(And welcome to the new year. I'm back with my next update for all of you. Now that Naruto's returning to the village and Tsunade taking over, things are gonna be changing hopefully for the better on both ends. Enjoy.)
Outside Konoha's gates, Naruto, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Shizune were approaching the entrance, "Home sweet home." Naruto said while stretching his arms.
"Place really looks different from when we were last here." Shizune noted.
"Indeed so." Tsunade agreed.
"Well, it's seen better days considering what it just went through." Jiraiya replied, as the four walked on.
Inside the village, the four walked while on their way to the Hokage's office, until they heard a roaring sound. They looked up and saw Soreth flying right at them. Tsunade and Shizune were shocked, but confused as the dragon avoided them and tackled Naruto to the ground.
They watched as the dragon was licking Naruto's face like a dog to his master, as Naruto laughed from the ticklish tongue, "It's good to see you too, Soreth. Been awhile I know."
"Is that a real dragon?" Shizune gasped.
"That's right." Jiraiya nodded with a smile.
Soreth finally let Naruto up, as the boy spoke up, "Tsunade-baasan, Shizune, this is my dragon pal Soreth. Now be a good dragon and say hello." Soreth let out a happy roar.
"Well, nice to meet you too." Tsunade replied.
"Soreth!" a girl's voice called out.
The group looked down the road seeing Sakura, Ino, and Hinata running over. Sakura spoke t the dragon, "Soreth, didn't we tell you not to go flying off like that? What would Naruto say if he heard of your behavior?"
"I'd say Soreth knew someone was home." Naruto replied.
The girls realizing Naruto was there felt sheepish they didn't realize it, "Naruto, when did you get back?" Ino asked.
"Just a moment ago. I guess Soreth caught my stench as soon as I entered the village." Naruto chuckled.
"We were just taking Soreth outside for some fresh air, until he took off." Hinata explained.
"Well, thank you girls for looking after my buddy." he pat his dragon's head.
"So how'd the mission go?" Sakura asked.
"A success." Naruto answered, as he motioned behind them.
The three looked back seeing Jiraiya accompanied by two more ladies. The three looked at the blonde woman in amaze.
'So beautiful.' the three thought, while Sakura and Ino took a glance at her rack size.
Jiraiya spoke up, "Girls, allow me to introduce my old teammate and fellow Sannin, Tsunade. And her apprentice Shizune."
"Nice to meet you girls." Shizune greeted them.
"So these are the girls you talked about, Naruto?" Tsunade inquired.
"Yeah. Well, three of them at least. This is Sakura, Hinata, and Ino." Naruto introduced them.
"It's nice to meet you." the three kunoichi greeted her.
Naruto continued, "Baa-san can help Sasuke with her medical jutsu."
"You can?" Sakura asked the female sannin with hope.
"I sure can. But before that we need to check in with the Sandaime. So I'll be by the hospital soon."
Naruto turned to Sakura, "You go on ahead, and I'll meet you there soon."
"Ok. Come on, girls." Sakura told her friends who followed her.
Naruto looked at Soreth, "You head home, boy. I'll be there soon."
Soreth nodded, before taking off and flew back home. With that the four headed to the administration building.
When they arrived, Hiruzen greeted Tsunade with a warm embrace, "It's so good to see you again, Tsunade."
"Nice to see you too, sensei." Tsunade smiled.
"You've been gone for so many years. There's a lot you need to be brought up to date on."
"I'll bet."
"But for now, it's best you head for the hospital and tend to Sasuke Uchiha." the Hokage suggested.
"Yes, sir."
"I'll see you guys there." Naruto went to the open window, and jumped out. He used his airbending glider to head off for the hospital, as Tsunade and Shizune followed.
Naruto arrived at the hospital and was shown to Sasuke's room. Inside he saw Sasuke lying in bed unconscious, with Sakura and Kakashi standing around.
"Hey, guys." he greeted them.
"Welcome back, Naruto. You seem much different than before when you left." Kakashi noticed.
"That's because I got a new jutsu in my arsenal. I'll show it to you sometime."
