight through it like nothing happened." "Yeah, you're right."
A vein popped in the original Naruto's forehead. "Do you guys want to talk there all night or do you want to do some actual training?"
Girl's room.
"What I like about him? I see you're as straight forward as always." Nami joked and hugged her knees.
"You're the one to talk." Robin countered happily.
"Good point." Nami placed her chin in between her knees and contemplated. "Well, let's see… you have seen training shirtless haven't you?" She smirked playfully earning a giggle from the older women.
"Yes I have, but seriously. I truly am intrigued, what makes Naruto-san so special in your eyes?"
Nami had to really think about her answer, not because she couldn't find one but because she wanted to prioritise the most significant answers.
"I guess it has to be the way he makes me feel." Nami answered simply.
"Feel?" Robin question dubiously.
"Yeah, it's hard to explain but its like, when I'm around him, I feel like I could do anything, you know. I feel safe and secure as if I don't have to worry about anything because I know he'll be there to support me. I also love the feeling when I'm talking to him, it's so easy and fun. He always knows how to make me laugh and how to make me feel better about myself and… I can't see my life without him anymore." Nami sensed the atmosphere drop from the emotional comment. She smiled happily to lift the mood.
"He's kind of like Luffy in a way but less obsessed with meat and a little more matured?"
Robin giggled at the valid comparison. "I can see that."
Nami smiled but then scrunched her brows. "Unlike Luffy, whenever Naruto's talking to me, it feels like he's only talking to me, it's like him and I are the only two people left in the world, and I like that. He doesn't get distracted every time Sanji puts something on the table."
Talking about Luffy rang alarm bells in Nami's head. She had to avoid giving hints about her secret relationship with Luffy although she suspects Robin always knew but never talked about the topic.
"But when all's said and done-" Nami continued. "What I really like- no, what I admire about Naruto is his will to carry on with his life. We both know that he had a pretty terrible childhood, he wasn't loved by very many, everyone in his home isolated him and he was always running away from something. I'm sure you and I can relate to that-"
Robin gave a small nod.
"And just like us, Naruto suffered and fought to feel like he belonged in a part of something bigger, something that made him feel accepted and can call home." Nami continued gravely.
"Then in one moment, one dreadful moment, he lost it all in a blink of an eye." Nami tightened her hold around her knees she begun to lose control of her emotions.
"Everything he knew, everything loved, everything he's worked for in his whole life gone in a matter of seconds." The girl fought back the sensation of oncoming tears. "How is that fair? How do you expect anyone to possibly recover from something like that?"
Pools of tears begun to gather in her eyes. "Because I know If it was me and I lost you, Luffy, and everyone, even Zoro, I don't think I'll be able to live another day."
A single drop of tear ran down Nami's face.
Speechless Robin was about to place a reassuring hand, the older women was interrupted by a tiny smile on Nami's lips.
"But yet, here he is-" Nami's said cheerfully. "Smiling, training, making new friends, living a brand new life. Being able to go through what he did and still be able to get out of bed in the morning, I admire him so much for that." Nami's tears disappeared and the navigator smiled brightly.
Sea Surface. 15 minutes into phase three of the training session.
Naruto clenched his fists as his breathing hardened. He's been forced to overuse ETS, dishing and dodging jutsu after jutsu nonstop for several minutes now. He felt his chakra reserves pass its half way point with the last water jutsu he used. His clothes are torn in numerous areas, minor scratches littered his body but his will was still fired up for more.
His best guest, less than two hundred shadow clones remain standing. He gave a cold deadly stare at his opponents.
"ARE YOU TELLING ME THAT THIS IS THE BEST THAT YOU CAN DO!?"
Girl's room
Robin placed a supportive hand on Nami's shoulder. "You know, you don't have to worry about losing us, we are not going anywh-"
A faint, familiar voice slashed Robin's sentence short. The two women looked at each other in bewilderment.
"Did you hear something just now?" Robin questioned.
