Disclaimer: Naruto and all things related to it are the property of Kishimoto. This is only further proven true because he updates his series more often then I do, heheh.

Chapter 27: The Sixth

(Sakura's P.O.V)

I stood in the middle of training ground twenty-eight, straining to keep my legs from wobbling.

"One...one more time..." I held out my right hand, and focused chakra into it. I began to create a spiraling motion with it, and a perfect sphere of spinning chakra became visible, the blue color giving off a faint light. I focused on a boulder in front, of me, and let out a breath before rushing at it with my weapon in hand, "Rasengan!!"

The boulder erupted into various sized portions, dust flitting into the air. I fell to my knees, but remained upright otherwise.

The sound of someone landing behind me caused me to turn around with my fist cocked back. I looked for a brief moment, and noticed the boar mask and blond hair of an ANBU ninja...only one kunoichi within ANBU had such hair.

"Geez, Sakura, you do realize that the boulders we have here aren't replaced that often, right?" spoke Ino as she pulled her mask to the side. I chuckled a bit as she gave me a hand up.

"Whatever, I'm done for the day anyway..." I noticed the bright smile on her face, "What?"

"It's Naruto." My eyes widened, "He's awake!"

"What?! No way!!" I began to head towards the hospital, but felt my legs give in a bit.

Ino caught me before I fell, "Here, I'll help. You're not nearly as heavy as Naruto, and I've carried that idiot too many times to count during missions..."

About ten minutes later, with Ino's help we both reached the hospital. I took a moment to try and clean off the dirt and grime from my face, and the two of us headed to the room where Naruto was being treated in.

When we reached the room, I was not surprised to see the rest of ANBU squad Fifteen, along with Kakashi, Rin, Jiraiya, Shizune, and Tsunade there as well.

"Sakura, glad you made it. Someone here was waiting for you." Tsunade spoke, and I turned to see a grinning Naruto laying in the bed.

"Naruto!" I bear-hugged the blond boy, and felt myself shaking a bit, "Damn it...you're alive..." I tightened my grip on him.

"Heheh, it's okay, Sakura-chan, I'm fine. I promise!" Naruto spoke as he held me as well.

"Baka...how many times are you going to go and defy death on me?" I asked as I felt a few tears crawl down my face. I looked to see him smiling, his eyes showing understanding towards my feelings.

"Sakura...don't cry...okay? This is a day I want to remember as a happy one..."

Naruto turned to Tsunade, who simply nodded to him. I raised an eyebrow, and watched as everyone left the room. Soon it was just me and him, "Naruto...what's-?"

"Sakura...do you remember when I took you to the shopping district for your birthday last spring?"

"Yeah...what about it?"

Naruto pulled out a scroll, and I noted something. It had various seals on it. One was a chakra seal, the other a blood seal of sorts. Naruto bit his thumb, and then looked to me, "Um...I'm going to need you to apply some blood and chakra as well..."

I did as he asked, and watched as the seal fell off. Naruto unraveled the scroll slowly, and told me to close my eyes. I heard a puff of smoke as he released whatever object he was holding, and then he held my hand a bit, "Naruto?"

"Hold on, we're going for a quick ride, okay?"

"What are you-gaahh!" I opened my eyes to see Naruto holding me tightly as we flew out the window of the hospital. He hopped up to the top of the hospital roof, and then I watched as he made a seal. I felt everything blur as he used a quick teleportation technique, and I blinked a few times as we were suddenly standing on top of the Hokage faces. I looked to see the sun slowly descending into a beautiful sunset. I turned to see Naruto facing me, a smile that reflected the light off his face. He held my hand tightly, his gaze never leaving mine.

"...Sakura...I had some very interesting experiences while I was...comatose...I came to realize something though." He turned my palm up, and with his other hand, dropped something in it while covering it with his hand, gripping my hands with a firm, yet gentle grip, "...I realized that you are by far the most important part of my life...I can't see my future without you there..."

