Chapter 26: Aftermath
-Hokage's tower-
''We need medics right away!" Kakashi Hatake, who happened to be inside the Hokage's building on the first floor at the time of the blast screamed as he carried out a severely wounded Shizune.
The sound of the explosion echoed throughout the entire village alerting everyone to the events that had unfolded at the Hokage's office. Not far away from the explosion we see various civilians gathering around the immediate area and from the crowd emerge Naruto and Kurotsuchi.
''What the fuck just happened?!" Exclaimed Naruto who was totally confused.
''Naruto we need to help right now.'' Kurotsuchi suggested.
''Yeah, you're right let's go.'' Naruto said.
The couple then run towards the courtyard in front of the Hokage's office where they saw Kakashi carrying Shizune, Mako, who happened to be down the street from the tower when the blast occurred carrying Tsunade followed by Kurenai and Anko who were each carrying the limp bodies of the ANBU agents. The four Jonin in question then set the bodies down in the center of the courtyard.
''Lady Tsunade! Shizune!" Kurotsuchi cried out in shock as she and Naruto run over to check the medic-nin and their Hokage. They approach their bodies and kneel beside them.
''Shizune, Baa-chan! What the hell happened!" Naruto asked out of obvious worry for his comrades.
Tsunade stirred for a second before opening her eyes. Looking around she saw Kurotsuchi and Naruto kneeling over her. ''N-Naruto?'' Was all the Sannin managed to say, albeit very weakly before passing out. The shrapnel wounds she sustained from the explosion causing massive blood-loss.
''Fuck, don't die on me Baa-chan!'' Naruto was about to tend to the wounds himself when Rin appeared behind him.
''Naruto, I'm going to need you to move aside please, I'm a medical ninja.'' The brown-haired Jonin ordered.
Hearing the medic-nin's voice prompted Naruto to turn around and we saw that he had tears visible in his eyes. ''O-okay.'' Was all he said. He looked to his left and saw Kurotsuchi tending Shizune's injuries. ''How is she Kuro-chan?''
I..I can't tell..'' Kurotsuchi said, almost on the verge of tears as well. A figure appeared behind her and turning around she saw a black-haired Jonin with kind eyes, messy black hair and about six feet tall whom she or Naruto had never seen before.
''Here, let me take care of her.'' The man spoke in a soft voice.
''Who are you?'' Naruto asked as he had never seen this Jonin before.
''Don't worry Naruto, I'm a medical ninja as well, name's Kimihito Kurusu. A colleague of your sensei.'' The man greeted as he began to tend to Shizune.
Several minutes would pass and the scene shows various Chunin heading into the courtyard to put out the remaining flames from the explosion with water jutsus while we see ANBU head into the building to seek out anyone else who may have been injured from the blast.
Soon we see Genma come into the courtyard. ''What the fuck happened? What was that explosion?!'' He then saw Mako, Naruto and Kurotsuchi beside the unconscious Tsunade and a barely conscious Shizune. ''Tsunade-sama! Shizune!'' Genma ran over and kneels beside the two kunoichi alongside his team.
''M-Mako-senpai? Naruto? Kurotsuchi? Genma?'' Shizune called out, her breathing hoarse.
''Shizune, what happened?'' Mako asked. Kimihito was trying his hardest to tend to her injuries, though she wasn't as bad as Tsunade she was still jacked up.
''Sh-Shinsen..Shinsengumi...suicide bomber..'' Was all Shizune got out before she passed out from bloodloss.
''Dammit Shizune don't give up!" Kimihito exclaimed as he takes out more morphine and bandages. ''You guys, please leave Shizune and Tsunade-sama to me and Rin because we'll need to take them to the hospital right away.''
Mako nodded and took her students away from the medic-nin and watched the two medics along with Kakashi and Kurenai take the two kunoichi to the hospital. Mako then turns to look up at the charred and destroyed remains of the Hokage's tower and gritted her teeth in anger. ''Those damn animals.''