Nami sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. "It's probably Naruto, before he left I bumped into him and told me he was going to train." Nami's angered face the direction of the voice. "I told the baka to take it easy but I guess he forgot all about it, I'll tell him off later."
Robin giggled at Nami's sudden change of character towards Naruto and formed an idea. "You wanna go outside and watch?"
Main deck.
The ladies found themselves leaning on the side of the ship with big fur jackets to protect them from the cold night breeze. The girls used binoculars to gain a better view of the battle, and what a battle it was.
"He doesn't know what it means to take it easy does he?" Robin teased.
"I don't think he even knows what the word 'easy' means." Nami replied bluntly.
Robin removed the binoculars to face her friend. "It seems like you really like him, Nami."
The navigator held the binoculars to hide her blush.
Robin took her silence as confirmation and asked. "Is she stopping you from telling Naruto-san how you feel?"
Nami lowered the binoculars, stared sadly unto the ocean surface and nodded. "It wouldn't be fair on him if I tell him. It's obvious that he's still in love with her even if he says he doesn't want to be-" Nami folded her arms.
Sakura's smiling face flashed in Nami's memory and the navigator studied her features in great detail. Sakura's flawless complexion, soft delicate features, the diagonal shaped mark on her forehead, the red hairband around her pink, short hair, her alluring bright green eyes and in the end, she couldn't blame Naruto for loving Sakura, she was beautiful.
The kunoichi's voice rang in Nami's mind.
~let me tell you a secret Naruto, your feelings for me will never change, and they never will~
The Cat Burglar shook her head to remove the thoughts and continued.
"They've known each other for most of their lives, Robin. She's the only person he's ever loved, how can I compete with someone like that?"
The older women sympathised for her friend. Robin nudged closer to make their shoulders touch. "Well I for one am shocked. Did I just hear Nami give up on something that she wants?
Nami chuckled lightly and rolled her eyes.
"Nami, listen to me, I may not have a lot of experience with real romance but I know you can't give up on this. I've never seen you happier than when you are with Naruto-san. So what if he's still hung up on her, so what if they've known each other for a longer time. What matters is that he said he wants to move on, he wants to start a new life and he'll probably want to share it with someone one day. And from what I heard about your kiss, that someone could still possibly be you?"
Nami shrugged lightly. "I'm not so sure about that, I mean, after that kiss, some days I notice signs of him taking a liking into me but other days he treats me nothing more than a friend. I can never tell what he's thinking and it's a little frustrating." Nami sighed. "I'm so pathetic, what am I going to do?"
Robin smiled supportively. "Well I'm not surprised you feel that way. Considering his past, I believe his current or former crush for his friend is disabling him from offering or accepting any romantic feelings from others."
Nami met Robin in the eyes. "What do you mean?"
"I believe Naruto-san's irregular signals may be caused by intimate feelings towards you. I think on either a conscious or subconscious level, he may be restraining himself from romantic relationships until he's completely over his friend Sakura. Maybe sometimes he accidently shows signs of attraction to you but covers his mistakes with friendship. That perhaps explains why sometimes he treats you like a friend while occasionally shows signs of intimacy. If that is the case then maybe your kiss, bikinis and choice of attire have been making it a little difficult to accomplish his plans." Robin commented with awkward happiness.
Nami flustered and looked in the other direction. "Wow, I've never thought about it like that before? You really think he likes me? "
Robin smiled happily "It's possible."
"So what do you think I should do? Do I give him space? Should I talk to him?"
"Space, yes, distance, no. Don't give him too much space or he'll start to think your avoiding him and he'll become suspicious. Be around him, be his friend because that's exactly what he needs right now. Most importantly, give him time to figure out what he wants. Time can fix anything, even a broken heart."
Nami's eyes begun to brighten from Robin's wisdom.
"And then, when he's ready, he'll realises how truly beautiful, smart and kind you are. Then soon enough, I'm sure he'll be doing everything he can to gain your attention."