His hands were shaking a bit, yet I saw him continuing to smile, "I-I know that I'm not always the smartest or most ideal man at times..."

"Naruto...? What are you talking-?"

"Just...just let me finish. I thought this speech over for the last twenty minutes..." He spoke, and I couldn't help but giggle, "...I...I love you Sakura...it scares me how much sometimes...I wondered if it was just an obsession or puppy-love when I was younger...but...now I realize that it's the real thing..." He clasped my hands around the object...and I could feel what seemed to be a circular shape of some sort...a ring or something like-wait...a ring?? I could feel myself tearing up again.

"Naruto...did you...did you?" I didn't finish my sentence as he opened up my palm, and revealed a beautiful diamond. It glittered with a pure golden band that had the engravings of sakura petals on it. I looked closer at the diamond to see the faint hue of pink in it. I felt my breath hitch a bit, and felt my legs wobbling a little.

Naruto dropped to one knee, and I could feel his hands shaking as he held the diamond within my palm, "Sakura Haruno...will you marry-"

"Yes!! Yes I will marry you, Naruto Uzumaki!" I spoke as I tackled him to the ground, my body shaking with excitement and joy. Naruto laughed as he gripped the diamond. He kissed me before holding my left hand and slipping the ring on it.

"It's a good thing that I bought this diamond a week after we went to the market last year...I was saving it for your next birthday...but I think that this was a more decent cause for it...and the guy at the jewelry said it was an engagement ring to begin with anyway, so, heheh..."

I looked into the somewhat teary eyes of Naruto, and smiled, "You're lucky you did this; I was going to beat you senseless later for worrying the hell out of me so long..."

He laughed, and we eventually got up as the sky turned pink with the sunset, "We should get back...Tsunade-baachan said she had something to tell me..."

Naruto and I eventually got back to the hospital, and arrived at his room to see the Godaime sitting by Naruto's bed by herself. She looked at the two of us, and then noticed the glitter of gold on my ring finger. Her eyes immediately lit up, and she couldn't help but laugh with joy, "It's about damn time! Geez, I was worried I'd have to force you into finally popping the question, Naruto." She walked over to us and wrapped her arms around the two of us, "I expect no less than two grandchildren, got it?"

"Tsu-Tsunade-shishou!" I exclaimed, feeling my face heat up. She merely laughed, and gave us another hug, "Oh, this day is going to be by far one of the best ones I've had in ages...Naruto...come with me. Sakura, you too. I want to discuss something with you at my office..."

(Naruto's P.O.V)

We followed Tsunade-baachan to her office in the Hokage Tower, and watched as Tsunade sat down in her chair. She looked over it while running her hands over it, as though she was reflecting back on something. She looked around the room, taking in every detail. Then she turned to me in particular, "Naruto...I think we both know this day would eventually be coming. I'm just surprised how quickly it caught up with us..."

I had a faint idea of what she was saying, "...Baa-chan?"

Tsunade got up and looked out the window, "You know...I can still remember the day you and I met...I thought I was seeing Dan and Nawaki...you showed me that Konoha still had shinobi worthy of carrying on it's legacy..." She turned to me, a few tears streaming down her face, but she was smiling, "...Naruto...as of tomorrow, I'm no longer Hokage..."

"Wha-what?? Then...Tsunade-shishou...are you saying that Naruto...?"

I saw Tsunade turn to Sakura and nod before walking up to me. She put her hands on either of my shoulders, and spoke, "Naruto...I've talked it over with the Council while you were still in Wave...they all agreed with my decision...even Danzou...as of tomorrow...the new Hokage will be none other than you."

I felt heart stop for a brief second, and I blinked, "...you mean...that...that I...?"

"Congratulations...Rokudaime Hokage..." She laughed as I shot up and hugged her, "Easy, easy!"

"Tsunade-baachan!! Thank you! Thank you!!"