She then look at the entrance and sees Anko walking out with another corpse...or the top half of it with an arm missing and half his face completely blown off. This one wasn't a shinobi or appeared to be a Konoha citizen. ''Anko, who is that?''
''I don't know Mako, I've never seen this guy before.'' Anko said as she sets the body down.
Mako and her students walk over to check the body. Naruto flips the body over so that he was on his back and got a good look at his face or what was left of it. Sure enough it was someone who he had never seen in the village before and he was familiar with the faces of most of the villagers here.
''This guy, he's not from here.'' Naruto said with obvious rage in his voice.
''Yeah, I can tell. This guy has to be the one who caused the explosion.'' Kurotsuchi inquired.
''If he's the Shinsengumi suicide bomber Shizune mentioned how the fuck did he even get into the village?'' Genma said angrily.
''Anko, you and several ANBU keep the civilians away and close the courtyard off. This is a no-pass zone from now on.'' Mako ordered her best friend.
''Right, I'm on it.'' Anko said before running over to the entrance of the courtyard with several ANBU agents and began to push the civilians back.
''So what now senpai?'' Kurotsuchi asked as they watch the medical-nin exit out of the courtyard with the bodies of the ANBU that had escorted the Shinsengumi member.
Mako then went into thought for several minutes before she came up with an answer. ''We need to speak to Lord Hiruzen and let him decide being a former Hokage and all.'' She said before turning to walk away.
''Senpai where are you going?'' Naruto asked.
''I'm going to see Kotetsu and Izumo real quick. You guys take this corpse to the hospital and give it to the basement and make sure Shizune and Tsunade-sama are okay.'' Mako said before running off into the village.
''Izumo? Kotetsu? What do they have to do with this?'' Genma questioned.
''They're the gate guards, maybe they saw something.'' Kurotsuchi said as she and her teammates then leap through the rooftops headed straight for the hospital.
-Guard station-
''Kotetsu hurry up man we've gotta hurry and get to the Hokage's building!" Izumo shouted as he began to run off while Kotetsu was busy closing up the guard station.
''Hang on man! I've gotta close this first!" Kotetsu finishes closing up the station before running off after his best friend and when he turned to do that he saw Mako appear in front of Izumo.
''Mako? What's going on? What the hell was that explosion!?'' Izumo exclaimed as Kotetsu caught up to him.
''I'll let you know in a second, but first I have a question for the both of you.'' Said the Uchiha woman in a tone that showed that she was both angry and sad.
''What? What is it?'' Kotetsu asked curiously.
''Who came through the gate in the past twenty-minutes?''
''Who? No one really came in besides some rice farmer from wave country who wanted to put in a request for Lady Tsunade, he said it was a mission involving the Shinsengumi. Why?'' Izumo answered.
''A mission involving the Shinsengumi.''
Mako then placed her hands on both men and used the kamui and teleports the three of them to the hospital.
-Konoha General Hospital-
''Are they..they're going to be fine right Rin-senpai?'' A very distraught and saddened Naruto asked as he, Kurotsuchi and Genma watched over the unconscious forms of Tsunade and Shizune.
''Don't worry Naruto, Kimihito and I have made sure that every major and even minor wounds and injuries were tended too. They'll be bed-ridden for a while but they'll pull through I promise. It's just going to take some time.'' Rin said before she turned to leave the room. ''Don't stay for too long okay? They need their rest team eleven.'' Rin then opened the door and left the members of team eleven alone with Shizune and Tsunade, both still unconscious.
The three Jonin continued to look over the still forms of their Hokage and fellow Jonin for several minutes before Genma broke the silence.
''Man, how the hell did the Shinsengumi suicide bomber even get here in the first place?'' Genma asked, the thought of someone from the organization managing to get into Konoha was mind-boggling.
''No idea, but I'm guessing from the outfit he wore he posed as a civilian from another village.'' Inquired Naruto which earns a nod from Kurotsuchi.
Then the door to the room opened and in barged Kotetsu and Izumo followed by Mako behind them.