Nami smiled happily and felt a surge of confidence growing within her. The answer to her problems was so obvious and yet simple. She gave Robin a thankfully but also impressed smile. "You really are a great friend you know that, Robin."
The archaeologist blushed from the compliment as Nami continued.
"No I mean it, you say you're inexperience with romance but you sure know how to give amazing advice when it comes around the subject."
The older women giggled and used her fingers to cover her mouth. "Don't get me wrong, I am inexperienced with love. However, I do have a handsome amount of experience in reading other people's behaviour and finding meaning in them."
Nami hummed with joking suspicion and squinted her eyes. "Really now-" She leaned in closer and poked Robin's ribs. "I don't buy it, are you sure you're not hiding a secret boyfriend away from me or something?"
The older women's blush deepen and hid her face. "Eh? Me? Secret boyfriend, don't be ridiculous."
Konoha
*Click, Click, Clunk*
Sasuke withdrew the key from his front door and entered his home.
It was late in the evening and it was a long, tiring day for the Uchiha. He finally understood why the Hokage complained about paperwork so much.
The one highlight of his day however happened mere moments ago.
FLASHBACK
"Everyone's gone home already, you should be getting some rest too, taichou." A women gracefully enters the office.
The sitting Sasuke never took his eyes off the paper on his table.
"Thanks Shizune, I'm almost done here so don't worry. And please, just 'Sasuke' would suffice."
The dark haired women smiled sheepishly as she hid an item behind her back.
"Is there any way I could be of assistance?" Sasuke questioned with divided attention.
"Actually, I came here to assist you."
Shizune's upbeat voice and vague words had Sasuke looking up his desk.
"This is from Lady Tsunade, she said it was time for you to be reunited with it. After all, the next Hokage is going to need his weapon of choice."
A stunned Sasuke rose to his feet to view the black scabbard and hilt of a certain weapon.
"That's-"
There, laid in Shizune's hands was Sasuke's former katana, Kusanagi.
"Yup, it's been three years since The Council confiscated it. Now I'm returning it its rightful owner." Shizune extended her offer by taking a step forward.
Sasuke recovered from the shock and joy of seeing his old weapon. He respectfully reached and received the katana and examined it in detail. "It doesn't look a day older than when I handed it in." He unsheathed the blade with a tantalising ring. The weapon shone against the light as Sasuke savoured this moment.
"Lady Tsunade went to great lengths in preserving it. I think she always knew this day was going to happen, just, not as soon as it did of course." Shizune smiled as Sasuke sheathed Kusanagi.
The Uchiha nodded. "Please extend my gratitude to the Hokage."
Shizune's smiled and returned the nod.
As Sasuke safely relocates the blade before continuing to work, something on Shizune's mind causes her expression to fall. "Don't take this the wrong way but I think it goes without saying, I was kinda hoping I would be congratulating Naruto on becoming Hokage-"
Sasuke paused and listened. What Shizune said may have sounded insulting if taken at face value but beneath her words laid so much pain and sadness. This wasn't about Sasuke, it was about how much she missed her friend.
"I was a little surprised to hear Lady Tsunade selecting you to be her successor at first. However, I know that as much as Naruto would hate his rival living out his dream, I also know he would be proud of you. You've really showed everyone that you've changed and you've done so much for the village in the last three years. That's why I'm confident that you'll become a fine Hokage someday."
Wordless Sasuke remained quiet as Shizune's words dawn on him. He did his absolute best to hide his conflicted emotions from surfacing.
END OF FLASHBACK
Sasuke placed his keys on the kitchen counter and proceeded to the living room. The Uchiha's accommodations wasn't luxury but it wasn't poverty neither. The layout shared similarities to Naruto's old apartment but much cleaner, more organised and spacious.
Glamour and size never bothered Sasuke or influence his taste, as long as it was functional it was enough for him.
The last Uchiha adjusted Kusanagi on his waist as he bathed in the darkness of the room. He actually preferred the near pitch black room especially after work when his eyes are sore from reading.
His casual stroll to his living room sofa came to an abrupt end as his shinobi senses detected someone's presence.
