MASASHI KISHIMOTO OWNS NARUTO, NOT ME, I WISH I COULD WORK FOR HIM THOUGH.
The Shinobi were waiting for the clock to strike noon, 60 minutes felt like 60 hours. Tick…tock…tick tock. Shikamaru was in his usual pensive pose, which meant he was in deep thought. Something Naruto always found odd about his best friend. Rock Lee on the other hand can never sit still, he always has to keep himself in action, he was keeping himself busy by doing upside-down one fingered pushups, he could be heard counting with a grunt with each number…10,001…10,002…10,003… he was a machine.
Naruto was just writing some thoughts down, things that he might do during his retirement. So far he had come up with a few ideas, visit Mount Myoboku to visit the toads, travel to Sunagakure to spend time with his other best friend Gaara, maybe even write a book about his rise to power as an inspiration to people to never give up on their dreams, no matter how impossible they may be. He wanted to do so much. And so much he wanted to have Hinata by his side, it seemed to him that she was now in his mind more than ever. But for the time being he had to put his memories of her at bay, lest he succumbs to misery.
His thoughts came back to Hanabi's offer for a small party later that night. He was genuinely happy it has been some time since he was able to sit down with his friends and have a nice meal. Sometimes being the Hokage strained his basic needs. He thought who Hanabi would invite. He was stroking his beard with a happy smile on his face. Rock Lee took notice while he was up 10,578 in his count.
"What's with the smile Naruto?" asked Rock Lee with his iconic smile.
Naruto was snapped back to reality by his question. "Oh, Hanabi said that she was throwing a small dinner party and was inviting a few people to celebrate my retirement, I'm actually excited to see who is coming."
"Am I and Shikamaru invited to this shindig?"
"OF COURSE! You guys are my best friends, can't leave you guys out, that would just be no fun!" Naruto assured both Lee and Shikamaru with a big thumbs up.
"Great!" Lee muttered with a flashy smile as he reached 11,000 upside-down one fingered pushups, suddenly he did a double flip and landed with his other hand and started his count up to 11,000 with his other hand.
"Damn it Bushy Brows! How do you do that!? You are 81 years old, im barely able to do walk long distances without breaking a hip!" Naruto said jokingly with a mix of admiration and jealousy.
"That guy just doesn't know when to quit, I swear…" then out of the blue he heard his phone ringing. "Hold that thought. Hello? Yes dear, no, you don't have to cook tonight, we are actually eating dinner at the Hyuga compound tonight, yeah Hanabi is having a small get-together, yeah I will come home and pick you up once I am done here." Then Shikamaru turned to Naruto and Lee, "Temari says 'hi guys,'" then he turns back to his phone, "yes dear, they say hi too, okay see you soon, love you too, bye."
"So what's Temari up to today Shikamaru?" asked Naruto while we was twirling his kunai by the ring leisurely.
"She is making lunch for the grandkids while they are helping her move some furniture in the house, it's funny when I think about us calling them grandkids when they are in their 30's" said Shikamaru with a heavy laugh.
"Yes, I too know how that feels like, Sakura and I are amused by that notion. But old or young they are still our grandchildren." Said Lee as he got back onto his feet and got back to his computer to log his small workout burst. Then he from the corner of his eye he saw Naruto with his shoulders slumped down, which he knew very well what his friend was thinking. "Naruto are you okay?"
"Yeah Bushy Brows, I am." Sighed Naruto. "I guess I will never experience what you guys are discussing, I never had children, I never settled down, since Hinata was murdered I made our village my top priority, the only thing I have to a family is Karin, but she is my distant cousin, I guess the only thing I have close to a son is my godson Sakumo, but he had the opportunity to grow up with both his parents, Kakashi and Anko did a great job raising him, I was just glad I had the honor of them naming me his godfather. But it is alright, the only woman I truly loved and wanted to have children with was Hinata, I am perfectly okay with the life I have chosen. Sure I've had women throwing themselves at me, but my heart belongs to Hinata and Hinata alone."
"That's the spirit Naruto! Never give up on your true love!" said Lee with fire glowing in his eyes.
"Wuss," said Shikamaru, "syke! You love Hinata, I respect that. I know how it feels to have a rough time with love, I mean take me and Temari for instance, we came from two different villages thousands of miles away, but I never gave up on her, it was tough but we pulled through, even though she was a total pain in the ass and troublesome, but without her I would be alone to this day, so I can sympathize for you Naruto, I always have your back" Shikamaru cheered his best friend.
"As do I also!" proclaimed Lee.
Then they all heard a small knock.
"Come in." Naruto called
Sakumo came into the room with a small smile on his face, happy to see his old sensei.
"Hello to all of you, how have you been Lord Lee? Lord Nara?"
"Good." Said Shikamaru and Lee in unison which made Naruto and Sakumo laugh.