Kakashi thought, 'If I know Jiraiya, there can be one jutsu he could've taught Naruto specifically.'
"May I come in?" Tsunade asked, as she stepped inside.
They saw Tsunade step in, as Kakashi greeted her, "Tsunade-sama. It's an honor to see you."
"Kakashi of the Sharingan, hard to imagine you were once that little kid who made Anbu at the age of a normal academy aged student." Kakashi felt sheepish. She looked at Sasuke, "And that's your third student?"
"That's right. Sasuke Uchiha." Kakashi answered
"Please help him." Sakura pleaded.
"Not to worry." Tsunade approached Sasuke and held her hand over his head.
They watched her perform her healing jutsu on Sasuke, with Sakura looking intrigued. When Tsunade was finished, Sasuke groaned before opening his eyes.
"Sasuke?" Sakura asked.
"Are you all right?" Naruto wondered.
Sasuke groaned, "What happened? Where am I?"
"In the hospital," Kakashi answered, "You've been unconscious for over a week."
"A week? Well, that sucks."
"Sasuke, this is Tsunade the woman who healed you." Sakura introduced him.
Sasuke looked at Tsunade, "Well, thanks."
"No problem. After all as the new Hokage it's my job to make sure my shinobi are properly taken care of."
"New Hokage?" Sasuke asked.
"That's right. Baa-san's gonna be the Godaime." Naruto explained.
"And you're ok with this?" Sasuke wondered.
"Of course I am. I may want to become Hokage, but it's not gonna be happening right away. I'm contempt with waiting until I come of age, and prove I'm worthy to be the village leader."
"Nice to see you're taking that so well." Kakashi admitted.
Naruto face faulted, "Do you all just assume I'd throw a tantrum?" his team chuckled at his reaction while Tsunade watched knowing it was indeed good to be back among fellow Konoha shinobi.
A day had gone by and within that time Tsunade was able to operate on Lee who was greatly injured in his battle with Gaara. Because of her, Lee was able to be a ninja again. When Tsunade was inaugurated at the Hokage, all of the village turned up to witness the historical event. Among guests to show up included Naruto's bending instructors, Ming, Naomi, and Mitsuki. Watching from a roof was Soreth and Spitfire while huddling close together.
Tsunade accepted the hat form her sensei and spoke to the people, "From this day forward I shall lay my life on the line and protect this village as the Godaime Hokage!"
The shinobi, villagers, and everyone else applauded on Tsunade declaration knowing the were in the best of care.
Then that night after the inauguration, Naruto was standing before Tsunade at her desk with Shizune and Hiruzen at her sides.
"Naruto, as one of our newest Chunin, I should remind you that you will be required to take on more high ranking missions. And even possibly lead a team of your own as a captain." Tsunade warned him.
"I understand the position. And I will accept such responsibilities." Naruto answered.
"Very good."
"But I have a request to be made."
"And that would be?"
"As both the Avatar and a Konoha Shinobi I think I should be allowed to take mission in not just the ninja land. But the other lands as well. Fire Nation, Earth Empire, North and South Poles, Republic city. I'm sure they could use some help in situations be in Avatar help or shinobi help."
"That would help broaden our strengths and relationships." Tsunade admitted.
"So can it be done?" Naruto asked hopefully.
"It can. Provided of course you bring your team with you."
"Of course. I wouldn't wanna pass my team out on a chance to see beyond the ninja land." Naruto answered.
"Good. If that's all, you're dismissed until further notice." Tsunade sent him off.
"Goodnight, you guys." Naruto took his leave.
Tsunade smiled, "He's really determined to prove his worth as both the Avatar and a shinobi, isn't he, sensei?"
"Indeed he is, Tsunade," Hiruzen agreed, and thought to himself, 'Perhaps one day he may be trusting enough to know about the village's most greatest of dark secrets.' he thought as a silhouette of itachi appeared in his thoughts.
(And there's the chapter. Tsunade is the Hokage, and Naruto is a Chunin. Don't miss next time my friends. I'll see you all until then.)