He ripped his blade out from its scabbard and instantly blocked two powerful slashes from another sword.
Sasuke was forced to take a step back as his assailant disappeared into the shadows. He readied himself into a fighting stance and waited. 'An assassination attempt already? They sure work fast.'
Sasuke sensed and blocked another slash from the attacker. But this time the silent intruder and Sasuke met in a stalemate. Their weapons rubbed and their faces met.
Well, from Sasuke's perspective, face met mask.
A miniscule smirk formed on his lips as he identified the assailant. "I thought the ANBU would have had a new set of orders by now-" Sasuke intimidated as their blades created friction. "Don't you guys have anything better to do than follow me around?"
The face behind the mask smiled. "You are correct, Uchiha-san. The Hokage ended my team's five year mission of monitoring your activities prematurely tonight-" The ANBU replied while the two struggled for supremacy. "Now that I don't have to baby sit you I can do whatever the hell I want." The attacker hissed with cockiness.
Sasuke released an amused "Hmph."
The ANBU attacker broke their stalemate and the two sword masters exchanged several powerful blows before reuniting in another standstill. "You've gotten rusty, Uchiha-san. Your speed is inadequate, your footwork is a mess and you failed to identify my presence till the very last second. Naruto wouldn't even consider you as a challenge in your current state." The assailant said in amusement.
Sasuke smirked and his gripped on his weapon tightened. "Well some of us haven't had the luxury to train for three years straight."
"Excuses."
"Excuses? Do I need to remind you that I'm living with a seal that prohibits me from using chakra." Sasuke countered while he smirk grew. "Wait, if I'm putting up a fight against you without chakra then perhaps you're the one who's rusty?" He replied playfully.
The attacking ANBU ended their stalemate, took a step back and slowly removed her mask. "That was a little uncalled for?" She teased as her identity was revealed.
Beautiful features, dark red lipstick, long purple hair. "Is that any way to talk to your lover?" Uzuki Yugao asked playfully with one hand on her hip.
Sasuke smirked, sheathed his katana and shrugged. "You were the one who started it." He replied simply and walked towards his room.
"I didn't expect the first time I would use my sword again would be against you on my own living room floor." Sasuke said. "And Uchiha-san?"
"It was just a little role play." Yugao defended herself cheerfully. "And attacking you was also for a little fun, I was curious to see if you still had it after all these years." Yugao smiled as Sasuke kept walking. "You can't tell me that you didn't find some shred of entertainment from our little play fight?"
With his eyes shut, Sasuke smiled, shook his head and walked past the ANBU towards his room.
Likewise, Yugao sheathed her blade. "Ahh, Do I not get a kiss? Not even a hug? You're such a gentleman." She crossed her arms and pretended to be angry but failed miserably.
"After attacking me and saying Naruto's stronger, you'll be lucky to get to sleep in the same bed as me tonight." Sasuke countered tastefully. He turned his head to view her for a second before entering his room. "Oh, that reminds me, we need to work on your greeting skills."
Yugao rolled her eyes. "Ha, Ha, so the famous Uchiha isn't as humourless as they say."
She took a step and followed him in his bedroom. "But you know, if I'm not allowed to sleep in the same bed as you tonight then the things I had planned for later would be pretty difficult to accomplish." She purred seductively, crossed her arms and leaned on the door frame.
Sasuke sidestepped her lustful comment with a sneer. He opened his wardrobe and remove his shirt.
The first thing Yugao noticed was the small seal formulas on Sasuke's right shoulder. "Strictly speaking, I'm here on a request from Lady Tsunade."
Sasuke remained quiet and inspected his choices for clothes as Yugao carried on. "She asks you to stop by her office tomorrow so she can remove that seal on your shoulder, sixth Hokage." Yugao pulled a proud smile on her lips but Sasuke could only flinch and nod. "Why didn't you tell me that you were going to accept her offer? That would have given me more time to plan something special?"