Both Lee and Shikamaru stared at Naruto quizzically as if mentally asking, "Is he our new Hokage!?" to which Naruto simply shook his head and pointed to the clock on the wall, which only read 11:55 am. Only 5 minutes remained until they had their answer. Clearly Naruto was a master of suspense, Lee and Shikamaru mentally agreed.
"So Lord Hokage, what was it that you wanted me to witness today?" asked Sakumo while he knitted his brow.
"Just one more minute." Said Naruto as the clock 11:59 am.
As 12pm struck Naruto quickly reached for his scroll on his right and threw it at the floor in front of Sakumo, a whirlwind of leaves white flash of light appeared in the room then it disappeared and in its place stood yet another white haired man but this man was younger in appearance, he was taller and more muscular than Sakumo. Shikamaru just grinned as the sight of the man confirmed his theory, Lee gave Naruto the thumbs up indicating his approval.
"Son? What are you doing here?" Sakumo
"Hikari, good, you accepted my invitation." Said Naruto with a smile. He was hoping everything would come into place.
"Hi pops, I don't know yet why I am here. Lord Hokage, why am I here? I was just about to sign up for an S rank mission when your bird Mokin gave me this scroll, what does it mean?" asked Hikari as he grabbed the scroll from his pouch and presented it to Naruto.
"Well I guess now is a good a time as ever. Hikari as you know I am an old man, and the Village Hidden in the Leaves needs a strong young protector, someone who is strong willed and strong as well as gentle and peaceful in heart. You are a remarkable shinobi from a strong clan. I had the privilege to train both you and your father, I trust the two of you with my life and most importantly with Konoha. Sakumo you are a genius in the battlefield every mission you have ever been in has come back with zero casualties and 100% success rate. And that trait of yours was carried over to your son Hikari, along with his undying determination to be as strong as his father and grandfather he rose through the ranks at an early age and made Jonin status at the age of 14. His abilities of ninjutsu are unsurpassed, that is why from starting today you are my successor, you Hikari Hatake are Hokage."
"I AM WHAT!?" Hikari screamed in shock as his father tackled him with a big bear crushing hug.
"I am so proud of you son! You have made our clan proud! You have some mighty big shoes to fill, after all you are the successor of Konoha's Orange Hokage, Savior of The Village Hidden in the Leaves! But I believe he has faith in you if he personally chosen you to take over for him." Said Sakumo still crushing his son with a hug.
Naruto just laughed at the sight, also so did Shikamaru and Lee.
"Excellent choice Naruto, I approve!" said lee
"Looks like I was right, I should have made a bet with you as to see if I would have guessed right. Ha ha ha oh well, maybe next time." Joked Shikamaru.
"Well let's get to the rooftop to proclaim the new Hokage to the rest of the village. Come on people move it move it move it, I want to get on with my retirement and be a crazy old man…maybe even crazier, I don't know yet I haven't decided!" Naruto rambled on with a laugh.
"Yes sir!" Hikari saluted as he got up and followed the rest of the group up to the rooftops.
"I NARUTO UZUMAKI, 6TH LORD HOKAGE, HEREBY ANNOUNCE THAT I AM RETIRING, BUT FEAR NOT MY CITIZENS FOR I LEAVE YOU IN CAPABLE HANDS, LET BE PROUD TO INTRODUCE YOU TO YOUR NEW LEADER, I PRESENT TO YOU, HIKARI HATAKE, 7TH LORD HOKAGE!" with that being said Hikari stepped forward to the balcony as Naruto removed his Hokage Headpice, revealing his white-blonde hair and silver horned oil kanji headband that once belong to his master and godfather Jiraiya, and placed it ontop of Hikari's white head. "Do me proud kid, or should I say Lord Hokage!" bowed Naruto.
The crowed below in the village roared with excitement, they approved of their new leader, some were sad to see their old Hokage retire, but the old man deserved his time of peace and rest.
"Come on guys lets go, the new Hokage needs time with his new role, and we have to get ready for the party tonight!" beckoned Naruto to Lee and Shikamaru.
"Alright lets go Naruto." Said Shikamaru
"Naruto I challenge you to another contest, do not think that I have forgotten our score, 1,000(N)/999(L)" challenged Lee.
"No thanks, I think I much rather start my retirement with both hips intact, maybe later tonight you can challenge me to some eating contest or something." Smirked Naruto.
As the three friends walked through the village Lee decided to head to hospital to join his wife Sakura on a late lunch and to inform her about tonight's plans before meeting with his friends later on tonight at the party. Shikamaru decided to go home with Naruto back to the Namikaze home instead, because it has been a while since him and Naruto just hung out and did guy stuff. Temari knew that he would go on occasion go back with his best friend and chillax and sometimes she would kid around saying how sometimes she felt that Shikamaru loved Naruto more than he loved her.