Tsunade returned the hug before letting go, and smiling at me, "I have seen you handle paper work fairly well, seeing as you are a second in command, and Shino tends to let you handle the details of mission reports. I'll have to help you go over a few procedures that you aren't too familiar with...but I know that you're otherwise suited for the job. The council actually was hoping for you to be given the inauguration ceremony before the Wave mission...but since you were assigned to the team, that changed things."

"...so...is the ceremony tomorrow...?"

"Yes, and I've already had public notices posted throughout the village letting people know of this ceremony, though I've only made it known that it has to do with me stepping down. Otherwise, they know nothing of it. The notices were just placed earlier this afternoon..."

I couldn't help but grin, "So I get to make a speech?"

"Yes, Naruto...you get to make a speech...just understand that this is serious. You're going to be leading a village as of tomorrow...well, you've got help of course, but you'll be the new Hokage...people will be looking to you for help and guidance from here on out..."

I nodded, understanding where she was coming from, "I know, Baa-chan..."

Tsunade looked over to Sakura, and grinned, "I know you'll be there to keep his feet on the ground, right?"

"Of course." Sakura laughed, and I couldn't help but feel a bit miffed.

"Hey, I'm not that bad, am I?" The two kunoichi just laughed, and I just sighed, though I couldn't help but eventually join them.

Yeah...today had turned out to be the best day of my life so far...

(The following day)

I stood on the balcony of Hokage Tower overlooking the entire village. The rumble of the crowd that had gathered gave me a constant reminder that Konoha was one of the largest villages in all of the Elemental Nations.

It was currently eleven o' clock in the morning, and I was running on four hours of sleep, a bowl of ramen, a cup of coffee typically given to the night shift patrols who had been assigned to the borders of Fire Country, and sheer excitement. Behind me was the Council elders, Shizune, Jiraiya, and Sakura. Tsunade was in front of me, giving her speech. She had just reached the part of her speech where she would announce me as her successor, and the crowd, upon hearing my name, roared in cheers.

Cheers?

"I will say once more that it has been my greatest honor to serve this village as your leader for these past six years. However, I truly believe that Naruto Uzumaki is qualified to take my posistion. He has served this village for as one of it's most loyal and admirable ninja..." She turned to me and nodded, "Now, Naruto...please step forth..."

Tsunade was dressed in her formal Hokage robes, as well as the hat. As I approached her, she lifted the hat off her head, and grinned, "So...you ready?" She asked, barely above a whisper.

I laughed, "I have been for awhile now."

Tsunade chuckled a bit before speaking aloud again, "Naruto Uzumaki, do you swear to protect this village, with your very own life if need be?"

"Yes, I do."

"Do you swear by the honor of our village's name to lead us to the best of your ability, to serve it with the best of intentions?"

"I do."

Tsunade smiled, and I could see a few tears in her eyes, "Then as the Godaime Hokage, and by the acknowledgement of the council of Konohagakure, I hereby pass on the title of the Hokage down to you..." She placed the hat upon my head, and took a step back, the smile on her face never leaving, "People of Konoha, I present to you Naruto Uzumaki, Rokudaime Hokage!"

I stared in awe as the crowds erupted. I was amazed...I still had to remind myself that most of the village looked to me with some respect now...

"Well, go on, Hokage-sama. Give them your speech." I heard Jiraiya say, only to have Tsunade jab him in the ribs lightly. He laughed anyway, but quieted down.

I took a look back to see Sakura nod. She had chosen to wear a red dress with her hair in a bun, held in place by two hair sticks. It had a floral pattern running down its length, giving her a look of elegance. It was also ideal for kunoichi, as it contained several hidden pockets for weaponry...but we didn't need to tell anyone about that...

"...people of Konoha...I stand here today...honored." I began, "I spent my life, living for this moment. The moment to finally achieve the highest honor a ninja of Konoha can achieve...many of you may know this, having personally met me..."

I took a moment to scan the audience. I saw Kakashi and Rin, holding each other, Kakashi giving me a nod while Rin was smiling broadly.