Sasuke's face was devoid of emotion, all that happiness he displayed earlier disappeared in an instant which worried the ANBU member.
Yugao departed from the door frame, walked behind her lover and wrapped her arms around him tightly. Since Sasuke's a couple of inches taller than her, Yugao placed her chin on his shoulder. "The last time we spoke about this you were unsure whether or not you wanted the position. What made you do it?"
New World, Sea Surface. 25 minutes into phase 3 of the training session.
A panting Naruto found himself completely surrounded by his clones. He was now the epicentre of a kill zone with only a good handful of chakra left. However, the remaining thirty shadow clones around him remained still.
Naruto finally regained his breath and scanned his environment. He spots a single shadow clone flash a set of hand signs and readied himself.
The next moment, a layer of mist begun to cover the immediate area. As the seconds ticked by, the mist became thicker and thicker to the point of zero visibility.
The silent killing was now in process.
Naruto relaxed his body, he reminded himself to stay calm and never lose focus. It was the only way to survive this ordeal especially with thirty trained silent killers on the hunt.
To Naruto, the night was dead. No noise, no sight. Even on water, the clones made no noise on the ocean's surface. It truly is an intimidating situation to be in.
Naruto's condition may have been bleak, but he had an advantage over the clones.
He studied and copies Zabuza's method of the silent killing, and since the clones are an extension to himself, he was pretty confident on where and when the clones will engage. On the other hand, if the clones have thought of this, Naruto would anticipate and decapitate, ether way was fine with him.
In the end, Naruto closed his eyes and concentrated.
Sasuke's Apartment
"The last time we spoke about this you were unsure whether or not you wanted the position. What made you do it?"
Sasuke took hold of Yugao's arms around his waist. "I didn't agree to become the village's next Hokage because I wanted to, I did it because Tsunade believes I'm the best person for the job and I'm not going to neglect the Leaf of a bright future."
He looked down onto where Yugao's hands interlocked. "Though I'm happy with the way things are for me right now. I love my job, I love what I do… to be honest with you, one of the main reasons I accepted Tsunade's offer was so I could be a shinobi again and have your team of ANBU off my back."
Yugao smiled on his naked shoulder. "Well it's good to know where our next Hokage's intentions are." She joked playfully.
Sasuke smiled but only slightly before his seriousness returned. "You have no idea how much I wanted Naruto to be the Sixth, Yugao. He was the one that's supposed to lead this village, not me. He deserved it more than anyone in the Leaf."
Sasuke's grip on Yugao's arms grew by a fraction as his eyes hardened. "Doesn't this whole thing feel wrong to you? I've done terrible things in my past and I've made so many mistakes, so why am I the one living Naruto's dream when I haven't earned it or even wanted it in the first place." Sasuke's voice deepened.
"It doesn't make any sense? Naruto worked his whole life to be in the position that I'm in while I get it handed to me on a silver platter. What a joke."
Yugao felt every spec of Sasuke's sadness and frustration radiating of him as she hugs his naked back. His words and everything attached to them reached deep within her as if his feelings were her own.
She knows that Sasuke isn't as emotionally open in public compared to when he and she are alone together, their relationship has earned her the right to see this side of him. However, this is the most that she's seen him so open about his feelings.
Yugao released him from her arms and Sasuke turned to see her face. She reached both arms over his shoulders and pulled him down with one hand on the back of his neck, the other, his head.
She stared deep into his eyes and said. "Listen to me okay, yes you've done things and yes you've made mistakes, but name me a person who hasn't? You're not that same man anymore, Sasuke. It doesn't matter what mistakes you've made in the past, what matters is how you make up for those mistakes in the future."
Sasuke looked down on the floor while Yugao pulls him down so their foreheads meet. "To me, you've already made up for your faults. For the last three years I've watched you slaving yourself in your work to help this village. You've worked to the bone in order to make our home a better place to live and you've accomplished that, it's actually one of the many reason why I fell for you."