''Holy shit, Lady Tsunade! Shizune!'' Izumo cried as he ran over to the side of the two kunoichi.
''What the hell happened?'' Kotetsu asked turning to look at Naruto and his teammates.
''A Shinsengumi suicide bomber managed to infiltrate the village.'' Kurotsuchi answered plainly.
''A Shinsengumi suicide bomber? How?'' Izumo questioned out of shock before realization hit him and Kotetsu like a freight train. They remembered when the so-called 'rice' farmer wanted to put in a mission request with Lady Tsunade and they hoped he really was just an average rice farmer.
''Wait, infiltrated? What do you mean Kurotsuchi?'' Asked Izumo, clearly confused.
Mako then walked towards the door and opened it. ''You guys, let's leave Tsunade-sama and Shizune to rest. Right now we're heading to the autopsy room and I'll show the bomber you two.'' The Uchiha Jonin then exited the room followed by her students and then Kotetsu and Izumo.
They all walk down the hall before turning a left heading down that respective corridor before they come across a flight of stairs leading into the basement.
''The autopsy floor? Why are you leading us here Mako?'' Kotetsu questioned out of curiosity.
''Just come on.''
Mako then lead the group of six down the stairs before heading down the corridor before stopping in front of a door at the end of the hallway. Placing her hand around the knob she turns to face the other five before opening it revealing the room to be empty.
She motions for Kotetsu and Izumo to walk in and complying with the Uchiha the two gate guards walk through the door and head into the autopsy room and there laying on the examination table was the same rice farmer they had ANBU escort to their Hokage.
Their eyes widened in shock when they now put the pieces together. Now they knew who the suicide bomber was.
''H-hold on...when this guy came through the main gate. We ID'd him as he said he needed to put in a mission request and after that we had two ANBU agents escort him to the tower...'' Izumo said, his eyes were wide with shock.
''So...that really nice and kind looking rice farmer wasn't...oh shit..'' Kotetsu couldn't bare to say anything. Right from under their noses a member of the Shinsengumi had made it into their village and very nearly killed their Hokage as well as a fellow shinobi and two ANBU agents.
Mako walked up to the examination table. ''Yeah, turns out this guy was really a Shinsengumi soldier. I'm assuming he was also sent to deliver another message being his bombing.''
Izumo and Kotetsu had looks of guilt on their faces, feeling responsible for letting this man in they began to sulk in despair.
''So what about the ANBU that were escorting this guy?'' Asked Kotetsu.
Mako simply closed her eyes, looking at the ground she shook her head giving the hint to Kotetsu and Izumo that the two ANBU died of their injuries while they were carried to the hospital.
''Shit...it's our fault.'' Kotetsu looked down on the ground in shame.
''Shut up, it's nobody's fault.'' Mako said almost angry that her comrades were putting the blame on themselves.
''But he got into the village because of me and Kotetsu!'' Protested Izumo.
The two of them couldn't help but feel responsible that their Hokage and several other shinobi were caught in the blast.
''It's not your fault. He played the role of an innocent looking poor man who wanted to meet our Hokage for a mission request. They used deception.'' Mako said.
Kotetsu and Izumo knew Mako was right, still though had they performed a thorough search of the man the bombing never would've happened.
''So..what will we do now? What would our response be and what about the impending Kage summit?'' Naruto asked worried.
''There's nothing we can do to change it now, Tsunade-sama is incapacitated so we have no Hokage to do that. We don't even have a council either since the last one was so corrupt Lord Hiruzen disbanded it.'' Explained the Jonin.
The door to the morgue/autopsy room opens and in walks Hiruzen Sarutobi, the former third Hokage. ''So this is the man who bombed the tower.'' The old man said as he makes his way over to the examination table. ''How did he get into the village?''
Mako was about to explain the situation but Kotetsu and Izumo stepped in front of her. ''Lord Hiruzen, me and Izumo were on guard duty and during it we saw a rice farmer walk through the gate. We stopped him and asked for his ID and he said he was from wave country coming to Konoha to put in a mission request with Lady Tsunade.''