"So you up for a little game of Go or Shogi?" asked Shikamaru?
"Yeah sounds good to me." Said Naruto as they reached the front gates of the Namikaze home. When then all of the sudden the skies turned dark and windy as if a storm was coming. But it was no ordinary storm, it was a storm that could only be found in Sunagakure, which meant one thing, Gaara was near. As if speaking right about the devil a small sand whirlwind touched down right behind them and Gaara stood there coughing and wheezing from all the sand.
"Why do I ever keep choosing to travel by sandstorm I will never know!" said Gaara as he was dusting himself off of all the sand he attracted.
"Gaara don't you dare drag any sand into my house! It still hasn't recovered from the last time you were over and had your little accident!" yelled Naruto with laugh.
"Oh ha ha ha he he ho ho hu hu, very funny my old friend Naruto!"
"Gaara what brings you back here!?" asked shikamaru with excitement, for he knew that Gaara enjoyed a good competitive game of Go or Shogi more than Naruto
"Well I am here for the Party celebrating my best friend's retirement of the Mantle of Hokage the same way he was there for me when I retired the Mantle of Kazekage, not to mention it gives me a great excuse to come visit my favorite brother in law, my sister and my grandnieces and grandnephews, and to kick your ass in Go or Shogi. So tell me one reason why I shouldn't be here?" said Gaara with a big happy grin.
"I know when I am beat, come on brother, I think we can get in a few rounds in and a bottle or two of Sake before we head over to the shindig tonight. But we have to go by my house first to pick up Temari before the party." Shikamaru said as he put his arms around Gaara's and Naruto's shoulders. Naruto just laughed and as he opened the door to his house which was nice a fresh as always. It was decorated in a modern theme with oil paintings all over the walls, some of landscapes of all over the world, some of dead comrades and family by extent. He loved each and every one of them, including one of that total douche nozzle Sasuke Uchiha, which he had alter with a silly devilish pencil striped mustache, which a lot of his guest would think was comical. Another of his favorites was one of him and Jiraiya and Granny Tsunade. Another of Commander Yamato, Kakashi-sensei, Sakura, Kiba ontop of Akamaru, Shino, and the pale ghost of Sai. And sitting on top of his mantelpiece was two paintings side by side, one of his parents on their wedding day, and the one next to it was a beautiful portrait of Hinata wearing a beautiful tradidional purple Kimono with a beautiful flower on the side of her head. He looked at that painting every day, it made him smile as much as it made him weep. He thanked Hanabi every day in silence for giving him such a beautiful gift of his dearly beloved. Those two were his two most valuable treasures.
"Alright guys make yourselves at home open fridge and bar while I go take a shower and change clothes." Said Naruto as he headed upstairs. Meanwhile Shikamaru and Gaara started to drink and play their board game. About 20mins later Naruto returned fully cleaned and dressed as he turned on the television and saw the news going about talking of their new Hokage and how they were doing a special piece later on the week about Naruto's life before being a Hokage and life during it, and his plans for life afterwards. "Yay, an interview, just what I needed, not!" said Naruto jokingly. "So guys, who is winning?"
"Me!" yelled Gaara.
"Nooooooo, Me you bastard!" exclaimed Shikamaru
"Potatoe Potato, whats the difference!?" asked Gaara.
That's how they spent most of their time together catching up and goofing off, time flew by and it was time to depart, they called a cab to take them to the Nara Compound to pick up Temari and then off to the Hyuga Compound. Once they reached the Nara Compound Temari stepped out of the home and into the cab and she was happy to see that her brother arrived on time and caught up with his two best friends. When they arrived at the Hyuga Compound they paid their fares and went in and were surprised as to how many people had shown up. Hanabi was the first one to greet them, she hugged her big brother Naruto first then the rest of the group.
"There is the man of the hour! I was wondering when y'all would show up, everyone is here come on the food is ready and people are getting hungry! Come on people!" yelled Hanabi with happiness in her voice."
Everyone you could have possibly guessed was there, basically all of the survivors of the war was there. People who shared all the hardships with Naruto were there to celebrate his life and success. "so this is small, Hanabi?" Naruto chuckled. He was happy, they all diged in, the food was amazing people was passing food around it was a happy occasion. Then Naruto stood up and started to talk.
"I just want to thank everyone who has come here tonight to celebrate my retirement, because God sure as hell knows I need it!" Naruto along with everyone else laughed at his corny joke. "But all jokes aside I want to thank every single one of you for being here in my life, I want to thank Hanabi my sister for arranging all of this to happen and gathering all of you here…I also want to thank a very special woman, without her noble sacrifice…none of us would be here today, she was my best friend, and comrade, she was a shy sweet girl who was friendly to everyone and saw the good in them, no matter dark their past was. And she is also the only woman I have ever loved, I want everyone to take a minute to raise their glasses for our dear friend and comrade Hinata Hyuga!" everyone raised their glass and cheered Hinata's name.