Yugao smiled lovingly before continuing. "It's not just the Leaf who are grateful for your hard work, Sasuke. If it wasn't for you and your team, the entire shinobi world would no longer exist. We'd all be wrapped up living our own little dream world where nothing is real. This village, this room, this moment, this love I have for you, none of it would be here if it wasn't for you."
Sasuke looked up to meet Yugao's loving eyes.
"If it's any consolation-" Yugao added. "I agree with Lady Tsunade. I believe you are the best person for job, only because Naruto isn't here of course." She teased with the truth.
Sasuke chuckled lightly. "Don't you think you're being a little bias because you were his sensei once?"
Yugao smiled passively. She sidestepped his question and returned to serious manners. "I know how much wanted Naruto to become Hokage, trust me so did I, but it wasn't meant to be. You shouldn't be worrying about why or how you've gotten yourself in this positon. What you need to be worry about is how you're going to fulfil your duties as Hokage. You agreed to this Sasuke, whether you wanted it or not, you need to take responsibility for that."
He shook his head. "I am, I swear, I was always going to take my role as Hokage seriously. But you're absolutely right, now's not the time for questions, I need to prepare to be the Leafs next leader."
"Yes, yes you do."
"But, I'm not going to be just any Hokage, I'm going to be the Hokage Naruto would have been. I'm going to do this for him, for his dream."
Overwhelmed with a sense of pride, the two lovers smiled lovingly at one another and leaned in for a blissful kiss.
New World, Sea Surface.
Was it minutes or was it hours he quietly stood in the misty kill zone of this jutsu.
It didn't matter, Naruto was busy concentrating.
Then some time later, it finally happened.
A kunai was thrown to Naruto's side aimed straight for his head.
Naruto sensed the incoming weapon, leaned back, caught the kunai with a finger through its ring hole, spun the kunai around his finger and threw it back into the mist behind him, all with eyes closed.
The thrown kunai dispelled the attacking shadow clone, Naruto anticipated and knew where that clone was going to move after throwing that kunai.
The area became quiet once again. It seemed after Naruto's display of skill made the clones hesitant.
That was fine with Naruto, his moment of focus was done.
He prepared himself and performed a set of hand signs at blinding speeds.
"Raikiri!"
With his eyes tight shut, Naruto charged into the mist with black lightning covered hand.
He stroked down one shadow clone with a jab to the chest and disappeared to find another, and another, and another. His speed with the lightning blade was unstoppable especially in this mist where he can surprise the unexpected shadow clones.
He ripped his hand through the back of another clone and dashed away to find his next victim.
This massacre isn't due to Naruto finding his targets and eliminating them. In his time of focus, Naruto tracked, calculated and anticipated each and every one of the clone's movements. As he attacks, he's not entirely sure if a target would be there at all, he is running purely on calculated instincts.
His Raikiri hand smashed through another clone's chest, said clone disappeared but Naruto maintained the pose.
He straightened his posture as a new development was in the process. Judging by the noise of footsteps on the water, the clones seemed to have abandoned their old strategy and form up a new one. A full on frontal attack.
The footsteps were coming and all towards Naruto.
The original dispelled the lightning blade in his hands as the remaining 15 Naruto clones rushed their creator from every side with a violent rasengans in their hands. Surface, air, left, right, behind, he was completely surrounded and he knew it.
Naruto jumped into the air as hands sprang into action to complete another set of hands signs as fast as possible.
"Lightning style – Human Shock Wave Jutsu!"
His body radiated a layer of black lightning taking shape of a sphere. The bubble of lightning surged in an outward explosion causing electrical damage to all the attacking shadow clones.
Landing on his feet, Naruto congratulated himself for thinking to jump into the air before releasing that jutsu otherwise he would have been a casualty himself.
With the silent killers deceased, the thick mist begun to dissipate into nothingness.
Naruto finally opened his eyes as fully visibility returned.
Much to Naruto's pleasure, standing in front of him, a single, lone shadow clone endured. Truthfully, this was planned from the beginning. The last shadow clone always remains for one final push.