Hiruzen merely nods at the two Jonin's explainations. ''So, he really wasn't a rice farmer at all?''
''No Lord Hiruzen, this man was really a Shinsengumi soldier and we found that out from Shizune before she passed out.'' Kurotsuchi said earning a nod from Hiruzen.
''I see then, I just came down here right after I visited Shizune and Tsunade and Kimihito and Rin told me they'll be fine. Thank Kami.'' Hiruzen then wiped off the sweat that began to slowly drip from his forehead.
Now that there was no Hokage, Naruto had a certain question to ask the former third. ''Hey, old man?''
''Hm? What is it Naruto?'' Hiruzen looked at Naruto with a raised eyebrow.
''Since Baa-chan is hurt..who is going to fill in for Hokage?'' Asked the blonde. Kurotsuchi, Genma, Mako, Kotetsu and Izumo were also wondering the same thing.
Hiruzen placed a finger on his chin an thought about it for a moment. ''Well Naruto, that is a difficult question to ask and with it comes a difficult answer. As you all know I've been Hokage for a total of forty plus years so I can't afford to come out of retirement since I'm too old for this now.'' Hiruzen then turned to look at the younger shinobi who stood before him. ''For the time being, since I am a former Hokage I have the power to select someone who will serve temporarily as the unofficial sixth Hokage and if Tsunade approves that person will become the official sixth after she retires.''
The Jonin in the room all turned to look at each other.
''A sixth Hokage? Wonder who the old man will choose to substitute for Baa-chan.'' Naruto said with wonder.
''I know, I doubt any of our current Jonin will want to have such a responsibility like that.'' Kurotsuchi said.
''Well, there is Master Jiraiya, I bet he'd be willing to sub for Tsunade-sama I mean, he is pretty wise and easily one of the strongest shinobi we've ever had.'' Genma inquired.
Mako and Hiruzen shook their heads at Genma's suggestion. ''No Genma, Jiraiya was offered the position at least four times and he denied them all so he's out of the equation.'' Said Mako.
''Oh yeah right, plus with his little research for his smut he'd be too caught up in that then actual adult stuff.'' Said the brown-haired Jonin.
Hiruzen continued to run through all the Jonin who could possibly be the best candidate to substitute for Tsunade when a thought struck him. ''I think I've got just the person.'' The former third said gaining the attention of everyone else in the room.
''Really old man? Who might that be?'' Naruto said hoping Hiruzen would tell him.
''Yeah Lord Hiruzen, you should tell us.'' Kurotsuchi insisted.
''Sorry Naruto, Kurotsuchi you'll find out soon before the Kage summit.'' Hiruzen teased before walking out of autopsy room. However, he stops just in front of the door and looks over his shoulder. ''Now if you all excuse me I'll contact Jiraiya via my monkey summon and think over several choices for the sixth. Kotetsu, Izumo.''
''Yes, Lord Hiruzen?'' The two Jonin stood at the position of attention upon hearing their names.
''Close the main gate, get all shinobi who normally work the night guard shifts on the walls and towers. Tell them they will be working overnight until I or the substitute for Hokage says otherwise. Have ANBU guard and patrol a 5-mile radius around the village.''
With that the former third exited the room leaving the Jonin behind.
''I just hope whoever the old man selects to sub for baa-chan will take the position seriously.'' Naruto quipped.
''Man, Imagine if Kakashi became the Hokage, that would be bad considering how lazy and late he always is.'' Kurotsuchi snorted.
''I feel you, though you know who would easily be the worst Hokage of all time?'' Genma asked with a smirk.
Naruto, Kurotsuchi, Mako and the two gate guards then turned their attention to the brown-haired Jonin.
''Oh? Who would that be Genma?'' Mako asked in an almost scolding manner.
''Shikamaru Nara.'' Was all Genma said.