"Some of you may have doubted me in the past...though I suppose many of you are the reason I got to this point today..."

I looked to see many of the Hyuuga clan, both Main and Branch family, standing in attendance. Hinata and Kiba were watching me. Kiba gave me a thumbs up while Hinata gave a polite wave. Neji stood by his cousin, a knowing smirk on his face while Tenten was holding him by the arm.

"I will be the first to admit that my life was nothing to brag about...but I always believed that if I continued to strive and work for what I believed in that someday I would achieve my dream..." Ino and Chouji were standing near their respective clans, both grinning up at me.

"I promise that as long as I serve as Hokage that I will do all that I can to insure its peace and prosperity. I promise that I will look into the local issues, as well as those involving foreign affairs. I will do all that I can to bring Konoha into the greatest era it has seen yet."

Yeah, that was talking pretty big...I would admit it. Yet, that was what I was aiming for. I remember telling myself that I would become the greatest Hokage ever...in order to do that, I would have to do better than all those before me. Also, as Hokage...I had to be able to be honest with my people...

"People of Konoha, I know that many of you are aware of what I hold within me. Many of you may hold a grudge against me for it...but I will tell you right now, I have it under control. As of today, I lift the law created by the Sandaime Hokage, and the secret of me being the Jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi is no more. I will not hold this secret any longer. If I am to be Hokage, then the first thing I must do is have my people's trust."

I could feel the people all watching me as I looked over the horizon, and glanced over to my father's face etched in the stone, "My father had entrusted me with that burden when I was first born. I do not wish to tarnish that trust he had in me by hiding the truth from all of you. I am the container of the Nine-tailed Fox, but nothing more. I can use it's powers, but only to a certain degree. Will the fox take over me? No. Will the fox be the death of me. Not likely. Does my status as a Jinchuuriki affect the village at all? Without a doubt...but I will not let this fact be our doom. I am strong not because of the Kyuubi, but because of how hard I have worked to become the shinobi I am today..."

The murmurs from people who had managed to connect the fact that my father was Minato Namikaze grew, but I continued, "I ask only that you believe in my ablities, and trust in me. I do not want you to respect me based on a title alone...this title means nothing unless the person has earned it. I have seen what too much pride can do to a person. I wish to be respected for what I do, not because of what I am..."

I took in a deep breath, and prepared for the final part of this speech, "To me...all of you are my family. Only recently have I found out of my lineage...but I still see all of this village as a part of who I am, and what I am. It's because of all of you that I am what I am today. It is because of this village that I want our children...and our children's children to have the opportunity to lead successful lives of their own. Again...I promise all of you that as long as I am Hokage, I will do all I can to insure this village's peace and prosperity. That is a promise...and I never go back on my word...for that is my nindo!"

The crowd was silent for a brief moment. I stood their...silent...

"Did I say something wrong? Do I have something on my face? Is my hat crooked?"

Then Kiba let out a hooting cheer, "Yeah, Naruto!!"

All at once, the crowd erupted with cheering and applause like none other. The word, 'Rokudaime' was chanted constantly, and I couldn't help but cry a bit. I nearly fainted from the nervousness I was experiencing moments ago. I'd have to thank Kiba later for that...

I stood there, looking down upon both the civilians and shinobi of the village...my village...my home.

Tsunade, along with Sakura and Jiraiya, took a step forward. The crowd quieted down a bit, and Tsunade spoke, "I would like to inform all of you that our very own Hokage has also proposed to Sakura Haruno, one of our top medic-nin in the village!"

A cry of joy was heard from Ino, and Sakura, who was blushing like mad as I wrapped an arm around her, spoke into my ear, "Naruto...I wanted to tell you something after all of this is over, okay?" It didn't sound bad...but she did sound serious. She looked to Tsunade and Shizune, who each smiled as well. A knowing smirk actually. I gave Sakura a confused look, but set aside the confusion for now...

It was a half hour later and the cheers could still be heard from outside the Hokage's office...my office...