As Naruto began to sit back down he saw a flash of light coming from an unlit hallway, and in the corner he thought he saw a familiar face poking her face out shyly. "Hinata?" Naruto whispered and he ran towards her, but before he knew it he heard everyone gasping and panicking screaming and yelling.
"Sakura hurry up Naruto has collapsed I think he has a heart attack hurry! Shikamaru screamed.
"I'm doing my best! He's not responding, fuck! Naruto don't you fucking dare die on us not now!" she yelled as tears began to run down her cheeks and into her green chakra glowing hands.
"Sakura, stop, he is dead, there is nothing you can do." Lee comforted his wife.
"This can't be, that bastard can't die!" Shikamaru screamed holding back a sob while holding Temari.
"No, God no, not him!" Gaara yelled crying clenching his teeth and hair.
"NO! Not my brother, I have already lost my sister, I cannot lose my brother too!" yelled Hanabi.
"What is going on guys I'm still alive, guys?" Naruto kept his eyes on Hinata the whole time. Scared he might lose sight of her, then he looked back to see, his body was back at the table. "I AM DEAD!?" Naruto freaked out. Then he quickly scrambled trying to find Hinata, then a flash occurred, everything turned white, everyone was gone there was nothing in sight, and about 100 feet away he spotted Hinata, her back facing him, but he could recognize her from a million miles away, she was standing in front of the pearly gates of Heaven.
"HINATA HOLD ON BABY I AM COMING FOR YOU! I AM ALMOST THERE, I LOVE YOU PLEASE WAIT FOR ME!" Naruto screamed as he started to run towards her, but she could not hear him, and just as he was nearing her at arm's length, the un-expectable happened.
"OH NO YOU FUCKING DON'T! YOU AREN'T GOING TO DIE! NOT YET! IF YOU DIE I DIE TOO, I LOVE YOU AND CARE ABOUT YOU NARUTO UZUMAKI, I THANK YOU FOR RESTORING BALANCE TO MY LIFE BUT I WONT LET YOU KILL ME AND YOURSELF WITHOUT FINDING A NEW HOST FOR MY POWER! OR HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN THAT!?" Said Kurama the nine tailed demon fox Biju as he was pulling Naruto further away from his love.
"KURAMA WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING! LET ME GO I HAVE TO GO I NEED TO BE BY HINATA, THIS IS MY ONLY CHANCE TO BE WITH HER AND BE HAPPY! Screamed Naruto as he was being pulled back by Kurama with great force.
"NARUTO THINK ABOUT IT, IF YOU DIE I DIE, AND THAT WILL DISTORT THE BALANCE OF POWER AND CAUSE WAR AGAIN! I WANT PEACE NOT WAR! LISTEN NARUTO YOU HAVE DONE SO MUCH FOR THE WORLD. IT'S TIME I REPAY THE FAVOR FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR US BIJU. I AM GOING TO GIVE YOU THE CHANCE TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT WITH YOUR LOVE."
"BUT HINATA IS RIGHT THERE WAITING FOR ME I CAN FINALLY BE HAPPY! LET ME GO!" Naruto demanded.
"WE ARE GOING TO SET THINGS RIGHT, YOU ARE A PIUS MAN, YOU DESERVE WHAT I AM ABOUT TO GIVE YOU, YOU WILL SEE THAT THIS IS A MUCH BETTER PLAN, FOR ALL OF US. YOU WILL HAVE A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE, AND SET THINGS STARIGHT. I GIVE YOU MY WORD. I WILL NOT FUCK YOU OVER, I PROMISE YOU. THIS WILL MAINTAIN BALANCE AND YOU WILL HAVE THE LIFE YOU HAVE BEEN DREAMING OF FOR THE PAST 75 YEARS. I WONT TAKE NO FOR ANSWER!"
And with that being said Kurama grabbed Naruto with his tails and ran in the opposite direction away from Heaven and Hinata at Godspeed, Naruto's sight became fuzzy and blurry and couldn't hear or see anything anymore, then everything went black. And then suddenly an explosion hit Naruto's senses, he could see again, the bright sun in his face, he could hear the busy village loud as ever below his apartment building's roof pylon, he could feel the cool breeze hitting him, then he realized he felt something in his hands, buckets of paints. He gasped and dropped them. He put his hand on his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. He checked the date. "March 12th…" Naruto blinked repeatedly making sure he saw things right. Then he looked up at the mountain of the Hokages. There were only four, Tsunade's and his face was gone. The phone was right. Naruto got sent back in time by Kurama to the day were would deface the mountain of the Kages with graffiti. "No way!" was all Naruto said before he fell back on the ground knocked out from shock.