Disclaimer!: I DON'T OWN NARUTO! Thought you'd know by now...
(A/N): What is up!?
Ok real talk. Me and Anonymous Jonin begin working on "The Caged Bird" today. We plan on having it up on Sunday, and plan on updating it every Sunday. SO! Don't expect any slow downs on my part! "The Oracle" will continue to be updated every single day! So don't get cha nickas in a twist. 0_o
TO THE STORY!
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Chapter 74: Inauguration
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"Hokage-sama, I believe a TRUE, introduction is in order. You know me by the name of Uzumaki Seinaru, but that is just a cover. For I, am the Oracle of Six Paths. Bringer of prophecy and seer of the future. I am the Oracle, and I know a great many things."
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Naruto walked over to Ichiraku's while thinking about what had just happened. Tsunade had taken the whole Oracle thing...kinda well. She looked confused at first but after some explaining from both Naruto and Hiruzen, and some input from Kurama, she worked through it and understood what was going on. The next little secret that was slipped to the new Kage was the truth about Itachi. That one threw both Naruto and Tsunade for a loop. The blondes couldn't believe that Hiruzen could let something like that happen, let alone authorize it. He also questioned his fathers roll in the matter as well. He had already known about what Hiruzen was going to have Itachi do and didn't do anything to stop it.
They did however, tell them that Itachi is now working as a spy for both his father and the Hokage. It amazed Naruto. The village had him do something so cruel, so inhumane, and he was still completely loyal to the village. Naruto had found a new respect for the man he didn't think was possible. But then his thoughts turned to Sasuke. Good lord what Itachi must think of how Sasuke turned out. The supposed 'last loyal Uchiha' had turned out as a spiteful, vengeance obsessed brat. The boy had an ego that would make Itachi cringe. As Naruto thought of how all of Itachi's sacrifices meant nothing to Sasuke gave him a bad taste in his mouth.
He was brought out of his thoughts when someone called his name. He was about twenty feet from Ichiraku's when he heard Sakura call him from the little Ramen Stand. He smiled and walked over to them.
"Hey guys, been awhile huh?" he said as he sat next to Sasuke. Sakura smiled at him. "Yeah I guess it has huh? So, how's being a Jonin?" she asked him with a raised eyebrow. Naruto shrugged as Ayame brought over his usual, not needing to be told what the Ramen crazy blonde wanted. He broke his chopsticks and dipped them into the warm broth. "You know, I don't really know yet. I've only been on one mission so far and it was just to retrieve Tsunade-obachan. But things did get a little crazy when me and Jiraiya found her." he said as he took in a large helping of noodles. Sasuke, finally joining in on the conversation, raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, crazy?" he asked as he swallowed a mouthful of noodles. Sakura also looked at Naruto with the same expression. Sakura thought it sounded like an easy enough mission and was wondering what could have happened.
"Well," he began. "We were able to talk Tsunade-obachan into coming back with us. But the next day Orochimaru and his goons showed up and started attacking the city we were in." he said through a mouthful of Ramen. Upon hearing the snakes name Sasuke unconsciously rubbed his neck where the curse seal was. "So what happened after that?" Sakura asked in unbridled curiosity. Naruto swallowed hard and took a quick breath. "Well, we fought. I had to take on his a group of like...a hundred? Yeah a hundred Oto shinobi. I think most of them were mid Chunin level so it wasn't so bad. But after I got done with them I was tired and couldn't use any more jutsu." he said as he quickly drank his broth. Sakura was looking at him with her mouth gaping at him. One hundred people!? Come on! That had to be some sort of exaggeration.
Naruto set his bowl down and sighed in content. "Then, this guy who could do some weird technique that let him pull bones out of his body and use them as weapons attacked me. He was pretty good at Kenjutsu and had a curse seal on him. It took me a LOT longer to take him down than it would have if I was fighting fresh. But, I got the job done. After I beat him I went to help Ero-sennin and Tsunade-obachan with Orochimaru, but I was surprised to see the bastard already taking a beating. Before I was able to join in however, he got away with some help from Kabuto." he finished as Ayame brought him another bowl.