The other five Jonin stared at him before they all nodded and made sounds of agreement.
''Oh yeah, remember how he was when we were Genin? Lazy bastard.'' Naruto chuckled.
''I know, he quit the second Yugao-senpai started the match!'' Kurotsuchi giggled.
''Well, we will have to wait and see who it is so until then we are effectively leaderless.'' Genma said as he gets up and stretches himself. ''I think I'll head home now.'' He then disappeared using his wind shunshin.
''Yeah, me too, me and Kurotsuchi were in the middle of cooking dinner so we're gonna go home and finish it.'' Naruto said as he takes his girlfriend's hand. ''What about you senpai? What are you doing tonight?'' Asked Naruto as he looked towards the Uchiha.
''Oh nothing, just some more family things to take care of is all. I'll see you guys tomorrow at the academy.'' Mako then disappeared using her kamui.
''She's always busy with family stuff isn't she?'' Naruto quipped before he and Kurotsuchi walk over to the door and open it.
''Yes, yes she is Naru-kun.'' Kurotsuchi said before they head out leaving Kotetsu and Izumo alone in the room.
The two gate guards just stood there for several minutes in complete silence and it would be Kotetsu who broke it.
''So...what now?''
''Back to gate guarding..'' Izumo said.
''Fine with me.'' Kotetsu said in agreement and the two Jonin head out of the room and the hospital to return to their guard station.
-Hiruzen's house, the following evening-
After making his way home back from the hospital Hiruzen has been sitting at his desk for several hours. Since he had arrived home he had been going through the list of Konoha's Jonin and even though he already had one in mind he wanted to look through the list to see if their were any other Jonin that can uphold the Hokage title.
''Let's see..Kakashi Hatake could be the substitute but he's incredibly lazy and always late so he's out..'' Hiruzen sighed in annoyance and rested his head against his desk for several seconds before looking over the list again. ''Anko Mitarashi could make a good Hokage..hmm, well she can be quite sadistic so I don't think that'll work out for her in the long run. Ibiki? No, he's too much of a sadist to be Hokage.''
Hiruzen sighed before resting his head against his couch and went into deep thought for several minutes before a smile slowly forms on his face. ''Hm..I wonder if Kushina and Shisui would approve but first I need to set up a meeting with the Daimyo and see if he agrees. I couldn't have asked for a better choice. She would make the perfect Hokage.''
Taking a pen, Hiruzen scribbles something on a piece of paper before getting up and walks towards the window. He takes a puff from his pipe and looks outside to see the quiet, serene scene of Konoha after dark. ''I know you..are the perfect choice.''
-Naruto and Kurotsuchi's apartment-
After checking to make sure Shizune and Tsunade were doing fine Naruto and Kurotsuchi are now back home eating a quiet dinner. Kurotsuchi was enjoying her dinner before she looked up and saw that Naruto appeared to be in deep thought, the look he had appeared as if something was bothering him.
''Naru-kun, do you think Lord Hiruzen will come out of retirement like he did when the fourth died?'' Kurotsuchi asked hoping her question would help him take his mind of whatever was bothering him. ''Naruto?'' Kurotsuchi then moved her hand so that she could place it gently on his but he looked up prompting her to stop.
''DAMMIT!'' Naruto exclaimed in a tone of pure rage. ''WHY? WHY DID THIS HAVE TO HAPPEN?''
Naruto's sudden outburst caught Kurotsuchi by surprise but she quickly regained her composure. ''What...do you mean Naruto?'' She questioned already knowing the answer.
''Why would those Shinsengumi pricks want to start another world war so badly? Look at what happened! Shizune and Baa-chan were caught in the crossfire and now they're resting in the hospital and the chances of them living through an explosion like that looks slim to none!" Naruto then slammed his fist onto the table with enough force both their plates were sent into the air for a split-second before landing on the table.
Kurotsuchi had never seen anger from Naruto. Of all the years she had known him she had always seen the happy-go-lucky blonde but tonight, a new side of him showed. She looked at his face and saw pure anger and rage. His teeth clenched and she was starting to feel afraid of seeing this side of Naruto.