"For crying out loud, Naruto, stop fiddling around with that hat." I heard Tsunade say as I kept adjusting my hat. I was smirking as I let it downwards a bit, hiding my eyes a bit.

"Heheh, sorry, Baa-chan. Still getting over the feeling of it all..."

Tsunade laughed, "Right, right. Well, anyway, I'll be around for the first month to help you out with any confusion that you may experience. I doubt you'll have too many problems though." She turned to Sakura, and then looked to me, "Well...I guess I'll let you two have some alone time for now..."

I raised an eyebrow. Alone time? What did she mean?

Sakura was standing in front of my desk, looking a bit nervous about something. She looked up to me, and I could see the faint signs of uncertainty in her eyes. I got up, and walked over to her, "Sakura, is something wrong?"

Sakura didn't say anything for a few moments, but after I wrapped my arms around her, she decided to talk, "Naruto...I was feeling sick a few days before you woke up...and I've been getting dizzy spells and stomach aches in the morning...I decided to see Tsunade about it...and well..."

I waited anxiously as she let the unfinished sentence hang in the air. She didn't speak for awhile again, so I spoke, "What did she say? Are you going to be okay?"

"Naruto...I'm more than okay..." She held my sides tightly as I saw some unshed tears in her eyes, "Naruto...we're going to be parents..."

"Oh, well that's good, for a minute I thought were-WE'RE GOING TO BE PARENTS??" I repeated, "Y-you mean...and...Sakura!! You mean, you're pregnant!!" I hugged her tightly, "I'm going to be a father!! Hahaha!!"

Sakura laughed with tears in her eyes, and hugged me tightly, "I'm about a month pregnant...it must have been when we were in Wave a month ago..." She buried her face into my chest, "I'm so glad you're happy as I am..."

"How could I not, Sakura-chan? I always wondered what it'd be like to be a parent! Oh, we'll have to get them a room, and start making family technique scrolls, and-"

Sakura chuckled a bit, "Naruto, easy...we have eight months to get this all taken care of. Tsunade-shishou, Shizune, and Jiraiya-sama said they'd help in any they can. I already looked into moving into a house near the Nara clan. It's for a decent price, and knowing the amount of money we have in our bank accounts, we should be able to pay for it without a problem."

I held my future wife closely, and breathed in the scent of her hair while feeling of true joy spread over me, "...Sakura-chan...I've got to be the luckiest man on Earth right now..."

"Of course, that's because you have me." She joked. I couldn't disagree with her though on that point.

(Madara's P.O.V)

"So...Uzumaki has been made Hokage?" I spoke, looking at the other two men before me, "My, this certainly will make things interesting. I suppose this was bound to happen in his case..."

"He's made a full recovery from the battle, and the majority of the village has given him their support. It will be much more difficult to obtain him this time..." Zetsu spoke, "We'll need to take aggressive measures to capture him this time."

"It will be no problem for us. We only need to create a big enough diversion to draw the village's attention away from him..." spoke Pain.

"Yes...for now, we'll let this peace Konoha is experiencing settle in. They'll be on alert for awhile though with the news of him becoming Hokage. No doubt that Suna will be trying to further strengthen their relations with Konoha, knowing the relations between the Ichibi boy and Uzumaki." I turning to the sunlight from outside the cave we were in, "We cannot fail again..."

end of Chap. 27- Hello, remember me? Heh...yeah, I finally decided that an update was due for this fic. Now, some of you may be thinking, "Um...wow...a lot happened at once here." Truth is, you're right. I planned it like that. Naruto becoming Hokage would probably have happened sooner if he hadn't gone comatose for a month. Sakura found out about the big news just a few days ago after experiencing some sickness from the pregnancy. Naruto, being the spur of the moment guy, might very well pull off a 'out of the blue' proposal. Either way, I finally got another chapter out for this fic. I will try and get more updates on this fic out; I have some ideas planned for what will happen next, just need some time to get them typed out. Well, until then, later!