Sakura looked stupefied at the story she had just heard. When did Naruto get that strong!? Of course, he had always been strong, but not strong enough to take on a hundred people at once. It just blew the Pinckettes mind. Sasuke just nodded along to the story. "Damn. It would have been great if Jiraiya-sama took that bastard out." Sasuke grumbled at the end of Naruto's story. Naruto nodded and grumbled an agreement. Naruto finished his second bowl and raised an eyebrow. "You know, wheres Kakashi-niisan? I haven't seen him since I got back." Naruto asked his old teammates. Sakura and looked down sadly while Sasuke clenched his fist till his knuckles turned white. The Uchiha grit his teeth as he responded. "Kakashi-sensei was put into the hospital due to a Genjutsu induced coma. That bastard Itachi attacked while you were away and hit Sensei with a secret technique of the Sharingan. Your father tried to heal him but couldn't do it." he said, anger flooding his voice. Sakura at least looked up hopefully. "At least Tsunade-sama is back. With her I think she can help him." she said to try and ease the mood. It worked some as Sasuke began to calm down.
Naruto was shocked that someone could put his older brother figure down like that and was equally shocked that it was Itachi was the one to do it. He shook his head and finished his third bowl. He sighed and stood up. "I've gotta go. I need to go see my dad." he said as he left his money and left.
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That night Naruto stopped by his parents new home and got the full story from his father. After getting all the information he could he wish them a good night and headed back to his own house just down the road. When he got to the Namikaze estate he saw a dark blue haired Hyuuga waiting there for him. "Oh, hey Hina-hime. What are you doing here?" he asked his girlfriend with a smile. She smiled back at him and held up a bag. "I thought, since it's your first night on your own, that I could make you dinner." she said with a slight blush. Naruto smiled broadly. "I'd love that my Hime." he said as he opened the gate for her. She giggled happily and walked in.
After they were done eating they both sat on the couch in content silence. Hinata was snuggled up against him and happily leaning her head on his shoulder. "Hey Naru-kun?" she said as she rubbed her head against his shoulder. He opened his closed eyes and looked at her. "Yes my Hime?" he asked in a whisper like tone. Hinata adjusted her self so she could look him in the eye. "Would you like to go to the Inauguration ceremony with me?" she asked in mock shyness. Naruto chuckled and planted a quick kiss on her forehead. "If my Hime so wishes it, it would be my honor to accompany you." he said to her in a jovial tone. She smiled at him, and before he could react, reached up and kissed him. His eyes widened a bit before he closed them and leaned into the kiss.
After a few minutes they parted and laid there for a while, breathing slightly heavily and looking into each others eyes. Naruto smiled his warmest smile. "I love you, my Hime." he said to her. She smiled back at him and cupped his cheek with her hand. "I love you too, my Kitsune Kishi. (Fox Knight)" she leaned up to him and he leaned down to her. They shared another passionate kiss.
They stayed there for what felt like hours, just laying in each others arms. Life was good.
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The next day Naruto met with Hinata and her family and walked to the front of the Hokage tower, hand in hand with his Hyuuga princess. They waited and saw that his father and mother joined up with Kurenai and Asuma. Naruto and the Hyuuga group joined the Uzumaki's and started to engage in small talk.
Their conversations were all cut off when Hiruzen walked onto the roof of the Tower. "Attention!" he called to the massive crowds that had gathered. "I present to you, the Godaime Hokage! Senju Tsunade!" he announced as he made way for Tsunade to look over the village. She wore the formal Hokage robes and hat. She reached up and removed the hat and looked out to her people. "May the Will of Fire burn in the hearts of all of you! I am proud to be the Godaime of Konohagakure no Sato!" she called to the crowds of villagers and shinobi alike.
She was met by the thunder of applause and overwhelming shouts of her people. "All Hail Hokage-sama!"
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(A/N): To be continued...
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