''N-Naruto..'' She pulled her hand away from him only for Naruto to snap out of his anger and sensing his girlfriend's fear from his raged state he quickly reached over with both his hands and took hers into his.
''Kurotsuchi, I'm sorry you had to see that. It's just...'' Naruto couldn't get the words he wanted to say out.
Kurotsuchi took notice of this and placed her other hand on his cheek and rubbed it gently. ''What's wrong? I know something is bothering you so please tell me what it is.''
Naruto sighed before looking at her. ''It's just that I'm worried for Baa-chan and Shizune, I know Rin and Kimihito tended to them the best they can but what if they don't make it?''
Kurotsuchi gave out her own sigh in response. ''Naru-kun, Rin is one of our best medics behind Shizune and Tsunade-sama so they'll be fine. They just need to time to rest and they will make it do you understand?'' Kurotsuchi said. Naruto was always a very positive and optimistic guy but him being so down and negative was making her slightly irritated.
''Yeah, you're right I'm sorry for thinking such things. Come here.'' Naruto then pulled Kurotsuchi close to him and enveloped her in a tight hug.
Kurotsuchi returned his hug and smiled warmly into his shoulders. ''Don't think negative thoughts anymore darling, the Shinsengumi will pay for their actions against us. We'll win this upcoming war against them for Lady Tsunade, Shizune and the entire village, no, the entire shinobi world.''
Naruto smiled at her words and tightened his hug on her and the couple stayed like that for several minutes before there was a knock on the door.
''Awe man, who could that be it's like nine.'' Naruto groaned in irritation.
''Better not be Genma again.'' Kurotsuchi said sarcastically as Naruto broke the hug and walked over to the door.
Opening it he was greeted by the one and only Genma Shiranui.
''Sup Naruto.'' Greeted the brown-haired man.
''What is it Genma? It's kinda late ya know.'' Naruto asked before Kurotsuchi walked up beside him.
''Hey Kurotsuchi.'' Genma said to his teammate.
''Hi, what are you doing here so late anyway?'' Asked the Iwa woman.
''Well, a few minutes ago Mako-senpai came to me for the same reason and told me to tell you what she told me.'' Genma said.
''Go on.'' Naruto said wondering what Mako wanted Genma to tell him and Kurotsuchi.
''Mako told me that Hiruzen's monkey summon that the former Lord third will have a meeting with the fire daimyo about Tsunade's substitute and the sixth Hokage candidate. He wants us along with Kakashi, Kurenai and Yugao-senpai to escort him to the fire daimyo's palace and act as his own personal council to help with the decision. Meet up at the main gate at around 6:30 AM.'' Explained Genma.
Naruto and Kurotsuchi were feeling excited deep down inside but was wondering one thing. ''That sounds really cool and all but..why us? Why have us because we're inexperienced with diplomatic stuff.'' Naruto asked.
Genma merely shrugged his shoulders in response. ''Beats me bro, you'll have to ask Lord Hiruzen tomorrow morning. Night.'' Genma bid his teammates farewell before hopping through the rooftops back to his house.
Closing the door, Naruto and Kurotsuchi finished the rest of their late night dinner before heading into their bedroom and go to lay on their bed.
''Do you think Lord Hiruzen has already decided on who the sixth Hokage candidate is?'' Kurotsuchi asked her boyfriend.
''Maybe, we might actually get our answer tomorrow Kuro-chan, I'm actually pretty excited on who the old man has chosen if he did already.'' Naruto said with a smile. ''And it better be me!" He exclaimed sarcastically only for Kurotsuchi to poke him on the forehead. ''Hey!"
''In your dreams blondie, you haven't met the requirements to be a Kage yet.'' Kurotsuchi said sticking her tongue out.
''What? There's requirements? That's not fair..'' Naruto pouted cutely before pulling the blanket over him.