Naruto smiled as he sees the clone preparing to layer his hand with Raikiri.
"You might as well transform into Sasuke while you're at it!" Naruto yelled over with excitement.
The last clone smirked and obliged.
A poof of smoke signalled the arrival of the new Sasuke.
"Good to see you again, Dobe. It's been a while, where've you been?"
Naruto shrugged his shoulders and played along. "Oh you know, travelling around, being a pirate, all that stuff."
Sasuke smirked at the sight of his friend. "What's with the hair? Couldn't see with all those bangs in your eyes? I told you to get a haircut."
Naruto grinned sheepishly and ran a hand through the back of his hair. "Oh you mean this? Well I thought it was time for a change being in a new universe and all?" Naruto flinched. "Wait! Can we get back to business here, I really wanna finish this off."
Sasuke shrugged just slightly with a smile. "Whatever you say, just don't go crying to Nami when I wipe he floor with you."
Naruto blushed then pointed angrily at his friend. "Hey! Don't bring Nami into this! Sasuke wouldn't even know who she is in the first place you stupid clone!"
At this point, Sasuke had already performed the hands signs and was charging his hand with the jutsu.
"I swear these clones are getting cheekier by the day." Naruto complained under his breath before shifting into his stance and readying his hand.
He took a moment to evaluate the amount of chakra he had left, it wasn't a lot. It was a long and intense training session designed to run his chakra reserves dry. With all the jutsu he executed in phase three and the abusive use of ETS in phase two and three, Naruto was sure that this next jutsu could be his last.
"Oh well, go big or go home right?"
Naruto readied his right hand and formed a rampant rasengan in quick succession.
"You ready Sasuke?" An upbeat Naruto asked.
Sasuke steadied his attacking arm and smirked. "Let's finish this, Naruto."
Naruto smiled happily. "Man, does this bring back memories."
The two males exchanged looks before charging at one another at full speed.
"Rasengan!" "Chidori!"
Sasuke's Apartment.
Yugao's and Sasuke's lips slowly parted and the two stared into one another's eyes with burning passion.
It was Yugao who smiled and gave her lover another quick peck on the lips before removing the katana on her back and sat on the edge of Sasuke's bed.
"Oh by the way-" Yugao said, her cheeky tone of voice put Sasuke on edge. "I saw your kiss with Sakura today."
Sasuke froze.
"So… how was she?" She gave him those accusing eyes with a mischievous smile.
Sasuke looked away and scratch the back of his head. "That um, that was nothing. It's not what it looked like, there was a valid explanation for that kiss."
Yugao giggled softly. "Sasuke relax, I was only kidding. Do you really think I'd be the type to get jealous over something like that?"
Sasuke breathed a small sigh of relief.
"The only reason I'm not jealous is because I know your type. Even when you was in the academy you were never into girls your age. Who could have guessed the captain of Konoha's police force was into older women." Yugao smiled devilishly then laid on her back on Sasuke's bed.
Shaking his head at his lover's playful yet valid analysis, the shirtless man sat and laid down next to the ANBU as she said.
"Since you're the Sixth Hokage, does that mean we can make our relationship public knowledge? Because to be honest with you, this one year secret relationship is getting a little tiring-"
Sasuke agreed but said nothing.
"I mean at first it was kind of fun and exciting but now it's become a bit of an inconvenience. I can barely get my team a day off so we can spend some time alone together anymore."
Sasuke continued ceiling watching. "Technically, I'm not the sixth Hokage until a few months from now, so first let's hope Naruto gets back to the Leaf before then… wherever he is. If that doesn't happen, only a small handful of people know about this including team 7 and your ANBU team. I think it would be much simpler to reveal our relationship when Tsunade makes the official announcement, that way the whole village will know at the same time instead of us having to tell people individually."
Yugao also stared at the ceiling in acceptance. "Sounds reasonable, we've kept our secret from everyone for a year now, what's a few more months? But, till then, since I'm no longer assigned to observe you, we can finally spend some time together."