''Yes, yes there's always been requirements darling. No go to sleep we have to get up early tomorrow.'' Kurotsuchi and Naruto then shared a goodnight kiss before Kurotsuchi turned off the light and the two quickly fell asleep.
-Konoha Main Gate, next morning-
The next scene shows the sun slowly rising over the village before showing us the little guard station besides the main gate of Konoha where we see Hiruzen, Genma, Kakashi, Kurenai and Yugao Uzuki, the proctor from the preliminary and Mako waiting for Naruto and Kurotsuchi to arrive before heading out.
''Man..I'm so tired...I'd rather be alone..in my room reading makeout paradise.'' Kakashi groaned in annoyance.
Mako was seriously tempted to punch Kakashi across the face hearing that. ''You're so fucking lazy Bakashi why are you even a shinobi anyway? I mean, I know your father was one of the greatest shinobi of his time but still.''
''I know right? For the son of the White Fang you're pretty lazy and weird. You're good but you're lazy.'' Kurenai inquired earning a nod from Yugao and a chuckle from Hiruzen.
''Hey I'm not that lazy now.'' Kakashi protested before two figures appeared being Naruto and Kurotsuchi.
''Hey guys we're here.'' Naruto greeted with a wave.
''Good morning...'' Kurotsuchi gave out a big yawn.
''Finally, I thought you guys were never gonna show up sheesh.'' Genma said with feigned anger.
''I know right? It's like waiting in line for the restroom.'' Mako joked earnining chuckles from the other Jonin.
Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe before walking towards the entrance of the gate. ''Well, if you're all ready let's head out and meet the fire Daimyo.'' He said before walking off.
Naruto, Kurotsuchi, Genma, Mako, Kurenai, Yugao and Kakashi followed suit and the eight of them departed for the Daimyo's palace.
-Fire Daimyo's Palace-
''Here we are.'' Hiruzen said as they all arrive that the front entrance of the palace.
Naruto, Kurotsuchi and Genma admired how well-built, well-designed and nice the palace looked.
''This place looks awesome, I wonder how the interior looks.'' Naruto quipped.
''I know right? The earth Daimyo's palace is literally well...made of rocks. The walls, the chairs and even the beds.'' Kurotsuchi said in annoyance.
''That sounds like it would hurt..'' Genma said before the door to the palace opens and Hiruzen leads them all in.
The group enter the palace and the foyer was beautiful. It had walls that were painted with elegant and powerful looking fire designs that truly showed off the power and strength of the element.
''Wow, it looks so beautiful.'' Kurotsuchi commented.
The group then made their way up a flight of stairs before coming to a large set of double doors.
''Now Naruto, Kurosuchi, Genma.'' Hiruzen said turning around to face the three Jonin in question.
''Yes Lord Hiruzen?''
''Since this is your first time here, I want you three to be on your best behavior alright? And please...try not to persuade the Daimyo he can be a bit of..a pushover at times.'' Hiruzen said before turning to face the doors once more. He places both hands on the door and gives a mighty shove causing the two doors to open fluidly.
''Ah, Hiruzen Sarutobi you have arrived.'' Said an elderly man with round eyes with black pupils in them. He was dressed in a traditional kimono and had the standard daimyo headpiece on. He also had a fan in his right hand.
''Yes, it has been. I have arrived with my own personal council.'' Hiruzen greeted with a bow.
''Mhm, I have heard of your predicament from your monkey summon and that would be the reason you are here is it?'' Asked the Daimyo.
''Yes, we are here to discuss my choice for the sixth Hokage candidate and all other possible picks for the position and I want to see if you approve of it.'' Hiruzen explained.
''Very well then, all of you please take a seat.'' The Daimyo motioned for everyone to come to the meeting table and each and everyone of them took their seats around the Daimyo.
The Daimyo looks at all the Jonin with interest before setting his sights back to Hiruzen. ''Alright then, since we're all here let's begin the meeting and I guarantee by the end of it, we will have our sixth Hokage.''