Yugao smiled and grabbed Sasuke's hand with hers. They interlocked fingers as her expression fell
"I also think it's better if we wait. If my superiors somehow find out I've been dating the person who I was assigned to observe during the mission, I'd be punished and exiled from the ANBU black ops."
Yugao tightened her hold on Sasuke's hand. "But when they hear you're the next Hokage, there isn't much that they could do about it then." She smiled.
The Uchiha turned his head to meet Yugao in the eyes and spoke almost in a worrying tone. "Are you sure you want to do this? I don't really care what people think about me but you have a reputation and a career in the ANBU. I don't want you to jeopardise that because of my past."
Yugao smiled softly at Sasuke's considerate side. She cupped his cheeks with her hand and rubbed it with the pad of her thumb.
"I told you already, most citizens are so grateful for what you've done for the village that they've forgiven your old transgressions. But yes, some people in the ANBU will think what we have is wrong but I don't care about that, I don't care what my superior thinks. Some of my friends will question it at first but I know they'll be supportive in the end."
"They'll probably ask about the age gap." Sasuke stated.
Yugao laughed and shook her head. "Do I really come off as someone who would stop being with the one I love because of something as trivial as a number?"
Sasuke smirked lightly. The age gap between them never bothered him, in fact he liked it. Yugao was more matured than girls his age. But despite their year long relationship, Sasuke was never sure if she thought along similar lines.
Yugao nudged closer so their faces were inches away. "I know what I'm doing, Sasuke. I know what I want and I know why I love you. So please, just be with me. You don't need to worry about my work because as long as I have you, I won't need anything else."
Sasuke's eyes softened under her loving gaze. "I love you, Yugao." Sasuke's stare intensified and he leaned closer. "I've never spoken those words to anyone before in my entire life."
Yugao's heart overflowed with emotions. It wasn't the first time he said those three magic words and he doesn't say it often but she loves to hear them.
"I know, I love you too, Sasuke."
Yugao leaned in and the two lover's lips met for a beautiful, tantalising kiss.
New World, Sea Surface.
Naruto's breath was rapid and intense. He stood alone with only the vast empty ocean for company and minimum chakra in his disposal.
The memory of Naruto's rasengan out powering the fake Sasuke's black Chidori flashed in his mind and a small smile curve his lips.
"And the rasengan wins again. Sorry Sasuke, you were never going to win that one buddy."
A quick analysis of his physical and jutsu attributes caused his fists to clench.
'Okay good, I'm not paranoid. Now that I've pushed myself, I can really tell I'm running on about ninety percent of what I'm capable of.'
Naruto finally regained his breath. 'I can't allow myself to get lazy and weak right now. I have to get stronger in order to protect my nakama from 'The Chosen Ones.'
The image of his rasengan and the fake Sasuke's Chidori making contact sparked certain neurons in Naruto's head.
'I think it's time I try to master that jutsu again.'
AN-
Whaaaattttt? Sasuke accepted the role of next Hokage and is dating Yugao? How the hell did this happen!?
If you're curious as to why and how Yugao and Sasuke are in a relationship, I'm sorry but that won't be explained for a very long time, though I promise it's believable. I really wanted to humanise Sasuke in this chapter and show there is a deeper side to him, a more emotional, intimate side.
And as for Sasuke being Hokage, everyone told me not to do it but don't worry it will all work out and there will be a happy ending for all readers. Just going to have to wait and see. Go easy on the flaming lol.
Much to some readers delight, this will be the last chapter that includes a Konoha scenes for a long while. It will all be Naruto and the Straw Hat crew for a good while.
I'm sorry for the slow pace of the story at the moment. This chapter and the previous one was originally meant to be one whole chapter but the words kept going and I had to separate them.
What's going on in Robin's head? What is this answer she's leaning towards?
What's Zoro's point of view about all this? What is he thinking? Find out in the next chapter where we're finally introduced to the main villains.
Name of next chapter – The Chosen Ones.
Peace.